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Outsourcing of U.S. Jobs Abroad Very Unpopular, According to Harris Interactive(R) Survey
[April 07, 2004]

Outsourcing of U.S. Jobs Abroad Very Unpopular, According to Harris Interactive(R) Survey

ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Outsourcing of U.S. jobs to countries like China, India and Mexico where labor costs are much lower is very unpopular. Only 16% of Americans agree with President Bush's economic advisor's comment that it is good for the U.S. economy when companies use less expensive foreign workers to do work previously done in this country. A lopsided 69% to 17% majority would support a special tax on companies that use less expensive foreign workers to replace American workers.


These are the results of a nationwide Harris Poll of 3,698 adults surveyed online by Harris Interactive(R) between March 18 and 29, 2004.
Some of the findings in this survey include:
* A 68% to 16% majority of the public disagrees with the statement that
it is good for the U.S. economy when American companies use less
expensive workers in countries like China and India to do work
previously done at a higher cost in this country. Majorities of
Republicans, Democrats and independents all agree on this. However, many
more Republicans (25%) than Democrats (8%) support the minority view
that this is good for the U.S. economy.

* However most people recognize that protecting unskilled or semi-skilled
jobs is not the key to a successful economy. A 71% to 13% majority agree
that the long term success of the U.S. economy requires that we have a
highly educated workforce who do highly skilled jobs here which cannot
easily be done abroad.


* Reluctantly, perhaps, many people accept some of the arguments for
outsourcing jobs. A 49% to 38% plurality agrees that if companies get
work done less expensively abroad, that reduces their cost which means
American consumers pay lower prices.

* A similar 45% to 35% plurality also agrees that if we prevent American
companies from getting work done wherever it is least expensive, that
makes it harder for them to compete with foreign companies.

Substantial majorities think that all of the following are bad ideas:

* Using India's information technology and data processing staff to
replace American staff (by 73% to 15%).

* Using Indian workers in telephone centers to replace American workers in
telephone centers here (by 72% to 16%).

* Using Chinese workers to manufacture things previously made here (by 64%
to 21%).

* Using Mexican workers to manufacture things previously manufactured here
(by 59% to 24%).

How do the candidates do on this issue

This is an issue which many Democrats would like to exploit this fall, but to do so they will have to work hard to give it traction. When asked who -- President Bush or Senator Kerry -- is likely to have the better policy on this issue, many people say neither (18%) or not sure (26%). On balance, Senator Kerry enjoys a modest advantage over President Bush on this issue (by 32% to 24%), but the surprise may be that Senator Kerry's advantage on this issue is rather modest given that it is a naturally Democratic issue and one on which the President has been somewhat embarrassed.
TABLE 1
IS OUTSOURCING OF LESS EXPENSIVE JOBS GOOD OR BAD FOR THE ECONOMY? A well-known economist said recently that on balance it is good for the U.S.
economy when American companies use less expensive workers in countries like
China and India to do work previously done at a higher cost in this country.
Do you agree or disagree?

Base: All Adults

Total PARTY I.D.
Republican Democrat Independent
% % % %

Agree 16 25 8 17

Disagree 68 58 79 70

Not sure 16 17 13 13


TABLE 2
REACTIONS TO FOUR STATEMENTS ABOUT U.S. LABOR FORCE AND OUTSOURCING
Do you agree or disagree ... ?

Base: All Adults

Agree Disagree Not
Sure
The long-term success of the U.S.
economy requires that we have a highly
educated workforce who do highly
skilled jobs here which cannot easily
be done abroad % 71 13 17

Companies that use less expensive
workers to replace American workers
should pay a special tax on this work % 69 17 14

If companies get work done less
expensively abroad, that reduces their
costs which means American consumers
pay lower prices % 49 38 13

If we prevent American companies from
getting work done wherever it is less
expensive, that makes it harder for
them to compete with foreign companies % 45 35 20

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly due to rounding.


TABLE 3
ATTITUDES TO FOUR THINGS SOME U.S. COMPANIES DO
How do you feel about American companies doing each of the following? On
balance, do you think it is good or bad to ... ?

Base: All Adults

Bad Neither Good Not
Good Sure
Nor Bad

Use India's information
technology and data processing
staff to replace American staff
here % 73 15 5 7

Use Indian workers in telephone
centers to replace American
workers in telephone call
centers here % 72 16 5 7

Use Chinese workers to
manufacture things previously
made here % 64 21 7 9

Use Mexican workers to
manufacture things previously
manufactured here % 59 24 9 8

Note: Percentages may not add up exactly due to rounding.


TABLE 4
WHO HAS BETTER POLICY ON OUTSOURCING OF JOBS - BUSH OR KERRY?
Who do you think is likely to have the better policy on the issue of
American companies using less expensive workers in other countries like
China and India -- President George Bush or Senator John Kerry, if he is
the Democratic candidate?


Base: All Adults
Total PARTY I.D.
Republican Democrat Independent
% % % %

President George Bush 24 53 6 18

Senator John Kerry 32 8 58 34

Neither 18 20 13 24

Not sure 26 19 23 24


Methodology

The Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between March 18 and 29, 2004 among a nationwide cross section of 3,698 adults. Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of +2.4 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order, and weighting. It is impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. This online sample is not a probability sample.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive (http://www.harrisinteractive.com/) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll(R), and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international research from its U.S. offices and through wholly owned subsidiaries -- London-based HI Europe (http://www.hieurope.com/), Paris-based Novatris and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan -- as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of independent market- and opinion-research firms. EOE M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/.
Press Contact:
Nancy Wong
Harris Interactive
585-214-7316
[email protected]

Harris Interactive


CONTACT: Nancy Wong of Harris Interactive, +1-585-214-7316,[email protected]


Web site: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/

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