2009年以降，歐債危機的形成與衝擊，不但已經重創歐元區的 總體經濟表現，而且也增添全球經濟成長的陰霾。值得注視者，受 益於國外市場對於德製知識密集型產品的強勁需求，德國卻有著令 人曯目的經濟表現， 2011年的出口金額大幅成長了 17%，已達到 14,741億美元，並跨過 1兆歐元門檻再創紀錄。 2007-2012年期間，德國的經濟表現顯較絕大多數歐元區國家為佳；其中 2011年與 2012年德國的經濟成長率分別為 3.0%與 0.9%，而歐元區的成長率則分別為 1.5%與-0.6%；在失業率方面，德國直到 2005年失業率都還高居 11.3%左右，及至 2012年則降至 5.5%且持續看跌；有見於此一優越的經濟表現數據，歐美各地即紛紛呼籲應以德國為師。觀諸德國落實智識創新政策，帶動經濟逆勢成長之經驗，無疑地相較於強調加入區域經濟整合組織的治標取向，厚植於研發導向型產業政策則將更有助於治本。

The sovereign debt crisis has seriously impacted European financial markets and has stalled its economic performance since 2009.Despite the negative impact of the European debt crisis; Germany has still retained a robust economic strength that has outshone its counterparts. The German export reached a new record being US $ 1,474 billion in 2011, exceeding the threshold of 1 trillion Euro, most of which was contributed by technology-intensive products. Its average economic growth rate has always surpassed that of most euro countries in 2007~2012. This growth rate, as of 2011 and 2012, was respectively 3.0% & 0.9% in Germany and 1.5% & -0.6% among the euro countries. Unemployment rate has decreased from 11.3% to 5.5% in Germany between 2005 and 2012. Based on this excellent economic performance, there has been a consensus to learn from Germany. The pursuit of sustainable economic growth relies undoubtedly on policy-driven research and development, and a lesser extent on a mere participation in regional integration organization.