The 'quaternary sector of industry' is the sector of
industry including the
intellectual services - research, development, and information. It was once considered part of the
tertiary sector of industry.
This includes the
high technology industry, with
information and communication technology and some forms of
scientific research, as well as
education and
consulting, and
information industry.
The quaternary sector can be seen as the sector in which companies invest in order to ensure further expansion. Research will be directed into cutting costs, tapping into markets, producing innovative ideas, new production methods and methods of manufacture, amongst others. To many industries, such as the the pharmaceutical industry, the sector is the most valuable because it creates future branded products which the company will profit from.
According to some definitions, the quaternary sector also includes all other ''pure'' services, such as the
entertainment industry. There is also the notion of a "
Quinary Sector" which would encompass
health, education,
culture and research.
See also
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Primary sector of industry
★
Secondary sector of industry
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Tertiary sector of industry
★
Quinary Sector
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Three-sector hypothesis
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Industrial policy