The German Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Self-governance, Service, the General Representation of Interests and the Dual System of Professional Education. A practice-oriented handbook covering the fundamental principles and practical implementation of

This open access book examines a particular factor in the enduring international success of German companies. Beyond industrial specialization, peaceful labor relations, local financial markets and the "miracle of the Mittelstand", it focuses on a characteristic aspect of governance within the German economy: The Chambers of commerce and industry. Important characteristics of the Chamber system are emphasized - including obligatory membership for firms as well as participatory rules of their self-administration. In turn, the book examines the institution's self-governance, its services, and its mission regarding the general representation of interests. Moreover, the book also identifies the advancement of the dual system of professional education as a central element of the Chamber system. Following an introduction about how the Chamber system works, interviews, case studies and historical explanations help to exemplify the true spirit inherent to this form of representation. In particular, they reveal the essence of how the Chambers contribute to the global success of German companies and foster their corporate responsibility in a practical way. Given its scope, the book will be of particular interest to professionals, policymakers and researchers concerned with how institutional organization can support commerce and industry for the public good. The book was developed in collaboration with Laura Sasse and the Practical Wisdom Society.-- Provided by publisher Foreword: CCI—Three Letters Underpinning a Successful Economy Preface How to Enjoy this Book Contents 1 The Magic of Economic and Social Development Germany Around 1950: An Unlikely Candidate for Economic Growth and Development Explanation of the Economic Miracle: The Role of Institutions Social Market Economy: Realizing the Potential of Private Entrepreneurship The Role of Intermediary Regional Institutions for Development The Dilemma of Professional Education The Dual VET System in Germany The Dual VET System: Advantages for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development The Dual VET System—A Team Product The Dual VET System: The Role of the Chambers Self-administration and ‘Indirect Public Administration’: Core Elements of Social Market Economy Chambers as Instruments of Indirect Public Administration Self-administration in the Labour Market, Health Care and Social Sector Regional Self-administration in Autonomous Municipalities, Cultural and Academic Sector Conclusion: What Could Be Learned from the German Experience? Valuing the Wisdom of Practical Elites Building on Existing Networks of ‘Social Capital’ 2 The Bridge Between Business and Politics—The CCIs and Their Normative Foundations This Is the CCI—The Normative Foundations of CCI Work CCIs as a Manifestation of Self-organisation and Self-responsibility Within the Economy CCIs as a Manifestation of Democratic Participation and a Democratic Society CCIs as a Mirror of the German Constitution Statutory Membership Statutory Membership Fee Principle of Solidarity Statutory Tasks Principle of Regionality Principle of Subsidiarity Economic Activity of the Chambers Organisational Structure of the CCIs—Primary and Voluntary Offices Guidelines for Political Work Volunteering—Putting Yourself in the Service of the Economy Various Honorary Tasks Portrait: Georg Dettendorfer, Dettendorfer Spedition Ferntrans GmbH & Co. KG—understanding volunteering as part of entrepreneurial work General Assembly—Taking Responsibility Together From the Election Regulations Composition of the General Assembly One Man, One Vote Tasks of the General Assembly Rotation of Meetings Case Study: Notes from the General Assembly—Bringing Together the Opinions of Companies CCI Regional Committees—Ensuring a Direct Link to Regional Activity Democratic Election Regulations Size of the Regional Committees Representing Local Level Interests Reasons for Reform Strengthening the Regions—Including in the General Assembly Inter-administrative District Cooperation Through Additional CCI Forums Case Study: Insight Into the Work of the Regional Committees—Working Together to Advance the Regional Economy Altötting-Mühldorf Regional Committee Starnberg Regional Committee Erding-Freising Regional Committee CCI Specialist Committees and Working Groups—Tasked with