Demography, workforce economy, social and economic policy

Motivation of IT Students in contemporary Latvia

Economic Annals-XXI

Economic Annals-ХХI: Volume 170, Issue 3-4, Pages: 73-78

Citation information:
Gribanova, S., & Abeltina, A. (2018). Motivation of IT Students in contemporary Latvia. Economic Annals-XXI, 170(3-4), 73-78. doi: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V170-13

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Svetlana Gribanova
MA (Sociology),
Doctoral Student (Economics),
Turiba University
38K2-153B Anninmuizas Blvd., Riga, LV-1067, Latvia
Svetlana.gribanova.p@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5257-7221

Anna Abeltina
D.Sc. (Economics),
Associate Professor,
Turiba University
52/54-66 Lacplesa Str., Riga, LV-1011, Latvia
anna.abeltina@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8606-523X

Motivation of IT students in contemporary Latvia

Abstract. This article is devoted to an underdeveloped yet relevant topic regarding motivation of IT professionals in Latvia. An online survey that covered 361 respondents was conducted in Latvian universities. The goal of the research is to find out whether young Latvian IT professionals are oriented towards financial stimuli and guarantees (the vital needs) or non-monetary motivators (the need for self-actualisation and professional growth). The research also offers a classification of different types of young Latvian IT professionals and elaborates some recommendations on their motivation. The respondents were divided into 5 groups based on their professional values: «flexible», «future professionals», «money oriented», «not decided yet» and «idealists». The authors give a detailed description of each group and provide recommendations regarding motivation of the professionals of each profile. The study may be of interest to HR managers in terms of their responsibilities related to attracting, motivating and developing young Latvian IT professionals. The recommendations are very specific and based on representative data, so they can be applied to HR practice.

Keywords: Motivation; IT Professionals; Millennials; Generation Y; Latvia

JEL Classification: M15; Z13; O15

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V170-13

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Received 10.04.2018

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