Integration between data from register and sample surveys: enterprises classified by use of ICT and economic indicators

Abstract

Business investments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that impact production processes represent an important lever for enhancing business productivity. The data presented in this work offer new indicators and classifications by integrating the phenomenon of digitization with elements of economic performance. The Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) annually measures the digital transformation of enterprises with at least 10 persons employed through a sample survey that is harmonized at the European level and focuses on the use of ICT and e-commerce. The survey primarily adopts a qualitative approach, and to explore the economic characteristics of companies on the basis of their level of ICT adoption it is essential to integrate productivity and profitability indicators. Particular attention was given to the possibility of integrating the ICT data with the statistical information system, known as FRAME SBS (Structural Business Statistics), which is used for estimating structural economic variables related to business accounts on the entire population of enterprises, as defined by the SBS Regulation. The calibration estimator methodology has been chosen as the most suitable approach for integrating the data from the FRAME SBS with the ICT sample survey, aiming at analysing indicators based on data stemming from both sources. Specifically, the analysis includes the presentation of structural, productivity and competitiveness measures examined in relation to the indicators of the digital intensity of enterprises with at least 10 persons employed, such as the use of personal computers and the internet, web presence, and online sales.