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Measuring the competitiveness of Latvian companies

Author

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  • Arnis Sauka

    (Department of Business Management, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, Riga, Latvia)

Abstract

This study makes an empirical contribution by exploring factors that contribute to the competitiveness of Latvian companies. The paper draws on a survey of owner-managers to determine the availability and use of resources and strategies found to be important drivers for firms’ competitiveness. Overall, we identify a number of firm-level factors, including involvement in risk-taking behaviour, more extensive use of networking channels, and efficient use of various business strategies as potential sources to increase the competitiveness of Latvian companies. Company owner-managers, however, tend to be more productive in using available human resources, and are satisfied with the availability of physical resources in addition to having a strong export orientation. The study also indicates various shortcomings in the external environment which, as perceived by respondents, are a burden for competitive entrepreneurship activities in the Latvian market. In this light, albeit of an exploratory nature, this study can be used as a source for evidence-based entrepreneurship policies in Latvia and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnis Sauka, 2014. "Measuring the competitiveness of Latvian companies," Baltic Journal of Economics, Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies, vol. 14(1-2), pages 140-158, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bic:journl:v:14:y:2014:i:1-2:p:140-158
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    File URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1406099X.2014.995421
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Teo Shao Zhen, 2021. "Online Business Capabilities and Online Business Performance in the Malaysian Fashion Industry," GATR Journals gjbssr590, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    3. Zaneta Simanaviciene & Rima Kontautiene & Arturas Simanavicius, 2017. "Assumptions of Corporate Social Responsibility as Competitiveness Factor," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 13(3), pages 149-160.
    4. Falkowski Krzysztof, 2018. "Competitiveness of the Baltic States in International High-Technology Goods Trade," Comparative Economic Research, Sciendo, vol. 21(1), pages 25-43, March.
    5. Veronika Kajurova & Dagmar Linnertova, 2018. "The Impact of Loose Monetary Policy on the Competitiveness of Czech Firms," ACTA VSFS, University of Finance and Administration, vol. 12(1), pages 43-73.
    6. Ivana Blazkova & Ondrej Dvoulety, 2018. "Sectoral And Firm-Level Determinants Of Profitability: A Multilevel Approach," International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Center for International Scientific Research of VSO and VSPP, vol. 6(2), pages 32-44, December.
    7. Jana Kolaøíková & Ondøej Dvouletý & Petr Kolaøík, 2018. "Economic performance of the NUTS III Regions in the Czech Republic in the context of entrepreneurship subsidies from the EU Structural Funds," Zbornik radova Ekonomskog fakulteta u Rijeci/Proceedings of Rijeka Faculty of Economics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, vol. 36(1), pages 129-153.
    8. repec:mje:mjejnl:v:12:y:2017:i:3:p:149-160 is not listed on IDEAS

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