{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,2]],"date-time":"2026-06-02T13:40:42Z","timestamp":1780407642026,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":63,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,7]],"date-time":"2022-06-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1654560000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Latvia Ministry of Education and Science, State research programme \u201cChallenges for the Latvian State and Society and the Solutions in International Context (INTERFRAME-LV)","award":["VPP-IZM-2018\/1-0005"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["VPP-IZM-2018\/1-0005"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sustainability"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The aim of this research study is to perform an analysis of the consequences and impact of the fourth industrial revolution on the development of employability skills and to identify possible solutions to help overcome these challenges. The research methodology applied in this research study involves examining and analysing literature and Internet sources. To identify possible solutions for the development of employability skills in the context of challenges of the fourth industrial revolution, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. The results of the research indicate that the promotion of youth employability requires close cooperation between educational institutions and entrepreneurs, as well as that significant attention should be paid to investment in human capital and the digital transformation of business. The research expands and provides insights into the situation in Latvia regarding the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on the development of employability skills and performed an analysis of the main possible solutions for the successful development of employability skills in Latvia that can be ensured by investing in human capital and improving the business environment, the digital transformation of SMEs and the modernization of the education system. In this context, it is crucial to promote more collaboration among educators, academics, policymakers, and practitioners.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/su14126970","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,13]],"date-time":"2022-06-13T02:01:44Z","timestamp":1655085704000},"page":"6970","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":29,"title":["Consequences and Challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Impact on the Development of Employability Skills"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Veronika","family":"Bikse","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), Liepaja University, 14 Liela Street, LV-3401 Liepaja, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Liva","family":"Grinevica","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Unit of Agrarian Economics Sciences, Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, 1 Akademijas Square, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8719-3102","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Baiba","family":"Rivza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, 2 Liela Street, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Peteris","family":"Rivza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Information Technologies, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, 2 Liela Street, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Schwab, K. (2021, October 26). The Fourth Industrial Revolution: What It Means and How to Respond. Available online: https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2016\/01\/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond\/#."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Sajitha, B., Dahlman, C.J., Kanehira, N., and Tilmes, K. (2021). The Converging Technology Revolution and Human Capital: Potential and Implications for South Asia, World Bank."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Binde, J. (2021, April 13). 21. Gadsimta Darvinisms: Digitaliz\u0113jies Vai Mirsti (21st Century Darwinism: Digitalize or Die). Available online: https:\/\/ir.lv."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"Strazdi\u0146a, R. (2022, January 19). Digit\u0101l\u0101s Transform\u0101cijas Strat\u0113\u0123ijas \u012asteno\u0161ana Nav Atliekama. (The Implementation of the Digital Transformation Strategy is Urgent). Available online: https:\/\/ir.lv\/2021\/02\/09\/digitalas-transformacijas-strategijas-istenosana-nav-atliekama\/."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"European Commission (2022, March 02). Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). Thematic Chapters. Available online: https:\/\/digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu\/en\/policies\/desi."},{"key":"ref_6","unstructured":"(2021, December 10). Baltic CFO Survey. Available online: https:\/\/www.seb.lv\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-10\/2021_Baltic_CFO_survey.pdf?msclkid=494ad4a1b65c11ec909583127574ad68."},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"V\u012bksna, V., and Pone, K. (2021, December 10). Can We Compete with Artificial Intelligence on the Labour Market?. 