ISTAT – Italian National Institute of Statistics

ISTAT – Italian National Institute of Statistics

Department for statistical production DIPS/DCSE/SEC

ISTAT

Department for statistical production DIPS/DCSE/SEC

Via Tuscolana 1776 - 00173 Rome - Italy

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.

Large part of the data collected is used to measure the progress in the implementation of one of the main political priorities of the European Commission for 2019 to 2024 – A Europe fit for the digital age. Part of this is the "European strategy for data", envisioning a single market for data to ensure the EU's global competitiveness and data sovereignty, in which context a comprehensive set of new rules for all digital services was proposed: the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which are centrepieces of the EU digital strategy. Furthermore, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy presented a new “EU cybersecurity strategy”, which is intended to bolster the EU's collective resilience against cyber threats, safeguard a global and open internet and protect EU values and the fundamental rights of its people. Furthermore, data will allow monitoring the progress towards  A Europe fit for the digital age, one of the six priorities for the period 2019-2024 of the von der Leyen European Commission.

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.

 NACE Rev.2 2008

All economic activities in the scope of Annex I 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: NACE Rev. 2 sections C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, L, M and N, division 95.1.

For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts below.

Micro-enterprises are not included in the survey.

The model questionnaire on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides a large variety of variables covering among others the following areas:

-          Access to and use of the Internet

-          E-commerce and e-business

-          Use of cloud computing services

-          Artificial Intelligence

-          Other topics: Data utilisation, sharing, analytics and trading, Invoicing.

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.

Statistical unit used for analysis is the enterprise but the questionnaire is sent to single legal units included in the enterprise as reported by BR on enterprises and BR on legal units.

Target Population

As required by Annex of the Commission Implementing Regulation, enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed persons shall be covered by the survey.

For micro-enterprises see the sub-concepts below.

Not applicable.

All the territory of the country is considered.

Years 2022 and 2023.

Not applicable

Percentages of enterprises, Percentages of turnover, Percentages of employees and self-employed persons.

The reference periods defined in the model questionnaire are followed in the national survey.

Complementary national legislation constituting the legal basis for the survey on the use of ICT in enterprises:

National Statistical Programme-Psn 2020-2022, updating 2021-2022, published in the Ordinary Supplement no. 7 to the Official Gazette - general series - n. 44 of 21 February 2023. 

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 : 

 Legislative references:

 1)  Legislative Decree 30 June 2003, n. 196, "Code regarding the protection of personal data" - art. 4 (definitions), Art. 104-110 (treatment for statistical or scientific purposes);

 2) "Code of ethics and good conduct for the processing of personal data for statistical and scientific research carried out as part of the National Statistical System" (all. A.3 of the Code regarding the protection of personal data - Leg. 30 June 2003, n. 196).

In the letter sent to enterprises we assure that the data collected, are protected by statistical confidentiality and, in the case of personal information, by law on the protection of such data and that data may be used for subsequent treatments, exclusively for statistical purposes by the subjects of the National Statistical System. May also be communicated for the purposes of scientific research subject to the conditions and in the manner prescribed by art.7 of the Code of conduct on the processing of personal data within the framework of the National Statistical System. The same data will be disseminated in an aggregated form, in such a way that can not be traced to individuals who provide them or to which they relate.

 Please, see for information (in Italian) https://www.istat.it/it/organizzazione-e-attivit%C3%A0/organizzazione/normativa

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 : 

For this survey we use general criterion about minimum number of enterprises by breakdowns.

December 2023 (internal calendar).

https://www.istat.it/en/information-and-services/journalists/press-releases-/press-calendar

Online release is foreseen in December via web site (www.istat.it)

The release consist in publication on homepage of Istat' website of a brief important result linked to:

 - Statistical Report on results;

 - Methodological note;

 - Data dissemination in the data wharehouse I.Stat (http://dati.istat.it/), theme Enterprises, subtheme Information Society.

Annual

National dissemination of results

Release is foreseen in December (Statistical Report linked to Data dissemination).

National dissemination of results

Release is foreseen in December (Statistical Report and Data dissemination in the
data wharehouse I.Stat, theme Enterprises, subtheme Information Society)

See detailed section 10.3.1.

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 for selected variables collected in the framework of this survey are available for all on national Istat data wharehouse of Istat website dedicated to ICT Survey.

Istat provides microdata files from its surveys free of charge for study and research purposes or for statistical-scientific purposes, in compliance with the regulations in force.

The files released are those available at the time of the request and may be subject to statistical revisions.

For more information https://www.istat.it/en/analysis-and-products/microdata-files

Not requested

Not requested

It is possible to find Survey description in Istat Information system on quality of statistical production processes (see link: http://siqual.istat.it/SIQual/visualizza.do?id=5000078)

Not requested

Nota available.

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.

At national level :

At national level, quality is assured by guidelines, test on online questionnaire and rules implemented linked with filling in the model, contact center workers training, scheduling the reminders, monitoring data collection.

European level :

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 Methodological Manual provides guidelines and clarifications for the implementation of the surveys.

National level :

At national level Eurostat recommendation are implemented, enterprise are helped with contact center, faq, guidelines.

European level : 

At European level, European Commission users (e.g. DG CNECT, DG GROW, DG JUST, DG REGIO, DG JRC) are the principal users of the data on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises and contribute in identifying/defining the topics to be covered. Hence, main users are consulted regularly (at hearings, task forces, ad hoc meetings) for their needs and are involved in the process of the development of the model questionnaires at a very early stage.

User needs are considered throughout the whole discussion process of the model questionnaires aiming at providing relevant statistical data for monitoring and benchmarking of European policies.

