Trends in Establishment Survey Nonresponse Rates and Nonresponse Bias: Evidence from the 2001-2017 IAB Establishment Panel

Abstract Evidence from the household survey literature shows a declining response rate trend in recent decades, but whether similar exists for voluntary establishment surveys is an understudied issue. This article examines trends nonresponse rates and bias over period of 17 years annual cross-sectional refreshment samples IAB Establishment Panel Germany. In addition, rich administrative data about employee composition are used to examine changes its two main components, refusal noncontact, time. Our findings show that dropped by nearly third: 50.2% 2001 34.5% 2017. Simultaneously, increased this period, which was mainly driven increasing whereas noncontact fluctuated relatively evenly same period. Nonresponse biases individual characteristics did not distinct pattern time with few exceptions. Notably, larger establishments participated less frequently than smaller entire implies organizations may need put more effort into recruiting counteract bias.