Analysis and planning proposals of the Central Institute of Statistics of Italy

Abstract

ISTAT has carried out, during the years 1981–82, special research regarding its activities. The study provides a basis for discussion on topics involving some of the major concernes within national statistical agencies. The decision to carry out this research arose considering that the role of ISTAT, as part of the Public Administration, has forced it to keep to rather conservative operating methods, while elsewhere, in the era of data – banks, new techniques are employed of automatized information distribution; furthermore, the users' demands and potential needs are asking for an information policy more adequate to a market economy. So the study is not only a structural and operational analysis of ISTAT activities; it contains also some new proposals aiming at a better organization and co-ordination with the participants in the public function of providing statistical information, and apt to cause a substantial improvement in the quality and timelines of statistics.