Characteristics of nascent entrepreneurs in Germany

Entrepreneurship in the Region, 2006

Nascent Entrepreneurs in German Regions: Evidence from the Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM) * Nascent entrepreneurs are people who are (alone or with others) actively engaged in creating a new venture and who expect to be the owner or part owner of this start-up. Given that newly founded firms are important for the economic development of nations and regions, and that nascent entrepreneurs are by definition important for the foundation of new firms, information about nascent entrepreneurs is important for understanding crucial aspects of the economy. The relevance of detailed information on nascent entrepreneurs at the regional level, and the lack of it for Germany, let us start the research project Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM) Germany in 2000. As part of this project, we performed a representative survey of the adult population in 10 German regions, plus a survey and interviews with local experts in the field of entrepreneurship in 2001. A second wave followed in 2003. This paper summarizes our findings using data from these surveys and interviews.

Nascent Entrepreneurs in German Regions: Evidence from the Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM) * Nascent entrepreneurs are people who are (alone or with others) actively engaged in creating a new venture and who expect to be the owner or part owner of this start-up. Given that newly founded firms are important for the economic development of nations and regions, and that nascent entrepreneurs are by definition important for the foundation of new firms, information about nascent entrepreneurs is important for understanding crucial aspects of the economy. The relevance of detailed information on nascent entrepreneurs at the regional level, and the lack of it for Germany, let us start the research project Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM) Germany in 2000. As part of this project, we performed a representative survey of the adult population in 10 German regions, plus a survey and interviews with local experts in the field of entrepreneurship in 2001. A second wave followed in 2003. This paper summarizes our findings using data from these surveys and interviews.

Small Business Economics, 2007

This paper explains individual start-up activities on the basis of both person-related characteristics and the regional context. The analysis is based upon micro data from the GEM adult population survey. Both individual and regional variables have an influence on the decision to become self-employed. There are considerable differences between nascent opportunity entrepreneurship and nascent necessity entrepreneurship. Whereas the results for opportunity entrepreneurship are in line with theoretical predictions the factors influencing necessity entrepreneurship are far more difficult to determine. The most significant change between 2001 and 2003/2004 is the reversal of the influence of a change in the regional rate of unemployment on nascent entrepreneurship activities.

Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues

The aim of presented paper is to provide interpretation of available statistical data on entrepreneurship processes in European countries. The author seeks to find answer the question if new business development processes are active and successful what consistent patterns (if any) could be traced. Success factors, such as education and age of entrepreneurs, which launched start-ups in European countries are taken in to accounts. Obtained results, it is believed, would contribute for understanding entrepreneurship phenomena in differently developed countries and, respectively, for finding ways how more efficiently to foster inception of successful and sustainable ventures in the nearest future.

2007

The paper deals with margins of entrepreneurship where small business owners are almost working on their own having no or just a few employees and where one can find also people working with low returns and having firms without stability or prosperous dynamics. However, even the area of entrepreneurship at the margins seems to be a wide field. It highlights

Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 2004

Paper to the Rencontre de St-Gall, 2006

Introduction Entrepreneurship is generally viewed as contributing positively to economic development. In recent years, different policy measures have been initiated in Germany aiming at increasing the level of entrepreneurial activities. Yet, it appears as if the entrepreneurial spirit refused to leave its bottle. The purpose of this paper is twofold: Firstly, we will review the policy measures in place to foster entrepreneurship in Germany.

Small Business Economics, 1999

The unification of both Germanies and the introduction of the market economy in eastern Germany came as a shock to existing firms and led to an enormous boom in the establishment of new firms. The first section of this paper shows that during the period under observation (January 1991--June 1995) the number of firms nearly doubled and in 1995, nearly 50% of all jobs were to be found in firms established after 1991. Shortly after unification, a kind of "start- window" existed during which the conditions for establishment, growth and survival of firms were extraordinarily good. The next section deals with the determinates of the growth of these newly founded firms. Most determinants have been selected on the basis of the most recent studies by Brüderl, Preisendörfer and Ziegler (1996), and Storey (1994). The analysis included not only establishment characteristics but also strategic factors such as the technological status of the establishment, the proportion of sales in interregional markets, and a corporate competitive strategy indicator. A comparison of these results with other studies shows that the determinants that affect employment growth in new firms in eastern German are apparently the same as in western Germany and Britain, albeit to different extents.

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 2008

This article explores entrepreneurship research in Germany, paying particular attention to its origins and current "re-emergence." Since the late 1990s, the field has gained ground, as is reflected in an increasing number of entrepreneurship chairs at universities, and the establishment of an annual national entrepreneurship conference. A particular strength of the German approach to researching entrepreneurship, which can be traced back directly to the historical roots, is found to be its consideration of context specificity and embeddedness, going hand-in-hand with a strong multidisciplinary tendency. These are two features where entrepreneurship research in Germany could add a distinctive flavor to the current mainstream debate. In practice, the diffusion of this perspective is inhibited by an insufficient exchange with the international scientific community.

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2009

This study reviews the innovation system for high-tech start-ups in Germany for a broad understanding of its entire structure. The paper is based on a theoretical framework with the main factors personality, resources and environment. In the main part of this paper, the influences of research and development, investment environment, sociocultural awareness of entrepreneurship, regulatory affairs and bureaucracy on German high-tech entrepreneurs are described. Based on quantitative findings from several studies, supported by several case studies, we are able to show the strengths and weaknesses of the national innovation system in Germany. Thus, we can illustrate where improvements are necessary and propose solutions where possible. In conclusion, the results are discussed critically and areas where more research is needed are indicated.