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.
Data on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises are survey data. They are collected by the National Statistical Institutes or Ministries and are in principle based on Eurostat's annual model questionnaires on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises.
The legal basis for ICT enterprise statistics for survey year 2025 is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1883 of 9 July 2024 laying down the technical specifications of data requirements for the topic 'ICT usage and e-commerce' for the reference year 2025. Large part of the data collected is used to support measuring the implementation and monitoring of the EU’s digital targets for 2030, set by the Digital Decade Policy Programme.
Four of the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the current programme stem from the statistics for which the implementing and delegated acts are enclosed for adoption: Artificial Intelligence, cloud, data analytics and the digital intensity index (DII) - a composite indicator reflecting the digital transformation of business
The aim of the European survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is to collect and disseminate harmonised and comparable information at European level.
Name of data collection
Nutzung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in Unternehmen 2025
All economic activities in the scope of Annex of the Commission Regulation are intended to be included in the general survey, covering enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons. These activities are:
Section C - “Manufacturing”
Section D, E - “Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply”, “Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities”
Section F - “Construction”
Section G - “Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles”
Section H - “Transportation and storage”
Section I - “Accommodation and food service activities”
Section J - “Information and communication”
Section L - “Real estate activities”
Section M - “Professional, scientific and technical activities”
Section N - "Administrative and support service activities"
Group 95.1 - “Repair of computers and communication equipment”.
For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts in the full metadata view.
3.3.1. Coverage-sector economic activity for micro-enterprises - All NACE Rev. 2 categories are covered
Micro-enterprises are not included in the survey
3.3.2. Coverage sector economic activity for micro-enterprises - If not all activities were covered, which ones were covered?
Not applicable
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The model questionnaire on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides a large variety of variables covering among others the following topics:
Access and use of the Internet
E-commerce sales
Data utilisation and analytics
Use of cloud computing services
Artificial intelligence
ICT and the environment.
The annual model questionnaires and the European businesses statistics compliers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises comprise definitions and explanations regarding the topics of the survey.
As required by Annex of the Commission Implementing Regulation, enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons are covered by the survey.
For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts below.
3.6.1. Coverage of micro-enterprises
No
3.6.2. Breakdown between size classes [0 to 1] and [2 to 9]
No
3.6.3. If for micro-enterprises different size delimitation was used, please indicate it.
Not applicable.
3.7. Reference area
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“.
The entire territory of Germany is covered.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Years 2024 and 2025.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable
Percentages of enterprises, Percentages of turnover, Percentages of employees and self-employed persons, Million euro (for selected indicators in some countries).
Where not specified the reference period is current situation (survey period in 2025). Year 2024 for the value or % of sales data and where specified.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in enterprises:
The data are collected by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. The Statistical Offices of the Länder receive the data for their specific region when the survey is finished.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
At national level:
"Bundesstatistikgesetz in der Fassung der Bekanntmachung vom 20. Oktober 2016 (BGBl. I S. 2394), das zuletzt durch Artikel 5 des Gesetzes vom 20. Dezember 2022 (BGBl. I S. 2727) geändert worden ist"
According to §16 BStatG individual indication are kept in principal confidential. Exceptions need to be expressly regulated.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Data are transmitted via eDamis (encrypted) and delivered to a secure environment where they are treated. Flags are added for confidentiality in case results must not be disclosed.
At national level:
The minimum number of enterprises for breakdowns is 10. Otherwise breakdowns are flagged.
8.1. Release calendar
National results are released in November/December the same year that the survey is conducted. The release date is documented in a internal calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
On our webpage there is a weekly preview available, listing all press releases of the current week.
8.3. Release policy - user access
The results of the ICT survey are usually published in November/December. The publication in our data base is combined with a press release.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The data were e published on November 24, 2025. Our press releases can be found at Destatis website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
The results were published in our data base (GENESIS-Online) on November 24, 2025. The Quality Report was published at the same time.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
See detailed section 10.3.1.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Results for selected variables collected in the framework of this survey are available for all participating countries on Digital economy and society of Eurostat website.
At national level:
Results are published in GENESIS-online. The number of accesses is not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Anonymized micro data are accessible for limited defined purposes. Further information are available at this website.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not requested
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not requested
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The European businesses statistics compilers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides guidelines and clarifications for the implementation of the surveys.
The quality manual of the Federal and State Statistical Offices describes the framework for ensuring data quality in German official statistics. It is intended to inform users of statistical data (e.g. from ministries, associations, science or the public) about the management for ensuring the quality of statistical results, and to serve as a guide for employees of the Federal and State Statistical Offices and other bodies in Germany that produce official statistics.
