Before the rates of growth for innovators and non-innovators can be compared a second survey is required at a later time point to measure change. Consequently little can be said currently about whether innovation improves business performance. Table S4.5 presents some data for the performance measure labour productivity, defined as the value of production per employee. The table shows that there appear to be differences in average labour productivity as between innovators and non-innovators. However, these difference are not statistically significant since there are high standard errors associated with the averages.
Technological innovation is more prevalent among larger manufacturers.
These businesses are likely to have been at least ten years in existence and involved in exporting. The larger manufacturers' more substantial operations and greater propensity to export appear to alter the way they view the innovation process. Compared to the smaller innovators, larger innovators report fewer barriers to undertaking innovation and are more positive about the objectives that innovation can help their business to achieve. Their aims include increasing their presence in overseas markets as well as improving product quality and expanding their product range. These businesses are probably in their first ten years of operation, and likely to be still finding and consolidating their place in the market.