Publications
IfM Bonn publishes its research findings primarily in its publication series: study results are published as "IfM-Materials" - or in condensed form as a "Denkpapier" (summary). Statistical analyses and results appear in the series "Daten und Fakten". Discussion and technical papers from all research areas are published as "Working Papers".
In addition, until 2012 selected articles were published in the series "Schriften zur Mittelstandsforschung" (Gabler Verlag). Under the "External Publications" tab, you find numerous essays by IfM researchers that have appeared in (peer-reviewed) specialist journals and external publication series.
574 Results
External publication | 2025 Business succession in Germany: The role of women-led businsses
In Germany, around 38,000 owner-managed businesses are up for succession every year.
IfM-Background-Paper | 2025 The SME sector in the face of US tariffs
The unilateral tariff policy of the current US administration represents a serious departure from the rules-based global trading system in terms of the level of the (threatened) tariffs and their application to almost all countries and industries.
IfM-Materialien | 2025 Self-employed craftswomen as (expectant) mothers – results of a survey conducted across North Rhine-Westphalia
This study analyses the professional and operational consequences of pregnancy and maternity for self-employed craftswomen in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2025 Crafts entrepreneurship: A new perspective on the role of the Big Five trait "conscientiousness"
This paper presents new findings on the entrepreneurial role of the "conscientiousness" trait from the Big Five personality model, as illustrated by self-employment in the crafts sector.
Facts and figures | 2025 The relationship between birth of a child and women's self-employment
The birth of a child often represents a significant break in the employment history of women in paid employment. We investigate whether this also applies to self-employed women.
External publication | 2025 Comparing the Prediction Performance of Random Forest, Lasso, and Logit in the Context of IPO Withdrawal
This paper examines the prediction of IPO withdrawal using machine learning methods and conventional regression.
External publication | 2025 Young and small firms and resilience to extreme weather events
Regions with high levels of entrepreneurial initiative, in which there are many young and small businesses, are more economically resilient to extreme weather events.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2025 Time or Money? Mothers and Start-up Decisions
How do parental leave policies influence mothers’ decision to become an entrepreneur? This study finds: A reduction in parental leave duration significantly lowers the likelihood that mothers start their own business.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2025 Content and communication channels for successfully addressing women with the topic of entrepreneurship
There is a gender gap regarding entrepreneurship in Germany: women are less likely to start new businesses than men.
External publication | 2025 Why reducing psychological costs in public tenders is more important for SMEs than reducing bureaucratic effort
This article presents the findings of a research project conducted by IfM Bonn on the bureaucratic burdens faced by SMEs in the construction industry when participating in public tenders.
External publication | 2025 No time to lose in research and innovation policy
The German federal government has set out in its coalition agreement a comprehensive catalogue of measures on education, research and innovation.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2025 What really helps young People start a Business
Young people are vital drivers of innovation and economic renewal.
External publication | 2025 Social Innovation and Social Digitalisation
The last few years have seen a growing awareness in society and politics that technological innovations alone aren't enough to tackle major social challenges like climate change or an ageing population.
External publication | 2025 Challenges in the water industry require innovative solutions
Germany will face more frequent regional and seasonal water shortages in the future. Conflicts over water use between different users are therefore to be expected, but these can be mitigated through innovation.
IfM-Materialien | 2025 Policy approaches to speed up and simplify commercial building permit procedures
Even though the building permit process can vary greatly from case to case, its length and complexity is often perceived by companies as a burden and an obstacle to investment.
External publication | 2025 Rooting so we can flow: Weaving the Fabric of Transformational Scholarship in Entrepreneurship
Contemporary permacrises have enhanced calls for a re-thinking of entrepreneurship scholarship.
Chartbooks | 2025 Dealing with bureaucracy in plant and mechanical engineering companies
Bureaucracy is important for companies because it gives them legal certainty and planning security. But it seems that it has been reached in Germany a point where companies perceive bureaucracy primarily as a burden – despite the many measures taken in recent years to reduce bureaucracy.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2025 Artificial intelligence in the skilled trades
The use of artificial intelligence in skilled trades is on the rise, but there is still potential for improvement.
External publication | 2025 Entrepreneurship Education II. Curricular approaches, skill orientation, content analysis
This anthology addresses a broad spectrum of didactic factors of entrepreneurship education in the context of economic education in a theoretically sound manner.
External publication | 2025 Report on Research, Innovation and Technological Performance in Germany 2025
The Expert Commission wants to use its 2025 annual report to solve the challenges mentioned from an innovation economics and R&I policy perspective.