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Smart Latvia & Digital Maturity Test
Published on 02 July 2020
Latvia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
According to a comprehensive study in all countries of the European Union (DESI 2019 - Digital Economy and Society Index), in particular, Latvia is lagging behind in skills to use digital technologies in business. Latvia is among the last top 3 countries in the use of e-commerce solutions and between the last five countries that have implemented a variety of IT solutions in companies.
The first step of “Smart Latvia” is the Digital Maturity Test, which can be completed by each Latvian company to assess its digital maturity, to compare itself with competitors and to find out what IT solutions would help the company work more effectively, with less costs and higher profits. After completing the test, each respondent receives recommendations on what IT solutions would help the company to work more effectively.
Each Latvian company manager can assess the digital maturity of his/ her company by completing the Digital Maturity Test at the platform www.gudralatvija.lv. The test is designed in a simple way - the head of the company should assess how much it uses IT solutions in basic business management functions. After completing the test, the manager of the company receives not only an in-depth assessment, giving an opportunity to compare company with competitors of particular sector, but also recommendations on what IT solutions it should implement in this business.
The first step of “Smart Latvia” is the Digital Maturity Test, which can be completed by each Latvian company to assess its digital maturity, to compare itself with competitors and to find out what IT solutions would help the company work more effectively, with less costs and higher profits. After completing the test, each respondent receives recommendations on what IT solutions would help the company to work more effectively.
Each Latvian company manager can assess the digital maturity of his/ her company by completing the Digital Maturity Test at the platform www.gudralatvija.lv. The test is designed in a simple way - the head of the company should assess how much it uses IT solutions in basic business management functions. After completing the test, the manager of the company receives not only an in-depth assessment, giving an opportunity to compare company with competitors of particular sector, but also recommendations on what IT solutions it should implement in this business.
Expert opinion
Technology audits or digital maturity assessments are quite useful tools to initiate a business support interaction with traditional companies in order to foster the use and implementation of new technologies in their products and processes. The key for the usefulness of those tools is that they provide a tailored and realistic evaluation of the status quo within a company and its potential for improvement. This leads to actionable plans, with a significant chance for successful implementation. Such assessments, if well performed, enable to avoid the often-made mistake for companies to target for new technologies without having properly evaluated the internal feasibility and compatibility with the processes of the business and the acceptance of the staff. Such audits should have a broad scope and not focus on technological aspects.
The example of Smart Latvia is remarkable as it managed to reach a fairly large number of business through an online self-assessment tool, which is available in English.
Further good examples are provided by the HGC academy practice (Foundation project or the Industry 4.0 Technology Audits (DEVISE).
The example of Smart Latvia is remarkable as it managed to reach a fairly large number of business through an online self-assessment tool, which is available in English.
Further good examples are provided by the HGC academy practice (Foundation project or the Industry 4.0 Technology Audits (DEVISE).
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
“Smart Latvia” is supported by the project of Interreg Baltic Sea Region – “#R050 Digital Innovation Network, DIGINNO". Costs planned in the project for self-assessment tool Digital Maturity Tool‘’ (design, developing, hosting) in amount of EUR 6000.
Evidence of success
The “Smart Latvia” campaign is organised with the aim to educate leaders/managers of SMEs in Latvia about the latest IT solutions, encouraging them to be introduced into their businesses and providing them with the necessary informative support. As of February 2020, the Digital Maturity Test was completed by 642 SMEs. By proving successful results, test was elaborated in English to reach an international level. It is also available in Danish, Estonian, Lithuanian, Polish and Swedish languages.
Potential for learning or transfer
In order to help Latvian companies in development of IT solutions in their businesses, LICTA together with partners, IT companies: Edisoft, Fitek, Lursoft, Microsoft Latvia and VISMA, ELVA, Bregards and the Commercial Education Centre (CEC) has launched an educational campaign called “Smart Latvia” and developed free tool for entrepreneurs to acknowledge and plan business digital transformation activities.
This tool is also available in English (https://www.diginnotool.eu/home), thus ensuring its international use. Successful cooperation with 50 business associations has helped to distribute test to a high number of respondents.
This tool is also available in English (https://www.diginnotool.eu/home), thus ensuring its international use. Successful cooperation with 50 business associations has helped to distribute test to a high number of respondents.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Latvian Information and Communications Technology Association (LICTA)
Latvia
Latvija
Contact
Project Coordinator