BIOVEGEN attended the presentation of the results of the “IV COTEC SURVEY ON SOCIAL PERCEPTION OF INNOVATION” held on March 12, in collaboration with SigmaDos. This survey aims to measure the evolution of the impact of automation on employment, daily life, and inequality. The distinctive feature of this IV COTEC survey has been the increase in the number of respondents: totaling 7,300 people , which has allowed for data to be provided at the regional level and to design a much more comprehensive map. The fieldwork was conducted in the third quarter of 2020, meaning that the results collected reflect the economic and social consequences of the pandemic.
The study presents 10 general conclusions:
- The pandemic has improved the image that Spaniards have of the phenomenon of innovation, while deteriorating their perception of Spain as an innovative country.
- R&D&I has become the fourth priority for public spending for Spaniards, behind pensions. The top two, far ahead of the rest, are healthcare and education.
- The vast majority of Spaniards still think after the pandemic that the country’s investment in R&D&I is insufficient and that the laws do not favor innovation.
- Those who have experienced remote work believe that practicing it improves family reconciliation and does not decrease productivity.
- The majority of Spanish companies have plans to continue remote work after the pandemic.
- The acceleration that remote work experienced last year was not accompanied by advances in the right to digital disconnection.
- Spaniards believe that technological change creates more jobs than it destroys, although they also think it increases social inequality.
- The most vulnerable groups are more pessimistic than before the pandemic regarding their ability to compete in an automated job market.
- The pandemic does not change the unanimous opinion that the current educational system is not adequately preparing society for the challenges of the future.
- In up to eight autonomous communities, residents perceive that their territory is lagging behind Spain in innovation. .