igbp entrepreneurship across the border 2011
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A survey of entrepreneurs in Neumünster and in Vejle in 2009 and 2010TRANSCRIPT
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2011 May 5 Entrepreneurship across the border: Mutual orientations between Neumünster Municipality, Germany, and Vejle Municipality, Denmark. Thomas Schøtt Abstract The purpose is to account for entrepreneurship in two locations – Neumünster in Germany and Vejle in Denmark. The account is based on a survey of 618 entrepreneurs. What are the backgrounds of the entrepreneurs? In both locations, the entrepreneurs are mostly native born, and only very few are immigrants or second generation in the country. In both countries, most entrepreneurs are men. In both locations, the entrepreneurs are around 40 years of age, on average, and have around 10 years of relevant business experience. Entrepreneurs in the Danish Vejle are better educated, on average, than entrepreneurs in the German Neumünster. – How is the entrepreneurial work organized? Motivations to start differ between the two countries. Danish entrepreneurs are usually pulled into entrepreneurship because they want to pursue a good business idea, and they are rarely pushed into entrepreneurship by need or because they cannot find a better job. German entrepreneurs, however, are more often motivated by a combination of having a business idea and the need for a job. – In both locations, entrepreneurial work is organized into networks with colleagues in their sector and with other entrepreneurs. The extent of networking is similar in the two countries. – In both countries, ownership is organized mainly as sole ownership, the entrepreneur typically owns the whole enterprise alone. – Organization differs between the two places, however, in the work-‐load of the entrepreneur in the new endeavor. German entrepreneurs more often work full-‐time in the new enterprise, while Danish entrepreneurs more often work part-‐time in the new firm. Correspondingly, Danish entrepreneurs often have another job besides starting their business, more often than German entrepreneurs have another job. -‐ Do entrepreneurs feel a need to extend their competencies? German entrepreneurs feel a greater need for further knowledge, more than Danish entrepreneurs feel, especially about insurance, legislation, taxes, management, managing time and family, possibilities for growth and planning expansion. -‐ Do entrepreneurs relate to collaborators, suppliers and customers abroad, specifically what is the mutual orientation between the two nations? Danish entrepreneurs have more relations abroad than German entrepreneurs do, which is probably mainly due to the big size of the market in Germany relative to the small size of the market in Denmark. But, surprisingly, German entrepreneurs are eagerly seeking relations abroad as much as Danish entrepreneurs do. Surprisingly also, the German entrepreneurs are seeking relations in the small neighboring country as eagerly as the Danish entrepreneurs are seeking relations in the big neighboring country. Contents Preface
Introduction: Entrepreneurship in two locations Data: A survey of entrepreneurs in Neumünster and Vejle in 2009 and 2010 Institutions supporting entrepreneurship in Neumünster and Vejle Entrepreneurs’ background: Ethnicity, gender, education, age, experience Entrepreneurs’ reasons for abandoning a start Entrepreneurs’ work Entrepreneurs’ collaborators, suppliers and customers in other countries Entrepreneurs’ need to expand competencies Conclusions Bibliography
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Preface The purpose is to account for entrepreneurship in two locations – Neumünster in Germany and Vejle in Denmark – specifically for the mutual orientations between the two nations, during 2009 and 2010. The survey in Neumünster was managed by Professor Hans Klaus at Fachhochshule Kiel, where the interviews and data entry was performed by students. The survey in Vejle was managed by Professor Thomas Schøtt at University of Southern Denmark, where the interviews and data entry were diligently carried out by students Ola Khalil Alawi, Stine Dreier, Mette Aakær Hansen, Martin V. Jespersen, Elisabeth V. Knudsen, Ali Nabolsi, Jimmi V. Pedersen, Rasmus Sinding Petersen, Kristine Priess and most admirably by Malene Sparre Mørch to whose memory this study is dedicated. The study was supported by a joint venture IGBP between the public advising services Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH and Vejle Erhvervsudvikling, under a grant from the Interreg 4 A program of the European Union European Regional Development Fund. The joint venture has been described on its website www.igbp.biz. The study has benefitted from inputs from our collaborating staff at the advising services, especially Heino Bubach-‐Bernhardt and Sonja Prignitz in Neumünster and Sonja Hansen, Flemming Ipsen and Lisbeth Nørhede in Vejle, from comments from the German-‐Danish advisory board of the project, and from Professor Hans Klaus who contributed to a preliminary analysis. A study focusing on Vejle itself, with its consulting services for entrepreneurs and their international orientation, is being published simultaneously in Danish (Schøtt 2011). Introduction: Entrepreneurship in two locations The study provides an account of entrepreneurship in a location in Germany and a location in Denmark, focusing on similarities and differences between the two locations. The German city Neumünster is located about 100 kilometers South of the German-‐Danish border and the Danish city Vejle is located about 100 kilometers North of the border, both at the major highway connecting the countries, a highway that crosses the border almost imperceptibly. The questions of this study are:
-‐ what are the institutions supporting entrepreneurship? -‐ what are the backgrounds of the entrepreneurs? -‐ why do some entrepreneurs, upon receiving advice, abandon their efforts to start? -‐ how is the entrepreneurial work organized? -‐ do entrepreneurs feel a need to extend their competencies? -‐ do entrepreneurs relate to collaborators, suppliers and customers abroad, specifically what is
the mutual orientation between the two nations?
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Data: A survey of entrepreneurs in Neumünster and Vejle in 2009 and 2010 618 entrepreneurs were surveyed, partly around the end of 2009 as a sample of persons who in 2009 had started a new firm or received advice on starting, and partly around the end of 2010 as a sample of persons who in 2010 had started or received advice. Among the 618 surveyed entrepreneurs, 225 entrepreneurs were in Germany. Among these 225 German entrepreneurs, 153 entrepreneurs had been identified as participants in the training and consulting project Startbahn: Existenzgründung in 2009 (88 in that year) or 2010 (70 in that year), a project by the economic agency Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH. The trainees who had completed the first two steps of the project Startbahn: Existenzgründung were asked for an interview. The other 72 German entrepreneurs were identified in the list of business registrations as having started a business in 2009 (34 in that year) or 2010 (38 in that year). The lists of entrepreneurs who had started a business between June 2009 and December 2010 was provided to the research project by the trade office in Neumünster (although the essential phone numbers could not be provided until the judicial basis was clarified). Among the 618 surveyed entrepreneurs, 393 entrepreneurs were in Denmark. Among these 393 Danish entrepreneurs, 191 had been identified as advisees at the public advising service Vejle Erhvervsudvikling in 2009 (75 that year) or 2010 (116 that year), they had participated in an informational evening held by the advising service or had received individual guidance from a business advisor at the advising service, and all those on which we had phone numbers were asked for an interview. The other 202 Danish entrepreneurs were identified as having registered in 2009 (103 that year) or 2010 (99 that year) with the national registry of business, Centrale Virksomhedsregister, which is published, mostly with phone numbers (www.cvr.dk).
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Institutions supporting entrepreneurship in Neumünster and Vejle The economic agency Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH (www.wa-‐nms.de), being a private commercial organization for promoting businesses in the city of Neumünster, is the major point of contact and service provider to entrepreneurs, organizations and firms with an interest in Neumünster. It is a public-‐private-‐partnership that is owned by the city of Neumünster (holding a share of 55%) and by private companies like Industrie-‐ und Handelskammer zu Kiel, the Sparkasse Südholstein, Herbert Voigt GmbH und Co. KG, Edeka Handelsgesellschaft Nord mbH und Stadtwerke Neumünster GmbH. Regarding the formation of new businesses the Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH has four important functions: firstly, establishment of companies that want to open a subsidiary in the area of Neumünster; secondly, initiation, planning and implementation of projects supporting the economic infrastructure; thirdly, planning marketing of the city; and fourthly, promoting formation of new businesses mainly by motivating unemployed to become self-‐employed and aiding formation of enterprises and by operating the so-‐called ‘foundation-‐centers’ that aid establishing nascent businesses and to provide them with space and services under a ‘formation management’. The project Startbahn: Existenzgründung is among other partners operated by the economic agency Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH. The project is financed by Zukunftsprogramm Arbeit, European Social Fund and Ministerium für Arbeit, Soziales und Gesundheit des Landes Schleswig-‐Holstein, and currently has funding until 2011, but an extension until 2013 is on the agenda. Being supported by several partly nationwide associates in Schleswig-‐Holstein, project Startbahn: Existenzgründung has a special organization, being a joint operation by Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster GmbH, some economic development agencies, other municipalities, and the chamber of commerce in Kiel. The project promotes self-‐employment through six steps: 1) offering information (including an information-‐workshop Zukunftswerkstatt), 2) workshops for nascent businesses, 3) individual interviews with a counselor to discuss progress and planning the approach, 4) workshops on specific business topics (contact with customers, leading conversations and discussions, accounting, taxes, law and regulations, insurance, finances, negotiating with banks, internet, marketing), 5) practice camp (10 days of preparing for the everyday life of an entrepreneur), and 6) intensive consultations and approval of the preparations. The individual guidance is tailored to the circumstances of each participant in the project.
