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.
“Statistics on labour costs, research and development, innovation and information society” department
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2, Panayot Volov str., Sofia 1038, Bulgaria
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
7 February 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
7 February 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
7 February 2025
3.1. Data description
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
Изследване за използването на информационни и комуникационни технологии (ИКТ) и електронна търговия в предприятията през 2024 година
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
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 to and use of the Internet;
E-commerce and e-business;
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
Enterprise.
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“.
Entire territory of the country is covered.
Data for a specific set of variables is 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 the national questionnaire are the same as in the Eurostat's model questionnaire.
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:
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:
National Statistics Act (Chapter 6 “Protection of secrecy”) guarantees the protection of statistical confidentiality and the use of individual data collected through statistical surveys for statistical purposes only.
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:
According to art. 25, p. 3 of the Statistics Act "statistical information which aggregates data about less than three statistical units or about a population in which the relative share of the value of a surveyed parameter of a single unit exceeds 85 per cent of the total value of such parameter for all units in the population must not be disclosed".
8.1. Release calendar
Release Calendar presenting the results of the statistical surveys carried out by NSI is publicly accessible on the NSI website.
8.2. Release calendar access
Release calendar for 2024 is available on the NSI website:Release calendar.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Data on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises are disseminated according to the Rules for Dissemination of Statistical Products and Services of the NSI with no deviations from the general policy. The Rules are available on the NSI website.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Regular news release for dissemination of results of the 2024 survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is published in December on the NSI website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
National results of the survey are disseminated annually in accordance to the National Release Calendar. Other publications containing ICT survey data are available on the NSI website, section Information Society, ICT usage in enterprises, Publications: https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/2841/ict-usage-enterprises
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:
Selected national data tables of the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises are accessible on:
Microdata are accessible in accordance with the Rules for provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes of the National Statistical Institute.
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.
At national level:
National reference metadata and methodology information are available on the NSI website, section Information Society, ICT usage in enterprises, Metadata and methodology: https://www.nsi.bg/en/content/2841/ict-usage-enterprises
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not requested
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality related report of the survey on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is available on the NSI website, section Information Society, ICT usage in enterprises, Quality reports:ict-usage-enterprises.
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:
NSI has a certified quality management system (QMS) according to the international standard ISO 9001:2015 with the following scope: receiving, collecting, processing, storing, analyzing, delivering and disseminating statistical information. Documents related to the quality management are available on the NSI website: quality.
Quality of the data on ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises is assured by strictly following the national procedures and the Methodological manual of Eurostat in the field of the information society statistics, which ensures conformity with the standard quality criteria - relevance, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, comparability and coherence.
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:
The quality management system certified in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, application of the uniform methodological documents, rules and procedures at all stages of the data production ensure very good quality of the data. Data for all mandatory and optional variables are provided on time to Eurostat as required by the Commission Implementing Regulation and respecting the quality criteria.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
User needs at national level are considered through a consultation of the draft National statistical programme with the main groups of users (ministries, local authorities, scientific community, etc.).
Dedicated user satisfaction survey for the ICT domain is not conducted.
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
Taylor linearization method - the standard deviation, the absolute value of variables in the sample and the absolute value of the variables in the general population are used.
b) Basic formula
Standard errors are calculated by the Complex Samples module of IBM SPSS Statistics ver.20.
c)Main reference in the literature
Wolter, Kirk M. (1985). Introduction to Variance Estimation.
d)How has the stratification been taken into account?
Selection probability for each stratum.
e)Which strata have been considered?
Grossing-up strata.
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
Over-coverage rate is 4.8%.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not requested
13.3.2. Measurement error
Following measures are taken for prevention of measurement errors:
Questionnaire design follows the 2024 model questionnaire provided by Eurostat, in order to assure the comparability of the data. The questions are duly translated and adapted to the national specifics. The questionnaire is tested internally prior to data collection;
Data entry program is designed to guarantee correctness and consistency of the initial data (logical controls, acceptable value, etc.);
Interviewers engaged for the survey are experienced staff of the regional offices of NSI. They are instructed and assisted by the regional coordinators of the survey prior to and during the fieldwork.