Co-formulating the Content-Related Goals of CCI Work Interview: CCI Brand Identity Across Germany—Placing the Honourable Merchant at Its Centre Excursus: The Practical Wisdom of the Honourable Merchant Historical Review—How the Chambers Arose and Developed Chambers at the Turn of the 19th Century Initial Definition Criteria for Compulsory Membership Under Prussian Rule The Unglamorous Nazi Period A New Beginning in the Post-war Period—New Role Definition for the Chambers Different Approaches by the Occupying Powers, as Well as in German Politics and the Economy Demand for a Nationwide CCI Law Conclusion of the Discussion with CCI Law Interview: Leap into the modern age—looking back on 175 years of CCI for Munich and Upper Bavaria in the anniversary year 2018 Bavarian Business Archive—preserving the past for the present 3 Comparing the Chamber Systems—What a Colourful World Chambers and More—Organising the Economy, Representing Interests Different National Chamber Systems Excursus: The British Professional System Chambers Versus Associations Specificity of the Chambers in Germany Representation of Interests Using the Example of the CCIs Compulsory Membership as a Basis Specific Characteristics of Private Law Associations in Germany Private Law Business Associations in the USA Interview: The German Chamber System—Ensuring Justice by the Letter of the Law The Chambers of Trades and Crafts—Representing Employers and Employees Simultaneously Compulsory Membership and Definition of Membership Crafts Code as Basis Rules of Participation for Employers and Employees Election of the General Assembly by Pro Forma Election Without Ballot Political Representation of Interests Further Tasks Under the Crafts Code Role of the Chambers of Crafts in Vocational Training The Bavarian Chamber of Architects—Promoting Building Culture Protected Professional Title Through the Chamber’s Own List of Architects Legal Obligation to Protect the Profession’s Reputation Privilege of Comprehensive Right to Submit Building Applications Only for Members of the Chamber Support for Professional Courts by the Chamber of Architects Disciplinary Options Settlement of Disputes Before the Chamber Statements of Opinion on the Laws Information and Consulting Services Representative Meeting in Place of a General Assembly By Way of Comparison: The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber—Institutionalising Consensus Member Mix from Trade and Industry and the Skilled Trades Complex Structure of Chambers and Professional Organisations Structural Legitimation Contributions and Obligation to Contribute Representation of Interests via the Vienna Economic Parliament The Representation of Interests in Practice Wide Range of Services Foreign Trade Centres of the WKÖ WKÖ as a Partner in Collective Bargaining Proximity to Politics By Way of Comparison II: US Chamber of Commerce—Having the Freedom to Take Responsibility Support of the State as the Starting Point for the US Chamber of Commerce Complex Private Law, Global Structure Administrative Council as an Influential Body Voluntary Membership Political Lobbying Voice in Washington D.C. Opinion Forming Plus Overall Representation of Interests Own Economic Research 4 The German Chambers of Commerce Abroad—An International Win–Win Situation Chambers of Commerce Abroad—Networking to Ensure the Success of the German Business Abroad Close Coordination Between CCIs and AHKs Self-governance Principle also Applies to the AHKs Special Creative Power of the AHK Board Members Personal Exchange as the Most Important Basis for the Success of the AHK-CCI Network The Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) at a Glance Portraits of the Chambers of Commerce Abroad—Building Bridges Between Cultures Case Study 1: AHK Austria—Breaking Down Language Barriers in German-Speaking Countries A Parallel Representative Office of the Bavarian Economy Mentoring for Young Executives Events and Networking Case Study 2: AHK Czech Republic—Lobbying and Networking in a Sophisticated Atmosphere Facing the Challenge of a Shortage in Skilled Workers Summer Networking Party Case Study 3: AHK Kenya—Dual Vocational Training and Environmental Protection for East Africa Transfer of Dual Vocational Training Special Focus on Sustainability Case Study 4: AHK India—Service Provider and Contact Broker on the Sub-continent Locations with Their Own Topical Focus Training Centre—Dual Vocational Training Lively Trade Fair Activity Events and Networking Case Study 5: AHK Greater China—A Heavy Weight in the Far East Dual Vocational Training