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In Denmark, the public services for entrepreneurship used to be similar to the services in Germany in so far as it used to, around the 1980s, include considerable support for unemployed people to turn to entrepreneurship. The special support for unemployed Danes was abandoned in the 1990s. The policy switched from a welfare policy toward an elitist entrepreneurship policy and Denmark now has a public support system with two tiers. Denmark has an egalitarian tier of services in so far as municipalities offer some free guidance to any prospective entrepreneur. The municipality of Vejle offers this service through Vejle Erhvervsudvikling (www.veu.dk). The local entrepreneurs’ guidance at this municipal service is analyzed in other publications (Schøtt, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011). Denmark also has an elitist tier of services in so far as the government has created a “growth-‐house”, Væksthus, in each of the five regions, which provides free services for growth-‐oriented entrepreneurs. The major difference between Neumünster and Vejle in the institutions supporting entrepreneurship is thus that advising in Neumünster is provided in general to entrepreneurs and specifically through a project, Startbahn: Existenzgründung, which caters especially to the unemployed contemplating starting a firm whereas advising in Vejle is not in conjunction with a project, but is a general basic advising, that is addressed to everybody contemplating to start a firm. In Neumünster, thus, the services are offered during daytime, within normal working hours, whereas services in Vejle are offered both during day and evening. The major commonality between Neumünster and Vejle in the institutions supporting entrepreneurship is the kinds of services offered. Services in both cities encompass introductory information meetings, individual guidance, and an instructional program. Beyond this commonality, each of the public advising services in the two cities has unique activities.
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Entrepreneurs’ background: ethnicity, gender, education, age and experience What is the background of the entrepreneurs, specifically their ethnicity, gender, education, age and experience? Ethnicity was queried in our survey by asking the respondents whether they are of national descent, immigrants or second generation in the country, Table 1. In both places, by far most entrepreneurs are of national descent. The differences between the two samples are small and are not statistically significant, so we cannot see any differences in ethnicity between Danish and German entrepreneurs. Table 1. Entrepreneurs’ ethnicity, by country. Germany Denmark Indigenous 90% 91% Second generation national 4% 3% Immigrant 6% 6% Total 100% 100% N entrepreneurs 211 371 In both countries, the proportion of immigrants among entrepreneurs is expectedly higher than estimated in the survey, both because immigrants perhaps more quickly abandon efforts to establish a business and because immigrants seem harder to reach by telephone and are harder to interview in the German language or Danish language, respectively, on the telephone. (Interviews with ethnic entrepreneurs would be better accomplished face-‐to-‐face with interviewers of same ethnicity). In both places, most entrepreneurs are men, Table 2. We cannot see any difference between the places in the gender composition. Table 2. Entrepreneurs’ gender, by country. Germany Denmark Men 67% 64% Women 33% 36% Total 100% 100% N entrepreneurs 220 386 Education comprises schooling up to high school exam and further education, Table 3. Educational systems differ between the two countries and are not easily comparable. A little more than half of the Danish entrepreneurs have a Danish high school exam (studentereksamen or similar), whereas far fewer German entrepreneurs have a high school exam (Abitur or Fachabitur). Further education is also different. By far most German entrepreneurs have a vocational education (Berufsausbildung), whereas far fewer of the Danish entrepreneurs have a vocational education. Half of the Danish entrepreneurs have some kind of higher education, either short, medium or long, whereas far fewer of the German entrepreneurs have higher education.
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Kind of vocational training also differ between the two places (the difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,0002 in the chi-‐square test). The German vocational training is mainly craftsmanship and services whereas the Danish vocational training is mainly in business. The differences in schooling as well as in further education and vocational direction indicate that the Danish entrepreneurs have more education than German entrepreneurs, especially in academic rather than vocational direction. Table 3. Entrepreneurs’ education, by country. Germany Denmark Schooling in Germany Schooling in Denmark Secondary general school (Hauptschulabschluss) 9th grade
27% 8th grade 2%
Intermediate secondary school (Realschulabschluss) 10th grade
41% 9th grade 21%
Vocational diploma, special upper secondary Schools, or equivalent (Fachabitur) 12th grade
14% 10th grade 25%
Gymnasium, grammar school or equivalent (Abitur) 12th or 13th grade
17% Danish gymnasium or equivalent 12th or 13th grade
53%
No graduation from school 1% Total 100% Total 100% Further education in Germany Further education in Denmark No vocational education (Berufsausbildung) or university studies (Studium)
9% No vocational or higher education 13%
Higher Education / university studies (at university, university of applied sciences or Berufsakademie which offers bachelors studies)
23% Short higher education 15%
Vocational education (Berufsausbildung) 69% Medium higher education 25% Total 100% Long higher education 16% Vocational education 31% Total 100% Kind of vocational education Kind of vocational education Craftsmanship (handwerklich) 50% Craftsmanship 28% Business (kaufmännish) 35% Business 59% Other kind of vocational education 15% Other kind vocational education 14% Total 100% Total 100%
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Age of the entrepreneurs in each place is about 40 years, on average, without a discernible difference between the two places, Table 4. Table 4. Entrepreneurs’ age and experience, by country. Germany Denmark Age, average 41 years 40 years Experience, average 11 years 10 years The entrepreneurs typically have around 10 years of experience, on average, without a significant difference between the two countries, Table 4. Entrepreneurs’ reasons for abandoning a start Some people intend to start, but abandon their idea. Why do people abandon their intention? In particular, why do people abandon their idea upon receiving advice on how to start? Among the people who had received advice only 9 entrepreneurs in Germany abandoned their idea of starting, whereas 37 entrepreneurs in Denmark abandoned their idea. With such a small sample in one of the places, we cannot draw conclusions with reasonable certainty. We asked about each of seven reasons, Table 5. People usually have several reasons for abandoning their idea. The sense of economic crisis, lack of equity funds, attractive job offers, and more personal reasons seem rather typical reason. Table 5. Advised entrepreneurs’ reasons for abandoning a start Germany Denmark The economic crisis 40% 36% Lack of equity funds 63% 42% Attractive job offer 33% 39% Personal reasons 25% 62% Lack of advising 11% 8% Lack of a bright business idea 11% 6% Lack of a healthy business plan 75% 27% The issue of abandoning an effort to start needs further research: Is much operational know-‐how still warranted after the consultations, as suggested by a survey done at Ludwig-‐Maximilians-‐Universität in Munich. The personal reasons for abandoning ought to be disentangled, and the lack of equity funds ought to be examined more deeply.
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Entrepreneurs’ work How is the entrepreneurial work organized? Specifically, what are the motivations, ownership, the entrepreneurs’ workload and concentration on this one job or simultaneous work in other job, and the entrepreneurs’ networking? Are entrepreneurs pulled into entrepreneurship by a business opportunity they want to exploit, or are they pushed into entrepreneurship by need, by not having any better job possibility? Motivations differ between the two places, Table 6. In Denmark, the typical motivation is exploitation of a business opportunity, and rarely is the motivation the lack of a better job possibility. In Germany, however, the motivation is less often to exploit a business opportunity. The combination of exploiting a business opportunity and lacking a better job possibility is more often a motivation in Germany than in Denmark (these differences are statistically significant; the p-‐value in a chi-‐square test is tiny, only 0,0001). This lends itself to further interpretation. The Germans often come into entrepreneurship from unemployment, through the program Startbahn: Existenzgründung, and are therefore especially likely to be motivated by a combination of a business opportunity and a need for work. Our results are consistent with a survey done by the Ludwig-‐Maximilian-‐Universität in Munich, which found that about a fourth of the German adults consider entrepreneurial self-‐employment to be an alternative to joblessness.
