The Market’s Maturity for Public Procurement of Circular Furniture: A Study from Latvia

Public procurement plays an important role in the market by making up 14% of the Gross Domestic Product in the European Union, therefore it is seen as an important instrument to promote such products and services that better meet society’s demands, for example, sustainability. Starting from 2015, circularity is an important aspect of sustainability. Furniture is among the product groups with a significant impact on the material footprint, therefore approaches to increase material efficiency and circularity are of high value. With this research, the authors investigate the market’s maturity, i.e. the readiness of suppliers to offer circular furniture and services, as well as the readiness of municipalities to uptake it. 20 companies and 27 municipalities took part in the survey. Results show that the surveyed companies currently are more ready to offer more circular products and services than municipalities require in the procurement tenders. Most surveyed municipalities are maintaining and repairing the furniture by themselves that is a circular approach but without outsourcing. The market consultation before the tendering could help to understand the market abilities better and lead to more circular purchasing contracts. This is an important task considering the importance of public procurement in promoting a circular economy.

Developing Intercultural Competence Through Design Thinking

Cultural competence, as the ability to interact effectively with the culturally diverse others, is a key component to your success in the globalized world. Developing cultural competence gives us an insight how to benefit from the diversity within intercultural interactions. Everyone may misinterpret the cultural differences due to the low level of cultural competence. That can influence further cooperation with different cultures. Therefore, it is very important to foster students’ intercultural skills, in particular by using different learning techniques and implementing new ideas into the traditional teaching methods. One of them is design thinking as a practice that encourages collaboration and can help students to manage intercultural challenges. Hence, the research problem for this study is to reveal the correlation between the development of students’ intercultural competence and design thinking method application. The purpose of the study is to summarize and synthesize the research on cross-cultural interactions and design thinking to build a framework that shows how the implementation of the design thinking method into the learning process facilitates the development of students’ intercultural competence. The tasks of the research are:a) to review the main contributions to the field of design thinking by analysing multidisciplinary studies on how design thinking fosters development of variety competences including intercultural competence;b) to design the framework to reveal the correlation between the components of intercultural competence and the stages of design thinking process;c) to observe the changes in the students’ intercultural competence level by analysing learners’ responses to the case of intercultural misunderstanding at the beginning of studying the cross-cultural communication classes and after finishing the course.d) The study uses mixed approaches such as quantitative and qualitative methods, scientific literature studies, intercultural competence assessment, grouping, comparative analysis, synthesis, inductive and deductive methods.The key results are presented in the framework that demonstrates the ways how design thinking method supports the development of intercultural competence. This framework can be used by educators to teach intercultural competence and everyone involved in cross-cultural interactions, and who would like to benefit from the diversity.

The European Administration as a Facilitator of the European Integration Process: Organizational and Ethical Implications from the Proliferation of European Union Agencies

The purpose of this study is to explore the evolution of EU administration by focusing and critically examining the role of EU agencies in advancing the European integration project. The research question deals with identifying the factors that account for the formulation of EU agencies and the reasons behind their sharp increase in numbers since the 2000s. The tasks are to analyse critical EU agencies’ parameters such as their typology, the policy area they deal with, origin of their resources and funding, and their output. In addition, transparency and accountability issues accompanying the proliferation of EU agencies are also considered. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of the European administration as expressed by the establishment of various types of agencies since 1975 thereafter. Methodologically, the research utilizes quantitative data based on annual EU budgets as well as official reports and policy papers issued by main EU institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, European Court of Auditors) and agencies, analyzing them from a historical perspective. As a result, it is argued that the proliferation of EU agencies has advanced the process of European integration, namely the EU enlargement and expansion in new policy areas following successive reforms of the Treaties. However, concerns regarding accountability and transparency issues remain in place.

Critical Thinking Competence and its Impact on Acquisition of Basic Principles of Enterpreneurship Among Business Students in Latvia

Critical thinking is mental process of analysis and evaluation of information. The source of information can be experience, reflection, observation, communication, etc., as well as study process. Business education is based on the ability to navigate the market situation and make informed decisions. The aim of the research is to determine correlation between business students information processing skills according to certain criteria and students’ self-evaluation of their information processing skills. Based on this, the authors of the investigation study the theoretical basis of critical thinking with the monographic or descriptive method, with the help of a questionnaire assess students' ability to critically evaluate the situation and make decisions based on it. This study will provide an understanding the need for critical thinking and its development in the process of business education. Two research questions are put forward: (1) What is the self-assessment of critical thinking skills by the business students? (2) What are the differences between the self-assessment and the assessment according to the proposed criteria? In the result, the authors conclude that by studying the importance of critical thinking in educating business students, it is possible to increase market understanding and decision-making competence for students. Critical thinking is the skills of business students to start a successful business.

