Skip to main content

IfM Bonn News

Press release Sustainability in Mittelstand Enterprises: The reporting obligations for a few have implications for many

The necessity of an ecological transformation has now become a societal consensus. According to a previous study by the IfM Bonn, Mittelstand enterprises in Germany also predominantly support the ecological transformation.

more

Press release Companies wish more Trust from the Government

Vier von zehn Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern fühlen sich durch die aktuellen bürokratischen Vorgaben in ihrer unternehmerischen Eigenverantwortung eingeschränkt. Rund ein Viertel von ihnen hält es für wichtig, dass die unternehmerische Expertise stärker in die Gesetzgebungsprozesse einfließt, …

more

IfM Publications Decarbonisation in the industrial Mittelstand

Decarbonisation in the manufacturing industry is an important aspect of the ecological transformation. Research by Prof Dr Jörn Block (University of Trier/University of Witten), Solvej Lorenzen (University of Witten) and Dr Holger Steinmetz (University of Trier) shows that medium-sized industrial …

more

Participation in external events Reduced bureaucracy, more opportunities for growth

Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Friederike Welter took part as a panellist at the SPD Economic Forum's economic conference "Transforming Growth: Location Policy in Germany, Europe and the World".

more

Participation in external events Rethinking the regulatory strategy is required

What should happen so that bureaucracy is gradually reduced and no longer perceived as so emotionally charged?

more

Podcasts Doing business under difficult conditions – These framework conditions help entrepreneurs

Currently, we are living in a time of multiple crises making the environment chal-lenging for entrepreneurs. In the podcast, renowed researchers from all over Europe present their research results about the framework conditions that entrepreneurs need to cope with their current situation.

more

Guests at the IfM How managers can be emotionally supported

Prof Dr David B. Audretsch (Indiana University/USA) and Maha Aly presented the Institute of Entrepreneurial Emotional Education & Research, which they founded at Indiana University in Bloomington (USA), at the IfM Science Forum at the beginning of March.

more

External publications Social innovations are also important

The Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation-EFI), including Prof Dr Dr h.c. Friederike Welter, presented its annual report to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger today.

more

External publications No gender differences in succession planning

Whether a business succession is planned or completed does not depend on the owner's gender. This is the result of Dr Rosemarie Kay, Dr André Pahnke and Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Friederike Welter in their book chapter "Family business succession: do outcomes depend on the predominant gender on the …

more

IfM Publications Paradigm shift for a noticeable bureaucracy reduction

Despite many government initiatives to reduce bureaucracy, companies perceive an increasing burden.

more

Press release SMEs in Germany are larger in comparison to the European average – and use more often Artificial Intelligence

In small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany, an average of 6.8 employees work, significantly more than the EU average of 3.5 employees.

more

Guests at the IfM Former Chairman of the Regulatory Control Council (NKR) at IfM Bonn

According to a recent survey by IfM Bonn, nine out of ten managers have noticed an increasing bureaucratic burden over the past five years despite the numerous initiatives of the Federal Government.

more

Das Foto spielt mit den Begriffen Im- und Export

News & Updates Foreign business activities under the influence of geopolitical crises

How are the foreign activities of companies in Germany developing? Which countries are gaining in importance for companies in Germany because of the geopolitical crises? Dr André Pahnke gave answers at the GIZ in Bonn at the beginning of February.

more

IfM Publications Regional entrepreneurship and economic growth

Is there a correlation between GDP per capita growth and start-up rates in urban and rural regions? Dr Christian Dienes, Dr Stefan Schneck and Hans-Jürgen Wolter examine this question in their current working paper "Regional Entrepreneurship: Pain or Gain for Economic Growth?".

more

IfM Publications Business angels as a financing option for company succession

Business angels not only support the financing of start-ups but also company acquisitions by private individuals. In their policy brief, Prof Dr Alexander Pöschl and Isabella Mai (both Saarland University of Applied Sciences/Saarbrücken) outline the potential of this form for succession financing.

more

Copyright © 2026 IfM Bonn