The impact of the Internet on the production and dissemination of statistics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Relander, Timo^{; 1} | Kunnas, Risto | Ruohuvirta, Heikki

Affiliations: Statistics Finland, Fin-00022, Finland

Note: [1] Paper presented at the UN-ECE Meeting on the Management of Statistical Information Technology, Geneva, Switzerland, 15–17 February 1999.

Abstract: The standard supply of statistical data is being replaced by tailored services and electronic transmission of data in an understandable form. Making statistical data understandable is a challenging task for statistical agencies. It requires networking with experts in different fields and observing the environment through the customer's eyes, as well as knowledge about the demand for new statistics. Therefore, continuous market surveys should be included in the annual programs of all statistical agencies. The Internet seems to be taking over the digital markets. A digital medium, even if it is easy to use, demands new, revolutionary skills. Managing and directing the process of change in a way that mental barriers can be overcome without breaking them will be one of the challenges facing the management of statistical agencies at the onset of the 21st century. To be able to consolidate its forces in order to realize a certain vision, an organization must first come to a common agreement about the target that it wants to achieve and understand the reasons why this future target is worth achieving.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1999-162-303

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 16, no. 2-3, pp. 137-143, 1999