Background

At the request of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, management field studies have been conducted at five-year intervals to examine the state of management in Estonia. Since the completion of the most recent study (in 2021), developments have taken place in the economic and business environment, in the overall and management-related capabilities of companies, as well as in the managerial preparedness of leaders. In addition, the field itself has developed rapidly in recent years, with new approaches and trends emerging. Awareness of and consideration for these developments may significantly influence the future success of organisations.

Objective

The objective of the study is to identify the current situation in the management field, prevailing problems (including possible market failures) and gaps, and to obtain recommendations for increasing management capability, including with the support of the state.

Methodolgy

The study employed a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods (survey, secondary quantitative data, document analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus groups).

Benefits

The study provides a comprehensive and up‑to‑date overview of the state of the management field in Estonia across companies of different sizes and types, covering various components of management quality and their impact on business performance. A comparison with previous studies (2015 and 2021) makes it possible to assess changes and developments over time and highlight prevailing trends in the field of management. The results of the study offer insight into the availability and effectiveness of organizational and management development programmes within companies, as well as the content and quality of management education in higher education institutions, while also providing recommendations for advancing the management field based on international best practices. In addition, a public Power BI dashboard will be created, providing a visual and interactive overview of management practices in Estonian enterprises based on quantitative analysis, as well as their links to economic performance and business success.

Project Client: Estonian Business and Innovation Agency
Project Implementer: University of Tartu and LevelLab
Study Duration: 06/25 – …