Grain legumes are important crops for the diversification of European farming system. In Latvia, the areas of faba beans (Vicia faba) and field peas (Pisum sativum) are increasing and legumes that have not been previously cultivated are sown. Globally, the important causal agent of legume diseases belongs to the genus Botrytis. Botrytis spp. cause significant losses in faba beans and infect a wide range of legume crops. Currently, the composition, pathogenicity and biological characteristics of Botrytis species in legumes in Latvia are not known. The aim of this study was to summarize the information about Botrytis spp. on legumes, using monographic method. The researches carried out all over the world show a high genetical diversity of Botrytis cinerea. Non-host specific B. cinerea has been found on 586 plant genera, including many legume crops. B. cinerea causes gray mold on leaves and pods of field peas, gray mold on pods of faba beans, and chocolate spot of faba bean leaves. B. fabae can infect plants from Fabaceae family. B. fabiopsis is known as a pathogen of faba beans. B. fabiopsis has been observed in Latvia, but no information is available on its presence in Europe. B. pseudocinerea has been found on beans, peas, and clover (Trifolium). Some other Botrytis spp. have been detected on legumes; however, their occurrence and importance are not clear. Summary of existing knowledge about Botrytis spp. on legumes is necessary to continue investigations about the diversity and economic importance of Botrytis spp. in legumes.

Studies were conducted at the experimental station of the Stavropol State Agrarian University on leached chernozem, powerful, low-humus heavy loam on loess-like loam in 2017. The goal was to study the effect of the introduction of rocks rich in chemical composition (limestone-shell rock, apatite and phosphogypsum), both separately and jointly, on the microbial phase of the soil. The determination of the number of microorganisms was produced on dense nutrient medium by direct counting of colonies. It was found that the amount of ammonifiers under the control was 37 ml CFU gE−1 (colony-forming units), increasing 1.3–1.5 times with separate use and 2.5–3 times with the joint use of rocks. Similar changes were observed with respect to the number of nitrifiers and aerobic nitrogen fixers of the type Azotobacter. The number of cellulose-depleting microorganisms in the remineralization variants reached 220,00–230,00 CFU gE−1 compared to 115,00 CFU gE−1 under the control. With the introduction of separate rocks, there was a decrease in the occurrence of pathogens, while with a joint introduction they were not detected. The frequency of occurrence of toxin formers, such as Aspergillus and Penicillium, reached 100% at the control and decreased by 20–40% at the experimental variants. It was revealed that the introduction of shell limestone, apatite and phosphogypsum had an effect on the increase in the number of soil microbiota of various physiological groups. Among the fungal microflora, the number of pathogens and toxin formers decreases and the number of pathogen antagonists increases.

West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin, Poland Business managers report the need for modern methods to improve the implementation of organizational strategies. Translating the strategy into activities and monitoring its implementation poses a serious challenge for the management of modern enterprises. The article aims to present proposals for multidimensional performance measurement with the help of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for selected Polish listed companies in the confectionery industry. The authors’ original solution within the framework of the BSC construction is extending the range of perspectives for assessing performance compared to the card proposed by Kaplan and Norton by the perspective of suppliers and CSR, and the appropriate selection of measures for this assessment. The article is based on literature studies and analysis of information included in business strategies, financial statements and reports on the operations of selected confectionery companies. Research on the use of multidimensional performance measurement using BSC, taking into account the additional perspectives of suppliers and CSR, help to better understand the relationship between economic, social, and environmental aspects of a company’s operations.

Purpose of the paper is to assess contribution of the European Fishery Fund (EFF) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in the development of coastal areas. The article reviews particulars of implementation of the Fishery Funds in various planning periods, in more detail analysing the implementation impact in the period of 2014−2020, based on analysis of the needs, goals and projects of the current period. Even though the European Fishery Fund (EFF) in Latvia is being implemented since 2007, there is a lack of scientific publications on its impact on the coastal development. EMFF for the period 2013−2020 has a dual role in the development of coastal areas – as a development tool of the fishery sector and as a development tool of communities in the fishery areas. It is implemented by using communityled local development (CLLD/LEADER) approach. In case of Latvia, a multi-fund approach – EFF/EMFF and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) is already being used for two planning periods. We conclude that the impact of EFF/EMFF on the development of coastal areas is more directed at development of infrastructure of the coastal communities but is less engaged in the fishery development matters - accordingly increasing other activities and preserving historic and cultural heritage for development of tourism and place of residence in the coastal area in interaction and in addition to EAFRD rural development measures of the coastal areas.

The variety of study methods used at universities still is conservative and more pragmatic, but there is an increasing tendency to change study methodology to more and more student-centred and to focus on the students’ ability to become valuable workforce for SMEs. The necessity for development of study methods clearly demonstrates the research problem. At the same time, universities are facing pressure from governmental authorities to internationalize – student and teacher mobility, international partners and projects are highly recommended. The main process at universities is the study process. But also internationalization should support the study process and students in achieving practice-based learning outcomes. Facing these challenges, NOBANET network of universities has elaborated and piloted the study method Cross-Border Assignments (CBA) linking students’ future ability to successfully incorporate in the job market and the requirement for internationalization of studies. The aim of this article is to introduce and assess the CBA as a method to involve student work and students to engage in entrepreneurship problems. The authors have collected and analysed feedback of 10 CBAs implemented in 6 different universities. The feedback was received by using questionnaires with mainly closed questions. The results show that companies are satisfied with students’ work and they also appreciate teachers. The main conclusion about assessment of this method gives valuable contribution to scientific literature as a description of modern study method and good practice in linking HEIs and SMEs. Gratitude is expressed to the Nordic Council of Ministers for funding NOBANET project and project EKOSOC-LV, part 5.2.2. and INTERFRAME-LV.

