The difference in these answers arises from the way each source defines “small business,” which data (and associated methodology) are used, and the time period analyzed (Okolie, 2004). The Office of Advocacy uses the generally accepted small business definition of a firm with fewer than 500 employees. However, Advocacy has provided partial funding for SUSB to create subset firm sizes allowing users to examine other categories of small businesses and understand the nuances of different firm size classes. .
