A factor based approach is often used to build Composite Indicators (CI) from qualitative data stemming from Business and Consumers Survey (BCS). Bruno and Malgarini (2002) and Gayer and Genet (2006) have used factor analysis to synthesize the information contained in the balances of the various...

The aim of this work is to explain and assess the results of the application of the TRAMO-SEATS seasonal adjustment method on the data of the ISAE manufacturing business and consumer surveys. In particular, the study begins by focusing on the description of some of the typical problems of the...

The Joint harmonized Manufacturing survey for Italy, carried out by the Institute of Studies and Economic Analysis (ISAE, formerly ISCO), has a long history: it began on a quarterly basis in 1959, becoming monthly in 1962. The survey was then broadly modified in several occasions; in particular,...

According to the Commission recommendations, ISAE has recently restructured the methodological framework of its survey on firms operating in the Italian construction sector and in retail trade. The innovations specifically regard the sampling design and the weight system for both sectors; this...

The Joint harmonized EU Investment survey, carried out for Italy by the Institute for Studies and Economic Analysis (ISAE), provides quantitative information about investment plans and the structure of investment and qualitative data on the factors influencing firm’ behavior. As shown in the...

Using data from the Business Surveys Unit of the European Commission as a long-running-continental-scale experiment, this paper examines how, and how accurately, people assess economic systems. Data show both commonsense (e.g. people know the past better than the future) and puzzling results...

This paper focuses on the interaction between sample design, data collection mode and nonresponse handling of the ISAE consumer survey, as these factors may affect sample efficiency. For calculating sample weights and obtaining more reliable estimates, the calibration methodology has been...

A deep revision of the statistical and methodological system of the survey on the Italian retail trade firms has been undertaken during 2000. This was due to the consideration that reliability and, consequently, the value of the information inferred from a survey depend on the correctness of the...

This paper investigates if labour income uncertainty, particularly as related to the development and diffusion of fixed and short-term work contracts, may have played a role in determining the recent decline of the marginal propensity to consume of Italian households. We analyse this issue in...

Within the E.U. Harmonised project, ISAE has been carrying out the quarterly services survey for Italy, since 1992, on a panel of about 1,000 business firms operating in the service sector. On E.U. suggestion, since the first quarter of 1998, the survey has been based on an updated sample, so as...