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4 Response and Profile of Survey Respondents

4.1 Survey Response

The total number of replies were 2462 as on 31^st August 98. The break up is presented in the figure 4.1 below. Different methods of completing the survey questionnaire are discussed in the previous chapter.

Few researchers (3%) have not stated the economy they are evaluating or have specified more than one economy. So, their feed back on factors could not be used for our analysis. But their qualitative feedback and remarks on Researchers' mobility problem was used in this report. After discarding the incomplete forms, 2387 completed replied are used for analysis.

Table 4.1 & Figure 4.1 Break up of Replies Received

The major observations on survey response are:

Electronic survey seems to be popular accounting for 70%. The feed back was positive. Users found it easy and good to use. There are no incomplete electronic survey reply, as the system ensures that the user fills it properly before accepting the completed form;

Many have chosen to evaluate popular economies like Japan, USA and Australia. Special requests have to be made to evaluate other APEC economies;

Respondents are born in selected APEC economies. Each economy should ensure that it gets a good number of its residents to complete the questionnaire;

There is no unique definition of APEC resident. Birth place should not be the sole criterion. There were feed backs to remove 'economy of birth' from the survey form, and,

None of the responses indicated whether anyone has declined to take up an offer due to any particular reason.

4.2 Profile of Survey Respondents

The present survey captures information on the profile of respondents, based on their place of birth, age group, marital status, number of languages known. It is also based on the economies where these respondents have been educated and worked. These data are helpful in evaluating their responses.

Year of Evaluation, age, marital status and Language

The classification of survey participants based on year of Evaluation, age, marital status and number of languages known is presented in the Table 4.2 and Figure 4.2. A small percent of the respondents did not fill in these columns

Participants were requested to state the period/year of their visiting/working in the chosen economy, so that the relevance of their feed back for the present situation could be evaluated. Around 57% of the respondents have stated the year, as after 1996. Around 66% are in the 31 to 50 age group. More than 62% are married. Around 29% speak three or more languages, making it easy for them to move around APEC economies.

Table 4.2: Year of Evaluation, Age distribution, Marital status and Language distribution
A) Year of Evaluation
Before 1985	94
1985 to 90	159
1991 to 95	480
After 96	1361
Not available	293
B) Age Distribution
30 or less	237
31 to 40	857
41 to 50	728
Above 50	402
Not available	163
C) Marital Status
Single	538
Married	1505
Widowed/Divorced	67
Not available	277
D) Language Known
One	340
Two	1104
Three or more	693
Not available	250

Number of respondents from each economy based on place of birth

Number of evaluators from each APEC Economy, based on economy of birth is presented in Table 4.3 and figure 4.3. Highest percentage of the participants (14%), are US born and they are also the highest users of electronic method of completing questionnaire. The next five sources of participants are : Korea (12%); Australia (11%); Japan (11%); Thailand (8%); and China (8%). 14% of the participants are born outside APEC economies. Around 7% did not indicate the economy of birth. During interviews and general feedback, researchers have pointed out birthplace should not be used as a sole criterion to determine who is an APEC resident. It is preferable to remove it from the survey.

Table 4.3 Number of respondents from each economy based on place of birth
Economy of Birth	Paper form	Electronic form	Total	Percentage
Australia	99	169	268	11.23
Brunei		0	0	0.00
Canada	5	22	27	1.13
Chile	16	13	29	1.21
China	55	126	181	7.58
Hong Kong, China	6	13	19	0.80
Indonesia	2	4	6	0.25
Japan	6	250	256	10.72
Korea	243	44	287	12.02
Malaysia	10	33	43	1.80
Mexico	2	12	14	0.59
New Zealand	4	73	77	3.23
Papua New Guinea		0	0	0.00
Philippines	17	13	30	1.26
Singapore	3	61	64	2.68
Chinese Taipei	17	29	46	1.93
Thailand	125	72	197	8.25
USA	25	315	340	14.24
Rest of the world	46	283	329

Educational and Working Background of Respondents

Information on educational background of the survey participants are presented in table 4.4 and figure 4.4. Participants were also requested to tick the APEC economies worked or visited by them.

Out of 2387 participants, 1488 are doctorates from different APEC economies. US is the popular economy for higher studies and work. Some have not filled in the information.

Table 4.4 Educational and Working Background of Respondents
Economy	Under Graduate	master	Doctorate	Eco visited /worked
Australia	330	312	323	659
Brunei	0	0	0	45
Canada	36	35	23	458
Chile	27	15	3	119
China	160	113	34	352
Hong Kong, China	3	8	7	276
Indonesia	3	1	1	326
Japan	249	219	133	1186
Korea	211	184	116	210
Malaysia	26	1	15	269
Mexico	14	5	0	74
New Zealand	86	67	52	247
Papua New Guinea	0	0	0	88
Philippines	19	12	1	261
Singapore	50	29	8	579
Chinese Taipei	56	6	4	150
Thailand	147	179	80	333
USA	345	464	450	1623
Rest of the world	321	246	238	615

Economies Evaluated by Number of respondents

Number of evaluators for each APEC Economy is presented in the Table 4.5 and Figure 4.5. Most of the participants have chosen to evaluate the advanced economies and have used the electronic method to do so. Information on method of answering the questionnaire, paper or electronic form is also presented. Around 35% of the participants have evaluated Japan. 26% have evaluated USA, while Australia and Singapore account for 17%. The remaining 22% have evaluated other 14 economies.

Table 4.5 Distribution of Respondents by Economy Evaluated
Economy Evaluated	Paper form	Electronic form	Total	Percentage
Australia	48	174	222	9.30
Brunei	3	5	8	0.34
Canada	26	39	65	2.72
Chile	6	15	21	0.88
China	25	37	62	2.60
Hong Kong, China	18	24	42	1.76
Indonesia	29	37	66	2.76
Japan	219	621	840	35.19
Korea	19	36	55	2.30
Malaysia	10	21	31	1.30
Mexico	1	5	6	0.25
New Zealand	4	19	23	0.96
Papua New Guinea	6	11	17	0.71
Philippines	13	19	32	1.34
Singapore	49	142	191	8.00
Chinese Taipei	7	15	22	0.92
Thailand	18	47	65	2.72
USA	219	400	619	25.93
Total	720	1667	2387	100.00