Tourism development contributes to the vitality of rural areas: it increases employment opportunities for residents, promotes the development of relations among different business entities and attractiveness of rural environment. In this article, the situation regarding the development of one type of tourism – educational tourism – in Lithuanian rural areas, factors encouraging and limiting this development have been analysed. The research question is what are the main problems regarding the development of educational tourism in rural areas. The aim of the research is to present relevant solutions after the analysis of the problems regarding the development of educational tourism in rural areas. Theoretical research was performed while applying methods of content analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and other researches. The method of case analysis was chosen to describe the state of the development of educational tourism and to identify main problems. In total 18 cases were analysed (18 providers of the educational tourism services in rural areas). In order to collect necessary information, methods of semi-structured interview, analysis of secondary informational resources and direct participation in researched educational programs were applied. The development of educational tourism is promoted by the factors related to the environment of manor, historical place or nature as well as professional qualification, working experience, enthusiasm and ability to be flexible about customers’ needs of actors responsible for rural development. Volatility of demand regarding educational programs, lack of specialists and challenges related to cooperation were identified as problematic issues.

Urban-rural income convergence provides an opportunity to reduce the income inequality, ensuring cohesion and increasing economic output. The results show that urban-rural income convergence is a continuous tendency in the EU; the urban-urban income gap declines – rural population received 79% of net income of population living in cities in 2017 (in 2010 it was 69%). The rural population accounts for 27.3% of the EU and any changes have notable impact on the rest of the economy. Nationally the urban-rural income convergence dramatically differs amid the EU countries. In order to model an impact of urban-rural income convergence, a comparative-static approach that involves an input-output model is applied. Two scenarios are estimated for Latvia’s economy: rural net income in Latvia is assumed to be 89% of cities net income (as in the Euro Area average) in both scenarios, in the first one the saving rate is constant; in the second rural households anticipate the additional net income as a gift (saving rate for extra net income is equal to zero). The results of the first scenario argue that households final demand expenditures increase by 4.5%, output by 2.7%. The largest increase of output is modelled in chemical products (8.9%), paper products (8.7%), electrical equipment (6.2%), pharmaceutical products (6.1%), and textile (5.8%) industries. In the second scenario, the output increase: 3%. The results certify that the increase and convergence of income in rural areas are important even in advanced economies, such as the EU countries. The national and EU policies are welcome and can give notable impact on economic growth.

In a period of economic prosperity, the real estate market is very active. The demand for real estate is causing the growth of prices, thus inducing people to sell their properties. As the easiest and often most convenient way of selling the property is partnering a real estate company, even 95 per cent of sales are provided through the mediation. However, the increasing demand in services is often leading to the decrease in service quality. It is worth mentioning that, while the amount of real estate agencies is increasing, service quality becomes the main competitive advantage for companies. In order to contribute to a body of knowledge on service quality, this research deals with a problem: what service quality is provided by real estate agencies to farmers selling their properties, and what service quality dimensions have to be improved. The research aims to establish the undermanaged dimensions of service quality obtained by Lithuanian farmers selling their property through real estate agencies. The determination of latter dimensions is crucial for real estate agencies achieving to successfully compete in the market of real estate in Lithuania. In order to reach the aim of the research, previously elaborated service quality models were analysed and adapted to a current research framework. The questionnaire survey was provided to establish a model of service quality real estate agencies expected by farmers selling their property. Finally, the four-dimensional REASQ model was established.

In a landscape of increasing customer/firm interactions in digital space, content marketing, which aims to generate prospects and sales to foster customers’ brand engagement, brand awareness and trust, is on the rise. Notwithstanding, despite significant marketing specialist interest, scientific content marketing research is not widely developed. Therefore, it encourages the need for new studies in the content marketing field. This paper introduces theoretical and practical aspects of content marketing decisions for the creation of desired customer value in the tourism sector. The aim of the presented research is to determine which combinations of content marketing decisions could create the desired value for the customer in the tourism sector. Understanding the content marketing decisions that create the desired value for customers could lead to a proper implementation of content marketing in the tourism sector. The presented results of q-sort study indicate twelve different combinations of content marketing decisions which could be used by tourism organizations in order to create desired value for their customer. Thus, it means that increasement of desired customer value can be made in the light of content marketing usage. The paper ends with insights, conclusions, limitations and future research possibilities.

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is economically important tree species, vulnerable to impact of different biotic (cervids, bark beetle etc.) and abiotic (wind, wet snow etc.) factors and their combinations, expected to increase in frequency and/or magnitude in future due to climate changes. The aim of the study was to characterize occurrence damages in Norway spruce stands in Latvia. Data from 635 National forest inventory sample plots were used in the analysis, thus providing the information primarily on the non-lethal damages, since the dead trees in most of the cases would be removed from the stands in sanitary cuts. Damages were reported for 11.6 ± 1.1% of spruces from total basal area of spruces in the assessed pure and mixed stands. Admixture of other tree species or soil (group of forest types) had no significant effect on the proportion of damaged spruces. Also, no statistically significant differences in dimensions were observed between damaged and undamaged trees. The major cause of damages was browsing (three quarter of damaged spruces, in contrast to only one-quarter of the rest of the trees) and the highest proportion of damaged spruces were in stands in the age group 41 – 80 years, significantly differing from that in younger (up to 20 years) stands, demonstrating both the preferences of cervids to a certain dimensions of spruce as well as accumulation of damages over time.