Abstract
Low response rate has been considered as a matter in a survey. Even though researcher has applied techniques to enhance the response rate, they very often still experience low rate of response. This paper tries to share the challenging experience in dealing with low response rate in the context of international business research. This is a questionnaire survey of small firms in Indonesia that were doing business abroad. The results show that it is more important to select the most effective survey method rather than techniques to enhance response rate in order to deal with local condition. Survey by knocking the door is found to be the best suited alternative for maximizing the response rate.
Highlights
This paper tries to share the challenging experience in dealing with low response rate in the context of international business research
Survey is the most common method used in many researches (Fawcett et al, 2014) including those in the area of international business (Chang, van Wittleloostuijn, & Eden, 2010)
Appropriateness of survey in an international business (IB) research may lie on its ability for generalization of the results (Crowther & Lancaster, 2009; Glasow, 2005)
Summary
Survey is the most common method used in many researches (Fawcett et al, 2014) including those in the area of international business (Chang, van Wittleloostuijn, & Eden, 2010). The editors of Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS) – one of the high reputable journals in the area of IB – once wrote their concern on this matter in terms of common method variance (CMV) resulted from a survey instrument (Chang, van Wittleloostuijn, & Eden, 2010). Since common methods can cause Type I and Type II errors, the editors suggested that the researchers must do whatever they can do to eliminate or reduce the errors to make the survey results acceptable. They made this as a requirement in submission of an article to JIBS to ensure the researchers have addressed CMV properly.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