In Germany, the motivation to become self-‐employed faces several difficulties. Some difficulties emerge from the prevailing German culture with its hampering rules and attitudes, mental and social. The role of an entrepreneur is less respectable and prestigious than in Denmark. Roughly six percent of working people in Germany are self-‐employed. For three out of four Germans, starting a new business is not considered an option – and especially not by elderly people. Becoming an entrepreneur should be considered more attractive as suggested by the survey from Ludwig-‐Maximilian University of Munich. Educated Germans consider a heightened status to be especially warranted. Our German sample of entrepreneurs has far more low-‐skilled persons than educated persons and these less educated persons are more often motivated to become entrepreneurs by the need for income and security. In Germany, social security is obtained through employment, and not through self-‐employment. By contrast, in Denmark, social security is also extensively available to entrepreneurially self-‐employed. In these ways, the German culture and social institutions hamper entrepreneurship.
Table 6. Entrepreneurs’ motivations to start. Germany Denmark Exploit a business opportunity 37% 55% No better job possibility 9% 12% Combination of both these two 25% 14% Has job but seek better possibility 17% 6% Other motivation 12% 12% Total 100% 100% N entrepreneurs 179 339 Ownership is typically concentrated on the entrepreneur, Table 7. The difference between the German sample and the Danish sample is small, and is not statistically significant.
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Table 7. Entrepreneurs’ ownership to the new venture Germany Denmark Owns the whole firm 90% 81% Owns part of the firm 7% 13% Owns none of the firm 3% 6% Total 100% 100% N entrepreneurs 87 160 In both countries, the workload in the new enterprise is typically full-‐time, Table 8. Full-‐time work is even more typical in Germany than in Denmark (the difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,05). A difference can be readily interpreted in terms of their backgrounds. Especially many of the German entrepreneurs come out of unemployment, and are therefore more prone to work full-‐time in their new venture than Danish entrepreneurs, who are more prone to work part-‐time and even less than half-‐time in their new venture, while staying with an old job, as will be seen next (Table 9). Table 8. Entrepreneurs’ workload for the new venture Germany Denmark Full time in new venture 75% 61% Half time in new venture 12% 16% Less than half time in new venture 13% 24% Total 100% 100% N entrepreneurs 84 152 The entrepreneurs typically have no other job than that of the new enterprise. However, more of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs also have another job, often even a full time job (this difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,002 in the chi-‐square test). It should here be recalled that many of the German entrepreneurs come out of the Startbahn: Existenzgründung project for unemployed, so they typically have no job besides their work on starting an enterprise. Table 9. Entrepreneurs’ other job. Germany Denmark Has no other job 73% 52% Has another job 27% 48% Total 100% 100% N entrepreneurs 81 148 Work-‐load on the new enterprise is related to not having another job. Not having another job tends to go along with working full-‐time (this association is statistically significant). The entrepreneurs are often networking with others in their sector and with entrepreneurs, Table 10. The extent of networking is similar in the two countries (the small differences are not statistically significant). Table 10. Entrepreneurs’ networking Germany Denmark Professional network in sector 27% 33% Network with other entrepreneurs 27% 32%
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Entrepreneurs’ collaborators, suppliers and customers in other countries Are the German and Danish entrepreneurs pursuing relations abroad, specifically with collaborators, suppliers and customers, and in particular across the German-‐Danish border that is only about 100 kilometers from Neumünster and Vejle? In a large country such as Germany there is a large home-‐market so there is little incentive to pursue business-‐relations abroad, and to even learn foreign languages. In a small country such as Denmark, with a small home-‐market, there is more incentive to pursue relations abroad and to learn foreign languages. This difference in size of the two countries thus implies that we expect to see that Danish entrepreneurs more often than German entrepreneurs pursue relations abroad. Relations abroad are eased by speaking foreign languages. English is taught as the primary foreign language in schooling in both Germany and Denmark. The German city of Neumünster is located in the border-‐area Schleswig-‐Holstein, which has a community of Danish descent and culture, so some inhabitants in Neumünster can speak Danish more or less fluently, and some may have learnt the Danish language during vacationing and sojourning at folk-‐high-‐schools in Denmark. The Danish city of Vejle is not located in the border-‐area Sønderjylland (which has a community of German descent and culture). However, Danish schools typically provide instruction in German, so many Danes speak some German. The entrepreneurs’ ability to speak English and to speak the language of the neighboring country was queried in our survey, Table 11. The ability to speak English is more prevalent among the Danish entrepreneurs than among the German entrepreneurs (this difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,0001 in the chi-‐square test). Furthermore, the Danish entrepreneurs can speak German more frequently than the German entrepreneurs can speak Danish (this difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,0001 in the chi-‐square test). Table 11. Entrepreneurs’ ability to speak foreign languages. German entrepreneurs Danish entrepreneurs Speak English 63% Speak English 87% Speak Danish 4% Speak German 49%
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Whether the entrepreneurs have collaborators was queried in our survey, Table 12. More of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs have collaborators abroad (this difference is statistically significant; the chi-‐square test has the p-‐value 0,01). Likewise, more of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs have suppliers abroad (this difference is statistically significant; the chi-‐square test has the p-‐value 0,004). Their tendencies to have customers abroad are similar (the small difference is not statistically significant). An entrepreneur may thus have up to three kinds of relations abroad. The German entrepreneurs have 0,42 kinds of relations abroad, on average, whereas the Danish entrepreneurs have 0,63 kinds of relations abroad (of a maximum of 3). The Danish entrepreneurs thus have more kinds of relations abroad than the German entrepreneurs do (this difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,01). Such a difference was to be expected. Table 12. Entrepreneurs having relations abroad. German entrepreneurs Danish entrepreneurs Have collaborators abroad 8% 20% Have suppliers abroad 15% 26% Have customers abroad 16% 17% Mean number of kinds of relations 0,42 0,63 N entrepreneurs 190 323 Are the entrepreneurs seeking more relations abroad? Our survey asked whether the entrepreneurs are seeking more collaborators abroad, Table 13. German entrepreneurs and Danish entrepreneurs are to notable and similar extents seeking more collaborators abroad. They are also seeking suppliers abroad, to rather similar extents. The German entrepreneurs are apparently more frequently than the Danish entrepreneurs seeking customers abroad (the difference between the 30% and 23% is marginally significant, with p-‐value 0,09). The German entrepreneurs are seeking 0,70 kinds of relations abroad, on average (of a maximum of 3), Table 13. The Danish entrepreneurs are seeking 0,63 kinds of relations abroad, on average (the difference between 0,70 and 0,63 is not statistically significant). This is surprising because the Danish entrepreneurs were expected to be seeking relations abroad more than the German entrepreneurs. Table 13. Entrepreneurs seeking relations abroad German entrepreneurs Danish entrepreneurs Seek collaborators abroad 18% 22% Seek suppliers abroad 18% 19% Seek customers abroad 30% 23% Mean number of kinds of relations 0,70 0,63 N entrepreneurs 209 336
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Do entrepreneurs have relations across their nearby German-‐Danish border? That is, do German entrepreneurs have relations in Denmark, and do Danish entrepreneurs have relations in Germany? Very few of the German entrepreneurs have any collaborator, supplier or customer in Denmark. More of the Danish entrepreneurs have relations in Germany. Specifically, more of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs have collaborators on the other side of the border (this difference is statistically significant; the chi-‐square test has one-‐sided p-‐value 0,05). More of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs have suppliers across the border (this difference is statistically significant; the chi-‐square test has p-‐value 0,001). More of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs also appear to have customers across the border (this difference is marginally significant, with one-‐sided p-‐value 0,07). The German entrepreneurs have 0,08 kinds of relations to Denmark, on average. The Danish entrepreneurs have 0,25 kinds of relations to Germany, on average (of a maximum of 3). As expected the Danish entrepreneurs have more relations across the border than the German entrepreneurs do (this difference is statistically significant; the p-‐value is 0,006 in the one-‐sided two independent samples t-‐test). Table 14. Entrepreneurs having relations in the neighboring country (Denmark or Germany, resp.) German entrepreneurs Danish entrepreneurs Have collaborators in the neighboring country 2% 7% Have suppliers in the neighboring country 2% 11% Have customers in the neighboring country 3% 6% Mean number of kinds of relations 0,08 0,25 N entrepreneurs 190 323 Are the entrepreneurs seeking more relations across the border? Both German and Danish entrepreneurs are seeking more relations across the border, and to similar extents (the differences between Germans and Danes are small and not statistically significant). The German entrepreneurs are seeking 0,43 kinds of relations across the border, on average, and the Danish entrepreneurs are similarly seeking 0,40 kinds of relations across the border. Table 15. Entrepreneurs seeking relations in the neighboring country (Denmark or Germany, resp.) German entrepreneurs Danish entrepreneurs Seek collaborators in the neighboring country 13% 11% Seek suppliers in the neighboring country 8% 10% Seek customers in the neighboring country 20% 16% Mean number of kinds of relations 0,43 0,40 N entrepreneurs 200 335 Surprisingly, the German entrepreneurs are seeking further relations in the small neighboring Denmark as eagerly as the Danish entrepreneurs are seeking further relations in the big neighboring Germany.
