Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey 2008
Albania, 2008
Reference ID
ALB_2008_BEEPS_v01_M_ILO
Producer(s)
Institute of Statistics of Albania
Collections
Created on
Jun 28, 2017
Last modified
Jun 28, 2017
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Identification
Survey ID Number
ALB_2008_BEEPS_v01_M_ILO
Title
Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey 2008
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Albania | ALB |
Series Name
Enterprise Survey [en/oth]
Series Information
The Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey provides firm-level data on a broad range of issues about the business environment and performance of firms, including business-government relations, firm financing, labor, infrastructure, informal payments and corruption, and other topics such as training and innovation.
Abstract
The Business Environment Survey (BEEPS) is a joint initiative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank Group (the World Bank). The survey was first undertaken on behalf of the EBRD and World Bank in 1999 – 2000, when it wasadministered to approximately 4000 enterprises in 26 countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia(including Turkey) to assess the environment for private enterprise and business development.
In the second round of the BEEPS, the survey instrument was administered to approximately 6500 enterprises in 27 countries (including Turkey but excluding Turkmenistan) in the year 2002. In the third round of the BEEPS, the survey included approximately 9,500 enterprises in 28 countries in the year 2005. In seven of the countries the survey also included an additional sampling overlay of the manufacturing sector in addition to the main BEEPS sample.
In the fourth round of the BEEPS in 2008-2009, the survey covered almost 12,000 enterprises in 29 countries (including Mongolia for the first time). The survey was restructured to improve cross-country comparability and to make it compatible with the Enterprise Surveys the Enterprise Analysis Unit of the World Bank has been implementing in the past two years in other regions of the world.
The objective of the survey is to obtain feedback from enterprises in EBRD countries of operation on the state of the private sector as well as to help in building a panel of enterprise data that will make it possible to track changes in the business environment over time.
In the second round of the BEEPS, the survey instrument was administered to approximately 6500 enterprises in 27 countries (including Turkey but excluding Turkmenistan) in the year 2002. In the third round of the BEEPS, the survey included approximately 9,500 enterprises in 28 countries in the year 2005. In seven of the countries the survey also included an additional sampling overlay of the manufacturing sector in addition to the main BEEPS sample.
In the fourth round of the BEEPS in 2008-2009, the survey covered almost 12,000 enterprises in 29 countries (including Mongolia for the first time). The survey was restructured to improve cross-country comparability and to make it compatible with the Enterprise Surveys the Enterprise Analysis Unit of the World Bank has been implementing in the past two years in other regions of the world.
The objective of the survey is to obtain feedback from enterprises in EBRD countries of operation on the state of the private sector as well as to help in building a panel of enterprise data that will make it possible to track changes in the business environment over time.
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
- Individuals
- Enterprises
- Enterprises
Version
Version number
Version 01
Scope
Study notes
The scope of this study includes:
- Incomes
- Enterprises
- Business
- Tax Policy & Administration
- Fiscal Policy
- Incomes
- Enterprises
- Business
- Tax Policy & Administration
- Fiscal Policy
Topic Classification
| Topic | Vocabulary |
|---|---|
| Economic Policy | ILO |
| Fiscal Policy | ILO |
| Enterprises | ILO |
| Cooperatives | ILO |
| Public Sector Enterprises | ILO |
| Financial Sector | ILO |
| Microfinance | ILO |
| Wages | ILO |
| Poverty | ILO |
| Tax Policy & Administration | ILO |
| Social Development | ILO |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National.
Universe
The survey universe was defined as commercial, service or industrial business establishments with at least five full-time employees. Government departments including military, police, education, health and similar activities were excluded, as were those in primary industries including agriculture, mining, etc. There are no up to date and reliable statistics relating to this universe in the countries being surveyed in BEEPS IV. Consequently the universe size and characteristics have to be directly estimated from the survey results themselves. This requirement increases the emphasis that has to be placed on the quality of the sample frame, because the
validity of the results is predominantly a function of coverage and age of the sampling frame.
validity of the results is predominantly a function of coverage and age of the sampling frame.
