The nationwide “Going International 2006” survey organised in the summer this year by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Trade (DIHK) came up with interesting findings. In contrast to the accepted opinion, commitments abroad created more jobs in Germany than were made redundant. According to the study about 41 percent of companies operating abroad increased their staff, only 25 percent reduced them.
Another finding: The driving force behind the creation of new jobs is always more often companies from the service sector and less those operating in the goods-producing industry. Globalization is of increased importance to the service sector.
Companies operating abroad and investing abroad are more successful on their domestic markets than those which base their business strategy solely on foreign trade. The dominating activity in the foreign business by German companies is still export trade followed by procurement for subsequent processing of products in Germany.
The study is available for free-of-charge download. 