Transcript Measuring the Digital Divide

The Information Society:
Measuring the SMEs and
the Digital Divide
Fabiola Riccardini
National Statistical Institute of Italy
[email protected]
UNCTAD Expert Meeting - Measuring Electronic
Commerce – Geneva September 2003
Points of presentation
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Policy needs
Definition, European/OECD and
Italian Approach to Information
Society
Measuring the SMEs
Measuring the Digital Divide: why,
what
National measurement: Italy
Conclusions
Policy needs
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Policies for business, households and government in using
ICTs
SMEs and very small enterprises
Economic Sectors policy
Infrastructure, in particular broadband
E-government
E-content
Territorial development policy
Agreements-protocols between the National Statistical Office
with Ministry of Innovation and Ministry of Economy and
under definition with Ministry of Production Activities for
building up data bases on information society for
monitoring policies
Defining Information Society
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OECD: information economy + social
aspects = information society
European Definition: information
society is connected to ICT,
knowledge society, innovation and
R&D, social aspects (education,
labour market, health…) and
globalization
Italian Approach to Information
Society: what and how to measure
Indicators on:
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ICT usage
ICT sector
Audiovisuals
E-commerce
E-business
Households/individuals statistics
e-public sector and e-government statistics
Micro and macro analysis
Digital divide
Qualitative and quantitative analysis
Sources:
Most of the indicators derived from official statistics: integrated
databases, surveys and administrative sources
Existing surveys:
New surveys
Surveying the: SMEs: Why
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SMEs (1-250 empld) in Europe are 80 % of
the total business sector enterprises in 2000.
In Italy SMEs are 99 % of the total business
sector enterprises (graph). Micro enterprises
(1-9 empld) are 90%
SMEs purchase more than sell over the net
SMEs in networking along the same product
value chain or have same scope economies
SMEs as specialized intermediaries in ecommerce, ISP, telecommunication services
…..
Surveying SMEs in Italy using SBS
Regulation framework
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Description of the survey and
questionnaire
Results
Analysis
Description of the SME survey (2000 year)
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Name of source
Sample survey on small and medium enterprises for enterprises with 1-99 persons employed.
Legal basis
The survey is enforced by the National Statistical Program included in Decree 322/89.
Obligation on units to provide data
Decree 322/89 establishes that all public bodies and organisations, as well as private organisations
and individuals, are under obligation to provide, upon request, all data and information needed and
programmed by law.
Register on which the source is based
A.S.I.A. register (Archivio Statistico delle Imprese Attive) is used. It is a statistical Business Register
resulting from the logical and physical combination of data resident in statistical and administrative
sources (Tax Register, Register of Enterprises and Local Units provided by the Chambers of
Commerce, Social Security Register, Work Accident Insurance Register, Register of the Electric
Power Board) treated with statistical methodologies.
Population coverage
Activities covered
The survey covers the following economic activities according to the Nace rev.1:
Sections C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J (division 67), K, M, N and O (divisions 90, 92 and 93).
Geographical area covered
The survey covers all of Italy, i.e. 21 administrative regions.
Size class covered
The survey covers enterprises with 1-99 persons employed.
Description of the SME survey (2000 year)
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Observation unit(s):
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Summary list of variables : The economic variables covered in the survey are essentially those that
contribute to estimate the value added, the structure of the employment, the personnel cost, the
investments and others economic variables. Besides the questionnaire is composed of a few sheets
multipurpose with qualitative questions about relation between enterprises, use of ICT (personal
computer use, access to the web, e-commerce), research and development activities, innovations,
research personnel and vocational training.
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Time span covered by data:
The reference period is the calendar year. In cases where the
accounting year of an enterprise is based on a 12 month period other than the calendar year then it
provides the data requested with reference to results for the year closed before June 1st of the year
following the reference year.
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Primary data collection method
Media:
Enterprise
Postal questionnaire
Timetable of data collection: Data collection is started 6 months after the end of the reference
period and the survey is closed 18 months after the end of the reference period.
Criteria for stratification: Economic activity, persons employed size classes and geographical area.
Threshold values and sample size:
Division of economic activity
size classes
10-45; 67, 80, 85, 90, 91, 93
1-9; 10-19; 20-49; 50-99
50-52
1; 2-4; 5-9; 10-19; 20-49; 50-99
55; 60-64; 70-74
1-4; 5-9; 10-19; 20-49; 50-99
Geographical area: 21 administrative regions
The sample covered: 121,137 enterprises in respect of a total population of
enterprises.
4,134,000
Description of the SME survey (2000 year)
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Response rate
71,500 questionnaires were returned. This is a response rate of
approximately 59,0%.
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Frequency of data collection or list of recent reference years
The survey is carried out yearly.
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Production of results
Estimates for non-response
The methodology used for extrapolate the data of the survey to the
population (in terms of enterprises and persons employed) is based on
bound weighted estimator.
