Prof. Dr. Kilian Bizer
Director
+49 551 39 174882
bizer@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
The ifh Göttingen considers itself a competence centre for skilled crafts in the area of economic research. The institute compiles and publishes academically founded analyses and reports. In general the work interconnects theory and practice while at the same time applied research accommodates the needs of individual firms in the skilled crafts and deduces transferable and applicable results.
Founded in 1953, the "Institute for Small Business Economics" ("Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen", ifh Göttingen), is one of five research institutes integrated in the German Institute of Skilled Crafts e.V. (DHI).
Since early 2005, Prof. Dr. Kilian Bizer is the director of the ifh Göttingen. Mr. Bizer also holds the chair for Economic Policy and SME Research at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the University of Göttingen.
The ifh Göttingen focuses on economic issues particularly arising from the following areas:
Further work areas:
The institute’s research projects are based on proposals established by Chambers of Skilled Crafts, skilled craft associations, the German Confederation of the Skilled Crafts (ZDH) as well as ministries of economics on the federal and state level; the DHI research council passes on the proposals to the institute.
To a large extent, the ifh Göttingen is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics, the State Economic Ministries and the Skilled Crafts organisations. The remaining funds are acquired from different third parties.
The legal representative of the institute is the "Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen e.V". According to the statute, the presidency is executed by Karl-Wilhelm Steinmann, Chairman of the permanent State Representation of the Lower Saxon Chambers of Skilled Crafts.
An advisory board with leading personalities from skilled crafts organisations supports the institute in its work. Frau Ass. Ina-Maria Heidmann, managing director of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts Hildesheim-Southern Lower Saxony, is the chairwoman of the advisory board.
Director
+49 551 39 174882
bizer@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Managing Director
+49 551 39 174884
lukas.meub@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Senior Researcher
+49 551 39 174889
petrik.runst@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Senior Researcher
+49 551 39 174886
joerg.thomae@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Senior Researcher
+49 551 39 174882
anita.thonipara@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Research Associate
+49 551 39 174885
thore-soeren.bischoff@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Research Associate
+49 551 39 174890
eike.matthies@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Research Associate
+49 551 39 174890
philipp.baeumle@uni-goettingen.de
Research Associate
+49 551 39 174890
daniel.hirschmann@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Research Associate
+49 551 39 174883
leonie.reher@uni-goettingen.de
Office
+49 551 39 174882
winny.theisen@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Library and Office 2
+49 551 39 174887
iris.scholtes@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
English-language Publications
Feser, D. & Proeger, T. (2021). The ambiguous role of best practice examples for knowledge spillovers: Evidence from universities and start-ups in the Berlin entrepreneurial ecosystem. In Fernandes, C., Ramírez-Pasillas, M. & Ferreira, João J. (Hrsg.). Universities, Entrepreneurial Ecosystems, and Sustainability, Band 3. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter, 87-104. Link zum Artikel
Runst, P. & Höhle, D. (2021). The German eco tax and its impact on CO2 emissions. Energy Policy, 160, (online first). Link zum Artikel
Runst, P. & Thomä, J. (2021). Does personality matter? Small business owners and modes of innovation. Small Business Economics, (online first). Link zum Artikel
Runst, P. (2021). A case study of bureaucratic discretion: heterogeneous application of market entry regulation in Germany. Journal of Institutional Economics, 1-20. Link zum Artikel
Bennat, T., Bizer, K., Cantner, U., Sternberg, R., Lange, J. & Proeger, T. (Hrsg.) (2021). The Innovation Mode of Doing, Using and Interacting: Learning within Regions. Loccumer Protokolle, Band 09/2021. Rehburg-Loccum. Download
Bauknecht, D., Heyen, D. A., Gailhofer, P., Bizer, K., Feser, D., Führ, M., Winkler-Portmann, S., Bischoff, T. S. & Proeger, T. (2021). How to design and evaluate a Regulatory Experiment? A Guide for Public Administrations. Freiburg, Berlin, Göttingen, Darmstadt. Link zum Artikel
Alhusen, H., Bennat, T., Bizer, K., Cantner, U., Horstmann, E., Kalthaus, M., Proeger, T., Sternberg, R. & Töpfer, S. (2021). A New Measurement Conception for the ‘Doing-Using-Interacting’ Mode of Innovation. Research Policy, 50 (4), 104214. Link zum Artikel
Thomä, J. & Bischoff, T. S. (2021). From automation to databased business models – digitalization and its links to innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. ifh Working Papers (No. 31). Göttingen. Download
Matthies, E., Haverkamp, K., Thomä, J. & Bizer, K. (2021). Does initial vocational training foster innovativeness at the company level? Evidence from German establishment data.
