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Rolf Sternberg

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki





Rolf Sternberg (born 1959) is a German professor of economic geography at Leibniz University Hannover.

Prof. Sternberg (center) with selected members of the GEM country team Germany at Leibniz University Hannover, taken in 2019; from left to right: Prof. Christian Hundt (team member 2006–2010, co-team leader since 2024), Dr. Johannes von Bloh (2016–2019), Dr. Lennard Stolz (2019–2023), and Dr. Arne Vorderwülbecke (2010–2015)

Life

Rolf Sternberg studied geography at Leibniz University Hannover (1979–1984). In 1987, he earned his doctorate as a research associate at the then Department of Geography with a dissertation on Business Incubators as an Instrument of Local Economic Development in the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1994, he completed his habilitation, supported by a habilitation fellowship from the German Research Foundation (DFG), at Leibniz University Hannover with the thesis On the Impact of National and Regional Technology Policy on the Emergence of High-Tech Regions – Illustrated with Examples from the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.[1] During his academic career, Sternberg held full-time professorships at the Technical University of Munich (1995–1996), the University of Cologne (1996–2005) and Leibniz University Hannover (since 2005).

His research focuses on regional entrepreneurship studies, innovation-driven regional development, the spatial implications of digitalization, of the COVID-19 pandemic, and of creative industries.

Since the inception of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)[2] in 1998, Sternberg led the German country team of this worldwide research consortium on entrepreneurial activities and attitudes. In spring 2024, he stepped down as head of the German country team, passing the leadership to Prof. Christian Hundt (Thünen Institute for Innovation and Value Creation in Rural Areas[3]), Leibniz University Hannover,[4] and Dr. Florian Täube (RKW in Eschborn). Since 2024, Sternberg has remained a regular member of the German country team of GEM.[5]

In 1996, Sternberg initiated ZitArt, the publication and citation ranking for German-speaking economic geography, which was published in its sixth edition in 2020.[6] From 2000 to 2003, he served as chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Association of Geographers at German Universities (VGDH).

He is a member of the Scientific Board of the academic journals Review of Regional Research, ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography,.[7] and Annals of the Japan Association of Economic Geographers.[8] Additionally, he is co-editor of the book series FGF Entrepreneurship-Research Monographs[9] and Economic Geography[1]

Academic impact

Sternberg's academic career is marked by significant national and international visibility. According to Scopus, he is one of the most influential representatives of economic geography in the German-speaking world, with an h-index of 34 and a total of over 4,635 citations (as of January 2026).[10]

Public reception and media presence

As the leader of the German team for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Sternberg frequently serves as a leading expert in national media coverage. His assessments are regularly featured in major outlets such as Handelsblatt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), WirtschaftsWoche, and Der Tagesspiegel, as well as the national news program Tagesschau.[11][12][13] He specifically provides commentary on cultural and structural barriers to entrepreneurship in Germany, including analyses of entrepreneurial intention in Der Spiegel.[14]

Professional activities

Sternberg significantly shaped entrepreneurship research in Germany through his 25-year leadership of the GEM country team German (1998–2024).[15] His long-term direction of this international research project was recognized by the Thünen Institute as a major contribution to German startup statistics.[16] Furthermore, he serves or served on the scientific boards of several international journals, including Small Business Economics and Review of Regional Research.[17]

Research Projects (Selection, as of 01/2026)

For a complete list of all research projects, see: Research projects on the institute's website.[18]

  • ReDiCOV – Regional differences of the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak: Remote work and the role of digitalization (2021–2026, DFG)
  • DUI.REG – Measuring the Doing-Using-Interacting mode of SMEs in structurally weak regions (2022–2025, BMBF)
  • Entrepreneurship in rural areas: Scope, determinants, and regional economic effects (EntreLR) (2021–2024, BMEL)
  • Business Plan Competitions: Effects on award winners and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Lower Saxony (2019–2022, MWK)
  • InDUI – Innovation indicators for the Doing-Using-Interacting mode of SMEs (2017–2021, BMBF)
  • Regional Entrepreneurship Systems – An exploratory analysis of the Hannover region (2016–2019, MWK)
  • DiasporaLink – Evaluation and facilitation of transnational diaspora entrepreneurship (TDE) as a driver of development and wealth creation in countries of origin and residence (2015–2019, EU: RISE[19])
  • Wind Energy Technology in Lower Saxony – A comparative approach to explaining path creation and path dependency in renewable energy (2013–2016, MWK)
  • Creative Lower Saxony – Regional distribution, spatial mobility, entrepreneurial potential, and economic relevance of creative professionals (KNie) (2011–2015, MWK)
  • Regional Biotechnology – Establishing a methodology and performance indicators for assessing bioclusters and bioregions relevant to the Knowledge-Based Bioeconomy (KBBE) area (2009–2011, EU: DG Research[20])
  • Regional Cluster Policy in Germany and the USA – An economic geography comparison from an institutional and political-economic perspective (2007–2009, DFG)
  • Sectoral-spatial clusters and the "New Economic Geography" – An empirical test of key hypotheses for Germany (2004–2007, DFG)
  • A qualitative-empirical qnalysis of spin-off firms in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Wuhan – A contribution to explain innovation processes in China (2003–2006, VW Foundation)
  • Regional Entrepreneurship Monitor (REM II) – The dynamics of entrepreneurial activities in Germany: Scope and causes (2003–2006, DFG)
  • The contribution of return migrants to innovation – An empirical analysis using the example of Shanghai (2003–2006, VW Foundation)