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Entrepreneurs’ need to enhance competencies What do entrepreneurs need additional knowledge about? Entrepreneurs need a wide variety of competences for creating their ventures and despite their education, training and experience often need to enhance their skills. We asked them whether they feel a need for additional knowledge about specific topics, Table 16. In both countries, only a small percentage of the entrepreneurs feel a need for additional knowledge about exporting and importing. In both countries, many entrepreneurs feel a need for additional knowledge about professional networking, possibilities for growth, legislation, and about value added tax and taxes. The countries differ in their entrepreneurs’ need for additional knowledge about some topics. More of the German entrepreneurs than of the Danish entrepreneurs feel a need for additional knowledge about planning expansion, insurance, value added tax and taxes, management and legislation. Conversely, more of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs feel they need additional knowledge about developing products and services, effective use of their work time, and developing their business idea (each of these differences is statistically significant; each significant p-‐value is listed in the table). Table 16. Entrepreneurs’ need for additional knowledge about each topic
* asked only in the first round of interviews. ** asked only in the second round of interviews.
Germany Denmark Difference P-‐value Planning expansion 39% 20% 19% .0001 Insurance * 39% 21% 18% .001 Value added tax and taxes 50% 38% 12% .02 Management 31% 20% 11% .002 Legislation 47% 40% 7% .07 Human Resources management ** 23% 16% 7% Development of business plan * 30% 24% 6% Information technology 33% 29% 4% Financing 29% 26% 3% Innovation 33% 30% 3% Possibilities for growth 43% 40% 3% Professional networks 45% 42% 3% Exports 13% 11% 2% Unemployment insurance ** 29% 28% 1% Budget 33% 33% 0% Imports 12% 12% 0% Quality control 17% 18% -‐ 1% Business insurance ** 31% 32% -‐ 1% Marketing 37% 38% -‐ 1% Development of business idea 21% 27% -‐ 6% .08 Effective use of work time ** 21% 31% -‐ 10% .07 Development of products and services 15% 25% -‐ 10% .004 Mean percentage 30% 27% N entrepreneurs 220 348
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The German entrepreneurs appear to have slightly greater need for additional knowledge than the Danish entrepreneurs; however the difference between 30% and 27% is so slight that it is not statistically significant. Although we cannot clearly see a difference, there may well be a difference. A difference can be interpreted by recalling that German entrepreneurs especially often come from unemployment and a background in crafts and services whereas Danish entrepreneurs more often have an education in business and are motivated by business opportunity and not need. This difference in background may create a greater need for additional entrepreneurial knowledge among the German entrepreneurs. This specification of areas of needed information and enhancement of competencies entails suggestions for future advising of entrepreneurs. Beyond needing knowledge when preparing to start a business, more consultation is needed during the process of forming the business. Specifying goals for a nascent business serves to define the starting position but also serves to clarify fears, needs and motives for starting a business. Indeed, about two thirds of German adults have a fear of failure, and this is a reason for refraining from trying (survey by Ludwig-‐Maximilian Universität of Munich), and only one third considers self-‐employment attractive. Entrepreneurs could probably benefit from reflecting more on their undertaking in terms of what they hope to achieve and what they are able to achieve. Not only business-‐opportunity and financial constraints matter, but also personal background and attitudes matter. Prospective entrepreneurs could benefit from role-‐playing – putting themselves in the shoes of an entrepreneur and a self-‐employed person – looking at themselves from the outside, so as to become aware of a life without salaried employment, before deciding to become an entrepreneur.
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Conclusions The purpose has been to account for entrepreneurship in two locations – Neumünster in Germany and Vejle in Denmark – specifically for the mutual orientations between the two nations. The specific questions underlying this study were stated in the introductory section. What are the backgrounds of the entrepreneurs? In both locations, the entrepreneurs are mostly native born, and only very few are immigrants or second generation in the country. In both countries, most entrepreneurs are men. In both locations, the entrepreneurs are around 40 years of age, on average, and have around 10 years of relevant business experience. It seems that entrepreneurs in the Danish Vejle are better educated, on average, than entrepreneurs in the German Neumünster. Probably, this is partly because of the institutional difference between the two locations: Neumünster promotes entrepreneurship among the unemployed in the training program Startbahn: Existenzgründung, whereas Denmark offers no special entrepreneurial support for unemployed. Why do some entrepreneurs, upon receiving advice, abandon their efforts to start? It appears that difficulties raising funds for starting is a frequent reason for abandoning efforts to start, but we have interviewed only few persons who dropped the idea of starting, so we cannot address this question properly. How is the entrepreneurial work organized? Motivations to start differ between the two countries. Danish entrepreneurs are usually pulled into entrepreneurship because they want to pursue a good business idea, and they are rarely pushed into entrepreneurship by need or because they cannot find a better job. German entrepreneurs, however, are more often motivated by a combination of having a business idea and the need for a job. – In both locations, entrepreneurial work is organized into networks with colleagues in their sector and with other entrepreneurs. The extent of networking is similar is the two countries. – In both countries, ownership is organized mainly as sole ownership, the entrepreneur typically owns the whole enterprise alone. – Organization differs between the two places, however, in the work-‐load of the entrepreneur in the new endeavor. German entrepreneurs appear to more often work full-‐time in the new enterprise, while Danish entrepreneurs appear to more often work part-‐time in the new firm. Correspondingly, Danish entrepreneurs often have another job besides starting their business, more often than German entrepreneurs have another job. Do entrepreneurs feel a need to extend their competencies? German entrepreneurs feel a greater need to know more than Danish entrepreneurs do about planning expansion, insurance, value added tax and taxes, management and legislation. Conversely, more of the Danish entrepreneurs than of the German entrepreneurs feel they need for more knowledge about developing products and services, effective use of their work time, and developing their business idea. Do entrepreneurs relate to collaborators, suppliers and customers abroad, specifically what is the mutual orientation between the two nations? Danish entrepreneurs have more relations abroad than German entrepreneurs do, which is probably mainly due to the big size of the market in Germany relative to the small size of the market in Denmark. But, surprisingly, German entrepreneurs are eagerly seeking relations abroad as much as Danish entrepreneurs do. Surprisingly also, the German entrepreneurs are seeking relations in the small neighboring country as eagerly as the Danish entrepreneurs are seeking relations in the big neighboring country.
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Bibliography Brixy, Udo, Christian Hundt, Rolf Sternberg, Arne Vorderwülbecke. 2011. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Unternehmensgründungen im weltweiten Verglaich. Länderbericht Deutschland. (Hannover: Leibniz Universität). Klyver, K., & T. Schøtt. (2006). Iværksættere i det danske rådgivningssystem: en analyse af udbud af og efterspørgsel efter rådgivning. CESFO Rapportserie nr. X. ISBN 87-‐91070-‐19-‐8. ISSN 1600-‐8286. www.sdu.dk
Prignitz, Sonja, Lisbeth M. Nørhede and Heino Bubach-‐Bernhardt. 2010. Rådgivning for iværksættere i Nordtyskland og Syddanmark. (Vejle: Vejle Erhvervsudvikling). http://www.igbp.biz/fileadmin/root/Downloads/downloads_dansk_version/Raadgivning_for_ivaerksaettere_i_Nordtyskland_og_Syddanmark.pdf Prignitz, Sonja, Lisbeth M. Nørhede and Heino Bubach-‐Bernhardt. 2010. Beratungsleistungen für ExistenzgründerInnen in Norddeutschland und Süddänemark. (Neumünster: Wirtschaftsagentur Neumünster). http://www.igbp.biz/fileadmin/root/Downloads/downloads_tysk_version/BeratungsleistungenfuerExistenzgruenderInneninDeutschlandundDaenemark.pdf Schein, Edgar H. 2000. Process Consultation. Pearson Custom Publishing. Schøtt, T. (2007). Iværksættere i Vejle Amt. Del 1: Behovet for vejledning. CESFO Rapportserie nr. XIII. ISBN 978-‐87-‐91070-‐25-‐9. ISSN 1600-‐8286. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet, CESFO). www.sdu.dk Schøtt, T. (2007). Iværksættere i Vejle Amt. Del 2: Hvordan klarer de sig? CESFO Rapportserie nr. XV. ISBN 87-‐91070-‐27-‐9. ISSN 1600-‐8286. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet, CESFO). www.sdu.dk
Schøtt, T. (2009). Iværksætteri i landområderne i Vejle Kommune. CESFO Rapportserie nr. XVIII. ISBN 978-‐87-‐91070-‐25-‐9. ISSN 1600-‐8286. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet, CESFO). www.sdu.dk
Schøtt, T. (2010). Kommercielt og socialt iværksætteri i Region Syddanmark. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet, CESFO). www.sdu.dk
Schøtt, T. (2010). Netværket blandt fødevareproducenter i Vejle Kommune. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet, CESFO). www.sdu.dk
Schøtt, T. (2011). Iværksætteriets vejledning og internationale orientering: Vejle Kommune 2009-‐2010.
