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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 27) a publication on "Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2012".
The publication presents the latest statistics on research and development (R&D) activities in Hong Kong, with elaborated analyses of R&D activities performed in the business, higher education and government sectors. It also contains detailed statistics on technological innovation (including product and process innovation) and non-technological innovation (including organisational and marketing innovation) in the business sector.
Innovation activities play an important role in a knowledge-based economy. R&D is a key component of technological innovation, whereas the latter also includes other related activities (such as pre-production before mass production of new products and training of employees for new processes) which support the implementation of technological product and process innovations. While non-technological innovation is not directly related to the application and advancement in science and technology, it also contributes to the competitiveness and performance of business establishments.
R&D activities refer to creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, and the use of this knowledge to devise new products/processes/applications or improve existing products/processes/applications.
Technological innovation refers to activity conducted for the purpose of (i) introducing any technologically new or significantly improved product or service; or (ii) introducing any technologically new or significantly improved process in manufacturing a product or in providing a service. In most cases, product and process innovations involve R&D activities which are either conducted in-house by business establishments or contracted-out to other organisations. Non-technological innovation includes the implementation of important changes in organisational structures and marketing strategies.
Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp120.jsp?productCode=B1110010).
Enquiries about this publication can be directed to the Science and Technology Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 2887 5560 or email: stb1@censtatd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, December 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:30
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