The research direction within social sciences covering such topics as business sustainability and its sustainable development factors for long-term value creation, sustainable development of nations, drivers and barriers of sustainable development, circular economy, waste management, sharing economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, sustainability education, and other relevant topics. The main focus on research related to SDG11 “Sustainable cities and communities”, and SDG12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”.

Research coordinator: Dr. Jelena Titko, Professor, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation, EKA University of Applied Sciences; Researcher, The Institute of Economics, Latvian Academy of Sciences; Deputy Chairperson of the Association of Latvian Economists (Latvia).

J.Titko is an expert of the Latvian Council of Science in the field of Economics and Entrepreneurship and Education management; expert of the Lithuanian Research Council; the author of more than 70 scientific papers in the field of economics, business, management and education;  Member of the Scientific committee of the European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS).

She is an Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Economics and Culture” and a member of a scientific board of the journals "Business, Management and Economics Engineering", “Marketing and Management of Innovations”, “Scientia et Societas”, “Socio-Economic and Humanities Studies”, “SocioEconomic Challenges”, and “Business Ethics and Leadership”.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941 E-mail address: jelena.titko@eka.edu.lv

RESEARCH TEAM:

Dr. Dzintra Atstaja, Professor, BA School of Business and Finance (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9411-7212

Dr. Tatjana Tambovceva, Professor, Riga Technical University (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9516-1530

Dr. Pedro A. Martin-Cervantes, Professor, University of Almería (Spain). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8375-1613

Dr. Tatjana Pimonenko, Associate Professor, Sumy State University (Ukraine). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6442-3684

Dr. Indre Lapinskaite, Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6272-1127

Dr. Viktorija Skvarciany, Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8022-4124

Mg. Edgars Cerkovskis, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia)

Dr. Anna Svirina, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8598-558X

Dr. Armand Faganel, Associate Professor, University of Primorska (Slovenia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3618-4986

Dr. Marina Solesvik, Professor, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Norway). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6702-4643

Dr. Anna Jasinska-Biliczak, Assistant Professor, Opole University (Poland). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1923-7345 

Dr. Kristine Uzule, Researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-6069

MBA Jelena Budanceva, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5205-476X

Dr hab. Beata Bal-Domańska, Professor, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (Poland). ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0395-4259

Dr. Jevgenija Dehtjare, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6859-2327

Dr. Tomasz Bartlomowicz, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (Poland). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9986-0841

Ing. Radka Vaníčková, Ph.D., MBA, University of Economics and Management (Czech Republic). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3559-5799

PhD. cand. Julija Mironova, Research Assistant, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-6220

CONFORMITY WITH THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS

• National Development Plan - NAP2027. Priority 4 “Quality Living Environment and Regional Development”, Direction: Nature and the environment - the Green Deal. https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/NAP2027__ENG_2.pdf
• Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization - RIS3. Knowledge-intensive bioeconomy.
• Technology and innovation development policy 2021-2027. https://polsis.mk.gov.lv/documents/7053
• Latvian Bio-economy strategy, Direction: Socially responsible and sustainable development. https://polsis.mk.gov.lv/documents/6100
• Action plan for the transition to a circular economy 2021-2027,  Direction:  Public involvement, information and education. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/317168-par-ricibas-planu-parejai-uz-aprites-ekonomiku-20202027-gadam
   

The research direction within social sciences covering such topics as business ethics, business models for social enterprises, non-financial reporting, social engagement, social value creation, evaluation of knowledge and attitudes towards CSR practices and social entrepreneurship among different groups of citizens, and many others.

Research coordinator: Dr. Velga Vevere, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941

Dr. Velga VEVERE is a Professor at the EKA University of Applied Sciences; the senior researcher at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the University of Latvia. She is an expert of the Science Council of Latvia in two fields – philosophy and management. Her scientific interests range from the history of philosophy (existentialism, phenomenology, American pragmatism), the contemporary issues in philosophy (social/societal aspects, communication, feminism) to the ones in corporate social responsibility, business ethics. She has published more than 50 articles and 3 monographs.

E-mail: velga.vevere@gmail.com

Research team:

Inga Shina, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-6383

Jelena Titko, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941

Aija Sannikova, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1364-4035

Barbara Mroz-Gorgon, Professor, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (Poland). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9116-485X

Jana Majerova, Associate Professor, Ambis University College (Czech Republic). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7391-7838

Vita Juknevičiene, Associate Professor, Vilnius University, Šiauliai Academy (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5910-3010

Maria Kovačova, Associate Professor, Žilina University (Slovakia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4714-7977

Edgars Cerkovskis, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia)

Ing. Renata Skýpalová, Ph.D. AMBIS vysoká škola, a.s. (Czech Republic). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7161-7038

Research outcomes:

Vevere, V., Shina, I., Ganina, S. (2022). Corporate Social Responsibility as a Factor Promoting Customer Loyalty in the Latvian Retail Sector. European Integration Studies, 135-149. Doi: 10.5755/j01.eis.1.16.31325.

