Development of the green entrepreneurial mindset through modern entrepreneurship education

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved.Entrepreneurship education programmes are slowly adapting to the circularity and sustainability movement. Business education lacks experiences in introducing sustainability and environmentally-friendly business topics into entrepreneurship study programmes. This article aims to research the inclusion of environmental and sustainability issues in the entrepreneurship education programmes in order to promote a green entrepreneurial mindset among students and acquire green business activities. The COVID-19 crisis has thrown a harsh spotlight on a range of sustainable development challenges, and the choices the community makes now in its path to recovery will shape the trajectory of sustainable development for years to come. Also, usage of digital technologies will become crucial in this green transition. The empirical research was based on the evaluation of a survey of 657 undergraduate students from the business administration sphere. The research results are of practical, social and scientific significance by exploring the green movement and its impacts on the entrepreneurship education curricula and their effects in developing a green entrepreneurial mindset of students.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Challenges of the introduction of circular business models within rural SMEs of EU

Recently the circular economy has got a lot of attention within discussions of policy makers, academics and practitioners. The circular economy proposes the treatment of environmental and climate change problems, simultaneously promising benefits for the business. The circular economy promotes the reduction of the consumption and reuse or recycling of the resources that in various aspects contradicts traditional business models that stream to linear growth of sales of their products. Yet the circular economy concept has been more discussed regarding its global scale, but there is a lack of scientific discussions about the approaches of the adoption of circular economy principles on the business level. This paper conceptualises multi-level dimensions of the circular economy and highlights challenges related to the perception of the circular economy principles in the micro business level. The conducted research shows that rural SMEs of six EU countries have rarely heard about the circular economy and even less about circular business models. While rural SMEs are more familiar with the bio and green economies forming good base for developing circular business models, they are reluctant towards introducing new business models. This paper aims to assess the level of the advancement in introduction of the circular business models among rural SMEs of EU countries. This article emphasizes the circular economy as an inseparable part of the business models of rural SMEs and rural economies of EU countries. This study has a policy implication as we suggest that the government should play an important role in promotion of circular business models in rural SMEs. The existing public support system is fragmented, and in most cases just incidentally encourage rural SMEs to adopt new circular business models. Also, the circular economy on a local level, especially in rural areas, has an important role in ensuring social wellbeing of local inhabitants. The methodological approach and research results presented in the paper can be used further developing EU support system and priorities beyond 2020.publishersversionPeer reviewe

CIRCULAR ECONOMY DRIVEN INNOVATIONS WITHIN BUSINESS MODELS OF RURAL SMEs

The competitiveness of rural SMEs is low due to economic inefficiency and the lack of innovations. The main challenges faced by rural SMEs are the limited scale, the distance form larger sales markets, RD and business support institutions, and the lack of innovative spirit. The circular and bio-economies are shaping the rural SMEs towards the environmentally friendly and eco-efficient production, the minimization of the generation of waste and less use of natural resources. This potential of the adoption of new business models within rural SMEs is not fully observed.The aim of this research is to analyse the opportunities of rural SMEs in introducing the innovative business models driven by the circular economy. This research explores the innovative business models of rural SMEs that transform the environmental challenges in business opportunities and keep a balance with the growing consumption needs. The results of the research are of both theoretical and practical value, providing recommendations for facilitation of innovative business models within rural SMEs. The research methods: desk research, statistical analysis, a grounded theory approach, case study, primary data gathering through seven focus groups with more than 200 stakeholders from six European countries. 

FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS IN TYRE RECYCLING INDUSTRY IN LATVIA

