← Back to Programs

Munich Business School

International Week

Discovering the importance of relatively unknown, small and medium enterprises for German economy

Hidden Champions & Family Businesses: The Secrets of German Small and Medium-Sized, Family-Owned World Market Leaders

The international module at Munich Business School focuses on the importance of small and medium-sized companies, as a significant building block of the German economy. The aim of our module is to learn about such businesses, and consider the extent to which a similar model can be applied internationally.

Our theme for the week is Hidden Champions & Family Businesses in Germany: The Secrets of German Small and Medium-Sized, Family-Owned World Market Leaders. Throughout the week, we will consider why and how, relatively unknown companies (with a turnover of more than 50 million euros or more than 500 employees) became market leaders in their industries globally. We will discuss the theoretical foundations of hidden champions in the context of the corporate landscape in Germany.

The Experience

The Program

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • How crucial small and medium-sized companies are for the German economy as a driver
  • How hidden champions and family businesses scaled up and “made it” globally
  • Where the strengths of small and medium-sized companies lay considering the relative maintenance of their low-profile
  • Whether or not the German model could be successfully adapted to other countries and implemented within other economies

Key Components

  • Through lectures, case studies, project tasks and company visits, we will explore the secrets of success for many small and medium enterprises originating from Germany, and consider to what extent this model can be exported to other countries.

Key People

Program Director: Prof. Dr. Michael Hans Rüdiger

Administrator: Maciej Kapron

View Schedule