ifh Working Papers (No. 30). Göttingen. Download
Runst, P. & Höhle, D. (2021). Quasi-Carbon Taxation - The German Eco Tax and Its Impact on CO2 Emissions. ifh Working Papers (No. 29). Göttingen. Download
Feser, D., Winkler-Portmann, S., Bischoff, T. S., Bauknecht, D., Bizer, K., Führ, M., Heyen, D. A., Proeger, T., von der Leyen, K. & Vogel, M. (2021). Institutional conditions for the up-take of governance experiments – A comparative case study. ifh Working Papers (No. 28). Göttingen. Download
Bischoff, T. S., Von der Leyen, K., Winkler-Portmann, S., Bauknecht, D., Bizer, K., Englert, M., Führ, M., Heyen, D. A., Gailhofer, P., Proeger, T. & Vogel, M. (2020). Regulatory experimentation as a tool to generate learning processes and govern innovation – An analysis of 26 international cases. sofia-Diskussionsbeiträge, 20-7. Darmstadt. Link zum Artikel
Bauknecht, D., Bischoff, T. S., Bizer, K., Führ, M., Gailhofer, P., Heyen, D. A., Proeger, T., & von der Leyen, K. (2020). Exploring the pathways: Regulatory experiments for sustainable development – An interdisciplinary approach. Journal of Governance & Regulation, 9 (3), 49-71. Link zum Artikel
Runst, P. & Thonipara, A. (2020). Dosis facit effectum why the size of the carbon tax matters: Evidence from the Swedish residential sector. Energy Economics, 104898. Link zum Artikel
Fredriksen, K. (2020). Does occupational licensing impact incomes? A replication study for the German crafts case. Journal for Labour Market Research, 54 (8). Download
Alhusen, H. & Bennat, T. (2020). Combinatorial innovation modes in SMEs: mechanisms integrating STI processes into DUI mode learning and the role of regional innovation policy. European Planning Studies. Link zum Artikel
Thomä, J. & Zimmermann, V. (2020). Interactive learning — The key to innovation in non-R&D-intensive SMEs? A cluster analysis approach. Journal of Small Business Management, 58 (4), 747-776. Link zum Artikel
Proeger, T. (2020). Knowledge spillovers and absorptive capacity – institutional evidence from the ‘German Mittelstand‘. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 11 (1), 211-238. Link zum Artikel
Runst, P. & Thomä, J. (2020). Does occupational deregulation affect in-company vocational training? – Evidence from the 2004 Reform of the German Trade and Crafts Code. Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik), 240 (1), 51-88. Link zum Artikel
Alhusen, H. (2020). Experience-based know-how, learning and innovation in German SMEs. An explorative analysis of the role of know-how in different modes of innovation. ifh Working Papers (No. 27). Göttingen. Download
Thonipara, A., Sternberg, R., Proeger, T. & Haefner, L. (2020). Assessing the Digital Divide and its Regional Determinants: Evidence from a Web-Scraping Analysis. ifh Working Papers (No. 25). Göttingen. Download
Runst, P. & Thomä, J. (2020). Does Personality Matter? Small Business Owners and Modes of Innovation. ifh Working Papers (No. 24). Göttingen. Download
Alhusen, H., Bennat, T., Bizer, K., Cantner, U., Horstmann, E., Kalthaus, M., Proeger, T., Sternberg, R. & Töpfer, S. (2020). Measuring the ‘doing-using-interacting mode’ of innovation in SMEs - a qualitative approach. ifh Working Papers (No. 23). Göttingen. Download
Fredriksen, K., Runst, P. & Bizer, K. (2019). Masterful Meisters? Voluntary Certification and Quality in the German Crafts Sector. German Economic Review. Vol. 20 (2), 83-104. Download
Runst, P. & Thomä, J. (2019). Does occupational deregulation affect in-company vocational training? – Evidence from the 2004 Reform of the German Trade and Crafts Code. Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik). Download
