International Business Report

The International Business Report (IBR), formerly known as the International Business Owners Survey (IBOS), provides insight into the views and expectations of over 7200 privately held businesses across 32 countries.

This unique survey draws upon 15 years of trend data for original participants of IBR's predecessor the European Business Survey (EBS) and 5 years of trend data for original participants of IBOS.

IBR 2008

Emerging Markets


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Mergers & Acquisitions
Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a reality of life for all kinds of companies. The headlines might be dominated by a few 'mega' deals involving corporate giants, but that is not the whole picture. Privately held businesses (PHBs) have quietly recognised that, in an increasingly competitive, changing and challenging environment, well-thought-out and carefully executed cross-border M&A transactions can boost the value of their business.

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Recruitment and retention: the quest for the right talent
A focus on recruitment and retention of staff is essential for today’s privately held businesses. They are aware that competitiveness is devised from talent and it follows that recruitment and retention are not just human resource issues but an important part of business strategy. Human capital management now sits alongside business strategy so organisations can be certain they have the right people, in the right place at the right time.

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Corporate Social Responsibility: a necessity not a choice
We all have a personal responsibility to each other and the world around us. Everything we do has an effect on other people. It is the same for businesses, large and small, public or private, that their actions affect a large number of stakeholders.

In this report we look at Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and what is driving privately held businesses to adopt CSR related practices. We also examine what initiatives are being adopted and which countries are adopting CSR formally.

CSR is no longer the domain of the large corporate and is now a necessity rather than a choice for all businesses.  Those failing to act now face an uncertain future.

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Past reports:

• 2007 Australian summary
• 2007 global report
• 2006 Australian summary
• 2006 global report
• 2005 Australian summary
• 2005 global report
• 2004 Australian summary
• 2004 global report
• 2003 Australian summary
• 2003 global report