Producers and sponsors
Authoring entity/Primary investigators
| Agency Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Institute of Statistics of Albania | Republic of Albania |
Producers
| Name |
|---|
| World Bank Group |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name |
|---|
| Taiwan Business - EBRD TC Fund |
| EBRD - Canadian Technical Cooperation Fund |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
The sample frames used for the surveys must consist of the lists of enterprises in each country that most optimally meet these requirements. The final selection was made by the TNS in collaboration with the EBRD and the World Bank. For most countries covered in BEEPS IV two sample frames were used. The first sample frame was often an official frame of establishments supplied by the national statistical office of the country and the second sample frame consisted of establishments that participated in BEEPS III. The Enterprise Survey conducted for the World Bank in Albania in 2007/8 showed that a suitable frame did not exist for the country. Instead, the design returned to first principles, using a blocks enumeration methodology.
The Enterprise Survey conducted for the World Bank in Albania in 2007/8 showed that a suitable second frame did not exist for the country. Instead, the design returned to first principles, using a blocks enumeration methodology. Detailed maps of major cities were obtained from aerial mappings projected to a usable scale. They served as the basis of a multistage approach: Each city was divided into "blocks" and then the blocks were classified into strata defined by the predominant spatial use, using local knowledge. The classifications used for the blocks included industrial, commercial, commercial/residential (mixed), and residential coding.
Before the enumerated establishments could be selected it was first necessary to remove any that had been selected for use in the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2007. Examination of the remaining establishments and the panel establishments showed that they would not be sufficient to obtain the target numbers of interviews. Therefore it was agreed that the numbers could be augmented by re-interviewing establishments interviewed for the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2007. Thus the selected sample had three components:
- The BEEPS 2005 sample that met eligibility criteria was used in its entirety;
- Then available enumerated blocks were selected;
- Finally establishments for re-interview were selected to make up any expected deficits from the first two components.
Regional stratification was defined in five regions. These regions are Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, and Vlora.
The Enterprise Survey conducted for the World Bank in Albania in 2007/8 showed that a suitable second frame did not exist for the country. Instead, the design returned to first principles, using a blocks enumeration methodology. Detailed maps of major cities were obtained from aerial mappings projected to a usable scale. They served as the basis of a multistage approach: Each city was divided into "blocks" and then the blocks were classified into strata defined by the predominant spatial use, using local knowledge. The classifications used for the blocks included industrial, commercial, commercial/residential (mixed), and residential coding.
Before the enumerated establishments could be selected it was first necessary to remove any that had been selected for use in the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2007. Examination of the remaining establishments and the panel establishments showed that they would not be sufficient to obtain the target numbers of interviews. Therefore it was agreed that the numbers could be augmented by re-interviewing establishments interviewed for the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2007. Thus the selected sample had three components:
- The BEEPS 2005 sample that met eligibility criteria was used in its entirety;
- Then available enumerated blocks were selected;
- Finally establishments for re-interview were selected to make up any expected deficits from the first two components.
Regional stratification was defined in five regions. These regions are Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, and Vlora.
Deviations from the Sample Design
All sample frames used for this survey, except the BEEPS 2005 panel, were very good because the contact details (phone numbers, addresses) were accurate and up to date. They were built from the blocks enumerations conducted in 2007 and 2008. Blocks were selected and enumerated; building by building, floor by floor. Each separate unit was identified, classified as to use and in the case of business establishments further details collected as to employee numbers, activity, name, and phone number. This enumeration was then employed to project to universe totals by reference to the screening results and the number of blocks in each stratum. The establishments enumerated in those blocks were then used as the frame for the selection of the Enterprise Survey 2007 sample. Additional enumeration was conducted in 2008 and details of that enumeration were sent to TNS’s statistical team in London to combine the two sets and then to select the establishments for interview for BEEPS. The percentage of confirmed non-eligible units as a proportion of the total number of contacts to complete the survey was 26% (122 out of 476 establishments). As blocks enumeration was used in Albania the calculation of universe estimates and weights made use of data from the enumeration rather than from the BEEPS response codes used for other countries. The enumerated totals were adjusted to take account of the establishments found to be ineligible when interviews were attempted. Then ratios of the total numbers of blocks of each type to the totals enumerated were formed. Those ratios were then applied to the eligible establishments enumerated to provide universe estimates. The overall estimate of the number of establishments in Albania based on the block ratios is 1513 establishments.