Runst, P., Thomä, J., Haverkamp, K. & Müller, K. (2019). A replication of ‘Entry regulation and entrepreneurship: a natural experiment in German craftsmanship’. Empirical Economics, 56 (6), 2225–2252. Download
Runst, P. & Thonipara, A. (2019). Why the Scope of the Carbon Tax Matters – Evidence from the Swedish Residential Sector. USAEE Working Paper No. 19-416. Download
Thonipara, A., Runst, P., Ochsner, C. & Bizer, K. (2019). Energy efficiency of residential buildings in the European Union – An exploratory analysis of cross-country consumption patterns. Energy policy, 129 (6), 1156-1167. Download
Proeger, T. & Runst, P. (2019). Digitization and Knowledge Spillover Effectiveness – Evidence from the ‘German Mittelstand’. ifh Working Papers (No. 20). Göttingen. Download
Runst, P. & Thonipara, A. (2019). Dosis Facit Effectum. Why the Scope of the Carbon Tax Matters – Evidence from the Swedish Residential Sector. ifh Working Papers (No. 19). Göttingen. Download
Meub, L., Runst, P. & von der Leyen, K. (2019). Can APPealing and more informative bills “nudge” individuals into conserving electricity?. ifh Working Papers (No. 18). Göttingen. Download
Thomä, J. & Zimmermann, V. (2019). Non-R&D, interactive learning and economic performance: Revisiting innovation in small and medium enterprises. ifh Working Papers (No. 17). Göttingen. Download
Feser, D. & Proeger, T. (2018). Knowledge-Intensive Business Services as Credence Goods - a Demand-Side Approach. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 9 (1), 62-80. Download
Runst, P. (2018). The effect of occupational licensing deregulation on migrants in the German skilled crafts sector. European Journal of Law and Economics, Vol. 45 (3), 555-589. Download
Runst, P. (2018). Does Immigration affect Demand for Redistribution? An Experimental Design. German Economic Review, Vol. 19 (4), 383-400. Download
Fredriksen, K. & Runst, P. (2018). Are estimates of the “natural experiment” in the German crafts sector causal?. ifh Working Papers (No. 16). Göttingen. Download
Rupieper, L.K.. & Proeger, T. (2018). Asymmetrische Information auf dem Handwerksmarkt – eine qualitative Analyse. ifh Working Papers (No. 15). Göttingen. Download
Runst, P. & Thomä, J. (2018). Does occupational deregulation affect in-company vocational training? – Evidence from the 2004 Reform of the German Trade and Crafts Code. ifh Working Papers (No. 14). Göttingen. Download
Thonipara, A., Runst, P., Ochsner, C. & Bizer, K. (2018). Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in the European Union – An Exploratory Analysis of Cross-Country Consumption Patterns. ifh Working Papers (No. 12) Updated version [first version published in 2017 with former title ‘Energy Conservation of Residential Buildings in the European Union – An Exploratory Analysis of Cross-Country Consumption Patterns’]. Göttingen. Download
Fredriksen, K. (2018). Does occupational licensing impact incomes? - The German crafts case. ifh Working Papers (No. 11). Updated version [first version published in 2017 with former title ‘Do legal restrictions to accessing professions impact incomes? - The German crafts case’]. Göttingen. Download
Feser, D. & Proeger, T. (2017). Asymmetric information as a barrier to knowledge spillovers in expert markets. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 13 (1), 211-232. Download
Feser, D. & Proeger, T. (2017). Heterogeneous Professional Identities as an Intra-Sectoral Knowledge Filter. In Joao Ferreira et al. (Ed.). Knowledge Spillover-based Strategic Entrepreneurship. London/New York: Routledge, 240-256.