11.1. Quality assurance
The European businesses statistics compliers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides guidelines and standards for the implementation of the surveys. It is updated every year according to the changed contents of the model questionnaires.
The quality manual of the Federal and State Statistical Offices describes the framework for ensuring data quality in German official statistics. It is intended to inform users of statistical data (e.g. from ministries, associations, science or the public) about the management for ensuring the quality of statistical results, and to serve as a guide for employees of the Federal and State Statistical Offices and other bodies in Germany that produce official statistics. The quality manual can be found at this website.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
At European level, the recommended use of the annual Eurostat model questionnaire aims at improving comparability of the results among the countries that conduct the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Moreover, the European businesses statistics compilers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides guidelines and clarifications for the implementation of the surveys.
At national level:
There are plausibility checks defined and embedded in the data acquisition process. If implausible or incomplete answers occurred, attempts were made to verify the inconsistencies with the enterprises.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Detailed information is available in “ Annex I. Completeness “ - related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions, regional data.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not requested
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Comments on reliability and representativeness of results and completeness of dataset
These comments reflect overall standard errors reported for the indicators and breakdowns in section 13.2.1 (Sampling error - indicators) and the rest of the breakdowns for national and European aggregates, as well as other accuracy measurements. The estimated standard error should not exceed 2pp for the overall proportions and should not exceed 5pp for the proportions related to the different subgroups of the population (for those NACE aggregates for the calculation and dissemination of national aggregates). If problems were found, these could have implications for future surveys (e.g. need to improve sampling design, to increase sample sizes, to increase the response rates).
Detailed information is available in “ Annex II. Accuracy “ - related to European aggregates, comments on reliability and use of flag.
13.2. Sampling error
For calculation of the standard error see concept 13.2.1.1.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Standard error (for selected indicators and breakdowns)
Precision measures related to variability due to sampling, unit non-response (the size of the subset of respondents is smaller than the size of the original sample) and other (imputation for item non-response, calibration etc.) are not (yet) required from the Member States for all indicators.
Detailed information is available in“ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ – worksheets starting with “Standard error".
13.2.1.1. Sampling error indicator calculation
Calculation of the standard error
Various methods can be used for the calculation of the standard error for an estimated proportion. The aim is to incorporate into the standard error the sampling variability but also variability due to unit non-response, item non-response (imputation), calibration etc. In case of census / take-all strata, the aim is to calculate the standard errors comprising the variability due to unit non-response and item non-response.
Name and brief description of the applied estimation approach: The calculation of the standard error is based on the clan-macro in SAS.
Basic formula:
Main reference in the literature: No special reference in the literature.
How has the stratification been taken into account? The stratification was fully taken into account by estimating the sampling error for proportions according to the unbound extrapolation for each stratum (“i” in basic formula above).
Which strata have been considered? In total there were 1260 strata taken into account for grossing up. The difference in number of strata compared to the sample is due to empty strata that have been compiled. Depending on the considered breakdown a different number of strata were used for the estimation of the respective standard error.
13.3. Non-sampling error
See detailed sections below.
13.3.1. Coverage error
See concept 18.1.1. A) Description of frame population.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
No over-coverage
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested
13.3.2. Measurement error
No measurement errors detected.
13.3.3. Non response error
See detailed sections below.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
See detailed sections below.
13.3.3.1.1. Unit response
The following table contains the number of units (i.e. enterprises), by type of response to the survey and by the percentage of these values in relation to the gross sample size.
Type of response
Enterprises
0-9 (or 2-9) employees and self-employed persons
10 or more employees and self-employed persons
Number
%
Number
%
Gross sample size (as in section 3.1 C)
100%
98843
100%
1. Response (questionnaires returned by the enterprise)
24922
25%
1.1 Used for tabulation and grossing up (Net sample or Final Sample; as in section 3.1 D)
20000
20%
1.2 Not used for tabulation
4922
5%
1.2.1 Out of scope (deaths, misclassified originally in the target population, etc.)
0
0%
1.2.2 Other reasons (e.g. unusable questionnaire)
4922
5%
2. Non-response (e.g. non returned mail, returned mail by post office)
73921
75%
Comments on unit response, if unit response is below 60%
The low response rate is due to the voluntary nature of the survey. According to national law, data from upt to 20,000 enterprises may be included in the results. We expected a response rate of less than 25%. Therefore, we included more enterprises in the gross sample. Enterprises were randomly removed from the dataset to reach 20,000 entities in the final dataset.
