Points of View Asia Pacific Profile of Opinion Panel Members (Updated - June 2012)
Table of Contents About the Points of View Panel 3 Summary Profile Survey. 4 Connections to Asia.. 6 Type of Engagement with Asia 7 Number of trips to Asia 8 Attention to news about Asia 9 Business / Professional Interests/Operations in Asia 10 Citizenship 12 Canadian Citizenship 13 Country of Birth 14 Business / Organization Characteristics.. 15 Type of business 16 Location of operations in Canada 17 Position in company / organization 18 Size of Company 19 Industry Sector 20 Socio-Demographic Characteristics 21 Where they live 22 Age 23 Gender 24 Research Methodology 25 2
About the Points of View Panel Following the recommendations of a feasibility study conducted in June 2010, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada launched its opinion panel initiative. Taking advantage of its several databases, the Foundation created an opinion panel Points of View Asia Pacific to conduct regular surveys of individuals who are connected to the Asia Pacific region and engaged in issues about Canada-Asia relations through their professional, business, and academic activities. Objectives Through its opinion panel, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada seeks to: Offer Canadians engaged in or connected to Asia an opportunity to contribute to the evolving debates on issues affecting Canada-Asia relations. Allow the Foundation to conduct regular research on issues it feels are important to Canada-Asia relations. Provide the Foundation valuable intelligence on emerging issues affecting Canada-Asia relations. Assist the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada s advocacy role with governments, businesses, and other stakeholder groups on key policy issues. To achieve these objectives, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada executed two recruitment campaigns for the Points of View Asia Pacific opinion panel, one in November 2010 January 2011, another in 2012. 3
Summary of Profile Survey The Points of View Asia Pacific opinion panel comprises a collection of members who are connected to and engaged in the Asia. They are well-distributed across the various business, professional, and socio-demographic subgroups, with very little skew or bias towards a single group. Connections to Asia Solid majorities of panelists have business, academic, or personal connections to Asia, be this through family, travel, study, business/professional interests/activities, or having lived/worked in Asia. Panelists are frequent visitors to Asian countries, averaging 5 trips in the past 18 months Over two-thirds of panel members pay attention to Asian economic, political, and social news on a daily basis (68%) and 21% pay attention to the news 2 to 3 times a week. According to the 2011 profile survey, a majority of panel members organizations have physical operations (56%) in Asia, spanning the full set of countries in the region. While Greater China is a focal point for most (8-in-10), other countries are very present as well (six-in-ten in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Korea, Japan). Citizenship Over two thirds of panel members are Canadian citizens, though just over half are Canadian-born. Non-Canadian born members hail mostly from Asia, though many were born in the U.S. and U.K. Asian born members come mostly from Greater China, but also from Southeast and South Asian countries. 4
Summary of Profile Survey (cont.) Business / Organization Characteristics Panel members work in businesses or organizations evenly split between the public (39%) and private sectors (43%), while about 19% are employed with NGOs or Institutes. Members occupy high level positions in their organization; over a third hold an executive position or are in senior management. The largest single group (24%) hold executive positions (CEO, President, etc.). Opinion panel members companies and organizations have operations in all provinces and territories in Canada. They are, however, more present in BC and Ontario, (more than four-in-ten in each) with a good number also in Alberta and Quebec (a quarter to a third). Socio-demographic Characteristics Predominantly male (72%), opinion panel members are found in all age ranges, with 7-in-10 35 and 65 years of age. 5
Connections to Asia
Type of Engagement with Asia Opinion panel members have a wide variety of connections to Asia. While friends and travel are most common, a significant number of panelists also have business/professional (85%), or academic (72%) interests in the region. Further, many have lived and worked in Asia in the past, and have family members in the region. Family in Asia 50% Friends in Asia 93% Traveled in Asia Business / Professional Interests in Asia Academic / Study Interests in Asia 72% 85% 93% Currently work in Asia (part-/full-time) 26% Worked in Asia in past (part-/fulltime) 67% Currently live in Asia (part-/full-time) 19% Lived in Asia in past (part-/full-time) 69% * Studied in Asia 50% Base: All respondents (n=1,133) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% * Only 2012 Opinion Panel Members were asked whether or not they studied in Asia (n=550) Q.8 : Which of the following types of connections do you have with Asia? Please answer yes or no to each. 7
Number of Trips to Asia On average, opinion panel members have made 5 trips to Asia in the past 18 months. In 2012, the average number trips to Asia was twice as many as those made by opinion panel members in 2010. 2010 2012 0 2 4 6 8 10 Base: All respondents (n=1,095) Q.9 : Approximately how many trips have you made to Asia in the past 18 months? Please enter the number in the space provided. 8
Frequency of Attention Paid to News About Asia Opinion panel members are avid followers of social, political, or economic news about Asia. The vast majority (89%) pay attention to what s going on in the region at least two to three times a week. Daily 68% 2 to 3 times per week 21% Once a week 7% Once every 2 to 3 weeks 2% Monthly to Once a Year 2% Base: All respondents (n=1,133) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q.10 : In general, how often would you say you follow news about social, political or economic affairs in Asia? 9
