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Economics

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Ekon1012, Microeconomics

Ekon2109, Macroeconomics

Ekon2119, Regional Economics

Ekon2122, Statistics

Ekon3108, Marketing

Ekon3114, Economic Research

Ekon3142, Bioeconomics

JurZ3050, Basics of Law

Course abstract

The study project focuses on an analysis of basic economic problems at the levels of the national economy, a region or some industry, thereby making independent conclusions and proposals on development opportunities for the economy of Latvia based on the research.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will be able to demonstrate:
KNOWLEDGE of
effective legal acts pertaining to the national economy’s problem concerned, macroeconomic policies, basic theoretical principles and relationships at the macroeconomic level – project work.
SKILLS to
independently acquire, select and systemise information and apply various research methods, reasonably draw conclusions and make proposals for improving the situation and present the results of the research done and answer questions – project work, the presentation.
COMPETENCES to

independently formulate and critically analyse dynamic macroeconomic relationships and problems on a national and global scale, integrate macroeconomic knowledge with that of other fields of economic science in order to make reasoned conclusions and proposals – project work, the presentation – and to peer review a study project according to the requirements set for research papers, assessing the structure of the study project, the relevance of the topic, the application of the research methods used and whether the conclusions and proposals are reasoned, as well as to argue their own opinions – project work, the presentation, questions and answers.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Choice of a topic, a justification for the topic, the definition of the researched problem - 5 h
2. Definition of a research aim and specific research tasks for the study project (formulation of the research question) - 5 h
3. Development of a structure for the study project -5 h
4. Selection of research methods - 5 h
5. Theoretical framework for the topic - 10 h
6. Literature review and discussion - 20 h
7. Conduct of the research - 50 h
8. Compilation of statistical data. The systematization of the statistical data - 15 h
9. Statistical data analysis - 20 h
10. Development of conclusions - 5h
11. Development of proposals - 5 h
12. Creation of a list of references -2h
13. Compilation of annexes - 1h
14. Layout and formatting the study project 1 h
15. Submission of the study project - 1h
16. Defence of the study project - 10 h
Topics of study projects
1. Analysis of Economic Indicators for the Baltic States.
2. Demographic Situation in Latvia and/or the European Union.
3. Reasons for Population Migration in Latvia/Europe/the World.
4. Analysis of Economic Development in Latvia.
5. Analysis of Economic Indicators for the Euro Area Member States.
6. Shadow Economy and the Economy of Latvia.
7. Structure of the Economy of Latvia and the Proportions of Industries.
8. Environmental and Ecological Problems in a region/Latvia/the Baltic States/the EU.
9. Brownfield Areas in Latvia and an Economic Assessment of the Use Thereof
10. Place and Role of Green Technologies in the Economy of Latvia/the Baltics/the EU.
11. Social Problems in a region/Latvia/the Baltic States/the EU.
12. Current Situation in and Development Opportunities for the “N” Industry in Latvia.
13. Role of Latvian Ports/Railways/Air Transport and Transit in the National Economy.
14. Foreign Investment in a region/Latvia/the Baltic States.
15. Investment and the Effect on GDP in Latvia.
16. Aspects of GDP Composition in Latvia/the Baltic States/the EU.
17. Role of a Consumer in the Economy of Latvia.
18. Monetary Policies of the Bank of Latvia in the Euro Area Context.
19. Bank Lending Policies and the Effects on the Economy.
20. Development of the Securities Market in Latvia.
21. Development of the Insurance Market in Latvia.
22. Economic Growth in the Regions of Latvia.
23. Property Market Trends in Latvia/the Baltic States/the EU.
24. Causes and Consequences of Inflation in the National Economy of Latvia.
25. Employment Problems in Latvia and/or Europe/the EU/the Baltic States.
26. Employment Problems for Particular Social Groups in a region/Latvia/the Baltic States.
27. Unemployment Problems in the EU/the Baltic States.
28. Regional Aspects of Employment and Unemployment Problems.
29. Analysis of the Balance of Payments of Latvia.
30. International Trade: Latvia in the World.
31. Change in Exports and their Role in the National Economy.
32. Change in Imports and their Role in the Economy of Latvia.
33. Analysis of the State Budget of Latvia.
34. Analysis of Public Debt in Latvia/EU Member States.
35. Innovation as a Driver of Economic Growth.
36. Role of Innovation in the Economy of Latvia/the Baltic States/EU Member States.
37. Kinds of Innovation and their Effects on the National Economy of Latvia.
38. Transfer of Knowledge and Technologies in the National Economy of Latvia.
39. Development of the Digital Economy in Latvia/Europe.
40. Opportunities for the Creative Economy in Latvia.
41. Development Opportunities for the Areas of the Smart Specialisation Strategy in Latvia/ Regions of Latvia.
42. Characteristics of the Rural Environment and the Solutions.
43. Assessment of the EU CAP and Possibilities for the Enhancement/Implementation in Latvia.
44. Assessment of and Development Possibilities for the Agricultural Policy.
45. Trends in the Land Market.
46. Characteristics of the Role of Information and Opportunities for the Use Thereof.
47. Characteristics of and Development Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure.
48. Special Economic Zones.
49. Performance of Business Incubators in Latvia.
50. Role of Economic Processes and Development Opportunities for Rural Areas/Agriculture.
51. Assessment of Cooperation.
52. Characteristics of and Development Opportunities for Agricultural Holdings (Farms).
53. Role of Bioeconomy Industries in the Economy of Latvia.
54. Circular Economy in Latvia.
55. Opportunities for Green Development in Latvia.