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%
5169
100%
1. Response (questionnaires returned by the enterprise)
4893
94.7%
1.1 Used for tabulation and grossing up (Net sample or Final Sample; as in section 3.1 D)
4615
89.3%
1.2 Not used for tabulation
278
5.4%
1.2.1 Out of scope (deaths, misclassified originally in the target population, etc.)
249
4.8%
1.2.2 Other reasons (e.g. unusable questionnaire)
29
0.6%
2. Non-response (e.g. non returned mail, returned mail by post office)
276
5.3%
Comments on unit response, if unit response is below 60%
13.3.3.1.2. Methods used for minimizing unit non-response
In order to reduce the unit non-response the following measures are taken:
- advance notification prior to the survey and following reminders are sent to the respondents by e-mail;
- phone assistance by statistical experts for methodological and technical issues is provided;
- if the enterprise is not able or not willing to fill in the questionnaire online, it is contacted by phone by an interviewer;
- the interviewers are experienced staff of the NSI's regional offices, which increase the confidence of the respondents.
13.3.3.1.3. Methods used for unit non-response treatment
1. No treatment for unit non-response
-
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)
X
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)
The final weights are calculated on the basis of the number of responding enterprises divided by the total population for each sampling stratum. Due to the high response rate, we assume that the unit non-response is ignorable inside each stratum.
13.3.3.1.4. Assessment of unit non-response bias
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
There are controls to each question in the web questionnaire and the respondent is not allowed to move to the next question if one or more of the answer options are not completed. For that reason there is minor or no item non-response.
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.
There is minor or no item non-response therefore it is not treated.
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 applicable.
Questions and items with low response rates (cut-off value is 90%) and item non-response rate.
There are no questions and items with non-response rate less than 90%.
13.3.4. Processing error
Processing errors are minimized by the following measures:
- during data collection - interviewers check the correctness of the information filled-in and re-contact the respondents, if necessary;
- during data entry - consistency and logical controls are implemented in the data entry software and incorrect data cannot be entered;
- during data processing - additional checks for logical consistence and year-to-year checks are carried out over the aggregated data.
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:
National aggregated data are delivered to Eurostat without delay.
14.2. Punctuality
See detailed section below.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Data were delivered to Eurostat on 19.09.2024; 16 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:
No changes that may have an impact on the comparability between regions were made in the national questionnaire.
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.
No changes that may have an impact on the comparability over time were made at national level.
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
There is no general data revision policy.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data from the survey on ICT usage in enterprises, that are already published, are considered final and are not subject to revision. However, data could be revised under unforeseen circumstances.
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 sampling method used is one-stage stratified random sampling. The stratification is done by NUTS 2 (6 categories), economic activity (33 categories, incl. NACE categories related to European aggregates and class 47.91), ICT sector (2 categories) and number of persons employed broken down into three size classes (10-49; 50-249; 250+ persons employed). Total number of non-empty strata is 507. The number of enterprises per stratum is determined using Neyman allocation method. Strata containing less than 50 enterprises are surveyed exhaustively, as well as all enterprises in the size group with 250+ persons employed. Module Complex Samples in SPSS is used for sample selection. The sample is independent and no procedures are used for coordination or non-overlapping with samples of other surveys, however the previous year’s sample of small and medium enterprises is taken into account, i.e. rotation is applied in case the number of enterprises in stratum allows that.
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. Population frame
A) Description of frame population
a) When was the sample for the ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprise survey drawn?
April 2024
b) Last update of the Business register that was used for drawing the sample of enterprises for the survey:
The Business Register used for drawing the sample was last updated on 31.12.2023.
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 SBS survey in Bulgaria is a census survey. The frame population for the ICT survey is a subset of SBS database of year 2022 updated with information from the Business Register as of 31.12.2023.
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):
Different frames are used during different stages of the statistical process. The frame used for sampling is as stated above and the frame used for grossing up is the preliminary data of SBS survey of year 2023.
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.
There is a time lag between the last update of the sampling frame and the start of the survey. We try to correct this by taking into account the most recent administrative information about dead enterprises received from the Registry Agency (Commercial Register).
