The international module at Munich Business School will focus on the importance of small and medium-sized companies to the German economy and will consider to what extent this model can be applied internationally. With the title of Hidden Champions & Family Businesses in Germany: The Secrets of German Small and Medium-Sized, Family-Owned World Market Leaders, we will consider why relatively unknown companies (with a turnover of more than 50 million euros or more than 500 employees) are world market leaders in their industry. We will discuss the theoretical foundations of hidden champions in the context of the corporate landscape in Germany. Through lectures, case studies, project tasks and company visits, we will explore the secrets of their success and consider to what extent this model can be exported to other countries.

The week in Munich will be a combination of

▪ Academic lectures by MBS faculty

▪ Real world experience during (three or more) company visits

▪ Joint work on one real-world, company sponsored, case study

▪ Presentations by German Hidden Champion business leaders

▪ Presentations and panel-discussions with German factory managers

▪ Presentations and discussions with German family business owners

Why Munich? Because we are an international hub at the heart of Europe’s most dynamic economy. Munich is a city of 1.5 Million People (#3 in Germany) with 28% International Citizens (#1 among largest cities). It is the home of many German DAX Companies including Allianz, BMW, Infineon, MTU Aero Engines, Munich Re, Siemens and others. In addition, multinationals such as Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and Google have chosen Munich as their German/European headquarters.

Since its founding in 1991, Munich Business School, the first private, state-recognized university in Bavaria (Germany), has been offering globally minded entrepreneurial personalities an inspiring and international academic environment to develop into the responsible business leaders of tomorrow.