Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
[SK1] Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SOSR)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Business Statistics Section
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Lamacska cesta 3/C, 840 05, Bratislava 45, Slovak Republic
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
12 December 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
12 December 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
12 December 2025
3.1. Data description
Global Value Chains (GVC) comprise the full range of cross-border activities required to bring a product or service from conception through the different production and delivery phases to final consumers. The data presents information on business functions, global value chains and events affecting the GVC, about factors driving International sourcing e.g. the impact on the competitiveness, motivations and perceived barriers together with possible employment consequences in the Member State.
The ten variables defined in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 collected within particular datasets are:
(1) employment by business function
(2-5) enterprises purchasing or supplying goods and services abroad
(6) the number of enterprises carrying out international sourcing
(7-8) jobs created and lost resulting from international sourcing
(9) motivations and barriers for sourcing, and
(10) events affecting GVC arrangements.
All data are provided as absolute values and presented by NACE activity, business function, geographical partner area, size class, motivation and barrier types, and other breakdowns required by the regulation.
Variables on enterprises purchasing or supplying goods and services abroad, the dataset includes only enterprises that report at least EUR 100 000 in goods or services purchased from or supplied abroad in the final year of the reference period.
3.2. Classification system
NACE Rev. 2 is used to classify economic activities for all variables. Business functions are created following the Manual on the Classification of Business Function and follow the harmonised list defined in the GVC implementing act, distinguishing core and support functions as well as specific functional categories such as production of goods, ICT services, marketing, engineering, and R&D.
Geographical classifications follow the breakdowns prescribed in Regulation (EU) 2022/918, including EU Member States, Extra-EU, and specific partner regions (e.g. China, India, USA and Canada, Central and South America, Africa).
Classifications for job skills follow the high-skilled / not-high-skilled distinction set out in the GVC Compilers’ Manual.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The statistics cover market producers classified under NACE Rev. 2 Sections B to N. This sector coverage is defined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 and applies uniformly to all variables. Only enterprises with 50 or more employees and self-employed persons in the final year of the reference period are included.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
GVC trade refers to an international trade that takes place in a GVC. Most commonly, this includes trade in intermediate goods and services.
Sourcing activities
Sourcing: The total or partial movement of business functions (core or support business functions) currently performed in-house of a resident enterprise to either non-affiliated (external suppliers) or affiliated enterprises located either domestically or abroad.
International sourcing: The total or partial movement of business functions (core or support business functions) currently performed in-house or currently domestically sourced by the resident enterprise to either non-affiliated (external suppliers) or affiliated enterprises located abroad.
Sourcing does not include: Expansion domestically or abroad; for example a set-up of a new production line domestically or abroad without a movement of business functions domestically or abroad (core or support business functions) nor reduction of activity and/or jobs in the concerned enterprise.
Insourcing and outsourcing: The survey distinguishes between international sourcing to a foreign affiliate or daughter company within the same multinational enterprise group — so-called insourcing — and sourcing to external providers, called outsourcing.
Business functions
Core business function is the revenue-producing activity of the enterprise and is usually the enterprise’s main activity as classified by the main activity code entered in the business register. A core business function is a set of tasks that produce goods or services intended for the market. It may span several activities and include related vertical activities (e.g. production of inputs). Enterprises incur costs from carrying out core business functions, but these functions’ outputs can also be directly associated with turnover. An enterprise may have one or more core business functions.
Support business functions permit or facilitate the production of goods or services. They directly generate costs but not turnover. However, the cost, efficiency and quality of support functions (especially management, marketing, logistics, R&D and other innovation-related activities) can significantly boost enterprises’ competitiveness (any of these functions can also be a core business function). Support business functions do not correspond to the main or secondary activities of an enterprise (core business functions correspond to secondary activities), but they do generally correspond to ancillary activities.
The business functions are divided into:
Production of goods and materials for the market (Manufacturing; processing; assembly; refining; printing and binding; casting of metals; building of ships; Mining; extraction of gas and oil; stone quarrying; power generation (except trade of electricity); Development of building projects; civil engineering; specialised construction tasks, including demolition.
