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.