5217.0 - Australian National Accounts: Supply Use Tables, 2016-17 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/12/2018  First Issue
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AN INTRODUCTION TO SPECIALISATION AND COVERAGE RATIOS


INTRODUCTION

Specialisation and coverage ratios measure the homogeneity of industries. The supply-use tables facilitate the derivation of these ratios for each industry, in a dataset spanning more than two decades.

These ratios are useful tools in assessing how the structure of the Australian economy has evolved over the past 20 years. In particular, whether Australian businesses have become less homogenous by diversification into new products or new markets over time. Examples of diverse businesses surround us. Farmers that offer farm stays, hotels that provide airport transfers and pubs that also operate a brewery - these are all examples of businesses diversifying.

This article introduces simple analysis of specialisation and coverage ratios to explore the nature and extent of this diversification through case studies of the Printing, and Computer Systems Design and Related Services industries.


STRUCTURE OF INDUSTRIES IN THE SUPPLY-USE TABLES

Before discussing specialisation and coverage ratios, it is necessary to first introduce the industry structure used in the supply-use tables.

The ABS uses an economic statistics model to describe the characteristics of businesses and the structural relationships between them. When a business engages in more than one type of production, the primary production is the activity for which gross value added is the greatest for that business. An example of the classification of businesses to industry is shown in Figure 1. The production reported by a business may include both primary and secondary production. The output of an industry may include some products that are jointly produced (e.g. natural gas linked to crude oil) or multiple distinctly separate products (e.g. the mining industry producing mining products and transport services). In this case, primary products may generally be distinguished by the principal product with the smaller output treated as secondary production. Each product is primary to one (and only one) industry.


FIGURE 1 – EXAMPLE OF BUSINESS ALLOCATION TO INDUSTRY IN THE ABS
Figure 1 – Example of business allocation to industry in the ABS

The supply-use tables are compiled at the level of 67 industries based on the Supply-Use Industry Classification (SUIC) and 114 products based on the Supply-Use Product Group (SUPG).

Figure 2 illustrates how primary products can be identified in the supply-use tables. The light green cells indicate primary production of industries and dark green cells indicate secondary production. The list of primary products associated with each industry in the supply-use tables are provided in Appendix A.

FIGURE 2 – PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION, 2016-17
Figure 2 – Primary and secondary production, 2016-17



SPECIALISATION RATIO

The ratio between the production by an industry of products primary to it and its total output is called the specialisation ratio. This ratio indicates how concentrated an industry is on producing its primary products. A high ratio indicates a highly specialised industry (with a ratio of 100 per cent implying an industry performs no secondary production) and a low ratio indicating a more diverse industry that derives a substantial amount of total output from secondary production.


COVERAGE RATIO

The coverage ratio is the market share of the industry to which the product is primary. A ratio of 100 per cent implies that all output of industry's primary products are performed solely by that industry. The coverage ratio of each industry producing a given product can be calculated by dividing that industry's output of that product by the total output of that product.

Importantly, the coverage ratio does not tell us about the penetration of imports for particular products, but analysis between Australian production and imports can also be performed using the supply-use tables.


INTERPRETATION OF THE RATIOS

There are some limitations to the analysis of specialisation and coverage ratios. For example, changes to these ratios could be attributed to structural changes within the industries. Businesses could be merging with others and thus acquiring capacity to produce a more diverse mix of products or diversifying themselves as new market opportunities open up. (footnote 1)

In addition, when analysing changes in specialisation and coverage ratios, it is important to consider the output of secondary production. Graph 1 compares the specialisation ratio to output of secondary production of the Internet Publishing and Broadcasting industry and the Construction Services industry.


GRAPH 1 – SECONDARY PRODUCTION LEVEL VS SPECIALISATION RATIO

Graph1 – Secondary production level vs specialisation ratio


The specialisation ratio for the Construction Services industry has remained unchanged because both primary and secondary production has increased at a similar rate. However, the output of secondary products by the Construction Services industry has increased by more than $57.5 billion in the past 20 years, accounting for more than 15 per cent of the increase in total secondary production by all industries.

In contrast, the change in specialisation for the Internet Publishing and Broadcasting industry is significant, falling from 96 per cent to 80 per cent between 1994-95 and 2016-17. The change in secondary production over the same period was $2.5 billion, accounting for only 1 per cent of total secondary production growth.


