Entrepreneurship through Acquisition in Switzerland - Motivators and barriers to buying a Swiss SME

Abstract

Switzerland is experiencing a crisis because a significant portion of its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lacks succession planning. Although entrepreneurship is prominent in the country, most of it focuses on launching new ventures rather than acquiring existing firms. This thesis examines key motivators and barriers that shape the intention of potential entrepreneurs to pursue entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), which could contribute to addressing the succession crisis.