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 2024 is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1507 of 20 July 2023 laying down the technical specifications of data requirements for the topic 'ICT usage and e-commerce' for the reference year 2024. 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.
Furthermore, ICT data facilitate the 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, big data (data analytics) and the digital intensity index for businesses (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
ICT ENT 2-01 Zisťovanie o využívaní informačných a komunikačných technológií v podnikoch
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 below.
3.3.1. Coverage-sector economic activity for micro-enterprises - All NACE Rev. 2 categories are covered
No
3.3.2. Coverage sector economic activity for micro-enterprises - If not all activities were covered, which ones were covered?
Micro-enterprises are not included in the survey.
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 to and use of the Internet
E-commerce sales
ICT specialists and skills
ICT security
Artificial Intelligence.
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.
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit corresponded to the enterprise included in the Register of statistical units according to the main (prevailing) activity and number of employees in line with Eurostat recommendations.
3.6. Statistical population
Target Population
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“.
Target population covered the whole country at the level on NUTS2.
Grossing-up in these surveys will be done at the level of NACE, NUTS2 and size person category.
Data for a specific set of variables were delivered on NUTS 2 regional level.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Years 2023 and 2024.
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).
Reference periods in national survey was in the line with the reference periods defined in the Eurostat modes questionnaires.
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:
Information on the use of ICT in enterprises Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic collects in the statistical survey ICT ENT 2-01 included in the Program of State Statistical Surveys, issued for a three-year period in the Collection of Laws of the SR. The reporting obligation to submit statistical statements to entities is based on Act no. 540/2001 Coll. on State Statistics as amended (Section 18 (3)) and cannot be rejected (Section 18 (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.
Statistical information from ICT survey is a source for fulfilling the obligations of the Slovak Republic resulting from the requirements of the European Statistical System, the requirements of international institutions and to meet the needs of the national information system. In 2004 was adopted Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on the information society. An implementing regulation for the year in question is issued each year specifying the Eurostat data provision requirements.
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:
The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic apply Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics. Minimum number of enterprises for breakdowns is 3.
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:
Protection of statistical confidentiality (protection of confidential statistical data) is a system of interrelated measures in the legislative, methodological, organizational, technical, security and personnel fields, preventing the leakage of confidential statistical data or the premature publication of statistical information. Authorities performing state statistics are obliged to ensure the protection of confidential statistical data from misuse in the manner set out in § 25a and § 29 and 30 of Act No. 540/2001 Coll. on State Statistics, as amended.
The principles of the application of confidential statistical data protection are available on the website of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic at: Slovak statiSstics - Confidential.
8.1. Release calendar
Data from the survey on the use of ICT in enterprises are published on the SO SR portal and in the DATACUBE database at: Slovak statistics - Catalogue.
8.2. Release calendar access
The editorial program contains basic information about publications, release dates and language versions. All publications are available at the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.
The statistical information dissemination policy is formulated in accordance with the State Statistics Act, the Statistical Office Development Strategy, the Eurostat Information Dissemination Strategy and the European Statistics Code of Practice.
The principles of publishing and providing statistical information are available on the website of the Statistical Office of the SR at: Slovak statistics - Principles.
After finishing of ICT data treatment the basic information on important trends in this area was published on Internet. Similar results will be disseminated in the publication with a planned date of issue in December 2024.
This document as well as the whole survey was realized under the European financial support (Publication).
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.
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:
Methodological information on ICT statistics is provided in the ICT ENT 2-01 survey form, in publications and in tables of the public database of the SO SR.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Internal documentation of the Statistical Office of the SR on ensuring the quality of statistical outputs:
internal Methodological directive for application of mathematical-statistical methods for statistical surveys,
internal Methodological directive - Quality indicators of statistical outputs and statistical processes.
On a yearly basis, quality reports are prepared in the ESS Metadata Handler for individual indicators in accordance with the ESS Handbook for Quality Reports (EQHQR) based on Eurostat requirements.
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.
At national level:
The SO SR has a quality management system in place. The Quality Manual includes a description of the quality management system and the fulfilment of ISO 9001 requirements. The application of the Manual ensures that all activities that affect the quality of the products being produced are planned, managed, reviewed, evaluated and meet the requirements accepted in the order.
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:
Survey was organised in line with Eurostat recommendations so as in previous year.
There were based on questionnaires proposed by Eurostat.
The survey was included in the Program of state statistical surveys in 2024 – 2026.
The information that the survey is organised via web were sent to the eDesk of enterprise.
The respondents were reminded by notification via web or by e-mail.
Reference periods in national survey was in the line with the reference periods defined in the Eurostat modes questionnaires.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
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 :
Not available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
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 :
Survey was organised in line with Eurostat recommendations so as in previous year.
There were based on questionnaires proposed by Eurostat.
