Construction of SAM

The construction of a SAM is not only an exercise in putting together a complete data set, but also a process of estimation  under the condition of insufficient and partly inconsistent data (Marzia Fontana & Peter Wobst, 2001).

The SAM construction can be divided into two steps: First, a highly aggregated SAM (macro SAM) is constructed. It represents the macroeconomic framework of the economy. Second, the macro SAM is disaggregated into a micro SAM. Its sub-matrices are constructed from various data sources with macro SAM entries serving as control of totals for the adjustment of the original data.

For the detail compilation of the SAM of China, refer to "A Social Accounting Matrix for China, 1997"