Transport, logistics and storage
Transportation and logistics (Road, water, rail and air transport activities; passenger and cargo transport; postal services)
Warehousing and storage (Warehousing; storage; packaging)
Marketing, sales, and after-sales service
Marketing and after-sales services (Advertising and media representation; market research and public opinion polling; call centers)
Sales (Retail and wholesale; trade of gas and electricity; sales agents and real-estate trading)
Information and communication technology services
Information and communication technology services (Software publishing, and computer consultancy activities; programming and broadcasting tasks; telecommunications tasks; data processing and hosting; web portals and related information service tasks; installation of mainframe computers; maintenance and repair of computers and communications systems)
Software programming (Computer programming, consultancy and related tasks)
Management and administration
Management (Financial services e.g. banking, insurance, financial leasing, fund management; activities of head offices; HRM activities)
Administration (Financial markets administration; legal tasks; bookkeeping, accounting and auditing; office administration and business support services; public administration services)Engineering and related technical services (Examples: Support tasks for raw material extraction; sound recording and video production; architectural and engineering tasks, and technical analysis)
Research and development (Examples: Research and experimental development in the area of natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities)
Other business functions
Facility management (Accommodation e.g. hotels and camps; food and beverage services e.g. cafes and restaurants; landscape services; libraries; museums; sports centres)
Maintenance and repair services (Maintenance and repair of non-ICT electronic equipment, transportation vehicles, and personal and household goods)
Other services (Water, waste collection and, sewerage; remediation services; professional services e.g. photography and translation; travel agency activities; rental and operational leasing activities; security; education; human health activities and residential care; social services; creative and arts activities; gambling and betting; sports activities excluding facility management).
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit of this survey is the enterprise as defined in the Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 of 15 March 1993 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community
3.6. Statistical population
The target population consists of all market-producing enterprises in NACE Sections B-N with at least 50 employees and self-employed persons in the final year of the reference period (2023) in line with the Annex of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918.
3.7. Reference area
The reference area is the national economic territory of Slovak Republic, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 for European business statistics. Units located within the national territory and covered by national statistical legislation are included. All regions of the Slovak Republic are covered.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The GVC statistics refer to the triennial reference period 2021–2023, as defined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. All data transmitted relate exclusively to this three-year reference period.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable. Data are compiled as absolute values.
All variables in the GVC dataset are compiled and transmitted in absolute values, in accordance with the measurement unit specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. No percentages, indexes, ratios or other derived units are transmitted to Eurostat. This unit applies uniformly to all variables and all breakdowns required by the regulation.
The reference period for the GVC statistics is 2021-2023, in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. Variables cover activities that may have occurred during this three-year period. Variables (1)-(5) refer specifically to the final year of the period (2023). Variables (6)-(10) cover actions that took place at any time between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
GVC statistics are produced under the legal framework of European business statistics. The main legal bases are Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918, which defines the variables, population, breakdowns and transmission deadlines for the 2021-2023 reference period. The topic Global Value Chains is listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/2152.
The national statistical authority collects and compiles these data under the national statistical law, which provides the legal mandate for data collection, access to administrative sources and the obligation of enterprises to respond. Regulation (EC) 223/2009 on European statistics provides the general legal framework for professional independence, data quality and statistical confidentiality.
Right to collect data in general is governed by the Slovak National Council law No 540/2001(Digest) on the state statistics as amended and supplemented by further regulations.
The reporting obligation to submit statistical questionnaires is laid down in Act no. 540/2001 Coll. on state statistics as amended (§ 18, paragraph 3) and cannot be refused (§ 18, paragraph 8). The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic is responsible for the protection of confidential data obtained and guarantees their use exclusively for statistical purposes. The statistical surveys are part of the Program of State Statistical Surveys issued for a three-year period in the Collection of Laws of the Slovak Republic.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data are transmitted to Eurostat in accordance with Regulation (EC) 223/2009 and Articles 17 and 18 of Regulation (EU) 2019/2152, which govern data and metadata transmission. Only authorised staff have access to identifiable information at the national level, and no microdata are shared outside the national statistical authority. Data transmitted to Eurostat are handled under strict confidentiality rules and disseminated only in aggregated form. Secure transmission channels are used for all data transfers.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Confidentiality of statistical data is ensured by national statistical legislation, Regulation (EC) 223/2009 on European statistics and Regulation (EU) 2019/2152. These acts establish the legal obligation to protect confidential information, ensure professional secrecy and restrict the use of data to statistical purposes only. Access to identifiable information is limited to authorised staff, and confidential data cannot be used for administrative, fiscal or legal purposes.
