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Introduction from the Australian Statistician
Introduction from the Australian Statistician
The statistical indicators presented in this web-based product comprise the first ABS compendium of statistics on the knowledge-based economy and society.
The work follows on from the release on 28 August 2002 of the ABS publication Discussion Paper: Measuring a Knowledge-based Economy and Society —An Australian Framework (cat. no. 1375.0). The Discussion Paper proposes a framework for measuring a knowledge-based economy and society and suggests a number of statistical indicators for elements of the Framework.
This release of indicators covers the three core dimensions described in the Discussion Paper. They are: Innovation and entrepreneurship, Human capital and Information and communications technology.
Additional indicators for the core dimensions will be introduced over time, as will indicators for the two supporting dimensions: Context and Economic and social impacts. Upates to indicators will occur continually as new information is released.
A simplified diagrammatic representation of the dimension structure of the Framework is presented below. It shows the Context dimension as being pervasive, the three core dimensions as overlapping and the Economic and social impacts dimension as being affected by both the Context and the three core dimensions. In reality, there are many more relationships than those shown.
![](/ausstats/abs@.nsf/2f762f95845417aeca25706c00834efa/ef6445f96087c50bca25706200034fcd/Body/0.9DE!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif)
The indicators in this product generally have a national focus. However, for many of them, information at a regional level (state/territory or lower) will be available from the original sources.
This method of presenting statistical data is new to the ABS and we welcome your comments on its usefulness and useability.
If you would like to comment on this product or the Framework more generally, please contact Tricia O'Reilly (phone 02 6252 7822; email tricia.oreilly@abs.gov.au).
Dennis Trewin
Australian Statistician
September 2003