European Commission - Eurostat

MEETS programme

Axel Behrens

Bech Building

5, rue Alphonse Weicker

L- 2721 Luxembourg

Phone: + 352 4301 35142

Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (MEETS)

Project Documentation Form

Objective 3 To support the implementation of a more efficient way of producing enterprise and trade statistics

Action 3.1 Making better use of data that already exist in the statistical system including the possibility of estimates

Project 3.1.3 Linking Business and Trade Statistics

Project Manager Pekka Alajääskö

Eurostat Units involved G1

Additional information

Change History

Version / Date / Author / Description
01 / 21.12.2009 / Pekka Alajääskö / Creation of document
02 / 10.02.2010 / Pekka Alajääskö / Update of the document


Objectives of the project

Please describe the objectives of your project:

The International Sourcing survey has established results in the field previously not covered by official statistics and the survey is the largest of its kind adding valuable new knowledge to the study of economic globalisation and its consequences for the European economies. The International Sourcing survey has been carried out in 14 countries in 2007 and 2008 and in most countries with relatively high response rates indicating good possibilities to utilise the survey results for more detailed analysis. Therefore, it is critical to utilise the survey results at this point in time when data are still fresh and most of the persons responsible for the national surveys can still be expected to be in place to contribute with their knowledge and experience as input for the further analysis. Furthermore, the topic is high on the policy agenda and the expected results will be highly welcomed by policy makers and researchers. Finally the project will create valuable methodological knowledge about the possibilities of linking ad hoc survey data with on-going surveys such as the Structural Business Statistics (SBS) surveys.

Description of the work

Please describe the work within your project:

The statistical data sources and statistical registers to be used in this action are

- The international sourcing survey;

- The SBS survey;

- The trade in goods survey.

The project will develop a methodology to carry out analysis based on micro data linking involving the above mentioned registers to address the issues mentioned below.

Expected results

Which results do you expect from the project?

The economic impact of international sourcing

A longitudinal study of the economic performance of the enterprises having carried out international sourcing in the period 2001- 2006 will be carried out by matching the International Sourcing data and the SBS data at micro level for the period 2000 – 2007. The turnover and value added creation of the enterprises having sourced will be benchmarked with a control group of enterprises not having sourced in order to analyse to which extent higher turnover or value added creation can be associated with international sourcing activities of the enterprises. In this context also measures on profitability and efficiency based on SBS data would be studied for these two groups. The study would also be carried out by classifying the enterprises into broad sectors such as manufacturing and services for identifying any potential sector specific features that may arise.

Expected results

As a result of this exercise we expect to assess to what extent international sourcing activities of the enterprises are associated/linked with improved growth, value added creation, profitability and efficiency compared to the control group enterprises. In addition the sector specific patterns related to these variables will be identified.

The impact of international sourcing on employment

Employment is at the focal point of the discussions about the impacts of international sourcing. A longitudinal study on the employment effects for the enterprises having carried out international sourcing in the period 2001- 2006 will be carried out by matching the International Sourcing data and the SBS data at micro level for the period 2000 – 2007. The development of employment in the enterprises having sourced will be benchmarked with a control group of enterprises not having sourced in order to analyse the employment patterns at enterprise level.

Expected results

This analysis is expected to shed more light on the employment implications of international sourcing at enterprise level than has been possible from the International Sourcing survey data at different level of aggregation.

Approximate time table

Please provide a time table of your expected activities:

–  Jan 2010 TF meeting to discuss and define the content of the project

–  Oct 2009 – April 2010 Methodological development

–  May 2010 TF meeting to finalise the content of the data linking exercise

–  June - Dec 2010 Execution of the data linking exercise in participating countries

–  December 2010 Provision of the results/methodological reports to Eurostat

–  Jan - May 2011 Data treatment at Eurostat

–  June 2011 Final report to be sent to Eurostat. Data analysis and dissemination by Eurostat

–  Oct 2011 TF meeting and final evaluation of the project


Annual actions 2009

Number of the action

3.1.3.1.09

Title of the action

Linking of micro data on international sourcing impact.

Project leader Pekka Alajääskö

Action starting date 01.11.2009

Duration 21 months

Date of interim report (if applicable)

Date of final report (if applicable) 30.06.2011

Description of the action

Please describe the purpose of the action and its implementation.

Based on the International Sourcing survey data, more detailed statistics will be produced in order to obtain new insights into the on-going internationalisation of enterprises and their value chains. Furthermore, the impact of international sourcing on the economic performance, employment and international trade in goods patterns of the enterprises will be analysed. Finally, the project aims at creating valuable methodological knowledge on the possibilities to link micro data from ad hoc survey with results from on-going surveys such as the Structural Business Statistics (SBS) and International trade in goods surveys.

Expected results of the action

Please describe what the action should achieve.

Develop micro data linking approach to use micro data collected in NSIs. Analysis of economic and employment impact of international sourcing.

Which instruments are used for the action (e.g. ESSnet, individual grants, contracts, task forces)?

Individual grants

Which Member States participate in the action?

Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia. Ireland participates without grant.

What was realised within the annual action (if applicable)?

Please identify problems / obstacles / lessons learnt, if any.

Additional Information

Pease describe briefly the annual actions without budgetary implications, if any, for example if you have prepared a methodological report.

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The MEETS Programme - 3.1.3 Linking of micro data on international sourcing