Survey of Workshop Participants for the NSF Microbusiness Innovation Science and Technology Survey

MICROBUSINESS INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MIST) SURVEY

DATA USER NEEDS WORKSHOP

PRE-WORKSHOP SURVEY

Background

The Division of Science Resources Statistics (SRS) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) will be undertaking a survey of research and development (R&D) and other innovation-related activities among small, independent U.S. firms with fewer than five employees (microbusinesses). In addition to general business information (primary business activity (NAICS code), year business was formed, and number of employees), the survey proposes to collect data on R&D, innovation funding, employment, related activities such as sales of significantly improved goods and services, operating agreements and licensing activities, technology transfer, patents and intellectual property, measures of these small firms’ entrepreneurial effectiveness, and characteristics of the entrepreneur.

Data user workshops are being conducted with individuals we believe will be the ultimate users of the data collected by the Microbusiness, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) survey. Our goal is that stakeholders be involved in developing the survey so we can best meet their needs. In preparation for the data user workshops, this pre-workshop survey will be used by the project team to assist in the preparation of the structure and agenda of the workshops.

Please complete and return this pre-workshop survey by September 15, 2010. Responses should be returned by email to: Audrey Kindlon, Survey Statistician, National Science Foundation at: akindlon@nsf.gov or fax to Audrey at 703 292-9092. Thank you.

1. With regards to R&D and innovation related data, would you describe yourself as a:

(Please check one box)
	Policy User
	Research User
	Both a Policy and Research User
	Other (please specify)

2. Thinking about how you define entrepreneurship, R&D and innovation, what types of entrepreneurship, R&D, and innovation related microbusiness data would you like to have that are not currently available from any source?

3. Please rate the importance of including questions on the following themes in the MIST survey.

	Very Important	Moderately Important	Somewhat Important	Not at all Important	No Opinion
Patents and Licensing
Intellectual Property Transfers
Characteristics of Microbusiness owners
Funding (Venture Capital, angel financing, self-financed)
Partnerships with Universities, Businesses, Government
Intangibles (Expeditures that are for future gains e.g., education and training)
R&D expenditures
Other (please identify) ……………………… ………………………

4. Should the focus of the MIST survey be on Science & Technology (S&T) R&D activities only or should it include an in-depth focus on R&D and innovation? (Please select one)

	Science & Techonology R&D activities only (please go to Q.5)
	In-depth focus on R&D and innovation (please go to Q.4b)
	Other (please identify)

4b. If you chose the focus to include innovation, which of the following areas of innovation should be included as part of the MIST survey? (Check all that apply)

	Products and Services
	Production Processes
	Work Practices
	Workforce Organization
	Supply
	Storage or Distribution Systems
	Administration and Office Systems
	Other (please identify)

5. How do you envision yourself or your organization utilizing data captured by the MIST survey?

6. How do you envision the MIST data being used by state, regional and/or local economic and business development agencies?

7. What are the key metrics that the MIST survey should seek to obtain? (Please list how many.)

Thank You

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