Econet China “More Than a Market” Initiative Innovation Hub—Shenzhen Government Relations, Surveys and Press Relations Numerous Events Case Study 6: AHK Argentina—The Fight Against Corruption and Advocating Sound Vocational Training Training Work Spanning Four Decades Compliance and Anti-Corruption Intensive Exchange of Information and Experience Case Study 7: AHK São Paulo—South American Socializer “Start-Ups Connected” Initiative and Innovation Congress Awards and Conferences Editor’s Note: The AHK Survey Took Place in Summer 2018 Chambers of Commerce Abroad in Action—Developing International Economic Relations with the Help of the Chambers of Commerce Abroad Case Study 1: Samhammer AG—Finding the Way to the Far East with the Help of the AHK Vietnam Going Abroad with the Customers? Of Course! Introduction Trips to China and—By Chance—To Vietnam Extensive AHK Support: From the Initiation of Contacts to Obtaining Permits On Course for Growth in Ho Chi Minh City Support by the German Business Association Helpful Dual Vocational Training Programmes of the AHK on-Site in Vietnam Cross-Cultural Encounter in Weiden and Vietnam Case Study 2: Amro Met—Getting Start-up Aid for the German Market via the AHK Poland Difficult Customer Acquisition in Germany Support from the AHK Warsaw Successful Establishment of Contact with an Upper Bavarian Medium-Sized Company Many Similarities Between German and Polish Companies 5 CCI in Practice—Public Tasks Delegated by the State Public Tasks Delegated by the State Can Be Implemented Efficiently and Economically Vocational Training—Ensuring the Quality of Vocational Education and Training A German Speciality: Dual Vocational Training Short History of Dual Vocational Training Quality Assurance for Dual Vocational Training by the CCIs Cooperation Between Government and Business The Vocational Training Committee Case study 1: Shortage of Apprentices—Supporting the Training Companies with Targeted Campaigns Nationwide Online Apprenticeship Exchange Case Study 2: Vocational Training and Trainer Aptitude—Ensuring Quality in Training Requirements and Specifications for Training Special Regulation: “Shared Vocational Training” Registration of Training Companies Trainers and Proof of Suitability Supporting the Trainers Through the Training Officers Case Study 3: Dual Vocational Training at HiPP GmbH & Co. Vertrieb KG in Pfaffenhofen/Ilm—Training Employees from the Very Beginning to Meet the Special Needs of the Company Needs-Based Training Trainee Acquisition Trainee Check as a Source of Career Orientation Solving Problems Together Case Study 4: Trainee Portrait Melissa Bauer, ConSol Consulting & Solutions Software GmbH—Combining Vocational Training and University Studies, Increasing Career Opportunities A High Affinity for IT from an Early Age Two Career Paths, Two Qualifications Working Independently at ConSol Even as a Trainee Case Study 5: Voluntary Examiners—Working Hand in Hand with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Improve the Quality of Vocational Training Fundamental Tasks of the CCI Examiners Other Duties of Examiners Tasks of the CCI Primary Office How to Become an Examiner Being an Examiner: It’s a Give and Take But Even Beyond This, It Is Worth Getting Involved, Because Voluntary CCI Examiners Practical Insight: Erni Salzinger-Nuener Explains What Makes a Good Examiner Case Study 6: Further Development of Training Occupations—Keeping up with the Times and the Needs of the Economy Reorganisation of Occupations Role of the CCI Vocational Training Committees: Specialist Practitioner Training Complex Process with Many Stakeholders Example: E-commerce Commercial Clerk-First 4.0 Training Occupation Case Study 7: Intra-company Ongoing Vocational Education and Training—Making Lifelong Learning Possible General Further Vocational Training Higher Vocational Training Studies/Dual Studies The Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications—Paving the Way for New Entrants to the German Job Market CCI Consultation Before Recognition Opportunities—Even Without Proof Partial or Full Equivalence Official Recognition by CCI FOSA in Nuremberg Commercial Licenses—Receiving Targeted Support with the Registration Process Efficient Licensing Procedure: From Application to Issuance Procedure Using the Example of the Real Estate Loan Broker Requirements to Be Fulfilled by the Applicant The significance of the obligation to provide further training for insurance brokers and residential property managers Points of Single Contact—Overcoming Bureaucratic Hurdles Across Europe