RePEc is not just a bibliographic database, it is also a collection of services that leverage this database and in some cases also add to the data. One such service is EDIRC, a directory of economics institutions. Actually launched before RePEc existed, EDIRC lists since 1995 any institution that primarily employs economists in the public and academic sectors: economics departments, research centers, business schools, policy institutions, think tanks. Consulting shops are only listed is they contribute publications to RePEc. Over 14,000 institutions are listed, including over 800 societies and associations. Missing entries and corrections can be emailed to the maintainer.
As common with RePEc data, entries are shared with other services that can make good use of them. Thus, the RePEc Author Service offers EDIRC entries as potential affiliations to registered authors. The RePEc Genealogy uses them as potential Alma maters. EDIRC in turn uses this new information to display the members and alumni of an institution, including a link to their aggregated publications as listed on IDEAS. Note that maintainers of RePEc archives can also use the EDIRC handle of their institution in the description of their series, which creates a link between the EDIRC entry and the IDEAS listing, and back. RePEc is all about sharing and integration of information!
Posted by Christian Zimmermann 
The RePEc Blog 