DATABASE SPECIFICATIONS
DATABASE INTRODUCTION |
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This report provides information in 5 forms: |
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The viewable .htm files. |
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The .htm files are also formatted (fonts, bookmarks, pagination, et al) for use with a word processor, and to enable users to produce and format their own report (using the Chapters as boilerplates). |
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The .xls files which provide the data tables as spreadsheets. These tables are not reproduced in the body of the report because the volume of data would be too large in a formatted report and thus unusable. |
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The .mdb database which provides the data tables and much reference information in a database form. |
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Reference information which is provided in .htm, .pdf, .doc, .xls, .mdb, .jpg, and other formats. |
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Whereas these files are meant to be accessed using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Access), an OpenOffice freeware suite can be found in the Toolkit directory of this CD which enables users without Microsoft Office to access the files. A PDF reader and a PDF Creator can also be found in the Toolkit directory. |
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NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM NAICS -V- SICLong term users of these databases and forecasting models will have noted that U.S. Federal statistical data collected on or after January 1, 1997, use the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Users should use the Bridges between NAICS and SIC contained in the Database Specifications section to ensure compatibility with long-range regressional data. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system has been used to classify industry sectors in the U.S. economy since 1940. The last major revision of the SIC was in 1987. However, the basic structure has remained substantially the same since its introduction. Two major criticisms have been leveled at the current SIC: it focuses too heavily on manufacturing, and it gives little recognition to the growing service sector that now represents 75 percent of GDP. NAICS is based on a production concept. Classifying an industry by production means that establishments using similar processes and inputs to produce a good or service are grouped together. Inputs include types of labor and skills, capital equipment, and intermediate materials. In many cases intangible inputs may be important, especially in the services industries. For the manufacturing industries, most of the effort was spent on harmonizing the systems of the United States, Canada, and Mexico and addressing the statistical needs of U.S. industries. The United States will have approximately the same number of manufacturing industries in the NAICS as it did in the SIC. A new subsector has been created for computer and electronic product manufacturing to reflect the growth in advanced technologies. In addition to the changes in the manufacturing industries, three new sectors have been created that did not exist within the SIC system: (1) The information sector brings together such industries as publishing, motion picture and video, sound recording, broadcasting, telecommunications, libraries, on-line information services, and data processing. The concept is to group three types of establishments: those engaged in producing and distributing information, those that provide the means to distribute these products as well as data or communications, and those that process data or transactions. (2) The professional, scientific, and technical services sector includes those establishments engaged in processes that involve significant human capital. This sector includes legal, architectural, and engineering services, and firms engaging in management consulting, public relations, and advertising. These establishments use the knowledge and skills of their employees to deliver services to the client. (3) The health-care and social assistance sector was developed because it is difficult to distinguish the boundaries of health care and social assistance. These industries range from those that provide acute (doctors/hospitals) to minimal health care with social assistance to those providing only social assistance, such as housing facilities for the elderly. |
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