8167.0 - Selected Characteristics of Australian Business, 2011-12 Quality Declaration
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/09/2013
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BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Consistent with previous results, during 2011-12, two in five Australian businesses reported that they focussed on quality measures of business performance to a major extent and a third of all businesses focussed on financial measures to a major extent. Conversely, almost two in five businesses reported that they had no focus at all on environmental performance measures (38%). Businesses in Electricity, gas, water and waste services were the most likely to focus on environmental measures to a major extent (37%) followed by Mining (23%). Innovation-active businesses were more likely to focus on quality measures to a major extent (52%) than non innovation-active businesses (29%). Non innovation-active businesses were almost three times as likely to report no focus at all on human resources measures (45%) than innovation-active businesses (17%). Further data relating to business performance assessment can be accessed via the Downloads tab. CHANGES IN BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AND ACTIVITIES Businesses were provided with a list of performance indicators and activities and were asked to assess whether these had decreased, stayed the same, or increased compared to the previous year; an additional option of not applicable was also provided. Businesses were asked to select one response for each performance indicator and activity.
An increase in income from sales of goods or services was reported by 36% of businesses, almost the same proportion of businesses as those that reported a decrease (34%). Over a third of businesses reported a decrease in profitability compared to the previous year (37%). The proportion of businesses that reported an increase in income from sales of goods or services increased with each employment size range, from 30% of businesses with 0-4 persons employed to 70% of businesses with 200 or more persons employed. Businesses that employed 200 or more persons were the most likely to report a decrease in total number of jobs or positions (22%). The proportion of businesses that reported an increase in income from sales of goods and services was highest in the Arts and recreation services and Electricity, gas, water and waste services industries (both 42%). Conversely, 47% of businesses in Manufacturing indicated a decrease in income from sales of goods and services. These businesses were also the most likely to report a decrease in profitability (49%). At least a quarter of businesses in the remaining selected industries also reported a decrease in profitability. For each of the performance indicators provided, innovation-active businesses were more likely to report that there had been an increase in the indicator or activity from the previous year than non innovation-active businesses. For example, innovation-active businesses were more than twice as likely to report an increase in productivity (34%) and the total number of jobs or positions (21%) than non innovation-active businesses (14% and 8% respectively). Innovation-active businesses were more than four times as likely to report that structured/formal training for employees increased than non innovation-active businesses (18% compared with 4%) and were more likely to report an increase in profitability than non innovation-active businesses (34% compared with 24%). Further data relating to change in business performance can be accessed via the Downloads tab. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.
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