Over the past ten years crowdfunding has emerged as an alternative investment form and a new way to raise funds. Project funders increasingly try to raise funds from a crowd through the internet. Therefore, the “crowd”, also referred to as “backers” play the key role in a successful funding process.
The literature on crowdfunding examines the different crowdfunding types and their benefits for backers. The literature on the German culture and crowdfunding in Germany will be presented. Using a questionnaire, this study aims to identify benefits which motivate people living in Germany to invest in a particular crowdfunding type. Subsequently, the study evaluates the four main crowdfunding types and which motivate potential backers most to invest into crowdfunding based on the benefits they are offering. All participants of the questionnaire are German residents.
The analysis of the questionnaire’s collected quantitative data reveals that the benefits people receive from the participation in rewards-based crowd-funding, such as receiving a final product before the official product launch and actively participating in the realisation of a crowdfunding project have a huge motivational impact on people to invest in crowdfunding. Moreover, the analysis from the gathered data showed that not receiving any benefits from participation in donation-based crowdfunding mostly discouraged the participants in this study. Thus, people living in Germany mostly expect benefits for investing their money. Moreover, the motivations vary within different age groups.
This study identifies limitations that occur using the chosen sampling method and closes with recommendations for further research.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Research topic
- 1.2 Research objectives and question
- 1.3 Dissertation Structure
- 1.3.1 Chapter 2 - Literature Review
- 1.3.2 Chapter 3 - Methodology
- 1.3.3 Chapter 4 - Analysis and Findings
- 1.3.4 Chapter 5 - Conclusions
- 2 Literature Review
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Definition of Crowdfunding
- 2.2.1 Motivations of and benefits for Backers
- 2.2.2 Crowdfunding web-sites and their differences
- 2.2.3 Rewards-based crowdfunding
- 2.2.4 Equity-based crowdfunding
- 2.2.5 Lending-based crowdfunding
- 2.2.6 Donation-based crowdfunding
- 2.3 German Culture
- 2.3.1 Crowdfunding in Germany
- 2.4 Limited Literature
- 2.5 Hypothesis
- 3 Methodology
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Research Approach
- 3.3 Research Strategy
- 3.3.1 Qualitative Research
- 3.3.2 Quantitative Research
- 3.4 Questionnaire
- 3.5 Sampling
- 3.6 Data Analysis
- 3.7 Limitations
- 3.8 Ethical Considerations
- 3.9 Chapter Summary
- 4 Analysis and Findings
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Questionnaire
- 4.2.1 Research demographic
- 4.3 How well-known crowdfunding is in Germany depending on the residents age
- 4.4 Preferred crowdfunding type based on the benefits
- 4.5 Specific benefits within crowdfunding projects
- 4.6 The preferred crowdfunding type in Germany depending on the residents age
- 5 Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation aims to identify the benefits that motivate German residents to invest in crowdfunding campaigns and to evaluate the appeal of different crowdfunding models based on these benefits. The study uses a questionnaire to gather quantitative data from a sample of German participants.
- Motivational factors for participation in crowdfunding
- Comparison of different crowdfunding models (rewards-based, equity-based, lending-based, donation-based)
- Influence of German cultural context on crowdfunding participation
- Analysis of benefits offered by different crowdfunding types
- Impact of age on crowdfunding investment preferences
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
2 Literature Review: This chapter lays the groundwork for the study by defining crowdfunding and exploring its various types: rewards-based, equity-based, lending-based, and donation-based. It examines the motivations and benefits for backers in each type, analyzing how these differ. The chapter also delves into the German cultural context and its potential influence on crowdfunding participation, citing existing literature on the subject and highlighting gaps in research. A key focus is on the benefits offered to backers and how these benefits might influence investment decisions. The chapter concludes with a statement of the study's hypothesis.
3 Methodology: This chapter details the research methodology employed in the study. It outlines the research approach, strategy (combining qualitative and quantitative methods), and the development and administration of the questionnaire. The chapter also describes the sampling method used, explaining how participants were selected. Data analysis techniques are explained, along with a discussion of limitations of the methodology and ethical considerations. The chapter provides a clear and comprehensive overview of how the research was conducted, aiming for transparency and replicability.
4 Analysis and Findings: This chapter presents the results of the data analysis from the administered questionnaire. It explores the level of awareness of crowdfunding in Germany across different age groups, identifies preferred crowdfunding types based on the benefits offered, and analyzes which specific benefits resonate most strongly with potential investors. The chapter also investigates how age influences preferences for different crowdfunding models. The findings are presented in a structured way, supporting the overall research objectives.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Crowdfunding, investment, motivation, German culture, rewards-based crowdfunding, equity-based crowdfunding, lending-based crowdfunding, donation-based crowdfunding, quantitative research, questionnaire.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this dissertation?
This dissertation investigates the motivations behind German residents' investments in crowdfunding campaigns and analyzes the attractiveness of various crowdfunding models based on these motivations. It focuses on understanding the benefits that drive participation and how these differ across different crowdfunding types and age groups.
What are the key research objectives?
The main objectives are to identify the benefits motivating German residents to participate in crowdfunding, to compare the appeal of different crowdfunding models (rewards-based, equity-based, lending-based, donation-based), to examine the influence of German culture on crowdfunding participation, to analyze the benefits offered by each crowdfunding type, and to assess the impact of age on crowdfunding investment preferences.
What methodology was used in this study?
The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research. A questionnaire was developed and administered to gather quantitative data from a sample of German participants. The chapter on methodology details the sampling method, data analysis techniques, limitations, and ethical considerations.
What are the different types of crowdfunding explored in the dissertation?
The dissertation explores four main types of crowdfunding: rewards-based, equity-based, lending-based, and donation-based crowdfunding. Each type is examined in terms of the motivations and benefits it offers to backers.
How does the dissertation address the German cultural context?
The dissertation specifically investigates how the German cultural context influences crowdfunding participation. It considers cultural factors that might impact investment decisions and preferences for different crowdfunding models.
What are the key findings of the study?
The findings section presents the results from the questionnaire, exploring the awareness of crowdfunding in Germany across different age groups, preferred crowdfunding types based on benefits, the most appealing specific benefits, and how age influences preferences for different models. The findings are presented to support the research objectives.
What is the structure of the dissertation?
The dissertation is structured into five chapters: Chapter 1 (Introduction), Chapter 2 (Literature Review), Chapter 3 (Methodology), Chapter 4 (Analysis and Findings), and Chapter 5 (Conclusion). The table of contents provides a detailed breakdown of the sub-sections within each chapter.
What are the key words associated with this dissertation?
The key words include: Crowdfunding, investment, motivation, German culture, rewards-based crowdfunding, equity-based crowdfunding, lending-based crowdfunding, donation-based crowdfunding, quantitative research, questionnaire.
What is the hypothesis of the study?
The specific hypothesis of the study is presented in Chapter 2 (Literature Review) after reviewing existing literature and identifying gaps in research. The hypothesis is then tested using the data collected and analyzed in subsequent chapters.
Where can I find more detailed information about the methodology?
Chapter 3 of the dissertation provides a detailed explanation of the research methodology, including the research approach, strategy, questionnaire design, sampling method, data analysis techniques, limitations, and ethical considerations. This chapter aims for transparency and replicability of the research.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2018, Crowdfunding as an alternative investment opportunity in Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/432149
