Klaipėdos universitetas

We are living in world of dynamic changes, and transformations of global systems and the environment around us leave an impact

To manage competitiveness, an objective assessment tool is required. An error in choosing a measurement method can lead to the adoption of erroneous management decisions. The purpose of the article is to assess the competitiveness of light industry enterprises in Ukraine, to identify factors ensuring their competitiveness, and to develop recommendations for determining the feasibility of investing in the procurement and implementation of modern innovative technologies. The article summarises the views of the scientific community on features of the development of industrial enterprises in current market conditions, and the need to attract modern innovative technologies as a component in increasing their competitiveness. In determining the level of competitiveness of enterprises, it has been suggested to take into account factors determining the level of information reliability and weapons. To evaluate the individual component competitiveness of the enterprise, it is proposed to calculate an integral assessment based on the use of taxonomic analysis. An analysis of the innovative activities of Ukrainian industrial enterprises has been carried out. A flow chart determining the feasibility of purchasing innovative specialised equipment has been developed; it will simultaneously maximise the likelihood of attracting investment capital, with the simultaneous establishment of business cooperation with state authorities and local government.

Taupi gamyba (angl. lean) ir pažangios planavimo sistemos (PPS) taikomos siekiant padidinti gamybos efektyvumą ir suteikti organizacijai konkurencinį pranašumą. Tačiau dažnu atveju šių sistemų diegimas būna nesėkmingas, arba teigiami rezultatai yra laikini, to galima būtų išvengti taupią gamybą ir PPS naudojant kompleksiškai. Šio straipsnio tikslas – įvertinti taupios gamybos ir pažangių planavimo sistemų kompleksinio naudojimo galimybes. Taikant mokslinės literatūros analizės ir apibendrinimo metodus, ekspertų apklausą straipsnyje įvertintas PPS ir taupios gamybos vystymasis, išanalizuotos šių dviejų sistemų sąsajos. Daroma išvada, kad tiek PPS, tiek taupia gamyba siekiama iš esmės tų pačių tikslų, todėl šios sistemos viena kitą papildo, o jų kompleksinis taikymas duoda didesnį efektą nei kiekvienos iš sistemų taikymas atskirai. Todėl, nusprendus taikyti taupią gamybą, vertėtų pasidomėti PPS teikiamais privalumais ir atvirkščiai – PPS diegimas gali palengvėti, jei prieš tai gamybos procesai sutvarkyti vadovaujantis taupios gamybos principais. Atliktas tyrimas atskleidė, kad geriausio rezultato galima būtų tikėtis diegiant abi sistemas vienu metu.

Innovation and an innovative approach in management, education and leadership have been changing over decades, according to the dynamic world we are living in. Changes start at an individual level, with the personality, and only those who have changed themselves can start to lead others towards global change. The Latvian National Development Plan defined aspects of polycentric development for all the regions of Latvia. Each region has resources, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but human resources are the most important resource for change, creative ideas and sustainable development. The education system changes very slowly, from lecture learning to a more inclusive ‘learning by doing’ approach. This approach has been used in northern countries for a while, but Latvia has just now started to implement the approach. The term ‘innovation’ today is wider than product, process, service or organisational innovation. At a national and regional level of development, it is crucial to encourage inhabitants of the region to stay in or return to rural areas, and create knowledge and enterprises in the region and their home town.The aim of the paper is to evaluate the involvement of residents in management activities and regional development processes, and their willingness to participate in the creation of knowledge and innovative entrepreneurship and co-creation. The paper is a review of literature on theoretical aspects of the creation of innovation in the region in a combination of survey analyses of residents. The methodological approach is based on two steps: a review of research literature, and an analysis of the results of a survey of residents of the region of their willingness to be involved in processes and tasks for regional development, and some aspects of analysis of entrepreneur opinion about innovative solutions in their companies. The article consists of four main parts: 1) the theoretical findings of a systemic approach to innovation and development; 2) the role of the innovation process in development from different perspectives; 3) an analysis of a survey of the region’s residents about their willingness to be involved in processes of regional development; 4) aspects of innovation used in regional entrepreneurship. The significance of the paper is to define aspects of regional development relating to innovation and co-creation.

In order to achieve the best results, many businesses in the service sector are seeking to understand the needs of consumers and involve them in the process of new services development as well. The formation of individualized consumer portrait allows business entities to get to know their target clients and identify their needs. Meanwhile, the management symbiosis is made by this involvement process and business entities have a perfect opportunity to improve their services according to suggestions and experiences of consumers. All companies, that allow their consumers to involve in the process of new services development, can create an enabling environment for the easier generation of ideas and testing of conceptual services. Such companies can be prepared for new services implementation in a more effective way as well. According to the opinions and theories of different authors, this article analyzes the impact of consumers on the process of new services development. In order to evaluate the object of the research more closely, the research was carried out from the perspective of the business subject also. In order to carry out the results of this research, the methods of comparative analysis and synthesis were used.

The article is devoted to marketing decision making by different generations. Author have analysed generations, its different formulationsin the world and Latvia. Author described generations of Latvian consumers, analysing statistical data and research results ofadvertising agency DDB Latvia and Gfk. The Development of Generations has significantly influenced the consumption, consumerbehavior, buying process. Very special role in the article is devoted to the generations what will help companies and individuals towork more efficiency in distribution of goods and services in the market. Relevant information about the consumer obtained in atimely manner enables an enterprise to plan their work on the market more successfully.

The aim of the article is to analyze the prevalence of retail stores in Latvian regions and consumer behavior in Latvia. The authors have analyzed the prevalence of largest retail stores in regions and consumer behavior in retail using available statistical data and research done by the authors. As a result of the study, the role of shop assistants was determined during the purchasing process, and the results of the study have been compiled from the viewpoint of generations. These results can help retail companies to work more effectively by choosing the most appropriate retail store types

Knowledge about consumer needs, factors and motives affecting behavior is one of the ways of ensuring entrepreneurship competitiveness. Authors present the results of the study on the A. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs within the context of consumer behavior components affecting consumer behavior from a perspective of entrepreneurial decision making. Authors employ well known methods of research – statistical analysis, grouping, evaluation, predicting etc. In the course of the present research by synthesis of theoretical developments and practical experience decision making model is made. A. Maslow’s theory serves as the basis for developing a range of theories dealing with consumer behavior, therefore, when developing the consumer behavior model in Latvia, the author decided to integrate the better known theories. The use of models prepared by the authors in sales, entrepreneurship, and other sectors of economy provide an opportunity to reasonably plan investments for the relevant time period, to avoid mistakes, and to improve the overall economic effectiveness of the company’s operations and usefulness of resource utilization.