Master S Professional Study Programme

Banking Institution of Higher Education

Professional Master Study programme

“BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN EUROPE”

SELF-EVALUATION REPORT Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe RIGA- 2005

2 Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe

Contents

1 SENATE DECISION ON COMMENCING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME...... 3 2 LICENCE OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME...... 4 3 AGREEMENT ON THE CONTINUATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME IN CASE OF ITS LIQUIDATION...... 5 4 DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME...... 6 5 PUBLICITY AND INFORMATIVE PUBLICATIONS ON STUDY OPPORTUNITIES...... 11 6 PERSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF NATIONAL INTERESTS...... 12

6.1 COMPLIANCE OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME WITH THE EDUCATION AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARD...... 12 6.2 EMPLOYERS’ SURVEY RESULTS...... 15 7 EVALUATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME:...... 16

7.1 OBJECTIVES AND TASKS OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME:...... 16 7.2 ORGANIZATION AND PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME...... 16 7.3 PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME...... 18 7.4 ASSESSMENT SYSTEM...... 18 7.5 STUDENTS...... 19 7.6 STAFF INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME AND THE ACADEMIC STAFF EMPLOYED IN STRUCTURAL UNITS...... 22 7.7 SOURCES OF FUNDING AND PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE...... 26 BIHE’S STRUCTURAL UNITS AND SUPPORT STAFF INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME. 26 7.8 FOREIGN RELATIONS...... 31 8 STUDY PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT PLAN...... 35 ANNEXES...... 36

ANNEX 1 RESUMES OF FACULTY CREATIVE AND SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES...... 36 ANNEX 2 DESCRIPTION OF STUDY COURSES...... 58 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR A SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT...... 76

1. ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATE OF THE BANKING INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION...... 76 2. REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION...... 77 3. OCCUPATIONAL STANDARD...... 78 4. ADVERTISING BOOKLET...... 79 5. SAMPLE DIPLOMA AND ITS SAMPLE ANNEX...... 80 6. LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION AND THEIR LOCATION...... 81

1 Senate decision on commencing the implementation of the study programme.

2 Licence of the study programme.

Licence

3 Agreement on the continuation of the study programme in case of its liquidation.

An agreement has been concluded with Riga Technical University on the takeover of the programme in case the Banking Institution of Higher Education terminates its implementation.

4 Description of the study programme.

The Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe will be implemented by the Banking Institution of Higher Education (BIHE) as a state-founded higher education establishment which implements professional higher education study programmes of different levels.

BIHE is one of the leading higher education institutions of Latvia that prepares business specialists, managers and financiers. It is verified by the high student selection competition, as well as by high evaluation provided by employers.

BIHE during 12 years of its operation has occupied a significant place in the higher education system of Latvia. It prepares specialists with broad knowledge in administration studies and economic theory, with in-depth knowledge and professional skills in business, as well as in areas connected with banking and financial sectors.

Mission of the Banking Institution of Higher Education

The Banking Institution of Higher Education is a financially stable higher education institution that functions in the European higher education space. BIHE provides sustainable education for arduous and creative people based on highly skilled and motivated staff, modern technologies and the institution’s prestige in Latvian society.

Objectives of the Banking Institution of Higher Education:

 Prepare academically and professionally educated specialists for Latvia’s economy;  Enhance competitiveness of graduates in the single Latvian and European labour market;  Develop a comprehensively educated and creatively thinking personality;  Ensure BIHE’s qualitative development in the dynamically changing environment.

To meet the needs of the labour market and to further develop the choice of study programmes to be offered, the BIHE Senate at its meeting on 2 July 2004 made a decision to introduce a Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe.

The programme has been developed in compliance with requirements of Latvian higher education legislation and the occupational standard Manager of a company/ institution.

General description of the Master's professional study programme Business Administration in Europe is as follows:

Name of the programme: Business Administration in Europe

Study level: Master of professional studies

Nominal length of studies: 1.5 years for ful-time studies, 60 credits (with professional qualification). 2.5 years for full-time studies, 96 credits (without professional qualification);

Scope of studies: 96 credits (without professional qualification); 60 credits (with professional qualification).

