Executive Panel

The IVAM Executive Panel is the mood indicator for the microtechnology industry. Experts from industry and science give their opinion on a current topic from the fields of economy, politics or society. In order to collect these opinions, we conduct quick surveys among selected executives in mostly small and medium-sized enterprises and leading scientists in Germany and some neighboring countries.
05.03.2024

Generative AI in the high-tech sector: high benefits available and increased use expected

In today's world, characterized by rapid technological change and increasing digitalization, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is steadily gaining in importance and opening up new horizons for companies in terms of innovation and increased efficiency. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are faced with the challenge of recognizing the potential of these advanced technologies and …
04.03.2022

War in Ukraine: Industry experts expect significant impact on high-tech sector

The Russian attack on Ukraine will not remain without consequences for the hightech industry in Europe. As part of its Executive Panel, the IVAM Microtechnology Network has surveyed the current mood regarding the Ukraine crisis among selected executives in the micro and nanotechnology industry.The majority of respondents anticipate significant, in some cases even devastating, effects …
26.03.2020

Microtechnology industry does not yet expect long-term damage from coronavirus pandemic

Representatives of the microtechnology industry at this point in time do not assume that the industry will suffer from the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in the long term: 63 % currently do not expect any long-term effects that will have a lasting impact on the industry for several months or even years. Economic damage to …
25.03.2020

Global economy more severely affected by corona crisis than by the financial crisis

Representatives of the microtechnology industry expect that the coronavirus pandemic will have a more severe impact on the global economy than the economic crisis in 2008/2009 - 68% of the surveyed members of the IVAM Microtechnology Network expect so. This is the probable outcome, because this time it is not primarily the financial sector that …
24.03.2020

Coronavirus pandemic also creates opportunities for medical applications

In the medical technology and healthcare industry, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to open up opportunities for new applications using microtechnology. A clear majority of 90 % of the surveyed industry representatives and researchers assume so. In addition to miniaturized and mobile systems for rapid diagnostics, critical situations such as the current pandemic would require, for …
23.03.2020

Effectiveness of economic support programs to alleviate effects of coronavirus crisis not yet assessable

Are the economic support programs that the federal and state governments are establishing in order to support businesses in the coronavirus crises sufficient? This will become evident only much later:  63 % of survey participants are uncertain whether the measures that have been announced or established so far are sufficient to avert massive economic damage …
22.03.2020

Microtechnology industry mostly considers protective measures against the spread of Covid-19 appropriate

The measures taken by the Federal Government against the spread of COVID-19 are appropriate and meet the need for protection of the population and the interests of the economy equally: 58 % of representatives of the microtechnology industry agree with this assumption. About a third (32 %) are rather unsure. These measures, they assume, can …
27.09.2019

IVAM Executive Panel, September 2019: Can data protection slow down innovation?

For small companies and start-ups, regulations often mean that they have to invest more time and money in their implementation than they have provided for. The IVAM Microtechnology Network has asked selected members whether this also applies to the EU General Data Protection Regulation. More than two thirds of the participants in the IVAM Executive …
07.06.2017

IVAM Executive Panel, May 2017: automotive industry and climate protection

Microtechnology industry does not back German automotive industry unconditionally Being part of the automotive supplier industry, the microtechnology industry has a great interest in a strong automotive industry. Representatives of these suppliers, represented in the IVAM Executive Panel, however, believe that the interests of the German automotive industry should not be protected under all conditions: …
15.08.2016

IVAM Executive Panel, August 2016: Will Brexit affect the microtechnology industry?

Brexit will not affect microtechnology market but might stall innovation Representatives of the microtechnology industry in Germany do not believe that Brexit will have a manifest impact on their industry. Two-thirds of the IVAM Executive Panel – a group of selected executives and scientists – believe that the Brexit will not affect the microtechnology industry …
30.10.2015

IVAM Executive Panel, October 2015: Will refugees counteract the skills shortage?

Whether the current influx of refugees carries future professionals for the microtechnology industry into Germany, seems rather unclear at the moment. A third of the industry experts say that the influx of immigrants is an opportunity to win professionals for the industry. But prerequisite for their employment is that an effective integration policy will be …
29.06.2015

IVAM Executive Panel, June 2015: How will Greece and Europe emerge from the crisis?

A few days before the term of payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the financial rescue package for Greece expire, the IVAM Microtechnology Network has asked selected executives in the microtechnology industry what they consider to be the worst or the best possible outcome of the crisis. Half the participants in the IVAM …
24.11.2014

IVAM Executive Panel, November 2014 - Microtechnology industry expects impetus from TTIP

Micro- and nanotechnology experts in Germany think that the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US would give impetus to their industry. In a survey, which the IVAM Microtechnology Network conducted among leading industry representatives, the majority said that the German micro- und nanotechnology industry would profit from the …
11.04.2014

IVAM Executive Panel, April 2014 - Crimean crisis: economic sanctions unpopular in micro- and nanotechnology industry

Economic sanctions against Russia in response to the Crimean conflict are rather unpopular among representatives of the micro- and nanotechnology industry in Germany. In a short survey, the IVAM Microtechnology Network asked selected industry experts – the IVAM Executive Panel – for their opinion.   Two thirds of respondents say that economic sanctions are not …
15.11.2013

IVAM Executive Panel, November 2013: Minimum wage has no major impact on MEMS industry and economic performance in Germany

MEMS industry experts in Germany doubt that the possible introduction of a nationwide minimum wage in Germany would have a major impact on the general economic performance. Due to a survey conducted by the IVAM Microtechnology Network, 60 percent of the IVAM Executive Panel members assume that Germany’s economic performance would remain stable. Only 20 …
24.06.2013

IVAM Executive Panel, June 2013: No strain on trade relations with China expected

Leading representatives of the European microtechnology industry do not expect that the current conflict will put a strain on the trade relations between Europe and China. In a flash poll, 57 percent of participating experts from industry and science saw no cause for concern. Only 13 percent supposed that the conflict about punitive duties will …
07.05.2012

IVAM Executive Panel, April 2012: New funding landscape makes innovation financing difficult

A re-structured funding landscape and the succeeding financial crises may hamper the innovative strength of the microtechnology industry in Germany. In a survey among industry experts and scientists, 43 percent say that financing innovation has become more difficult in the past four years.   After pertinent funding programmes have been abandoned, it has become more …
06.05.2012

IVAM Executive Panel, April 2012: Succeeding financial crises hamper innovation

42 percent of microsystems industry experts think that a current shortage of financial means endangers the innovative strength of the industry in Germany. Another 29 percent think this may partly be the case.   According to the experts, it is above all the current financial market situation that causes an innovation shortfall. In the aftermath …
04.10.2011

IVAM Executive Panel, September 2011: Debt crisis dampens economic outlook

Executives in the microtechnology industry expect that the debt crisis in Europe and the U.S. will slow economic development. Just over half the industry experts (53%) assume that the economy will stagnate over the next six months. Being a suppliers industry, the microsystems industry very much depends on the business of their customers. While many …
04.10.2011

IVAM Executive Panel, September 2011: Sales slump may even aid microtechnology industry's business

Nearly a half of the microtechnology experts (47%) state that the debt crisis has already had a noticeable impact on their own business. For example, the business is growing more slowly, or the purchasing of products has become more expensive.   For some providers of micro technologies and development services an economic downturn might even …