SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The research direction within social sciences covering such topics as business sustainability and its sustainable development factors for long-term value creation, sustainable development of nations, drivers and barriers of sustainable development, circular economy, waste management, sharing economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, sustainability education, and other relevant topics.
The main focus on research related to SDG12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”.
RESEARCH TEAM:
Research coordinator: Dr. Jelena Titko, Leading Researcher, Professor, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation, EKA University of Applied Sciences; Researcher, The Institute of Economics, Latvian Academy of Sciences; Deputy Chairperson of the Association of Latvian Economists (Latvia).
J.Titko is an expert of the Latvian Council of Science in the field of Economics and Entrepreneurship and Education management; expert of the Lithuanian Research Council; the author of more than 70 scientific papers in the field of economics, business, management and education; Member of the Scientific committee of the European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS).
She is an Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Economics and Culture” and a member of a scientific board of the journals "Business, Management and Economics Engineering", “Marketing and Management of Innovations”, “Scientia et Societas”, “Socio-Economic and Humanities Studies”, “SocioEconomic Challenges”, and “Business Ethics and Leadership”.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941
E-mail: jelena.titko@eka.edu.lv
Research team members
Dr. Dzintra Atstaja, Professor, BA School of Business and Finance (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9411-7212
Dr. Tatjana Tambovceva, Professor, Riga Technical University (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9516-1530
Dr. Pedro A. Martin-Cervantes, Professor, University of Almería (Spain). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8375-1613
Dr. Tatjana Pimonenko, Associate Professor, Sumy State University (Ukraine). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6442-3684
Dr. Indre Lapinskaite, Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6272-1127
Dr. Viktorija Skvarciany, Associate Professor, VILNIUS TECH (Lithuania). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8022-4124
Dr. Nellija Titova, researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5138-1734
Mg. Edgars Cerkovskis, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia)
Dr. Anna Svirina, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8598-558X
Dr. Armand Faganel, Associate Professor, University of Primorska (Slovenia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3618-4986
Dr. Marina Solesvik, Professor, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Norway). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6702-4643
Dr. Anna Jasinska-Biliczak, Assistant Professor, Opole University (Poland). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1923-7345
Dr. Kristine Uzule, Leading Researcher, Associate Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-6069
MBA Jelena Budanceva, Researcher, Assistant Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5205-476X
Dr hab. Beata Bal-Domańska, Professor, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (Poland). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0395-4259
Dr. Jevgenija Dehtjare, Leading Researcher, Associate Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6859-2327
Dr. Tomasz Bartlomowicz, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (Poland). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9986-0841
Ing. Radka Vaníčková, Ph.D., MBA, University of Economics and Management (Czech Republic). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3559-5799
PhD. cand. Julija Mironova, Research Assistant, Assistant Professor, ISMA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-6220
Dr. Natalja Cudecka-Purina, Associate Professor, BA School of Business and Finance (Latvia), Researcher, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5736-7730
Bojan Kitanovikj, PhD. cand., Teaching and Research Fellow, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics - Skopje (North Macedonia), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1968-8955
Dr. Luzia Arantes, Professor, Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave, University of Aveiro (Portugal), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1179-9113
Dr. Hamza Nidaazzi, Researcher, Cadi Ayyad University (Marocco), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9780-3448
Dr. Debjani Banerjee, Professor, VIvekanand Education Society′s Business School (India), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-001-7326-2544
Dr. Elif Bengü, Associate Prof, Abdullah Gül University (AGU), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9817-7207
Dr. Eda Ustaoğlu, Assistant Prof, Abdullah Gül University (AGU), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6874-5162
Dr. Burak Kağan Demirtaş, Assistant Prof, Abdullah Gül University (AGU), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9477-8128
Ljupcho Efremov, Assistant Professor, American University of The Middle East (Kuwait), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2660-4422
Dr. Zsuzsanna Győri, Senior Research Fellow, Budapest Business University (Hungary), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2713-5576
Dr. Anita Kolnhofer Derecskei, Associate Professor, Budapest Business University (Hungary), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1780-7674
Dr. Regina Reicher, Associate Professor, Budapest Business University (Hungary), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3929-6331
Dr. Ágnes Sándor, Research Fellow, Budapest Business University (Hungary), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5935-0262
Dr. Katarzyna Strzała-Osuch, prof. PSW, Rector, Powiślański University (Poland) ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2442-3158
Mgr Paulina Osuch, Senate Representative for International Programs, Powiślański University (Poland), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1382-0302
Dr. oec. Gita Actiņa, Research Assistant, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1603-6852
CONFORMITY WITH THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS
- National Development Plan - NAP2027. Priority 4 “Quality Living Environment and Regional Development”, Direction: Nature and the environment - the Green Deal. https://www.pkc.gov.lv/sites/default/files/inline-files/NAP2027__ENG_2.pdf
- Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization - RIS3. Knowledge-intensive bioeconomy.
