In Latvia, the global business services sector accounts for 2.3 % of GDP, and its share in total service exports is 8 %, while the turnover of the sector in 2019 was estimated at EUR 400 m, which indicates that the global business services sector in Latvia is an important component of the national economy. The global business services sector in Latvia has developed relatively recently, so it has not yet been sufficiently assessed and researched. The aim of the research is to describe the factors affecting the development of the global business services sector in Latvia. The research concluded that the global business services sector in Latvia was promoted by such factors as the availability of labour and low labour costs, as well as a relatively favourable business environment. The potential of the global business services sector in Latvia is also characterized by its advantageous geographical location, especially from the perspective of Scandinavian investors (including in terms of cultural similarities), as well as the foreign language skills of potential employees. The establishment of the Association of Business Service Leaders in Latvia (ABSL Latvia) (the only such an association in the Baltic States that defends the interests of this sector) is also an important driver for the development of the sector.

In this study, oak specific chloroplast simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to analyse Latvian and Belarusian oak (Quercus robur L.) population provenance and genetic structure. Chloroplast haplotypes were compared between Latvian and Belarusian pedunculate oak, and several common haplotypes were identified. The SSR haplotypes were compared to previously reported PCR-RFLP haplotypes, and haplotypes from the A (eastern European) and C (central European) lineages were identified. C lineage haplotypes were only found in the western region of Latvia. Haplotypes shared between Latvia and Belarus were all from the A lineage. Despite the much smaller population size of oak in Latvia in comparison to Belarus, the level of genetic diversity identified using the chloroplast SSR markers is similar. Provenance trials will need to be established in order to determine the suitability of Belarusian oak reproductive material for deployment in Latvia. Based on the results from this comparison of chloroplast haplotypes, as well as climatic similarities, it is probable that Belarusian oak material will be better suited to the eastern regions of Latvia compared to the western regions of Latvia.

The research observed the experience of Latvia in valuing ecosystem services. The development of the economy of Latvia is significantly affected by the forest area reaching 52 % of the country’s total area. Assessing the services of the ecosystem of Latvia and valuing them in monetary terms could significantly change the structure of the economy of Latvia. Therefore, the value of ecosystem services consumed domestically and the possibility to export the services should be taken into account when drawing up policy documents for the forest and related industries of Latvia. The research aims to make a theoretical observation and experience collection of ecosystem service valuation methods and indicators that determine the value of ecosystem services and suggest the main methods for valuing the services of the ecosystem of Latvia. It should be acknowledged that no extensive research on the potential monetary contribution of ecosystem services to the national economy has been conducted in Latvia. Several research studies that focused only on certain areas have been carried out in Latvia. It should be emphasized that valuation practice employs a wide range of methods. Therefore, it is necessary to examine and select the most appropriate methods for identifying the value of ecosystem services under Latvian conditions, supplementing the range of the methods and adapting them to local conditions so that they help to more accurately value ecosystem services in the national and international context. Determining the value of ecosystem services would help to redirect the flow of national investment from traditional industries to efficient forest land management. Otherwise, private forest properties are increasingly sold to foreign businesses, which might lead to a lower value of the national capital of Latvia in the future.

In this study, oak specific chloroplast simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to analyse Latvian and Belarusian oak (Quercus robur L.) population provenance and genetic structure. Chloroplast haplotypes were compared between Latvian and Belarusian pedunculate oak, and several common haplotypes were identified. The SSR haplotypes were compared to previously reported PCR-RFLP haplotypes, and haplotypes from the A (Eastern European) and C (Central European) lineages were identified. C lineage haplotypes were only found in the western region of Latvia. Haplotypes shared between Latvia and Belarus were all from the A lineage. Despite the much smaller population size of oak in Latvia in comparison to Belarus, the level of genetic diversity identified using the chloroplast SSR markers is similar. Provenance trials will need to be established in order to determine the suitability of Belarusian oak reproductive material for deployment in Latvia. Based on the results from this comparison of chloroplast haplotypes, as well as climatic similarities, it is probable that Belarusian oak material will be better suited to the eastern regions of Latvia compared to the western regions of Latvia.

