The McCannics e-survey, July 1997

Method and Characteristics of Sample

Number of Employees, Survey Compared with Economy Source: Economy: SME Statistics for the UK, 1994, DTI, Tel: 0114 259 7538

As with all surveys, the McCannics e-survey under-represents the vast number of firms with no employees, just self-employed proprietors or partners. In the economy as a whole, over three-quarters of firms are of this type, but they account for about one-fifth of survey respondents (see left). Although only three per cent of responses to the survey are from businesses with 500 employees or more, this group is actually over-represented. In the economy as a whole, less than one-tenth of one per cent of firms are this large. The largest firm taking part in this survey is a large supermarket chain, with over 120,000 employees. Compared to the economy, large firms are over-represented in the survey. Nevertheless, over 90 per cent of responses come from firms with fewer than 100 employees.

Manufacturing and, most strikingly, business service firms are over-represented in this survey. A little under one-quarter of firms with employees in the economy as a whole are in business services, but over one-half of the internet-users taking part in this survey are in this sector. Unsurprisingly, there are many firms whose business is directly related to the internet or computers in this category. Nevertheless, there is a good cross-section of firms from all sectors taking part in this survey, from Accountants and Bicycle Manufacturers to Tour Operators and Wine Importers. Full list... Most use the internet just as another business tool, rather than it being the focus of their activity.

Business Activity, Survey Compared with Economy Source: Economy: SME Statistics for the UK, 1994, DTI, Tel: 0114 259 7538 Note: Economy: Does not include firms without employees

Regional representation Source: Economy: VAT statistics, 1994, DTI, Tel: 0114 259 7538 Note: Economy: Does not include firms not registered for VAT

Firms in the South of England are a little over-represented in this survey (see left). 4 per cent of VAT-registered firms in the economy are in East Anglia, but 6 per cent of the firms in this survey are from there. 35 per cent of UK firms but 47 per cent of respondents are from the South East. At the other end of the scale, Northern Ireland is particularly under-represented. Over 3 per cent of UK businesses are in Northern Ireland, but only 1 per cent of survey respondents are based there.

The job title of respondents was also requested. Just under half of all respondents were the business owner, a partner or the managing director. In larger firms, the respondent was more likely to be a director (28 per cent of the total) or a manager (17 per cent). In only one per cent of cases was the questionnaire completed by a webmaster. Full list...