The SOSR is responsible for the protection of confidential data obtained and guarantees their use exclusively for statistical purposes. In accordance with the Act on State Statistics No. 540/2001 Coll. §2g and §30, the SOSR may not publish confidential statistical data, but only information resulting from the aggregation of confidential statistical data, which does not allow direct or indirect identification of the reporting unit. The SOSR has introduced principles and procedures for the protection of confidential data in internal directives and instructions. The directive on the protection of confidential statistical data regulates the method of management and implementation of activities related to ensuring the protection of confidential statistical data in the SOSR. The internal methodological instruction of the SOSR regulates specific methods and parameter values used in the protection of confidential statistical data of individual statistical surveys and data sets.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Confidential enterprise data are processed under strict disclosure control procedures. Primary and secondary suppression are applied in accordance with national confidentiality rules and ESS guidelines to prevent any direct or indirect identification of individual enterprises. Only aggregated data are transmitted to Eurostat, and microdata are not disseminated. Eurostat applies its own confidentiality rules to the aggregated data received, ensuring secure handling and safe dissemination.
Concerning SOSR, the primary and secondary confidentiality data protection is applied manually bearing in mind the minimum data protection treatment, if relevant.
8.1. Release calendar
The full set of variables is only transmitted to Eurostat and at present not disseminated nationally. In a case of an inquiry from users they are advised to consult Eurostat website.
8.2. Release calendar access
No specific publication is available.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see Principle 15 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
All users have equal and simultaneous access to published GVC data at Eurostat webportal at the time of release. No privileged pre-release access is granted. Metadata and documentation are made available at the time of release.
GVC statistics are collected, compiled and transmitted every three years in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
A short news release summarising key results on international sourcing and GVC participation is published by Eurostat at the time of dissemination. GVC indicators are presented together with broader structural business statistics.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not relevant.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Online database 'Global value chains and international sourcing statistics - experimental statistics' is available without restrictions.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Micro-data are not disseminated.
Access to anonymised GVC microdata for scientific research is available under strict conditions defined by SOSR in Data research center. Researchers may access data through the NSI's secure research environment after formal accreditation and approval.
Documentation on procedures applied is available in English and Slovak language. Technical projects within the Integrated Statistical Information System as internal project documentation exists for the compilation of statistical outputs (in Slovak language).
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality policy is defined and publicly accessible in the Quality Declaration and Quality Policy documents. The quality declaration expresses the basic ideas and commitments of the President and top management of the SOSR for the quality policy as well as increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the integrated management system of the SOSR.
Quality policy is based on the mission of the SOSR to provide high quality and objective statistical products and services by keeping confidentiality of statistical data and by minimising burden on interested parties using effectively existing resources with the aim to support improvement of the information and intellectual capital of our customers. In this way we want to contribute to reduce risks and improve effectiveness in their decision making processes and so to support the sustainable development of the Slovak Republic as the part of EU.
The quality manual describes the documented procedures of the quality system that are used for implementation and continuous improvement of the quality management system in the SOSR. It contains a description of the quality management system and compliance with the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard. The application of the manual in practice ensures that all activities that have an impact on the quality of the products created are planned, managed, reviewed, evaluated and meet the requirements.
The European Statistics Code of Practice is the basis of the common quality framework of the European Statistical System. It is a self-regulatory tool and it is based on 16 principles covering the institutional environment, statistical processes and statistical outputs. A set of indicators of best practices and standards for each of the Principles provides guidelines and benchmarks for reviewing the implementation of the Code of Practice, thus increasing transparency within the European Statistical System.
