McKinsey Global Surveys

Conducting research with global executives on the pressing business, economic, and management issues they face.

Since 2004, McKinsey Global Publishing’s survey team has polled our panel of thousands of executives and managers to generate new and distinctive insights on today’s critical business topics. The findings from our surveys help business leaders to understand best practices, compare their companies’ ways of working and performance with a global benchmark, and make informed and effective decisions.

If you would like to participate in future surveys, please click here to apply for McKinsey’s survey panel.

Our Latest Survey Research

Image of purple abstract curve chart with the central line being brightly lit.

Economic conditions outlook, December 2024

-
A month after the US elections, potential changes to trade relationships and other policies are top of mind for executives. Expectations for the global economy remain largely stable.

Participate in our research

Would you like to join McKinsey’s survey panel?
Apply for the panel

The age of AI

Digitally generated image of abstract flower shape
Survey
Gen AI’s next inflection point: From employee experimentation to organizational transformation
-
As many employees adopt generative AI at work, companies struggle to follow suit. To capture value from current momentum, businesses must transform their processes, structures, and approach to talent.
A dazzling burst of vivid blue light emanating from a focal point and stretching into slender strands with luminous tips.
Survey
The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value
-
As generative AI adoption accelerates, survey respondents report measurable benefits and increased mitigation of the risk of inaccuracy. A small group of high performers lead the way.
Abstract data lines flowing on dark background
Article
Companies with innovative cultures have a big edge with generative AI
-
It may not be surprising that innovative organizations are ahead on generative AI, but the degree to which they’re succeeding at deploying it might be. Five practices help them stay ahead of the pack.

Transforming the business for the future

Three sets of futuristic blue cubes constructed from smaller cubes merging to form a singular composition. The edges of the three primary cubes are converging and emitting a luminous aura.
Survey
Investing in the future of tech: Lessons from winning companies
-
Survey results suggest that while the overall outlook for tech investments is strong, only a select few companies are investing in the foundations and people that can support future success.
3D image of a transparent cell growing and developing offshoots.
Survey
How CEOs are turning corporate venture building into outsize growth
-
Companies are creating meaningful growth by developing new ventures. Those with the most mature capabilities are growing quickly and can show the way for companies that are just beginning.
Image of a group of business professionals having a meeting in a modern office space.
Survey
Better together: Three ways to boost board–CEO collaboration
-
As the board’s role becomes ever more complicated, stronger partnership with management, especially the CEO, can help directors create the most value for their organizations.

Economic sentiment

Uneven bar chart composed of up and down arrows
Survey
Survey results: Expectations for company performance, by industry
-
Expectations for customer demand and profits remain largely positive, and the share of respondents expecting their companies to increase hiring has grown since last quarter.
3D growing bar graph
Survey
Economic conditions outlook during turbulent times, 2023
-
With geopolitical concerns the highest they have been all year, respondents’ views on the global economy continue to sour—but remain cautiously optimistic about economic conditions at home.

Long-term perspectives on finance

3D partial cube shapes coming together
Survey
Tying short-term decisions to long-term strategy
-
A new survey confirms the well-founded principles behind the allocation of resources for long-term value creation.
Abstract glass spheres suspended and forming around red glass rods.
Survey
CFOs’ balancing act: Juggling priorities to build resilience
-
As surveyed CFOs concurrently manage defensive and growth-oriented considerations, they expect major changes in the months ahead and see two pivotal paths for strengthening their organizations.
Newton's Cradle, with shiny, metallic balancing balls. Six remain still as one is in motion.
Survey
In the face of volatility, CFOs—and their organizations—adapt
-
Our newest survey of CFOs finds that despite their growing concern over volatility and inflation, finance leaders plan to keep their organizations moving forward.

MORE INSIGHTS

3D objects coming together inside two shifting squares.
Survey
CEOs’ choice for growth: Building new businesses
-
Business leaders and investors see now as an opportune time to build new businesses. New survey data reveals what’s really needed.
Infinite circle loops with gradient in abstract design
Survey
The seven habits of programmatic acquirers
-
Our latest research shows that programmatic acquirers continue to create value from this approach to M&A and identifies the capabilities and practices these companies use to deliver their M&A strategies.
Business women with laptops sitting across the room from each other in 2 of 5 multi-colored circles
Survey
Five key questions to get a tech transformation right
-
The most financially successful companies approach tech transformations differently from the rest, and their methods suggest a road map for success that others can follow.
Businessman walking to open gate to a new better green world
Survey
How to implement transformations for long-term impact
-
When it comes to implementing large-scale organizational change, the most successful organizations commit themselves fully to the effort from start to finish.
""
Survey
ESG momentum: Seven reported traits that set organizations apart
-
Survey respondents reporting increased ESG impact say their organizations focus on both protecting and creating value.
""
Survey
Stop wasting your most precious resource: Middle managers
-
In the modern workplace, middle managers face many challenges. A new survey finds three areas where organizations can better support their managers and help them accomplish more.
Businessman with umbrella in the wind
Survey
Into the storm: CFOs pivot to managing financial headwinds
-
The latest McKinsey Global Survey shows that CFOs have been reshuffling priorities as the global economy grapples with a slew of financial risks.
digital lines stock photo
Survey
The state of AI in 2022—and a half decade in review
-
The results of this year’s McKinsey Global Survey on AI show the expansion of the technology’s use since we began tracking it five years ago, but with a nuanced picture underneath.
" "
Survey
New-business building in 2022: Driving growth in volatile times
-
A new global survey finds that new-business building can boost growth and value. However, to meet revenue expectations in the future, companies must dramatically increase their efforts.
The coronavirus effect on global economic sentiment
Survey
The coronavirus effect on global economic sentiment
-
In the latest survey, inflation and geopolitical conflicts remain the top perceived economic risks, while concerns about energy volatility predominate in Europe.
Puzzle connection
Survey
Five ways to increase your board’s long-term impact
-
Directors are spending more time on their work, yet few say their boards are better at creating long-term value. Survey data highlight the operating models that correlate most with value creation.

McKinsey’s Global Survey Panel is a community of more than 33,000 participants around the world. Members of the panel receive an exclusive first look at the survey results before they are published, as well as membership in a private LinkedIn group and immediate access to carefully curated McKinsey knowledge on the survey topic.

Contact us

About us

Heather Hanselman is a senior editor in McKinsey’s Atlanta office, and Daniella Seiler is an executive editor in the Washington, DC, office.