The current trends of globalization, the integration of banks and insurance companies worldwide into a single financial conglomerate, as well as the emergence of new electronic payment instruments, force governments of different countries to search for new approaches to analyse the risks of involvement of financial institutions in money laundering. The research explains how to use the data mining and bifurcation analysis based on the limited information on general indices of a country's characteristics to evaluate the state's resilience to the involvement of its financial institutions in money laundering. The purpose of the article is to develop a scientific and methodological approach to assessing the risk of using financial institutions in money laundering. It is based on the study of the dynamic stability of this risk on the basis of bifurcation theory. Empirical calculations show that for a group of countries, to which Ukraine belongs, the dynamic system is in a non-equilibrium state and is described as a phase portrait "saddle". Therefore, the risk of using financial institutions for money laundering is high in Ukraine, although it is under certain control by the state. However, the calculations show that under conditions of the partial reform of the anti-money laundering system in Ukraine, the system will lose its conditional stability and the corresponding risk will increase even more
Providing of sustainability is one of the main priorities in normative documents in various countries. Factors affecting regional competitiveness is seen as close to them determining sustainability in many researches. The aim of this research was to identify and evaluate main factors of competitiveness for statistical regions of Latvia to promote sustainable development of the country, applying the complex regional competitiveness assessment system developed by the author. The analysis of the Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI) and its sub-indexes showed that each statistical region has both: factors promoting and hindering competitiveness. Overall the most competitive is Riga statistical region, but the last place takes Latgale statistical region. It is possible to promote equal regional development and sustainability of Latvia by implementing well-developed regional development strategy and National Action Plan. To develop such strategies, it is necessary to understand the concept of sustainable competitiveness. To evaluate sustainable competitiveness of Latvia and its regions it is necessary to develop further the methodology of regional competitiveness evaluation.
There is a lack of methodologically grounded and generally accepted regional competitiveness’ evaluation method in Latvia. Common feature of the research about nature of competitiveness is that competitiveness of a region depends on how high and sustainable the level of prosperity in the region is. The analysis of scientific literature showed, that most often synthetic indexes are used to evaluate competitiveness of a region. Methodology to evaluate regional competitiveness was developed and approbated in case of Latvia. To identify the most appropriate method for competitiveness index calculation, Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI) according to two different methods was calculated in the research. The results obtained were similar, but each of index calculation methods has its own advantages and disadvantages and the choice of the appropriate method will depend on the researcher's goals and objectives. Use of relative weights in index calculations affects the obtained results, therefore, necessity of relative weights must be economically justified. It was proven that regional competitiveness cannot be characterized by such simple indicators as GDP or GDP per capita. RCI shows the level of competitiveness of Latvia’s statistical regions, it is possible to compare regions in time and among each other. It allows to form regional development policy and strategy more reasonably.
While sustainability is a much-researched issue, little has been written about the role of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in implementing sustainable development, specifically in small cities. The authors pose the following questions: What is the interrelation between CCI practices and the four pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, cultural, and social) in small cities? What are the practices that CCIs use, and which they perceive as contributions to sustainable development? The authors use a single case study strategy, methods including a theoretical study, a quantitative pilot survey, a focus group discussion, semi-structured interviews, and content analysis. Overall, the article indicates that there is a varied and diverse repertoire of small- and large-scale practices carried out by CCIs in small cities in Latvia, and thus contributes to the existing scholarly literature by “teasing out” those practices. The study indicates that each of the practices may contribute to two or more sustainability pillars, thus they are analyzed in pairs to find out what traits are reflected in these practices. Notably, CCI entrepreneurs believe that sustainable development is important and that they contribute to it.
Increasing the quality of life is one of the main long-term development goals mentioned in Latvian planning documents. In order to assess whether the goals are achieved, it is necessary to find the optimal solution for quality of life evaluation. The aim of the article is to find the most suitable method for assessing and comparing quality of life in the regions of Latvia. The most popular and easy-to-use method for quality of life evaluation is calculation of the complex index, but the indicators could be normalized according to different methodology. In this paper 7 methods of calculation of indexes were compared and the advantages and disadvantages of each method were determined, as well as the optimal method for calculating the quality of life index at the regional level was chosen. To evaluate quality of life, factors such as financial situation, health, economic activity, education, dwelling, security and environment were used and 10 descriptive indicators were selected. In the assessment of the quality of life in the regions of Latvia, it was concluded that Pieriga and Riga regions have the highest quality of life, but the lowest quality of life is in Latgale region. The most appropriate method for assessing the quality of life is to calculate the Quality of Life (QoL) Index as a percentage of the average, or by using the min-max normalization formula and obtaining index values in the range from 0 to 1.
Sustainable Quality of Life is a new concept that emerged in socioeconomically wealthy countries with high importance given to the concepts of Quality of Life and Sustainability. It is evident that many macroeconomic aspects such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth, etc. impact the sustainability of quality of life. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolution of the concept of sustainable quality of life and to define the primary macroeconomic factors that affect the sustainable quality of life. The study was conducted as a qualitative content analysis of research articles, grounding the research questions of (a) what is sustainability, (b) what is quality of life, (c) what is the sustainable quality of life, and (d) how to achieve a sustainable quality of life. Categories were developed for each research question and the frequency of usage of the category was used to answer each question. It is observed that many types of research have been carried out to study sustainability, quality of life, sustainable quality of life, different indicators of sustainability, indicators of quality of life, and measurement of quality of life with different approaches. Innovation, research, creativity health, education and training, social relations, safety, environment, and quality of services contribute vastly to the achievement of sustainable quality of life. Further, it is observed that there are only a few research articles that have focused on how to achieve a sustainable quality of life and it is a broad concept that requires more attention and in-depth study.