Business / Professional Interests in Asia More than 8-in-10 opinion panel members have business/professional interests in Asia. According to the 2010 results, the vast majority of panel members have interests in Greater China (88%). However, they are not absent from other regions; sixin-ten to two-thirds conduct activities or have professional interests in South East Asia, South Asia, Japan, and Korea. Fewer are present in the South Pacific. HAVE BUSINESS/PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS IN ASIA? WHICH REGIONS * Multiple choices possible, 2010 Opinion Panel Members Only Greater China 88% South East Asia 66% South Asia 62% No 15% Yes 85% Korea 58% Japan 62% South Pacific 45% Other 5% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=1133) Q.17 : Does your company or organization do business, conduct activities, or have professional interests in Asia? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Base: Has business / professional interests in Asia (n=457) Q.18 : In which of the following regions in Asia does your company or organization do business conduct activities, or have professional interests? 10
Business Operations in Asia A majority of opinion panel members company or organization has a physical presence in Asia, with an office, plant, or factory. Most are located in Greater China, but about half also have operations in the other Asia regions. Fewer are present in the South Pacific. HAVE BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN ASIA? *Multiple choices possible, 2010 Opinion Panel Members Only Don't know 1% Yes 56% Greater China South East Asia South Asia WHICH REGIONS? * Multiple choices possible, 2010 Opinion Panel Members Only 48% 50% 84% Korea 43% No 43% Japan South Pacific 35% 47% Other 4% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=513) Q.19 : Does your company or organization have operations in Asia (i.e. office, factory, plant, etc.)? 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Base: Has operations in Asia (n=287) Q.18 : In which of the following regions in Asia does your company or organization do business conduct activities, or have professional interests? 11
Citizenship
Citizenship The vast majority of opinion panel members are Canadian citizens. Approximately 1-in-10 are not. ARE YOU A CANADIAN CITIZEN? Yes 87% No 13% Base: All respondents (n=1,133) Q4 : Are you a Canadian citizen? 13
Place of Birth Slightly over half of Opinion Panel members are Canadian-born, but a significant number were not born in Canada. Most of those not born in Canada originate from Asian countries (65%), with Greater China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan) at the top of the list. WERE YOU BORN IN CANADA? Greater China REGION OF BIRTH 35% South East Asia 11% Yes 52% South Asia Korea 3% 13% Japan 3% No 48% South Pacific United States 2% 10% Europe/UK 15% Base: All respondents (n=1133) Other (e.g. Central/South America, Africa, Middle East) Base: Not born in Canada (n=543) 8% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q.6 : Were you born in Canada? Q.7 : In which of the following regions were you born? 14
Business / Organization Characteristics
Type of Business / Organization Opinion panel members are as likely to be working in the private as the public sector. One-in-five are employed with a non-government organization or institute. Non-Government / Institute 20% Public Sector 38% Private Sector 42% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=1,063) Q.12 : Do you work primarily in? 16
Location of Business / Organization Operations in Canada (Multiple responses possible) British Columbia 56% Alberta 24% Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec 17% 17% 29% 44% * 2010 Opinion Panel Members Only Opinion panel members companies and organizations have operations in all provinces and territories. They are much more present in BC and Ontario, though a good number are also in Alberta and Quebec. New Brunswick 15% Nova Scotia 16% PEI 12% Newfoundland / Labrador 13% Yukon NWT Nunavut Do not have operations in Canada 8% 9% 7% 11% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=513) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q.15 : In which province(s) or territory(ies) in Canada does your company or organization have physical operations (e.g. office, factory, etc.)? 17
Position in Company / Organization Opinion panel members occupy a variety of positions in their company/organization. Close to 4-in-10 hold senior positions, including 24% who sit in the Executive suite. Given the APFCs research focus, it s notable that almost 1-in-5 hold positions as faculty, lecturers, researchers, or teachers. Executive (CEO, President, CFO, CIO, etc.) 24% Senior Management (Senior VP, VP, Executive Director) Middle Management (Director, Dept Head, Senior Manager) Managerial (Manager, Supervisor) Professor, Researcher, Lecturer, Teacher Other 14% 16% 11% 18% 17% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=1,063) Q.14 : Which of the following best describes the position you hold in your company or organization? 18
Business / Organization Size (# of Employees) Overall, more than half of opinion panel members work in medium (11%) and large (42%) companies/organizations. 1-4 employees 18% 5-49 employees 16% 50-99 employees 4% 100-499 employees 11% 500+ employees 42% Don't know 9% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=1,063) Q.16 : To the best of your knowledge, what is the approximate size of your company s or organization s workforce in Canada in terms of full-time employees? 19