2019., Available online: https:\/\/www.macroeconomics.lv\/can-we-compete-artificial-intelligence-labour-market."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"83","article-title":"Decision Making with the Analytic Hierarchy Process","volume":"1","author":"Saaty","year":"2008","journal-title":"Serv. Sci."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Saaty, T.L. (2010). Principlia Mathematica Decernendi: Mathematical Principles of Decision Making, RWS Publications."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Canco, I., Kruja, D., and Iancu, T. (2021). AHP, a Reliable Method for Quality Decision Making: A Case Study in Business. Sustainability, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/su132413932"},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Saaty, T.L., and Vargas, L.G. (2022, March 18). Models, Methods, Concepts and Applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, Kluwer, Dordrecht. Available online: https:\/\/www.scirp.org\/(S(lz5mqp453edsnp55rrgjct55))\/reference\/ReferencesPapers.aspx?ReferenceID=1391551."},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"ESPAS (2015). Global Trends to 2030: Can the EU Meet the Challenges Ahead?, European Strategy and Policy Analysis System."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.5430\/ijfr.v9n2p90","article-title":"The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges","volume":"9","author":"Xu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int. J. Financ. Res."},{"key":"ref_14","unstructured":"Davis, N. (2022, February 27). What Is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?. World Economic Forum Geneva., Available online: https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2016\/01\/what-is-the-fourth-industrial-revolution\/."},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"(2022, May 13). Recap of Davos 2016. Available online: https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2016\/01\/a-recap-of-davos-2016\/."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"57","article-title":"Challenges of the fourth industrial revolution","volume":"8","author":"Prisecaru","year":"2016","journal-title":"Knowl. Horiz. Econ."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Schwab, K. (2021, October 26). The Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum. Switzerland. Available online: www.weforum.org."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Montresor, F. (2022, February 08). The 7 Technologies Changing your World. World Economic Forum Geneva. Available online: https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2016\/01\/a-brief-guide-to-the-technologies-changing-world."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"CEDEFOP (2021). Understanding Technological Change and Skill Needs: Skills Surveys and Skills Forecasting, Publications Office of the European Union."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Verbeek, A., and Lundqvist, M. (2021). Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and the Future of Europe: How Disruptive Technologies Create Opportunities for a Green and Digital Economy, European Investment Bank."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"(2022, January 15). What Is Industry 4.0?. Available online: https:\/\/insights.sap.com\/what-is-industry-4-0\/."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"(2018). Skill Shift: Automation and the Future of the Workforce, McKinsey Global Institute."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Schmidt, I. (2022, April 14). A Critical Look at New Technologies\u2013Big Data, AI, Blockchain and IoE. New Technologies Are a Key Driver of Digitalization. Available online: https:\/\/morethandigital.info\/en\/a-critical-look-at-new-technologies\/."},{"key":"ref_24","unstructured":"\u0160l\u0113zi\u0146\u0161, J. (2022, January 19). Digit\u0101l\u0101 Transform\u0101cija Vesel\u012bbas Apr\u016bp\u0113. (Digital Transformation in Healthcare). Available online: https:\/\/ir.lv\/2021\/11\/22\/digitala-transformacija-veselibas-aprupe\/?utm_source=email+marketing+Mailigen&utm_campaign=Ir+Svar%C4%ABg%C4%81kais+23.11.2021.&utm_medium=email."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"(2022, March 08). European Blockchain Strategy\u2014Brochure. Available online: https:\/\/digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu\/en\/library\/european-blockchain-strategy-brochure#:~:text=European%20Blockchain%20Strategy%20-%20Brochure%20Blockchain%20is%20one,party%20to%20retain%20control%20of%20their%20own%20data."},{"key":"ref_26","unstructured":"Schwab, K. (2017). The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Penguin Books."},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"Rabana, R. (2021, October 24). The Impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on Economic Development Developing a Country Agenda. Available online: http:\/\/sascenarios2030.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Phindile_Dyani1.pdf."