The end-of-life (EOL) tyre recycling industry in Latvia is encountering economic and sustainability challenges, which require solutions by various stakeholders. Improvement of tyre waste management and recycling is important within the context of sustainability and the new streamlining of circular business models. Its importance is also recognized at the European Union level in relation to the further strategic goals and the European Green Deal. In addition, the tyre recycling industry in Latvia demonstrates a relatively unfavourable financial situation, which is one of the most significant factors hindering the introduction of new circular business models. The aim of this research is to clarify the challenges related to the financial viability of tyre recycling companies adopting the new circular business models. The main research methods are literature review, semistructured in-depth interviews, case studies and financial analyses. There are large stocks of EOL tyres and on average just 50 % of them are recycled. The tyre waste management companies are not motivated to supply EOL tyres to recycling companies. On the other hand, due to various reasons, most of the tyre recycling companies are not working with their maximum production capacity. The research results reveal that the tyre recycling companies mostly run traditional and inefficient business models that require large operating costs and ensure comparatively low profitability. In order to enable more efficient and environmentally friendly tyre recycling process, the companies should implement new, investment intensive technologies. Yet, they face critical issues of liquidity and financial returns. Major conclusions are related to the necessity to develop several business models interlinked within one portfolio thus ensuring the manufacturing of various products with higher added value and quality. This may maximise the profits and improve the financial viability of tyre recycling business modelspublishersversionPeer reviewe

Sustainability challenges and drivers of cross-border greenway tourism in rural areas

Funding Information: Funding: This research was funded by the BA School of Business and Finance (Latvia), internal grant number “BA 2019/1” under the research project “Management of circular business models and projects within economy of Latvia”. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the authors.This article provides a practical example of the development of cross-border tourism and its link to achieving sustainable development goals. Greenways (GWs) are successful and recognized initiatives in Western Europe, but have recently also shown development trends in Eastern Europe, notably, in the Baltic Sea Region and Russia. These initiatives improve the quality of life and provide opportunities for sustainable economic activities for the local communities, especially in rural areas, adding value to their natural, cultural, historical and human heritage. The authors studied examples of best practice in scientific literature and practice, encouraging the development of cross-border tourism and GWs in Europe and Russia, in order to further adapt it to other continents. Analyzing the environmental, economic, social and institutional factors in the region and their role in sustainable development, the need for institutional regulation that would allow the development of a wider development of GWs is identified. Research results reveal sustainable development dilemmas of positive socioeconomic effects of GWs and negative environmental effects of increased flows of tourists. Focus groups and expert interviews allowed us to assess the level of various factors contributing to sustainable development and clarify the directions of the future research.publishersversionPeer reviewe

End-of-life tyre recycling : Going beyond to new circular business models in Latvia

Funding Information: Many thanks for the opportunity to conduct and publish this research to BA School of Business and Finance (Latvia) with the research project ?Management of Circular Business Models and Projects within Economy of Latvia?, and Liepaja University (Latvia) with the project ?Promotion of research, innovation and international cooperation in science at Liepaja University (No 1.1.1.5/18/1/018)?. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.The end-of-life tyre recycling industry in Latvia faces significant issues on a national level and on a micro business level. The aim of the research is the clarification of opportunities for new circular business models within the tyre recycling industry in Latvia. The main research methods are literature review, semi-structured in-depth interviews, case studies, content analyses, and quantitative statistical analyses, qualitative and descriptive analyses, allowing providing integrative interdisciplinary assessment. In addition, design-thinking methods contributed to conclusions on future opportunities of new tyre recycling business models. The research shows that the system is insufficiently supervised, and it does not facilitate the development of new environmentally friendly technologies and circular business models. A large share of tyres ends up in waste landfills, are incinerated or illegally stored, whereas only a small number of them are recycled. The traditional tyre incineration methods are ineffective and create adverse effects on the environment. Tyre recycling companies in Latvia are not active in adoption of new technologies and business models. This justifies the topicality of the research problem. The research results reveal that globally new opportunities are being actively explored on how to produce higher added value products from materials obtained in the tyre recycling process. In Latvia, it is possible to develop new financially viable circular business models in tyre recycling industry, for instance, by producing tyre-derived aggregates for construction materials or pavement subbases. Besides the need for dynamic innovation capabilities of entrepreneurs, development of new business models in tyre recycling requires collaboration among various stakeholders. In addition, the government has a significant role in implementing the Green Public Procurement for the industries utilizing products gained as a result of tyre recycling.publishersversionPeer reviewe