Module on ICT usage
SECTION. 8 - Other information
Information and communication technologies 30/6/2001
8.1 Does your enterprise use at least a personal computer or a data processing system ? YES NO
8.2 Does your enterprise use email (only if open to external servers) ? YES NO
8.3 Does your company have a web site or one or more web page? YES NO
Electronic commerce
purchases and sales of assets or services that occur through one of the networks using Internet Protocol
(www, Extranet on Internet, EDI on Internet, mobile phone with access to Internet) and over other
computer-mediated networks other than Internet (EDI, interactive telephone systems). Goods and
services are ordered over those networks directly by enterprise, but the payment and the delivery of the
good or service may be conducted on or off-line. Orders received via telephone, facsimile and noninteractive e-mails are not counted as electronic commerce.
-- Has your enterprise purchased products/services via Internet in 2000 (purchases on line) or during
the first semester of 2001 ?
2000: YES NO 2001: (January-June): YES NO
If yes, in reference to year 2000 please provide an estimate, in percentage, of the total value of on line
purchases on total purchases of goods and services
sect. 1):
–
|__|__|__| %
Has the enterprise received orders via Internet during 2000 and during the first semester of
2001 ? 2000: YES NO 2001: (January-June): YES
NO
If yes, in reference to year 2000 please provide an estimate, in percentage, of the on line turnover on total
turnover:
|__|__|__| %
Some results from the SME survey
ICT usage of enterprises with less than 100
employed at 30/6/2001
% of enterprises with:
size classes
1-2
3-9
10-19
20-49
50-99
TOT
93,3
97,0
98,5
51,7
At least one PC or computing
system
43,7 76,0
At least one e-mail address
18,8
42,7
67,2
82,5
89,3
25,5
A web site or a page on Internet 5,5
18,1
35,2
50,2
62,8
9,3
Some results from the SME survey
ICT usage of enterprises with less than 100 employed
at 30/6/2001
% of enterprises with:
Manufact. Construct. Trade Other services TOT
At least one PC or computing
system
60,1
37,7
48,5
55,7
51,7
At least one e-mail address
32,8
14,1
20,0
30,7
25,5
A web site or a page on Internet 16,0
4,7
6,8
10,4
9,3
Some results from the SME survey
Enterprises with less than 10 employed with ICTs by size and economic
classes at 30/6/2001
PC
1-2
E-mail add.
Web pages
3-9
1-2
3-9
1-2
3-9
Manufactoring
39,8 78,4
14,9
43,5
5,8
19,5
Construction
25,4 67,8
5,4
33,1
1,7
11,7
Trade and Hotel
39,1 73,9
14,3
37,5
5,0
16,5
Other Services
54,9 82,2
28,6
55,9
7,1
23,4
TOTAL
43,7 76,0
18,8
42,7
5,5
18,1
Some results from the SME survey and ICT usage on business survey
Table - E-mail usage and presence on Internet of enterprises with PC by sector and by
employment class - Years 2001-2002
Sector of activity
Employment class
1-9
10-49
50-99
100-249
250 and more
Total
1-9
10-49
50-99
100-249
250 and more
Total
1-9
10-49
50-99
100-249
250 and more
Total
Enterprises with e-mail
2001
2002
MANUFACTURING
46,7
52,6
73,1
77,5
93,2
94,2
95,5
97,3
98,5
99,0
54,3
59,2
SERVICES
48,1
53,3
75,3
78,5
86,4
87,0
89,0
90,8
95,8
95,6
49,4
54,5
TOTAL
47,9
53,2
74,0
77,9
90,7
91,5
93,1
94,9
97,4
97,6
50,4
55,4
Enterprises with Web site
2001
2002
20,7
36,0
62,8
65,5
69,0
25,7
22,0
47,5
75,2
79,5
83,4
29,1
16,1
35,5
49,9
51,3
61,7
17,0
17,2
46,7
61,6
66,8
73,0
18,6
16,8
35,8
58,1
60,3
66,0
18,7
18,0
47,2
70,1
74,8
79,0
20,7
Some results from the SME survey and ICT usage survey
Table - Enterprises with e-commerce - Years 2001-2002
Sector of activity
Employment class
1-9
10 and more
Total
1-9
10 and more
Total
1-9
10 and more
Total
Source: Istat
Enterprises with e-purchases
2001
2002
MANUFACTURING
2,4
2,7
8,9
6,4
3,5
3,3
SERVICES
3,3
3,8
14,6
10,0
3,6
3,9
TOTAL
3,2
3,6
11,3
7,9
3,6
3,8
Enterprises with e-sales
2001
2002
1,5
2,3
1,6
2,3
4,0
2,6
1,5
5,7
1,6
2,2
5,7
2,3
1,5
3,7
1,6
2,2
4,7
2,3
Micro analysis: ICT usage and business performance.
Some results
Degree of firms computing with best economic performance with respect to other firms by size and
economic classes and performance indicator. Year 2000, firms with less than 10 employed
Manufact.