},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"Blanke, J. (2021, September 10). Is Technological Change Creating a New Global Economy?. World Economic Forum Geneva., Available online: https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2016\/01\/is-technological-change-creating-a-new-global-economy."},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"International Bank for Reconstruction and Development\/The World Bank (2021, September 10). Going Viral: COVID-19 and the Accelerated Transformation of Jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Available online: www.worldbank.org."},{"key":"ref_30","unstructured":"OECD (2019). Employment Outlook 2019. The Future of Work. Highlights, OECD Publishing."},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Coulter, S. (2021, November 02). The Impact of Digitalisation on the Quantity and Quality of Work. An Austrian Perspective. Available online: https:\/\/blogsdev.lse.ac.uk\/netuf\/2018\/06\/26\/the-impact-of-digitalisation-on-the-quantity-and-quality-of-work-an-austrian-perspective\/."},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Zahidi, S. (2022, May 12). Recession and Automation Changes Our Future of Work, But There are Jobs Coming, Report Says. World Economic Forum Geneva. Available online: https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/press\/2020\/10\/recession-and-automation-changes-our-future-of-work-but-there-are-jobs-coming-report-says-52c5162fce\/."},{"key":"ref_33","unstructured":"Kassid, S. (2022, January 10). What About Us? Youth (Un)Employment in Times of COVID-19. World Future Council. Available online: https:\/\/www.worldfuturecouncil.org\/covid19-what-about-us\/."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"Debczak, M. (2022, February 27). Revised Guidelines Redefine Birth Years and Classifications for Gen X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Available online: https:\/\/www.mentalfloss.com\/ARTICLE\/609811\/AGE-RANGES-MILLENNIALS-AND-GENERATION-Z."},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"Whistle (2022, January 25). Ear to the Ground. The Active State of Podcast Listening Primes Gen Z and Millennials for Brand Love, if Done Right. Available online: https:\/\/teamwhistle.com\/assets\/Downloads\/whistle-wise-podcast-research.pdf."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.1080\/13538320120060015","article-title":"Reading between the lines of graduate employment","volume":"7","author":"Little","year":"2001","journal-title":"Qual. High. Educ."},{"key":"ref_37","unstructured":"Lees, D. (2002). Graduate Employability: Literature Review, LTSN Generic Centre."},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"Harvey, L. (2003). Transitions from Higher Education to Work, LTSN Generic Centre."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"Cole, D., and Tibby, M. (2013). Defining and Developing your Approach to Employability A Framework for Higher Education Institutions, Higher Education Academy."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Talin, B. (2022, May 13). 23 Skills of the Future\u2014Important Skills for the Jobs of 21th Century. Available online: https:\/\/morethandigital.info\/en\/23-skills-of-the-future-important-skills-for-the-jobs-of-21th-century\/."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"1","article-title":"What Are Employability Skills? Alabama Cooperative Extensions System. The Workplace. A Fact Sheet","volume":"1","author":"Robinson","year":"2000","journal-title":"Ala. Coop. Ext. Syst."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.2304\/eerj.2010.9.1.32","article-title":"Higher Education and Employability of Graduates: Will Bologna make a difference?","volume":"9","author":"Stiwne","year":"2010","journal-title":"Eur. Educ. Res. J."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.21890\/ijres.267370","article-title":"School administrators\u2019 perceptions of the employability of preservice science, technology, and mathematics teachers through teaching practice in Nigeria","volume":"3","author":"Awofala","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Res. Educ. Sci."},{"key":"ref_44","first-page":"1","article-title":"Employability skills for 21st century STEM students: The employers\u2019 perspective","volume":"10","author":"McGunagle","year":"2020","journal-title":"High. Educ. Ski. Work. Based Learn."},{"key":"ref_45","first-page":"2158244019900176","article-title":"Determinants of 21st-Century Skills and 21st-Century Digital Skills for Workers: A Systematic Literature","volume":"10","author":"Laar","year":"2020","journal-title":"SAGE Open"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"577","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chb.2017.03.010","article-title":"The relation between 21st-century skills and digital skills: A systematic literature review","volume":"72","author":"Laar","year":"2017","journal-title":"Comput. Hum. Behav."},{"key":"ref_47","unstructured":"UNESCO (2022, March 02). Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education. Report from the International Commission on the Futures of Education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Available online: https:\/\/unesdoc.unesco.org\/ark:\/48223\/pf0000379707."