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A Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Firm Performance Measures

Author

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  • Fabling, Richard
  • Grimes, Arthur
  • Stevens, Philip

Abstract

Many analyses of firm performance are based upon self-reported measures. However, not only are these likely to be more subject to general reporting error than alternative official sources, but also measures of relative performance may be subject to the biases observed in the psychology literature. In this paper we consider both absolute and relative performance, reported in the Business Operations Survey (BOS), with alternative measures taken from administrative sources, brought together under the Improved Business Understanding via Longitudinal Database Development (IBULDD) project in the prototype Longitudinal Business Database (LBD). Our results suggest that there is much commonality in the picture we see using either administrative (tax) or quantitative survey data, giving us some comfort that the tax data, while not collected for statistical purposes, serves as well as a tool for measuring firm performance. However, there are many differences also, in particular when we consider reported profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabling, Richard & Grimes, Arthur & Stevens, Philip, 2008. "A Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Firm Performance Measures," Motu Working Papers 292661, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:motuwp:292661
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.292661
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/292661/files/A-Comparison-of-Qualitative-and-Quantitative-Firm-Performance-Measures.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Arthur Grimes & Cleo Ren & Philip Stevens, 2012. "The need for speed: impacts of internet connectivity on firm productivity," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 187-201, April.
    3. Penny Mok & Geoff Mason & Philip Stevens & Jason Timmins, 2012. "A Good Worker is Hard to Find: Skills Shortages in New Zealand Firms," Occasional Papers 12/5, Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand.
    4. Richard Fabling & Arthur Grimes & Lynda Sanderson & Philip Stevens, 2008. "Some Rise by Sin, and Some by Virtue Fall: Firm Dynamics, Market Structure and Performance," Occasional Papers 08/1, Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand.
    5. Les Oxley & Shangqin Hong & Philip McCann, 2013. "Why Size Maters: Investigating the Drivers of Innovation and Economic Performance in New Zealand using the Business Operation Survey," Working Papers in Economics 13/13, University of Waikato.
    6. William Kaye-Blake & Bette Flagler & Rachel Campbell, 2012. "Business Strategies and Employment Decisions: Interviews with New Zealand Firms," Occasional Papers 12/4, Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General
    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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