Despite the growing importance of digital transformation, empirical research on the drivers of digital transformation is still lacking, creating a knowledge gap. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of digital orientation and digital capability on digital transformation, as well as the mediating effect of digital transformation on revenues and business models of SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines a new conceptual framework designed on resource-based theory perspectives by using survey data of 246 SMEs in Latvia. To achieve the research purpose, this study used a mediation analysis to examine the direct effect of digital orientation and digital capability on digital transformation, as well as to explore the mediating effect of digital transformation on SME outcomes. Our results reveal that both digital orientation and digital capability have direct positive effects on digital transformation. We also found that digital transformation has a positive mediating effect from digital orientation on revenue and business model, as well as from digital capability on revenue. These findings could be useful for policymakers, managers and practitioners to clarify how digital orientation and digital capability intermediated through digital transformation affect the outcomes of SMEs.

Population ageing and social stratification is widely assumed to have detrimental effects on the economy yet there is little empirical evidence about the magnitude of its effects. The aim of this article is to investigate the relationships between population ageing and social stratification and the state of economy of a small and post-transition economy. We are looking for these relationships and their strength of influence; at what time after shocking these variables reach their original levels. We apply standard Granger (non-) causality tests, VAR (Vector Auto-Regressive), IRF (Impulse Response Function) and the prediction error variance analysis by using quarterly data from 2000 to 2018. Research results show that the changes in the level of GDP per capita and the number of pensions paid imply changes in the number of retired persons. The research results have important contribute to policy debates about the impact of population ageing and social stratification on the state of economy in small and post-transition economy.

The purpose of this study is to identify the necessary public support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and provide policy makers with guidance on how to facilitate a successful digital transformation. The study is based on a representative survey of 425 Latvian SMEs carried out in spring 2021. We combine three analyses: a survey among SMEs, qualitative comparative analysis and regression analysis. The results of this study show that a significant number of SMEs are convinced that they will not be able to cope with digital transformation without various kinds of assistance, with direct financial support from the state or EU funds and tax incentives playing a major role. The range of public support required is rather wide, from staff training, mentoring and increasing the potential workforce to tax relief and direct financial support. We found statistically significant differences in public support needed depending on the size of SMEs and their ability to independently manage digital transformation. These findings could be useful for policymakers, managers and practitioners to identify various forms of public support that can maximize the impact of digital transformation not only on business, but also on society as a whole.

The COVID-19 crisis has emphasized the importance of digital transformation of SMEs and has served as an accelerator. Digital transformation empowers SMEs to rethink the way they make decisions and apply technology in meaningful and sustainable ways. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of digital transformation, fostered by COVID-19, and its potential contribution to the sustainability of SMEs. This paper examines a new conceptual framework designed on resource-based theory perspectives by using a survey data of 246 SMEs in Latvia and employing mediation analysis. The main findings of the study are that digital orientation and digital capability have direct positive effects on digital transformation; higher levels of digital orientation and capability, mediated by digital transformation, lead to higher revenue; as well as a more sophisticated business model in the case of digital orientation. Even if we cannot confirm that higher digital capability, mediated by digital transformation, leads to a more sophisticated business model, we found statistically significant direct effects from digital capability to digital transformation and from digital transformation to business model. These findings can be useful for policymakers, managers and practitioners to clarify how digital orientation, digital capability intermediated through digital transformation affect sustainability of SMEs.

Fourteen years passed since the resources of the second tier-Mandatory State Funded Pension Scheme-were transferred from Latvian State Treasury to private fund managers. Rates of return of private fund managers in 2003-2016 were very different. The previous research of the authors showed, that in 2003-2013 an average performance of the second tier was lower, than the rates of inflation and average growth of salary. As far as crisis years were included in previous study, the aim of this paper is to assess the contribution of private fund managers to the accumulation of pension capital in post-crisis period.For the analysis of profitability 20 pension plans were divided into different groups. Then the authors analyzed the following indicators: performance of 20 pension plans in 2012-2016; profitability depending on the declared risk of pension plan; dynamics of private fund managers' fees and population opinion on Latvian pension system. Latvian indicators were compared with Lithuania and Estonia.The conclusions about the results of the analysis were drawn. On the basis of conclusions, the authors estimated the contribution of the private fund managers to the accumulation of pension capital of the second tier of Latvian pension system. In the concluding remarks of the paper the authors made proposals for increasing the contribution of private fund managers to the accumulation of capital in the Mandatory State Funded Pension Scheme. One of the main proposals is to continue the digitalization of the system. As far as Latvian system is a model for many other countries all over the world, the authors' proposals may be actual also in other countries.

Personal income tax (PIT) policy in Latvia has been changed significantly in 2018 with the aim to reduce the tax burden and increase the income of working population by amending progressive tax rates and increasing the non-taxable minimum and minimum wage. Purpose − the aim of this study is to estimate the impact of PIT reform by assessing the effect of implementation of non-taxable minimum, deductions and substantiated spending on the dynamics of income and tax administration efficiency. Research methodology − PIT theoretic and normative concepts have been analyzed; unpublished data on actual wages in 2015−2018 provided by Latvian State Revenue Service and State Social Insurance Agency have been estimated. Findings − the main conclusion of this study is that the aim of the reform has not been achieved: income inequality hasn’t been reduced, an increase of income has been irrelevant, the gains from the reform have become unobtainable for the most unprotected groups because of the insufficient level of income. The implementation of the differentiated non-taxable minimum has generated PIT debts and higher administrative burden. Practical implications − the study may be implemented in case of progressive PIT for the reassessment of the tax framework and its future development. Originality/Value − this study is original, the actual effect of PIT reform in Latvia previously hasn’t been analyzed.

No abstract