The Contact and Response Process in Business Surveys: lessons from a multimode survey of employers in the UK

Abstract

On surveys of businesses, the processes of making contact and obtaining co-operation are quite different from those on more frequently studied types of surveys, such as those of households or private individuals. We describe experiences and outcomes on a business survey and discuss lessons that can be learnt in order to maximise contact and co-operation rates on future surveys. The survey in question has some valuable characteristics, including a wealth of auxiliary information. It also presents an interesting perspective on issues of privacy and confidentiality.