CHANGES IN SPECIALISATION AND COVERAGE RATIOS

Evidence of industry diversification and specialisation are observed at all scales in the supply-use tables. Graph 2 shows the changes in the specialisation ratio across all industries in the economy from 1994-95 to 2016-17. Specialisation trended downward until 2012-13, but since 2012-13 there has been a modest rise, which has been driven by the mining industry performing less of their own construction works at new sites and more of their core mining business.


GRAPH 2 – SPECIALISATION RATIO AND SUPPLY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION
Graph 2 – Specialisation ratio and supply of primary and secondary production


Graph 3 shows some of the industries with the biggest changes in their specialisation ratio between 1994-95 to 2016-17. Internet Publishing and Broadcasting, and Telecommunications Services are closely related, and the drop in their specialisation ratios is largely due to each industry supplying a growing share of the other’s primary products.

GRAPH 3 - LARGEST CHANGE IN SPECIALISATION RATIO, BY INDUSTRY, 1994-95 TO 2016-17
Graph 3 - Largest change in specialisation ratio, by industry, 1994-95 to 2016-17


An industry's ratio of specialisation can be influenced by changes in primary and secondary production. Graph 4 shows the output of primary and secondary products by the Printing industry. This industry recorded the largest drop in specialisation of all industries, falling from around 79 per cent in 2007-08 to 25 per cent in 2016-17. In absolute terms, primary production of printing products fell from $7.4 billion to $1.7 billion over the same period. A major contributing factor to the decline in supply of printing products has been businesses and consumers moving to online platforms. Businesses are increasingly using online platforms to interact and engage with their customers with traditional printing services being phased out (footnote 2). While consumers use online platforms as a more cost effective way in distributing information than traditional print materials. The Printing industry has adapted to a fall in demand for its primary products by increasing output of complementary products such as advertising, commercial art, and specialised design services.

GRAPH 4 – PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION BY 160 - PRINTING SERVICES INDUSTRY, 1994-95 TO 2016-17
Graph 5 – Primary and secondary production by 160 - Printing services industry, 1994-95 to 2016-17

Graph 5 shows the coverage ratio of the Printing industry and the output of printing services by other industries. As such, the coverage of the Printing industry of its primary product also fell, from 80 per cent in 1994-95 to 49 per cent in 2016-17. This indicates that printing services is taking place elsewhere in the economy by industries such as Wholesale Trade, and Pulp, Paper and Converted Paper Manufacturing.

GRAPH 5 – SUPPLY OF PRODUCTS PRIMARY TO THE PRINTING SERVICES INDUSTRY

Graph 5: Printing Industry primary products supply


The specialisation and coverage ratios of the Computer Systems Design and Related Services industry are shown in Graph 6. Primary production by the Computer Systems Design and Related Services industry continued to increase yet its specialisation ratio fell. This industry has expanded rapidly over the past five years by servicing the growing need for upgraded software and systems operation, while mergers with other strategy and research firms have broadened the range of services supplied (footnote 3). For this industry, the change in specialisation is due to the increase in secondary production of professional, scientific and technical services, and more recently data processing.

GRAPH 6 – PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PRODUCTION BY COMPUTER SYSTEMS DESIGN AND RELATED SERVICES INDUSTRY, 1994-95 TO 2016-17
Graph 6 – Primary and secondary production by Computer consultancy industry, 1994-95 to 2016-17


The Computer Systems Design and Related Services industry is one of only three industries recording an increase in coverage ratio, rising from 70 per cent in 1994-95 to 79 per cent in 2016-17. While the output of this product has grown across the economy, the industry has managed to maintain its coverage ratio.


CHANGES IN SECONDARY PRODUCTION

Over the past 20 years, there has been a $281 billion increase in secondary production across the economy. The largest contributor to the growth in secondary production over this period were the construction industries comprising Construction Services, Residential Construction, Non-Residential Construction and Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, accounting for 38 per cent ($106 billion) of this increase. Much of the rise is related to variations in the way the construction products is produced between the four construction industries. The next largest contributor to growth in secondary production is Wholesale Trade, accounting for 12 per cent ($34 billion) of the increase in total secondary production. Graph 7 shows the output of selected products by Wholesale Trade industry. The secondary production of this industry is far more diverse, expanding to supply 43 of the 114 product groups by 2016-17.

GRAPH 7 - OUTPUT OF SELECTED PRODUCTS BY WHOLESALE TRADE INDUSTRY, 1994-95 TO 2016-17
Graph 7 - Output of selected products by Wholesale trade industry, 1994-95 to 2016-17


CONCLUSION

In outlining the linkage between industries and primary products, and introducing basic ratios to analyse the changes in the structure of industries over time, this paper seeks to encourage and guide users to engage with the newly available detail in the supply-use tables.