Previous education: Bachelor’s academic degree in the field of social science or exact sciences without professional qualification (length of studies – 2.5 years); Bachelor’s professional degree in the field of economics, finance or management science and/ or a second level higher professional education in the field of economics, finance and management science (length of studies – 1.5 years).

Qualification to be Manager of enterprises and institutions obtained (only for students who acquire the programme at the necessary volume to get a qualification)

Degree to be obtained: Master’s professional degree in administration of enterprises and organizations

At the end of studies students have to write and defend a Master’s Thesis. Students qualifying for a professional qualification, have to write and defend also a Draft Diploma Paper/ Diploma Paper. The total scope of the study programme is 60 credits for students with professional qualification, and 96 credits for students without professional qualification.

Courses of the study programme and their scope in credits is provided in Table 1; the recommended order of study courses – in Table 2.

Table 1.

Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe Division of courses according to semesters and their scope in credits (Senate decision No.1 of 11.01.05)

Credits Form of Study courses assessment 1st sem. 2nd sem. 3rd sem. 4th sem. 5th sem. STUDY COURSES PROVIDING ACQUISITION OF THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SECTOR (COMPULSORY PART) - 20 CREDITS A Financial and managerial accounting in a European environment 2 Examination A Enterprise financial management in a European environment 2 Examination A Risk management 2 Examination A Marketing management 4 Examination A Economics for managers 4 Examination A Management of global strategies 2 Examination A Business legislation 2 Examination A Leadership of organizations in the changing business environment 2 Examination

OPTIONAL COURSES - 6 CREDITS B Knowledge management 4* Examination B Logistics 2* 2** Examination B Enterprise evaluation in a European environment 2* 2** Examination B Corporate social responsibility in a European environment 2* 2** Examination RESEARCH, CREATIVE WORK, PLANNING WORK AND MANAGEMENT STUDY COURSES - 6 CREDITS A Project develeopment and management 2 Examination A Research methods in business 2 Examination A Management of information systems in conditions of change 2 Examination PEDAGOGY AND PSYSCHOLOGY COURSES – 2*** CREDITS B Consumer behaviour 2*** Examination B Intercultural communication 2*** Examination FIELD PRACTICE- 6 CREDITS Field practice 2 4 Defence Field practice 1 20 1 6 1 Defence

GRADUATION PAPERS - 20 CREDITS (30 CREDITS) Master’s Thesis 4 2 16 2 20 1 Defence Draft Diploma Paper/ Diploma Paper* 10 1 Defence

Total: 60 (96) credits

1 Only for Master’s students without a previous professional qualification. 2 Only for Master’s students with a previous professional qualification. * Optional subjects (4 credits) have to be acquired during the second semester. ** Optional subjects subjects (2 credits) have to be acquired during the third semester. *** Optional subjects (2 credits) have to be acquired.

Table 2.

Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe Division of courses according to semesters

Academic year Study courses to be acquired First semester Financial and managerial accounting in a European (compulsory subjects, 18 credits) environment (2 credits) Enterprise financial management in a European environment (2 credits) Marketing management (4 credits) Economics for managers (4 credits) Risk management (2 credits) Research methods in business (2 credits) Management of information systems in conditions of change (2 credits) First semester (optional subjects) First semester (pedagogy and psychology subjects) First semester (field practice, 2 Field practice (2 credits) credits) Second semester (compulsory Project development and management (2 credits) subjects, 8 credits) Management of global strategies (2 credits) Leadership of organizations in the changing business environment (2 credits) Business legislation (2 credits) Second semester (optional subjects, 4 Enterprise evaluation in a European environment (2 credits) credits) Knowledge management (4 credits) Logistics (2 credits) Corporate social responsibility in a European environment (2 credits) Second semester (field practice, 4 Field practice (4 credits) credits) Second semester (4 credits) (for Master’s Thesis (4 credits) Master’s students with professional qualification) Third semester (16 credits) (for Master’s Thesis (16 credits) Master’s students with a previous professional qualification) Third semester (pedagogy and Intercultural communication (2 credits) psychology subjects, 2 credits) Consumer behaviour (2 credits) Third semester (optional subjects, 2 Enterprise evaluation in a European environment (2 credits) credits) Logistics (2 credits) Corporate social responsibility in a European environment (2 credits) Third semester (for Master’s students Field practice (16 credits)

10 Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe without a previous professional qualification) (16 KP) Fourth semester (for Master’s students Field practice (10 credits) without a previous professional Diploma Paper/ Draft Diploma Paper (10 credits) qualification) (20 credits) Fifth semester (20 credits) (for Master’s Thesis (20 credits) Maste’rs students without a previous professional qualification)

The study process consists of lectures, seminars, group works and case studies, field practice, as well as of writing a Master’s Thesis and Diploma Paper/ Draft Diploma Paper.