Vevere, V., Kovačova, M., Linina, I. (2022). Levels of earnings in the return earnings relation – the value relevance of evidence from Slovakia. Ekonomicko-manazerske spektrum, 16 (1), 35-46. DOI:10.26552/ems.2022.1.35-46

Vevere, V., Sannikova, A., Linina, I. (2022). Business students’ perception of social entrepreneurship in Latvia and study curriculum development. Proceedings of 12th International Scientific Conference BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT. Doi: 10.3846/bm.2022.731

Vevere, V., Cerkovskis, E., & Sannikova, A. (2021). Social Entrepreneurship Intentions Among Business Students in Latvia. European Integration Studies, (15), 251-259. WOS:000697502100020

Sannikova, A., Titko, J. (2021). Social entrepreneurship and social inequality: a case study of Latvia. In Economic Science for Rural Development Conference Proceedings (No. 55), 188-195. doi: 10.22616/ESRD.2021.55.019 

Titko, J., Svirina, A., Tambovceva, T., Skvarciany, V. (2021). Differences in attitude to corporate social responsibility among generations. Sustainability 13(19), 10944. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910944  SCOPUS WOS:000707461000001  Q2

Titko, J., Skvarciany, V., & Tambovceva, T. (2021). Corporate Social Responsibility Perceived by Employees: Latvian Survey Results. Central European Business Review, 10(3), 37-50. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.cebr.258  WOS:000670006600003 Q3

This research direction of social sciences looks at cultural phenomena and processes from the perspective of management, including topics such as the competitiveness of cultural organizations, employee motivation, the application of various marketing tools in the field of culture, international cooperation and various subsystems of international cultural projects.

Research coordinator: MBA Jelena Budanceva, Assistant Professor, Director of the study programmes “International culture project management” and “Culture management”, scientific assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5205-476X  E-mail address: jelena.budanceva@gmail.com

Jelena Budanceva has more then 20 years of experience in the filed of culture – producing music and literature festivals, organizing the participation of Latvia in international exhibitions, corporative events and educational projects. She initiates and supports students in the implementation of events and projects, as well as their research activities within the study process.

Her scientific interests are combining sociological approach with many aspects of organizational and human ressources management in culture fields.

 

Research team:

Velga Vevere, Professor,EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9752-5353

Imants Lavins, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0933-9820

Andrius Juškys, The Faculty of Arts Creative Technologies, Vilniaus kolegija (Lithuania)

Nadiia Lolina, Institute of Historical Research, University of London (UK). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0246-3426

Kristina Astike, PhD student, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9073-1197

Kristīne Užule,Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-6069

Jelena Titko,Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941

Indre Lapinskaite, Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6272-1127

Viktorija Skvarciany,Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8022-4124

Natalja Verina, Assistant Professor,Scientific assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

Kaspars Šteinbergs, Assistant Professor, Scientific assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1506-128X

Research outcomes:

Budanceva, J., Soida,S. & Sondore, L.(2022).Opportunities for the Development of International Cooperation for Professional Orchestras. Economics and Culture, 19(1), 108-120. https://doi.org/10.2478/jec-2022-0010

Verina, N., Astike, K., Grybaite,V. & Budanceva, J.(2021). Culture as a Driver of Sustainable Development in Europe. Economics and Culture, 18(2), 73-82. https://doi.org/10.2478/jec-2021-0016

Steinbergs, K., & Cane, R. (2021, May). Entrepreneurship in cultural and creative industries as a factor promoting regional development. In Economic Science for Rural Development Conference Proceedings (No. 55), 196-206. https://doi.org/10.22616/ESRD.2021.55.020  WOS: 000835687500020

Cane, R., & Steinbergs, K. (2022, January). The role of digital transformation in creative industries companies in regions. In Economic Science for Rural Development Conference Proceedings (No. 56), 424-434. https://doi.org/10.22616/ESRD.2022.56.042

Hermane, A., Steinbergs, K., Podniece, P., (2021). Pārmaiņas pasākumu nozarē COVID - 19 ietekmē (Changes in the Event Sector Under the Influence of Covid-19). Kultūras Krustpunkti. Kultūras un mākslas pētījumi. 44.-58. lpp.

