.

Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Hello and thank you for taking the time to participate in our survey!


We, Anna Demler and Linnéa Nyman, are students at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics writing a thesis about the entry of Generation Z (1997-2012) into the workforce of small and mid-sized family-owned businesses in Germany with the purpose to gain a better understanding of how to adapt leadership styles when dealing with younger people, who will make up a large part of the workforce in the coming years. 

We collect surveys from leaders and employees who are working in small and mid-sized family-owned businesses in Germany. The result will be presented in a thesis published in DivA https://umu.diva-portal.org/. Data will be presented in summary form to prevent identification of individual participants or businesses. In addition, if demographic details (e.g., age, role, or company size) could lead to re-identification, they will be grouped into broader categories. Raw data will also only be accessible to authorized researchers and will not be shared publicly.

The survey takes about 20 minutes. It is completely voluntary to participate. You can choose not to join anymore at any time and you do not have to say why.

If you want to get in touch with us, you can do so at writing a mail to ande0106@student.umu.se or liny0135@student.umu.se.


Consent to process personal data

Prior to the thesis work at the department for Business Administration, Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics the following personal information (age, gender, education, current company, employment status) about you will be collected and processed.

Your consent is required for personal data to be processed. Umeå University is responsible for the processing of personal data. Contact information for Umeå University is: Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, registrator@umu.se, 090-786 50 00. Umeå University has appointed a data protection officer. The Data Protection Officer can be reached at pulo@umu.se or by calling 090-786 50 00.

Your personal data will, with the support of the consent, be processed at the latest until the time when the student work has been approved.

Your personal information will only be handled by authorized students and authorized staff at Umeå University.

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. You do this by contacting our supervisor: Christopher Nicol PhD / christopher.nicol@umu.se / 090-786 56 44. Please note, however, that a revocation of your consent does not affect the legality of the processing before the consent is revoked.

You also have the right to contact Umeå University to obtain information about what information is processed about you or to request correction, transfer, deletion or limitation of your personal information. You can also contact the university's data protection officer by email pulo@umu.se. For more information on how the university processes personal data, see: umu.se/gdpr.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority, the Swedish Privacy Protection Authority, if you think that we process your personal data incorrectly.


By clicking on "START" you consent that your personal data is used as described above.

Secured
Survio
Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Demographics

First, we need some basic information to help us better understand your background. This will allow us to analyze the responses in relation to different factors such as age, education, and employment status. Your answers will remain completely confidential.

1

What is your age?

Use digits only
2

What is your gender?

Select one answer
3

What is your highest level of education?

Select one answer
4

What is the name of the company where you are currently employed?

5

What is your current employment status?

Select one answer
Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Background & Work Experience

In this section, we would like to learn more about your current role and your path within the company. By finding out how long you have worked there and what attracted you to this company, we can gain an insight into your experience and motivation as an employee.

6

What is your current role in the company?

7

How long have you been working at your current company?

Select one answer.
8

Is this your first job in a family business?

Select one answer.
9

What attracted you to work for this company?

Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Work Expectations & Values

Further, we would like to know what you value most about your workplace. We also want to find out how important work-life balance is to you and whether you perceive any differences between your expectations of the workplace and those of other generations.

10

What do you value most in a workplace?

Select max. three
11

How important is work-life balance to you?

Indicate which value you incline to
0
Not important at all
Extremly important
12

Do you feel that your current job supports a good work-life balance?

Indicate which value you incline to
0
Not at all
Extremely
13

Do you see a difference between your expectations of work and those of older generations?

Select one answer
14

If yes, how?

Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Leadership & Management

This section is about the leadership style in your organization and how this style needs to be adapted to the needs of Generation Z. We want to know how you would describe the leadership you experience in your workplace and what qualities you find most effective in a leader.

15

How would you describe the leadership style in your company?

Select one answer
16

What leadership qualities do you find most effective?

Select multiple answers
17

Have you had a leader who really motivated you? What made he/she effective?

18

Do you feel that leaders in your company are open to new ways of working introduced by younger employees?

Select one answer
19

Do you feel that leaders in your company actively try to understand the needs of Generation Z (1997-2012) employees and adapt to them?

Select one answer
20

Can you give an example?

Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Communication & Feedback

Communication and feedback play an important role in employee development. In this section, we want to know how you prefer to receive feedback. Are you comfortable expressing your ideas and concerns to your manager and how do you think communication between managers and junior employees could be improved?

21

How do you prefer to receive feedback?

Select one answer
22

Do you feel comfortable expressing your ideas and concerns to your leader? Why or why not?

23

How do you think communication between leaders and younger employees could be improved?

Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Technology & Work Culture

Technology and digital tools are becoming more integral to the workplace. This section asks about the importance of technology in your daily tasks and whether you think your company is keeping up with technological advancements.

24

How important are technology and digitalization in your daily work?

Indicate which value you incline to
0
Not important at all
Extremely important
25

Do you think the company is adapting well to technological changes?

Indicate which value you incline to
0
Not at all
Extremely
26

Have you experienced resistance to new ideas or digital solutions from older generations in your workplace?

Select one answer
27

What could be improved regarding technological developments?

28

What is your preferred working setting?

Select one answer
29

Please briefly explain your preferred working environment.

Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Career Development & Motivation & Future Perspective 

In this final section, we want to understand what keeps you motivated at work and whether you feel your company provides enough opportunities for professional growth. As career paths become more flexible, younger generations have more choices than ever, leading some to seek opportunities outside traditional family businesses. This section explores how leadership can better align with Genertion Z’s expectations and whether family businesses remain an attractive long-term career option.


Additionally, if there’s anything else you’d like to share about your experience as an employee in a family-owned business, this is your chance to provide that valuable feedback.

30

What keeps you motivated at work?

Select one or more answers
31

Do you feel the company offers enough opportunities for professional growth and learning?

Select one answer
32

Do you see yourself staying long-term in a family business, or do you prefer larger companies?

Select one answer
33

Would you consider taking over a family business if given the opportunity?

Select one answer
34

If your family owns a business, do you feel pressure to continue in their footsteps?

Select one answer
35

How long do you plan to stay in your current job?

Select one answer
36

Do you prefer a career where you change jobs and industries frequently, or do you value long-term stability in one company?

Select one answer
37

Do you see family businesses as offering the same career growth and opportunities as larger corporations?

Select one answer
38

What could leaders change to better meet the expectations of Generation Z?

39

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience as an employee in a family-owned business?

Create a survey
Master Thesis - Generational changes in family businesses in Germany - Employee survey


Thank you for completing our survey!

Your responses are invaluable and will help us better understand the perspectives of leaders and employees in family-owned businesses. We appreciate your time and input. If you have any additional comments or questions, feel free to reach out.


Thanks again for your participation! We wish you all the best!


To complete the survey, please press "SUBMIT"!

Create a survey