Research and Development Survey 2016

Reference period The reference period for the latest survey was the 2015/16 financial year. Businesses with balance dates falling between 1 January and 30 September supplied data for the year ending 2016. Businesses with balance dates falling between 1 October and 31 December supplied financial data for the year ending 2015. Summary of changes to the R&D population The sample for the R&D Survey: 2016 consisted of 3961 enterprises, plus the eight universities and their commercial arms. The target overall response rate for the R&D Survey: 2016 was 85 percent for business, government, and Crown research institutes (CRI). The response rate was 77 percent, the target was not achieved due to the November 2016 earthquake. The target overall response rate for the higher education (universities) was 100 percent, which was achieved. We identified some businesses as key units – if their response to a survey question was considerable in the previous survey period. The target response rate was 100 percent for businesses identified as key units. The sampling error on the total R&D expenditure figure is 3.7 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. There is no sampling error for the higher education sector due to the full coverage of this sector. The sampling error on the R&D expenditure figures at the 95 percent confidence level for the total business sector is 5.1 percent; for the total government sector it is 2.1 percent. The table below provides a numerical summary of the changes in the R&D population, as well as associated changes in the sample, number of respondents, and sampling errors. Summary of changes in the R&D population for 2016 Year 2012 2014 2016 Population Number Business 4,176 4,068 4,159 Government 111 96 101 Higher education 8 8 8 Total 4,296 4,176 4,268 Sample Number Business 3,333 3,606 3,869 Government 111 96 92 Higher education 8 8 8 Total 3,447 3,708 3,969 Number of respondents Number Business 2,922 3,114 2,978 Government 99 89 80 Higher education 8 8 8 Total 3,030 3,213 3,066 Response rate (1) Percent Business 88 86 77 Government 89 91 87 Higher education 100 100 100 Total 88 87 77 Yes to R&D(2) Number Business 1,491 1,587 1,340 Government 63 51 44 Higher education 8 8 8 Total 1,560 1,638 1,392 R&D performers as percentage of respondents(3) Percent Business 51 51 45 Government 64 58 55 Higher education 100 100 100 Total 51 51 45 Sample errors Percent Business 3.3 2.4 5.1 Government 0.4 0.8 2.1 Higher education 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total 1.5 1.7 3.7 Response rate = number of respondents divided by sample. 'Yes to R&D' means that a business is carrying out and/or funding R&D. R&D performers as percentage of respondents = 'yes to R&D' divided by number of respondents. Note: Due to rounding some figures may not add to stated totals. Only businesses we pre-identified as carrying out R&D are included. The sample size was relatively stable from 2012 to 2016. The response rate for R&D 2016 was lower than previous survey years due to the November 2016 earthquake. Response rates by industry The table below shows response rates by industry within the business sector. The overall business sector's response rate was 77 percent , ranging from 74 percent to 86 percent across the different industries. Response rates by industry - business sector Published industry Response rate (percent) Year 2012 2014 2016 Primary 84 85 74 Food product manufacturing 92 89 78 Beverage and tobacco manufacturing 83 80 74 Textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather manufacturing 90 90 85 Petroleum, coal, chemical, and associated product manufacturing 88 88 78 Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing 87 87 81 Metal product manufacturing 92 90 86 Machinery and equipment manufacturing 91 90 82 Other manufacturing 87 90 74 Manufacturing 90 89 80 Wholesale trade 87 87 78 Scientific research and technical services 90 88 81 Computer services 86 83 76 Other services 87 85 75 Service 87 85 77 Total business sector 88 87 77 Bioscience expenditure on R&D Following consultation with key stakeholders we removed the questions that related to Bioscience expenditure on R&D as they were no longer relevant. en-NZ