
IfM-Position Paper
In need of a paradigm shift – Rethinking bureaucracy reduction and regulation policies
Highly complex economies and societies need regulations to ensure their ability to function. These ensure legal and planning certainty and prevent corruption. However, especially in the view of SMEs, the "optimal" level of bureaucracy – which is difficult to determine empirically – seems to be far exceeded by now.
According to a recent study by IfM Bonn (Holz, Icks & Nielen 2023), the bureaucratic burden on companies goes well beyond the statistically measured time and cost expenditures.
Figure of the months
Only around
0,5%
of all companies in Germany would be classified as Small Mid-Caps according to the proposed EU definition.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus"
Time or Money? Mothers and Start-up Decisions
How do parental leave policies influence mothers’ decision to become an entrepreneur?