The Digital Transformation of Georgia Economics, Management, and Policy

This edited volume discusses the path towards the digital transformation of Georgia from two major viewpoints: First, an economic perspective that includes contributions around economic integration and orientation towards the EU, and an analysis of its implications for a small country like Georgia. Second, various aspects of digital transformation initiatives will be studied from an enterprise and a managerial perspective. In this part, innovative management methodologies are conceptualized such as agile change management and the enterprise transformation cycle to facilitate the shift from the manufacturing and agriculture industry towards an increasing digitalization of companies. 

These concepts serve as fundamental cornerstones to enable the development of a digital transformation roadmap including the analysis of the potential of establishing a digital hub in Georgia and the Caucasus area. Based on a survey of national and international managers, important HR key performance indicators referring to mobility and digitalization of the workplace are discussed. The impact of pandemic (post-Covid) scenarios for future organizational development as well as large-scale labor migration from East to West is also in focus.

The authors present implications for policymakers and business owners as well as top-level executives resulting in a set of recommendations for future actions.

Preface
The relevance of the digital transformation for the societal and economic development of Georgia

Part A Digital Transformation and the Economic Perspective

Chapter 1 Digital work platforms in the modern labor market

Chapter 2 The Role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Georgian Economy

Chapter 3 How to attract startups to boost national economies - A German-Georgian comparison and case study

Chapter 4 KIU-INNOVATE: A flagship initiative for an entrepreneurial and engaged university in Georgia

Part B Digital Transformation and the Enterprise Perspective

Chapter 5 The Enterprise Transformation Cycle - A Model for Digital Transformation

Chapter 6 Agile project management methodology – Exploring factors which foster successful introduction and institutionalization of the framework

Chapter 7 Revisiting Organizational Change Management (OCM) – a Context Sensitive and Dynamic Approach of Change

Chapter 8 Recommendations for leaders of virtual teams to build trust

Chapter 9 Remote Work – The Great Equalizer of the 21st Century? Stress and employee motivation in High and Low-Cost Countries – Exemplary Analysis for Germany, Bulgaria, and Georgia

Chapter 10 Digitalization as a Driver for successful Talent Acquisition and Employee Retention

Part C Conclusion and Implications for Policy makers

Martin Kupiek works as an independent management consultant and Professor of Management. He holds a Master of Science in Economics and Social Sciences from the TU Dortmund in Germany, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Vermont, USA and a PhD in Management from the University of Innsbruck, Austria. He also belongs to the circle of Fulbright Alumni in Germany. He has published several books and chapter contributions in renowned publications. More than 30 years of professional experience as a consultant and manager enables him to provide consulting services in Organizational Change Management for large and international corporations. His research activities focus on emotions in organizations and their influence on employees and leaders. 

Rupert A. Brandmeier has studied Business & Economics, English, and Archaeology at the Universities of Augsburg (Germany), Moscow (Russia), and Munich (Germany). He has more than 30 years of experience in international businesses, the public sector, and academia. Covering a large area of subjects, his prime interests in management are marketing & operations management, digitalization, corporate strategy, and globalization with a focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). His current research projects deal with the Future of Work (employee attraction and retention in a remote working environment, intercultural leadership), Arts & Culture Management (digitalization in performing arts, museums & exhibitions), and Tourism & Cultural Heritage Protection.

He held managerial positions at global and mid-sized companies (sales, procurement, supply change management, operations & logistics) and worked as an executive management consultant in a number of restructuring and turn-around projects. He has been a visiting professor and a lecturer in EMEA & LATAM. He contributed research papers in the areas of cybersecurity, business intelligence, market entry studies, procurement, benchmarking & innovation management, HR, and cultural management. Besides his management activities, he takes a vital interest in almost all areas of archaeology, including underwater archaeology, and history. Prof. Brandmeier lives in Panama.