- Technology and innovation development policy 2021-2027. https://polsis.mk.gov.lv/documents/7053
- Latvian Bio-economy strategy, Direction: Socially responsible and sustainable development. https://polsis.mk.gov.lv/documents/6100
- Action plan for the transition to a circular economy 2021-2027, Direction: Public involvement, information and education. https://likumi.lv/ta/id/317168-par-ricibas-planu-parejai-uz-aprites-ekonomiku-20202027-gadam
OUTCOMES
Research papers:
- Kamenecka-Usova, M., Lejniece, I., & Zalcmane, K. (2024). Hosting Large Sports Events Sustainably: A Contemporary Administrative and Economic Evaluation. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 13(3), 609-609. https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2024.v13n3p609
- Cudecka-Purina, N.; Kuzmina, J.; Butkevics, J.; Olena, A.; Ivanov, O.; Atstaja, D. A Comprehensive Review on Construction and Demolition Waste Management Practices and Assessment of This Waste Flow for Future Valorization via Energy Recovery and Industrial Symbiosis. Energies 2024, 17, 5506. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215506
- Titko, J., Tambovceva, T., Skvarciany, V., Lapinskaitė, I., Solesvik, M. Z., Uzule, K., Faganel, A., Jasińska-Biliczak, A., Budanceva, J., Dehtjare, J., & Mironova, J. (2024). Attitudes to sustainable entrepreneurship and environmental values of students: testing measurement scale and preliminary results of cross-country study. In New Trends in Contemporary Economics, Business and Management. Selected Proceedings of the 14th International Scientific Conference “Business and Management 2024”, pp. 234–241. https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2024.1252
- Tambovceva, T., Titko, J., Bumanis, G., Bajare, D. (2023). Barriers to Effective Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Latvia. In: Leal Filho, W., Dinis, M.A.P., Moggi, S., Price, E., Hope, A. (eds) SDGs in the European Region. Implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals – Regional Perspectives. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91261-1_25-1
- Titko, J., Tambovceva, T., Atstaja, Dz., Lapinskaite, I., Solesvik, M., Svirina, A., Uzule , K. (2023). Attitude towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship among Students: Pilot Study in Latvia and Lithuania. TalTech Journal of European Studies, 13(1)/(37), 107-132. https://doi.org/10.2478/bjes-2023-0006 SCOPUS Q2, WOS:000994330900006
- Titko, J., Svirina, A., Astike, K., Uzule, K., Shina, I., Zarina, V. (2023). Impact of country-level cultural development on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Business, Management and Economics Engineering, 21(2), 269–278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/bmee.2023.19423 SCOPUS Q2 WOS:001128597300002
- Titko, J., Tambovceva, T., Atstaja, Dz., Lapinskaite, I., Solesvik, M. (2022). Attitude towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship among Students: Testing a Measurement Scale. In: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Business and Management 2022”, May 12-13, 2022, Vilnius, Lithuania, 325-331. https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2022.893 WOS:000887405800039
- Tambovceva, T., Titko, J. Svirina, A., Tereshina, M. (2021). Deterrents to participation in Sharing Economy activities: Cross-Country Survey. SHS Web of Conferences Globalization and its Socio-Economic Consequences 2021, 129, 05014 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202112905014
- Tambovceva, T., Titko, J. Svirina, A., Atstaja, Dz., Tereshina, M. (2021). Evaluation of the Consumer Perception of Sharing Economy: Cases of Latvia, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Sustainability, 13, 13911. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413911 SCOPUS WOS:000742134000001 Q2
Books:
Tambovceva, T., Titko, J. (2020). Introduction to Circular Economy. Rīga: Ekonomikas un kultūras augstskola. ISBN 978-9984-24-231-6 / e-ISBN 978-9984-24-230-9
Related projects:
- “Boosting Circular Economy Competences for STEM Teachers” - Circular STEM. Ref. No. 2022-1-PT01-KA220-SCH-000086954
- Advancing circular economy in partner countries by development and implementation of Master programme "Waste management" – UnWaste. Ref. No. 618715-EPP-1-2020-1-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP
- “Online Master Programme for Circular Economy” – CIRCECO. Ref. No. 2017-1-MK01-KA203-035392
- "Innovation grants for students in the interdisciplinary areas of art, culture, economics and IT” - MaKE IT. Ref.No. No. 1.1.1.3/21/A/003
Other research results:
- 2023. Research “Pelni pelna” within MAKE-IT project. Study on the use of wood chip ash in the production of concrete. Besides, a problem in the field of environmental availability for installation of low-quality cables in the urban environment has been identified.