EU Services Directive as a basis Implementation of the Directive in Bavaria The Point of Single Contact for Entrepreneurs from Abroad (EU and EEA) The Point of Single Contact for Entrepreneurs from Germany Scope of the Regulation The Service Provided by the Point of Single Contact in Detail Foreign Trade Documents—Facilitating European Trade in Goods and Merchandise Customs Facilitation Through a.T.a. Carnets Issue of Certificates of Origin Certification of Invoices Urban Development Planning—Creating and Preserving the Necessary Space for the Future Statements on Land Use and Development Plans by the CCI Taking Account of Business Needs in the Statements of Opinion Involving an Increasingly Critical Population Case Study: Planning Region 10—Moderating Conflicts of Interest Out-of-Court Dispute Resolution—Favouring Business-Friendly Solutions Case Study 1: Arbitration Board for Competition Disputes at the CCI—Reaching Out at the Round Table Practical work of the Arbitration Boards for Competition Disputes at a Glance Case Study 2: Expertise—Using the Competence of Experts Appointment of the Experts at a Glance Honorary Judges—Regulating the Interests of Business in Court with the Help of Voluntary Support Case Study 1: Volunteer Commercial Judges—Solving Commercial Disputes More Effectively Case Study 2: Honorary Financial Judges—Ensuring a Factual Financial and Tax Jurisdiction Practitioners from the Business World Proposals by the CCI 6 CCI in Practice—Promoting Business Promoting Business—Providing First Aid to Companies Information and Service Centre—Ensuring the Best Customer Experience Gigantic Knowledge Pool Various Additional Tasks Start-up Consulting—Strengthening the Region with New Companies Comprehensive Information—Also in Cooperation with External Partners Commitment to Good Start-Up Conditions Wide Range of Consulting Services Cross-Departmental Internal Consulting Structures Case Study 1: Munich Business Start-Up Office (MEB)—Passing on Proven Advice Case study 2: Crowdfunding—Using the Power of the Swarm Case Study 3: Munich as a Start-Up Location—Increasingly Attractive for Founders Entrepreneurial Consulting—Helping Members Succeed Diverse Consulting Formats Consulting Services at a Glance New Networking Event: The Investor Evening Case Study 4: Crisis Consulting—Turning the Tide Legal and Tax Issues—Acting as an Initial Source of Key Information for Businesses Information Services on All Channels Broad-Spectrum of Legal Issues Useful Tax Information Location Consulting—Offering a Full-Service Package for Commercial Space Subject Areas from Building Law to Fire Protection Location Consulting for Founders and Established Companies Digital Core Offering: CCI Location Portal—Bavaria Influence on Urban Land Use Planning in Dialogue with Cities and Municipalities Advice on Internationalisation—Accompanying You Abroad with Individual Support CCI as the First Point of Contact for All Internationalisation Issues Specific Consulting Needs: From Intercultural Issues to Export Control Regimes Diverse Formats Close Cooperation with the AHKs and Other Specialist Departments Intensive Exchange with the Members Case study 1: Trade and Connect—All you can export Case study 2: Enterprise Europe Network—Helping to succeed in the EU Succession Consulting—Teaching the Art of Letting Go Timely Start of the Handover Planning Consulting in All Formats Extensive Offer Case study 1: Telephone Consultation Days—Advancing the Handover Process Case Study 2: Portrait of the Successor Laura Sasse, Dr. Sasse AG—“Holding On to the Opportunities for the Company” Securing Skilled Employees—Arming Member Companies Against the Threat of Skilled Labour Shortages Almost Half a Million Skilled Workers Will Be Missing by 2030 Practical Tips for Companies Commitment to Better Conditions Networking in Supra-Regional Alliances Case study: The Bavarian Family Pact—Making It Easier to Reconcile Family and Career and Thus Attract More Skilled Workers Energy, Environmental and Raw Materials Consulting—Side by Side with Companies into a Sustainable Future Cooperation of the Bavarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry with Other Stakeholders and Politics Exemplary “Bavarian Environmental Pact” Energy Efficiency Network Initiative Advocacy Regarding Power Lines from the North Further Challenges for Environment, Energy, Raw Materials Case study 1: Bavarian Environmental Pact—Protecting the Environment with Individual Measures High Success Rate in Project Implementation Image Gain Through the Use of the Environmental Pact