Trade
1-2
1-2
3-9
Other services
3-9
1-2
3-9
employment growth
Personal computer
14,7 4,3
23,3 11,5
11,9
3,1
E-mail
5,2
5,3
8,0 13,8
5,3
6,3
Web site
2,8
3,8
3,2
2,3
5,1
5,3
productivity
p.c.
19,4 14,7
21,1
16,7
14,4
18,2
E-mail
7,9 16,2
7,5
15,3
7,9
15,3
Web site
3,8
1,7
9,0
1,7
7,8
6,7
profitability
p.c.
12,6
9,6
12,5
8,8
10,2
5,7
E-mail
-0,7
11,7
11,7
8,8
1,7
7,6
Web site
1,9
4,5
3,2
6,1
2,0
3,8
Advantages in using SBS
Regulation framework
• Reduce business statistical burden
• Economic data, structural data in the same framework of
technological data and other factors which affects business
competitiveness
• Reduce the underestimation of e-commerce volume
• Micro analysis: ICT usage and business performance
• Complement the knowledge of the all economy
• Analyzing digital divide
Analysis of digital divide
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The term digital divide refers to the disparity in accessing to the technologies and
resources of the information and communication. The digitalization of the economy and
the society may produce differences and gaps amongst individuals, households,
businesses, and geographic areas, rich and poor countries.
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it is important to have available measures on the dimensions of the digital divide. For
example: the concentration ratio
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Measuring the digital divide involves a lot of criteria that concern infrastructures access,
human capabilities, knowledge and education, IT expertise, size and location of business.
Also the way in which the technological disparity is reckoned can vary in different
perspectives, all having a reasonable fundament.
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The main framework for developing digital divide indicators is organized as follows:
• Digital divide definition;
• International measurement;
• National measurement
• On who: households, enterprises, governments
• Measures
Why we need this ?:
International harmonization
National measurement with same methods
International measurement
main current ICT international variables:
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Infrastructure readiness, that is:
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Fixed teledensity;
Mobile teledensity;
Personal computer density;
Internet host density;
Secure servers density.
Socio-economic enablers to use:
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Internet access cost;
Levels of education;
Computer or digital literacy;
ICT penetration: computer and other ICT technologies
diffusion on households, business and government;
• Intensity indicators: how much electronic commerce, which
sectors, size classes or local areas
National measurement
Variables:
 Access issue: individuals, households, rural and
urban areas, ICT skills, age, gender, etc.;
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Business issue: use of ICTs in the firms, company
size and structure, public/private, sectors, ICT
skills shortage, local areas etc;
Government issue: e-government, ICT usage by
public employees, on line public services, ICT
equipment in the public administration, etc.
National Measurement: Italy
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Households and individuals digital divide
Table 2: Telephone lines per 100 households
by geographical distribution, year 1999
Table 3: Telephone lines per 100 households
by urbanisation level, year 1999
Geographical distribution
1999
urbanisation level
1999
North – West
North – East
Centre
South
Islands
Total
90,2
91,8
90,3
83,3
80,1
87,9
metropolitan area
suburbs
less than 2000 inhabitants
2.001-10.000
10.001-50.000
50.001 and more
Total
90,4
88,8
84,7
87,9
86,4
88,0
87,9
Source: Istat.
Divide index 5,3
Source: Istat.
Divide index 2,1
National Measurement: Italy
Business digital divide: concentration ratio,
2000 year.
Extranet
EDI
Broadband connect.
on-line sales
Sector
Divide
Size
Divide
41,0
47,4
44,9
43,3
10,4
10,7
11,3
11,7
Natio.
Territor.
Mean
Divide
Diff.
3,9
5,7
2,9
7,6
2,3
3,1
0,6
3,6
National Measurement: Business
digital divide
Results:
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Index higher on sectors compared with size class and macro
territorial areas…. Much divide among enterprises across
sectors instead of size and location of enterprises
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High divide across sectors …. Could be a sign of low possibility
to enlarge relationships of enterprises already late with respect
to others
Do the use of ICTs leaves to the location of enterprises not
discriminatory any more? What is it happening to the industrial
districts?
We need much more detailed data for understanding better the
role of ICTs as a possibility to enlarge the relationships among
enterprises
Conclusion
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Measurement of SMEs, in all their size classes even micro enterprises, is
essential for understanding the different usage of ICT by business
DD proposed could have different applications for cross countries
comparisons and for national analysis. The Gini index is useful for
estimating the evolutive, regressive or stationary tendency of DD over
time. The index shows the disparity in accessing and using the ICTs
Select relevant and appropriate variables to measure DD. Many criteria
and measures can be used. Data availability and comparability of the
series. Individuals/households, business, governments and other social
or institutional groups
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International measurement of DD ……. OECD publications and further
activities
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National measurement of SMEs and DD ……ISTAT publications and
papers
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We need much more official statistics over time, much more cooperation for a common analysis, quality of data