Prepared two publications by the Latvian and Ukrainian researchers of the project :

1.Supported by the project:

Blayone, T.J.B., Mykhailenko, O., Usca, S., Abuze, A., Romanets, I. & Oleksiiv, M. (2020), Exploring technology attitudes and personal–cultural orientations as student readiness factors for digitalised work. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-03-2020-0041 -[tiks indeksēts SCOPUS un WoSCC]

Abstract

Purpose. Emerging forms of digitalisation are placing new demands on workforce entrants around the globe. This study, catalysed by innovation programs in Ukraine and Latvia, conceptualises, measures and compares key facets of dispositional readiness of university students in two post-Soviet nations for digitalised work.

Design/methodology/approach. Survey data, addressing technology attitudes and personal–cultural orientations (PCO), were collected by project teams at universities in Ukraine and Latvia and delivered to the authors for analysis. The authors defined three characteristics of digitalised work, conceptually positioned five of the measured constructs as readiness factors and generated readiness profiles for the two national student cohorts. Investigation of significant differences between the groups was conducted using an Independent Samples T-Test. A composite profile was produced for comparing the overall dispositional readiness of both groups for digitalised work.

Findings. The factor-level profiles showed similar patterns of dispositional alignment and misalignment with digitalised work. For example, technology optimism and learning interest were reported by large percentages of Ukrainians and Latvians and tolerance for unstructured work by small percentages. However, significant differences were found in group levels of technology optimism, technology anxiety, ambiguity intolerance and empowered decision-making. In each case, the Ukrainian profile appeared more strongly aligned with the target.

Practical implications. The global digitalisation of work requires students, educators, human resource professionals and business leaders to rethink workforce readiness assessment and adapt (re)training programs. Technology enthusiasm and learning interest should be regarded as crucial measurable attitudes motivating technical skills development. Also, cultural orientations should be positioned alongside personality traits and digital skills as factors shaping successful human–computer interaction.

Originality/value. This study initiates a new sociotechnical and cross-cultural trajectory of technology readiness research from data generated in two post-Soviet contexts. Moreover, it positions several measurable dispositions as factors influencing student readiness for digitalised work.

Keywords: workforce readiness, readiness for digital work, technology attitudes, information technology, cultural orientations, Latvia, Ukraine.

Acknowledgements. The authors recognise the participation and tremendous project support of Dr Irēna Žogla and Dr Velta Lubkina in Latvia, and Dr Oksana Desyatnyuk in Ukraine. The enthusiastic participation of students at Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Latvia and Ternopil National Economic University, Ukraine was also much appreciated.Funding: Two funded projects provided support for this research: (1) Implementations of transformative digital learning in doctoral programs of pedagogical science in Latvia (lzp-2018/2-0180), and (2) Gender aspects of digital readiness and development of human capital in regions of Ukraine and Latvia (Nr. LV-UA/2018/3).

Citation. Blayone, T.J.B., Mykhailenko, O., Usca, S., Abuze, A., Romanets, I. and Oleksiiv, M. (2020), "Exploring technology attitudes and personal–cultural orientations as student readiness factors for digitalised work", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-03-2020-0041

Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

2.Related to the project:

Mykhailenko, O., Blayone, T.J.B., Usca, S., Kvasovskii, O., & Desyatnik, O. (2020). Optimism, interest and opportunity: Comparing attitudes of university students in Latvia and Ukraine toward IT learning and work. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2020.1843999 -[tiks indeksēts SCOPUS un WoSCC]

Abstract

Global processes of digitalisation are transforming learning and work. University students in all nations are under pressure to develop positive and productive technology-related skills and dispositions. This study investigates the attitudes of 1,006 Latvian and Ukrainian university students towards information technology. Survey responses from the Attitudes towards Information Technology scale were collected, validated, analysed and interpreted. By generating group-response profiles and conducting multivariate analyses of variance, the attitudinal orientations of participants were compared, and significant differences between gender and nation subgroups identified. From a gender perspective, one noteworthy finding is that males in both countries expressed a significantly higher interest in learning about IT than females. From a national perspective, Ukrainians reported significantly higher optimism about IT in the workplace than Latvians. This study produces several novel findings addressing the attitudes of Eastern European university students towards information technology and their readiness for digitalised learning and work.

Keywords: information technology attitudes, technological readiness, digitalization, higher education, Ukraine, Latvia.

Acknowledgments. The authors acknowledge the contributions of Dr Velta Lubkina and Dr Irēna Žogla, and the enthusiastic participation of students at Rēzekne Academy of Technologies, Latvia and Ternopil National Economic University, Ukraine.