General structure of the programme (60 credits):

Compulsory study courses 26 credits or 43% Research, creative work, planning work and 8 credits or 13% management science courses, pedagogy/ psychology courses Field practice 6 credits or 10% Master’s Thesis 20 credits or 33% Total 60 credits or 100%

Applicants having earned a Bachelor’s professional degree in the field of economics, finance, management science and/ or having a second level higher professional education in the field of economics, finance and management science have to acquire the study programme through full-time studies during 1.5 years (3 semesters). The planned length of studies for applicants with a Bachelor’s academic degree in the field of social or exact sciences without professional qualification is 2.5 years. These students have to acquire an additional programme in the scope of 36 credits. This additional programme includes field practice in the total of 26 credits, as well as writing a Diploma Paper/ Draft Diploma Paper. Field practice has to be acquired after the theoretical course or simultaneously with studies (in summer) in compliance with the field practice programme and task. Students who have work experience meeting the field practice requirements have to submit and defend their field practice reports.

5 Publicity and informative publications on study opportunities

Public awareness raising and image building of BIHE is a significant trend of its operation. This important work is carried out by the Courses and Advertisement Department established in 2002. The department prepares and distributes publicity materials and other publications by using various communication channels, participates in informative events and thematic exhibitions by providing valuable information on the higher education institution, study opportunities offered by it, topicalities of its operation and other news. The informative material about BIHE, study opportunities offered by it, the admission procedure, schedule, entrance examinations and tuition fee is prepared and published every year. The booklet is published also in English and Russian. A worthy publication Banking Institution of Higher Education: ECTS Guide has been published in English In 2002, on the occasion of BIHE’s tenth anniversary, a richly illustrated book Banking Institution of Higher Education, First Decade was prepared and saw the light. The book contains broad information about the establishment of the higher education institution, its operation, staff and graduates. Stories about BIHE are shown on television programmes, especially on broadcast programmes for a youth audience such as Layrinth and others. A video film Ten Years of the Banking Institution of Higher Education was made, and anniversary events were recorded on video. The institution has stable cooperation with publishers of educational catalogues, therefore information about BIHE can be found in the publications Education Guide, Where to Continue Studies, Higher Education in Latvia and Abroad, etc. Information about BIHE is reflected in the mass media of Latvia on a regular basis. They are articles or broadcasts on current events of the institution, speeches and presentations of its lecturers as experts, as well as advertisements placed by the institution. Our cooperation partners in this regard are all the biggest Latvian and Russian newspapers, magazines Capital and Goal, public radio and TV, as well as commercial electronic media. Press releases prepared by the institution are published on home pages of the news agencies LETA and BNS. Pictures about BIHE are available in the database of a photo news agency AFI. BIHE has its own home page www.ba.lv providing broad information about the institution and its current events. Intranet works in parallel with the Internet. The Students' Council of BIHE has created and maintains its own intranet home page www.basp.lv. BIHE makes use of direct contact opportunities provided by participation in thematic exhibitions, i.e. an annual exhibition School, regional exhibitions, informative events at schools and elsewhere. The BIHE Students’ Council actively assists the administration to implement informative events. A mutual information exchange event Your Carrier Opportunity between students and potential employers is organized together with the student’s self-government on a regular basis. Information days are organized in response to secondary school student’s high interest in BIHE. This event takes place twice during an academic year: at the end of September or beginning of October and during school spring holidays.

