Drivers and Barriers for Innovation in the German SME sector

Drivers and Barriers for Innovation in the German SME sector

Client/Allowance

KfW Group

Period: 01.09.2021 – 31.03.2022

The study aims at identifying the main drivers and barriers of innovation in the German SME sector. Based on empirical findings, the study derives policy conclusions for strengthening innovation in small and medium-sized firms. The main focus of the project is a comprehensive empirical analysis of innovation and competitive strategies in the firm sector and which types of obstacles the firms are facing when trying to innovate. The study employs data of ZEW's Mannheim Innovation Panel. Small and medium-sized firms are defined as firms with annual sales of no more than €500mn. The analysis covers five areas:

  • determinants of innovation activity
  • classification of small and medium-sized firms in terms of the innovative activity
  • barriers to innovation in different types of small and medium-sized firms
  • role and significance of different types of small and medium-sized firms in the German innovation system
  • recommendations for economic policy

Project members

Christian Rammer

Christian Rammer

Project Coordinator
Deputy

To the profile
Bastian Krieger

Bastian Krieger

Head of the Junior Research Group "Co-Creation"

To the profile
Markus Trunschke

Markus Trunschke

Researcher

To the profile
Client/Allowance
KfW Group, Frankfurt am Main, DE