13.3.3.1.2. Methods used for minimizing unit non-response
The survey on ICT usage is voluntary. If letters are returned as undeliverable, the address is researched and a new letter is sent.
13.3.3.1.3. Methods used for unit non-response treatment
1. No treatment for unit non-response
2.1 Treatment by re-weighting: Re-weighting by the sampling design strata considering that non-response is ignorable inside each stratum (the naïve model)
2.2 Treatment by re-weighting: Re-weighting by identified response homogeneity groups (created using sample-level information)
X
2.3 Treatment by re-weighting: Re-weighting through calibration/post-stratification (performed using population information) by the groups used for calibration/post-stratification
3. Treatment by imputation (done distinctly for each variable/item)
4. Method(s) and the model(s) corresponding to the above or other method(s) used for the treatment of unit non-response. (e.g. Re-weighting using Horvitz-Thompson estimator, ratio estimator or regression estimator, auxiliary variables)
13.3.3.1.4. Assessment of unit non-response bias
To measure a possible unit non-response bias, response rates are compared between size classes and economic sectors.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not available.
13.3.3.2.1. Methods used for item non-response treatment
1. No treatment for item non-response
2. Deductive imputation An exact value can be derived as a known function of other characteristics.
3. Deterministic imputation (e.g. mean/median, mean/median by class, ratio-based, regression-based, single donor nearest-neighbour) Deterministic imputation leads to estimators with no random component, that is, if the imputation were to be re-conducted, the outcome would be the same.
X
4. Random imputation (e.g. hot-deck, cold-deck) Random imputation leads to estimators with a random component, that is, if the imputation were re-conducted, it would have led to a different result.
5. Re-weighting
6. Multiple imputation In multiple imputation each missing value is replaced (instead of a single value) with a set of plausible values that represent the uncertainty of the right value to impute. Multiple imputation methods offer the possibility of deriving variance estimators by taking imputation into account. The incorporation of imputation into the variance can be easily derived based on variability of estimates among the multiply imputed data sets.
7. Method(s) and the model(s) corresponding to the above or other method(s) used for the treatment of item non-response.
13.3.3.2.2. Questions or items with item response rates below 90% and other comments
Other comments relating to the item non-response
Additional issues concerning "item non-response" calculation (e.g. method used in national publications): Not available
Questions and items with low response rates (cut-off value is 90%) and item non-response rate: For E5g and E5h the response rate is 89.2% respectively 89.6%.
13.3.4. Processing error
No processing errors were detected.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested
14.1. Timeliness
See detailed sections below.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Data are to be delivered to Eurostat in the fourth quarter of the reference year (due date for the finalised dataset is 5th October). European results are released before the end of the survey year or in the beginning of the year following the survey year (T=reference year, T+0 for indicators referring to the current year, T+12 months for other indicators referring to the previous year e.g. e-commerce).
At national level:
Results were released at national level on November 24, 2025, with time lag T+0 months for indicators referring to the current year, T+12 months for other indicators referring to the previous year.
14.2. Punctuality
See detailed section in the full metadata view.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Data were delivered to Eurostat on 1st October 2025; 4 days before the deadline.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The model questionnaire is generally used by the countries that conduct the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Due to (small) differences in translation, in the used survey vehicle, in non-response treatment or different routing through the questionnaire, some results for some countries may be of reduced comparability. In these cases, notes are added in the data.
Detailed information on differences in the wording of the questions in the national questionnaires is available in “ Annex I. Completeness “ - worksheets related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions.
Comparability between regions:
Data on NUTS 2 regional level were not delivered.
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“ – worksheets related to regional data.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable
15.2. Comparability - over time
See detailed section in the full metadata view.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The length of comparable time series depends on the module and the variable considered within each survey module. Additional information is available in annexes attached to the European metadata.
The statistical unit enterprise was implemented in 2025. Enterprises with less than 10 persons employed were not included in the survey in 2025.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable
Restricted from publication
17.1. Data revision - policy
The Statistical Office of Germany has a guideline for internal data revisions and their communication. The guideline classifies publication errors, defines how to deal with them and requires the documentation of the publication error and its treatment.
17.2. Data revision - practice
After classifying the publication error (formal error or content error) the error treatment is undertaken. Depending on the severity of the error there are differences regarding the intensity of informing the users, the point in time of disseminating the corrected data and information, and the involvement of other persons in the error treatment process. Finally, a form on the documentation of publication errors is to be completed in order to derive measures to minimize publication errors. An annual report on publication errors is provided for internal use.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not requested
18.1. Source data
A) Frame population description and distribution
For more information see concept 18.1.1.