REFERENCES

ABS (2006), Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 2006, cat. no. 1292.0, 2006, ABS, Canberra
ABS (2016), Australian System of National Accounts: Concepts, Sources and Methods, cat. no. 5216.0, ABS, Canberra
ABS (2018), Australian System of National Accounts, 2017-18, cat. no. 5204.0, Canberra.
ABS (2018), Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product , Jun 2018, cat. no. 5206.0, Canberra.
ABS (2018a), Australian National Accounts: Input-Output Tables, 2015-16, cat. no. 5209.0.55.001, Canberra.
ABS (2018b), Counts of Australian Business, including Entries and Exits, Jun 2013 to Jun 2017, cat. no. 8165.0, Canberra.
ABS (2018c), Labour Account, Australia, Quarterly experimental estimates, June 2018, cat. no. 6150.0.55.003, Canberra.


FOOTNOTES

1. Additional ABS products can be used to extend upon or refine the analysis presented here. Resources that may be of particular use are Counts of Australian Business, including Entries and Exits (ABS, 2018c) and Labour Accounts (ABS, 2018d).
2. IBISWorld industry report (2018), C1611 Printing in Australia, January 2018
3. IBIS world industry report (2018), M7000 Computer System Design services in Australia, January 2018.




APPENDIX 1: INDUSTRIES AND THEIR PRIMARY PRODUCTS

Product codeProduct descriptorIndustry codeIndustry descriptor

0101Sheep, Grains, Beef and Dairy Cattle10Agriculture
0102Poultry and Other Livestock10Agriculture
0103Other Agriculture10Agriculture
0201Aquaculture20Forestry, aquaculture, fishing, hunting, trapping and services to agriculture, forestry and fishing
0301Forestry and Logging20Forestry, aquaculture, fishing, hunting, trapping and services to agriculture, forestry and fishing
0401Fishing, hunting and trapping20Forestry, aquaculture, fishing, hunting, trapping and services to agriculture, forestry and fishing
0501Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Support Services20Forestry, aquaculture, fishing, hunting, trapping and services to agriculture, forestry and fishing
0601Coal mining60Coal mining
0701Oil and gas extraction70Oil and gas extraction
0801Iron Ore Mining81Iron ore mining
0802Non Ferrous Metal Ore Mining82Non Ferrous Metal Ore Mining
0901Non Metallic Mineral Mining90Non Metallic Mineral Mining
1001Exploration and Mining Support Services100Exploration and Mining Support Services
1101Meat and Meat product Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1102Processed Seafood Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1103Dairy Product Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1104Fruit and Vegetable Product Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1105Oils and Fats Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1106Grain Mill and Cereal Product Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1107Bakery Product Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1108Sugar and Confectionery Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1109Other Food Product Manufacturing110Food product manufacturing
1201Soft Drinks, Cordials and Syrup Manufacturing120Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
1202Beer Manufacturing120Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
1205Wine, Spirits and Tobacco 120Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing
1301Textile Manufacturing130Textiles, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing
1302Tanned Leather, Dressed Fur and Leather Product Manufacturing130Textiles, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing
1303Textile Product Manufacturing130Textiles, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing
1304Knitted Product Manufacturing130Textiles, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing
1305Clothing Manufacturing130Textiles, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing
1306Footwear Manufacturing130Textiles, leather, clothing and footwear manufacturing
1401Sawmill Product Manufacturing140Wood product manufacturing
1402Other Wood Product Manufacturing140Wood product manufacturing
1501Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing150Pulp, paper and converted paper product manufacturing
1502Paper Stationery and Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing150Pulp, paper and converted paper product manufacturing
1601Printing (including the reproduction of recorded media)160Printing (including the reproduction of recorded media) 
1701Petroleum and Coal Product Manufacturing170Petroleum and coal product manufacturing
1801Human Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing180Chemical manufacturing
1802Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing180Chemical manufacturing
1803Basic Chemical Manufacturing180Chemical manufacturing
1804Cleaning Compounds and Toiletry Preparation Manufacturing180Chemical manufacturing
1901Polymer Product Manufacturing190Polymer and rubber product manufacturing
1902Natural Rubber Product Manufacturing190Polymer and rubber product manufacturing
2001Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing200Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing
2002Ceramic Product Manufacturing200Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing
2003Cement, Lime and Ready-Mixed Concrete Manufacturing200Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing
2004Plaster and Concrete Product Manufacturing200Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing
2005Other Non-Metallic Mineral Product Manufacturing200Non-metallic mineral product manufacturing