The multidisciplinary research direction covering such topics as business digital transformation, digital skills, digital economy issues, cybersecurity, programming issues, artificial intelligence application, emerging technologies, open data, open-source solutions and other relevant topics.

Research coordinator: Dr. Tatjana Tambovceva, Professor, Riga Technical University (Latvia).

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9516-1530 E-mail address: tatjana.tambovceva@rtu.lv 

Dr. Tatjana TAMBOVCEVA is a Professor at the Riga Technical University (Latvia). She holds Doctor degree in Economics and Engineer and Master degrees in computes sciences. She has more than 25 years’ experience in lecturing both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her research interests focus on circular economy, green production and consumption; consumer behavior; corporate social and environmental responsibility; urban and rural sustainability, project management and use of ICT in many areas.

Dr. Tambovceva has published more than 200 articles in national and international academic journals. She is an author to a number of specialized books and reports on Management, Sustainable development and Project Management. She is a member and an expert in a number of international Societies, Councils and Foundations. She is the Managing Editor of the Scientific Journal “Economics and Business” and Head of the Baltech Study center with the Master program "Industrial Engineering and Management" at the Riga Technical University in Latvia.

Research team:

Dr. Jelena Titko, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941

Dr. Viktorija Skvarciany, Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8022-4124

Dr. Ephias Ruhode, Associate Professor, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)

Dr. Mourine Achieng, University of  South Africa: Graduate School of Business Leadership (South Africa) sachiengm@gmail.com     achiems@unisa.ac.za

Gianluca Coppola, President, European Digital Learning Network (Italy).

Francesca Pissarello, Policy officer and Project manager, European Digital Learning Network (Italy) advocacy@dlearn.eu

Dr. Uwe Busbach, Professor, Hochschule Kehl University of Applied Sciences (Germany).

Dr. Marina Z. Solesvik, Professor of Innovation and Management, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Norway)

Mg. (PhD cand.) Andrejs Liepins, college programme “Programming” director, Alberta college,

Mg. Patriks Morevs, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). 

Mg. Jurijs Radionovs , Bachelor programme “Information technologies” director, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). 

Mg. (PhD cand.) Natalja Verina, Assistant Professor, Bachelor programme “Management” director, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). 

Dr. Anna Svirina, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8598-558X

Research outcomes:

Verina, N., Titko, J., Shina, I. (2021). Digital Transformation Outcomes in Higher Education: Pilot Study in Latvia.  International Journal of Learning and Change (IJLC), 13 (4/5), 459 – 473. 

Titko, J., Svirina, A., Radionovs, J., Liepins, A. (2021). Required skills for students of ICT-related study programmes: gap analysis of the existing curricula in Russian and Kazakh universities. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Innovation, Social and Economic Challenges”, 43-47.

Verina, N. (2021). Historical development of the concept of digital transformation. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Innovation, Social and Economic Challenges”, 17-25.

Verina, N., Titko, J., Skvarciany, V. (2020). Measurement of digital economy: check for data consistency on the example of Latvia and Lithuania. Proceedings of the international online conference “Innovation, social and economic challenges”, 21-24.

This research direction within social sciences covers such topics as business management, entrepreneurship, start-ups, corporate governance, service quality, customer satisfaction, personnel management, branding, marketing research, innovation management, management of education and other relevant topics.

Research coordinator: Dr. Inga Shina, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-6383

E-mail address: inga.shina@gmail.com

Inga SHINA is a Professor at the EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). She also holds an administrative position as the Program Director of Master’s degree program Business Administration and Bachelor’s degree program Marketing.

She is an expert at the Latvian Council of Science in the field of Economics and Entrepreneurship; an author of more than 20 scientific papers in the field of economics, management, business, marketing, corporate social and environmental responsibility; and the co-author of two books: “Vide un ekonomika” (Environment and Economics) and “Green Economics: Policy and Practice in Eastern Europe.”

She is the Head of the EU Eurydice project, which compiles analytical reports on European national education systems and current education policy issues.

She is the Managing Editor of the Scientific Journal “Economics and Business”.

Research team:

Dr. Velga Vevere, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9752-5353

Dr. Jelena Titko, Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences; Researcher, The Institute of Economics, Latvian Academy of Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941

Dr. Oksana Lentjusenkova, Associate Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6494-1534

Dr. Aija Sannikova, Associate Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences; Leading researcher, Baltic International Academy (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1364-4035

Dr. Kristine Uzule, Researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-6069

Dr. Ksenija Ijevleva, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

Mg. Edgars Cerkovskis, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

Mg. Janis Pildavs, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

MBA Irina Serbijenko, RISEBA PhD student (Latvia).

