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Innovation activity in enterprises in Sweden 2014-2016:

45 percent of the enterprises in Sweden conducted innovation activities

Statistical news from Statistics Sweden 2017-12-14 9.30

The latest survey of innovation activities in Swedish enterprises shows that 45 percent of the enterprises conducted innovation activities during 2014-2016. In the earlier innovation survey 2012-2014 the share of innovative enterprises was 46 percent.

There were two branches that showed a decrease in the share of enterprises with innovation activities compared to 2012-2014. The sector for basic metals (NACE 24) decreased from 68 percent to 60 percent and insurance, reinsurance and pension funding (NACE 65) decreased from 71 percent to 64 percent.

The big enterprises, with 250 employees or more, conducted innovation activities more than the smaller enterprises. 74 percent of the large enterprises indicated that they had conducted innovation activities. As in previous years the enterprises with 10-49 employees had the lowest share in conducting innovation, 42 percent.

Share of enterprises with innovative activities, 2012-2014 and 2014-2016

All surveyed industries 2012-2014 and 2014-2016 (B+C+D+E+F+G+H+I+J+K+69-74+N)

 Share of enterprises with innovation activities
 2012-20142014-2016
Total
46 45
10-49 employees
42 42
50-249 employees
61 59
250 employees or more
75 74

The differences in the table above are not statistically significant.

6 percent of the enterprises had public sector contract requiring innovation

29 percent of the enterprises in Sweden had a contract during 2014-2016 to provide goods or services to public sector organisations in Sweden. The highest share of providing goods and services had enterprises in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (NACE 35). 65 percent of these enterprises provided to public sector organisations in Sweden. Providing goods or services to foreign public sector organisations was not as common, 3 percent of the enterprises had such contract. Institutes for scientific research and development (NACE 72) had contracts with foreign public sector organisations to a greater extent than others, 21 percent.

Most of the contracts with public sector organisations in Sweden did not involve innovation activities at all. 17 percent of the enterprises answered that they had undertaken innovation activities as part of a contract. 6 percent of the enterprises said that one or more of their contracts specifically required innovation.

Share of enterprises with contract with public sector organisations in Sweden and innovation activities as part of the contract
 Contract with public sector organisation in SwedenOf which innovation was required as part of the contractOf which innovation was not required as part of the contractOf which no innovation activity was undertaken
Total
29 6 11 85
10-49 employees
27 5 11 86
50-249 employees
38 7 10 85
250 employees or more
51 14 18 75

Highest number of enterprises with registered trademark in wholesale

The results of the survey show that 9 percent of the enterprises registered a trademark during 2014-2016. Highest number of enterprises with registered trademark was found in wholesale (NACE 46), that is 709. However, the highest share of enterprises that had applied for a patent during 2014-2016 was 49 percent, and was found in institutes for scientific research and development (NACE 72). This is also the branch with highest share of innovation enterprises, 83 percent.

29 percent of the enterprises had innovation cooperation

Among the enterprises with innovation activities for product and/or process innovation, 29 percent answered that they had innovation cooperation during 2014-2016. Suppliers were the most common cooperative partner, followed by clients or customers from the private sector and competitors. Compared with the previous innovation survey, the cooperation with private institutes for research and development has increased while the cooperation with the higher education sector has decreased. According to the enterprises the suppliers were the most important cooperation partner.

Many large enterprises receive support for innovation

13 percent of the enterprises with innovation activities had received financial support for their innovation activities. Most common support is from the central government.

Among the enterprises with 250 employees or more had 23 percent received financial support during 2014-2016. 11 percent of the enterprises with 50-249 employees had received financial support and 13 percent of those with 10-49 employees.

Definitions and explanations

Enterprises carrying out innovation activities include:

  1. Enterprises that have introduced a new product and/or process innovations during the period 2014-2016
  2. Enterprises that have introduced organisational innovations during the period 2014-2016
  3. Enterprises that have introduced marketing innovations during the period 2014-2016
  4. Enterprises that during the period 2014-2016 have abandoned or suspended the development of new products or processes before completion
  5. Enterprises that at the end of 2016 had ongoing development activities of new products or processes that are not yet finished

 

Publication

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The next press release in this series is scheduled for publication 23 February 2018 at 9:30.

Statistical Database

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