Study title

Data collection of 73 semi-structured interviews with business leaders on their attitudes towards Scottish independence and decision-making under different constitutional scenarios. The research methods that this project applied were inductive, semi-structured, qualitative interviews designed to surface those uncertainties that are of most concern to business leaders and the extent to which uncertainties are likely to impact on business decision-making. Business leaders were asked a range of questions pertaining to what, if any, uncertainties the independence debate posed to their businesses, whether it presented opportunities or risks to their business operations or strategies, if it had any material impact on business decision-making, or whether it might under different constitutional scenarios, and if they had been contingency planning. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data was then coded based on patterns that emerged naturally from the data. This report presents the findings from 73 semi-structured interviews into the future of the UK and Scotland with senior business leaders in medium and large companies in six industries of strategic importance to Scotland. They include electronics and technology, energy, engineering and industrial manufacturing, financial services, food and drink, and life sciences. Evidence from independent, politically-neutral studies of business leader’s attitudes towards Scottish independence is relatively consistent. Uncertainty over the currency (with a strong preference for Sterling), EU membership (with a strong preference for remaining in the EU), regulation (with a strong preference for having a common regulatory framework with the rUK), taxation (with a preference for competitive taxation, consistency with the rUK and stability) and the general trading environment, poses a significant challenge to business. The perceived risks associated with such uncertainties expressed by business leaders are highly specific...