Aleksandra Lozanoska – Institute of Economics-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Prolet 1, Skopje, North Macedonia
Irina Piperkova Majovski – Institute of Economics-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Prolet 1, Skopje, North Macedonia
Elizabeta Djambaska – Institute of Economics-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Prolet 1, Skopje, North Macedonia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31410/EMAN.S.P.2020.93
4th International Scientific Conference – EMAN 2020 – Economics and Management: How to Cope With Disrupted Times, Online/Virtual, September 3, 2020, SELECTED PAPERS published by: Association of Economists and Managers of the Balkans, Belgrade, Serbia; ISBN 978-86-80194-31-8, ISSN 2683-4510
Abstract:
The main aim of this paper is to identify current levels of knowledge, skills and abilities of
the SMEs’ employees in North Macedonia, vis-à-vis firms’ needs for knowledge and skills. This paper
analyzes the current levels of employee job-specific, soft, digital and entrepreneurial skills on a sample
of firms in North Macedonia. For the purposes of this research, the employees were classified in three
categories: core employees, supporting employees and managers. The results of the research show that
the main challenge regarding the soft skills refers to solving complex problems, capacity for job analysis
and initiative. Adapting to new technologies is found to be the weakest aspect of digital skill among
employees. Entrepreneurial skills related to risk taking, capacity to generate new ideas, creativity and
innovation as well as flexibility at work are also considered to be a challenge.
Keywords:
Employee skills, SMEs, North Macedonia.
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