IfM Bonn News

External publications | 19.07.2024 How enterprises become Hidden Champions

When companies engage in own research and development, are internationally active and seek to maximise their market share, the chances of becoming a hidden champion increase.

Press release | 02.07.2024 The Bavarian initiative can only be a first step in the redesign of public procurement

"In principle, we welcome that the Bavarian state government aims to simplify public procurement in municipal construction by expanding the upper limits for direct awards" explained Sebastian Schneider, one of the authors of the IfM study "Mittelstand-Friendly Design of Public Tenders".

Guests at the IfM | 01.07.2024 Crafts and artificial intelligence

What opportunities exist for craft businesses to use artificial intelligence (AI) in their day-to-day work? How can this make things easier for companies?

Participation in external events | 28.06.2024 Psychological costs meanwhile outweigh cost and time investment

Companies increasingly feel unable to implement all of the existing bureaucratic regulations imposed by the state – but also by self-regulatory organisations in industry, standardisation institutes or within value chains.

Participation in external events | 25.06.2024 Machine learning versus conventional static methods

Are machine learning methods more suitable than conventional statistical methods to predict IPO withdrawal?

Press release | 24.06.2024 Together more innovative

Own resource constraints and the desire to gain an early knowledge advantage over competitors are primary motives why Mittelstand enterprises, with regard to the circular economy, initiate - and implement - innovative projects together with startups, research institutions, or other businesses.

Participation in external events | 17.06.2024 The way to an effective reduction in bureaucracy

Is it possible to shift the trend towards reducing bureaucracy? And if so, how? Sebastian Schneider presented on this question at the 1st Packaging Machinery Conference in Munich in mid-June.

External publications | 14.06.2024 Youth unemployment in India versus the labour market

India is a fast-growing economy that needs a particularly skilled labour force.

External publications | 12.06.2024 Focus on Microentrepreneurs during Covid-19

What impact had the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of micro-entrepreneurs? What gender-specific differences can be identified at the beginning?

Press release | 11.06.2024 Increase of bankruptcies in the service industries

The health and social care sector – particularly hospitals and larger care facilities – as well as the transportation sector were most frequently affected by bankruptcies in 2023. This is shown by the proportion of insolvent companies relative to the total number of companies.

Participation in external events | 10.06.2024 Innovation in times of crisis

Dr Sebastian Nielen held the presentation "Forced versus unforced innovation: different economic impact in times of crisis?" at the Innovation and Product Development Management Conference in Dublin at the beginning of June.

Participation in external events | 10.06.2024 Mittelstand quiz as a point of attraction

Können die Begriffe Mittelstand und Familienunternehmen synonym verwandt werden? Ab welcher Beschäftigtenzahl gehören Unternehmen dem Mittelstand an? Was bedeutet die Abkürzung "KMU"?

Participation in external events | 07.06.2024 IfM President appointed to NRW steering committee

The North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Economic Affairs, Mona Neubaur, has invited Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Friederike Welter as a member of the recently established Fin.Connect.NRW steering committee.

Participation in external events | 07.06.2024 25 successful years of EXIST

Prof Dr Dr h.c. Friederike Welter honoured the 25th anniversary of EXIST start-ups from science in her keynote speech in Berlin at the beginning of June. She highlighted the development and significance of the state funding programme.

Participation in external events | 07.06.2024 State maternity pay for self-employed women?

Around 2% of all self-employed women have a child every year. About a quarter of these women have health insurance with daily sickness benefits, which are paid during the maternity protection period. The benefits paid by health insurance companies for this are in the low millions.