International Data on Business Start-Ups: Factors Affecting Comparability

Abstract

Recently, both academics and politicians have become increasingly concerned with the business demography of entrepreneurship. This study's purpose is to recognize and to elaborate on the various factors that influence the accuracy and comparability of data on business start-ups from different countries. Under a contract from the OECD, the UK Office for National Statistics compiled a data set comprised of information on business start-ups in OECD member countries. Following a discussion of the data set, the issue of comparability was discussed, as were the factors that influence typology. The factors that make up both the numerator (sources, units, scope, threshold, time, purity) and the denominator (population, coverage, temporal basis) are discussed at length in terms of their significance and influence upon the comparability of business start-ups. Much variability exists between each factor, further highlighting the complexity of making reliable comparisons of start-up rates between different countries. The limitations of research regarding the comparability of start-ups are discussed. The researchers recommend the utilization of an incremental approach to comparing start-ups, proposing both short-term and long-term goals.(AKP)

Keywords: Office for National Statistics (UK), Startups, Statistics, Statistical analysis, Demographics, Research methods, Datasets