EDUCATIONAL LEVEL OF IT PROFESSIONALS IN THE CONTEXT OF BUSINESS MODELS: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND MANAGERIAL GUIDELINES (2014–2023)
Abstract
The article presents a comprehensive analysis of changes in the educational level of IT specialists in Ukraine during the period from 2014 to 2023, considering three main business models: outstaffing, outsourcing, and product companies. The research is based on structured statistical data that allowed for a detailed comparative study of the proportion of professionals with higher education, disaggregated by gender and business model. The findings reveal a stable advantage among women regarding the level of academic attainment, as well as a temporary decline in the overall percentage of specialists with higher education recorded in 2019, likely influenced by market dynamics and rapid team scaling. The graphical and tabular materials included in the study illustrate the annual dynamics and emphasize the differences across the business models. Particular attention is given to the identification of long-term trends and key transitional points within the decade under review. Based on the obtained results, the article proposes management guidelines aimed at optimizing HR policies and forming strategic development approaches for IT companies. Recommendations include strengthening corporate educational programs, encouraging the acquisition of academic degrees among personnel, and developing gender-sensitive HR initiatives. The research contributes to the understanding of how educational qualifications affect workforce sustainability and competitiveness in the IT sector and offers practical insights for HR professionals, corporate managers, policymakers, and academic researchers. The empirical data and analytical framework provided can serve as a foundation for further interdisciplinary studies on human capital development in the context of the digital economy. Moreover, the findings highlight the strategic importance of investing in educational capital as a determinant of organizational success in a rapidly evolving technological environment. The study emphasizes that maintaining a high educational level among IT professionals is a critical factor for enhancing innovation capacity and ensuring long-term resilience in global competitive markets.
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