Overall data quality is assessed through evaluations of relevance, accuracy, coherence and completeness. Internal coherence between variables and breakdowns is reviewed, and external coherence is checked against other business statistics domains. Statistics in the integrated system ISIS are available to evaluate the quality of the completed questionnaires. The SOSR also performs internal methodological audits. Evaluation of statistical surveys and methodological audits including the analysis of the results are integrated into the existing quality management system.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
GVC statistics are relevant for analysing international production linkages, sourcing patterns and exposure to global supply chain disruptions. The information supports national policy analysis in areas such as industrial strategy, resilience and competitiveness. The dataset is produced using harmonised European definitions and provides consistent input for national and EU-level assessments. Main user groups include national ministries responsible for economic, industrial and labour market policies, research institutes, academic users and Eurostat. These stakeholders use GVC information to analyse sourcing structures, international fragmentation of production and sectoral exposure to global shocks. The statistics also support evidence-based policy development related to supply chain resilience and strategic dependencies.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No formal user satisfaction survey has been carried out specifically for the GVC domain by Eurostat. Informal exchanges with key users, including ministries and research organisations, suggest that the dataset meets current analytical needs. Users value the harmonised EU methodology and the detailed breakdowns by business function, activity and geographical area.
12.3. Completeness
All mandatory variables and breakdowns required by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 were transmitted for the 2021-2023 reference period. Data cover all required combinations of NACE sections B-N, size classes, business functions and geographical areas as specified in the regulation.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The technical project of data processing is part of ISIS. This project includes a description of all logical data controls at the microdata level performed during electronic data collection. The electronic questionnaire and information system ISIS itself provide logical checks between variables, which we distinguish between serious and informative. Data collection is provided by the SOSR in regions. After the deadline for submission of the statistical questionnaire, the reporting units that did not respond are contacted again to fulfil their legal obligation. In case of serious errors in the form, this form is not accepted and with the help of experts from the regional offices its correctness is ensured so that it can enter into the data processing. Automatic validation checks during data collection and informative checks are incorporated with the aim to follow logical checks, reducing the rate of partial non-responses, anomalies and outliers. The purpose of this process is to minimize errors already in the data collection itself and subsequently during data processing. Most errors are directly consulted by regional offices with the reporting units. Therefore the overall accuracy is considered good.
13.2. Sampling error
Sampling errors are not relevant, not calculated.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Coverage errors are very low because the completeness of the Business Register is considered to be satisfactory and high. Since the Business Register is regularly updated, the coverage error is kept at a very low level. Misclassification errors are not common because the statistical units in the Business Register are regularly updated to correct size classes and economic activities. Register is used as a source for determining economic activity. Item non-response may occur for some detailed breakdowns. Overall, non-sampling errors have an moderate effect on the final results and established validation and imputation procedures help to minimise their impact.
Calculated response rates are related to the surveys. Thus non-response is not considered to be a serious problem.
The survey response rate was 93 percent and item non-response for detailed breakdowns was significantly reduced by mean of ISIS controls and personal reminders. The electonic data collection system runs several rounds of specific reminders to ensure response and finally approximately 28,9 percent of surveyed reporting units required additional follow-up contacts to respond in the survey.
14.1. Timeliness
The GVC results for the 2021-2023 reference period were compiled following the legal deadlines set by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. The national production schedule provided sufficient time for validation and quality checks. Timeliness and punctuality are monitored as part of the standard national procedures for business statistics.
14.2. Punctuality
Data were transmitted to Eurostat within the legal deadline of T+21 months. Processing stages, including data collection, validation and preparation for transmission, were completed according to the national timetable. The data transmission via EDAMIS was realised approximately 19 days before the set up deadline in legislation.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The GVC statistics for 2021-2023 follow harmonised concepts and definitions set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918, supporting coherence across variables and comparability with other EU Member States. Geographical comparability is supported by the harmonised definitions, classifications (NACE Rev. 2) and breakdowns specified in the GVC Implementing Act. Methodological guidance from Eurostat ensures a common framework across EU Member States. No national deviations from the European definitions were applied.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The 2021-2023 cycle is the first official GVC data collection under the European Business Statistics (EBS) Regulation. However, the country has previous experience with a pilot GVC surveys carried out before the EBS framework for the reference years 2015-2017. Broad conceptual continuity exists between the earlier exercises and the current official collection, as key definitions, business function categories and geographical breakdowns follow the same methodological foundations. Nevertheless, differences in survey design and questionnaire content limit full comparability with earlier voluntary results. No methodological breaks exist within the 2021-2023 cycle itself.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Cross-domain coherence is generally ensured through comparisons with related statistics such as SBS, FATS. Differences may arise due to varying reference periods, reporting thresholds (such as the EUR 100 000 criterion) or domain-specific definitions. These discrepancies are limited and do not substantially affect the interpretation of GVC results.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is supported by validation checks that ensure consistency across activity, size class, business function and geographical breakdowns. Logical rules are applied to validate any inconsistencies, where applicable.
