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IfM-Materialien

The IfM research results are published in the IfM Materials series.

125 Results

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Early detection of threats and opportunities – Developing an early detection concept

Currently, SMEs are confronted with several crises. The early detection of relevant threats and opportunities enables SMEs and economic policymakers to be prepared and set the appropriate framework conditions.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Development trends in global value chains from the perspective of Mittelstand companies

The integration of German companies into global value chains also harbors the risk of adverse shocks from other economies being transmitted to Germany.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 SME-friendly organisation of public procurement

The German government would like to amend public procurement without raising the access barriers for SME.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Corporate financing of small and medium-sized enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study examines the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we observe an increase in the number of SMEs with financing problems. This is true for SMEs in Germany as well as in other euro area countries.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Influence of administrative burdens on the cross-border posting of employees by SMEs in border regions

Based on interviews with companies and experts, the study examines the extent to which administrative requirements hinder or prevent the cross-border provision of services by German and Dutch SMEs in selected border regions.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Entrepreneurship of minors: Prevalence and characteristics

Diese explorative Studie beleuchtet erstmals auf Basis des Taxpayer-Panels sowie selbst erhobener Daten die unternehmerische Selbstständigkeit von Minderjährigen.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Adapting to climate change: Exploring the specific challenges for SMEs

We investigate whether and how businesses perceive and adapt to climate change. Our survey results suggest that most German enterprises are aware of climate change and its consequences. The perception of climate risks is less driven by business size than by experience.

IfM-Materialien | 2023 Impact of SMEs' innovation activity on their economic development in times of crisis

Which role do innovations play when companies are confronted with a crisis? This study ana-lyzes whether innovative companies fared better than their non-innovative counterparts throughout the Corona pandemic.

IfM-Materialien | 2022 The EU's support measures for sustainable financing - implications for the Mittelstand

The EU Commission seeks to mobilize private funds for the sustainability transformation of the European economy through several regulatory measures. This study investigates the impact of this regulatory development on the German Mittelstand, i.e., owner-managed companies.

IfM-Materialien | 2022 Mittelstand businesses in the Covid19 pandemic – being affected by and dealing with the crisis

Based on the German Business Panel, the study examines how small and medium-sized en-terprises (SMEs) and Mittelstand businesses fared during the Covid-19 pandemic. It shows that SMEs as well as Mittelstand businesses were more strongly affected by the crisis than large and non-Mittelstand businesses.

IfM-Materialien | 2022 Entrepreneurship during the Covid-19 pandemic: A focus on individual resilience

This study uses a systematic literature review to examine the extent to which an entrepreneur's individual resilience influences business development during the Covid-19 pandemic. It also considers which resilience factors are of particular importance.

IfM-Materialien | 2022 The societal value creation of German Mittelstand

This study explores the societal impact of Mittelstand companies and how it is achieved in a process of collaborative societal value creation. Regional communities perceive different aspects of societal impact, depending on local problems.

IfM-Materialien | 2022 Digitisation processes of SMEs in the manufacturing sector – follow-up survey

Based on a follow-up survey, this study examines the level of digitalisation among manufacturing companies since 2016. Our results show that the importance of digitalisation has increased significantly over the past five years.

IfM-Materialien | 2022 Attitudes and behavior of Mittelstand companies facing climate change

Regardless of firm size, many companies are committed to fight against climate change because of their own values. However, only a few companies associate climate change with additional market opportunities. Small companies in particular link the combat against climate change with additional cost burden.

IfM-Materialien | 2021 Business resilience: Influencing factors in the corona pandemic

This study develops a resilience model for companies based on a literature review. Based on this, we identify influencing factors and mechanisms relevant to coping with the Corona pandemic using case studies.

IfM-Materialien | 2021 Fintechs: Opportunities for SME Financing?

The study examines the potential of fintechs for SME financing. Fintechs often bring together capital supply and demand more efficiently than banks.

IfM-Materialien | 2021 Founding success of academics in German univiersities - a process oriented perspective

Im Rahmen dieser Studie werden die Einflüsse auf den Gründungserfolg von Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern an deutschen Hochschulen über einen Zeitraum von sieben Jahren analysiert.

IfM-Materialien | 2021 Challenges related to Business Transfers: Companies between continuation and closure

The transfer of a business involves a multitude of challenges. Among them, it is essential to find a successor willing to take over the business to avoid a closure.

IfM-Materialien | 2020 The income situation of the self-employed and their capability of retirement provision

We examine German administrative tax data and find that six in ten self-employed individuals obtain annual incomes of less than 10,000 Euro with their entrepreneurial activity. However, many of these self-employed achieve additional incomes or partners contribute to household income.

IfM-Materialien | 2020 Challenges of apprenticeship in micro-enterprises

Developments on the apprenticeship market show not only a declining number of apprentices in establishments with less than ten employees, but also that fewer and fewer micro-enterprises are offering apprenticeships at all.