Identity of Innovative Multifunctional Material Manufacturing Business in Latvia / Inovatīvu Daudzfunkcionālo Materiālu Ražotāju Identitāte Latvijā

Abstract

The publication comprises the results from the practical scientific investigation to define the profile and distinctions of the Latvian innovative multifunctional material manufacturing industry. The research is carried out by a holistic approach, including expert interviews, qualitative analysis of the official register data, practical survey, and financial data analysis. The paper seeks to give the detailed data on a technological profile of the mentioned representative companies, if there is a synergy or tough competition in the Latvian market. The current research is topical, because it is unique and does not have analogues in Latvia, and the research is timely due to correspondence with recently stated Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation in Latvia. The main findings are associated with recognition of the factors that make impact on commercialisation of the finished goods, obtained financial results and planned directions of development of the respondent companies.

The Development of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials Industry in Science and Entrepreneurship: Socioeconomic and Technical Indicators. A Case Study of Latvia (Part One)

“…For example, according to the mentioned survey results, the analysed businesses matched the registered activity very differently. Thus, data on the field, where respondent companies operated during the survey period, showed a 33 % difference from the official register for the high technology intensity industry, i.e., the number of companies was 1.6 times higher for the production of computers, electronics and optical products [1].…”

“…According to the analysed data, Latvia has one of the lowest business R&D intensities in the EU as well as one of the worst criteria in Europe, i.e., expenditures on R&D. The same low evaluation of Latvia has been demonstrated by the previously analysed GCI innovation index. However, according to the data of survey carried out by the authors, only using the existing capacities, intensive growth is expected in manufacture of machinery and equipment, aviation and space industry, as well as in production of health industry, biomedicine, and biotechnology -a total of more than 7 % of the potential competence growth [1]. R&D potential, as evidenced by the willingness of local highly qualified specialists to participate in interdisciplinary and international projects, in Latvia after regaining its independence still emphasises the critical need for research development in order to promote the future growth of Latvia.…”

“…Abrasion resistance is the main type of the produced multifunctional material characteristics in Latvia. The most popular multifunctional coatings are obtained from powder -29 % of all the respondents' answers; vacuum and deposited coatings are the second most popular type of technology used [1]. The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia conducted its own survey of the period between 2010 and 2012, according to which the number of enterprises active in innovation accounted for 30.4 % of the total number of enterprises and the majority of them or about 65 % were large companies (more than 250 employees) [22].…”

“…The research object is nanotechnologies and advanced materials industry in Latvia. To reach the aim of the study -to analyse the most important indicators characterising the level of development of nano-field in quantitative terms in Latvia, the following tasks are defined: (1) to identify the importance of the engineering economic indicators determined for the development of the advanced materials field in science in Latvia; (2) to provide comparison of the economic indicators found with that of other countries if applicable; (3) to generate the data according to the levels of the economic environment; (4) to provide recommendations for business sector representatives and for the improvement of the national support programme for research and science.…”

“…To provide an overview of market data, the authors used the results of the scientific and practical study performed on the operational profile and identity of innovative multifunctional material producers in Latvia. The survey was carried out from mid-December 2014 to mid-February 2015 [1].…”