High-Tech Immigrant Entrepreneuship in the U.S.

OMB Control Number 3245-

Expiration Date ________________

High-Tech Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the U.S.

DRAFT Telephone questionnaire

1. Hi. Have I reached (name of business)?

No -- Thank you, I must have the wrong number.

Yes

2. Can you put me through to (name of CEO’s) office?

I’m calling from George Mason University. As part of an academic research project we are studying the role that high-growth companies like yours play in the American economy. Can I speak to someone who knows about the founding and history of this company?

No -- Who would be the best person to talk to? When is a good time to call?

Yes

[Once connected to person from above] Hi. Have I reached (name of person)?

I’m calling from George Mason University. As part of an academic research project we are studying the role that high-growth companies like yours play in the American economy.

3. I understand from (name of CEO’s) office that you are knowledgeable about the founding and history of this company – is that correct?

No – Can you suggest someone else that I could speak with?

Yes

We would like to get some basic information about this company and its founders for a study funded by the Small Business Administration of the U.S. government. We will ask a few questions that will take about 5 to 10 minutes to answer. Participation in this study is voluntary and you can skip any questions you choose not to answer. Responses will be kept confidential and the names of businesses or individuals will not be published.

4. What is your job title?

_______________________________

5. Where is the company’s headquarters located?

City/county: _____________________________

State: __________

Country: ________

6. What industry would you say your firm is part of?

[If not sure, probe: For example, is your company involved with pharmaceuticals, aircraft, software, industrial equipment, communications, computer equipment, engineering, or something else?

___________________________________

7. What year was this business founded?

Year ____

7a. [If not sure] Was it:

Before 1980

1980 to 1989

1990 to 1999

2000 or later?

8. Is the company publicly traded or privately held?

Publicly traded

Privately held

9. Does the company have a research and development division or laboratory?

Yes

No

10. Does the company hold any patents or have patent applications pending?

Yes

No

11. Does the company have a strategic relationship with any firms outside the U.S.? That would include foreign firms that are major suppliers, key partners or major customers.

Yes

No

12. Now, I have some questions about the founder or founders of this company. How many individuals would you identify as founders? [Definition of founder: the person or people who owned part of the firm when it first began to cover all salaries and wages.]

# of founders:________

12a. [If more then 5 founders: We would like to get information on the 5 most important founders]. Can you provide their first names (up to 5 names)?

Name 1: ______________________________

Name 2: ______________________________

Name 3: ______________________________

Name 4: ______________________________

Name 5: _______________________________

13. OK, for (founder 1 name) – that is a man (woman) correct?

Male

Female

14. Can you tell me if he/she was born in the U.S. or somewhere else?

(Definition: U.S. includes Puerto Rico, Guam, etc. and territories)

U.S.

Somewhere else

What country was that?

Country: _____________________

About how many years has he/she lived in the U.S.?

Years: _______________

Is he/she now a U.S. citizen?

Yes

No

15. What is his/her highest level of education? Would you say:

High school degree or less

Some college

Two year college or technical degree

Four year college degree

Master’s degree

Doctoral/professional degree

(If foreign-born) Was the most recent education obtained in the U.S.?

Yes

No

16. [If born in U.S.] What best describes his/her race/ethnicity?

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

White

17. [If privately held] Is he/she currently an owner of the company?

Yes

No

18. [If publicly traded] Was he/she currently an owner of the company before it became public?

Yes

No

[Repeat for founders 2 – 5, where applicable]

19. [If 2 or more founders] What one thing would you say brought the founders together to start this business?

Family

Attended school/college together

Worked together previously

Got together to start this business

Something else: ________________________________________

Thank you very much for helping us out with this study. If you have any questions you can contact…

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