A new analytical frontier: firm-level analysis using SARS administrative record data

Lecture at Wits Business School, in Johannesburg

A new analytical frontier: firm-level analysis using SARS administrative record data


The lecture introduced and described South African Revenue Service (SARS) tax administrative record data based on company and individual records. An important element of economic growth and transformation relates to the characteristics, determinants and behaviours of firms that interact at the micro level but ultimately shape aggregate economic trajectories.

The lecture introduced and described South African Revenue Service (SARS) tax administrative record data based on company and individual records. An important element of economic growth and transformation relates to the characteristics, determinants and behaviours of firms that interact at the micro level but ultimately shape aggregate economic trajectories.

Firm-level data has high potential for enhancing understanding of these interactions as the heterogeneous characteristics of firms are not masked. At the event, policy makers and researchers gave short presentations focusing on the productivity and competitiveness of South African firms. Also policy implications for enhancing productivity growth and insights into competition policy were discussed.

Programme
Opening remarks Randall Carolissen, SARS and WITS University
Exploring and explaining the data Elizabeth Gavin, SARS
Firm productivity Carol Newman, Associate professor, Department of Economics, Trinity College
Economic research Southern Africa: competition Nonso Obikili, Research fellow
Trade and productivity Marianne Matthee, Professor, Department of Economics, Northwest University
Policy perspectives Landon McMillan, Economic Policy, National Treasury
Closing remarks Channing Arndt, Senior research fellow, UNU-WIDER