| Abstract [eng] |
This thesis provides an evaluation of what thresholds for entry and integration would suggest emerging enterprises entering the Kaunas Free Economic Zone (FEZ). Problematic results imply that the Lithuania FEZ thrives due to employment tax motivation and implemented development projects with operational needs as a threshold for entry and competitive perspective, suggesting as of now, small enterprises find no real world value in utilizing the FEZ regime through integration. However, with a research question that works more proactively, a compiled cumulative qualitative and quantitative analysis suggests that subsequent assessments can be made for entry thresholds and integration efforts from the compiled construction data of the FEZ, if entry is approved by emerging enterprises. Research findings were based on a quantitative case study, a case study through statistics. A compilation of employment and wages submitted to "Sodra" of various companies between 2018-2024 was compared with similar statistics and compilations of Kaunas FEZ reported through reputable FEZ media and statistics. Thus, the researcher creates an assessment from a wealth of secondary data to attempt to determine the level of growth and how the wage volume/wage exceedance compares within the FEZ. Assessment methods include Descriptive Statistics, Compound Annual Growth Rates and cumulative assessments based on national average viability (i.e., how many companies of what size should be assumed ideally). Research results assert that Kaunas FEZ has overwhelmingly significant employment and wage increases compounded with average wages far exceeding national average viability. Yet where the FEZ exceeds expectations of performance, it greatly exceeds performance—most employment bonuses/employment taxes come from a small number of large, foreign-owned production companies, while micro-companies are rarely present in terms of FTEs/taxes paid/substantial efforts toward developmental economics. Thus, while the effort to surpass the threshold for investment and employment within the FEZ is not easy, it is naturally linked to intentions for company growth. Ultimately, Kaunas FEZ is a conditional, performance-based zone more suitable for scale-ups than ultra-micro companies. A checklist is created based on entry financial, operational and strategic criteria that the micro company should have in place prior to entry, and additional recommendations are provided to the appropriate regulatory bodies for easier integration efforts for supplier-driven development. |