Research outcomes:

Sina, I., Sannikova, A., & bin Sajjad, F. (2020). Brand of European Higher Education Institution as a Key Factor for Foreign Students. Marketing and Management of Innovations, 3, 181-194. http://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2020.3-13  

Titko, J., Svirina, A., Skvarciany, V., Shina, I., (2020). Values of young employees: Z-Generation perception. Business: Theory and Practice, 22(1), 10-17. https://doi.org/10.3846/btp.2020.11166   SCOPUS

Shina, I., & Vevere, V. (2020). Impact of laws and regulations on corporate social responsibility to the charity programs of Latvian commercial banks. Proceedings of the international online conference “Innovation, social and economic challenges”, 11-12.

Linina, I., & Vevere, V. (2021). Critical Thinking Competence and its Impact on Acquisition of Basic Principles of Enterpreneurship Among Business Students in Latvia. European Integration Studies, (15), 47-54. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.eis.1.15.29248   WOS:000697502100004

Vevere, V., Cerkovskis, E., & Sannikova, A. (2021). Social Entrepreneurship Intentions Among Business Students in Latvia. European Integration Studies, (15), 251-259. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.eis.1.15.29111  WOS:000697502100020

Linina, I., Zvirgzdina, R., & Vevere, V.(2022, May). Ensuring consumer satisfaction with chatbots in the Baltic states. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Business and Management 2022”, May 12-13, 2022, Vilnius, Lithuania, 511-516. https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2022.733

Vevere, V., Sannikova, A., Liniņa, I. Business students’ perception of social enterpreneurship in Latvia and study curriculum development. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Business and Management 2022”, May 12-13, 2022, Vilnius, Lithuania, 691-697. https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2022.731

Linina, I., Arbidans, D., & Vevere, V. (2021). Identification of business management improvement factors for start-up companies in Latvia in the conditions of globalization. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 129, p. 08011). https://www.shsconferences.org/articles/shsconf/abs/2021/40/shsconf_glob2021_08011/shsconf_glob2021_08011.html

Lentjushenkova, O., Titko, J., Lapina, I. (2021). Measuring of Intellectual Capital Investments in Higher Education: Case of Latvia. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 13(4), 601-617. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-05-2020-0071  SCOPUS   WOS:000683887900001  Q2

Simenenko, O. and Lentjushenkova, O. (2021). Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Working. In: Perspectives of Business and Entrepreneurship Development: Digital Transformation for Business Model Innovation: Proceedings of Selected Papers, Czech Republic, Brno, September 16-17, 2021. Brno: Brno University of Technology, 2021, pp. 125–142. ISBN 978-80-214-6005-8. https://conference.fbm.vutbr.cz/ic/index.php/ic/libraryFiles/downloadPublic/23/PROCEEDING-SELECTED-2021.pdf

The international, interdisciplinary research group “Current issues in Sports law” is engaged in research on issues relevant to the legal regulation of sport. The group has a particular focus on the intersection between sport, law and politics. Legal and political issues related to sports involve questions on both global and national levels. Therefore, the aim of the research group is to lead the content and direction of national sports law and policy and influence standards in international sports governance through the research projects and papers.

Research coordinator: Dr. Karina Zalcmane, Associate Professor, Director of the Study Program “Law” (The EKA University of Applied Sciences (EKA), (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4827-3425

E-mail address: karina.zalcmane@eka.edu.lv

Karina ZALCMANE started her work at EKA in 2018 as an assistant professor in the study program "Law" and from 2019 she continued her work also leading this study program. Karina has a master′s degree in Law from the University of Westminster (School of Law).

She has professional experience since 2010 as a lawyer, and she is a member of international associations (International Association of Sport Law, Women in Sports Law).

In 2020, Karina defended her dissertation in Law and obtained a doctor degree. In 2022, Karina Zalcmane was elected to the position of Associate Professor.

Research team:

Dr. David McArdle, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Law School, Stirling University (Scotland, UK). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1632-4857

Dr. Nemes András, Professor in law at the University of Physical Education Budapest, Attorney at law of the Dr. Nemes András Law firm (Hungary).

Dr. Anna Di Giandomenico, Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Political Science, University of Teramo (Italy).

Dr. Alexandru-Virgil VOICU, Professor of the University of Chisinau (Republic of Moldova), professor at the University Babes-Bolyai (Cluj-Napoca, Romania) and professor at the National Academy of Physical Education and Sports in Bucharest (Romania). The President of the Legal Commission of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee.

Dr. Marina Kamenecka-Usova, Assistant Professor (The EKA University of Applied Sciences (EKA), (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6040-8874