Regional Formation and Development Studies

The goal of this study is to evaluate the importance of the risk factors for agricultural producers in the country and to propose support measures for agricultural production in order to avoid or reduce the negative effects of risk factors. The object of this study is the opinion of Lithuanian agricultural producers about their risks. In order to perform an analysis of the risk factors disclosed in the literature a questionnaire was prepared, as well as grouping model of risk factors. A questionnaire-based survey resulted ranking of the risk factors faced by country agricultural producers.

The aim of the research is to develop methods that would allow comparingthe statistical parameters of Latviaat differing administrative divisions, thereby solvingthe problems that arise in the case of discrepancy of borders. As part of thework, the developed method was implemented in order to assess the suitabilityof the created tool for mathematical analysis of statistical parameters on Latvia. Theterritory examined in the work is Latvia; the discrepancy of borderswas examined by comparing the parish borders of 1935 with the parishes of 2000.Therefore it was necessary to create a transfer matrix in order to link theadministrative borders of both periods. The transfer matrix was prepared in GISenvironment, combining the parish borders of 1935 and 2000. By conductingtransformation of parish parameters at differing administrative divisions andmaking a transfer from the parish borders of 1935 to 2000, it is possible toobtain relatively accurate value of the relevant parameter within thepresent-day borders. The obtained value can be used as a quantitativeindicator, allowing for quantitative comparison of temporal changes of therelevant parameter at differing administrative divisions, and the value ofthose changes in the examined territories can be used in subsequent statisticalanalysis of the results. By transforming the arable land proportion in ruralparishes of 1935 in accordance with the parish borders of 2000, it was possibleto carry out temporal comparison of this parameter with its value in 2001.

Retail store image, customer evaluation of merchandise value and intention to purchase have been studied as a most important constructsof the retail domain. It is considered from previous research, that store image is expressed in terms of tangible and intangibledimensions as assessed by consumers. Consumers are affected by the store’s attributes and consider image associations in order toassess perceived benefits and attitudes. This study develops a proposition that store image makes an influence on the level of perceivedproduct value. As recent research has shown, perceived value is related to willingness to pay a higher price. Accordingly, thisstudy posits a path model of store image, product value perception and willingness to pay a premium price. The proposed theoreticalframework entails insights on the differences in retail image – customer attitude relationship according to customer characteristics –gender and income. Therefore I hypothesize the impact of gender and income on the perceived merchandise value and willingnessto pay a premium price. Analyzing the path model, this paper investigates the influence of retail image and customer characteristicson the important retail outcomes. The results suggest a link of retail store image and perceived value of merchandise, also the hypothesizedassumptions of the link of customer income and endogenous variables of perceived value of merchandise and willingnessto pay a higher price were supported by the results. Findings of the structural model do not support the effect of the gender on therelationship between retail image and resultant variables of perceived value of merchandise and willingness to pay a higher price.

The article presents the main ideas of sustainable tourism – new form of tourism promoted by authorities, environmental and social institutions and international organizations. It implies taking into account economic, environmental, and socio-cultural aspect by planning and management of tourism. The article presents historical background of the idea of sustainability and main international events concerning this topic. The author highlights negative effects of tourism that can be prevented by applying the principles of sustainable development.

Creation of strong brand and increment of brand’s equity in the market is main goal of business. Usage of brand equity concept allows brand owners to sell branded products at higher price, gain greater market share, better promote products in the market, penetrate in market more easily, acquire more loyal consumers, improve effectiveness of marketing communications and enlarge product lines more successfully. Therefore for last 20 years brand’s equity conception, that consists from financial and consumer perceived brand’s equity, has become increasingly actual. It is also important task for brands in Latvian cosmetics market, because market itself is strongly saturated, highly competitive, and brand communication is very active, and therefore this kind of market requires brands to create their own unique approach, so they could stand out and successfully compete with other brands.

The aim of the paper is to study the influencing factors and to identify the ways of improving the effectiveness of regulation in theLatvian Bank system (LBS). Basing on the systemic comparative and logical analysis data of the efficiency of regulation in differentstages of LBS development article demonstrates that its key factor is the level of business ethics and professionalism of majorshareholders and top management of the banks, but the main directions of improving its efficiency is an increase of the role of contentapproach to control in comparison with the formal approach.

Pasaulinė pandemija ir būtinybė imtis atsako veiksmų sukuria palankią terpę korupcijai, silpnina jos prevencijos priemones bei keičia visuomenės

Increasing demand on blood supply and attempts of blood collecting agencies in recruiting and retaining blood donors require deeper knowledge of existing factors driving donor behaviour. This research address the need to explore the relationship of factors driving donor behaviour – motivation, satisfaction and loyalty. The objective of this study is to explore the conceptual model representing the effect of donor motivation on satisfaction, attitudinal loyalty and behavioural loyalty in the specific context of social marketing impact. Model, based on structural equation modeling technique was developed using the data of donor population of the nationwide blood collecting agency. Study empirically confirmed the causal positive effect of donor motivation on attitudinal loyalty, behavioural loyalty and relationship satisfaction. Study also revealed the main motives for donation relevant to the surveyed donor population. The power of motivation towards donor satisfaction and loyalty have increased during the period of five years due to the positive moderating influence of social marketing (Non-remunerated donorship promotion program).

The global outbreak of Covid-19 has led to unprecedented changes in people’s lives, including business. Higher education serves as

The article contains the analysis of features of marketing communications of companies in the conditions of economic crisis, when, from one side, the financial capabilities of companies are limited, but, from the other side, this is also the period when the necessity of retaining the market share and changing the strategies of companies’ marketing communication increases. The article contains the analysis of the changes in consumers’ behaviour in the conditions of crisis. The results of interrogation of representatives of Latvian companies, conducted under the guidance of the author of the article in order to reveal the directions of changes in their marketing strategies in the conditions of crisis, are also analysed in the article.