Thomä, J. (2017). DUI mode learning and barriers to innovation—A case from Germany. Research Policy, 46 (7), 1327-1339. Download
Pham, H.D., Runst, P. & Bizer, K. (2017). Networks and Firm Performance: A Case Study of Vietnamese Small and Medium Enterprises. ifh Working Papers (No. 8). Göttingen. Download
Thomä, J. (2017). DUI mode learning and barriers to innovation - the case of Germany. ifh Working Papers (No. 7). Göttingen. Download
Fredriksen, K., Runst, P. & Bizer, K. (2017). Masterful Meisters? Voluntary Certification and Quality in the German Crafts Sector. ifh Working Papers (No. 3). Updated version [first published in 2016]. Göttingen. Download
Runst, P., Thomä, J., Haverkamp, K. & Müller K. (2017). A replication of ‘Entry regulation and entrepreneurship: a natural experiment in German craftsmanship’. ifh Working Papers (No. 2). Updated version [first version published in 2016]. Göttingen. Download
Feser, D. & Runst, P. (2016). Energy efficiency consultants as change agents? Examining the reasons for EECs’ limited success. Energy Policy, Vol. 98 (11), 309-317. Download
Runst, P. (2016). The Effect of Occupational Licensing Deregulation on Migrants in the German Skilled Crafts Sector. ifh Working Papers (No. 6). Göttingen. Download
Müller, K. (2016). Economic Effects of Deregulation - Using the Example of the Revised Trade and Crafts Code 2004. ifh Working Papers (No. 5). Göttingen. Download
Runst, P. (2016). A comment on the adoption of energy-efficiency-measures within firms - Energy costs and firm heterogeneity. ifh Working Papers (No. 4). Göttingen. Download
Haverkamp, K. & Runst, P. (2015). Explaining the dynamics of occupational segregation by gender: A longitudinal study of the German vocational training system of skilled crafts. Comparative Social Research, Vol. 31. Bingley, 183-203.
Feser, D. & Runst, P. (2015). Energy efficiency consultants as change agents? Examining the reasons for EECs’ limited success. ifh Working Papers (No. 1). Göttingen. Download
Thomä, J. & Bizer, K. (2013). To protect or not to protect? Modes of appropriability in the small enterprise sector. Research Policy, 42 (1), 35-49.
Thomä, J. & Zimmermann, V. (2013). Knowledge protection practices in innovating SMEs. Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik (Journal of Economics and Statistics), 233 (5)+(6), 691-717.
Müller, K., Markworth, S. & Söndermann, M. (2011). The Craft and Trade Sector in the Culture and Creative Industries. Consolidated Report. Göttingen, Bonn.
