GROWTH OF THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY AS A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF COUNTRIES ON THE EASTERN COAST OF THE BALTIC SEA

ABSTRACT

Countries on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland – experienced significant changes in the political and economic structure during the 20th/21th centuries. The aim of the research, first of all, is to assess the competitiveness of the Latvian economy compared with the other countries on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and, secondly, to evaluate the activities carried out in 2009-2016 in order to increase the competitiveness of the national economy. The Global Competitiveness Index and the Eurostat classification of industries (NACE Rev.2, 2008) was used as information sources for the analysis of changes in competitiveness. The data were processed by quantitative (growth) and qualitative (structural change) statistical analysis, as well as grouping methods. The analysis of the information allows concluding that Latvia has remained the last among the four countries, however, Latvia has experienced the fastest overall increase in the competitiveness of the economy, including the section of innovation and sophistication.

Keywords: renewed industrial policy, knowledge-based economy