Survey of Advanced Technologies

Detailed information for 1998

The survey is part of an on-going program to develop indicators of innovation. Adoption of advanced technologies is an activity linked to innovation. The information compiled from the survey can be used to develop national and regional economic policies and technology strategies.

Data release - December 14, 1999

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

The objective of this survey is to provide statistics on the technological capabilities of business units in the manufacturing industries. Statistics Canada will create a data base combining individual survey responses with existing Statistics Canada data records. This data will be released in aggregate form only so as to maintain the confidentiality of individual business records. The survey will provide the basis for informed decisions on policies and programs concerning technology adoption in the manufacturing and logging industries. The survey is conducted occasionally, depending on need, and covers a 3-year reference period. Industries surveyed may vary from survey to survey. Coverage is largely determined by client sponsorship.

The data obtained from the survey will be used by both the public and private sectors:

. Governments can use this information in decision-making and the development of national and regional economic policies.
. Firms can use the information for market analysis.
. Industry associations can use the information to study various characteristics of their industry.
. Academic researchers can use the data to perform research to determine underlying principles measuring the modes of use and the business impacts of use of these new technologies.

Statistical activity

Science and technology (S&T) and the information society are changing the way we live, learn and work. The concepts are closely intertwined: science generates new understanding of the way the world works, technology applies it to develop innovative products and services and the information society is one of the results of the innovations.

People are looking to Statistics Canada to measure and explain the social and economic impacts of these changes.

The purpose of this Program is to develop useful indicators of S&T activity in Canada based on a framework that ties them together in a coherent picture.

Subjects

• Innovation
• Manufacturing
• Science and technology

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population are all business units (establishments) in the manufacturing sector, excluding food processing, with at least 10 employees.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

In order to prevent any data disclosure, confidentiality analysis is done using the Statistics Canada Generalized Disclosure Control System (G-Confid). G-Confid is used for primary suppression (direct disclosure) as well as for secondary suppression (residual disclosure). Direct disclosure occurs when the value in a tabulation cell is composed of or dominated by few enterprises while residual disclosure occurs when confidential information can be derived indirectly by piecing together information from different sources or data series.