B) Sampling design - Sampling method
Description of the sampling method used (e.g. stratified random sample, quota sampling, cluster sampling; one-stage or two-stage sampling) and information which variables were used to stratify, the categories of those variables, in particular for the NACE Rev. 2 categories related to the "possible calculation of European aggregates", and the final number of strata:
For sampling a random stratified sample was used. The variables of stratification were the federal state, the economic activity (according to NACE Rev. 2) and the number of employees (16 x 32 x 3). The final number of strata amounted to 1442.
The allocation of sample size to strata is following the optimum allocation (minimizing variance for a fixed cost) in compliance to the quality requirements. At the end, the sample is reweighted by a calibration approach using updated survey and business register information.
The sample is drawn from all enterprises belonging to the reporting population. The statistical unit “enterprise” is according to Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 “the smallest combination of legal units that is an organizational unit producing goods or services, which benefits from a certain degree of autonomy in decision-making.” An enterprise therefore can consist of several legal units. In these cases, a representative legal unit is selected and data are collected from this legal unit, following the so-called representative approach. It is assumed that the answers of this legal unit are representative for the statistical unit enterprise. This approach is chosen due to the vast number of enterprises in Germany which consist of more than one legal unit. Due to legal restrictions we cannot not ask one legal unit of the enterprise to respond for the other legal units. We either cannot ask all legal units belonging to a statistical enterprise separately due to large response burden and the great expense this would create. Aside from that the participation in the survey is voluntary in Germany. Meaning that it would be impossible to receive answers from all legal units belonging to one enterprise.
C) Gross sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)
D) Net sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: NET SAMPLE)
18.1.1. Sampling design & Procedure frame
A) Description of frame population
a) When was the sample for the ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprise survey drawn?
December 2024
b) Last update of the Business register that was used for drawing the sample of enterprises for the survey:
May 2024
c) Indication if the frame population is the same as, or is in some way coordinated with, the one used for the Structural Business Statistics (different snapshots):
The frame population of the ICT usage and e-commerce survey is not coordinated with other statistic, incl. the SBS.
d) Description if different frames are used during different stages of the statistical process (e.g. frame used for sampling vs. frame used for grossing up):
The same frame is used for sampling and grossing up in the ICT survey.
e) Indication the shortcomings in terms of timeliness (e.g. time lag between last update of the sampling frame and the moment of the actual sampling), geographical coverage, coverage of different subpopulations, data available etc., and any measures taken to correct it, for this survey.
The sampling was undertaken in December 2024. The time lag regarding administrative variables was corrected for - by information from the business register in January 2025
B) Frame population distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: FRAME POPULATION)
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual
18.3. Data collection
See detailed sections below.
18.3.1. Survey period
Survey / Collection
Date of sending out questionnaires
Date of reception of the last questionnaire treated
General survey
March 2025
July 13, 2025
Micro-enterprises
Not applicable
Not applicable
18.3.2. Survey vehicle – general survey
General survey - Stand-alone survey
18.3.3. Survey vehicle – micro-enterprises
Not applicable
18.3.4. Survey type
It is a a web survey. The web-questionnaire is provided barrier-free. If necessary the respondents have the possibility to answer the questions by paper questionnaire (self-administered mail).
18.3.5. Survey participation
Voluntary
18.4. Data validation
Data has been validated by the validation process provided by Eurostat (using eDamis). Already during the process of data collection several plausibility checks are conducted.
18.5. Data compilation
Grossing-up procedures
An unbound extrapolation is applied to each stratum. The net sample is grossed up by using the data of the business register. Unit non-response is corrected for by the so called "Verfahren der multiplikativen Ergänzung".Three weighting factors are calculated for each stratum. Depending on the type of indicator one of the following raising factors is chosen for data analysis: raising factor for enterprises, employees or turnover.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not available.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable
Problems encountered and lessons to be learnt:
No additional comments.
19.1. Documents
Questionnaire in national language
x
Questionnaire in English (if available)
National reports on methodology (if available)
Analysis of key results, backed up by tables and graphs in English (if available)
Data on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises are survey data. They are collected by the National Statistical Institutes or Ministries and are in principle based on Eurostat's annual model questionnaires on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises.
The legal basis for ICT enterprise statistics for survey year 2025 is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1883 of 9 July 2024 laying down the technical specifications of data requirements for the topic 'ICT usage and e-commerce' for the reference year 2025. Large part of the data collected is used to support measuring the implementation and monitoring of the EU’s digital targets for 2030, set by the Digital Decade Policy Programme.
