MRA Reports Further Drop in US Research Activity

The Research Industry Index (RII) - the Marketing Research Association's indicator of business activity in the US marketing research industry - has reported a further drop in the second quarter 2012, following the 'significant drop' it measured in Q1.

From a series of online interviews with 237 senior research execs, the RII provides a composite score based on reported changes in multiple key business metrics, projects, and staffing levels, as well as changes in business owners' perception of the 'health' of their firms.

While the RII score gradually improved throughout 2011, and almost reached the 100 mark, it dropped to 94 in the first quarter of 2012, and remains at this lower level - currently 93 - for the second quarter of the year.

Ken Roberts (pictured), MRA's past Chairman and author of the report states: 'Smaller and medium size firms (under $5m in revenues) are primarily driving the lower score. However, a sizable portion of the larger firms also experienced a decrease in RFPs/proposals and revenue.'

During the quarter, corporate researchers and research firms remained reluctant to increase staffing, which has remained virtually flat since the end of 2009.

Web site: www.marketingresearch.org .