Publications (Selection, as of 01/2025)

For a complete list of all publications, see: Publication list on the institute's website.[21]

Books (Selection)

  • Sternberg, R.; Elo, M.; Levie, J.; Amorós, J.E. (Eds.) (2023): Research Handbook on Transnational Diaspora Entrepreneurship. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
  • Sternberg, R.; Krauss, G. (Eds.) (2014): Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurship and Creativity. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Sternberg, R. (1998): Technologiepolitik und High-Tech Regionen – Ein internationaler Vergleich [Technology policy and high-tech regions - an international comparison]. Münster, Hamburg 1995: Lit (2nd revised edition, 1998). (= Wirtschaftsgeographie, 7).
  • Sternberg, R.; Behrendt, H.; Seeger, H.; Tamásy, C. (1997): Bilanz eines Booms – Wirkungskontrolle von Technologie- und Gründerzentren in Deutschland [Taking stock of a boom – assessing the impact of business incubators in Germany]. Dortmund: Dortmunder Vertrieb für Bau- und Planungsliteratur (2. unveränderte Auflage).

Articles in Academic Journals (Selection)

  • Alhusen, H., Bennat, T., Bizer, K., Cantner, U., Horstmann, E., Kalthaus, M., Proeger, T., Sternberg, R., & Töpfer, S. (2021). "A new measurement conception for the 'doing-using-interacting' mode of innovation". Research Policy, 50(4), 104214. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2021.104214[22]
  • Bergholz, C., Sternberg, R., Stolz, L., & Bersch, J. (2025). "Unemployment as a driver of entrepreneurship in Eastern and Western Germany". Regional Studies, 59(1), 2511713. doi:10.1080/00343404.2025.2511713[23]
  • Knuepling, L., Sternberg, R., & Otto, A. (2025). "Rural areas as winners of COVID-19, digitalization and remote working? Empirical evidence from recent internal migration in Germany". Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 18(1), 227–248. doi:10.1093/cjres/rsae033[24]
  • Bosma, N., & Sternberg, R. (2014). "Entrepreneurship as an urban event? Empirical Evidence from European Cities". Regional Studies, 48(6), 1016–1033. doi:10.1080/00343404.2014.904041[25]
  • Friedrich, C., & Sternberg, R. (2026). "Regional innovation policies in favor of doing-using interacting (DUI) innovations in lagging regions: What about the perceptions of local SMEs?". Regional Science Policy & Practice, 18(1), 100254. doi:10.1016/j.rspp.2025.100254[26]
  • Simmie, J., Sternberg, R., & Carpenter, J. (2014). "New technological path creation: evidence from the British and German wind energy industries". Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 24, 875–904. doi:10.1007/s00191-014-0354-8[27]
  • Sternberg, R. (2022). "Entrepreneurship and geography—some thoughts about a complex relationship". The Annals of Regional Science, 69(3), 559–584. doi:10.1007/s00168-021-01091-w[28]
  • Sternberg, R., & Arndt, O. (2001). "The firm or the region: what determines the innovation behavior of European firms?". Economic Geography, 77(4), 364–382. doi:10.1111/j.1944-8287.2001.tb00170.x[29]
  • Sternberg, R., & Wennekers, S. (2005). "Determinants and effects of new business creation using global entrepreneurship monitor data". Small Business Economics, 24, 193–203. doi:10.1007/s11187-005-1974-z[30]
  • von Bloh, J., Broekel, T., Özgun, B., & Sternberg, R. (2020). "New(s) data for entrepreneurship research? An innovative approach to use Big Data on media coverage". Small Business Economics, 55, 673–694. doi:10.1007/s11187-019-00209-x[31]
  • Wyrwich, M., Sternberg, R., & Stuetzer, M. (2019). "Failing role models and the formation of fear of entrepreneurial failure: A study of regional peer effects in German regions". Journal of Economic Geography, 19(3), 567–588. doi:10.1093/jeg/lby023[32]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wirtschaftsgeographie".
  2. ↑ "GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor". GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
  3. ↑ https://www.thuenen.de/de/fachinstitute/laendliche-raeume/innovation-und-wertschoepfung-in-laendlichen-raeumen Thünen Institute
  4. ↑ "Personen – Institut für Wirtschafts- und Kulturgeographie". Leibniz Universität Hannover.
  5. ↑ "Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) - Länderbericht Deutschland – Institut für Wirtschafts- und Kulturgeographie". Leibniz Universität Hannover.
  6. ↑ "ZitArt – Institut für Wirtschafts- und Kulturgeographie". Leibniz Universität Hannover.
  7. ↑ "ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography". De Gruyter Brill.
  8. ↑ "Annals of the Association of Economic Geographers". www.jstage.jst.go.jp.
  9. ↑ "FGF Entrepreneurship Research Monographs (Eul Verlag)".