},{"key":"ref_48","unstructured":"Bikse, V., Grinevica, L., and Rivza, B. (2019, January 10\u201311). Implementation of EU youth guarantee programs in Latvia as important determinants of youth employability. Proceedings of the 33rd International Business Information Management Association Conference (IBIMA) \u201cEducation Excellence and Innovation Management Through Vision 2020\u201d, Granada, Spain."},{"key":"ref_49","unstructured":"Rupeika-Apoga, R. (2022, March 02). MVU Digit\u0101lo Transform\u0101ciju Bremz\u0113 Finans\u0113juma Tr\u016bkums. (Digital Transformation of SMEs is Hindered by a Lack of Funds). Available online: https:\/\/www.delfi.lv\/bizness\/versijas\/."},{"key":"ref_50","unstructured":"(2022, April 19). Official Statistics Database of Latvia Economically Active Enterprises by Main Kind of Activity (NACE Rev. 2), Available online: https:\/\/data.stat.gov.lv:443\/pxweb\/en\/OSP_PUB\/START__ENT__UZ__UZS\/UZS020\/."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"669","DOI":"10.3390\/jtaer17020035","article-title":"The Effect of Digital Orientation and Digital Capability on Digital Transformation of SMEs during the COVID-19 Pandemic","volume":"17","author":"Petrovska","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res."},{"key":"ref_52","unstructured":"European Commission (2021, November 10). Investing in the Future: Digital Europe Programme. Available online: https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/digital-single-market\/en\/news\/commission-welcomes-agreement-digital-europe-programme-2021-2027."},{"key":"ref_53","unstructured":"(2022, March 10). Does Policy Need a Paradigm Shift?. (OECD)., Available online: www.oecd.org\/employment\/future-of-work\/."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"52","DOI":"10.17922\/2414-5466-2019-5-2-52-58","article-title":"Experience in the organization of the scientific club of the department of information technologies of Russian state social university \u201cfuture technologies of digital SOCIETY\u201d","volume":"5","author":"Chekanov","year":"2019","journal-title":"Contemp. Probl. Soc. Work."},{"key":"ref_55","first-page":"55","article-title":"Digital economy: Breakthrough technologies in education","volume":"7","author":"Buryak","year":"2018","journal-title":"Innov. Sci."},{"key":"ref_56","unstructured":"Innovation Centre of the University of Latvia LUMIC (2022, March 08). Digital Skills Development Program. Available online: https:\/\/www.lumic.lu.lv\/en\/baltic-digital-skills-development-programme\/virtual-internships\/."},{"key":"ref_57","unstructured":"(2022, March 20). Digital Europe Programme 2021\u20132027. Available online: https:\/\/www.welcomeurope.com\/en\/programs\/digital-europe-programme-2021-2027\/."},{"key":"ref_58","unstructured":"Ministry on Education and Science Republic of Latvia (2022, March 20). Izgl\u012bt\u012bbas Att\u012bst\u012bbas Pamatnost\u0101dnes 2021\u20132027 Gadam (Education Development Guidelines 2021\u20132027), Available online: https:\/\/www.izm.gov.lv\/lv\/media\/12881\/download."},{"key":"ref_59","unstructured":"(2022, January 21). Digit\u0101l\u0101s Transform\u0101cijas Pamatnost\u0101dnes 2021\u20132027 Gadam (Digital Transformation Guidelines 2021\u20132027), Available online: https:\/\/www.varam.gov.lv\/sites\/varam\/files\/content\/files\/digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnes-_2021-27.pdf."},{"key":"ref_60","unstructured":"OECD (2022, February 12). Future of Education and Skills 2030. Available online: https:\/\/www.oecd.org\/education\/2030-project\/teaching-and-learning\/learning\/learning-compass-2030\/OECD_Learning_Compass_2030_Concept_Note_Series.pdf."},{"key":"ref_61","unstructured":"EC\/OECD (2021, December 04). A Guiding Framework for Entrepreneurial Universities. Available online: http:\/\/www.oecd.org\/site\/cfecpr\/EC-OECD%20Entrepreneurial%20Universities%20Framework.pdf."},{"key":"ref_62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bikse, V., Lusena-Ezera, I., Rivza, P., and Rivza, B. (2021). The Development of Digital Transformation and Relevant Competencies for Employees in the Context of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia. Sustainability, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/su13169233"},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gavriluka, N., Grecu, S.P., and Chiriac, H.C. (2022). Sustainability and Employability in the Time of COVID-19. Youth, Education and Entrepreneurship in EU Countries. Sustainability, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/su14031589"}],"container-title":["Sustainability"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2071-1050\/14\/12\/6970\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T23:25:30Z","timestamp":1760138730000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2071-1050\/14\/12\/6970"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,7]]},"references-count":63,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,6]]}},"alternative-id":["su14126970"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su14126970","relation":{},"ISSN":["2071-1050"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2071-1050","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,7]]}}}