Title: Micro-entrepreneurs today - results of a survey of owner-entrepreneurs regarding subjective success factors in German micro-enterprises

Authors: Reinhard Klöppel Jr.; Harald Stummer

Addresses: UMIT – University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard Wallnöfer-Zentrum 1 Hall in the Tyrol, 6060, Austria; Klöppel & Collegen International Consultations GmbH, Alfred-Brodauf-Straße 23, 08280 Aue, Germany ' UMIT – University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard Wallnöfer-Zentrum 1 Hall in the Tyrol, 6060, Austria

Abstract: Micro-enterprises play a decisive role in Europe's economy. In Germany, almost 90% of all businesses - i.e., 3.2 million from a total of 3.6 million - are classified as this type of enterprise with a maximum of nine employees. Although SME research has generally increased during the last years, the majority of studies have involved the medium-sized enterprises and not the micro-enterprises. What comprises success and what are critical success factors for micro-enterprises? The present study examines 111 German micro-enterprises and determines self-reported critical success factors. Central factors were found to be work ethic and strong customer orientation; in addition, readiness to advertise and willingness to innovate. On the one hand, these conclusions can be seen as helpful approaches to for determining success for micro-entrepreneurs themselves being sustainably successful, on the other hand, it shall help to better understand microenterprises and necessary idiosyncrasy in management research.

Keywords: microenterprises; Germany; personal characteristics; entrepreneurs; SME research; customer orientation; readiness to advertise; willingness to innovate; critical success factors; CSFs; microentrepreneurship; owner entrepreneurs; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEBR.2015.066011

International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 2015 Vol.9 No.1, pp.37 - 53

Received: 06 Mar 2014
Accepted: 18 Apr 2014

Published online: 30 Nov 2014 *

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