Schøtt, T., og J. Christensen. (2005). ”Iværksætteres kompetenceudvikling – kurser i Vejle Amt”, i V. Søgaard et al. (red.), Årsrapport 2004/2005 – Center for Småvirksomhedsforskning. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet, CESFO), side 31-‐38. www.sdu.dk
Schøtt, T., og M. S. Nielsen (2010). ”Commercial entrepreneurship in a region: Southern Denmark”, i T. Schøtt, Social and Commercial Entrepreneurship in Denmark 2009. (Kolding: Syddansk Universitet), side 57-‐66. www.sdu.dk
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http://amway-‐selbstaendigkeitsstudie.de/fileadmin/template/download/amway_LMU_selbstaendigkeitsumfrage_100426.pdf/ http://www.bacb.de/tag/grunderkultur/ http://www.cvr.dk/ http://www.igbp.biz/ http://www.start-‐bahn.de/ http://www.veu.dk http://www.wak-‐sh.de/ http://www.wa-‐nms.de/ Appendix 1: The questionnaire in German The questionnaire in German (as well as in Danish, see Appendix 2) has two versions of the introduction, one version for starters and another version for advisees. Below, on this page, is the introduction for starters, and on the next page is the introduction for advisees. The introduction is followed by the questions to all, both starters and advisees. This rendition of the questionnaire omits the response categories “Don’t know” and “Refuse”. Fragebogen für Unternehmensgründer und Personen, die Beratung im Bereich Existenzgründung bezogen haben 2010 Fragebogen für Unternehmensgründer; beginnt hier mit Informationen des Gewerbeamts
§ Unternehmensname (Firma) _________________________________________ § Inhabername _____________________________________________________ § Telefon § Postleitzahl § Branchencode § Datum der Registrierung in 2010 / § Unternehmensform Einzelunternehmen GbR KG OHG
GmbH_ AG andere, und zwar: Vergeblicher Anruf / Resultat des Anrufs: nicht möglich, Kontakt herzustellen Absage Interview durchgeführt (Interviewer Datum ) Guten Tag! Mein Name ist (Vor- und Nachname). Ich rufe für die Fachhochschule Kiel an. Wir führen eine Erhebung über die Beratung von Existenzgründerinnen und -gründern durch. Wir rufen Unternehmen an, die in der Gewerbemeldestatistik registriert sind. Haben Sie bitte 25 Minuten Zeit für ein Interview?
ð Falls notwendig: Wenn Sie jetzt keine Zeit haben, würden wir Sie gerne zu einem anderen Zeitpunkt anrufen. Wann würde es Ihnen besser passen? ______________
Die ersten 3 Fragen sollen abklären, ob das Unternehmen in die Erhebung mit einbezogen wird oder von dieser ausgeschlossen wird: Falls der Firmenname nicht oben angeführt ist, zu Frage 2 nach dem Inhaber übergehen! Falls GesprächspartnerIn die oben angeführte Firma noch nicht genannt hat, fragen:
1. Habe ich gerade das Unternehmen (die o. g.Firma nennen) angerufen?__Ja Nein ð Falls nein, nach der Firma fragen und diese notieren: ________________________
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ð Falls das Unternehmen auf andere Weise kontaktiert werden kann, aufschreiben, auf welche Art: _________________________________________________________
ð Falls das Unternehmen nicht kontaktiert werden kann, ist hier abzubrechen und der Grund zu notieren_________________________________________________
ð Wenn die Person sich nicht bereits als GeschäftsführerIn des Unternehmens oder als die Person, die oben angegeben ist, ausgegeben hat, fragen:
2. Haben Sie (den Inhabernamen nennen, wenn dieser aufgeführt ist, ansonsten fragen) die Geschäftsführung inne? Ja Nein
ð Falls nein, nach der/dem InhaberIn (bzw. GeschäftsführerIn des Unternehmens) fragen. ð Wenn der/die InhaberIn (oder GeschäftsführerIn) zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt kontaktiert
werden kann, einen neuen Termin vereinbaren: ____________________ ð Wenn zu keinem Zeitpunkt der/die InhaberIn oder der/die GeschäftsführerIn kontaktiert
werden kann, ist hier abzubrechen und der Grund zu notieren: _____________________________________________________________
3. Wurde das Unternehmen 2010 oder früher gegründet? früher
ð Wenn die Gründung früher als 2010 erfolgte, ist nach dem Starttermin zu fragen: _____ ð Wenn der Starttermin wirklich vor 2010 lag, ist das Gespräch hier zu beenden und der
Gründungszeitraum zu notieren:____________________________________ Weiter mit Frage 9-0 (Erläuterung: Fragen 4-8 lediglich für Befragungsteilnehmer aus dem Register Startbahn: Existenzgründung)
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Fragebogen für Beratene; beginnt hier mit ersten Informationen aus der „Startbahn: Existenzgründung“-Teilnehmerliste Erste Informationen:
§ Firma (Unternehmensname)_________________________________ § Name des Beratenen ________________________________ § Telefon § Postleitzahl § Branchencode Wenn nur Branchenbezeichnung vorhanden ist________ § Datum der Registrierung in 2010: (wenn bekannt Monat /Jahr) / § Unternehmensform:
_Einzelunternehmen GbR KG OHG GmbH _AG andere, nämlich: ___
Vergeblicher Anruf / Resultat des Anrufs: nicht möglich, den Kontakt herzustellen Absage Interview durchgeführt (Interviewer____________Datum ) Guten Tag! Mein Name ist (Vor- und Nachname). Ich rufe für die Fachhochschule Kiel an. Wir machen eine Erhebung zu der Frage, inwiefern ExistenzgründerInnen und Existenzgründer Beratungsangebote beim Start ihres eigenen Unternehmens in Anspruch nehmen. Wir rufen dazu Unternehmen an, die an den Beratungsangeboten im Projekt Startbahn: Existenzgründung teilgenommen haben. Haben Sie bitte 20 Minuten Zeit für ein Interview?
ð Wenn notwendig: Wenn Sie jetzt keine Zeit haben, würden wir Sie gerne zu einem anderen Zeitpunkt anrufen. Wann würde es Ihnen passen? ________________
Die ersten 2 Fragen sollen klären, ob das Unternehmen bzw. der Befragte in die Erhebung mit einbezogen wird oder von dieser ausgeschlossen wird. Falls Firma nicht oben angeführt ist, zur nächsten Frage nach der Person übergehen! Falls GespächspartnerIn die oben angeführte Firma noch nicht genannt hat, fragen:
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4. Ist das Unternehmen (Firma nennen, die oben angeführt ist) jenes, das ich gerade
angerufen habe? Ja Nein ð Falls nein, nach dem Unternehmensnamen fragen. ð Falls das Ziel-Unternehmen auf andere Weise kontaktiert werden kann, aufschreiben, auf
welche Art: ð Wenn das Unternehmen nicht kontaktiert werden kann, ist hier abzubrechen, zu danken und
der Grund zu notieren:________________________________________ ð Wenn die Person sich nicht bereits als GeschäftsführerIn des Unternehmens oder als die
Person, die oben angegeben ist, zu erkennen gegeben hat, fragen: 5. Sind Sie (den Namen der Person nennen, die Beratung bezogen hat)? Ja Nein ð Falls nein, nach der/dem Beratenen fragen, ob diese(r) und wann zur Verfügung steht ð Wenn Beratene(r) zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt kontaktiert werden kann, einen neuen Termin
vereinbaren:_____________________________________ ð Wenn Beratene(r) zu keinem Zeitpunkt kontaktiert werden kann, ist hier abzubrechen und der
Grund zu notieren:________________________________ 6. Wir rufen an, weil Sie an der Eröffnungsveranstaltung zum Projekt Startbahn:
Existenzgründung teilnahmen. Haben Sie im letzten Jahr ein Unternehmen gegründet? Ja Nein
ð Falls „Ja“ bei Frage 6, weiter mit Frage 7: ð Falls „Nein“ bei Frage 6, weiter mit Frage 8! 7. In welchem Jahr haben Sie Ihr Unternehmen gegründet?
dieses Jahr(2010) früher ð Bei Gründung früher als 2010, ist nach dem Starttermin zu fragen: ________ ð Wenn Starttermin vor 2010 liegt, ist das Gespräch zu beenden und Grund zu notieren:
_________________________________________ ð Wenn die Antwort „dieses Jahr (2010)“ lautet, ist das Interview mit Frage 9-0 fortzusetzen.
