1. Contact | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.1 Contact organisation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Istat - Italian National Statistical Institute | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.2 Contact organisation unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SED - Division for short-term business statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.3 Contact name | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.4 Contact person function | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.5 Contact mail address | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Via Tuscolana, 1788 00173 Rome Italy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.6 Contact email address | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.7 Contact phone number | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.8 Contact fax number | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. Metadata update | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.1 Metadata last certified | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022-04-29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.2 Metadata last posted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022-04-29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2.3 Metadata last update | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022-04-29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Statistical presentation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.1 Data description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The quarterly survey on turnover of the services is a sampling survey aimed to produceshort term indicators for the sectors considered. The survey has realized in accordance with EU Regulation on short term statistics (Regulation 2019/2152). A provisional index is published about 60 days from reference period and it will be revised and published as definitive one about 150 days.
The main topics observed are: Turnover of services companies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.2 Classification system | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NACE Rev. 2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.3 Coverage - sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Groups 70.2, 81.2, Divisions 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 69, 71, 73, 74, 78, 79, 80, 82, Section J, of NACE Rev. 2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.4 Statistical concepts and definitions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The variables collected by the questionnaires are turnover and number of persons employed, as auxiliary variable.
Turnover comprises the totals invoiced by the observation unit during the reference period, and this corresponds to market sales of good and services supplied to third parties. It is valued excluding VAT.
Employment data correspond to the total number of persons employed at the end of the reference period. This total includes all persons linked to the enterprise by a direct work contract, on the basis of which they receive a payment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.5 Statistical unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.6 Statistical population | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The population of enterprises belonging to the economic activities of Groups 70.2, 81.2, Divisions 45, 46, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 69, 71, 73, 74, 78, 79, 80, 82, Section J, of NACE Rev. 2.
The frame for identifying units for the population is the Business Register (Archivio Statistico delle Imprese Attive ¿ ASIA). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.7 Reference area | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Italy - The whole national territory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.8 Coverage - Time | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The data are available from 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.9 Base period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Starting first quarter 2018 indices are in base 2015=100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4. Unit of measure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indices | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. Reference Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6. Institutional Mandate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.1 Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal basis:
National level:
This is one of the compulsory surveys fixed every year by a Decree of the President of the Republic (D.P.R.).
European level: The legal basis for the STS indicators are the Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics, repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics (EBS-Regulation) and the Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 (General Implementing Act). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.2 Institutional Mandate - data sharing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not available | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7. Confidentiality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7.1 Confidentiality - policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Several national legal acts guarantee the confidentiality of data requested for statistical purposes. According to art. 9, paragraph 1 of the Legislative Decree n. 322 of 1989, personal data can only be disseminated in aggregate form, in order to make it impossible to identify individuals, and can only be used for statistical purposes. Legislative Decree n. 322 of 1989, art. 6 bis and Legislative Decree n. 196 of 2003 Annex A3 (Code of conduct and professional practice applying to the processing of personal data for statistical and scientific research purposes within the framework of the National Statistical System), art. 8, provide that the exchange of personal data within the National Statistical System (Sistan) is possible if it is necessary to fulfil requirements provided by the National Statistical Programme or to allow the pursuit of institutional purposes. The supply of the identification data of statistical units is allowed within the framework of entities included in the National Statistical System if the requesting party declares that no identical statistical result can be obtained otherwise. Regarding subjects who do not belong to Sistan, Article. 7 of the Code of conduct (Decree n. 196/2003, Annex A3) states that it is possible to transmit individual data files without direct identifiers within the framework of specific laboratories set up by entities included in the National Statistical System, under certain conditions and only if that the data are protected by the application of statistical methods that make it highly unlikely the identification of statistical units. Links to relevant legal acts on statistics are also listed on the website of Sistan - National Statistical System - SISTAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7.2 Confidentiality - data treatment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There are no confidentiality issues at the present time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8. Release policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8.1 Release calendar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Every year in December Istat publishes a release calendar providing the precise release dates for the coming year. The calendar is distributed to the press and is available free of charge to interested parties. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8.2 Release calendar access | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The calendar is also disseminated on Istat web site https://www.istat.it/en/information-and-services/journalists/press-releases-/press-calendar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8.3 Release policy - user access | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data are released simultaneously to all interested parties by issuing the press release "Fatturato dei servizi" posted on the Italian National Institute of Statistics website http://www.istat.it. Time series are available on I.Stat database. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9. Frequency of dissemination | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterly press releases are disseminated as provisional at about 60 days after the end of the reference quarter. Final data are released 150 days after the end of the reference quarter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10. Accessibility and clarity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.1 Dissemination format - News release | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data releases ¿Statistiche flash ¿ fatturato dei servizi¿ are posted on Istat website according to a prefixed annual release calendar, published by the previous December. https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/fatturato+servizi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.2 Dissemination format - Publications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data are made available also through a statistical yearbook: ¿Annuario Statistico Italiano¿ (ASI) - Italian Statistical Yearbook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.3 Dissemination format - online database | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data are disseminated in I.Stat database (I.Stat), theme Services, data set Indexes of turnover in other services
The on-line database I.Stat is open and free, statistics are organised by theme in a two-level hierarchical tree. Data are presented in aggregate form in multidimensional tables; acting on variables, reference periods and the arrangement of heads and sides users can create custom tables and graphs. Datasets can be searched by keyword, theme and region.