COLLABORATION COMPETENCIES AND GREEN BUSINESS MINDSET

INTRODUCTION There is increased international pressure to develop sustainable and circular businesses. This raises the question of entrepreneurs’ green awareness and the ability to adopt green values ​​in their business and management practices. While this has become a hot topic on the agenda of policymakers and researchers, there is a critically low level of green awareness among entrepreneurs. This highlights the need to explore how to better foster the development of a green business mindset among entrepreneurs. Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is currently promoted as an essential resource for companies to create a positive environmental impact and circular value. However, entrepreneurs do not recognise the advantages of collaboration, but instead face growing stakeholder green pressure. Collaboration competence has been recognised as one of the essential elements of the green business mindset. The awareness of green values ​​and the importance of collaboration in this context needs to be developed at school to provide theoretical knowledge and promote green skills. This study aimed to investigate the understanding of teachers and academic staff about the green business mindset and to assess their perception of the importance of collaboration competencies within the green business mindset. Research questions: 1) What are the main competencies comprising the green business mindset model and the status quo of the collaboration within this model; 2) How do teachers and academic staff perceive the importance of collaboration in developing the green business mindset? MATERIALS AND METHODS The systematic literature analysis, content analysis and clustering of the co-occurrence of keywords and concepts were used for the research. The empirical study reflects the situation in Latvia, and accordingly, the academic staff as well as teachers from Latvia were surveyed. Interviews of experts were conducted. The descriptive analyses synthesised the research results and described the main implications and further research gaps. RESULTS The green business model encounters the development of critical thinking, creativity, initiative and leadership, reflection, sharing and collaboration, environmental concerns and the attitude towards green values. The research results reveal the increased necessity to promote green awareness among youth, entrepreneurs, families and teachers. The academic staff rather have an overall understanding of green business, but they lack detailed green knowledge. Changing the behaviour and attitudes towards environmentally friendly business is considered most important, but collaboration is less critical. DISCUSSION Latvian entrepreneurs do not recognise the benefits and positive impact of green business practices. Changing customer values and global trends of sustainable transition will foster green business practices. Therefore, it is essential to develop knowledge of the circular and green business and stimulate behavioural changes of entrepreneurs to accept and follow environmentally friendly values. Previous studies prove the vital and integral role of collaboration with and for multiple stakeholders in creating positive environmental impacts. Such stakeholder collaboration includes various managerial tasks - the establishment of the relationship, value mapping and standard value orientation, regular communication, involvement and engagement, sharing and co-creation, and requiring appropriate competencies. Collaboration with multiple stakeholders is a cross-cutting issue that should be reflected horizontally in different study courses, not just in a specific environmental or ecological curriculum. However, the entrepreneurship and management study programmes should include stakeholder collaboration topics as one of the managerial practices. CONCLUSION This study describes the green business mindset model and its multi-dimensional nature, including knowledge and skills related to entrepreneurship, sustainability, ecology, and green education on the one hand, and emotional intelligence, green values and attitudes on the other. This research reveals the shorthand situation of Latvia. The green business mindset model envisages several levels of development and assessment – raising awareness, acquiring knowledge, changing attitudes and values, changing behaviour, and initiating green actions. The academic staff and teachers consider that, in Latvia, besides green business knowledge, the emotional, intuitive and spiritual intelligence, self-awareness and self-confidence encompassing green values ​​are essential, and should be developed.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Developing E-learning course "Circular Economy" in the Study process and Adult Education

Funding Information: This research has been published with the support of Latvian Council of Science (Latvia), a research project “Quadruple Helix Concept (QHC) as base of the next generation PPP model” (no. lzp-2020/1-0062). Funding Information: Riga Technical University (RTU) and the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia have agreed on the use of state budget funds allocated to the Institute of Riga Technical University Riga Business School for the creation of an innovative study program in the field of information and communication technologies, Academic and scientific staff of Latvian universities and scientific institutions international training for the acquisition of high-level digital skills and knowledge transfer within the framework of the RTU project "Support for RTU international cooperation projects in research and innovation" (1.1.1.5/18/I/008), according to the Cabinet of Ministers' decision of 06.06.2017 regulations No. 315 "Activity program "Growth and employment" 1.1.1.5. the implementation rules of the first, second and third round of selection of project submissions of the event "Support for international cooperation projects in research and innovation". The trainees are Academic and scientific staff of the Latvian state higher education institutions, who, upon winning the competition, are granted funding for the purpose of increasing their qualifications - to improve their digital skills, improve the quality of teaching information and communication technologies, as well as to learn the latest methods in preparing and conducting the content of IT courses. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.The educational process has changed; many more technologies and solutions are involved in preparing the subject and the study process. A degree of maturity in using digital tools has been reached, allowing the student to learn the subject whenever and wherever he or she wishes. The experience gained in the USA shows that in the case of successful development of an asynchronous course, in combination with really extended feedback, even content-compliant courses can be acquired in this way very successfully. The purpose of the article is to show a success story of developing a modern e-learning course, modernizing and digitizing their study courses. A complete cycle of "learn by doing"and "do by learning"approaches are being implemented for the first time. By support Erasmus+ project is developing an innovative, asynchronous online course on the topic of Circular Economy and will to improve teachers' digital pedagogical competencies by enabling them to provide a high-quality learning process. At all levels of education, it is essential to keep up with the requirements of the 21st Century and opportunities, to change previous thinking and accept digitization is the duty, mission and task of every teacher, student and administrator.publishersversionPeer reviewe