8A. Sind Sie gerade dabei, ein Unternehmen zu gründen? Ja Nein
ð Falls „Ja“ in Frage 8A, so ist das Interview mit Frage 9-0 fortzusetzen! ð Falls „Nein“ in Frage 8A, weiter mit Frage 8B:
8B. Planen Sie, zukünftig ein Unternehmen zu gründen? Ja Nein
ð Falls „Ja“ bei Frage 8B, weiter mit Frage 9-0, danach weiter mit den Fragen 13, 15, 17. ð Falls „Nein“ bei Frage 8B, weiter mit Frage 8C:
8C. Welche Umstände und Gründe hindern Sie an einer Gründung? 8C1. Hält ein Mangel an Eigenkapital Sie von der Gründung eines Unternehmens ab?
Ja Nein 8C2. Haben Sie derzeit eine Beschäftigung, die Sie davon abhält, ein Unternehmen zu gründen?
Ja Nein 8C3. Halten persönliche Umstände Sie davon ab, ein Unternehmen zu gründen?
Ja Nein 8C4. Gibt es einen Mangel an öffentlichen Beratungsangeboten, der Sie von einer Gründung abhält?
Ja Nein 8C5. Fehlt es Ihnen an einer marktfähigen Idee, um ein Unternehmen zu gründen?
Ja Nein ð Nach 8C5 weiter mit Frage 19, ob Beratung bezogen wurde!
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9-0. Welche persönlichen Ziele und Werte möchten Sie in der Selbstständigkeit erreichen? Mein Streben nach neuem Wissen und neuen Erfahrungen befriedigen? Ja Nein Anerkennung von anderen erreichen? Ja Nein Für mich selbst und für andere bestimmen können, wo es lang geht? Ja Nein In Loyalität anderen Menschen gegenüber leben und arbeiten? ____Ja Nein Von dem verdienten Geld etwas „auf die hohe Kante legen“? Ja Nein Mit meiner Familie mehr Zeit verbringen, da ich als Selbstständiger meine Zeit selbst einteilen kann? Ja Nein Andere als Inhaber einer Firma beeindrucken? Ja Nein Mich im Wettbewerb mit anderen beweisen? Ja Nein Weniger negativen Stress als in meiner bisherigen Beschäftigung erfahren? Ja Nein Die Basis für ein genussvolles Leben schaffen? Ja Nein Von anderen und ihren Ratschlägen und Anweisungen unabhängig sein? Ja Nein Meinem Sinn für Ordnung Geltung verschaffen? ____Ja Nein Für gute Zwecke auch persönliche Opfer bringen? Ja Nein Kontakte mit anderen Menschen pflegen? Ja Nein Schönheit in allen Bereichen des Lebens genießen? Ja Nein Körperliche Aktivitäten in meiner Freizeit ausleben? ___Ja Nein 9. Aus welchem Grund haben Sie dieses Unternehmen gegründet? Ich lese Ihnen einige
Antwortmöglichkeiten vor (die ersten vier Antwortmöglichkeiten sind vorzulesen) Geschäftsidee nutzen__ keine bessere Beschäftigungsmöglichkeit Kombination aus beiden Gründen Hatte eine Tätigkeit, habe aber nach besseren Möglichkeiten gesucht anderes 10. Sind Sie Mitglied in einem fachlichen Netzwerk ihrer Branche? _____Ja Nein 11. Sind Sie Mitglied in einem Netzwerk von Existenzgründern? Ja Nein
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12. Haben Sie Lieferanten im Ausland? _____Ja Nein
ð Falls ‘ja‘ bei Frage 12, ist auch zu fragen: Haben Sie Lieferanten in Dänemark? Ja Nein 13. Überlegen Sie, nach Lieferanten im Ausland zu suchen? Ja Nein
ð Falls ‚ja‘ bei Frage 13, ist auch zu fragen: Überlegen Sie, Lieferanten in Dänemark zu suchen? Ja Nein 14. Haben Sie Kunden im Ausland? Ja Nein
ð Falls ‚ja‘ bei Frage 14, ist auch zu fragen: Haben Sie Kunden in Dänemark? Ja Nein 15. Überlegen Sie, nach Kunden im Ausland zu suchen? Ja Nein
ð Falls ‚ja‘ bei Frage 15, ist auch zu fragen: Überlegen Sie, nach Kunden in Dänemark zu suchen? Ja Nein 16. Welche Leistungen bietet Ihr Unternehmen am Markt an? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. Haben Sie von der Existenzgründungsberatung gehört, die das Projekt Startbahn:
Existenzgründung bietet? Ja nein
ð Falls ‚ja‘ bei Frage17, sind auch die Fragen 18 und 19 zu stellen. Falls ‚nein‘ bei Frage 17 weiter zu Frage 20. 18. Wo haben Sie von der Existenzgründungsbetreuung des Projektes Startbahn:
Existenzgründung gehört? Website Annonce PR Bekannte Anderes Haben Sie bereits Beratung im Projekt Startbahn: Existenzgründung erhalten? Ja nein
ð falls ‚ja‘ bei Frage 19 weiter zu Frage 21 ð falls ‚nein‘ bei Frage 19 weiter zu Frage 20 und danach zu Frage 29
19. Wollen Sie sich im Projekt Startbahn: Existenzgründung beraten lassen? Ja nein
ð Danach weiter zu Frage 29 (weiterer Beratungsbedarf)
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20. Haben Sie die Vorlage zum Business Plan aus dem Projekt Startbahn: Existenzgründung genutzt?
Ja Nein ð Wenn ja welchen Nutzen haben Sie daraus gezogen?
Keinen Nutzen etwas Nutzen großen Nutzen 21. Haben Sie an der Informationsveranstaltung mit Zukunftswerkstatt teilgenommen? Ja Nein
ð Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? Keinen Nutzen etwas Nutzen großen Nutzen 22. Haben Sie an der Existenzgründungswoche teilgenommen? Ja Nein
ð Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? Keinen Nutzen etwas Nutzen großen Nutzen 23. Haben Sie an den Einzelgesprächen, die auf die Existenzgründungwoche folgen,
teilgenommen? Ja Nein
ð Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? Keinen Nutzen etwas Nutzen großen Nutzen 24. Haben Sie die individuelle Beratung eines Gründungsberaters in Anspruch
genommen? Ja Nein
ð Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? Keinen Nutzen etwas Nutzen großen Nutzen 25. Haben Sie am Praxiscamp teilgenommen? Ja Nein
ð Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? ______Keinen Nutzen______geringen Nutzen______großen Nutzen 26. Haben Sie die „Checkliste vor der Unternehmensgründung aus der
Arbeitslosigkeit“, die im Anschluss an das Praxiscamp ausgeteilt wird, verwendet? Ja Nein Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? ______Keinen Nutzen______geringen Nutzen______großen Nutzen
27. Haben Sie an einem oder mehreren Workshops zu den verschiedenen Themen
teilgenommen? Ja Nein
ð Wenn ja, an welchem (welchen)? ________________________________________ ð Wenn ja, welchen Nutzen hatten Sie daraus? (Sammelbewertung aller Workshops!)
______Keinen Nutzen______geringen Nutzen______großen Nutzen
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28. Haben Sie in einem oder in mehreren der folgenden Bereiche Bedarf für weitere Informationen, um Ihre Gründungsidee/ihr Unternehmen weiter zu entwickeln?
