73 FR 243 pg. 76614 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commercial Service—Client Focus Groups
Type: NOTICEVolume: 73Number: 243Page: 76614
FR document: [FR Doc. E8-29621 Filed 12-16-08; 8:45 am]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: International Trade Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Commercial Service-Client Focus Groups
AGENCY:
International Trade Administration, Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES:
Written comments must be submitted on or before February 17, 2009.
ADDRESSES:
Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov ).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Susan Crawford, 202-482-2050, Susan.Crawford@mail.doc.gov , Fax 202-482-2599.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service (CS) is mandated by Congress to help U.S. businesses, particularly small and medium-sized companies, export their products and services to global markets.
As part of its mission, CS currently uses "Quality Assurance Surveys" to collect feedback from the U.S. business clients it serves. These surveys ask the client to evaluate the CS on its customer service provision. The results from the surveys are used to make improvements to business processes in order to provide better and more effective export assistance to U.S. companies. In addition to collecting client feedback through Quality Assurance Surveys, CS would like to use client focus groups as a mechanism to obtain further client feedback and substantiate customer service trends seen in the surveys. Qualitative client focus group data will enrich the quantitative survey data by providing insights and a descriptive context to explain the trends that emerge in the quantitative data.
The CS proposes to modify the previously approved collection. Focus groups previously addressed awareness and branding issues, but CS plans to revise the questions to address quality improvement issues. The revised focus group discussion guide will enable CS to obtain a better understanding of actions it can take to improve the export-related services provided to U.S. firms. In providing these services, CS promotes the goods and services of small and medium-sized U.S. businesses in foreign markets.
II. Method of Collection
U.S. firms will be recruited via telephone to participate in focus group discussions. Firms may be current Commercial Service clients or potential clients. Data will be collected through either face-to-face focus group discussion forums (6-8 participants per focus group) and conference calls, or through one-on-one qualitative interviews either in person or via phone. A moderator will facilitate the discussions and notes will be transcribed via computer. All comments from participants will be anonymous.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0625-0254.
Form Number(s): ITA-4153P.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 96.
Estimated Time per Response: 45 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 72.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: None.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: December 10, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-29621 Filed 12-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P