The present research analyses the theoretical and practical aspects of interaction between social entrepreneurship and socio-economic processes, thereby building up scientific experience in analyses of social entrepreneurship processes. The authors, based on a theoretical literature review and an examination of social entrepreneurship in Latvia, analysed the elements of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, the impacts of social entrepreneurship and statistical data on social inequality in Latvia. The research concluded that social development in Latvia was at the initial stage, yet it provided support to people at risk of social exclusion and poverty. The development of social entrepreneurship in the regions of Latvia was uneven.

The hypothesis of the thesis: It is possible to facilitate digitalisation of the economy of Latvia through blockchain technology adoption. The aim of the thesis: to develop recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia based on investigation of global blockchain technology adoption factors and scenarios with a focus on Baltic States region analysis. To achieve the aim, the following tasks are set: 1. to outline a framework for blockchain technology adoption assessment through the lenses of innovation theories, technology adoption models and the concept of knowledge economy; 2. to analyse blockchain related policies, public opinions and regulatory developments in the European Union and Baltic States; 3. to analyse blockchain technology adoption trends worldwide and in the Baltic States; 4. to develop and analyse scenarios for blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia. To achieve the aim of the thesis, the research is structured in four chapters with sub–sections. The first chapter outlines the theoretical research of blockchain technology, knowledge economy, innovation theories and aspects of innovation diffusion process and underlying innovation adoption factors. As a result, innovation adoption and technology acceptance models are summarized. The second chapter studies blockchain related policies and regulatory developments – blockchain technology innovation planning documents and relevant regulatory enactments of the European Union and Latvia. In the third chapter, blockchain technology innovation and adoption worldwide and in Baltic States is analysed in various areas of applications and geographical tendencies and success factors are investigated. In the fourth chapter, blockchain technology adoption factors and scenarios are determined based on international experience and international expert survey involving 82 respondents from 30 countries; blockchain adoption factors and scenarios in the economy of Latvia are assessed through AHP analysis based on expert opinions of seven renowned national experts; and recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in Latvia are developed. As a result of the thesis, a blockchain technology adoption assessment matrix and recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia have been developed with the aim of strengthening the global competitiveness of the economy of Latvia. At the end of the thesis the main conclusions, research results and recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia are formulated.

The hypothesis of the thesis: It is possible to facilitate digitalisation of the economy of Latvia through blockchain technology adoption. The aim of the thesis: to develop recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia based on investigation of global blockchain technology adoption factors and scenarios with a focus on Baltic States region analysis. To achieve the aim, the following tasks are set: 1. to outline a framework for blockchain technology adoption assessment through the lenses of innovation theories, technology adoption models and the concept of knowledge economy; 2. to analyse blockchain related policies, public opinions and regulatory developments in the European Union and Baltic States; 3. to analyse blockchain technology adoption trends worldwide and in the Baltic States; 4. to develop and analyse scenarios for blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia. To achieve the aim of the thesis, the research is structured in four chapters with sub–sections. The first chapter outlines the theoretical research of blockchain technology, knowledge economy, innovation theories and aspects of innovation diffusion process and underlying innovation adoption factors. As a result, innovation adoption and technology acceptance models are summarized. The second chapter studies blockchain related policies and regulatory developments – blockchain technology innovation planning documents and relevant regulatory enactments of the European Union and Latvia. In the third chapter, blockchain technology innovation and adoption worldwide and in Baltic States is analysed in various areas of applications and geographical tendencies and success factors are investigated. In the fourth chapter, blockchain technology adoption factors and scenarios are determined based on international experience and international expert survey involving 82 respondents from 30 countries; blockchain adoption factors and scenarios in the economy of Latvia are assessed through AHP analysis based on expert opinions of seven renowned national experts; and recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in Latvia are developed. As a result of the thesis, a blockchain technology adoption assessment matrix and recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia have been developed with the aim of strengthening the global competitiveness of the economy of Latvia. At the end of the thesis the main conclusions, research results and recommendations for facilitating blockchain technology adoption in the economy of Latvia are formulated.