6 Perspective evaluation of the study programme from the point of view of national interests

Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe aims at educating enterprise managers and specialists by focusing on international aspects of business administration. It has been foreseen to acquire topical knowledge necessary for enterprise management and development, as well as for the increase of their competitiveness in the dynamically changing market conditions. It is very necessary for managers of Latvia’s enterprises to acquire conclusions of latest management science theories, as well as knowledge and skills. The programme is aimed at entrepreneurs of both small and medium businesses operating in the fields of production and services. The study programme is also aimed at supporting Latvia’s economic progress towards its further integration into the European Union (EU). Approaches of the EU and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) clearly show that a national policy and strategy in the field of innovations is a guarantee and basis for its long-term economic development and society's intellectual growth in order to create an economy which is called the "new economy" or "knowledge economy" in the 21st century.

6.1 Compliance of the study programme with the education and occupational standard

In order to assess compliance of the Master's professional study programme Business Administration in Europe with regulatory enactments of the Republic of Latvia, Table 3 provides comparison of the programme compliance with the Cabinet regulations concerning the state standard of the second level professional higher education (No. 481, 20 November 2001).

Table 3.

Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe Conformity comparison with the Cabinet regulations

Compliance of the Master’s professional Requirements of the Cabinet regulations No study programme Business Administration in 481 Europe

The scope of a Master’s programme is at least 40 The scope of the Master’s programme is 60 credits credits

The total length of studies for acquiring a Master’s 2.5 years – for students with a Bachelor’s degree of professional higher education is at least academic degree in the field of social or exact 5 years sciences without professional qualification; 1.5 years – for students with a Bachelor’s professional degree in the field of economics, finance and management science and/ or 2nd level higher professional qualification in the field of economics, finance and management

science. Study courses ensuring acquisition of latest Acquisition of latest theoretical and practical theoretical and practical achievements of the achiecvements are ensured by courses whose sector and whose scope is at least 7 credits scope is 30 credits

Research work, creative work, planning work and The scope of research work, creative work, management science courses whose scope is at planning work and management science is least 5 credits provided by courses whose scope is at least 8 credits Pedagogy and psychology studies whose scope is The scope of pedagogy and psychology study at least 2 credits courses is 4 credits

Field practice whose scope is at least 6 credits The scope of field practice is 6 credits State examination whose component is writing and The scope of the Master’s Thesis is 20 credits defending a Master’s Thesis or a Diploma Paper (Draft Diploma Paper) and whose scope is at least 20 credits

According to the enrolment requirements of the Bachelor’s professional degree in the field of respective Master’s programme, educatees with economics, finance and management science previously earned professional Bachelor’s degree and/ or the second level higher professional or with professional qualification acquired after qualification in the field of economics, finance graduating from at least a four-year study and management science (length of studies – 1.5 programme can be matriculated for a Master’s years). programme Bachelor’s academic degree in the field of social and exact sciences without professional qualification (length of studies – 2.5 years)

After the acquisition of a Master’s programme a Master’s professional degree in administration professional Master’s degree is awarded in the of enterprises and organizations respective sector, intersector, joint branch or profession

The study programme ensures acquisition of knowledge indicated in the occupational standard of an enterprise and institution manager (Occupational Classifier of the Republic of Latvia, basic group 1, subgroup 12, small group 121, approved on 16 May 2002, order by the Ministry of Education and Science No 283). A summary of the study courses ensuring the respective knowledge is provided in Table 4.

Table 4.

Study courses which ensure knowledge acquisition within the Master's professional study programme Business Administration in Europe in compliance with the occupational standard of an enterprise and institution manager (Occupational Classifier of the Republic of Latvia, basic group 1, subgroup 12, small group 121, approved on 16 May 2002, order by the Ministry of Education and Science No 283)

Knowledge Subject Fundamental functional spheres of business Marketing management Marketing management Consumer behaviour Research methods in business Financial management, Financial and managerial accounting in a European environement financial and managerial Enterprise financial management in a European environment accounting Human resourses Intercultural management management and Leadership of organizations in the changing business environment management psychology, Knowledge management labour legal relations Organization of Risk management production/ services, Project development management logistics, management Management of information systems in the conditions of change information systems, Logistics quality system control, Knowledge management labour protection Business legislation Corporate social responsibility in a European environment Management of information systems in the conditions of change Knowledge that will ensure understanding and acquisition of theoretic economics and management science Economic theory Economics for managers Economically mathematic Economics for managers methods Integrating knowledge and skills Strategic management Management of global strategies

International business Corporate social responsibility in a European environment environment Leadership of organizations in the changing business environment Enterprise evaluation in a European environment General knowledge and skills Foreign languages Foreign languages are acquired during the implementation of all the

courses by reading literature and acquiring information in a foreign language Communication skills Communication skills are acquired through intercultural management, as well as during the implementation of all the courses by carrying out group works, preparing presentations, etc.

