Research project is (co)funded by the Slovenian Research Agency and by the Ministry of Finance
Project
Member of University of Ljubljana
School of Economics and BusinessCode
V5-2121Project
Digital transformation Industry 4.0 and the structure of Slovenia economy with the impact of the digitalization and new technology implementation on long-term economic growth and public finances in SloveniaPeriod
1.9.2021 - 28.2.2023Head
Prof. dr. Tjaša Redek
Research activity
Social sciences/EconomicsResearch Organisation
Faculty of computer and information science
Abstract
PROBLEM DEFINITION. The project analyzes the situation in the field of digitalization and Industry 4.0 in Slovenia from the point of view of the current economic structure, restructuring, the impact on long-term productivity and economic growth and the sustainability of public finances. Slovenia is introducing new technologies, but simpler and cheaper technologies are at the forefront, and at the same time they are not used intensively enough. The introduction of new technologies is successful mainly in some sectors; larger companies are more successful. For future growth and competitiveness, the introduction of new technologies and complementary investment in competencies (human capital) is a key source of economic and productivity growth, so it is crucial that Slovenian companies accelerate the introduction of new technologies and the state supports these efforts. The project will contribute to the understanding of the actual situation in the field of the use of new technologies and digitalization, the understanding of motives and obstacles, and the development of guidelines for economic policy measures and recommendations from the state perspective.
OBJECTIVES contain more precisely the following CONTENT OBJECTIVES:
(1) analysis of the situation in the field of introduction of new technologies 4.0 Industry and digitalization (also 5G) in Slovenia (compared to the EU, key export industries compared to the competition in the EU and comparative analysis in Slovenia (industries and size),
(2) empirical analysis of motives for the introduction of new technologies and barriers through a survey,
(3) analysis of the impact of the introduction of new technologies and digitalisation on the performance of companies through empirical analysis of available micro-data from official databases (SORS surveys) and data from company balance sheets and own surveys,
(4) analysis of the links between the labor market and the introduction of new technologies (lack of adequate staff as an obstacle to the introduction of new technologies, labour substitution),
(5) an assessment of the effects of the introduction of new technologies on the comparative productivity of enterprises, industries, employment, value added and wages in industries, the link with export orientation and international competitiveness,
(6) an analysis of the impact of technologies on economic growth and the long-term stability of public finances.
For the needs of preparing the mentioned analysis, we will develop an appropriate METHODOLOGY:
(1) identification and use of relevant secondary databases (SORS, Eurostat, OECD),
(2) obtaining appropriate microdata from official records of the Republic of Slovenia,
(3) development of own methodological tool using mixed methods (questionnaire and semi-structured interview),
(4) data analysis using appropriate statistical and econometric methods.
THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE PROJECT will include:
(1) a comprehensive analysis of the situation, review of motives, obstacles, impact on productivity, employment, economic growth and sustainability of public finances.
(2) Extensive data-based recommendations will be prepared for the formulation of economic policy measures that will touch on various areas and will take into account the complexity of the issue and the connection between the areas (development policies, education policies, labor market, social systems) and
(3) recemmendations for companies with recommendations for the state on how to encourage companies to take a proactive approach and introduce new technologies.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND PROFESSION
Scientific contributions are as follows:
1) Comprehensive theoretical analysis of determinants and consequences of investments in new technologies at the company level and construction of a comprehensive theoretical framework
2) Detailed empirical analysis based on micro data
Professional contributions:
(1) Preparation of empirical calculations as a basis for data-based design of measures that will accelerate the introduction of technologies.
(2) Increasing understanding of the importance of investment in new technologies for companies and their development and competitiveness.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY will be made by:
(1) promoting economic development, as the introduction of new technologies is key to accelerating economic development,
(2) The State will be able to address appropriately the related problems, which are mainly related to:
a. the labor market and possible technological-conditioned structural unemployment
b. challenges of lifelong learning the education system.
Researchers
Prof. dr. Tjaša Redek, UL EF
Prof. dr. Polona Domadenik Muren, UL EF
Prof. dr. Matja Koman, UL EF
Prof. dr. Črt Kostevc, UL EF
Prof. dr. Dušan Mramor, UL EF
Prof. dr. Blaž Zupan, UL FRI
The phases of the project and their realization
Project phases and their realization
We divided the 18-month period into quarters. The activities will be divided into four main parts: management, acquisition and analysis of register data, other analysis or research and dissemination. The research part is divided into larger sections. We will first prepare the theoretical basis (reports P1 and P2). This will be followed by data acquisition, preparation and analysis (P3-P5) with the help of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, and collection and analysis of own data (P6-P10) on the basis of which we will prepare an integrated report We will also compare them with good practices in other countries and evaluate them according to the results already obtained and recommendations to Slovenia (P12 and P13). Dissemination will be ongoing and will be an input for stakeholder analysis due to feedback from various stakeholders, and dissemination reports will be prepared at the end (P14-P17).
Citations for bibliographic records
Will be added as project reports and other publications are prepared.
