| The indicator is a measure of the degree of technological advancement in the economy, provides information on the impact of R&D activities on the economy and on the competitiveness and ability of the economy to absorb the results of the work of the fields of science and technology.
In the study of technology advancement, two methods are generally used: by field and by product. The industry classification is based on analyses of the content of the R&D component (‘technology content’). In addition to high scientific intensity, the fields classified as high-tech are characterized by: high level of innovation, short life cycle of products and processes and rapid diffusion of technological innovations, increasing demand for highly qualified personnel, especially in the field of technical and natural sciences, high capital expenditure, high investment risk and rapid "ageing" of investments, close scientific and technical cooperation, within individual countries and internationally, between companies and research institutions (scientific institutes, universities, etc.) and increasing competition in international trade.
The current list of domains includes 4 categories of domains: high technique, medium-high technique, medium-low technique and low technique.
The following indicators were used to measure the content/intensity of the R&D component: the ratio of direct expenditure on R&D activities to value added, the ratio of direct expenditure on R&D activities to the value of production (sales), the ratio of direct expenditure on R&D activities increased by ‘incorporated’ indirect expenditure in capital goods and semi-finished products to the value of production (sales).
Due to the intensity of R&D activities, the sectors are grouped as follows:
- low technique - intensity of R&D activity below 1%;
- medium-low technology - intensity of R&D activity at the level of 1 - 2.5%;
- medium-high technology - intensity of R&D activity at the level of 2.5 - 7%;
- high technology - intensity of R&D activity greater than 7%.
Net revenue from the sale of products includes amounts due - net of value added tax - from the sale of finished goods and services, adjusted for surcharges due and rebates and discounts granted.
In the domain-based approach, the data concern enterprises from Section C - Industrial Processing (NACE Classification 2007).
According to the classification of industrial processing according to R&D intensity (NACE Classification 2007), the following divisions/groups belong to high and medium-high technology respectively:
- High technology (Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical substances and medicines and other pharmaceutical products - 21, Manufacture of computers, electronic and optical products - 26, Manufacture of aircraft, spacecraft and similar machinery - 30.3);
- Medium-high technology (Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products - 20, Manufacture of weapons and ammunition - 25.4, Manufacture of electrical equipment - 27, Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. - 28, Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, excluding motorcycles - 29, Manufacture of railway locomotives and rolling stock - 30.2, Manufacture of military combat vehicles - 30.4, Manufacture of transport equipment n.e.c. - 30.9, Manufacture of equipment, instruments and medical devices, including dental equipment - 32.5). |
