DATA

Details of data and collection:

	The data is collected through a standardised, postal, questionnaire
	The questionnaire is addressed to the most senior HR/personnel specialist
	Questions are focussed at organisational level
	The survey covers major areas of HRM policies and practices
	It is not an opinion survey: questions require factual answers (numbers or percentages) or a yes/no response to factual questions (e.g. do you use…).

Cranet has been running the survey since 1990 using standardised questionnaires sent to private and public organisations in different countries. The standardised questionnaire is translated into all relevant languages and then adapted to the different national contexts (taking into consideration such factors as legislation, labour markets, culture). The results of the survey can only be understood in this context. During each round of the survey, amendments are made to capture new developments. But on the whole, the questionnaire stays unchanged in order to be able to observe developments over time.

The survey rounds and how the project has grown since it began in 1990 are given in table 1.

During the first 5 years of the survey (1990-1995) the questionnaire was distributed to between 25,200 and 33,100 organisations each year and received between 5,000 and 6,500 responses. This is a response rate of 16.6-22.5%, varying between countries (depending on different attitudes towards surveys and other national context considerations) (table 2 and table 3). The willingness of companies to respond was, for example, higher in Scandinavian countries than in Southern European countries. In 1999 the survey was distributed to over 50,000 organizations and received 8,050 responses, giving a total response rate of 15%.

In addition to the survey data, in each country the representative and comprehensive statistical analysis is enhanced by qualitative comment from an advisory panel of HR directors of leading edge organisations. The data collected through the Cranet surveys is used by the academic partners for complimentary research projects, consultancy activities, publications and presentations at conferences and other events. In addition to collective presentations of the Cranet data, each country produces its own executive report of the data collected in each round of the survey.

The UK report is available from Cranfield, priced £25.00. The international executive report is also available from Cranfield, priced £85.00.