Population decline is taking place in rural areas in Latvia as well as in rural areas in Europe. There is a question of utmost importance - will people choose to live in the rural area doing remote work or will they choose the job in the towns. Increased pace of population declining is forecasted in the event of steady decreasing working places and services. Growing service costs per inhabitant may infl uence lowering of accessibility of some services in the territory. Till nowadays measurements of telework potential have been made in the national and regional level. There is shortage of these measurements in different municipalities. The purpose of this article is to study the attitude of Latvian people with regard to telework adoption in two municipalities: Limbazi and Balvi in Latvia. Scientists indicate a positive effect of the information and communication technology (ICT) on the local economy if it is integrated into rural economy relating with needs of entrepreneurs and inhabitants (Grimes, 2000). Scientifi c methods of qualitative analysis of documents and such methods of quantitative analysis like statistical data and analyses of questionnaires have been used there. Observation and questionnaires were used in conjunction with the literature to develop an understanding of the infl uencing issues. Questionnaires ensure information about frequency of telework, willingness to do remote work and about benefi ts and barriers of teleworking in the rural areas and towns. The research reveals development possibilities of rural territories relying on higher involvement of ICT and knowledge economy. The main fi ndings are revealing signifi cant challenges faced by rural territories in a globalized world as the number of jobs in agriculture and public services is decreasing. It is important to develop not only agricultural activities but to provide other kinds of entrepreneurship with jobs physically (providing transport possibilities) or virtually (providing ICT). Results. 81% percent of the responding persons positively evaluate opportunity of telework. It reveals willingness of the people to do remote work as an alternative form of the existing work form. The largest interest (30%) about telework was shown in the age group of 31 – 40 in Limbazi municipality but the largest interest (26%) about telework in Balvi municipality was shown in the age group of 18 – 30. A significant percentage of the responding persons, 82% have the necessary computer abilities and knowledge on this topic. The majority of respondents is willing and is able to do telework taking into account the specifics of telework. The distribution of responses reveals that (52%) respondents are willing to use the premises of telecentres. In result the clients of the telecentres are not obliged to invest money into personal computers, multifunctional equipment and into different computer programs at home. When teleworking is offered, 77% of the respondents are interested to work from home but 14% prefer to work in a telecentre. When analysing the respondents’ answers about available services in the telecentre they indicate the most important services for them: copying, printing, scenery, accessibility of computer and the Internet-equipped working place. They are also interested in socializing and networking activities. They are also interested to receive some advice about entrepreneurship, job vacancies etc. Integration of telecentres in the territory helps to save commuting time. This is important for 52% percent of the responding persons. 34% percent of the responding persons would be able to save from 30 min to 1 hour of commuting time, 34% of the responding persons would be able to save more than 1 hour, 21% of the responding persons would be able to save less than 1/2 hour. Respondents indicate the economical and personal benefits as the main benefits of telework. 56% of the respondents indicate personal benefits to be the most important. They have more time for family, flexible working time. However, 39% of the respondents emphasised economic benefits as the most important, for example, less transport costs. Conclusions. 1. Rural territories face significant challenges in a globalized world as the number of jobs in agriculture and public services is decreasing. At the same time, information and communication technologies, as well as changes in professional duties allow the community from these regions to participate in the knowledge economy. The importance of virtual accessibility will grow when the costs of energy resources and transport are rising. Telework ensure possibility to involve disabled people in the labour market. 2. Involvement of remote work could improve accessibility of jobs in towns for people living in the rural areas using ICT and in such way partly or completely resolving internal and external migration problems. It brings benefits for municipalities, inhabitants and for entrepreneurs as well. Implementation of telework and telecentre in the territory can improve the assessment of a definite region from the working age people. It becomes more attractive place for living and staying there. 3. There are direct and indirect benefits from telework and telecentres as follows: reduction of expenditures like reduction of fuel and fuel expenditures, expenditures of car parking in the city or transport expenditures, the reduction of commuting time. It influences opportunity for cost reduction and growth of productivity if individual uses the saved time alternatively and productively. There are social benefits too, e.g. elastic working time, de-reutilization of work, reduction of external effects, e.g. the reduction of noise and stress in the office, increase in mentoring opportunities, more time for family and friends, hobbies, improved work/life balance, the possibility of living in rural areas while retaining challenging jobs in the knowledge economy traditionally linked to metropolis etc. 4. Participation by community members would increase through the use of telecentres. The main factors are the development of ICT and its infrastructure, wider use of ICT, changes in professional duties allow the community from these regions to participate in the knowledge economy. Promoting factor for entrepreneurs is cost saving, lowering of costs as follows: furniture purchase, ICT, programmes, public utilities payment, staff training and rent. Telework approach helps company to attract good, high motivated staff even with better qualification.
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