Recruitment in Germany: Small and medium-sized firms in competition for skilled workers

Abstract

"The German economy is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises: about 95 per cent of all firms have less than 50 employees and half of all German employees work in one of these small firms. The labour demand of the small firms is relatively high. They offer more vacancies than medium-sized and large firms together. Therefore, it is of great relevance that especially small firms struggle with difficulties in filling these vacancies. Almost a quarter of all recruitment processes in small firms have to be cancelled. Medium-sized and large firms only remain unsuccessful in 11 respectively two per cent. Small firms receive fewer applications und use a smaller number of different search channels. Statistical analyses, however, show that using more search channels can increase the recruitment success. Furthermore, good working conditions, such as a family-friendly personnel policy, can decrease fluctuation and increase the attractiveness of small firms, making them more successful in recruiting new employees." (Authors' abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Dietz, M., Kubis, A., Leber, U., Müller, A. & Stegmaier, J. (2013): Personalsuche in Deutschland: Kleine und mittlere Betriebe im Wettbewerb um Fachkräfte. (IAB-Kurzbericht 10/2013), Nürnberg, 8 p.