- 2023. Prototype “Ratiņš labs” - comfortable and environmentally friendly baby stroller. The result of the MAKE IT student team. https://www.makeitstudents.eu/pieredzes-stasti/ratins-labs
Master Theses:
- 2025. Alan Prasad. Sustainable Business Practices and Their Impact on Long-Term Profitability of Indian Companies
- 2025. Aswathy Asokan. Assessment of the Impact of Green Branding on Consumer Purchase in the Indian Food Industry
- 2025. Nimesh Sandaruwan Gunapala Thommaya Hewa. Factors Affecting Personnel Attitudes towards Green Management Practices in the Hotel Industry in Sri Lanka
- 2025. Laura Zarane. Problems and Opportunities of Waste Management in Latvian Households in the Context of Circular Economy
- 2024. Nimesha Harshani Gunawardhana Asuramana Pedige. Consumer Attitudes Towards Green Packaging: Evidence from the Food and Beverage Industry in Sri Lanka
- 2024. Dmitriy Ivanchenko. Challenges and Solutions for Latvian SMEs in Sustainability Reporting.
- 2024. Chathura Vimukthi Malawara Arachchige. Factors Affecting the Environmental Sustainability of a Large-Scale Garment Manufacturing Plant in Sri Lanka.
- 2024. Dilitha Pramod Malliyawadu. The influence of green practices in e-business on customer satisfaction in Sri Lanka.
- 2023. Sigita Čudare. Factors affecting the development of the waste management system in Latvia. municipalities
- 2023. Sandra Smona. Hindering and Contributing Factors of the Circular Economy.
- 2023. Arturs Stavro. Factors affecting sustainability of Latvian retail companies.
- 2023. Jineesh Rockey. The factors of green marketing affecting consumer purchase intention.
- 2022. Piyankara Niroshan. Implementation of Circular Economy Principles into the Banking Businesses in Sri Lanka.
RESEARCH DISSEMINATION & IMPACT
- 2025. On February 18. E. Čerkovskis chaired the Latvian national workshop, where CES/ETUC and IndustriALL representatives discussed strategies for accelerating the green transition in a fair and socially responsible manner in the industry, energy and transport sectors (https://www.augstskola.lv/index.php?parent=1603&lng=lva)
- 2025/02/05, J. Titko, Public lecture at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Ghana: Circular Economy. Audience: 100+ participants https://upsa.edu.gh/events/upsa-eka-university-lecture/
- 2024. On December 12, E. Čerkovskis moderated the webinar "Supporting green and digital transitions in education and training: a greener future", organized by EKA University in cooperation with the European Digital Learning Network ETS ( https://dlearn.eu/) https://www.augstskola.lv/index.php?parent=1569&lng=lva
- Podcast series. “Apritprasme” Episode 2 – Circular Economy - Myths and Truth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSXhYnQYimA&t=244s
- Podcast series. “Apritprasme” Episode 3. Living Greener: The Sustainability Mission in Everyday Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPWHVsXcYLw
- EKA Professor and leading researcher Jeļena Titko was approved as a working group member and Management Committee member of the COST action Connecting Critical Pedagogies, Inclusive Art Forms and Alternative Barometers for Urban Sustainability (CIRCUL’ARTs) (CA23117) https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA23117/#tabs+Name:Management%20Committee
- 2024/09/19-20 Titova, N., Kvelde, A. Report “Sustainability Reporting in Companies Operating in Central and Eastern European countries: Case of Latvia”, Conference on IC and Sustainabiliy, 19TH EIASM INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE ON “INTANGIBLES, SUSTAINABILITY, AND VALUE CREATION, 19-20 September, 2024, Grenoble, France;
- 2024/08/19-20 Cudečka-Puriņa N. Report “Recycling Trends and Challenges in the Baltic States”. 7th International Conference on Recycling and Waste Management (USA) https://crgconferences.com/conference-admin/uploads/recycling_415/1732688124.pdf
- 2024. Cudečka-Puriņa N. delivered guest lectures in Riga Technical University on the topic “Industrial Sustainability and Circular Economy”.