A prominent business topic of nowadays in the context of sustainability is balanced economic management – one that contributes to economic development, environmental protection and public wellbeing. Given the positive growth potential of the European market for sustainable entrepreneurship and the improvement of Latvia's environmental sustainability in the entrepreneurship sector, it is important to find out the prospects of further development of sustainable entrepreneurship in Latvia. The aim of the research is to define sustainability in the context of business, to identify the factors that motivate and determine the sustainability of the company and to evaluate sustainable business perspectives in Latvia. Hence, the process of business management has to provide for interaction among the company, the management and utilisation of its resources, its financial management, and the stakeholders of the buying and selling process – businesses, consumers and public authorities. In light of the above, business management can not only contribute to a sustainable product consumption but also make a positive impact upon public action and thinking. The author's research fields conclusions regarding the key factors for running a sustainable business in Latvia. Based on expert interviews, it was analysed what promotes/hampers the development of sustainable entrepreneurship in Latvia, looking into the prospects of sustainable entrepreneurship in Latvia. During the research it was found, that the development of sustainable entrepreneurship in Latvia is promoted by the regulatory pressure created by the European Union, as well as the growing public interest in sustainability issues created by the available information space. The development of sustainable entrepreneurship in Latvia is hindered by the lack of interaction between public education and the regulatory system in terms of sustainability, reducing the effectiveness of motivating sustainable choices.

Inadequate municipal waste management, associated with a dominance of waste landfilling and low efficiency of resource and energy recovery, is the major challenge towards circular economy targets for some European Union countries, including Latvia. The aim of the study is to evaluate environmental performance from implementation of waste management policy goals in waste management systems of Latvia applying life cycle assessment methodology. The waste management system in Latvia was evaluated for two scenarios: baseline situation (based on statistical data from 2016) and future scenario – 2030. Baseline scenario assessment results show the existing material and energy recovery potential from municipal solid waste generated in Latvia. Meanwhile, results obtained from the 2030 scenario demonstrated that boosting recovery rates of plastic by 20 % and organic waste by 20 % can contribute to the minimization of life cycle environmental impacts (human health, resources, climate change, ecosystems) by 1.8 % and organic by 3.6 % correspondingly.

With the production of grain and livestock–derived agricultural commodities increasing, the agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of ammonia (NH3) emissions in Latvia. In 2018, the agricultural sector contributed to 83% of the total NH3 emissions originated in Latvia (15.46 kt) (LIIR 2020). The EU has already put in place measures to control NH3 emissions. This includes the EU target of reducing ammonia emissions by 21% by 2030 and sets out emission reduction commitments for Latvia. Considering Latvia’s indicative reduction target, the NH3 emission reductions need to be achieved by 2030 (Directive 2016/2284) so that the emissions do not exceed the 2005 level (11.33 kt). Implementing no mitigation measures, Latvia has projected agricultural sector NH3 emissions to be 32.4% higher than those in 2005, and therefore the mitigation of the NH3 emissions from agriculture is important. The research aims to estimate cost-effective NH3 emission reduction measures in agriculture in Latvia. The results of the research represent a marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis, in which we have quantified the potential for reduction for selected NH3 emission mitigation measures in Latvia. A list of the measures has been established taking into account the experience of good agricultural practices in the reduction of NH3 emissions (UN, 2014) and of other European countries as well. The calculations carried out allowed us to group the measures according to their priorities: measures that are cost-effective and with high potential for reduction of NH3; measures that are cost-effective but with low NH3 emission reduction potential; measures that are not cost-effective but with high potential for reduction of NH3; measures that are not cost-effective and with low potential for reduction of NH3. The estimated cumulative (total) reduction of NH3 emissions in Latvian agriculture by 2030, with the implementation of the measures analysed, is equal to 20.08 kt.