A wide range of standard metadata facilitates the retrieval and understanding of statistics by users. More information available in the User Guide | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.4 Dissemination format - microdata access | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Validated microdata are stored in the repository of the Institute, ARMIDA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.5 Dissemination format - other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10.6 Documentation on methodology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The methodology and characteristics of the survey are described in the technical explanatory note attached to the press release. The document is regularly updated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10.7 Quality management - documentation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Information about procedures applied for quality management and assessment are available in the document "Quality Guidelines for Statistical Processes" - December 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11. Quality management | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11.1 Quality assurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Since the 90s Istat adopted a systematic approach to ensure quality in both statistical information and service to the community. For this purpose the Institute has defined a quality policy providing itself with appropriate tools as well as management changes to carry it out. Istat quality policy is coherent with the European framework developed by Eurostat, taking up its main principles and definitions. In 2005, the European Statistics Code of Practice (revised in 2011) established the principles to follow in order to ensure and strengthen both accountability and governance of the European Statistical System and the National Statistical Systems inside it. Essential points of Istat quality policy are: Process quality: consisting in the production of accurate statistical information efficiently and effectively; Product quality: consisting in the dissemination of high-quality timely statistical data which are relevant for the users, also the potential ones; Documentation: consisting in the storage and availability of information necessary not only for a proper use of data but also to ensure transparency in all the production activities of statistical data; Respect for respondents: consisting in the reduction of response burden and in the respect of respondent's privacy; Strengthening of statistical literacy: consisting in promoting a proper use of statistical information in policy-making to better support decisions and policies; Users' orientation: consisting in making statistical information easily accessible and understandable and in satisfying user needs as much as possible. For details: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/quality/european-quality-standards/european-statistics-code-of-practice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11.2 Quality management - assessment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2010 this survey was submitted to an audit on quality in a testing phase https://www.istat.it/en/methods-and-tools/data-quality-tools/quality-in-the-national-statistical-system. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12. Relevance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12.1 Relevance - User Needs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Main users turnover sales index are: - Institutions: government departments, ECB, national central bank, international organisations, etc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12.2 Relevance - User Satisfaction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not available | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12.3 Completeness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
European requirements are fulfilled. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13. Accuracy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13.1 Accuracy - overall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sampling units are selected according to two different approaches. In sectors in which few large businesses determine the market dynamic (50 - Maritime and water transport. 51 - Air transport. 53 - Postal services and courier activities. 61 - Telecommunications and 78 - Research. selection and supply of personnel) cut-off type sampling schemes of unit selection are adopted. The largest businesses in terms of number of persons employed and turnover are selected, up to covering a sufficiently high amount (usually greater than 80%) of the total turnover of the sector. For the remaining sectors, appropriate thresholds are detected based on number of persons employed and then enterprises are selected from the subpopulations identified. A stratified simple random sampling design is chosen using as stratification variables the economic activity (at group level. 3 digits of the NACE Rev.2 classification) and business size (in terms of persons employed and turnover classes).
Once a year part of the sample is refreshed, in order to reduce burden on respondents, to guarantee a good level for coverage and to take into account of the business demography. The response rate for the Divisions 50, 51 and 53 is about 90% for provisional estimates and near to 100% for final estimates. The average response rates for the other activities are around 85%-90% for provisional estimates and 90%-95% for final estimates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13.2 Sampling error | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The sampling error for the sampled subpopulation is measured in terms of coefficient of variation and is set equal to 3% for all the estimates domain except for division 55 where is equal to 5%. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13.3 Non-sampling error | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-responding enterprises are contacted by email reminders. The most important enterprises in terms of turnover are contacted by telephone.
