Regional Formation and Development Studies

The article focuses on the issue of the leadership competence of the heads of progymnasiums as a factor in making schools more effective. Progymnasium is part of the Lithuanian system, an institution of general education (Forms 1 to 8), an intermediate link between an elementary school and gymnasium, which differs from basic school in higher quality of activity, the created added value, and pupils’ learning achievements. Quantitative research was conducted with the participation of 193 progymnasium teachers. The research revealed that the leadership competence of the heads of progymnasiums significantly contributed to making schools more effective in terms of participation in projects, favourable conditions for teacher initiatives, participation of community members in the self-evaluation process, creating conditions for teacher professional development, supporting and promoting initiatives, initiating the process of progress and achievement assessment, ensuring the coherence of the mission, vision, and values of the educational institution, the involvement of parents /guardians/ caregivers, promotion of communication and collaboration between community members, and the maintenance of sustainable relations with social partners. The obtained research findings are to be considered as relevant for seeking active expression of leadership of the school authorities and teachers and making progymnasiums more effective.

Straipsnyje nagrinėjami veiksniai, darantys įtaką inovacijų diegimui Lietuvos viešbučių versle. Sprendžiama mokslinė problema: kokie inovacijų diegimo veiksniai aktualiausi Lietuvos viešbučių versle. Taikant ekspertinio vertinimo ir apklausos metodus atliekamas inovacijų diegimą lemiančių veiksnių vertinimas. Nustatyti svarbiausi inovacijų diegimą lemiantys veiksniai: rinkos imlumas, materialiniai ir finansiniai įmonės ištekliai. Inovacijų diegimą Lietuvos viešbučiuose labiausiai skatina konkurentai ir klientai. Pateikiamos rekomendacijos, kaip gerinti inovacinę veiklą Lietuvos viešbučių versle.

The analysis of literature on liberalisation of the services reveals that public goods, public institutions, privatisation and liberalisation have become the main subject of studies and different debates of the economists, politicians, as well as theoreticians and practicians of public administration during the last century. In the course of the period, there have been changes both in theoretical ideas and practical solutions while providing public services. During the last thirty years, theory of the public goods has involved topics of the analysis on the liberalisation and privatisation processes. Most of the studies related to the liberalisation of the services have been concentrated to financial aspects (expenses and income), while social benefits of the liberalisation, such as public interest, equality, versatility and accessibility of services, transparency, social cohesion and justice, have been left in the background.

Straipsnyje ištirta Vakarų Lietuvos regiono studentų verslumo ugdymo situacija. Nagrinėjama, kaip aukštojo mokslo institucijų lygyje ugdyti studentų verslumą, skatinant kurti nuosavą verslą. Straipsnyje apibendrinta mokslinė literatūra verslumo ugdymo tematika; išskirti kritiniai studentų verslumą lemiantys veiksniai; atliktas studentų verslumo ugdymo Vakarų Lietuvos regione situacijos tyrimas; pateikiama siūlymų, kaip tobulinti verslumo ugdymo procesą Vakarų Lietuvos aukštosiose mokyklose.

Dynamic economic development, especially of highly industrialised regions, is a real threat to the local community through the too

The main purpose of this article is twofold. The first objective is to follow the main trends in the development in the Latvian’s monetary policy and the European Monetary system accession process, with a focus on the local currency stability problems. It discusses the process and strategies for choice of the strategy as well as the main issues that have arisen in the accession process. The second objective of this article is to investigate the on-going monetary policy of the Bank of Latvia, to analyse the basic principles of its operations and influence on national economic growth. Both objectives fully corresponding to the article’s research object, i.e. to a monetary policy of the Bank of Latvia. Regarding the developed countries the general monetary policy objectives deals not only with maintenance of stability of the exchange rate and general price level, but also with stimulation of economic development, growth of employment and incomes of the citizens. The period from 2003 till 2010 is being investigated. We use a wide range of research methods, such as: grouping method, method of comparison of financial ratios and etc.

This article aims to compare the change of living standard in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia after joining the European Union. The characteristics of living standard are analyzing before joining the EU and after 2004. It is also compared changes of living standard characteristics after the economic crisis. Indicators of living standard, such as the average monthly gross wages, consumer price index, purchasing power, unemployment rate, at-risk-of-poverty rate and others are calculated and compared. The three Baltic states are not only compared with each other, but are also analyzed in the context of the EU. Thus, it can be stated that among the three Baltic States, Estonia is distinguished by highest living standard. Although before the integration Lithuania was ahead of Latvia, but now Lithuania was lower than Latvia by particular characteristics of living standard.

For successful economic transition to the new stage of development improvements in business environment, as also the entrepreneurswho are ready to start your own business and to set up new companies. One of the main challenges the EU Member States face isthe need to boost their level of entrepreneurship and to become more competitive in the global market. That was one of the mainobjectives set by the Lisbon European Council, in March 2000, with a view to improving the Union’s performance in terms of employment,economic reform and social cohesion. Entrepreneurship is not only a driving force in the creation of new jobs, but it alsoincreases and enhances competitiveness and growth, personal fulfilment and the achievement of social objectives. The authors payspecific attention to the need to examine factors that affect the business environment development and entrepreneurship in regions ofLatvia, which determinethe complexity of the existing conditions and factors in each region in Latvia.

Straipsnyje pateikti veiksniai, įgalinantys organizacijų tinklą efektyviaiveikti, jų sąveikos rezultatas yra pridėtinės vertės kūrimas. Nustatyta, kad tinklasgali būti įvardijamas kaip efektyvus, jei turimas bendras tikslas, sukurta politika,turimi įvairių rūšių ištekliai, kurių reikia veiklai vykdyti, koordinuotaorganizacinė valdymo struktūra, užtikrintas optimalus[1]valdymas ir nuolatinė komunikacija. Straipsnyje parodoma šių veiksnių svarba,užtikrinant organizacijų tinklo veiklos efektyvumą. Pateikta veiksnių,įgalinančių organizacijų tinklą efektyviai veikti, principinė schema.

Straipsnyje nagrinėjama kultūrinio turizmo sąveika su etnine kultūra, su tuo susijusio švietimo poreikis, būklė ir plėtros galimybės Lietuvoje, jau sukurtų etnokultūrinio ugdymo turinio gairių sąsajos su kultūriniu turizmu. Iškeliama problema – tarptautinės ekspertų išvados nurodo, kad švietimas ir mokslas yra kultūrinio turizmo plėtros pagrindas, bet Lietuvoje į tai nepakankamai atsižvelgiama. Pateikiami siūlymai, kaip didinti etninės kultūros ugdymo ir kultūrinio turizmo plėtros sąveiką: įtvirtinti Lietuvoje privalomą etnokultūrinį ugdymą bendrojo lavinimo mokyklose, į aukštojo mokslo studijų programas įtraukti etninės kultūros pedagogų rengimą, integruoti etninę kultūrą į turizmo specialistų rengimą ir patobulinti turizmą reglamentuojančius teisės aktus, papildant kultūrinio turizmo plėtrai būtinais aspektais.