Latvian High-Tech Industry: Trends and Developments

Abstract

The paper covers analysis of high-tech industry development in Latvia, as well as its facilitating and restricting factors. High-tech industries become more important in Latvia both in terms of export share and generated value added; also the number of enterprises and employees is increasing. A stable political system, enabling business environment, a relatively low corporate income tax rate, and government aid are considered as some of the most important facilitating factors. The paper emphasizes the government’s role in promoting and developing the high-tech manufacturing. The most significant limitations are the lack of skilled specialists and sophisticated real estate space, and the remote industrial supply companies and the service centres. Recommendations are given on the possible development directions, including improvements in manufacturing infrastructure, enhancements of the skill level of the labour force, and bringing up a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Optimism, interest and gender equality: comparing attitudes of university students in Latvia and Ukraine toward IT learning and work

“…In this context, it is noteworthy that Ukraine's IT sector has seen substantial growth in recent years (Kossov 2020). Although Latvia has a small share of technology products in total exports and reports a need for highly skilled technologists, the IT sector is also growing (Menaker and Ozoliņa 2018). The digitalisation of manufacturing, particularly as envisioned by Industry 4.0 (Sanchez, Exposito, and Aguilar 2020;Xu, Xu, and Li 2018), is an economic-development priority for both nations.…”

Exploring technology attitudes and personal–cultural orientations as student readiness factors for digitalised work

“…Significant growth in Ukraine's IT sector has been reported in recent years, with tech exports now dwarfing even Ukraine's wheat exports and amounting to 3.63 billion in 2019 (Kossov, 2020). Although Latvia has a relatively small share of high-tech products in total exports and a shortage of skilled workers, the IT sector is also developing rapidly (Menaker and Ozoliņa, 2018). The digitalisation of manufacturing, government and other sectors is an economic-development concern in both countries, with Ukraine drawing upon a tradition of technology-focused higher education and Latvia benefiting from its position as an EU member state (Kyiv International Economic Forum, 2016; Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2018).…”