The study : analysis

1. The European  entrepreneur's satisfaction index  is lower in 2010

The consequences of the financial crisis for European entrepreneurs are still noticeable. The  satisfaction  rates are generally high overall  but nonetheless slightly lower in this edition than previously. 

2. 2009 European tour of entrepreneurs' favourite cities
  • European entrepreneurship: “geographical explanations”
The results confirm that the countries known as “Northern” (Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria…) are preferred by businessmen. In general they seem to satisfy their entrepreneurs more than the countries in the South of Europe (Greece, Italy…..) Even if this North-South cleavage is less marked this year than in the preceding editions, it remains nevertheless a constant in the ECER study.

  • European entrepreneurship: “the regions are getting even”
In  general, except in Germany and Portugal, the capitals seem to be less well ranked this year than their respective provincial cities.

The explanation of these improved results in the provincial cities lies in the fact that they have increased efforts to encourage entrepreneurs to set up businesses in their territories. On the other hand, it appears that in capitals, businessmen have the impression of an administrative jungle where there are a multitude of actors involved in support for entrepreneurship.

3. Specific country effects
  • Germany: a rise in the importance of  intermediate economies
Germany appears as the most dynamic country in 2010 as regards support for entrepreneurship. The majority of German cities are ranked near the top of the list. Five of them are in the top 10 of the 2010 edition (Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, Köln and Stuttgart). Frankfurt obtains the 1st place in the 2010 overall ranking.
The reasons for these good results are based on the German Model of entrepreneurship, built on medium sized businesses. Those are reputed to be more resistant to the consequences of the economic crisis, which appeared later in Germany than in other European countries. This Model also relies on a tighter knit network of entrepreneurs, but also on networks that have closer links with entrepreneurs…
  • Sweden: still competitive
For the past three years, the Swedish cities have held the top places in the ECER study, with very good results in all the themes, and in particular in the business accompaniment themes. Malmö takes first place for the pre-creation theme.
  • France:  a clear progress
All the French cities obtained improved satisfaction scores in all  5 themes of study. Lyon makes it into the top 10 in the 2010 edition. Entrepreneurs' satisfaction scores are stable in Lille. Paris and Marseille also clearly progress.  Marseille has now joined the top 20.
  • England (United Kingdom) and Italy: contrasting results
Whereas in the last edition, English businessmen, who were largely affected by the economic crisis, severely criticised business creation accompaniment, they declared that they were more satisfied with the business support services offered in 2010. The promotion theme was well noted while support in the other themes still needs to be improved.

In Italy, businessmen are still very dissatisfied with business support services and they have high expectations in all the themes, which are far from being satisfied.


4. Threshold effects of the perceived impact on offered services

It is noticeable that the marginal effectiveness of public policies seems to have decreased. Entrepreneurs in the countries known as “Northern” (Sweden, Finland, Germany, Austria), who have previously indicated high satisfaction levels, leading to their cities being at the top of the ranking,  gave replies indicating that they are less satisfied than in 2009. On the other hand, businessmen in the countries which seemed to be more hard hit  by the economic crisis, or which were previously at the lower end of the ranking (Denmark, United Kingdom, Greece, and certain cities in France) gave replies indicating that their satisfaction levels had increased .
This tends to reinforce the argument that beyond a certain level of satisfaction, it is difficult to increase entrepreneurs’ perception.  
 

5. Inequalities between the themes

Whereas the overall ranking shows relatively distinct groups of cities in the graphic, the typologies of cities varies alongside the different themes of study. For example the differences are important concerning the promotion, post-creation and the financial aid themes. On the other hand, they are less significant for pre-creation and environment.
 
In fact, for the environment theme, the analysis of the absolute scores needs to be linked to a more qualitative analysis. 


6. Finally, there are typologies of entrepreneurship 

Taking into consideration the results of this study, several types of entrepreneurship can be distinguished in Europe. They may be characterised as follows: opportunistic entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship by necessity, entrepreneurship based on the Mittelstand model (intermediate economy), etc… these typologies could provide keys for public authorities, in order to help them having a better understanding of entrepreneur’s needs. They are tools aimed to provide improved business support or accompaniment services.



RESULTS BY THEMES