22 August 2006
Businesses Look to the Future
Businesses are planning further ahead Statistics New Zealand said today. Over 40 percent of businesses indicated they
plan more than one year ahead when setting goals, up from 18 percent in 2001.
This was one of many interesting results uncovered by the Business Operations Survey, conducted for the first time in
2005. It replaces several previous surveys and collects information on a wide range of business practices and behaviours
that impact on business performance.
The survey also found that in 2005 17 percent of businesses had export sales during their last financial year, with 5
percent entering new export markets during this same period. The manufacturing industry led the way, with 41 percent of
manufacturing businesses exporting and 14 percent entering new markets.
The survey showed 52 percent of businesses had engaged in innovation over the previous two years. The industries with
the highest innovation rate were finance and insurance (68 percent) and manufacturing (65 percent). In 2005, almost half
of all businesses systematically compared their performance or processes with other businesses.
Further publications focusing on other areas of interest covered by the 2005 Business Operations Survey will be released
over the next 12 months.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
ENDS