Quaternary sector of industry

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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.