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Sifo is an independent research house for social and market research, unique within its sector in Sweden.

In addition to applied social science, Sifo offers a complete range of services, including problem analysis and definition to determine research needs before work begins and problem-solving with well- defined recommendations upon completion of the proper research. Sifo handles many different types of research: opinion, social and policy research, market and industrial, financial and corporate research, internal and external public relations, product development and distribution. Our clients come from many areas in the business community: banking and insurance, manufacturing, office automation, pharmaceuticals, the media. We also serve many parts of the public sector — government institutions, state-owned companies, local governments, universities  as well as organisations, political parties, unions, and associations.

Sifo has a broad and flexible approach combined with rigorous standards.

Sifo’s assignments must fulfill conditions in three critical areas: scientific requirements, especially in terms of reliable methodology; democratic requirements to be unbiased, factual, and understandable; and market requirements of profitability, since Sifo is an independent organization with no government funding.

Sifo is part of several formal and informal world-wide research networks and has considerable experience in coordinating international surveys.

Founded in 1955, Sifo is owned and managed by Professor Hans Zetterberg, currently President-elect of the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR).

Social Research constitutes a large and expanding market in Sweden. Much of this research takes place at universities and special governmental institutes. At Sifo, social research is applied to serve practical needs and find alternatives. The main areas are: evaluation research, public affairs and communications, employee surveys, membership surveys, and policy research. The impact of organized interests on society at large is an area in which the company has special research competence.

Employee attitudes have become a strategic resource for the Corporation. Quality and productivity relate directly to the motivation and creativity of employees. Sifo’s special competence in this area is based on extensive knowledge about human values gained in several international research projects.

Organization surveys consist of research about the attitudes of the members of larger organizations. Scientific rigor and structural independence are vital to avoid bias in such sensitive studies

Policy research relates research to political decisions. Decisions are influenced by organized interests, existing ideologies, and information. Current policy research in Sweden is mainly government subsidized. Sifo offers a broader research system that is politically independent and therefore means better dynamics and more realistic, democratic results for all parties concerned.

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