The 7 categories describing support functions in the survey are :
- Distribution and logistics functions ;
- Marketing, sales and after sales services including help desks and call centres ;
- ICT services ;
- Administrative and management functions ;
- Engineering and related technical services ;
- Research & Development ;
- Other support functions.

The world is divided into 9 geographical areas in the survey :
- EU-15 except France: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United-Kingdom.
- EU-13 (new Member States): Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania.
- Other European countries : particularly Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Balkans states.
- China.
- India.
- Other countries of Asia and Oceania : particularly Japan, Korea, Near-East, Middle-East, Far East, Australia, New-Zealand.
- USA and Canada.
- Central and South America.
- Africa.