Home > Statistics > Innovation > 2014 > 5. Public procurement and innovation activity in 2012 to 2014

5. Public procurement and innovation activity in 2012 to 2014

This was the second time enterprises were asked about public procurement. For the first time, questions about them and related innovation activity were asked in the previous corresponding survey concerning enterprises’ innovation activity in 2010 to 2012. In general, based on the results, procurement contracts were now reported more commonly and especially in services. Compared with the previous results, innovation activity was not required as often in the contracts but in relative terms more enterprises had been involved in innovation activity as part of completing the contract even if the contract did not require it.

One-third of the enterprises reported having had procurement contracts in 2012 to 2014 to provide products to the public sector. In manufacturing, around one in four enterprises had procurement contracts and in service industries around 40 per cent of enterprises. A majority of these had procurement contracts with domestic public sector organisations. Six per cent reported procurement contracts with foreign public sector organisations. Procurement contracts became more common as the enterprise size grew.

Based on the results, it was not very common that innovation activity would have been a requirement of the contract. However, it was more commonplace that the enterprise had innovation activity related to the implementation of the contract without the contract requiring innovation activity. Two per cent of enterprises reported of innovation activity related to implementing the procurement contract without innovation being required in the contract in 2012 to 2014. Seven per cent of all enterprises, for example, 13 per cent of medium-sized service industry enterprises and 21 per cent of the largest enterprises, reported innovation activity related to the implementation of the contract without the contract requiring innovation activity.

Procurement contracts were reported most commonly in information service activities, architectural and engineering activities (technical testing and analysis) and in the software industry. In these industries, as well as in telecommunications, the electronics industry and publishing activities, innovation activity without any innovation requirement in the contract were reported more frequently than in other industries.

Figure 23. Procurement contracts and innovation activity in 2012 to 2014, share of enterprises

Source: Innovation 2014, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mervi Niemi 029 551 3263, Heidi Pirkola 029 551 3246, tiede.teknologia@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

---

Updated 2.6.2016