Menkhoff, T., Wah, C.Y. & Loh, B. (2002). Change Leadership in Organizations: The Case of Singapore´s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. International Small Business Series (No. 28). Göttingen. Download
Müller-Falcke, D. (2001). Adoption of Information and Communication Technologies by Small-scale Enterprises in Developing Countries. International Small Business Series (No. 27). Göttingen. Download
Strohmeyer, R. (2000). Public-Private Partnership in SSI Promotion: An Assessment of the Roles of Chambers and Trade Associations in Different Countries. International Small Business Series (No. 26). Göttingen. Download
Müller, K. (1998). International Activities of the German Craft Sector. International Small Business Series (No. 25). Göttingen. Download
Müller-Falcke, D. (1997). Informal Sector Enterprises in the Light of New Institutional Economics. International Small Business Series (No. 24). Göttingen. Download
Winkelmann, T. (1996). Internationalization Strategies of Small and Medium-Sized Suppliers in a Globalizing Economy. International Small Business Series (No. 23). Göttingen. Download
Hartmann, J. (1996). Criteria for Selecting Natural Resources in Conservation-Cum-Development Projects. International Small Business Series (No. 22). Göttingen. Download
Winkelmann, T. (1995). Evaluation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises as International Suppliers. International Small Business Series (No. 21). Göttingen. Download
Lim, C.P. (1994). Some Asian Experiences with the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and their Relevance for Africa. International Small Business Series (No. 20). Göttingen. Download
Kassai, L.B. (1994). The Role of Small Enterprises in the Process of Innovation. International Small Business Series (No. 19). Göttingen. Download
König, W. & Müller, K. (1994). Empirical Survey of Cross-Border Co-operations in the Crafts Sector. International Small Business Series (No. 18). Göttingen. Download
Lim, C.P. (1994). Policy, Programmes and Priority Biases: A Hidden and Overt Agenda Against Small Scale Enterprises. International Small Business Series (No. 17). Göttingen. Download
Levitsky, J. (1993). Private Sector Support for Small Enterprises - Some Conclusions -. International Small Business Series (No. 16). Göttingen. Download
Fähnel, F., Hartmann, J., König, W. & Meier, R. (eds.) (1993). In Search of New and Innovative Concepts for Small Enterprise Development in Third World Countries - Results of an Expert Conference, Göttingen, October 1992. International Small Business Series (No. 15). Göttingen. Download
Hartmann, J. (1993). Small Business in Tropical Rainforest Areas. International Small Business Series (No. 14). Göttingen. Download
Meier, R. (1993). The Case for a New Approach to Small Enterprise Promotion. International Small Business Series (No. 13). Göttingen. Download
Gibb, A.A. (1993). Key Factors in the Design of Policy Support for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Process - An Overview. International Small Business Series (No. 12). Göttingen. Download
Oehring, E. (1993). Credit Guarantee Scheme for the Small Business Sector - An interim assessment after five years in Latin America. International Small Business Series (No. 11). Göttingen. Download
König, W. & Billand, K. (1992). Techniques and Criteria for Classifying Small and Medium-Scale Industries by Size. International Small Business Series (No. 10). Göttingen. Download
Levitsky, J. (1992). Proposals for a Private Sector Support System for Small and Medium Enterprises in Developing Countries. International Small Business Series (No. 9). Göttingen. Download
Pilgrim, M. (1991). Institutional Representation of Small Business in Industrialized Countries. International Small Business Series (No. 8). Göttingen. Download
Sauer, J.D. (1991). Small Businesses as exporters: Survey results from Lower Saxony, Germany. International Small Business Series (No. 7). Göttingen. Download
Koch, M. (1990). Commercial Loans for Small Manufacturers in Latinamerica - Empirical Evidence on Formal Sector Credit Markets in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru -. International Small Business Series (No. 6). Göttingen. Download
Hartmann, J. & Peters, J. (1990). Informal Small Business in Rural Areas of Developing Countries. International Small Business Series (No. 5). Göttingen. Download
Peters, J. (1990). Internationalization of Small Business in a Microeconomic Perspective. International Small Business Series (No. 4). Göttingen. Download
König, W., Koch, M. & May, F. (1990). External Financing of Small-Scale Enterprises in Developing Countries - Reforms and Innovations within the Commercial Credit Business in Colombia -. International Small Business Series (No. 3). Göttingen. Download
Kucera, G. & König, W. (1990). The European Common Market and German Small Business. International Small Business Series (No. 2). Göttingen. Download
Lim, C.P. (1990). Development of Small-Scale Business in Developing Asian Countries - Policy Environment and Institutional Infrastructure -. International Small Business Series (No. 1). Göttingen. Download