Research and Development Survey 2018

Reference period The reference period for the latest survey was the 2017/18 financial year. Businesses with balance dates falling between 1 January and 30 September supplied data for the year ending 2018. Businesses with balance dates falling between 1 October and 31 December supplied financial data for the year ending 2017. Summary of changes to the R&D population The sample for the R&D Survey: 2018 consisted of 4,249 enterprises, plus eight universities and their commercial arms. The overall response rate for the R&D Survey: 2018 was 83 percent for business, government, and Crown research institutes (CRI), the target response rate was 85 percent. The overall response rate for the higher education (universities) was 100 percent, which achieved the target response rate. We identified some businesses as key units – if their response to a survey question about R&D expenditure 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 3.4 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 5.5 percent; for the total government sector it is 7.5 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 2018 Year 2012 2014 2016 2018 Population Number Business 4,176 4,068 4,185 4,512 Government 111 96 101 97 Higher education 8 8 8 8 Total 4,296 4,176 4,294 4,617 Sample Number Business 3,333 3,606 3,895 4,159 Government 111 96 92 90 Higher education 8 8 8 8 Total 3,447 3,708 3,995 4,257 Number of respondents Number Business 2,922 3,114 2,978 3,455 Government 99 89 80 78 Higher education 8 8 8 8 Total 3,030 3,213 3,066 3,541 Response rate (1) Percent Business 88 86 77 83 Government 89 91 87 87 Higher education 100 100 100 100 Total 88 87 77 83 Yes to R&D(2) Number Business 1,491 1,587 1,340 1,642 Government 63 51 44 46 Higher education 8 8 8 8 Total 1,560 1,638 1,392 1,696 R&D performers as percentage of respondents(3) Percent Business 51 51 45 48 Government 64 58 55 59 Higher education 100 100 100 100 Total 51 51 45 48 Sample errors Percent Business 3.3 2.4 5.1 5.5 Government 0.4 0.8 2.1 7.5 Higher education 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total 1.5 1.7 3.7 3.4 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. Response rates by industry The table below shows response rates by industry within the business sector. The overall business sector's response rate was 83 percent , ranging from 80 percent to 91 percent across the different industries. Response rates by industry - business sector Published industry Response rate (percent) Year 2012 2014 2016 2018 Primary 84 85 74 80 Food product manufacturing 92 89 78 85 Beverage and tobacco manufacturing 83 80 74 91 Textiles, clothing, footwear, and leather manufacturing 90 90 85 86 Petroleum, coal, chemical, and associated product manufacturing 88 88 78 85 Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing 87 87 81 84 Metal product manufacturing 92 90 86 90 Machinery and equipment manufacturing 91 90 82 83 Other manufacturing 87 90 74 83 Manufacturing 90 89 80 85 Wholesale trade 87 87 78 84 Scientific research and technical services 90 88 81 84 Computer services 86 83 76 83 Other services 87 85 75 82 Service 87 85 77 83 Total business sector 88 87 77 83 Bioscience expenditure on R&D Based on consultation with key stakeholders, the questions that related to Bioscience expenditure on R&D was removed since 2016, as they were no longer relevant. en-NZ