Non-sampling errors are reduced or eliminated in the collection phase both using an electronic questionnaire that helps debugging and aiming at an increase of the response rate of enterprises. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14. Timeliness and punctuality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14.1 Timeliness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterly press releases are disseminated as provisional 60 days after the end of the reference period. Final data are released 150 days after the end of the reference period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14.2 Punctuality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100% of releases are delivered on time, based on scheduled release dates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15. Coherence and comparability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15.1 Comparability - geographical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not available | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15.2 Comparability - over time | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Data on main aggregates are comparable since 2001. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15.3 Coherence - cross domain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dissemination of information that support statistical cross-checks and provide assurance of reasonableness are not available. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15.4 Coherence - internal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Internal coherence between aggregates is verified. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16. Cost and Burden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The cost estimate is compiled in terms of total number of hours worked (THW). It is equal to the product of three terms: (total) Annual Working Days (AWD), (total) Hours Worked per Day (HWD), Number of Persons involved in the Survey (NPS).
The burden estimate is compiled in terms of total number of minutes (TNM) taken to fill in the (web) questionnaire. The burden is applied to respondent, i.e. the person who fills in the questionnaire on behalf of the enterprise. To estimate it, two elements have been taken into account. The former distinguishes between beginner and expert respondent, to point out respectively the person who fills in the web questionnaire for the first time and the one who is familiar with filling in the form. The latter, closely concerns the information that have to be monthly provided. On average, by combining these two elements, the time spent to fill in the questionnaire (just the burden) is estimated in terms of total number of minutes between a minimum and a maximum threshold.
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17. Data revision | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17.1 Data revision - policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterly press releases are disseminated as provisional 60 days after the end of the reference period. Final data are released 150 days after the end of the reference period. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17.2 Data revision - practice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The data are provisional at the time of the Press Release in which they are reported. Generally, major changes in methodology, sources and statistical techniques are announced in ad hoc publications.
Advance notification of methodological changes is also provided through seminars and papers disseminated throughout the scientific community. Quarterly revisions (routine revisions) are also scheduled and concern both indexes transmitted to Eurostat and indexes nationally released.
The Mean Revision (MR), the Mean Absolute Revision (MAR) and the RMAR (Relative Mean Absolute Revision) indicators are here reported for the unadjusted FAS quarterly percentage changes and the seasonally adjusted FAS percentage changes. These indicators refer to 24 values for quarterly data.
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18. Statistical processing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18.1 Source data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The data are collected through a statistical survey. The frame on which the source is based is business register managed and yearly updated by Istat (Archivio Statistico delle Imprese Attive ¿ ASIA).
The surveys for Divisions 50, 51, 53 and 61 are carried out on the basis of a non-random sample, selecting the enterprises in order to have a turnover coverage of about 80-90%. For other divisions a stratified sample is selected. The overall sample size is about 18,500-19,000 enterprises. Two criteria for stratification are taken into account: economic activity (Division or Group) and size of the enterprise (number of employees). The threshold is given by number of persons employed classes: 2-4; 5-19; 20-99; 100 and more. At the beginning of every year the samples of the surveys are updated to manage panel attrition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18.2 Frequency of data collection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The data are collected quarterly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18.3 Data collection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Self-administered data collection via electronic transmission, data are collected through a web portal called Portale Imprese https://imprese.istat.it/. Respondents need to login for insert data in the web questionnaire. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18.4 Data validation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Every questionnaire is checked during data entry; every variable is checked through a comparison with past values according to a coherence criterion. Outlier observations are identified: a) for most of the divisions according to the analysis of individual time series; b) for the other indicators, on the basis of the Hidiroglou-Berthelot method (based on quartiles of the empirical frequency distribution) and a macro-editing technique.
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18.5 Data compilation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non responses are estimated at micro-level by modelling.
For the probabilistic sample surveys the results are grossed up using sample final weights applied to each respondent unit in each estimation domain. Final weights are obtained multiplying the inverse of inclusion probabilities by a unit non-response correction factor.
The index is calculated by Laspeyres formula with fixed base (2015=100).For all indicators a weight system is derived from the Structural Business Statistics for the base year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18.6 Adjustment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The seasonally adjusted data (Tramo/Seats procedure) are released for the longer series available. The COVID-19 pandemic emergency has not determined, in the period of conduction of the collection of the basic information, particular criticality in the survey on the turnover in services. Overall even if working under critical conditions, the majority of the businesses involved in the survey provided the information required. Taking into account the extraordinary changes in turnover recorded from the first quarter 2020, models for time series treatment included additional regressors when necessary. Series were seasonally adjusted following official Eurostat guidelines. This procedure may continue in the next quarters until the information collected will offer a clear insight and therefore statistical models for seasonal adjustment might be revised. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19. Comment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||