Sanda Geipele

The Development of Housing Sector and Residential Real Estate Market After Economic Recession in Latvia

Abstract The study is concerned with an examination of resource distribution in order to promote sustainable development of housing sector in the context of evolving residential real estate market after the economic recession period in Latvia. The statistical and comparative analysis methods have mainly been applied in the study, and the recommendations on the implementation of conceptual solutions for promoting the efficient management of housing sector according to the public needs have been provided. The findings of the study may significantly contribute when improving the housing policy and appropriate institutional environment in Latvia.

Case Study on Employee Competence Regarding Competitiveness and CSR Issues of the Forest Industry Companies

t would be helpful if the companies operating in the forest industry in Latvia in the management process used advantages of strategic management. To make further progress in competitiveness management, the developed strategy should be effectively managed and the achieved progress - assessed. [8.;13.;14.] The strategy consists of the intended activities and the required improvements. [5.] The aim of the case study on forest industry employees competitiveness competence is to find out internal problems of the companies operating in the forest industry, as well as to provide recommendations to balance potential changes of the external environment of forest industry. [9.] If to choose optimal and economically, socially and environmentally balanced way of the development, an appropriate strategy and tactics of competitiveness management, based upon employees competence within the industry competitiveness and CSR should be applied.

Economic and financial rationale for age-friendly housing

Purpose This study aims to indicate the reasons and provide practical suggestions to financial viability of the age-friendly housing as a sustainable construction. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the primary and secondary literary sources, logical approach and comparisons of real estate and socio-economic regional statistics and conducts analysis of case studies. Findings The study contains the results from empirical analysis on the topicality of an age-friendly built environment in the scientific literature. Key principles are identified for a current early stage of the development of a concept of the age-friendly housing. A research on the current socio-economic aspects of the creation of an age-friendly built environment is made. The practical cases of the age-friendly housing are inspected. Timely developed age-friendly housings may expect growing demands, but thorough calculation on future income is required. Research limitations/implications The research is carried on a scale of two countries – the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Latvia. Practical implications The paper provides new developments in construction sector of Latvia and the Netherlands in terms of intention to further scientific and practical activities. The research has to identify the socio-economic aspects and the impact and importance of those in determining the revenues of age-friendly construction. Social implications Age-friendly construction is going to become the standard of the sustainable property development, whereby the developers and investors will not make additional investments as they are compensated up front, and society as a total gets the revenues on the long term. Once this “wheel is turning”, the benefits will be permanent. Originality/value Latvia is being analysed in comparison with the Netherlands. The authors challenged to find opportunities to both countries from the economic viability’s point of view for the age-friendly housing developments.

Wood Materials Applied in Civil Engineering and Wood Industry Management in Latvia: Case Study

Positive properties of wood materials and advantages of their application substantiate the wide application of wood materials in the green building process. Latvia has forests; therefore, wood as the building material can be considered as the resource available on the local market [1,2,3]. It is one of the oldest materials, which is used in civil engineering, as its positive properties ensure the stable demand for it. Timber is the only widely available renewable material in Latvia, and this fact has a major importance for the decrease in the consumption of the non-renewable resources, therefore, wide application of wood material in the green building is a rather topical issue [4,5]. The aim of the present research is, analyzing the forest industry management in Latvia, to submit proposals for the sustainable development of the forest industry and to ensure the profitability, simultaneously considering the ecological and social aspects.

Eco-Economics in Cities and Rural Areas

Abstract Economic models are built primarily following the classical economic theories, but a challenge to build good models with classical theories is needed to define the exact value of the Earth, which is hardly definable. Quite often national gross product indicator calculation reuses the same performance indicators, where the resource and income distribution system is not linked to production factors. The resource and income distribution system is primarily associated with low productivity (execution of a sales plan, execution of a profit plan, profitability level, increase in market share, personnel turnover rate, hours worked per employee). Changes in the productive and economic structures of the markets result in new innovative growth patterns which, based on customer motivation, are linked to the concentration of capital in regional and national markets, the growth of transnational markets and the development of technology. At the same time, extensive economic development through natural resources leads to deforestation, landscape changes, desertification, swamping and soil fertility renewal. So far, it often has been assumed that economic growth depends on the use of natural resources, and natural resources are unlimited. The results are “resource crisis”: resources are running out and resource prices are rising, thus invalidating a particular model. On the other hand, the eco-economy approach is a sustainable future for the economic modelling. The principle of eco-economy is based on a production system, which relies on re-cyclicality (the basis is the production of zero waste production). For this to happen, a transition to a completely new mind-set is needed. The research results were previously approbated during the graduate meeting of the Baltic DBU scholarship holders from 4 to 6 May 2018 in Latvia.

Determining Customer Satisfaction in the Real Estate Management Sector in Riga

Abstract This article discusses the need to determine customer satisfaction and how to use it in non-mortgage asset management companies. The aim of the article is to discover the essential elements necessary for ensuring customer satisfaction in real estate management companies. A customer satisfaction survey, which enables the management company to gain information about customer needs and control the quality of provided services, is essential for successful operation of the companies in order to maintain a high standard in one of the fundamental values - quality of customer service. The present article analyses the results of the research obtained by interviewing the clients of the real estate management company. In the conclusion, proposals are made for methods in order to continue improving customer satisfaction.

Social Partner Involvement in Latvia Special Economic Zones

Abstract With increasing global competitiveness, countries must have instruments to attract and keep businesses. One way involves attracting a core of foreign investors with the help of special economic zones (SEZs) and integrating them in local economy, causing industrial clustering. The aim of this research is to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive analysis of clustering potential in Latvia via its special economic zones. The empirical research relied on survey results conducted among 27 business associations with the combined member count of over one thousand businesses, operating in 12 broad fields. Initial results gathered from the 24 organizations that responded to the interview questions show that there is a very low degree of involvement in the SEZ by various social partners. This shows that something has gone awry in the way SEZ operate in Latvia and has led to a lot of missed opportunities from both sides.

Community Participiation in Village Development: the Scale of Latvia

Abstract The research provides an insight into village development planning, as well as considers village planning from the perspective of the national planning framework. Local settings of village development have also been taken into account. The research provides information about possible approaches for local community involvement in development decision-making. The article aims at considering the current situation of the involvement of local communities in the advancement of local territories and at presenting the proposals for public involvement models. Analysis, logical and historical data access methods, induction and deduction have been used in the present research.