Logo Extension of the Environmental Pact Every 5 Years Case Study 2: A Look Inside the Companies—Gearing Up Climate Protection Delivering on Regionalisation—Creating Competent Local Offices Strategic Branch Office Instead of a Regional Office Tasks of the Local Offices Similarities but also Many Differences CCI Academy Munich—Promoting Business and the Economy Through Education Reaction to the Educational Discussion of the 1960s Start of the CCI Academy in 1977 in Feldkirchen-Westerham Role and Tasks of the CCI in Further Education Offers of the CCI Academy Empowering CCI Employees Nationwide Cooperation with DIHK-Bildungs-GmbH 7 CCI in Practice—General Representation of Interests General Representation of Interests—Constructively Striving for the Greatest Common Denominator to Safeguard Economic Success Opinion Forming Processes—Constructively Jostling for Positions Case Study 1: Surveys and Studies—Creating a Basis for the General Representation of Interests Regular Business Surveys on the Business Situation of Its Members Company Barometer on Current Topics Training Surveys Individual Surveys on Specific Challenges Further Studies and Surveys on Relevant Topics of the Overall Representation of Interests Cooperation with the Renowned IFO Institute—Conducting Exclusive Research Case Study 2: Open CCI—Generating New Ideas and Projects Online with Our Members For Its Own Benefit The Origins Underpinning the General Representation of Interests—Preparing Positions in the CCI Committees and Working Groups Case Study 1: CCI Finance and Taxation Committee—Acting in a Corrective Capacity for Legislation 35 Tax Experts Around One Table Corrector and Initiator in One Adviser to the General Assembly Case Study 2: CCI Industry and Innovation Committee—Setting the Course for a Modern Industrial Location Cross-Section of Bavarian Industry Democratic Opinion-Making Start-Up Financing as an Important Concern Topics of the Future Enthusiastic Volunteer Work Case Study 3: CCI Committee for Corporate Responsibility—Setting An Example Together The Committee Has Formulated This Self-image Case Study 4: CCI Working Group “Women in Business”—Making the Potential of Female Entrepreneurs Visible Own Platform for Women in Business Success of Businesswomen in the Elections for the General Assembly Women as Professionals and Managers Extensive Offers for Women Association of Bavarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry—Bolstering Credibility by Embodying Key Values The Tasks of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry Comprehensive Information from the German Business Community Internationally Active for Germany’s Businesses In pursuit of overall interests in business and the economy using five examples First example: The integration of refugees—creating a secure environment Refugee Integration as an Expression of the Representation of Interests Concerted Action by Business and Politics—The Integration Pact Practical Support for the Companies Legal Initiative of the CCI 3 + 2 Regulation—Legal Certainty for Refugees and Companies Creation of Appropriate Internal Structures Visible Success and Further Goals Case Study 1: Bayerische Blumen Zentrale GmbH—Training Refugees Despite Official Uncertainties Case Study 2: Stadtwerke München GmbH—Facilitating Operational Integration Second Example: Digitisation—Making Companies Fit for the Digital Future Commitment to Better Infrastructure and Funding Services to Support Company Digitalisation Case Study: “Pack Ma’s Digital”—Informing and Networking Companies for Digitalisation Huge Range of Content Politics, Companies and CCI Hand in Hand Third Example: Transport Policy—Taking a Position in Infrastructure Development and Delivering on Tomorrow’s Mobility Needs Joining Forces in Bavaria Intensive Public Relations Work Focus on the Needs of the Population Focusing on the European Dimension: Third Runway for Munich Airport Preparing Members for the Traffic of the Future Case Study: Transport Policy Agenda of the Munich Chamber of Commerce and Industry—Optimising Traffic Flows and Promoting e-mobility Position on e-mobility Fourth Example: Tourism—Expanding Horizons and Bundling Interests Special Need for the Representation of Interests Great importance of the industry Important task: Moderating interaction with other branches Foundation of the Munich and Upper Bavaria Tourism Association—TOM e.V. Digitisation offensive “Upper Bavaria—really digital” Fifth example: Legislative work—the general representation of interests with statutory knock-on effects Case study 1: Law