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Establishment survey participation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin Küfner

    (Institute for Employment Research)

  • Joseph W. Sakshaug

    (Institute for Employment Research
    University of Warwick
    Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich)

  • Stefan Zins

    (Institute for Employment Research)

Abstract

Establishment surveys around the globe have measured the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on establishments’ conditions and business practices. At the same time, the consequences of the pandemic, such as closures, hygiene standards, or remote work arrangements, may have also altered patterns of survey participation and introduced nonresponse bias, threatening the quality of establishment survey data. To investigate these issues, this article examines fieldwork outcomes, nonresponse bias, and predictors of survey participation in the IAB-Job Vacancy Survey. As comparisons with previous survey years show, it became more difficult to successfully interview establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using linked administrative data, we show that nonresponse bias was higher in 2020 compared to previous years, even after applying the standard weighting adjustment. However, general patterns of survey participation in 2020 were similar to previous years and COVID-19 related measures were not strong predictors of survey participation in 2020. Further, we provide evidence that nonresponse bias during the pandemic can be reduced by incorporating additional administrative variables into the weighting procedure relative to the standard weighting variables. We conclude this article with a discussion of the findings and implications for survey practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Küfner & Joseph W. Sakshaug & Stefan Zins, 2022. "Establishment survey participation during the COVID-19 pandemic," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 56(1), pages 1-18, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jlabrs:v:56:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1186_s12651-022-00321-8
    DOI: 10.1186/s12651-022-00321-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christian Seiler, 2014. "The determinants of unit non-response in the Ifo Business Survey," AStA Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistisches Archiv, Springer;Deutsche Statistische Gesellschaft - German Statistical Society, vol. 8(3), pages 161-177, September.
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    4. Mario Bossler & Nicole Gürtzgen & Alexander Kubis & Benjamin Küfner & Benjamin Lochner, 2020. "The IAB Job Vacancy Survey: design and research potential," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 54(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    8. Hecht, Veronika & Litzel, Nicole & Schäffler, Johannes, 2019. "Unit nonresponse at the firm level: a cross-border analysis using the IAB-ReLOC data," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 53(1), pages .2(1-18).
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    11. Janik, Florian, 2011. "Unit non-response in establishments surveyed for the first time in the IAB Establishment Panel," FDZ Methodenreport 201104_en, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fieldwork effort; Nonresponse bias; Data collection; Weighting adjustment administrative data; IAB Job Vacancy Survey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods

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