DIGITAL ECONOMY AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Research direction "Digital Economy and Digital Transformation" researches explore the profound impact of digital technologies on business models, economic structures, and societal interactions. It investigates how digital innovations reshape industries, enhance productivity, and drive economic growth. This research aims to provide insights into the strategies and policies necessary to navigate and harness the digital revolution for sustainable economic development.
The main focus is on research related to SDG9 "Industry, innovation and infrastructure".
RESEARCH TEAM:
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: jelena.titko@eka.edu.lv
Research coordinator: Nataļja Verina, (Mg.iur., PhD candidate), Assistant Professor, Director of the study programmes “Management“ (Bachelor level); Researcher at the EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). Graduated from Police academy of Latvia, Riga Technical University (Latvia).
N. Verina participated as curriculum leader in the initiation and development of the Public Administration Digital Academy of the School of State Administration.
Scientific interests focused on human resource aspects in the organisation’s digital transformation process and employees′ digital skills.
Author of several studies and articles.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2106-8314
E-mail: natalija.verina@eka.edu.lv
Research team members
- Dr. Kristine Uzule, Leading researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-6069
- Zanda Gobniece, Research Assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3370-3509
- Ilona Lejniece, Dr.oec., EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6402-5141
- Elvis Dibaņins, PhD cand., EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9463-7987
- PhD. cand. Julija Mironova, ISMA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-6220
- Martin Kiselicki, Teaching & Research Assistant, PhD in Organizational Sciences & Management, Economic Faculty – Skopje, University Ss. Cyril & Methodious (N. Macedonia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0439-8090
- Anna Pavelieva, PhD, National University "Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic", (Ukraine). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2306-1928
- Dr. Katie Power, Head of Department, Marketing & International Business, Munster Technological University (Ireland). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6223-5660
- Bruno Raguž, Mg.art. University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zaprešić (Croatia). https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6982-0259
- Nino Pataraia, PhD Ilia State University (Georgia). https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6741-4580
- Tomas Hlavsa, PhD Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic). https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9240-5512
- Claudia Maier, Mg. University of Applied Sciences Burgenland GmbH (Austria). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2382-3398
- Grigor Hayrapetyan, PhD cand., Yerevan State University (Armenia). https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1088-4504
- Tsovinar Adamyan, PhD cand., Yerevan State University (Armenia). https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4207-5898
- Shani Oppenheim-Weller, Dr.psyh. Hadassah Academic College (Israel). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6608-5524
- Ayelet Goldstein, PhD, Hadassah Academic College (Israel). https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0794-3653
- Ilona Lejniece, Dr.oec., EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6402-5141
- Elvis Dibaņins, PhD cand., EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9463-7987
CONFORMITY WITH THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS
- National Development Plan - NAP2027. Priority 3 “Business Competitiveness and Material Well-being”, Productivity, innovation and export. Priority 4 “Quality Living Environment and Regional Development”, Direction “Technological environment and services” https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/NAP2027__ENG_2.pdf
- 07.07.2021. Order of Cabinet of Ministers Nr 490 “About the Digital Transformation Guidelines for the years 2021-2027” https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715
- 14.07.2022. Regulation of Cabinet of Ministers No. 435 “Regulations Regarding the Implementation of the Reform and Investment Direction 2.1 "Digital Transformation of State Administration, Including Local Governments" of Component 2 "Digital Transformation" of the Plan for the European Recovery and Resilience Facility” https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/334025
- 06.07.2023. Order of Cabinet of Ministers Nr 422 “Regarding the 2nd component "Digital Transformation" of the European Union Recovery and Resilience Mechanism Plan 2.1. "Digital transformation of state administration, including local governments" of the reform and investment direction 2.1.2.1.i. investment "Government centralized platforms and systems" project "National digital service sharing central platform for client-centered and proactive e-services for the public (Latvija.lv)" approval of passports, centralized functions or shared service development plans” https://likumi.lv/ta/id/343565-par-eiropas-savienibas-atveselosanas-un-noturibas-mehanisma-plana-2-komponentes-digitala-transformacija-2-1-reformu
