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13.6. Compilers should take note that for the purposes of the present chapter, the term “data integration” refers to bringing together information from two or more data sources, with the object of better understanding and presenting the nature of a transaction than would be possible on the basis of any one source alone. “Data consolidation” is understood as the summation of data from multiple sources, in which the sources generally provide information on non-overlapping parts of the total. “Merging data” refers to the process of combining data, especially data covering the same activities or entities, from different sources via common denominators, such as a unique identifier in the SBR, when individual sources provide incomplete information. Merging data is the final step in the process and creates a unified view of an entity or activity. Before merging data, compilers must be aware of the definitions and methodologies used across the various data sources to ensure internal consistency of the merged data and to prevent the duplication or overlap of records.
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[1] See Guidelines on Integrated Economic Statistics.