Response Rate
Response rate from the Enterprise Survey 2007 contacts was quite good, above 50%. The number of contacted establishments per realized interview was 2.58. This number is the result of two factors: explicit refusals to participate in the survey, as reflected by the rate of rejection (which includes rejections of the screener and the main survey) and the quality of the sample frame, as represented by the presence of ineligible units.
Let say, the problematic finding the businesses in the retail sector. Most of businesses in the retail sector that operate in Albania have less than 5 employees. It was quite challenging finding eligible companies. Especially for this sector we used more than 3 contacts to get the interviews completed. As in the Enterprise Survey 2007, this was on of the main causes for not being able to reach the quotas for this sector (RETAIL).
Let say, the problematic finding the businesses in the retail sector. Most of businesses in the retail sector that operate in Albania have less than 5 employees. It was quite challenging finding eligible companies. Especially for this sector we used more than 3 contacts to get the interviews completed. As in the Enterprise Survey 2007, this was on of the main causes for not being able to reach the quotas for this sector (RETAIL).
Weighting
Since the sampling design was stratified and employed differential sampling, individual observations should be properly weighted when making inferences about the population. Under stratified random sampling unweighted estimates are biased unless sample sizes are proportional to the size of each stratum. With stratification the probability of selection of each unit is, in general, not the same. Consequently, individual observations must be weighted by the inverse of
their probability of selection (probability weights or pw in Stata).
Special care was given to the correct computation of weights. Considering the varying quality of the sample frames, it was imperative to accurately adjust the totals within each region/industry/size stratum to account for the presence of ineligible units (the firm discontinued business or was unattainable, education or government establishments, non-panel establishments with less than 5 employees, no reply after having called on different days of the week and at different business hours, out of order, no tone in the phone line, answering machine, fax line, wrong address or moved away and could not get the new reference). The information required for the adjustment was collected in the first stage of the implementation, during the screening process. Using this information, each stratum cell of the universe was scaled down by the observed proportion of ineligible units within the cell. Once an accurate estimate of the universe cell (projections) was available, weights were computed using the number of completed interviews. Note that panel firms with less than 5 employees were also included in the eligible sample and special code zero was used in a6a and a6b (sample and screener size) to reflect those cases.
For some units it was impossible to determine eligibility because the contact was not successfully completed. Consequently, different assumptions as to their eligibility result in different universe cells’ adjustments and in different sampling weights. Three sets of assumptions were considered:
1. Strict assumption: Eligible establishments are only those for which it was possible to directly determine eligibility. The resulting weights are included in the variable wstrict;
2. Median assumption: Eligible establishments are those for which it was possible to directly determine eligibility and those that rejected the screener questionnaire or an answering machine or fax was the only response. The resulting weights are included in the variable wmedian;
3. Weak assumption: In addition to the establishments included in the first two points, all establishments for which it was not possible to finalize a contact are assumed to be eligible. This includes establishments with dead or out of service phone lines, establishments that never answered the phone, and establishments with incorrect addresses for which it was impossible to find a new address. The resulting weights are included in the variable wweak. Note that under the weak assumption only observed non-eligible units are excluded from universe projections.
Table 3 summarizes the eligibility criteria for each of the above three assumptions. For Albania, only one set of weights was calculated due to the different source of sample frame. They can be found in the variable weights_al. For Poland and Russia, two different sets of weights are available in the dataset since additional interviews were completed after the first set of interviews was completed and weights were calculated. The first set of weights is called wstrict, wmedian and wweak and was prepared by TNS. The second set of weights was calculated by the WB (Poland) and EBRD (Russia) taking into account additional completed interviews – the names of these variables are wstrict2, wmedian2, and wweak2.
Within each of these assumptions regarding eligibility a pair of weight sets was calculated. The first set of estimates calculated proportions using the raw sample count for each cell. However, the achieved sample numbers in many cells were small. Hence, those eligibility rates, and the adjusted universe cells projections, are subject to relatively large sampling variations. Therefore a second set of more robust estimates (collapsed weights) was also produced where needed. Those estimates made use of the multiples of the relative eligibility rates for each industry, size and region. Those relative rates were based on much larger samples than the individual cells and thus produced values with smaller sampling variations. The dataset includes only these robust weights where applicable.
Note that for the purpose of the weights computations all panel firms were considered to be part of the current universe, although technically they are not randomly selected.
their probability of selection (probability weights or pw in Stata).