National level :

Istat uses working groups for the preparation of the National Statistical Program (Psn). Six sectors have been identified, coordinated by directors, who deal with the activities related to the preparation of the Psn. Each sector is then divided into thematic areas coordinated by experts (Istat service managers or other experts in the field).

European level : 

At European level, contacts within the Commission, the OECD and other stakeholders give a clear picture about the key users' satisfaction as to the following data quality aspects: accuracy and reliability of results, timeliness, satisfactory accessibility, clarity and comparability over time and between countries, completeness and relevance. Overall users have evaluated positively (good, very good) the data quality on the ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises.

National level :

At national level we don't measure this topic yet.

Detailed information is available in “ Annex I _ Completeness “ excel file - related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions.

Not requested. 

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).

More detailed information is available in “ Annex II. _ Accuracy “ excel file - related to European aggregates, comments on reliability and use of flag.

For calculation of the standard error see 13.2.1.1.

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.  Eurostat will make basic assumptions to compute these measures for all indicators produced (e.g. stratified random sampling assuming as strata the crossing of the variables “Number of employees and self-employed persons” and “Economic Activity” as it was defined in the 3 tables of section 18.1).

More detailed information is available in“ Sample and standard error tables 2023 “ excel file – worksheets starting with “Standard error".

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.

See detailed sections below.

See concept 18.1.1. A) Description of  frame population.

The rate of enterprises out of scope is 3,2%.

Not requested

Not available.

See detailed sections below.

See detailed sub-concepts below.

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.

a) activities for preventing unit non-response: to guarantee on statistical confidentiality, written description of survey objectives, special care in writing clear instructions to fill-in questionnaires, establishing telephone numbers for further explanations, survey presentation letter signed by Istat’s President or Head of Directorate, to specify that survey is mandatory for enterprises;

b) follow-ups of non-respondent units (reminders by telephone, postal services and e-mailing system);

c) since 2016 usage of centralised contact center that is trained on specific technical topics (usage of FAQ); enterprises can open a 'ticket' to be recontacted by unit involved in the survey for specific and problems directly linked with ICT concepts.

Not available.

Not available.

Other comments relating to the item non-response

No processing errors were detected.

Not requested

See detailed section below.

Not applicable

European level : 

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 : 

No deviation.

 See detailed section below.

Data were delivered six days before deadline.

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 “ excel file - related to questionnaire, coverage, additional questions.

Not applicable

See section below.

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.

No comment at national level, with exception for the fact that introduction of enterprise statistical unit in year 2021 may have an impact on the comparability over time of the results delivered to Eurostat since before year 2021 to 2021 onwards.

Not applicable

 Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

At the moment of publication, the statistics are classified as final so we do not need of any revision policy for ICT survey.

 Not requested

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: 

Use of stratified random sample for statistical unit Enterprise (Ent), with strata = 35 Nace sectors (see note 1) x 2 ICT sectors (see note 2) x 4 size classes (see note 3) x 21 regions.

The sample allocation is calculated by applying a multivariate and multi-domain technique (Bethel, 1989). The solution is optimal with respect to two variables (see note 4) and four domains (see note 5), by imposing stronger constraints on the expected coefficients of variations for the couple “variable‑domain” than those required.

We take a census of enterprises with at least one of the following conditions: 250 and more persons employed; Nace= 47911; Nace=47 and no. persons employed≥49.5; Ateco=61.

(1) 35 Nace sectors: 10-12; 13-15; 16-18; 19; 20; 21; 22-23 ; 24-25; 26; 27; 28; 29-30; 31-33; 35; 36-39; 41-43; 45; 46; 47 except 47911; 47911; 49-52; 53; 55; 56; 58; 59-60; 61; 62-63; 68; 69–71 ; 72; 73–75 ; 77-78+80-82; 79; 95.1.

(2) 2 ICT-sectors: 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 26.8, 46.5, 58.2, 61, 62, 63.1 e 95.1; other sectors.

(3) 4 Size classes in terms of persons employed: 10-49;50-99;100-249; ≥250.

(4) The two variables are: number of persons employed and turnover.

(5) The four domains are: 35 Nace sectors; 2 ICT-sectors; 4 major sectors (Industry, Energy, Construction, Services) x 4 size classes; 4 major sectors x 21 regions

C) Gross sample distribution

More detailed information is available in “ Sample and standard error tables 2023  “ excel file (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)

D) Net sample distribution

More detailed information is available in “ Sample and standard error tables 2023  “ excel file (Worksheet: NET SAMPLE)

A) Description of frame population

 B) Frame population distribution

More detailed information is available in “ Sample and standard error tables 2023  “ excel file (Worksheet: FRAME POPULATION)

Annual

See detailed sections below.

We have one stand-alone web survey based on self-compilation of web questionnaire (html questionnaire).

Enterprises have possibility to fill online the questionnaire using a web site dedicated to data collection named 'Portale delle imprese' (Business Portal) (link: https://imprese.istat.it )

In this Portale, enterprises have one ID and password to view all open/closed surveys in which they are involved and they can delegate specific respondents to answer to one or more surveys, modify own personal details and activity status.

A facsimile of the questionnaire can be downloaded as a pdf from the web site but this form is not accepted for answering.

We use Eurostat Server based EDIT validation.

Grossing-up procedures

All estimates are obtained on the basis of a final weight for each respondent calculated with calibration weights procedure (calibration estimators)

which guarantees that for given domains of population, the estimates of the total number of enterprises and the total number of persons employed are exactly equal to the known totals

Not available.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Problems encountered and lessons to be learnt: