Die Praxis des Gründungszuschusses

Abstract

"This study regards the implementation of a new start-up subsidy (Gründungszuschuss) for unemployment insurance (UI) benefit recipients in Germany. With its introduction five years ago the new programme replaced two distinct programmes (Ich-AG, Überbrückungsgeld) that promoted transitions from unemployment into self-employment. Since then little has been known about the routines, practices, and organizational mechanisms that guide the implementation of the new subsidy. Our study attempts to fill this gap by studying several questions: What do the employees of the Federal Employment Agency think about the programme and are there problems that are related to its implementation? To what extent are caseworkers willing and able to counsel the unemployed on their way into self-employment? And what changes emerged from the introduction of the Gründungszuschuss as compared to previous programmes of self-employment promotion of UI recipients? To answer these and related questions we undertook a qualitative study in several labour agencies. Executive staff and caseworkers were interviewed using various interviewing techniques. Our key findings are that both executive staff and caseworkers of the Federal Employment Agency appreciate the design of the Gründungszuschuss, particularly its clear guidance with respect to eligibility criteria. For those unemployed who would like to receive the start-up subsidy, caseworkers have to assess the economic perspectives of a start-up based on a business plan and information about a claimant's entrepreneurial ability. Our study shows that the rationale behind these assessments can vary between agencies as well as between caseworkers within an agency." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Bernhard, S. & Wolff, J. (2011): Die Praxis des Gründungszuschusses. Eine qualitative Implementationsstudie zur Gründungsförderung im SGB III. (IAB-Forschungsbericht 03/2011), Nürnberg, 103 p.