The increasing role of the third sector in official statistical collation: The national information communications technology association of Malaysia's experience

Abstract

This paper examines the increasing role of non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations (NGO/NPO) in the collection, collation and dissemination of policy relevant statistical data. Typically, national statistical agencies perform official statistical tasks and third sectors focus on the welfare and interests of their members. However, in recent years, the third sectors, besides involvement in market and business developments and industry relevant policy advocacy activities, are increasingly becoming involved in the collation and dissemination of public policy relevant data towards becoming a voice of industry. Due to rapid political, social, economic and technological upheavals, the demand for new data, especially in information communications technology (ICT), is on the rise and becoming more complex when traditional statistical concepts and definitions, data collection methods, techniques and procedures as well as institutional arrangements and divisions of responsibilities are challenged. It is reckoned that national statistical offices worldwide find it increasingly difficult to cope with unbudgeted or unscheduled work, especially when they are bogged down with exigencies of routine tasks and limited resources in terms of allocations and in-house subject matter expertise. This paper relates to the complimentary role that private sector associations could play in industry relevant data identification, collection, processing, collation and dissemination that typically are the functions of national statistical offices worldwide. For illustration purposes, the experiences of National Information Communications Technology Association of Malaysia are depicted on how they incrementally got involved in official statistical collation activities, besides engaging in regular policy advocacy and intervention activities.