The Census & Statistics Department has published the 2005 Annual Survey of Innovation Activities in the Business Sector. It collects information on innovation activities, like research & development, in Hong Kong's business community.

Conducted from mid-February to early-August, the survey contains analyses of the various aspects of innovation activities, including the impact of technological innovation (TI) on businesses, source of information for undertaking TI activities, barriers to TI, and non-TI activities like important strategic and organisational changes.

The department said innovation activities play an important role in a knowledge-based economy. While research and development is one of the key forces for TI, there are other forms of innovation activities not directly related to technological advancement and changes, but may nevertheless contribute significantly to a firm's competitiveness and performance.