Business / Organization Sector(s) (Multiple sectors possible ) Education Advisory/Consulting Services 33% 31% Government Non-Profit / NGO 14% 29% * 2010 Opinion Panel Members Only Financial Services Professional Services (e.g. lawyer, doctor, etc.) Environment Media Hi-Tech / IT Manufacturing Arts & Entertainment Forestry & Wood Products Mining Oil & Natural Gas Fisheries & Oceans Hospitality & Tourism 13% 12% 11% 9% 9% 9% 7% 6% 6% 6% 5% 5% Opinion Panel members work in a wide range of industry sectors, though most conduct their affairs in the Education, Advisory and Consulting Services, and government (all levels) sectors. A second tier of sectors includes: non-profit, financial services, professional services, and the environment. Media, hi-tech, manufacturing, Arts & Entertainment, Forestry & Wood Products, Mining, and Oil & Gas all form a third tier of sectors opinion panel members work in. Food 5% Fisheries & Oceans 4% Utilities (e.g. electrical, water) 4% Telecommunications 4% Automotive 3% Retail 3% Nuclear 2% Pharmaceutical 2% Base: Employed (full-/part-time), self-employed (n=513) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q.13 : In which of the following sectors does your company or organization do business or conduct its affairs? If your company is in multiple sectors, please select all that apply. 20
Socio-Demographic Characteristics
Where They Live Most members with professional, business or academic interests in Asia live in British Columbia or Ontario. However, there are members in Quebec and Alberta. Fewer are in the Prairies, Atlantic Canada, or the Territories. PROVINCE OF RESIDENCE? * 2012 National Opinion Poll Members Only British Columbia 47% Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba 1% 0% 6% Ontario 35% Quebec 9% New Brunswick Nova Scotia PEI Northwest Territories Nunavut 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Base: All respondents (n=550) Q4 : In which province or territory in Canada do you live; that is, where you have your permanent place of residence? 22
Age Points of View Asia-Pacific opinion panel members are found in all age groups. Seven-in-ten are between 35 and 64 years of age. 16 to 34 years of age 19% 35 to 44 years of age 23% 45 to 54 years of age 23% 55 to 64 years of age 24% 65+ years of age 12% Base: All respondents (n=1133) 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q.1 : Into which of the following age ranges do you fall? 23
Gender There are significantly more men than women currently on the opinion panel of Asia practitioners. Female 28% Male 72% Base: All respondents (n=1133) Q.2 : Are you? 24
Methodology
Research Methodology 1. Sample Development Names and contact information from 3 of Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada s databases were mined to create a list of invitees: Subscribers Database: This contained approximately 3,800 unique contacts. Canada Asia Pacific Research Network (CAPRN): This database contained approximately 400 contacts. Contact lists from business development activities and events attended by senior staff members at the Foundation: This contained approximately 2,000 contacts In addition, a link was posted on the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada s website, allowing interested visitors to join the opinion panel through the profile survey. All contact lists were de-duplicated to ensure that no individual was invited more than once to join Points of View Asia Pacific. 26
Research Methodology (continued) 2. Questionnaire Design For both the 2011 and 2012 recruitment campaigns, individuals were asked to complete a profile survey. The questionnaire was designed to collect information from individuals about the nature and scope of their connections to Asia, and to showcase the opinion panel as a credible and legitimate source of knowledge and expertise on issues related to Canada-Asia relations. The questionnaire collected information about participants in four broad areas: Type of connection to Asia: Personal, business, or academic interests, number of trips to Asia, frequency of following news events in Asia. Citizenship status: Born in Canada, status in Canada (i.e. citizen, landed immigrant, etc.) Business/Employment information: Type of business, industry sector, size of business, position in company/organization, Asia business operations, region. Socio-demographic characteristics: Age, gender, education level, employment status. The profile questionnaire was designed to be very short in length (5-7 minutes), and could be completed in either English or French. Upon completing the questions, respondents were invited to join the Points of View Asia Pacific opinion panel by providing their name and e-mail address. In joining, they consented to receiving an invitation to issues surveys once every 2 months. For the 2012 profile survey, there was a qualifying question, in which individuals were asked whether they had professional, academic or business activities in Asia. A no response disqualified these individuals from joining the opinion panel. The 2012 questionnaire was somewhat shorter than in 2010. Further, due to technical reasons related to the survey software, not all questions asked in 2012 received responses. Where appropriate, profile data is given for 2010 or 2012 only. 27
Research Methodology (continued) 3. Data Collection The first profile survey was completed online between November 18 th, 2010 and January 15th, 2011. A second profile survey was conducted between June 10 th and 22 nd, 2012. In addition, a number of individuals have joined the panel by completing the survey via a survey web link. A total of 583 individuals joined the opinion panel during the first recruitment campaign. As of June 22 nd, 2012, a total of 550 new members have joined the opinion panel. The total opinion panel membership currently totals 1,133. The profile survey is always active, which means the total membership does vary from this number. The final sample has not been weighted in any fashion, given that there are no available aggregate statistics against which to compare our sample parameters. The margin of error for the total sample of 1,133 is ±2.9%, 19 times out of 20 should all members respond to future issues surveys. Please note that margin of error will be larger for any subgroup analysis. Note: the number of panelists will increase over time through continued efforts of the Foundation to build interest in the panel and invite potential respondents to complete the profile questionnaire. 28