- 2024. J. Titko was approved as a working group member in COST action CA22124, EU Circular Economy Network for All: Consumer Protection through reducing, reusing, repairing (ECO4ALL) https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22124/#tabs+Name:Working%20Groups%20and%20Membership
- 2024. Participation in the working group to develop Circular Economy Index. https://buvinzenierusavieniba.lv/top-pirmais-latvijas-aprites-ekonomikas-indekss-efektivai-resursu-izmantosanai
- 2024/10/08. Podcast series. “Apritprasme” 1st episode – discussion about zero waste or waste-free lifestyle https://www.youtube.com/@AugstskolaKasIedvesmo/featured
- 2024/07/05. Conversation festival LAMPA. Discussion "Has the education system heard about the circular economy?" https://festivalslampa.lv/lv/programma/pasakumi/2536
- 2023/09/21-22. VI International Economic Forum “OPEN INNOVATION: from the Creativity of the Individual to an Innovative Science-Based Economy”. Latvian Academy of Sciences. EKA organized session “Circular economy as the basis of sustainable development”. https://economicforum.lv/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PROGRAMMA_FORUM_19.09.23-1.pdf
- 2022/08/06.Čerkovskis, E. Participation in TV 24 broadcast “Nacionālo interešu klubs” (Club of National interests). Discussion on Latvian energy resource policy. https://xtv.lv/rigatv24/video/B37JEePWNPz-06_08_2022_nacionalo_interesu_klubs_2_dala
- 2023/04/20. International Scientific Conference “Emerging Trends in Economics, Culture and Humanities (etECH2023)”. EKA University of Applied Sciences. Session “Sustainability and Circular Economy”. https://www.augstskola.lv/?parent=1406&lng=lva
- 2023/01/18. E.Čerkovskis. Viedokļa raksts “Saules baterijas, granulas vai malka – kas izdevīgāk un dabai draudzīgāk?” https://www.db.lv/zinas/saules-baterijas-granulas-vai-malka-kas-izdevigak-un-dabai-draudzigak-510365
COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY & ACADEMIA & PUBLIC SECTOR & NGOs
|
Partner |
Sector |
Country |
Activities |
|
UNIVERSIDAD DE VALLADOLID Grant Agreement n. 2024-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000245483 |
HE |
Spain |
Signed the billateral agreement on the implementation of the Erasmus+ KA220 project "Stimulating innovative-inclusive teaching and validated life-long learning on green entrepreneurship for deaf and hard of hearing people (DHH) through digital innovation in HEI (GREENENTRE4DEAF)" |
|
Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Science Agreement 4-16/24/13 Work agreement D3/22 22.04.2022 Work agreement D15/22 01.11.2022 |
Research instituion |
Latvia |
Organization of the International Economic Forum, session “Circular Economy and Sustainability” Lead of the team “PiedeRĪGA"Innovation grants for students in the interdisciplinary areas of art, culture, economics and IT” - MaKE IT (Ref. No. 1.1.1.3/21/A/003), 2023. |
|
Management within Sumy State University |
HE |
Ukraine |
Application for Joint Programme of Scientific and Technological Cooperation Project “Developing cognitive-affective multidimensional framework of green purchase intentions to stimulate responsible consumption”, 2024. |
|
UAB “Iron Cat” |
Business |
Lithuania |
Development of the Virtual Class “Circular Economy” within the project „Development of a virtual learning space as a tool for developing students′ critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills in the context of COVID19” (Ref. No. 2021-1-LT-01-KA220-HED-000023551) |
|
VILNIUS TECH University of Primorska Opole University |
HEI |
Lithuania Slovenia Poland
|
Joint research activities within the framework of the cross-country research “Attitudes towards Sustainable Entrepreneurship among Students” |
|
Riga Technical University |
Research institutions |
Latvia |
Research “Pelni pelna”. Study on the use of wood chip ash in the production of concrete. Besides, a problem in the field of environmental availability for installation of low-quality cables in the urban environment has been identified. "Innovation grants for students in the interdisciplinary areas of art, culture, economics and IT” - MaKE IT (Ref. No. 1.1.1.3/21/A/003), 2023. |
|
European Digital Learning Network Institut za moderno obrazovanje POLITEKNIKA IKASTEGIA TXORIERRI S.COOP EIT RawMaterials GmbH Grant agreement 2022-1-PT01-KA220SCH-000086954 |
HEI Business Research institutions |
Italy Serbia Spain Germany
|
Implementation of the project “Boosting Circular Economy Competences for STEM Teachers” - Circular STEM, 2022-2024. |
|
Hochschule Wismar Tallinn University of Technology Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University Grant agreement 618715-EPP-1-2020-1-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP |
HE |
Germany Estonia Kazakhstan |
Implementation of the project “Advancing circular economy in partner countries by development and implementation of Master programme "Waste management" – UnWaste”, 2021-2024. |
|
European University – Skopje Zelena Infrastruktura Fakulteta za komercialne in poslovne vede YES Foundation (N.Macedonia) Grant agreement 2017-1-MK01-KA203-035392 |
HE NGO |
North Macedonia Croatia Slovenia |
Implementation of the project “Online Master Programme for Circular Economy” – CIRCECO, 2017-2020. |
