Implementation of the work-based learning model in SMEs: Ranking the indicators of feasibility based on transitivity

• Published in: Economics & sociology Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 291 - 302
• Main Authors: Hogeforster, Max, Ginevičius, Romualdas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ternopil Centre of Sociological Research (NGO) 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Competition; Competitive advantage; Economic systems; Education; Employees; Entrepreneurs; Knowledge; Market positioning; Ratings & rankings; Skilled workers; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; Success; Work environment
• ISSN: 2071-789X; 2306-3459
• DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2024/17-3/15

Work-based learning models have been applied to varying extent across countries. This raises questions about the factors that determine the feasibility of their implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The multifaceted impact of these factors and the indicators reflecting them varies significantly, which makes it necessary to rank them appropriately. This study uses a pairwise comparison of the indicators’ importance based on their transitivity to determine such ranking. This new methodology is superior to existing approaches in that it allows the researcher to determine the importance rankings of a virtually unlimited number of indicators without compromising the adequacy of the assessment. It also significantly reduces the scope of expert judgement. The methodology also accounts for interactions between indicators, further improving the relevance of the rankings. Finally, the proposed methodology is versatile as it can be applied to rank the importance of any type of indicators reflecting the state of socio-economic systems.