The SOSR regularly monitors the cost and burden of reporting units. As part of the optimization of statistical surveys, it takes measures aimed at reducing their burden e.g. by personalised pre-filling of selected variables in statistical questionnaires.The overall response burden for the GVC data collection is considered manageable. The survey is limited to enterprises with 50 or more persons employed and to only manadatory variables. The average completion time for the questionnaire was estimated 24 minutes.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The revision policy regulates the general rules and procedures applied in revisions at the SOSR. The same revision policy applies to national and international users. In accordance with the revision policy, the reason of the revision is always indicated. The revisions policy as well as the revisions calendar are available to users on the web portal of the SOSR in Slovak language.
incorporation of better quality data based on a more complete source, including replacing imputations with collected data
correction of data as a result of updating seasonal factors and changing the base period
data modification based on more accurate methodology (in concepts, definitions and classifications) and changes in statistical methods
performing corrections in source data and calculations
In terms of time, the SOSR divides the revisions into:
ordinary revisions: they are revisions without significant modifications of the methodologies. These are usually more significant data corrections, including large values obtained from new sources. They are carried out periodically on precisely set up dates, to update data, until the next publication of the data;
annual revisions: they are revisions that are made when all monthly and quarterly data are available and more detailed results from annual surveys are already available;
extraordinary and major revisions: they are revisions of definitive data due to significant methodological changes resulting from revision of methodologies, changes in procedures and statistical-mathematical calculation methods or data corrections. An extraordinary revision may result (e.g. by changing the definition) in break in time series data comparability.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Due to the triennial nature of the GVC data collection, revisions are possible, but generally not expected.
18.1. Source data
GVC source data are from a triennial exhaustive survey GVC 1-93 of all enterprises with 50 and more employees registered in the Statistical Business Register classified in NACE Rev.2 sections B-N.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
The GVC data are collected every three years in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. The data presented are for the reference period 2021-2023 and the statistical survey was carried out in 2024.
18.3. Data collection
Right to collect data in general is governed by the Slovak National Council law No 540/2001(Digest) on the State statistics as amended and supplemented by further regulations. The obligation to provide data is stated in the Statistical Law and its provisions (Programme of State Statistical Surveys), which is fixed for a 3-year period. Since 2016, reporting units (legal entities, natural persons) are required to electronically submit statistical reports in accordance with the amendment to Act No. 540/2001 Coll. on state statistics as amended by Act no. 326/2014 Coll. (hereinafter referred to as the law), which contains new rules for submitting statistical questionnaires. The completed statistical questionnaire GVC 1-93 must be submitted electronically no later than September 30 after the reference year on the website www.statistics.sk. In case the reporting unit has not submitted the requested report, is contacted by the relevant regional collection office. The data collection process is conducted in the Integrated Statistical Information System (ISIS). The SOSR creates technical projects of the statistical surveys describing data collection and its evaluation, including a description of statistical controls/checks and algorithms within the integrated ISIS. The data collection process is ensured by the regional offices during the phase of electronic data collection, ensure using statistical controls and algorithms the data collection process itself. The non-responding units are informed about their reporting duty and contacted by regional offices again within the post-collection phase. There are no problems with reporting discipline in the case of large enterprises.
18.4. Data validation
The data entry, data completeness and statistical control are organised by specialised regional offices of the SOSR in Bratislava, Banska Bystrica, Zilina, Presov and Kosice. Data validation is done during the data collection, processing and validation of relevant data by the SOSR experts.
The SOSR distinguishes between two levels of data checks during the electronic data collection:
Formal checks that are realised in the process of data entry automatically (compatible with Validation level 0 and 1);
Informal checks to control the complexity and relations among the variables (compatible with Validation level from 2 to 5);
According to the importance there are classified 2 basic types of checks:
I – Informative checks: they give additional information, which is important for the following process of corrections. They also inform about some inconsistencies in the state of fulfilment of the questionnaire, about item non-response, exceeding stated limits etc.
Z – Checks of great importance: they indicate the exact error that it must be always corrected or explained
Most of the errors are directly consulted with the reporting units by regional offices via telephone contacts, emails etc.
