Cambridge Centre for Business Research SME Dataset (Second Panel), 1997

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The main objective of the research project was to create a longitudinal panel database of SME data relating to a wide range of non-financial and attitudinal characteristics, and a limited number of financial variables not normally available in modified company accounts, from a national postal survey. This database forms the beginning of the second panel - the first panel was started in 1991. A postal survey was sent to over 10,000 independent small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing and business services sectors in England, Scotland and Wales. Just over half (5,430) the firms were telephoned prior to being sent the questionnaire, and 4,640 firms were sent the questionnaire blind. One other study concerned with SMEs by the same Principal Investigator(s) is held at the UK Data Archive under SN 4156.Main Topics:The questionnaire covered the following topics: general business characteristics; workforce and training; commercial activity and competitive situation; innovation; factors affecting expansion and efficieny; acquisition activity, capital expenditure and finance.