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The Changing Face of Entrepreneurship in Germany

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Research Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, University of St. Gallen, Dufourstr. 40a, CH-9000, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Heiko Bergmann

  2. Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, University of Hannover, Schneiderberg 50, D-30167, Hannover, Germany

    Rolf Sternberg

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  1. Heiko Bergmann
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  2. Rolf Sternberg
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Correspondence to Heiko Bergmann.

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Bergmann, H., Sternberg, R. The Changing Face of Entrepreneurship in Germany. Small Bus Econ 28, 205–221 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-006-9016-z

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