Since 2009, the Statistical Office of the SR has been conducting customer satisfaction surveys with its products and services at two-year intervals. The aim of the surveys is to get information about the interest and opinions of users on providing and quality of statistical products and services. The information obtained is a valuable source for the further activities of the SO SR. The results of the satisfaction survey are available on the website of the SO SR at (only in Slovak language): Satisfaction survey.
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).
More 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 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. 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“ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2024 “ – 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.
a) Name and brief description of the applied estimation approach
Standard errors were computed in SAS by procedure surveymeans. This procedure uses Taylor series method to estimate the variance.
b) Basic formula
See Annex 'basic formula Slovakia'.
c)Main reference in the literature
Computation of Sampling Errors for the Community Survey on ICT Usage, February 2007, Luxembourg
d)How has the stratification been taken into account?
There were defined 3 enterprise groups:
large (250 and more employees),
medium (from 50 to 249 employees),
small (from 10 to 49 employees).
These three size groups in combination with aggregation of NACE2 created 75 strata.
Standard errors (as well as estimated proportions) were calculated with respect to given stratification.
e)Which strata have been considered?
There were taken into account all strata created by aggregation of NACE2 and enterprise size groups.
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
0%
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable
13.3.3. Non response error
See detailed sections below.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
See detailed sub-concepts 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%
2 828
100%
1. Response (questionnaires returned by the enterprise)
2 566
90,74%
1.1 Used for tabulation and grossing up (Net sample or Final Sample; as in section 3.1 D)
2 565
90,70%
1.2 Not used for tabulation
1
0,04%
1.2.1 Out of scope (deaths, misclassified originally in the target population, etc.)
0
0,00%
1.2.2 Other reasons (e.g. unusable questionnaire)
1
0,04%
2. Non-response (e.g. non returned mail, returned mail by post office)
262
9,26%
Comments on unit response, if unit response is below 60%
-
13.3.3.1.2. Methods used for minimizing unit non-response
The survey was included in the Program of state statistical surveys in 2024– 2026 as mandatory.
The letter with information that the survey is organised via web were sent to the enterprises eDesk.
The respondents were reminded by notification via web or by e-mail.
13.3.3.1.3. Methods used for unit non-response treatment
1. No treatment for unit non-response
x
2. Treatment by re-weighting
2.1 Re-weighting by the sampling design strata considering that non-response is ignorable inside each stratum (the naïve model)
2.2 Re-weighting by identified response homogeneity groups (created using sample-level information)
2.3 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
None
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
None.
13.3.3.2.1. Methods used for item non-response treatment
1. No treatment for item non-response
X
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.
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.
not available
13.3.4. Processing error
No processing errors were detected.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not requested
14.1. Timeliness
See detailed section in the Full metadata report.
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:
Final data were sent 03 October 2024.
14.2. Punctuality
See detailed section below.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Data were delivered to Eurostat on 3 October 2024; 2 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 for specific set of variables were delivered on NUTS 2 regional level. There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
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 report.
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.
Survey was organised in line with Eurostat recommendations so as in previous year.
There were based on questionnaires proposed by Eurostat.
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 revision policy governs the basic rules and general procedures by which the pre-drafted data is later revised as well as applied in revisions for other reasons.
The primary source of routine revisions is the need for data revisions due to new data received from reporting agents or corrected data from reporting agents. The publication of revised data is performed regularly in accordance with the Calendar of Revisions. The data are considered final at the time of first publication and are not usually adjusted. In the case of any revision (also in previous years), the databases and in the relevant publications of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic state that the data have been revised. Changes in the methodology are reported after their introduction in the form of methodological notes or notes on published data.
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:
The sample was created on the base of the same methods, which were used in other surveys organized by SO SR (short-term surveys, business surveys). In comparison with other surveys the boundary between exhaustive and sample survey was changed in the direction upwards.
In this enterprises survey the sample was organised in enterprises with 10 to 249 employees whereas in STS and SBS the sample concerns the enterprises with 1 to 19 employees.
Stratification sampling was realised according to:
NACE,
NUTS2,
Number of employees.
C) Gross sample distribution
More detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2024 “ (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)
D) Net sample distribution
More detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2024 “ (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?
21 March 2024
b) Last update of the Business register that was used for drawing the sample of enterprises for the survey:
1 January 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):
Yes
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):
-
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.
During the data collection the register was updated with regard to the enterprises which:
Did not answer due to bankruptcy.
Did not answer because they were not active in surveyed period.
B) Frame population distribution
More detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2024 “ (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
20 April 2024
30 June 2024
Micro-enterprises
not available
not available
18.3.2. Survey vehicle – general survey
General survey - Stand-alone survey
18.3.3. Survey vehicle – micro-enterprises
The collection of micro-enterprises was not integrated with the general survey
18.3.4. Survey type
The web survey was included in the Program of state statistical surveys in 2024– 2026.
