Comparability

Comparability - geographical

Comparable statistics is available for Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland, see https://www.innovationbarometer.org/nordic-publication/. A manual for establishing statistics on innovation in the public sector was published in 2021, managed by Center of Public-Private Innovation (DK). The manual increases the possibilities for establishing internationally comparable statistics.

Comparability over time

The survey is a continuation of comparable surveys carried out for the reference periods 2015-2016 and 2018-2019. There has been some adjustment of few variables, and the degree of comparison is high.

Coherence - cross domain

The statistics may to some extent be compared to statistics on innovation in the business enterprise sector. Both statistics are compiled according to EU and OECD guidelines. Among the central variables product- and process innovation may be compared. On the other hand there is a range of crucial differences between the two statistics: Innovation in the public sector is a voluntary survey, whereas statistics on innovation in the business enterprise sector i compulsory. The reference period diverge: in the business enterprise sector survey most questions regard the latest three-year period, whereas innovation in the public sector concerns the latest two-year period. Finally there is a general and important reservation concerning comparison, that the frame conditions may very well be different in a private enterprise in a competitive market and a public sector institution with a political management.

Coherence - internal

High consistency in the data, as an electronic web-based questionnaire has been used, guiding the respondents to the relevant questions.