Institute for SME Research (ifm)

The Institute for SME Research (ifm) at the University of Mannheim is a pivotal research institution dedicated to exploring current and structural issues affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, the ifm serves as a crucial link between academia, policy-making, and practical application. The institute's research is concentrated on four key areas: (1) Entrepreneurship, (2) Digitalization in SMEs, (3) Family businesses and (4) Labor market and self-employment.

Current topics and news

Credit: Oana Szekely

Impact Investing & Measurement: Bridging Research and Practice – Join Our Two-Day Conference

Discover the latest trends in impact investing and impact measurement at a dynamic two-day conference in Mannheim. Network with experts, present your research, and gain practical insights from leading academics and practitioners.

Credit: Dr. Nora Zybura

A Strategy for your Life

Transform your life! Learn strategies for happiness and personal growth through goal-setting, habit management, and preventing biases in the talk “A Strategy for Your Life.”

Credit: Elisa Sauerbier

Guest lecture by Volocopter in management lecture

Volocopter inspires students in the MAN 301 course with insights into strategies and innovations in urban air mobility.

Credit: Anna Logue

Salary index family firms

Family businesses are regarded as important employers in Germany. Nevertheless, little is known about the payment structures of managing directors. For this reason, ifm mannheim and Gabriela Jaecker GmbH Personal und Nachfolgeberatung conducted the first study on salary structures in family ...

all news

Research teams at the ifm

The ifm is an interdisciplinary research organisation with four main areas of focus.

Entrepreneurship

Founders and founder teams, entrepreneurial organisations, entrepreneurial ecosystems and innovations, impact entrepreneurship

Digitalisation

Digital technologies in organisations, sustainability requirements, new cooperation and working methods, social innovations and impact measurement

Family business

Transgenerational orientation, corporate governance and strategy, CEO attributes & biases, ownership structures, post-succession performance

Labor market

Size & quality of labor supply, migration & integration, training & qualification, new forms of self-employment, self-employment among women & immigrants

ifm topics at a glance

ifm´s new podcast-series

Credit: Jan Tänzler

Digitalisierung im Mittelstand

Digital support for SMEs in the construction and real estate industry.

Credit: Adobe Stock

Impact measurement in the sharing economy

Sharing models for sustainability

Credit: shih-wei

Resilienz und Krisenhilfe für KMUs in der Ukraine

The ifm is evaluating the EU4Business project to support Ukrainian SMEs in times of crisis.

Credit: Anastasia Krutota

MCEI: Teaching for Entrepreneurship

Fostering entrepreneurship at the University of Mannheim through inspiration, education and start-up support.

Credit: Oana Szekely

SME masterplan

Since 2023, ifm, ZEW and IAW have been developing a masterplan for SMEs to support economic policy.

Credit: FotoArtist – stock.adobe.com

Migrant Entrepreneurship in Deutschland

Migrants in self-employment: ifm researches markets, contributions and support options.

Credit: unsplash

Upcoming Events

A Strategy for your Life

Past events

What we offer

Credit: Oana Szekely

For students

Everything to do with teaching, transfer and career opportunities.

Credit: Oana Szekely

For researchers

Exchange and cooperation for research in our four focal areas.

Credit: Adobe Stock

For companies

ifm-Foerderkreis for applied research, policy advising, and knowledge transfer