School pupils' firms and mini‐companies in Germany

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the emergence of pupils' firms in Germany since the beginning of the 1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

The exploratory study is mainly based on a survey conducted with 88 projects that were presented at a pupils' firm fair in Berlin in November 2005, where pupils' firms from all over Germany presented themselves. During the fair, pupils, teachers and representatives of supporting organisations were interviewed. Furthermore, a comparison of other pupils' firms and supporting organisations' information material was undertaken.

Findings

The paper concludes with questioning the exclusive conceptualisation of the pupils' firms as educational projects within school and renders problematic their emphasis on providing business ideas and management skills. The paper argues for more reflection on the wider social and political implications around issues to do with pupils' autonomy and makes a case for preferred forms of self‐determined and cooperative working.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the goals and interests pursued in founding and promoting pupils' firms. It asks what experiences, opportunities and risks are involved for the pupils and what further approaches are becoming apparent, or are thinkable. In Germany, pupils' firms have not been systematically analysed.

Citation

Liebel, M. (2009), "School pupils' firms and mini‐companies in Germany", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 29 No. 3/4, pp. 186-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443330910947552