IBR 2010 survey methodology

Introduction

The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR), formerly known as the International Business Owners Survey (IBOS), provides insight into the views and expectations of over 7,400 privately held businesses (PHBs) across 36 economies. This unique survey draws upon 18 years of trend data for most European participants and eight years for many non-European economies. The research is conducted by Experian.

Data collection

The research is carried out primarily by telephone interview lasting approximately 15 minutes with the exception of Japan (postal), Philippines and Armenia (face to face), mainland China and India (mixture of face-to-face and telephone) where cultural differences dictate a tailored approach.

Sample

IBR is conducted among medium to large privately held businesses, surveying over 7,400 chief executive officers, managing directors, chairmen or other senior executives from 36 economies primarily across ten industry sectors (cleantech, food & beverage, construction & real estate, hospitality, transport, manufacturing, retail, financial services, healthcare and technology).

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Sample validity

In deciding upon the number of respondents to interview in each country, consideration was given not only to the size of the country but also to the statistical reliability of the data. In line with this we have placed a minimum of 100 interviews in each country as this is the accepted minimum for statistical reliability. In order to increase the reliability of the data we have exceeded this minimum in the majority of countries. Indeed in some of the larger economies we have interviewed 400 or more. This also allows us to look at various sub-sets such as industry type and regional comparisons.

Balance statistic

A balance statistic reports the percentage of respondents who reported a figure rising less the percentage who reported it falling. It not only provides a useful summary statistic, but numerous studies have shown it is well correlated with economic time series data and that it performs as well as highly complex methods of analysing survey data to predicting economic outcomes.

Charitable donation

Grant Thornton International donates US$5 to UNICEF for every completed IBR questionnaire. In 2010 this will result in a donation of over US$37,000.

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Sample details