Digitalisation of the Austrian Economy in an International Comparison

Digital technologies have the potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of production processes and thus affect countries' economic performances. A comparison with the innovation-leading countries of the EU shows that the Austrian ICT production sector is small but performs well in terms of technological innovation and economic performance. Measured in terms of patent applications, this is particularly true in the field of information and communication equipment. Moreover, the diffusion of digital technologies works well in many areas. However, in some areas Austrian firms show a lower application rate than reference countries. On the one hand, a difference between the manufacturing and the service sector can be observed, on the other hand national industrial structures affect the type of technology used.