  10. ↑ Scopus. "Author details: Sternberg, Rolf". Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  11. ↑ Rolf Sternberg; et al. (2024). "Global Entrepreneurship Monitor: Unternehmensgründungen im weltweiten Vergleich – Länderbericht Deutschland 2023/24" (PDF). RKW Kompetenzzentrum. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  12. ↑ "Familienunternehmer wollen Gründermangel früh begegnen". Handelsblatt. 2025. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  13. ↑ "25 years of GEM Germany: New country report". Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, Leibniz University Hannover. 2025-07-03. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  14. ↑ Daniel Bakir (2012-04-26). "Angst-Deutschland: Warum es wenig Existenz-Gründer im Aufschwung gibt". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  15. ↑ "Autoren des GEM-Länderberichts Deutschland 2017/2018". RKW Kompetenzzentrum. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  16. ↑ Thünen Institute (2024). "Thünen-Institut übernimmt Co-Lead im GEM-Länderteam Deutschland". Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  17. ↑ "Jahresbericht 2006: Gremien und Kontakte" (PDF). Institute for Employment Research (IAB). 2007. pp. 194–195. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  18. ↑ "Forschungsprojekte – Institut für Wirtschafts- und Kulturgeographie".
  19. ↑ "Research, innovation and science policy experts group (RISE)". 25 October 2019.
  20. ↑ "Research and Innovation - European Commission".
  21. ↑ "Publikationsliste – Institut für Wirtschafts- und Kulturgeographie".
  22. ↑ Alhusen, Harm; Bennat, Tatjana; Bizer, Kilian; Cantner, Uwe; Horstmann, Elaine; Kalthaus, Martin; Proeger, Till; Sternberg, Rolf; Töpfer, Stefan (2021). "A New Measurement Conception for the 'Doing-Using-Interacting' Mode of Innovation". Research Policy. 50 (4). doi:10.1016/j.respol.2021.104214. Unknown parameter |article-number= ignored (help)
  23. ↑ Bergholz, Christian; Sternberg, Rolf; Stolz, Lennard; Bersch, Johannes (2025). "Unemployment as a driver of entrepreneurship in Eastern and Western Germany". Regional Studies. 59 (1). Bibcode:2025RegSt..5911713B. doi:10.1080/00343404.2025.2511713. Unknown parameter |article-number= ignored (help)
  24. ↑ Knuepling, Louis; Sternberg, Rolf; Otto, Anne (2025). "Rural areas as winners of COVID-19, digitalization and remote working? Empirical evidence from recent internal migration in Germany". Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. 18: 227–248. doi:10.1093/cjres/rsae033.
  25. ↑ Bosma, Niels; Sternberg, Rolf (2014). "Entrepreneurship as an Urban Event? Empirical Evidence from European Cities". Regional Studies. 48 (6): 1016–1033. Bibcode:2014RegSt..48.1016B. doi:10.1080/00343404.2014.904041.
  26. ↑ Friedrich, Christoph; Sternberg, Rolf (2026). "Regional innovation policies in favor of doing-using interacting (DUI) innovations in lagging regions: What about the perceptions of local SMEs?". Regional Science Policy & Practice. 18. doi:10.1016/j.rspp.2025.100254. Unknown parameter |article-number= ignored (help)
  27. ↑ Simmie, James; Sternberg, Rolf; Carpenter, Juliet (2014). "New technological path creation: Evidence from the British and German wind energy industries". Journal of Evolutionary Economics. 24 (4): 875–904. doi:10.1007/s00191-014-0354-8.
  28. ↑ Sternberg, Rolf (2022). "Entrepreneurship and geography—some thoughts about a complex relationship". The Annals of Regional Science. 69 (3): 559–584. Bibcode:2022ARegS..69..559S. doi:10.1007/s00168-021-01091-w. PMC 8639848 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 34876777 Check |pmid= value (help).
  29. ↑ Sternberg, Rolf; Arndt, Olaf (2001). "The Firm or the Region: What Determines the Innovation Behavior of European Firms?". Economic Geography. 77 (4): 364–382. doi:10.1111/j.1944-8287.2001.tb00170.x.
  30. ↑ Sternberg, Rolf; Wennekers, Sander (2005). "Determinants and Effects of New Business Creation Using Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Data". Small Business Economics. 24 (3): 193–203. doi:10.1007/s11187-005-1974-z.
  31. ↑ von Bloh, Johannes; Broekel, Tom; Özgun, Burcu; Sternberg, Rolf (2020). "New(s) data for entrepreneurship research? An innovative approach to use Big Data on media coverage". Small Business Economics. 55 (3): 673–694. doi:10.1007/s11187-019-00209-x.
  32. ↑ Wyrwich, Michael; Sternberg, Rolf; Stuetzer, Michael (2019). "Failing role models and the formation of fear of entrepreneurial failure: A study of regional peer effects in German regions". Journal of Economic Geography. pp. 567–588. doi:10.1093/jeg/lby023.


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