The typology of 60R circular economy principles and strategic orientation of their application in business

Funding Information: There are two sources of funding: 1) The research project “Quadruple Helix Concept as the base of the next generation PPP model” (No.lzp-2020/1–0062), funded by Latvian Council of Science; 2) the funding of the Faculty of Law, Riga Stradins University, Latvia. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)The circular economy is one of the recent concepts promoted as the pathway for further green and sustainable development, yet entrepreneurs and managers lack the knowledge on implementing circular economy principles. Assuming the multi-dimensional and systemic character of the circular economy, this article provides a road map of 60R circular economy principles that can be adopted in any company to create a positive economic, environmental, and social impact. This set of circular economy principles allows the existing performance of companies within environmental regeneration to be assessed, and identifies possible improvements to business circularity. Identifying additional “R" principles could lead to increased synergy or complementarity between them. These 60R circular economy principles are classified in four groups - reduce, reuse, recycle and reverse logistics. The proposed list of CE principles provides a useful framework for business managers to structure potential tasks and develop strategies for CE implementation and serve as a roadmap for researchers to extend existing research on CE principles. This study is based on the systematic literature review critically examining 148 articles and providing a comprehensive and profound overview of circular economy principles to be considered by business practitioners and entrepreneurs. Previously, CE principles are researched in environmental sciences, engineering, and energy. This article contributes to the existing knowledge gap and builds new knowledge on the discipline of business management, as publications in these fields are scarce. The study highlights the significance of reverse logistics and calls for extensive research on how companies can incorporate material or product returns into their business models or strategies, which is a critical research question for future studies.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Does Car Sharing Contribute to Urban Sustainability from User-Motivation Perspectives?

Funding Information: Funding: The paper was funded by Latvian Council of Science, the project ”The Impact of COVID-19 on Sustainable Consumption Behaviours and Circular Economy” (Nr. lzp-2020/2-0317). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Mobility, its current state and development perspectives in the future creates challenges with respect to sustainability, the first of which is the uncontrolled increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the last few decades, while road transport is one of the “sinners” creating long-term negative impact. The second is the dominance of car travel and car usage in the passenger transportation segment before the latest COVID-19 pandemic accelerated environmental problems. Although recent trends show new, greener patterns in consumption, there is still a relatively low share of consumers acknowledging the importance of sustainable and green preferences. This research study aims to investigate car sharing from users’ perspectives and to determine the most significant factors influencing their choice of sharing services to ensure upscaling of car sharing and, thus, contribute to urban sustainability. This research study contributes to the overall scientific discussion on car sharing and its role within urban sustainability, particularly with the following: (1) deeper investigation of car sharing and its users motivation perspectives in Latvia; (2) analyses of the most significant motivational factors for car-sharing users and aspects of sustainability; and (3) the insight into the generational differences triggering a number of car-sharing users. The existing and potential users of car sharing were surveyed in order to determine the motivational factors for its usage and attitudes towards it. Socio-demographic variables in statistical analysis were used to identify economic and environmental factors that meaningfully influence the choice of car-sharing services. The results of this study can support further development in new car-sharing business models and the value proposition for consumers in Latvia, as well as preparing policy recommendations on the promotion of sustainable transport. These findings are also useful to academics for the investigation of recent trends in car sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic.publishersversionPeer reviewe