2007 Economic Census

Uses of the Data

Gauge Competitiveness

• A manager at a manufacturing firm became concerned when data from the economic census showed that her company's productivity (value added per employee) was lower than the industry average. She uses the information to convince the company's Board of Directors that it should adopt her proposal to upgrade their production technology.
• A soft drink bottler considers expanding into two related beverage-manufacturing operations: milk and alcoholic beverages. Economic census data sheds light on industry specialization, company size and the relationship of expenses to receipts. This information encourages the bottler to diversify.