The Long Persistence of Regional Levels of Entrepreneurship: Germany, 1925–2005

Abstract

Fritsch M. and Wyrwich M. The long persistence of regional levels of entrepreneurship: Germany, 1925–2005, Regional Studies. This paper investigates the persistent levels of self-employment and new business formation in different time periods and under different framework conditions. The analysis shows that regional differences regarding the level of self-employment and new business formation tend to be persistent for periods as long as eighty years, despite abrupt and drastic changes in the political–economic environment. This pronounced persistence demonstrates the existence of regional entrepreneurship culture that tends to have long-lasting effects.