2101Iron and Steel Manufacturing210Primary metal and metal product manufacturing
2102Basic Non-Ferrous Metal Manufacturing210Primary metal and metal product manufacturing
2201Forged Iron and Steel Product Manufacturing220Fabricated metal product manufacturing
2202Structural Metal Product Manufacturing220Fabricated metal product manufacturing
2203Metal Containers and Other Sheet Metal Product manufacturing220Fabricated metal product manufacturing
2204Other Fabricated Metal Product manufacturing220Fabricated metal product manufacturing
2301Motor Vehicles and Parts; Other Transport Equipment manufacturing230Transport equipment manufacturing
2302Ships and Boat Manufacturing230Transport equipment manufacturing
2303Railway Rolling Stock Manufacturing230Transport equipment manufacturing
2304Aircraft Manufacturing230Transport equipment manufacturing
2401Professional, Scientific, Computer and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing240Other machinery and equipment manufacturing
2403Electrical Equipment Manufacturing240Other machinery and equipment manufacturing
2404Domestic Appliance Manufacturing240Other machinery and equipment manufacturing
2405Specialised and other Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing240Other machinery and equipment manufacturing
2501Furniture Manufacturing250Furniture and other manufacturing
2502Other Manufactured Products250Furniture and other manufacturing
2601Electricity Generation260Electricity supply
2605Electricity Transmission, Distribution, On Selling and Electricity Market Operation260Electricity supply
2701Gas Supply270Gas Supply
2801Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Services 280Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Services 
2901Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal Services290Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal Services
3001Residential Building Construction301Residential Building Construction
3002Non-Residential Building Construction302Non-Residential Building Construction
3101Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction310Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
3201Construction Services320Construction Services
3301Wholesale Trade330Wholesale Trade
3901Retail Trade390Retail Trade
4401Accommodation440Accommodation
4501Food and Beverage Services450Food and Beverage Services
4601Road Transport460Road Transport
4701Rail Transport470Rail Transport
4801Water, Pipeline and Other Transport480Water, Pipeline and Other Transport
4901Air and Space Transport490Air and Space Transport
5101Postal and Courier Pick-up and Delivery Service510Postal and Courier Pick-up and Delivery Service
5201Transport Support services and storage520Transport Support services and storage
5401Publishing (except Internet and Music Publishing)540Publishing (except Internet and Music Publishing)
5501Motion Picture and Sound Recording550Motion Picture and Sound Recording
5601Broadcasting (except Internet)560Broadcasting (except Internet)
5701Internet Service Providers, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting, Websearch Portals and Data Processing570Internet Service Providers, Internet Publishing and Broadcasting, Websearch Portals and Data Processing
5801Telecommunication Services580Telecommunication Services
6001Library and Other Information Services600Library and Other Information Services
6201Finance620Finance
6301Insurance and Superannuation Funds630Insurance and Superannuation Funds
6401Auxiliary Finance and Insurance Services640Auxiliary Finance and Insurance Services
6601Rental and Hiring Services (except Real Estate)660Rental and Hiring Services (except Real Estate)
6701Ownership of Dwellings671Ownership of Dwellings
6702Non-Residential Property Operators and Real Estate Services672Non-Residential Property Operators and Real Estate Services
6901Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 690Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 
7001Computer Systems Design and Related Services700Computer Systems Design and Related Services
7210Employment, Travel Agency and Other Administrative Services720Administration and support services
7310Building Cleaning, Pest Control and Other Support Services720Administration and support services
7501Public Administration and Regulatory Services750Public Administration and Regulatory Services
7601Defence760Defence
7701Public Order and Safety770Public Order and Safety
8010Primary and Secondary Education Services (incl Pre-Schools and Special Schools)801Primary and Secondary Education Services (incl Pre-Schools and Special Schools)
8110Technical, Vocational and Tertiary Education Services (incl undergraduate and postgraduate)802Technical, Vocational and Tertiary Education Services (incl undergraduate and postgraduate)
8210Arts, Sports, Adult and Other Education Services (incl community education)803Arts, Sports, Adult and Other Education Services (incl community education)
8401Health Care Services840Health Care and Social Assistance
8601Residential Care and Social Assistance Services840Health Care and Social Assistance
8901Heritage, Creative and Performing Arts890Heritage, Creative and Performing Arts
9101Sports and Recreation 910Gambling, sports and recreation
9201Gambling910Gambling, sports and recreation
9401Automotive Repair and Maintenance940Repair and Maintenance
9402Other Repair and Maintenance940Repair and Maintenance
9501Personal Services950Personal Services
9502Other Services950Personal Services