The information that the survey is organised via web were sent to the eDesk of enterprise.
The respondents were reminded by notification via web or by e-mail.
18.3.5. Survey participation
Mandatory
18.4. Data validation
Data validation is embedded in the integrated statistical information system of the SO SR. The following checks are distinguished when collecting data:
formal checks carried out automatically in the data collection process
informal controls to check the complexity and relationships between variables.
From the point of view of the severity of errors:
I - informatic Errors - provide additional information that is needed for the process of checking and correcting data. They provide information on possible overruns of specified limits, partial non- response, etc.
Z - material errors - indicating specific errors that need to be corrected or justified by the reporting agent. These errors are discussed by the SO SR staff with the reporting unit and corrected.
18.5. Data compilation
Grossing-up procedures
After the end of data collection, the following activities are performed with the database:
Logical checks are performed between the individual survey variables
Missing values in module X (turnover and purchases) are supplemented from the annual structural survey (SBS)
3 types of weights are calculated for individual strata.
ENT_WGHT (enterprise weight) - calculated as the share of the number of submitted questionnaires in the ICT survey and the number of reporting units in the frame population.
TURN_WGHT (sales weight) - calculated as the share of reported turnover in the submitted questionnaires in the ICT survey and total calculated turnover for units in the frame population (using annual structural survey SBS).
EMP_WGHT (weight based on employment) - calculated as the share of reported employed persons in the submitted questionnaires in the ICT survey and total recalculated employed persons for units in the frame population (using annual structural survey SBS)
All weights are calculated exactly according to EUROSTAT recommendations.
These weights are used in the calculations of individual variables according to the Transmission format material.
The aggregated variables calculated in this way are validated by EUROSTAT.
Validated and clean data are sent to EUROSTAT in the required structure.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Imputation was not used.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable
Problems encountered and lessons to be learnt:
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 2024 is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1507 of 20 July 2023 laying down the technical specifications of data requirements for the topic 'ICT usage and e-commerce' for the reference year 2024. 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.
Furthermore, ICT data facilitate the 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, big data (data analytics) and the digital intensity index for businesses (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
ICT ENT 2-01 Zisťovanie o využívaní informačných a komunikačných technológií v podnikoch
ICT ENT 2-01 Survey on ICT usage in enterprises
3 March 2025
The model questionnaire on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises provides a large variety of variables covering among others the following topics:
Access to and use of the Internet
E-commerce sales
ICT specialists and skills
ICT security
Artificial Intelligence.
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.
The statistical unit corresponded to the enterprise included in the Register of statistical units according to the main (prevailing) activity and number of employees in line with Eurostat recommendations.
Target Population
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“.
Target population covered the whole country at the level on NUTS2.
Grossing-up in these surveys will be done at the level of NACE, NUTS2 and size person category.
Data for a specific set of variables were delivered on NUTS 2 regional level.
Reference periods in national survey was in the line with the reference periods defined in the Eurostat modes questionnaires.
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 “ - 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
After the end of data collection, the following activities are performed with the database:
Logical checks are performed between the individual survey variables
Missing values in module X (turnover and purchases) are supplemented from the annual structural survey (SBS)
3 types of weights are calculated for individual strata.
ENT_WGHT (enterprise weight) - calculated as the share of the number of submitted questionnaires in the ICT survey and the number of reporting units in the frame population.
TURN_WGHT (sales weight) - calculated as the share of reported turnover in the submitted questionnaires in the ICT survey and total calculated turnover for units in the frame population (using annual structural survey SBS).
EMP_WGHT (weight based on employment) - calculated as the share of reported employed persons in the submitted questionnaires in the ICT survey and total recalculated employed persons for units in the frame population (using annual structural survey SBS)
All weights are calculated exactly according to EUROSTAT recommendations.
These weights are used in the calculations of individual variables according to the Transmission format material.
The aggregated variables calculated in this way are validated by EUROSTAT.
Validated and clean data are sent to EUROSTAT in the required structure.
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:
The sample was created on the base of the same methods, which were used in other surveys organized by SO SR (short-term surveys, business surveys). In comparison with other surveys the boundary between exhaustive and sample survey was changed in the direction upwards.
In this enterprises survey the sample was organised in enterprises with 10 to 249 employees whereas in STS and SBS the sample concerns the enterprises with 1 to 19 employees.
Stratification sampling was realised according to:
NACE,
NUTS2,
Number of employees.
C) Gross sample distribution
More detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2024 “ (Worksheet: GROSS SAMPLE)
D) Net sample distribution
More detailed information is available in “ Annex III. Sample and standard error tables 2024 “ (Worksheet: NET SAMPLE)
Annual.
See detailed section in the Full metadata report.
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 for specific set of variables were delivered on NUTS 2 regional level. There is no problem of comparability across the country’s regions.
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“ – worksheets related to regional data.
