Business Panel
Our business panel provides a valuable window into business confidence and economic optimism direct from businesses and social enterprises in our region.
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Our regular business panel surveys include questions on performance and growth aspirations, and also explore relevant topical issues with businesses and social enterprises throughout the region.
The findings provide a temperature check of business confidence and help identify regional challenges and opportunities.
As panel membership is representative of the Highlands and Islands business population, it provides a strong evidence base that facilitates robust regional, sub-regional and sectoral information.
Panel surveys are undertaken by Ipsos MORI on behalf of HIE.
This latest report, published in June 2022, presents findings from the survey carried out in February/March 2022. The survey tracked regional business economic confidence, performance and optimism and explored business priorities and how they are responding to increased costs, workforce challenges and changing markets. It also looked at adoption of new technologies and low carbon ways of working. It is the 21st Highlands and Islands Business Panel survey commissioned by HIE since 2014, and the second in collaboration with Scottish Government and South of Scotland Enterprise as part of the Rural Scotland Business Panel.
> Business Panel report, published June 2022
> Report summary, published June 2022
Previous surveys are available to view below.
Have a look through our Q&A section below to find out a bit more about the Business Panel, how it works and how you can take part.
The information gathered through the panel will help us to understand what's happening across the Highlands and Islands economy by providing detailed insight into the challenges and opportunities that are currently presenting themselves across the region.
Panel members are asked to take part in a series of surveys covering topics such as business confidence, access to finance, changing markets, operational constraints, labour market issues, exporting, etc. As demographic details are already held, the surveys are short, focused and turnaround time is quick. It allows us to gather data quickly which is extremely important in times of economic uncertainty.
We will ask you to contribute your views around three times a year.
We strongly encourage participation in each survey but it's not compulsory to do so. All panel members can expect to be sampled at some point in the given year although the frequency of contact may vary depending on the topics being explored, current economic challenges or particular sectors. We restrict the number of times you'll be contacted in any one year, we won't bombard you with requests to participate.
Research findings will be used to inform planning, prioritisation of resources and decision-making within HIE. By taking part, you're helping us to understand the challenges our customers face in real-time which helps us to adapt our support and direct resources where it really matters and makes a difference to you and our region.
Participating in our surveys means that your voice and the issues that you face within your business or community are heard. You will also receive the results of all surveys in which you take part. This means that you’ll be able to compare the issues affecting your business with others in the region.
Joining is easy and free. Please just fill out our short form and we'll include you in the next appropriate survey.