Mismatches of supply and demand of skills and qualifications in the transitional economy : the case of business and management qualifications in Lithuania

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing mismatches of supply and demand of skills and qualifications in the economy of Lithuania. Approach of research consists of the overview of the economic, political-economic and sociocultural dimensions of the mismatches of skills and qualifications in the transitional economy. The case study provides in depth analysis of the different factors influencing quantitative mismatches of the demand and supply of qualifications in the field of business and management and looks into the qualitative mismatches of demand and supply of skills and competences by comparing the needs and enterprises and contents of the profiles of business and management qualifications and degrees provided by the higher education institutions. Methodology of research consists of the analysis of scientific literature, contents analysis of the applications of enterprises outlining their skills needs, contents analysis of the profiles of qualifications and degrees, quantitative survey of students studying in the programme of business and management. The paper discloses, that the mismatches of supply and demand of skills and qualifications in the transitional labour market of Lithuania are influenced by the wide range of external factors related to the economic, political economic and socio-cultural specificities of transitional economy. These mismatches of skills and qualifications concern not only quantitative disbalance of supplied and demanded qualifications, but also differences between the requirements of employers to skills and contents of qualifications provided by the educational institutions.