Design Thinking Method Implementation in Personnel Certification Procedures

Personnel certification is one of the most effective tools for implementing human resources development processes and procedures. By certifying employees, either enterprises, institutions or organizations strive to expand their capabilities by acquiring new or improving already existing knowledge, skills, abilities and experience in order to improve the efficiency of performing professional duties. The purpose of the article is theoretical and methodological justification, practical testing and evaluation of personnel certification processes using design thinking procedure. The research goal is achieved by setting and solving the following tasks:- to investigate the theoretical and methodological basis of design thinking procedure, to establish the possibilities and ways of its practical application in the processes of human resource development of the organization;- to improve the implementation of international certification processes for professional drillers with the help of the prototyping tool; - to develop recommendations and evaluate the influence on the certification procedures according to the international standards.The draft study presupposes the analysis of the preparatory and final stage of international certification of oil and gas enterprises personnel, as well as the development of recommendations for their improvement, by using design thinking procedure. The study combines methods of quantitative and qualitative analysis. In particular, statistical analysis tools are used to study the results and evaluate the influence on personnel certification. Qualitative methods are used to establish intellectual, psychological and professional options of a person, by applying prototyping tools. Based on the results of the study, it is planned to obtain:» design thinking procedure integrated into the process of international personnel certification of oil and gas enterprises, which will increase the efficiency of human resources development;» improved approach to the organization of international certification procedures for professional drillers, which is based on the use of prototyping tools;» a list of influences on the certification procedures according to international standards and an approach to their evaluation.

Assessment and Development of Public Servants Using the Design Thinking Methodology for the Reforms and Innovations Introduction

The purpose of the study is to investigate the features of assessment of public servants’ characteristics and their ability development to introduce reforms and innovations in public authorities using the design thinking methodology. The following tasks were set: 1) to investigate the problems of assessing the personal qualities and behavioral characteristics before and after training activities; 2) to find out what peculiarities of the introduction of reforms and innovations in public authorities should be taken into account in the assessment of public servants and their practice-oriented training; 3) based on the results of the research, to determine the features of the use of design thinking methodology in the public servants development. To achieve the research objective, the dialectical research, content analysis, questionnaire survey, expert assessment, methods of statistical analysis, and modeling were used. The results of the study testified that in many cases the method of self-assessment of personal qualities does not ensure the indicators objectivity. Therefore, such indicators should be compared with expert estimates. Based on the analysis of the results of empirical research in the public sector, the peculiarities of the reforms and innovations introduction related to bureaucracy and political influence, drivers of reforms and their outcomes, strict control over the use of resources, evaluation of the performance of public servants have been identified. The research allowed substantiating the proposals for the use of the design thinking methodology in training of public servants and evaluation of its results.

Influencer Marketing from a Consumer Perspective: How Attitude, Trust, and Word of Mouth Affect Buying Behavior

Influencer marketing is a marketing method that more and more companies are using when it comes to marketing brands. The purpose of the study has been to gain a deeper understanding of how social media influencers affect consumers' buying behavior. To understand this, consumers' attitudes and confidence in the phenomenon have been relevant factors to examine. The study also aimed to find out whether Word of Mouth (WoM) or social media influencers have the greatest impact on consumers' buying behavior. The results have shown that social media influencer's impact on consumers' buying behavior depends on whether attitudes are positive or negative. Consumers with positive attitudes towards social media influencers have a greater tendency to acquire what is marketed in comparison with consumers who have negative attitudes towards social media influencers, who instead refrain from buying. Factors that increase confidence in social media influencer are whether the consumer feels connected, honesty and that social media influencer in markets products / services within its area of expertise. What has been shown to play a significant role when it comes to influencing consumers' buying behaviors and attitudes is what the environment's perceptions, opinions and experiences about the phenomenon look like WoM. It has emerged that the respondents have a greater confidence in their surroundings than they have in social media influencers. This study will adopt a qualitative approach towards collection and analysis of data. Hence this study will investigate influencer marketing from a consumer perspective through a qualitative method with the help of semi-structured interviews. The researcher will conduct a minimum of 5 semi-structured interviews and analyze the data to formulate the required findings of this study.

Analysis of the Legal and Regulatory Situation of Uncovered Corporate Bond Issuance in the Baltic States: is there a Common Framework Possible?