Special care was given to the correct computation of weights. Considering the varying quality of the sample frames, it was imperative to accurately adjust the totals within each region/industry/size stratum to account for the presence of ineligible units (the firm discontinued business or was unattainable, education or government establishments, non-panel establishments with less than 5 employees, no reply after having called on different days of the week and at different business hours, out of order, no tone in the phone line, answering machine, fax line, wrong address or moved away and could not get the new reference). The information required for the adjustment was collected in the first stage of the implementation, during the screening process. Using this information, each stratum cell of the universe was scaled down by the observed proportion of ineligible units within the cell. Once an accurate estimate of the universe cell (projections) was available, weights were computed using the number of completed interviews. Note that panel firms with less than 5 employees were also included in the eligible sample and special code zero was used in a6a and a6b (sample and screener size) to reflect those cases.
For some units it was impossible to determine eligibility because the contact was not successfully completed. Consequently, different assumptions as to their eligibility result in different universe cells’ adjustments and in different sampling weights. Three sets of assumptions were considered:
1. Strict assumption: Eligible establishments are only those for which it was possible to directly determine eligibility. The resulting weights are included in the variable wstrict;
2. Median assumption: Eligible establishments are those for which it was possible to directly determine eligibility and those that rejected the screener questionnaire or an answering machine or fax was the only response. The resulting weights are included in the variable wmedian;
3. Weak assumption: In addition to the establishments included in the first two points, all establishments for which it was not possible to finalize a contact are assumed to be eligible. This includes establishments with dead or out of service phone lines, establishments that never answered the phone, and establishments with incorrect addresses for which it was impossible to find a new address. The resulting weights are included in the variable wweak. Note that under the weak assumption only observed non-eligible units are excluded from universe projections.
Table 3 summarizes the eligibility criteria for each of the above three assumptions. For Albania, only one set of weights was calculated due to the different source of sample frame. They can be found in the variable weights_al. For Poland and Russia, two different sets of weights are available in the dataset since additional interviews were completed after the first set of interviews was completed and weights were calculated. The first set of weights is called wstrict, wmedian and wweak and was prepared by TNS. The second set of weights was calculated by the WB (Poland) and EBRD (Russia) taking into account additional completed interviews – the names of these variables are wstrict2, wmedian2, and wweak2.
Within each of these assumptions regarding eligibility a pair of weight sets was calculated. The first set of estimates calculated proportions using the raw sample count for each cell. However, the achieved sample numbers in many cells were small. Hence, those eligibility rates, and the adjusted universe cells projections, are subject to relatively large sampling variations. Therefore a second set of more robust estimates (collapsed weights) was also produced where needed. Those estimates made use of the multiples of the relative eligibility rates for each industry, size and region. Those relative rates were based on much larger samples than the individual cells and thus produced values with smaller sampling variations. The dataset includes only these robust weights where applicable.
Note that for the purpose of the weights computations all panel firms were considered to be part of the current universe, although technically they are not randomly selected.
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection (YYYY/MM/DD)
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2008 |
Mode of data collection
Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]
Supervision
Problems found during fieldwork:
- The major problem was fixing an appointment with the target respondents. We contacted firms more than 4 times in order to complete the interviews.
- In December and January it was very difficult to conduct any interviews (it is year end and start and companies are busy with financial issues). Respondents refused to accept an appointment during this period;
- Respondents do not believe in confidentiality and even if they do, they are still afraid of saying too much. If an establishment was part of a bigger firm the interviewer was sent to the central location;
- In bigger companies interviewers had problems reaching a potential respondent as they were not let into the buildings. Everything had to be settled through the reception desk. It often happened that it is the receptionist/secretary who refuses to let the interviewer in (calling by phone is not very helpful here as receptionists do not want to put the recruiter through to top manager);
- In general the target group for the BEEPS survey was very difficult to reach;
- In big companies several respondents had to be involved in the interview. One person cannot answer all questions. It caused problems in cases where the respondent was not willing to consult with other colleagues.
- The major problem was fixing an appointment with the target respondents. We contacted firms more than 4 times in order to complete the interviews.