…Entwicklung einer Idee für Ihr Unternehmen? Ja Nein … Erarbeitung/Weiterentwicklung eines Business Plan? Ja Nein … Finanzierung des Unternehmens? Ja Nein … Wirtschaftlichkeitsberechnungen? Ja Nein … Entwicklung von Produkten oder Leistungen? Ja Nein … Export? ____Ja Nein … Import? Ja Nein … Innovation? Ja Nein … Wachstumsmöglichkeiten? Ja Nein … Informationstechnologie? Ja Nein … Strategisches Management? Ja Nein … Mitarbeiterführung und Organisationskultur? Ja Nein … Betriebliche Versicherungen? ___Ja Nein … Sozialversicherung? ___Ja Nein … Marketing-Mix für Ihre Leistungen? Ja Nein … Gesetzliche Rahmenbedingungen für Ihr Unternehmen? Ja Nein … Besteuerung Ihres Unternehmens? Ja Nein … Möglichkeiten durch Netzwerke und andere Kooperationsmöglichkeiten? Ja Nein … Unternehmerisches Zeitmanagement? Ja Nein … Work-Life-Balance: Familie und Unterstützung durch die Familie? Ja Nein
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29. Was ist Ihre höchste abgeschlossene Schulausbildung? (die ersten fünf Antwortmöglichkeiten werden vorgelesen!) Hauptschulabschluss Realschulabschluss Fachabitur Abitur Kein Schulabschluss
30. Was ist Ihre längste abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung oder weiterführende
Ausbildung? (die ersten drei Antwortmöglichkeiten werden vorgelesen!) Berufsausbildung Studium an Hochschule oder Berufsakademie Keine Berufsausbildung oder Studium
ð Falls Antwort „Berufsausbildung“, weiter zu Frage 32, sonst weiter zu Frage 33! 31. Welche inhaltliche Richtung hat Ihre abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung?
(die drei Antwortmöglichkeiten werden vorgelesen!) Handwerklich Kaufmännisch Anderes
32. Wie alt sind Sie? Jahre
ð Wenn Befragte(r) ein Unternehmen gegründet hat bzw. plant zu gründen, weiter mit Frage 34 sonst 35. 33. Wie viele Jahre berufliche Erfahrung haben Sie in dem Bereich, in dem Sie Ihr
Unternehmen gegründet haben bzw. planen zu gründen? Jahre
34. Ich werde Sie nun fragen, wie Sie sich in anderen Sprachen ausdrücken können. Können Sie in Verbindung mit Geschäftstätigkeiten im Ausland Englisch sprechen? Ja Nein Können Sie in Verbindung mit Geschäftstätigkeiten im Ausland Dänisch sprechen? Ja Nein
35. Zum Abschluss möchten wir nach Ihrer Abstammung fragen. Sind Sie …?
deutscher Abstammung Einwanderer in zweiter Generation Einwanderer
ð Notizen
Geschlecht des Befragten (ohne danach zu fragen) männlich weiblich Wunsch der / des Befragten, die Ergebnisse der Befragung zu erhalten Ja Nein
Beenden Sie das Gespräch, indem Sie sich bei dem Befragten bedanken!
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Appendix 2. The questionnaire in Danish The questionnaire in Danish (as well as in German, in Appendix 1) has two versions of the introduction, one version for starters and another version for advisees. Below, on this page, is the introduction for starters, and on the next page is the introduction for advisees. The introduction is followed by the questions to all, both starters and advisees. This rendition of the questionnaire omits the response categories “Don’t know” and “Refuse”.
Spørgeskema til startere (og vejledte) i Vejle 2010 Thomas Schøtt (vejledte har andre indledende spørgsmål) STARTEREs skema begynder her, med forhåndsoplysninger fra CVR og Experian: Virksomhedens navn ______________________________ Indehaverens navn ______________________________ Telefoner ___________________ ___________________ Postnummer ___________________ Branchekode ___________________ CVRnr ___________________ Dato CVRnr i 2010 ______ / _______ Virksomhedsform __A/S __Aps __EnkeltMV __I/S A/SunderSt __ApsUnderSt __Andet, nemlig: ___ Forgæves opkald: __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ Resultat af opkald: ___ukontaktbar ___afslag ___interview gennemført(interviewer______dato___/___) Goddag. Mit navn er [fornavn og efternavn]. Jeg ringer fra Syddansk Universitet. Vi laver en undersøgelse af de nye virksomheder. Vi ringer til et udsnit af virksomheder i det Centrale Virksomhedsregister, og vil høre om du har 10 minutter til et interview? Hvis nødvendigt: Hvis du ikke har tid lige nu, vil vi gerne ringe igen. Hvornår passer det dig?____ De tre spørgsmål nedenfor er en screening, der afgør om virksomheden skal inkluderes eller udelukkes: Hvis intet firmanavn er skrevet ovenfor, så spring til næste spørgsmål, om indehaveren. Hvis personen ikke allerede har nævnt firmanavnet skrevet ovenfor, så spørg: 1. Er det virksomheden [sig virksomhedsnavnet skrevet ovenfor; ellers spring ned] jeg her ringer til? _ja _nej Hvis ’nej’, så spørg efter det virksomhedsnavn. Hvis denne virksomhed kan kontaktes på anden vis, så slut her, og skriv her hvordan (ring der) Hvis denne virksomhed slet ikke kan kontaktes, så slut her, og skriv grunden: Hvis personen ikke nævnte sig som leder eller personen måske skrevet ovenfor, så spørg 2. Er du [sig indehavernavnet hvis skrevet; ellers sig: lederen ? ] ___ja ___nej Hvis ’nej’, så spørg efter indehaveren (eller lederen) og interview denne. Hvis en indehaver (eller leder) bedre kan kontaktes senere, så aftal genopkaldstidspunkt: Hvis ingen indehaver eller leder kontaktes nu eller senere, så slut med Tak og skriv grunden: 3. Virksomheden fik et CVRnummer i 2010. Startede firmaet i 2010 eller tidligere? __2010 __tidligere Hvis tidligere end 2010 så spørg til start. Hvis virkelig tidligere end 2010 så slut TAK, skriv grund: Hvis her svares ’2010’ så gå videre til spørgsmål 8D
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Spørgeskema til vejledte (og startere) i Vejle 2010 Thomas Schøtt, (startere har andre indledende spørgsmål) VEJLEDTEs skema begynder her, med forhåndsoplysninger fra VEUs database for vejledte (ink infomøder): Virksomhedens navn (hvis noget navn) ______________________________ Vejledtes navn ______________________________ Telefoner ___________________ ___________________ Postnummer ___________________ Branchekode ___________________ Hvis kun branchebeskrivelse haves, så beskriv _____________________ CVRnr (hvis oplyst) ___________________ Dato CVRnr i 2010 (hvis oplyst) ______ / _______ Virksomhedsform(hvis en) __A/S __Aps __EMV __I/S __A/SunderSt __ApsUnderSt __Andet, så:____ Var personen til infomøde __ja __nej Var individuel vejledning givet: __ja __nej Forgæves opkald: __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ __/__ Resultat af opkald: ___ukontaktbar ___afslag ___interview gennemført(interviewer_______dato____/____) Goddag. Mit navn er [fornavn og efternavn]. Jeg ringer fra Syddansk Universitet. Vi laver en undersøgelse af opstart af ny virksomhed. Vi ringer til et udsnit af folk der starter eller måske har været i kontakt med den offentlige erhvervsvejledning, og vil høre om du har 10 minutter til et interview? Hvis nødvendigt: Hvis du ikke har tid lige nu, vil vi gerne ringe igen. Hvornår passer det dig?____ Spørgsmålene 4-‐5 nedenfor er en screening, der afgør om personen/virksomheden skal inkluderes eller udelukkes: Hvis intet firmanavn er skrevet ovenfor, så spring til næste spørgsmål om personen. Hvis personen ikke allerede har nævnt firmanavnet skrevet ovenfor, så spørg: 4. Er det virksomheden [sig virksomhedsnavn skrevet ovenfor; ellers spring ned] jeg her ringer til? _ja __nej Hvis ’nej’, så spørg efter det virksomhedsnavn. Hvis denne virksomhed kan kontaktes på anden vis, så skriv hvordan og kontakt den derved: Hvis denne virksomhed slet ikke kan kontaktes, så slut her med et Tak, og skriv grunden: Hvis personen ikke nævnte sig som leder eller som personen skrevet ovenfor, så spørg 5. Er du [sig vejledtes navn] ? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’nej’, så spørg efter den vejledte person. Hvis den vejledte bedre kan kontaktes senere, så aftal genopkaldstidspunkt: Hvis den vejledte ikke kan kontaktes nu eller senere, så slut her med et Tak, og skriv grunden:
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6. Vi ringer fordi du vist har haft kontakt med Vejle Erhvervsudvikling omkring det at starte en virksomhed. Har du inden for det sidste års tid startet en virksomhed? __ja __nej Hvis ’Ja’ til spørgsmål 6 om ’har startet’, så spørg: 7.Hvilket år startede virksomheden? ___2010 ___tidligere Hvis tidligere end 2010 så spørg til starttidspunktet (året).