Requirements for awarding credit points

The student must produce and submit a study project and peer review another study project. The study project is defended before a committee, and a mark is assigned for the study project.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student must independently produce and submit a study project, peer review another study project and make a presentation of the study project.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final mark consists of the following pieces of assessment: a study project produced in accordance with the Guidelines for Writing and Defending a Study Project 45%, a peer-review of the study project 5%, a presentation and defence of the study project 50%.

Compulsory reading

1. Bikse V. Makroekonomika: teorija un politika. LiepU, 2015. 269 lpp.
2. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Mārtinsone K. (sast.). Rīga: RAKA, 2011. 284 lpp.
3. Kristapsone S. Statistiskās analīzes metodes pētījumā. Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2019. 478 lpp.
4. Mārtinsone K., Pipere A., Kamerāde D. Pētniecība. Teorija un prakse. Rīga: RaKa, 2016. 546 lpp.

5. Metodiskie norādījumi studiju projektu izstrādāšanai un aizstāvēšanai. Mācību palīglīdzeklis LBTU Ekonomikas un sabiedrības attīstības fakultātes akadēmiskā bakalaura studiju programmas Ekonomika studentiem. Pieejams: https://www.esaf.lbtu.lv/sites/esaf/files/2024-03/STUD_PROJ_met_not_2024.pdf

Further reading

1. Bhat R. Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products: Recent Trends, Innovations, and Sustainability Challenges. London, UK; Cambridge, US: Academic Press Inc, 2021. 994 pp. ISBN: 978-0-12-824044-1
2. Kopnina H., Poldner K. Circular Economy: Challenges and Opportunities for Ethical and Sustainable Business. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2022. 226 pp. ISBN: 978-0-367-41864-9
3. Leick B., Gretzinger S., Makkonen T. The Rural Enterprise Economy. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2021. 251 pp. ISBN: 978-0-367-47187-3
4. Pietzsch J. Bioeconomy for Beginners. Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K, 2020. 214 pp. ISBN: 978-3-662-60389-5
5. Richter R., Fink M., Lang R., Maresch D. Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Rural Europe. New York, NY; Abingdon, Oxon: CRC Press Inc, 2019. 221 pp., ISBN: 978-0-8153-7997-3

6. 25 stāsti par bioekonomikas inovācijām Baltijas jūras reģionā. RDI2CluB, 2020. ISBN: 978-9934-8940-0-8

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts: Latvijas biznesa avīze. Rīga: Diena: Dagens Industri, 2005-. ISSN 1407-2041.
2. ES valstu statistika. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
3. Latvijas statistikas gadagrāmata. Pieejams: https://stat.gov.lv/lv/statistikas-temas/valsts-ekonomika/ikp-gada/publikacijas-un-infografikas/10925-latvijas-statistikas
4. Latvijas Republikas tiesību akti. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/
5. LB ekonomiskās analīzes vietne. Pieejams: https://www.makroekonomika.lv
6. The Economist

7. Harvard Business Review

Notes

Compulsory course for the ESAF academic bachelor programme Economics.