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SME Survey Methodology: Response Rates, Data Quality, and Cost Effectiveness

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  • Rick Newby
  • John Watson
  • David Woodliff

Abstract

Cost effective data collection is an important methodological issue for small and medium enterprise (SME) researchers. There is a generally held view that mail surveys are the most efficient means of collecting empirical data, despite the potential difficulties associated with low response rates. To enhance the usefulness of mail surveys, researchers have suggested a variety of strategies aimed at improving response rates. While previous studies have examined the effect on response rates of many of these strategies, their impact on data quality and on the cost effectiveness of data collection is less well understood. This study evaluates four response–inducing strategies (printing the survey instrument on colored paper, telephone pre–notification, payment of a monetary incentive, and a follow–up mailing) in terms of their effect on data quality, response rates, and cost effectiveness for a population of SMEs.

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  • Rick Newby & John Watson & David Woodliff, 2003. "SME Survey Methodology: Response Rates, Data Quality, and Cost Effectiveness," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 28(2), pages 163-172, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:28:y:2003:i:2:p:163-172
    DOI: 10.1046/j.1540-6520.2003.00037.x
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    Cited by:

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    12. Eggers, Fabian & O’Dwyer, Michele & Kraus, Sascha & Vallaster, Christine & Güldenberg, Stefan, 2013. "The impact of brand authenticity on brand trust and SME growth: A CEO perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 340-348.
    13. Kraiczy, Nils D. & Hack, Andreas & Kellermanns, Franz W., 2014. "New product portfolio performance in family firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 1065-1073.
    14. Victor Oladapo & Godwin Onyeaso, 2013. "An Empirical Investigation Of Sub Dimensions Of High Performance Work Systems That Predict Organizational Innovation," International Journal of Management and Marketing Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 6(1), pages 67-79.
    15. Scholes, Louise & Hughes, Mathew & Wright, Mike & De Massis, Alfredo & Kotlar, Josip, 2021. "Family management and family guardianship: Governance effects on family firm innovation strategy," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(4).
    16. Eddleston, Kimberly A. & Sieger, Philipp & Bernhard, Fabian, 2019. "From suffering firm to suffering family? How perceived firm performance relates to managers' work-to-family conflict," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 307-321.
    17. Feser, Daniel & Proeger, Till, 2015. "Knowledge-intensive business services as credence goods: A demand-side approach," University of Göttingen Working Papers in Economics 232, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    18. Grimmer, Louise, 2022. "Lessons from the COVID19 pandemic: The case of retail and consumer service firms," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    19. Proeger Till & Rupieper Li Kathrin, 2019. "Asymmetrische Information auf dem Handwerksmarkt – eine qualitative Analyse," Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 68(2), pages 149-182, August.
    20. Andrea Venturelli & Fabio Caputo & Simone Pizzi, 2018. "L?impatto del contratto di rete nei processi di internazionalizzazione: alcune evidenze empiriche sulle PMI italiane," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(2), pages 61-83.
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    25. Hurmerinta, Leila & Nummela, Niina & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, Eriikka, 2015. "Opening and closing doors: The role of language in international opportunity recognition and exploitation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 1082-1094.

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