European businesses statistics compilers’ manual for ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises :2023 edition

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) account for a significant part of EU productivity and growth and are transforming our societies and economies in a profound and unprecedented way. The uptake of digital technologies by enterprises transforms the way they conduct their activities, their business models, jobs, production. Statistics on information and communications technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises statistics measure the uptake of EU technologies and the digitalisation of the EU economy. These statistics are gathered through the annual ‘ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises’ survey. The 2023 survey measured enterprises’ access to and use of the internet and e-commerce (i.e. sale of goods and services online), use of cloud computing services, artificial intelligence and invoicing as well as data utilisation, sharing, analytics and trading. The purpose of the compilers’ manual is meant to serve as a practical reference document for all National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) involved in the compilation of data on the use of ICT and e-commerce in enterprises. Among others, the manual aims to help NSIs translate Eurostat model questionnaires into national languages and to ensure that the same methodology is used by all countries when conducting national surveys and to set out the concepts, definitions, and compilation, guiding the compilation of data. The purpose of this publication is to provide the compilers of European statistics on information and communication technology (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises with clarifications on how to apply the EU legal provisions. With the help of explanations and legal references, the Manual is meant to serve as a practical reference document for National Statistical Authorities. Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) account for a significant part of EU productivity and growth and are transforming our societies and economies in a profound and unprecedented way. The uptake of digital technologies by enterprises transforms the way they conduct their activities, their business models, jobs, production. Statistics on information and communications technologies (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises statistics measure the uptake of EU technologies and the digitalisation of the EU economy. These statistics are gathered through the annual ‘ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises’ survey. The 2023 survey measured enterprises’ access to and use of the internet and e-commerce (i.e. sale of goods and services online), use of cloud computing services, artificial intelligence and invoicing as well as data utilisation, sharing, analytics and trading. The purpose of the compilers’ manual is meant to serve as a practical reference document for all National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) involved in the compilation of data on the use of ICT and e-commerce in enterprises. Among others, the manual aims to help NSIs translate Eurostat model questionnaires into national languages and to ensure that the same methodology is used by all countries when conducting national surveys and to set out the concepts, definitions, and compilation, guiding the compilation of data. The purpose of this publication is to provide the compilers of European statistics on information and communication technology (ICT) usage and e-commerce in enterprises with clarifications on how to apply the EU legal provisions. With the help of explanations and legal references, the Manual is meant to serve as a practical reference document for National Statistical Authorities.