6/29/2010 8:00:00 AM By
E.J. Reedy
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has an exciting new survey in the works on microbusiness innovation (which was featured at our recent
Kauffman Interagency Forum on Entrepreneurship and Innovation Data). They are seeking interested contributors to the development of this work.
The Science Resources Statistics (SRS) Division of the National Science Foundation is planning a survey of microbusinesses (fewer than five employees). The microbusiness survey will collect data on R&D, innovation and related activities (such as sales of significantly improved goods and services; operating agreements and licensing activities; technology transfer; patents and intellectual property; and sources of technical knowledge), and measures of entrepreneurial effectiveness.
As we move forward in designing the survey we will be conducting workshops to help (1) gain a better perspective on data user needs and priorities of needs among users and (2) understand how microbusiness data will be used. Potential users include, but are not limited to, government officials at the federal, state, and local levels; international users; businesses and trade associations; and academic researchers. In addition, there are likely to be other categories of users that have not been specifically identified, as this is a new area of study.
If you are interested in contributing to the microbusiness discussion please forward your name to Audrey Kindlon at akindlon@nsf.gov.