Business Services

The Business Services sector broadly covers establishments and industries that provide professional and administrative support services to a variety of businesses (e.g. B2B) and organizations (e.g. B2G). In some cases, these companies also provide services to consumers, but providing services to other enterprises is their main focus.

The common theme in this category are B2B industries where human capital is the major input. The companies classified in this sector sell expertise.

The Business Services hierarchy is implicitly grouped into the following two areas.

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. Much of the expertise requires academic degrees, though not in every case. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; information and research services; corporate communication services; translation and interpretation services; and other professional, scientific, and technical services.

Administrative Services: Industries in this subsector include establishments engaged in activities that support the day-to-day operations of other organizations. The processes employed in this sector (e.g., clerical activities) are often integral parts of the activities of companies found in all sectors of the economy. The establishments classified in this subsector have specialized in one or more of these activities and can, therefore, provide services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. The individual industries of this subsector are defined on the basis of the particular process that they are engaged in and the particular services they provide.