Implications of Including Non-Executives’ Perception in the Executive Opinion Survey: A Hierarchical Bias Effect in the Global Competitive Index

Abstract

A key ingredient of the Global Competitiveness Report is the Executive Opinion Survey. This instrument relies exclusively in the opinion of top executives and ignores the perceptions of non-executive personnel. This research examines if a change in the type of survey respondents will make a difference in the Global Competitive Index. The results analysis showed significant differences between executive and employees with respect to their perception of the competitive level of the studied economy. In order to assess the existence of a Hierarchical Bias in the EOS, the researchers suggest further validation studies on other economies included in the GCR.