18.5. Data compilation
The statistical unit used for the data collection in statistical questionnaire GVC 1-93 is the legal unit. The presented GVC data refer to the variables on statistical unit enterprise. Therefore, the data consolidation was realised manually by SOSR and followed the data compilation guidelines presented in the European business statistics compilers’ manual for global value chains – 2023 edition
18.6. Adjustment
Not relevant as no seasonal or trend adjustments are carried out due to type of the statistical information collected in triennial cycle.
Not relevant.
Global Value Chains (GVC) comprise the full range of cross-border activities required to bring a product or service from conception through the different production and delivery phases to final consumers. The data presents information on business functions, global value chains and events affecting the GVC, about factors driving International sourcing e.g. the impact on the competitiveness, motivations and perceived barriers together with possible employment consequences in the Member State.
The ten variables defined in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918 collected within particular datasets are:
(1) employment by business function
(2-5) enterprises purchasing or supplying goods and services abroad
(6) the number of enterprises carrying out international sourcing
(7-8) jobs created and lost resulting from international sourcing
(9) motivations and barriers for sourcing, and
(10) events affecting GVC arrangements.
All data are provided as absolute values and presented by NACE activity, business function, geographical partner area, size class, motivation and barrier types, and other breakdowns required by the regulation.
Variables on enterprises purchasing or supplying goods and services abroad, the dataset includes only enterprises that report at least EUR 100 000 in goods or services purchased from or supplied abroad in the final year of the reference period.
12 December 2025
GVC trade refers to an international trade that takes place in a GVC. Most commonly, this includes trade in intermediate goods and services.
Sourcing activities
Sourcing: The total or partial movement of business functions (core or support business functions) currently performed in-house of a resident enterprise to either non-affiliated (external suppliers) or affiliated enterprises located either domestically or abroad.
International sourcing: The total or partial movement of business functions (core or support business functions) currently performed in-house or currently domestically sourced by the resident enterprise to either non-affiliated (external suppliers) or affiliated enterprises located abroad.
Sourcing does not include: Expansion domestically or abroad; for example a set-up of a new production line domestically or abroad without a movement of business functions domestically or abroad (core or support business functions) nor reduction of activity and/or jobs in the concerned enterprise.
Insourcing and outsourcing: The survey distinguishes between international sourcing to a foreign affiliate or daughter company within the same multinational enterprise group — so-called insourcing — and sourcing to external providers, called outsourcing.
Business functions
Core business function is the revenue-producing activity of the enterprise and is usually the enterprise’s main activity as classified by the main activity code entered in the business register. A core business function is a set of tasks that produce goods or services intended for the market. It may span several activities and include related vertical activities (e.g. production of inputs). Enterprises incur costs from carrying out core business functions, but these functions’ outputs can also be directly associated with turnover. An enterprise may have one or more core business functions.
Support business functions permit or facilitate the production of goods or services. They directly generate costs but not turnover. However, the cost, efficiency and quality of support functions (especially management, marketing, logistics, R&D and other innovation-related activities) can significantly boost enterprises’ competitiveness (any of these functions can also be a core business function). Support business functions do not correspond to the main or secondary activities of an enterprise (core business functions correspond to secondary activities), but they do generally correspond to ancillary activities.
The business functions are divided into:
Production of goods and materials for the market (Manufacturing; processing; assembly; refining; printing and binding; casting of metals; building of ships; Mining; extraction of gas and oil; stone quarrying; power generation (except trade of electricity); Development of building projects; civil engineering; specialised construction tasks, including demolition.
