Conducting Corporate Research in Scandinavia
Jinfo Blog

By Anja Chemnitz Thygesen

Abstract

Scandinavian business information specialist Anja Thygesen introduces how best to research small and large companies and provides examples and tips when researching Denmark.

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If you are conducting research on Scandinavian companies, you need to have a basic understanding of the countries and to understand what is obtainable and to what extent you can conduct research without knowing Danish, Norwegian or Swedish.

An important point is that you may be able to get some basic information but if the company you are researching is an SME you should consider alternative solutions, such as an external native-speaking researcher. Larger companies are easier to conduct research on as more information is available in English.

Focus on Denmark 

Take Denmark, for instance, a small country with only 5.6 million inhabitants and more than 300,000 companies. Small and medium-sized companies account for 48% of the export value from Denmark. A lot of useful information is available free of charge but unfortunately mostly in Danish.

Statistics are available in English through Statistics Denmark and the very detailed range of information can be customised according to your data needs.

Key company figures can be obtained through the Danish version of Proff. You can find most key financials and names of board members and management and headlines of recent news free of charge - but unfortunately only in local language. 

Local Accounting Laws

Another problem when it comes to Danish company information is that the Danish accounting laws allow the companies to reveal only gross profit if they comply with two of the following three requirements;

• Turnover less than DKK 150 million 
• Total balance below DKK 75 million
• Number of employees below 250.

Annual reports from Danish companies are often in Danish. Only the largest companies have an English version as well. Annual reports can be obtained from the CVR and currently cost DKK 37.

Some articles can be obtained through the major Danish business newspapers Børsen, Berlingske and Jyllandsposten but complete access requires access to the Infomedia article database.

Find Out More

If you're interested in researching Scandinavian business information, then my Subscription Article "Insider Knowledge - Researching Scandinavia" will provide you with key facts about the countries, cultural similarities and differences, company structures and key industries, plus key research tips and tools along with key online resources.

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