- In December and January it was very difficult to conduct any interviews (it is year end and start and companies are busy with financial issues). Respondents refused to accept an appointment during this period;
- Respondents do not believe in confidentiality and even if they do, they are still afraid of saying too much. If an establishment was part of a bigger firm the interviewer was sent to the central location;
- In bigger companies interviewers had problems reaching a potential respondent as they were not let into the buildings. Everything had to be settled through the reception desk. It often happened that it is the receptionist/secretary who refuses to let the interviewer in (calling by phone is not very helpful here as receptionists do not want to put the recruiter through to top manager);
- In general the target group for the BEEPS survey was very difficult to reach;
- In big companies several respondents had to be involved in the interview. One person cannot answer all questions. It caused problems in cases where the respondent was not willing to consult with other colleagues.
Characteristics of Data Collection Situation - Notes on data collection
In Albania, the World Bank conducted an Enterprise Survey in 2007. Some of the interviews in these two countries were completed by re-interviewing establishments interviewed for the Enterprise Survey 2007, asking them only additional questions. In particular, the responses to the following questions were taken directly from the Enterprise Survey 2007. These establishments are identified by the dummy variable es2007, which is equal to 1 if the establishment that participated in Enterprise Survey in 2007 was re-interviewed with additional questions only.
Questionnaires
Type of Research Instrument
The structure of the database reflects the fact that three different versions of the questionnaire were used. The basic questionnaire, the Core Module, includes all common questions asked to all establishments from all sectors (manufacturing, services and IT). The second expanded variation, the Manufacturing Questionnaire, is built upon the Core Module and adds some specific questions relevant to the sector. The third expanded variation, the Services Module, is also built upon the Core Module and adds to the core specific questions relevant to either retail or IT. Each variation of the questionnaire is identified by the index variable, a0.
Data Processing
Cleaning Operations
Data entry and quality controls are implemented by the contractor and data is delivered to the World Bank in batches (typically 10%, 50% and 100%). These data deliveries are checked for logical consistency, out of range values, skip patterns, and duplicate entries. Problems are flagged by the World Bank and corrected by the implementing contractor through data checks, callbacks, and revisiting establishments.
Data Appraisal
Estimates of Sampling Error
To exploit the benefits of stratified sampling where population estimates, in most cases, will be more precise than using a simple random sampling method (i.e., lower standard errors, all things being equal).
Data access
Contact
| Name | Affiliation | URI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Statistics of Albania | Republic of Albania | info@instat.gov.al | Link |
Confidentiality Declaration
Confidentiality of the survey respondents and the sensitive information they provide is necessary to ensure the greatest degree of survey participation, integrity and confidence in the quality of the data. Surveys are usually carried out in cooperation with business organizations and government agencies promoting job creation and economic growth, but confidentiality is never compromised. A lot of information was asked which some respondents considered to be strictly confidential and didn’t want to share. Note that certain variables (including a3x, actual location of the establishment) have been removed from the public version of the dataset for confidentiality reasons. Few Problems found during fieldwork such as:
- In December and January it was very difficult to conduct any interviews (it is year end and start and companies are busy with financial issues). Respondents refused to accept an appointment during this period;
- Respondents do not believe in confidentiality and even if they do, they are still afraid of saying too much. If an establishment was part of a bigger firm the interviewer was sent to the central location;
Conditions
The use of this dataset must be acknowledged using a citation which would include:
- the identification of the Primary Investigator (including country name)
- the full title of the survey and its acronym (when available), and the year(s) of implementation
- the survey reference number
- the source and date of download (for datasets disseminated online)
Example: The World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Albania Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) 2008, Ref. ALB_2008_BEEPS_v01_M. Dataset downloaded from [URL] on [date].
- the identification of the Primary Investigator (including country name)
- the full title of the survey and its acronym (when available), and the year(s) of implementation
- the survey reference number
- the source and date of download (for datasets disseminated online)
Example: The World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Albania Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) 2008, Ref. ALB_2008_BEEPS_v01_M. Dataset downloaded from [URL] on [date].
Citation requirement
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Contact
| Name | Affiliation | URI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Statistics of Albania | Republic of Albania | info@instat.gov.al | Link |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Metadata production
Document ID
DDI_ALB_2008_BEEPS_v01_M_ILO
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Statistics | ILO | International Labour Organization | Producer of DDI |
Date of Production
2017-06-28