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
17 April 2024
28 June 2024
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
Combination of techniques - web survey and interview by telephone or by email as follows:
Web survey via an online questionnaire - sampled enterprises receive an invitation letter by email, which contains a link to the questionnaire, information about the purposes of the survey, ways and deadlines for submitting information and guarantees for confidentiality of individual data. The data are submitted online by the respondents, identifying themselves through a unique token;
Interview by phone or by email - enterprises, which did not respond to the online questionnaire within the deadline, are subsequently contacted by interviewers (NSI staff) by phone or by email. At the respondent's preference, the interview may be conducted: by direct telephone interview where the answers are recorded on a paper questionnaire; by sending a questionnaire by email to be filled in by the respondent and returned back. The interview may be followed up with additional questions via email or a phone conversation in case any clarification is needed. The data afterwards are entered manually into the same electronic questionnaire used for online data collection.
18.3.5. Survey participation
Mandatory
18.4. Data validation
Server based EDIT validation tool is used to validate the data. Additional verifications via year-to-year and consistency checks are made on the aggregated data.
18.5. Data compilation
Grossing-up procedures
All enterprises, both in the frame population and in the net sample, are post-classified into one of the strata, defined by crossing of NUTS2, NACE groups for national and European aggregates and size classes (according to the number of employees). Final weight of each enterprise is calculated as a ratio between the number of enterprises in its stratum in the frame population and the number of enterprises in the same stratum in the net sample (responding enterprises). Enterprises with more than 250 persons employed are surveyed exhaustively, nevertheless final weights are calculated for them as well, based on the number of responding enterprises. Preliminary SBS data for year 2023 as of 15.08.2024 is used as a frame population for grossing-up in order to present more current structure of the enterprises population.
Following types of weights are calculated to gross up the data depending on the variable type:
weight based on the number of enterprises;
weight based on the persons employed - for grossing-up the variables related to persons employed;
weight based on the total turnover - for grossing-up the currency variables.
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:
No comments.
19.1. Documents
Questionnaire in national language
X
Questionnaire in English (if available)
X
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
Изследване за използването на информационни и комуникационни технологии (ИКТ) и електронна търговия в предприятията през 2024 година
7 February 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 and e-business;
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.
Enterprise.
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“.
Entire territory of the country is covered.
Data for a specific set of variables is delivered on NUTS 2 regional level.
Reference periods in the national questionnaire are the same as in the Eurostat's model questionnaire.
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
All enterprises, both in the frame population and in the net sample, are post-classified into one of the strata, defined by crossing of NUTS2, NACE groups for national and European aggregates and size classes (according to the number of employees). Final weight of each enterprise is calculated as a ratio between the number of enterprises in its stratum in the frame population and the number of enterprises in the same stratum in the net sample (responding enterprises). Enterprises with more than 250 persons employed are surveyed exhaustively, nevertheless final weights are calculated for them as well, based on the number of responding enterprises. Preliminary SBS data for year 2023 as of 15.08.2024 is used as a frame population for grossing-up in order to present more current structure of the enterprises population.
Following types of weights are calculated to gross up the data depending on the variable type:
weight based on the number of enterprises;
weight based on the persons employed - for grossing-up the variables related to persons employed;
weight based on the total turnover - for grossing-up the currency variables.
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 sampling method used is one-stage stratified random sampling. The stratification is done by NUTS 2 (6 categories), economic activity (33 categories, incl. NACE categories related to European aggregates and class 47.91), ICT sector (2 categories) and number of persons employed broken down into three size classes (10-49; 50-249; 250+ persons employed). Total number of non-empty strata is 507. The number of enterprises per stratum is determined using Neyman allocation method. Strata containing less than 50 enterprises are surveyed exhaustively, as well as all enterprises in the size group with 250+ persons employed. Module Complex Samples in SPSS is used for sample selection. The sample is independent and no procedures are used for coordination or non-overlapping with samples of other surveys, however the previous year’s sample of small and medium enterprises is taken into account, i.e. rotation is applied in case the number of enterprises in stratum allows that.
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:
No changes that may have an impact on the comparability between regions were made in the national questionnaire.
Detailed information on the provision of data on NUTS 2 regional level is available in “Annex I. Completeness“ – worksheets related to regional data.