Hvis virkelig tidligere end 2010 så slut og skriv grunden: Hvis ’2010’, så går interviewet nu straks videre til spørgsmål 8D og videre Hvis ’Nej’ til spørgsmål 6 om ’har startet’, så spørg: 8.A Er du nu i færd med at starte en virksomhed? __ja __nej Hvis ’Ja’ til spørgsmål 8 ’i færd’ så går interviewet nu straks videre til spørgsmål 8D og videre Hvis ’Nej’ til spørgsmål 8 ’i færd’ så spørg: 8.B Har du til hensigt at starte en virksomhed? __ja __nej
Hvis ’Ja’ til spørgsmål 8B ’hensigt’ så spring til spørgsmål 8D og 9-‐0, spring derefter til spørgsmål 14, 16 og derefter videre
Hvis ’Nej’ til spørgsmål 8B ’hensigt’ så spørg: 8.C Vi vil gerne spørge om nogle ting som måske holder dig tilbage fra at starte: 8C1. Er manglede egenkapital en grund til at du holder dig tilbage fra at starte? __ja __nej 8C2. Har du et job nu, som er mere attraktivt end at starte? __ja __nej
8C3. Er der personlige grunde, der holder dig tilbage fra at starte? __ja __nej 8C4. Er mangel på vejledning om opstart en grund til at du holder dig tilbage fra at starte? __ja __nej
8C5. Mangler du en lys idé til en forretning, så det holder dig tilbage? _ja _nej Derefter spring til spørgsmål 19 til 28, så spørgsmål 30 og 31, så spørgsmål 33 og videre.
8D. Ganske kort, hvilke ydelser og services tilbyder virksomheden? _________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Hvad er grunden til at har startet den nye virksomhed? Jeg læser nogle svarmuligheder op for dig (Læs de 4 første svarmuligheder op) ____ For at udnytte en forretningsidé ____ Ingen bedre jobmulighed ____ Kombination af begge de to ting ____ Har job, men søger bedre muligheder ____ andet 10.Deltager du i et netværk med andre i samme fag eller andet relevant tema? ___ja ___nej 11. Deltager du i et netværk med andre der starter ny virksomhed? ___ja ___nej 12a. Giver din familie dig praktisk støtte til at starte virksomhed? ___ja ___nej 12b. Giver din familie dig opmuntring til at starte virksomhed? ___ja ___nej 13. Har du nogen leverandører i udlandet? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Har du nogen leverandører i Tyskland? ___ja ___nej 14. Overvejer du at søge nogen leverandører i udlandet? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Overvejer du at søge nogen leverandører i Tyskland? ___ja ___nej 15. Har du nogen kunder i udlandet? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Har du nogen kunder i Tyskland? ___ja ___nej 16. Overvejer du at søge nogen kunder i udlandet? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Overvejer du at søge nogen kunder i Tyskland? ___ja ___nej
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17. Har du hørt om den iværksættervejledning der tilbydes af Vejle Erhvervsudvikling? __ja __nej Hvis ’Ja’, så stil de følgende spørgsmål: 18.Hvorfra hørte du om det Vejle Erhvervsudvikling tilbyder iværksættere: var det fra Vejle Erhvervsudviklings hjemmeside, annoncer, PR, gennem bekendte, eller ad anden vej? ___Hjemmesiden ___Annoncer ___PR ___Bekendte ___anden 19. Har du modtaget individuel rådgivning fra en iværksættervejleder fra Vejle Erhvervsudvikling? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn fik du af
rådgivningen: ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? __ingen __nogen __stor Hvis ’Nej’, så spørg: Har du til hensigt at søge individuel
rådgivning fra en iværksættervejleder fra Vejle Erhvervsudvikling? __ja __nej 20.Har du deltaget i et informationsmøde for iværksættere arrangeret af Vejle Erhvervsudvikling?_ja _nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn fik du af informationsmøde for iværksættere, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor 21. Har du deltaget i et iværksætterkursus der hed Uddannelseshjulet
som var arrangeret af Vejle Erhvervsudvikling? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn fik du af iværksætterkurset Uddannelseshjulet, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor 22. Har du deltaget i et arrangement der hed ”Åbne faciliteter”
som var holdt af Vejle Erhvervsudvikling?___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn fik du af arrangementet Åbne faciliteter, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor 23. Har du på internettet været inde på Vejle Erhvervsudviklings hjemmeside? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så stil også de følgende spørgsmål: 24. Har du brugt den skabelon på hjemmesiden som hedder Huskelisten? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn har du haft af Huskeliste-‐skabelonen fra hjemmesiden, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor 25. Har du brugt den skabelon på hjemmesiden som hedder Forretningsplan? __ja __nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn har du haft af forretningsplan-‐skabelonen fra hjemmesiden, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor 26. Har du brugt den skabelon på hjemmesiden som hedder Udviklingsplanen? __ja __nej Hvis ’ja’ så spørg: Hvilken gavn har du haft udviklingsplan-‐skabelonen fra hjemmesiden, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor 27. Har du brugt den skabelon på hjemmesiden som hedder Budget? ___ja ___nej Hvis ’Ja’, så spørg: Hvilken gavn har du haft af budget-‐skabelonen fra hjemmesiden? ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor
28. Har du brugt den skabelon på hjemmesiden som hedder ”personligt afklaringsskema i forbindelse med opstart af virksomhed”? __ja __nej
Hvis ’ja’ så spørg: Hvilken gavn har du haft det ”personligt afklaringsskema” fra hjemmesiden, ingen gavn, nogen gavn eller stor gavn? ___ingen ___nogen __stor
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29. Lige nu hvad har du behov for mere viden om for at udvikle virksomheden? Har du behov for mere viden om ...(gentages for hver slags) … udvikling af en forretningsidé? __ja __nej … hvordan du videreudvikler virksomheden? __ja __nej … finansiering? __ja __nej … økonomisk planlægning og vurdering? __ja __nej … udvikling af produkter og serviceydelser? __ja __nej … eksport? __ja __nej … import? __ja __nej … innovation og nyskabelse? __ja __nej … styring af ekspansion? __ja __nej … muligheder for vækst? __ja __nej … informationsteknologi? __ja __nej … strategi og ledelse?, __ja __nej … HR management og organisationskultur? __ja __nej … erhvervsforsikring? __ja __nej … arbejdsløshedsforsikring? __ja __nej … salg og markedsføring? __ja __nej … lovgivning og regler for virksomheder? __ja __nej … moms og skat? __ja __nej … muligheder via relevante netværk? __ja __nej
… hvordan du bedst udnytter din arbejdstid? __ja __nej … Håndtering af Work-‐Life-‐Balance,
herunder opbakning fra familien? __ja __nej
30. Jeg vil lige spørge hvordan du klarer dig på andre sprog. Kan du tale engelsk med forretningsforbindelser i udlandet, hvis du får behov? __ja __nej Kan du tale tysk med forretningsforbindelser i Tyskland, hvis du får behov? __ja __nej 31. Jeg vil også lige spørge til din afstamning. Er du af dansk afstamning, andengenerationsdansker, eller indvandrer? __Dansk afstamning __Andengenerationsdansker __Indvandrer 32. Hvor mange års erhvervserfaring har du som er brancherelevant for den nye virksomhed? ___________år 33. Hvad er din alder? ___________år 35. Hvad er din længste afsluttede erhvervsuddannelse eller videregående uddannelse? __Erhvervsuddannelse (læs de 5 muligheder) __Videregående uddannelse på under 3 år __Videregående uddannelse på 3-‐4 år __Videregående uddannelse på over 4 år __Ingen erhvervsuddannelse eller videregående uddannelse Hvis ’Erhvervsuddannelse’, så spørg: 36. Var din erhvervsuddannelse inden for handel eller håndværk, eller andet? __handel __håndværk __andet Afslut med et TAK Noter (uden at spørge) respondentens køn ___mand ___kvinde Noter (uden at spørge) om respondenten bad om en rapport _ja _nej