Four of the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the current programme stem from the statistics for which the implementing and delegated acts are enclosed for adoption: Artificial Intelligence, cloud, data analytics and the digital intensity index (DII) - a composite indicator reflecting the digital transformation of business
The aim of the European survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is to collect and disseminate harmonised and comparable information at European level.
Name of data collection
Nutzung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in Unternehmen 2025
5 March 2026
The model questionnaire on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides a large variety of variables covering among others the following topics:
Access and use of the Internet
E-commerce sales
Data utilisation and analytics
Use of cloud computing services
Artificial intelligence
ICT and the environment.
The annual model questionnaires and the European businesses statistics compliers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises comprise definitions and explanations regarding the topics of the survey.
As required by Annex of the Commission Implementing Regulation, enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons are covered by the survey.
For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts below.
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“.
The entire territory of Germany is covered.
Where not specified the reference period is current situation (survey period in 2025). Year 2024 for the value or % of sales data and where specified.
Comments on reliability and representativeness of results and completeness of dataset
These comments reflect overall standard errors reported for the indicators and breakdowns in section 13.2.1 (Sampling error - indicators) and the rest of the breakdowns for national and European aggregates, as well as other accuracy measurements. The estimated standard error should not exceed 2pp for the overall proportions and should not exceed 5pp for the proportions related to the different subgroups of the population (for those NACE aggregates for the calculation and dissemination of national aggregates). If problems were found, these could have implications for future surveys (e.g. need to improve sampling design, to increase sample sizes, to increase the response rates).
Detailed information is available in “ Annex II. Accuracy “ - related to European aggregates, comments on reliability and use of flag.
Percentages of enterprises, Percentages of turnover, Percentages of employees and self-employed persons, Million euro (for selected indicators in some countries).
Grossing-up procedures
An unbound extrapolation is applied to each stratum. The net sample is grossed up by using the data of the business register. Unit non-response is corrected for by the so called "Verfahren der multiplikativen Ergänzung".Three weighting factors are calculated for each stratum. Depending on the type of indicator one of the following raising factors is chosen for data analysis: raising factor for enterprises, employees or turnover.
A) Frame population description and distribution
For more information see concept 18.1.1.
B) Sampling design - Sampling method
Description of the sampling method used (e.g. stratified random sample, quota sampling, cluster sampling; one-stage or two-stage sampling) and information which variables were used to stratify, the categories of those variables, in particular for the NACE Rev. 2 categories related to the "possible calculation of European aggregates", and the final number of strata:
For sampling a random stratified sample was used. The variables of stratification were the federal state, the economic activity (according to NACE Rev. 2) and the number of employees (16 x 32 x 3). The final number of strata amounted to 1442.
The allocation of sample size to strata is following the optimum allocation (minimizing variance for a fixed cost) in compliance to the quality requirements. At the end, the sample is reweighted by a calibration approach using updated survey and business register information.
The sample is drawn from all enterprises belonging to the reporting population. The statistical unit “enterprise” is according to Council Regulation (EEC) No 696/93 “the smallest combination of legal units that is an organizational unit producing goods or services, which benefits from a certain degree of autonomy in decision-making.” An enterprise therefore can consist of several legal units. In these cases, a representative legal unit is selected and data are collected from this legal unit, following the so-called representative approach. It is assumed that the answers of this legal unit are representative for the statistical unit enterprise. This approach is chosen due to the vast number of enterprises in Germany which consist of more than one legal unit. Due to legal restrictions we cannot not ask one legal unit of the enterprise to respond for the other legal units. We either cannot ask all legal units belonging to a statistical enterprise separately due to large response burden and the great expense this would create. Aside from that the participation in the survey is voluntary in Germany. Meaning that it would be impossible to receive answers from all legal units belonging to one enterprise.
C) Gross sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)
D) Net sample distribution
Detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2025 “ (Worksheet: NET SAMPLE)
Annual
See detailed sections below.
The model questionnaire is generally used by the countries that conduct the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises. Due to (small) differences in translation, in the used survey vehicle, in non-response treatment or different routing through the questionnaire, some results for some countries may be of reduced comparability. In these cases, notes are added in the data.
Detailed information on differences in the wording of the questions in the national questionnaires is available in “ Annex I. Completeness “ - worksheets related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions.
Comparability between regions:
Data on NUTS 2 regional level were not delivered.
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“ – worksheets related to regional data.
