6 March, 1998

Inquiries: Mr Ari Leppälahti + 358 9 1734 3237, Mr Mikael Åkerblom + 358 9 1734 3270
Statistical Director in charge: Ms Kaija Hovi

A quarter of enterprises produced technological innovations

Every fourth Finnish enterprise launched technologically new products or services on the market between 1994 and 1996. According to an inquiry made by Statistics Finland, most technological innovations were produced by telecommunication and ADP enterprises. A total of 79 per cent of telecommunication enterprises and 64 per cent of ADP service enterprises produced technological innovations. Publishing and printing activities introduced the fewest innovations, only 8 per cent.

In addition to products and services, the innovative activities of enterprises include introduction of new processes, and projects aiming at innovations. Most new processes were introduced in the pulp and paper and chemical industries. The majority of innovative projects were also implemented in the pulp and paper industry, in about 60 per cent of the enterprises.

Large enterprises engaged most in innovative activities. Slightly more than one half of industrial enterprises with more than 100 employees introduced new products and services, but less than a fifth of enterprises with under 50 employees produced innovations.

A quarter of turnover of industry from innovative products

Innovative products constituted a quarter of the turnover of industry. Innovations had the strongest impact on the turnover of the electrical industry, where two thirds of the turnover originated from technologically novel or substantially improved products. In contrast, innovations accounted for only 6 per cent of the turnover of timber enterprises and for 7 per cent of enterprises manufacturing textile, clothing and leather products.

Innovations accounted for 27 per cent of the turnover of enterprises with over 100 employees, but for only 7 per cent of enterprises with under 50 persons employed.

The data of the innovation survey are based on an inquiry made by Statistics Finland, including 1 700 respondent enterprises. The inquiry covers enterprises with more than 10 employees in the branches of manufacturing, energy supply, wholesale trade, transport, ADP services and technical services. The innovation survey was carried out in all EU Member States.

Swedish enterprises introduced more technological innovations than Finnish enterprises

According to Statistics Sweden, 49 per cent of Swedish industrial enterprises launched technological product innovations on the market. For Finnish industrial enterprises, the proportion was clearly lower, 30 per cent. The difference was equally large regardless of enterprise size. The survey of Statistics Sweden comprises enterprises with more than 20 employees.

Technological innovations accounted for 30 per cent of the turnover of the Swedish industry, whereas the corresponding figure for Finland was 24 per cent. The proportion was larger in Sweden in both small and large enterprises. In both countries, innovations contributed most to the turnover of enterprises with more than 100 employees.

Source: Enterprises' Innovation Activity 1996. Science and Technology 1998:1. Statistics Finland

Statistics Sweden's press release about the innovation survey in the Internet: http://www.scb.se/press/press98/p054.htm (in Swedish), http://www.scb.se/press/eng/presseng98/p054.htm (in English)