Study: Business confidence in own resilience declines

German insurer R+V Versicherung AG has released findings from its latest resilience study, examining the capacity of medium-sized German businesses to withstand various crises. The report indicates a notable decrease in executive confidence concerning their companies' ability to navigate economic downturns, energy price volatility, increased competition, and cyber threats.

The study shows that 29 percent of executives now view their company's future with concern, a rise from 17 percent in 2024. While a majority still believe their firms are resilient, the proportion of skeptics has grown substantially. In contrast, employee confidence in their respective employers has remained steady.

This heightened uncertainty has prompted more businesses to implement preventative measures. The percentage of companies taking such actions has increased to 33 percent, up from 22 percent in 2024. Executives identify strengthening their teams and employee retention as key resilience factors. IT security and digitalization are also identified as critical focus areas.

Furthermore, companies appear more open to external assistance. Only 29 percent of executives stated they do not require outside help, a decrease from 42 percent in 2024. The demand for external support is highest in areas such as artificial intelligence, IT security/cybercrime, and digital transformation. However, the study highlights a significant implementation gap, particularly concerning employee retention and IT security measures.