- 10.02.2021. OECD Reviews of Digital Transformation “Going Digital in Latvia” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/8eec1828-en.pdf?expires=1718369703&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=C3F61B84F9DF68D1A767A9BFDDF81C5B
OUTCOMES
Research papers:
- Uzule, K., Gobniece, Z., & Titko, J. (2024). Digital transformation of economies through technology, education and competences. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 82(5), 758-774. https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/24.82.758 WOS:001334776400012
- Titko, J., Cirulis, M., Semjonovs, D., Svirina, A., and Verina, N. (2024). “Relationship between Perception of Digital Transformation and Individual Psychological Capabilities of Academic Staff: Pilot Study in Latvia. Journal of Self-Governance and Management Economics 12(1), 50–66. https://doi.org/10.22381/jsme12120243
- Gobniece, Z., Titko, J. (2024). Staff Competences for Digital Transformation: Bibliometric analysis. Virtual Economics, 7(1), 25-46. https://doi.org/10.34021/ve.2024.07.01(2)
- Titko, J., Steinbergs, K., Achieng, M., Uzule, K. (2023). Artificial Intelligence for Education and Research: Pilot Study on Perception of Academic Staff. Virtual Economics, 6(3), 7-19. https://doi.org/10.34021/ve.2023.06.03(1) SCOPUS Q2
- Uzule, K., & Verina, N. (2023). Digital barriers in digital transition and digital transformation: Literature review. Economics and Culture, 20(1), 125-143. https://doi.org/10.2478/jec-2023-0011
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLC.2021.116661
- Verina, N., Titko, J., Shina, I. (2019). Digital Transformation in Higher Education: academic and administrative staff perception. Proceedings of the 34th International Business Information Management Association Conference (IBIMA), 13-14 November 2019, Madrid, Spain, IBIMA, Madrid, 6783-6792. WOS:000556337409020
- Verina, N., Titko, J. (2019). Digital transformation: conceptual framework // International Scientific Conference „Contemporary Issues in Business, Management and Economics Engineering", May 9-10, 2019, Vilnius, Lithuania. – Conference proceedings, pp.719-727. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/cibmee.2019.073
Related projects:
- “United for Cyber Safety - Up-Skilling High School Communities for Protecting Students” – SHIELD.
- "Innovation grants for students in the interdisciplinary areas of art, culture, economics and IT” - MaKE IT. Ref.No. No. 1.1.1.3/21/A/003 https://www.augstskola.lv/?parent=431&lng=eng
- „Development of a virtual learning space as a tool for developing students′ critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills in the context of COVID19”. (2021-1-LT-01-KA220-HED-000023551) https://www.augstskola.lv/?parent=444&lng=eng
Master Theses:
- 2024. Gurpreet Singh Mishan. Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Human Resource Management in SMEs in India
- 2024. Liyanage Dilki Nimesha Perera. Integration of Artificial Intelligence Tools in the Content Marketing Strategy of Sri Lankan Small and Medium Enterprises.0
- 2024. Liga Prancane. Impact of automation processes on improving the quality of accounting processes in Latvian companies
- 2023. Zanda Gobniece. Automation of Human Resource Management processes in Latvian companie
- 2022. Roshin Shaji. Relationship between digital transformation and performance of small and medium scale enterprises in southern India
- 2022. Kaspars Karasevskis. Opportunities for business process automation in retail companies in Latvia
- 2022. Winshow Alukka Pauly. The role of digital transformation in the growth of logistics companies in Kerala, India
Other outcomes:
Within MAKE-IT project. Team “Europa School Mobile” – students from IT study programme. Outcome: a modernized information system for European Distance Education High School (one of the components of the system is mobile application for pupils, parents and staff)
RESEARCH DISSEMINATION & IMPACT
- 08.11.2024. Edgards Čerkovskis. Open lecture "AI and VR Integration: Future Technologies in Education", European University, Tbilisi, Georgia. https://eu.edu.ge/en/news/2661-public-lecture-edgars-cerkovskis-ai-and-vr-integration-future-technologies-education
- 23.10.2024. Edgars Čerkovskis. LR Conference for Teachers of Math. Presentation: "Mākslīgā intelekta izmantošana mācību procesā" https://www.r1sips.edu.lv/2024/10/4053/
- 08.-10.10.2024. Natalja Verina. International scientific conference “The transformative economy: Digital Technology, Spatial Disparities and Quality of Life”, October, Yerevan, Armenia. Presentation: The contribution of employees’ digital skills to the implementation of state digital transformation
- 08.-10.10.2024. Jelena Titko. International scientific conference “The transformative economy: Digital Technology, Spatial Disparities and Quality of Life”, October, Yerevan, Armenia. Presentation: Personal and institutional barriers perceived by academic staff in the process of digital transformation in higher education
- 22.-24.05.2024. Jelena Titko, Maris Cirulis, Dmitrijs Semjonovs, Anna Svirina, Natalja Verina. Relationship between Perception of Digital Transformation and Individual Psychological Capabilities of Academic Staff: Pilot Study in Latvia. Presentation in EUMMAS A2S Conference on Global Social and Technological Development and Sustainability, Bucharest 2024, Romania.
