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.
617 Results
External publication | 2026 Public innovation support in scientific discourse: Objectives, potential, and limitations
The chapter analyses the objectives and potential of public innovation support, particularly with regard to addressing market, system, and transformational failures.
IfM-Position Paper | 2026 Reversing the burden of proof in bureaucracy – a step in the right direction
The German Government decided at the coalition committee meeting in early July 2026 to reverse the burden of proof with regard to reporting obligations. As is already the case in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Baden-Württemberg, reporting obligations to public authorities will in future be waived across the board unless the relevant ministry officials can provide plausible evidence that they are absolutely necessary.
IfM-Position Paper | 2026 Statement by IfM Bonn on the Framework concept for a company with restricted assets
The authors discuss the proposed new legal form, the "company with restricted assets", from an economic perspective in their Position Paper.
IfM-Position Paper | 2026 The Future of Industry: Don't Forget Mittelstand
In the authors’ view, the following four aspects are important for the competitiveness of (industrial) small and medium-sized enterprises in spring 2026 ...
IfM-Position Paper | 2026 The impact of the provisional US-EU trade agreement on Mittelstand enterprises
On 27 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump reached an agreement on a provisional trade deal.
IfM-Position Paper | 2026 The Mittelstand between De-Risking from China and Business Risks
Foreign trade between Germany and China has been characterised for years by rising Chinese imports and falling German exports.
IfM-Position Paper | 2026 The German economy needs the EU single market now more than ever
The European single market is the most important of all foreign markets for industrial companies, serving as both a sourcing and a sales market.
IfM-Short Surveys | 2026 The Importance of the Security and Defense Sector to the Manufacturing Industry
What role does the security and defence sector play in the manufacturing industry? How does the sector generally view the economic situation and Germany as a business location?
IfM-Short Surveys | 2026 Spotlight on U.S. Tariff Policy: Mittelstand respond with Pragmatism and a Forward-Looking Approach
What impact has the current US trade policy on German small and medium-sized enterprises? How are they responding to the accompanying uncertainty?
IfM-Short Surveys | 2026 Here's what small and medium-sized businesses expect from policymakers in the coming legislative term
The importance of business-friendly economic policy is highlighted by recent appeals from the business community and its associations to the future federal government.
IfM-Materialien | 2026 Factors Influencing the Success of Innovation Collaborations Between SMEs and Universities
This study examines innovation cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and universities.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2026 Regulations in the Circular Economy: How Can Environmental Protection Be Promoted While Simultaneously Strengthening Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?
The establishment of a circular economy offers significant market potential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the same time, regulations create bureaucratic hurdles that place a particular burden on SMEs.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2026 What distinguishes academic spinoffs from other startups in Germany?
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor shows, among other findings, that academic spin-offs in Germany are predominantly launched by younger entrepreneurs, pursue more purpose-driven motives and plan patent applications more frequently than non-academic start-ups.
External publication | 2026 Self-Employment and Intimate Partner Relationships
The aim of this chapter is to review the state of knowledge about the effects of self-employment on the partner in intimate relationships.
Policy Brief "Entrepreneurship in Focus" | 2026 External Succession in Family-Owned Mittelstand Manufacturing Firms in Germany
More than 40 percent of German family firms find no successor within their own family. One viable path is external managerial succession while family ownership continues.
External publication | 2026 The Transformation of Self-Employment in Germany after 1945 Through the Lens of Official Statistics
This article taces long-term changes in the self-employed population based on activity- and person-related characteristics, utilizing extensive data series from economic statistics.
Facts and figures | 2026 Foreign trade relations of German SMEs with China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
In light of international (trade) crises, European economic policy is pushing for greater regional diversification in companies’ sales and procurement channels.
External publication | 2026 Ways of supporting self-employed craftspeople during pregnancy and maternity leave
As part of the feasibility study, possible ways of supporting self-employed women in the skilled trades during pregnancy and motherhood were examined.
External publication | 2026 Succession and Demographic Change
Demographic change has led to a steady increase in the number of business owners retiring due to age over the past 20 years, and this trend is set to continue.
Facts and figures | 2026 Patterns of Regional Firm Exits: Determining Factors and Economic Consequences
The aim of this study is to analyze the extent, determining factors, and consequences of firm exit at the regional level.