to further facilitate the restructuring of companies (ESUG)—revitalising crisis-torn companies instead of winding them up Obvious necessity for an insolvency legal form Representation of Interests in Practice Case Study 2: Cooperation in Tax Procedures—Modernising Tax Law Case Study 3: Inheritance Tax—Do Not Endanger Succession Case Study 4: EU Data General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)—Fighting for Pragmatic Data Protection Start of Legislative Work Six Years Before the Law Comes into Force Critical 16-Point Resolution Concerted Action by Many Stakeholders Successful Application Fine Tuning for Practice Communication—Strategically Positioning the CCI Special Communication Challenges for a CCI Holistic Communication Strategy The Communication Strategy in Detail Volunteer Communication Employee Communication A Look into the Future Case Study: CCI Magazine and CCI Newspaper—Scoring with Printed Content Target Group-Oriented Communication Through Two Publications Development of the Contents Implementation of the Contents 8 The Honourable Merchant—Foundations and Guidelines Steering All CCI Work The Honourable Merchant—Providing Orientation Sustainably The CCI Brand Identity—Putting Ethics into Practice Creating Value Business for the Future Guideline for Daily Action Together We Take Responsibility! Corporate Social Responsibility—Bringing the Honourable Merchant into Businesses Growing Challenges for Respectable Business People Management Approach—Corporate Social Responsibility CSR Studies—Identifying and Fulfilling Members’ Needs Study on responsible management in Bavaria—exemplifying values in companies Study on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—Voluntarily Taking on Responsibility Case Studies: UN Sustainability Goals—How Companies from Upper Bavaria Contribute to Their Implementation First Tegernsee Coffee Roasting Plant—Fighting Poverty (SDG 1) Through Fair Prices Food Banks and Hipp Baby Food—Fighting Hunger (SDG 2) Through the “Tafeln” (Germany’s Food Bank Charity) and Personal Commitment Mondi Inncoat—Educational Progress (SDG 4) Through Further Training of Apprentices Gebrüder Peters—Promotion of Women (SDG 5) Through Equal Opportunities at Work ECOFARIO®—Clean Water (SDG 6) Through Innovative Microplastic Control Salus Haus Dr. Med. Otto Greither Nachf.– Clean Energy (SDG 7) Through Our Own Hydroelectric Power Munich Airport—Innovation (SDG 9) and Climate Action (SDG 13) CSR Guidelines—Helping Companies on Their Path Towards Responsible Business Practices Guide on Sustainable Supply Chains—Multiplying Practical Tips Multiplier Guide on Human Rights Diligence—Getting Small and Medium-Sized Companies on Board Case Studies: Supply Chain and Human Rights—How Companies Set Priorities Kokadi—Fair Conditions for Farmers Greiff Mode—Human Rights Due Diligence Has the Highest Priority CSR Within the CCI—More Responsibility Together Out-of-Court Dispute Resolution—Charting a Shorter Route to a Win-Win Situation Arbitration Court and Mediation Centre Advantages of Extra-Judicial Dispute Resolution Prevention Through Contractual Clauses Procedural Advice by the CCI Arbitration Court—Utilising National and International Advantages The advantages of arbitration CCI Administers Arbitration Proceedings New (SME-Friendly) Arbitration Rules of the CCI Infrastructure for Arbitration Courts at the CCI Mediation—Striving for Consensus Legal Quality Assurance—The Mediation Act (MediationsG) Proprietary Mediation Centre in Munich with Its Own Rules of Procedure Growing Areas of Application for Mediation The Practical Role of the CCI in Mediation Advantages of Mediation Case Studies: Mediation—How Companies Can Sustainably Resolve Disputes Construction Industry: Ending Disputes in Court Advertising Industry: Overcoming Differences of Opinion Portraits Portrait 1: Klaus Bauer, Bauer Unternehmensgruppe GmbH & Co. KG—Defining Shared Knowledge as Practical Benefit Portrait 2: Ingrid Obermeier-Osl, Franz Obermeier GmbH—Taking Over a Family Business and Growing in Line with the Spirit of the Times Portrait 3: Dr. Eberhard Sasse, Dr. Sasse AG—Showing Attitude: “Responsibility has Many Facets, but Only One Face: The Entrepreneur”. Portrait 4: Michael Steinbauer, Deutsche DOKA Schalungstechnik GmbH—Working for the Economy in a Strong Community Portrait 5: Kathrin Wickenhäuser-Egger, Wickenhäuser & Egger AG—Upholding the Value of Giving and Taking Portrait 6: Sonja Ziegltrum-Teubner, Bayerische Blumen Zentrale GmbH—Giving Responsibility the Family Name Practical Wisdom Epilogue Acknowledgements