- 25.04.2024. Oksana Lentjushenkova, Julija Surikova, Nataļja Verina, Aurelija Ulbinaite, Kaspars Karasevskis. Drivers influencing trust building in digital economy of small and medium enterprises. Presentation in EKA University of Applied Sciences 8th International Scientific Conference EMERGING TRENDS IN ECONOMICS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES (etECH2024)
- 25.04.2024. Kristine Uzule, Natalja Verina, Aurelija Ulbinaite, Jevgenija Dehtjare. Relevance of ai skills for the development of entrepreneurial competences. Presentation in EKA University of Applied Sciences 8th International Scientific Conference EMERGING TRENDS IN ECONOMICS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES (etECH2024)
- 25.04.2024. Elvis Dibanins, Ilona Lejniece. Challenges and innovation to digital transformation in the legal system of Latvia. Presentation in EKA University of Applied Sciences 8th International Scientific Conference EMERGING TRENDS IN ECONOMICS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES (etECH2024)
- 20.04.2023. Harsh Chauhan, Nataļja Verina, Žanna Černoštana. Personal and institutional barriers perceived by staff of latvian higher educational institutions in the process of digital transformation. Presentation in EKA University of Applied Sciences 7th International Scientific Conference EMERGING TRENDS IN ECONOMICS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES (etECH2023)
- 09.09.2023. Edgars Čerkovskis. Siguldas kultūras forums. Atvērtā lekcija “Kurp ejam – pasaules pieredze, tehnoloģiju iespējas un mākslīgais intelekts”. https://m.sigulda.lv/?sadala=read&id=25117
- 20.10.2023. Edgars Čerkovskis. Karjeras nedēļa 2023. Atvērtā lekcija "Nākotnē nepieciešamās prasmes darbā ar robotiem". https://www.tip.edu.lv/lv/2-uncategorised?start=272
- 20.12.2023. Edgars Čerkovskis. Atvērtā lekcija 11. un 12. klašu skolēniem par mākslīgo intelektu. https://t2v.lv/715-pirmo-semestri-nosledzam-ar-karjeras-izglitibas-lekcijam
- 21.04.2022. Harsh Chauhan, Nataļja Verina. Impact of sociocultural characteristics on attitude toward digital transformation. Presentation in EKA University of Applied Sciences 6th International Scientific Conference EMERGING TRENDS IN ECONOMICS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES (etECH2022)
- 25.04.2019. Natalja Verina, Inga Shina. Digital transformation in higher education in Latvia. Presentation in EKA University of Applied Sciences International Scientific Conference EMERGING TRENDS IN ECONOMICS, CULTURE AND HUMANITIES (etECH2019)
COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY & ACADEMIA & PUBLIC SECTOR & NGOs
Partner |
Sector |
Country |
Activities |
Qn Alliance https://qn-alliance.eu/digital-transformation-and-disruptive-technologies/ Mission Statement signed 19.01.2024. |
HE |
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Germany, Poland, France, Albania |
Research activities within the Research Hub “‘One health’ and wellbeing” , https://qn-alliance.eu/q%e2%81%bf-research-hubs/ |
DLearn https://dlearn.eu/ Agreement No. 16-10/24/01 |
HE VET Business |
Latvia |
Research “Relationship between Perception of Digital Transformation and Individual Psychological Capabilities of Academic Staff” |
School of Public Administration https://www.vas.gov.lv/lv |
Public Administration |
Latvia |
Research “Personal and Institutional Barriers of Public Administration Employee toward to State Digital Transformation” |
Trakia University – Stara Zagora Agreement No. 4-16/24/15 Agreement No. 4-16/24/16 |
HEI |
Bulgaria | Research “Institutional and Personal Barriers towards Digital Transformation in Higher Education” |