Comparing econometric and survey-based methodologies in measuring offshoring: The Danish experience

Abstract

Offshoring, understood as the geographical relocation of companies’ activities to another country, is a key feature of contemporary globalization and has growing social, political and economic implications. However, the phenomenon remains poorly examined at aggregated macro levels such as the national or regional level. Most macro analyses are based on proxies and trade statistics with limitations. Drawing on unique Danish survey data, this article demonstrates how survey data can provide important insights into the national scale and impacts of offshoring, including changes of employment, which are difficult to measure with other methods.