Description This dataset contains responses to a yearly panel survey among entrepreneurs in Baden-Württemberg. Based on the DEEM. research project's collected data (see the DEEM. project's website for more information), we survey founders to track the development of startups in our region and to assess the quality and performance of the local Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (see Empirical entrepreneurial ecosystem research: A guide to creating multilevel datasets for more information on this multilevel dataset). Surveys are sent out to all founders of currently active startups. Surveys were made available in German and English, with respondents being able to choose their preferred language at the start of the survey. For any questions about this survey or the underlying research project, please contact us.

Aims Research Integrating data on founders, firms, regional contexts and socioeconomic indicators, this data enables deeper insights into patterns and dynamics across different levels of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) - insights often missed in traditional single-source and cross-sectional data studies. As such, this data contributes to the understanding of EEs as multilevel phenomena crucial for understanding and promoting productive entrepreneurship and economic development.

Respondents We aim for a full population survey every year, instead of drawing samples. This means that all startups with an identifiable means of contact are contacted, with every potential respondent receiving a personalized survey link. Response rates typically vary between 10-15%. To increase response rates, the following approach is used: The survey is left open for a period of two months for founders to answer at their own pace, with periodic reminders sent. While the survey is designed as a panel to track founders' perceptions over time, we cannot guarantee that founders participate in more than one wave. As such, this dataset can be more accurately viewed as a "macro-panel" on the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of BW.

Usage This repository is structured as follows:

The global codebook contains information on the broad concepts addressed in each survey wave, as well as the question batteries asked to address these concepts. As such it serves as a broad overview for researchers, to understand whether the data suits their research interests, and whether the relevant questions were asked in multiple years (i.e. panel analyses are possible), or whether they were included as one-off batteries. It is only available in English.
The folders include the responses obtained for each survey year, as well as a wave-specific codebook with more detailed information. In contrast to the global codebook, these codebooks contain the questions and response options in both English and German, as well as meta-information about question filters and sub-groups if applicable. Additionally, for each item, basic summary statistics (number of responses per category, number of non-responses) are reported.

Data for each survey wave is made available in .csv format (Comma-Separated Values) with a header row. The columns are separated via semicolons (";"). This has been done to avoid conflicts, as some text responses and system variables included commas. Please consider this when loading and using the data with the analysis software of your choice. Should any issues arise in downloading, opening or using this data, please contact us for help.