While the development of the Baltic corporate bond market is based on the uncovered bond segment, the elaboration of the legislative base has a devoted emphasis on the covered bonds. The shift from a country-focused to the pan-Baltic-focused capital market has been publicly acknowledged by the governments (Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia, 2018) and is in line with the ongoing Capital Markets Union initiative of the European Commission (The High Level Forum on the Capital Markets, 2020). Moreover, a pan-Baltic covered bond legal and regulatory framework has been initiated (Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, 2019). The strong demand for the corporate bond segment in the Baltics (the average number of issues listed in the period 2009-2019 reached 44) where no covered bonds are traded on Nasdaq Baltic (Nasdaq Baltic, 2020) creates the need for a unification of the uncovered corporate bond legislation. The existing academic research is relatively modest on analysing legal frameworks of corporate bond issuance. The studies examine the division between domestic and international (typically Eurobonds) legal issuance frameworks with more focus on the legislative frameworks as related to the terms of issuance. Few articles consider a new supranational bond issuance framework, while the interpretation of the issue is radically diverse. There is no existing academic research on the legal framework of the uncovered corporate bond issuance in the Baltics. The aim of this research is to reveal the feasibility of the development of a pan-Baltic uncovered corporate bond issuance framework by analysing the existing legal and regulatory documentation of the corporate bond issuance in the Baltic states. The research provides a limitation for the corporate bond issuance process legislation in the form of information disclosure requirements and the prospective situation of a default of an issuer. The research presents the primary data analysis of the in-depth interviews with pan-Baltic legal professionals in the corporate bond issuance segment conducted in the period December 2019-March 2020. The research demonstrates that the concern of the information disclosure for the issue of corporate bonds is covered under the new regime of the Prospectus Regulation, where further harmonisation of the smaller scope of issues is needed. The national insolvency laws in the Baltics are yet different and need to be harmonised for the default of the issuer. In the result of the research, the idea of a proposal for a pan-Baltic legal and regulatory framework for uncovered corporate bond issuance is evaluated as feasible action corresponding both to the goals of the Capital Markets Union and a pan-Baltic capital market development. The research methods used in this article are scientific publication analysis, document analysis, and in-depth interviews.

Strengthening Lithuanian - Latvian Cross - Border Cooperation in the Context of International Trade

The article analyses the strengthening of the competitiveness of countries based on crossborder cooperation through the prism of international trade indicators. Due to the increase in international competition, countries, especially small economies, are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their position in the global market and remain competitive if this position is pursued individually. It is therefore necessary to review competition strategies and reassess opportunities and competitive advantages, as well as to promote coopetition between border region companies at institutional level. The article presents a new approach to regional competitiveness, which is achieved not through the development of the competitive advantages of the regions of individual countries, but through their cooperation and thus achieving common benefits. This is particularly relevant for border regions, as their uniqueness allows them to exploit cross-border region cooperation, which can generate added value by utilising the potential of cooperating regions to complement each other and become a competitive hub for economic growth. Only a strategic partnership based on regional cooperation will promote cooperation between manufacturers in different regions and ensure the achievement of co-creation and international development goals. The article analyses the case of Lithuania and Latvia as an example of cross-border cooperation, as internationally these countries are often matched and treated as one region, but in fact they compete fiercely with each other for better positions in foreign markets. This also shows that Lithuania’s and Latvia’s foreign trade with the European Union (hereinafter - the EU) accounted for the largest share of their foreign trade. Secondary statistical data of the EU-28 Eurostat of 2010 - 2019 and Finger Kreinin, RCA, and Lafay indices were used for the study. After assessing the convergence of the Lithuanian and Latvian export structure according to the FKI index during the study and finding that the export structure of these countries is very similar, the relative comparative advantage of exports by individual product sectors was assessed on the basis of the RCA index and the comparative advantage on the basis of the LAFAY index. The study showed that both countries had comparative advantages in the same product groups. The identification of common points of contact has highlighted economic activities, the development of which could be given more attention through the cooperation between the countries, and which would ensure overall economic benefits. The article concludes with strategic recommendations and measures to promote cross-border cooperation and increase the region’s competitiveness. The article contributes to the regional economic subject literature, as the concept of cross-border region competitiveness is developed by promoting not the competition of individual regions, but their cooperation by discovering common similarities in economic development. The article presents methodological logic and empirical calculations that would allow policy makers to develop cooperation strategies with those border regions with which it is expedient to cooperate for greater economic benefits. Promoting regional development and reducing regional disparities not only between regions within the same country but also between different countries requires the patient and consistent work of governments, businesses and academia, as well as individual communities, to develop measures and initiatives to promote cross-border cooperation.

Energy Research Infrastructures in Europe and Beyond: Mapping an Unmapped Landscape

European research and innovation policy highlights the importance of transnational scientific collaboration, International collaborations in science concentrates and magnifies resources for conducting research and foster innovation. Often, individual institutions, or even individual European countries, cannot provide the right capabilities by themselves. Joint facilities and Research Infrastructures (RIs) are therefore of high importance, and through Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe nearly €5 bn EU funding is set aside for these institutions. Considering the large-scale funding and the perceived importance of RIs, a better understanding of their roles, functions, and usefulness is highly relevant to of European integration studies. While ‘Research Infrastructures’ has become a fixed terminology of EU-policy, conceptually defining RIs remain a matter of academic debate. We contribute to the “what is an RI?”-discussion by synthesizing existing literature and presenting novel empirical data from the energy domain mapping of the Horizon 2020-project Research Infrastructures in the International Landscape (RISCAPE). We provide insights into the process of mapping an hitherto largely unknown landscape of global Energy RIs. These insights touch upon both definitional issues relevant to the RI-field and methodological concerns for future landscape analyses. Finally, the article suggests that when it comes to energy research, RI-terminology might be misplaced as a catchall modern synonym for “gold standard world-class science”.