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The effect of dispatch methods on a recruiting campaign for a business survey: evidence from Germany

Author

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  • Brandt, Przemyslaw
  • Demmelhuber, Katrin
  • Wohlrabe, Klaus

Abstract

The ifo Institute for Economic Research has been conducting the ifo business survey since its foundation in 1949. To ensure stability of participation rates, regular sample recruitment is indispensable. Does the dispatch method matter for response rates of a recruiting campaign? To answer this question, we conducted a controlled experiment involving invitation letters sent out to over 8,000 German industrial firms in May 2019. Our results show that standard mailing significantly increases the response rate compared to ‘Dialogpost’ (bulk mail). From a cost perspective, costs for standard mailing outweigh this effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Brandt, Przemyslaw & Demmelhuber, Katrin & Wohlrabe, Klaus, 2020. "The effect of dispatch methods on a recruiting campaign for a business survey: evidence from Germany," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue Latest Ar, pages 1-4.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:224982
    DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2020.1813243
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    1. Stefan Sauer & Klaus Wohlrabe, 2018. "The New ifo Business Climate Index for Germany," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 71(07), pages 54-60, April.
    2. repec:ces:ifofor:v::y:2018:i::p: is not listed on IDEAS
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business survey; recruitment; response rate; postage;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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