Transport, logistics and storage
Transportation and logistics (Road, water, rail and air transport activities; passenger and cargo transport; postal services)
Warehousing and storage (Warehousing; storage; packaging)
Marketing, sales, and after-sales service
Marketing and after-sales services (Advertising and media representation; market research and public opinion polling; call centers)
Sales (Retail and wholesale; trade of gas and electricity; sales agents and real-estate trading)
Information and communication technology services
Information and communication technology services (Software publishing, and computer consultancy activities; programming and broadcasting tasks; telecommunications tasks; data processing and hosting; web portals and related information service tasks; installation of mainframe computers; maintenance and repair of computers and communications systems)
Software programming (Computer programming, consultancy and related tasks)
Management and administration
Management (Financial services e.g. banking, insurance, financial leasing, fund management; activities of head offices; HRM activities)
Administration (Financial markets administration; legal tasks; bookkeeping, accounting and auditing; office administration and business support services; public administration services)Engineering and related technical services (Examples: Support tasks for raw material extraction; sound recording and video production; architectural and engineering tasks, and technical analysis)
Research and development (Examples: Research and experimental development in the area of natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities)
Other business functions
Facility management (Accommodation e.g. hotels and camps; food and beverage services e.g. cafes and restaurants; landscape services; libraries; museums; sports centres)
Maintenance and repair services (Maintenance and repair of non-ICT electronic equipment, transportation vehicles, and personal and household goods)
Other services (Water, waste collection and, sewerage; remediation services; professional services e.g. photography and translation; travel agency activities; rental and operational leasing activities; security; education; human health activities and residential care; social services; creative and arts activities; gambling and betting; sports activities excluding facility management).
The statistical unit of this survey is the enterprise as defined in the Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 of 15 March 1993 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community
The target population consists of all market-producing enterprises in NACE Sections B-N with at least 50 employees and self-employed persons in the final year of the reference period (2023) in line with the Annex of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918.
The reference area is the national economic territory of Slovak Republic, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 for European business statistics. Units located within the national territory and covered by national statistical legislation are included. All regions of the Slovak Republic are covered.
The reference period for the GVC statistics is 2021-2023, in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. Variables cover activities that may have occurred during this three-year period. Variables (1)-(5) refer specifically to the final year of the period (2023). Variables (6)-(10) cover actions that took place at any time between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023.
The technical project of data processing is part of ISIS. This project includes a description of all logical data controls at the microdata level performed during electronic data collection. The electronic questionnaire and information system ISIS itself provide logical checks between variables, which we distinguish between serious and informative. Data collection is provided by the SOSR in regions. After the deadline for submission of the statistical questionnaire, the reporting units that did not respond are contacted again to fulfil their legal obligation. In case of serious errors in the form, this form is not accepted and with the help of experts from the regional offices its correctness is ensured so that it can enter into the data processing. Automatic validation checks during data collection and informative checks are incorporated with the aim to follow logical checks, reducing the rate of partial non-responses, anomalies and outliers. The purpose of this process is to minimize errors already in the data collection itself and subsequently during data processing. Most errors are directly consulted by regional offices with the reporting units. Therefore the overall accuracy is considered good.
All variables in the GVC dataset are compiled and transmitted in absolute values, in accordance with the measurement unit specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. No percentages, indexes, ratios or other derived units are transmitted to Eurostat. This unit applies uniformly to all variables and all breakdowns required by the regulation.
The statistical unit used for the data collection in statistical questionnaire GVC 1-93 is the legal unit. The presented GVC data refer to the variables on statistical unit enterprise. Therefore, the data consolidation was realised manually by SOSR and followed the data compilation guidelines presented in the European business statistics compilers’ manual for global value chains – 2023 edition
GVC source data are from a triennial exhaustive survey GVC 1-93 of all enterprises with 50 and more employees registered in the Statistical Business Register classified in NACE Rev.2 sections B-N.
GVC statistics are collected, compiled and transmitted every three years in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918.
The GVC results for the 2021-2023 reference period were compiled following the legal deadlines set by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918. The national production schedule provided sufficient time for validation and quality checks. Timeliness and punctuality are monitored as part of the standard national procedures for business statistics.
The GVC statistics for 2021-2023 follow harmonised concepts and definitions set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/918, supporting coherence across variables and comparability with other EU Member States. Geographical comparability is supported by the harmonised definitions, classifications (NACE Rev. 2) and breakdowns specified in the GVC Implementing Act. Methodological guidance from Eurostat ensures a common framework across EU Member States. No national deviations from the European definitions were applied.
The 2021-2023 cycle is the first official GVC data collection under the European Business Statistics (EBS) Regulation. However, the country has previous experience with a pilot GVC surveys carried out before the EBS framework for the reference years 2015-2017. Broad conceptual continuity exists between the earlier exercises and the current official collection, as key definitions, business function categories and geographical breakdowns follow the same methodological foundations. Nevertheless, differences in survey design and questionnaire content limit full comparability with earlier voluntary results. No methodological breaks exist within the 2021-2023 cycle itself.
