How to Drive Baltic Educational Competitiveness in Emerging Subjects? Collaborative Frontiers with Technology Solutions

• In Event: Issues in Education and Digitality

Abstract

Baltic countries face a growing disparity in teaching emerging subjects like climate literacy, ethical AI, systems thinking, and similar, which are crucially important for developing the resilience and prosperity of our societies. The problem is further aggravated by the multidisciplinary nature of these emerging subjects, the current scarcity and limited inflow of qualified educators, and the relatively low physical concentration of target students, so their teaching remains unevenly addressed.
The current study delves into the viability of a scalable technological platform model to overcome these challenges. The two-sided platform idea is to pool students from diverse geographic regions, draw freelanced teachers from multiple countries, and deploy four types of network growth effects for regional scalability.
This study’s empirical experimental research uses conjoint analysis methodology. It engages secondary school teachers and students as pivotal stakeholders, seeking their tradeoffs and preferences regarding various strategic platform elements. Findings reveal nuanced inclinations among educators and potential learners regarding attributes like platform scope, emerging subject domains, instructional and technological features, and the equilibrium between collaborative pan-Baltic knowledge exchange (brokerage) and within-country focus (closure).
To summarize, this study contributes to conceptualizing collaborative educational efforts tailored to address the challenges faced by the Baltic countries in emerging subject areas. It provides a framework for policymakers and educational institutions to navigate the complexities of designing a technologically enabled teaching environment that fosters both collaborative learning and specialized expertise, thereby fostering a more inclusive and adaptable educational landscape in the Baltic region.

Short Bio

Kristina Maiksteniene currently serves as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Business Development and Sustainability Module (Executive Master of Management Studies) at the ISM University of Management and Economics in Vilnius, Lithuania. She is also a long-term lecturer in the Education Leadership Master’s Studies program. Kristina holds an MBA degree with a concentration in marketing and strategy from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Central European University & University of the State of New York, and a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from Kaunas University of Technology. She has been developing her competencies at leading U.S., Asian, and European business schools (including Wharton Business School, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago, Copenhagen Business School, Fudan University, and Singapore Management University), and has delivered lectures and conference speeches in multiple countries. Kristina’s pre-ISM experience includes brand management at Procter and Gamble company. She has also accumulated 23 years of expertise as a business development consultant to domestic and international corporations. Kristina serves on the editorial advisory board of The "Baltic Journal of Management” (Emerald Publishing), and is a member of Strategic Management Society (SMS), Academy of Management (AoM), and several other academic and professional societies.

Author

• Kristina Maikštėnienė, ISM University of Management and Economics