Entrepreneurship Research in Germany

Abstract

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.

The formation of opportunity beliefs among university entrepreneurs: an empirical study of research- and non-research-driven venture ideas

“…The aim of these endeavors is to support the foundation of different types of research-and knowledge-based ventures, thereby contributing to regional job creation and growth. In the past two decades there has been a dramatic increase in the number of entrepreneurship related courses in the US and in other countries, including Germany, where the empirical study of this contribution is set (European Commission 2006;Klandt 2004;Kuratko 2005;Schmude et al 2008). By offering entrepreneurship courses, training, and extra-curricular support, universities aim at enhancing students' motivation and capability for starting a business (Mwasalwiba 2010;Solomon 2007;Walter et al 2013).…”

The climate for entrepreneurship at higher education institutions

“…One institutional element within the university that is likely to have a strong signaling effect to students is the existence of a Chair of entrepreneurship (Rasmussen and Borch, 2010). Typically, these chairs are active in raising the awareness for entrepreneurship by offering relevant courses and providing advice for students (Klandt, 2004;Schmude et al, 2008). Another example of the institutionalization of entrepreneurship are faculty entrepreneurship officers, who also provide advice and coordinate different offerings (Walter et al, 2013).…”

“…Presumably, the most prominent measure in this respect is the establishment of Chairs of entrepreneurship, which typically offer relevant courses and entrepreneurship-related services for students. In Europe and in the U.S. there has been an enormous expansion of respective curricula and programs (Kuratko, 2005;Schmude et al, 2008). Universities also offer entrepreneurship advice, organize business plan competitions and provide relevant facilities (Kauffman Foundation, 2008).…”

Factores clave en la creación de cooperativas. Estudio empírico aplicado a la Comunidad Valenciana

“…En segundo lugar, porque el análisis se realiza para los cuatro años siguientes al inicio de la crisis económica y se aplica al caso concreto de las empresas cooperativas, objeto de estudio sobre el que existen muy pocos trabajos empíricos publicados (Arando y Peña, 2006); como señala Staber (1993), los resultados obtenidos en la literatura son incompletos e incluso contradictorios. Y en tercer lugar, porque mediante el uso de la metodología basada en el perfil estratégico, se realiza un análisis basado en el enfoque estratégico, al emplear técnicas incluidas dentro del proceso de la Dirección Estratégica; algunos autores señalan que una gran parte de los trabajos empíricos realizados sobre entrepreneurship utilizan una metodología débil (Chandler y Lyon, 2001;Schmude et al, 2008;García, Martínez y Fernández, 2010).…”