After getting acquainted with the names of study courses indicated in the table it can be concluded that the programme ensures acquisition of the knowledge and skills defined in the occupational standard of an enterprise manager.

6.2 Employers’ survey results

The Banking Institution of Higher Education carries out regular surveys of employers and providers of field practice. Employers’ surveys are mainly conducted through applied researches performed by students. The goal of such surveys is to find out whether study curricula and their objectives meet the market requirements and whether graduates will be demanded in the labour market. The survey carried out by BIHE can be divided into two stages: More than 50 enterprises employing BIHE graduates are selected for the survey. The choice of an enterprise is determined by the sector in which the enterprise operates, by its size and development prospects. The survey showed that over the past two years the need for highly qualified specialists with professional higher education has been rapidly increasing. The enterprise survey provided complete information about the professional study programme offered by the institution; entrepreneurs were also asked to express their opinion about the programme. After summarizing and assessing the obtained data, the following conclusions can be made: the offered study programme fully meets the requirements of the current labour market; the programme provides sufficient professional orientation for acquisition of professional qualification; the programme is interesting with regard to the study schedule and its length (employers are satisfied with the chosen study schedule). The survey was carried out on behalf of BIHE. The following largest associations and well- known enterprises of Latvia were asked to evaluate the programme: The Association of Latvia’s Commercial Banks, a stock company Parex Open Pension Fund, the Human Resources Department of the State Revenue Service, the Department of Finance of the Riga City Council, a stock company Data, and a stock company Nord/ LB. After assessing the provided feedback it can be concluded that the key advatange of this programme is the right balance between the programme and professional field practice. Students, the management and administrative staff of BIHE have been acquainted with the provided feedback and results of applied researches.

7 Evaluation of the study programme:

7.1 Objectives and tasks of the study programme:

The implementation objective of the study programme is to ensure, in compliance with the occupational standard Manager of Enterprises and Institutions, scientifically based professional Master’s level studies which would provide a student with the necessary level of knowledge, skills and competence in order to ensure competitiveness of enterprises, independent increase of their value based on the excellence of their operation. When developing the study programme it was assumed that enterprise competitiveness can be ensured by knowledge of enterprise managers and owners about the sources of origin of enterprise competitive advantage and about factors that influence its increase based on the latest theoretic opinions and their effective practical use. The mission of the study programme is to find out and understand these regularities, acquire methods and techniques how to increase the enterprise value based on the operation of excellent enterprises. The following tasks have been set to achieve the programme objective: . ensure the unity of studies in the theoretic, research and professional operation of the field, . offer compulsory study courses, which expand knowledge in the field of management science, provide theoretic and methodological ideas and foresee their practical use, . acquire study courses aimed at the development and improvement of research work, creative work and planning processes, . develop skills to use the knowledge acquired during studies in practical work which can be achieved through practical classes and students’ independent work outside lecture rooms by working according to a specially developed field practice programme, . provide studies with methodological materials and modern infrastructure, . provide practical orientation of study final papers so that students could apply them in their professional work after graduation, . acquire research skills by independent studies of literature, by carrying out researches, by preparing independent papers and by writing the Master’s Thesis.

7.2 Organization and practical implementation of the study programme

Practical implementation of the study programme focuses on group work and the development of various independent papers, their discussion in groups, involvement of Master’s students in BIHE’s research projects, lectures by visiting lecturers, including foreign lecturers, and seminars.

In order to ensure the application of the acquired knowledge in field practice, the field practice objective of the study programme Business Administration in Europe is to enhance strengthening and development of theoretic knowledge, professional skills and abilities, strengthen the acquired knowledge in field practice, study and analyse processes taking place in the economic and financial environment, as well as their development trends.

The scope of field practice of the study programme is 6 credits. The field practice is carried out in compliance with an Agreement on the Provision of Field Practice Placement concluded

17 Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe between BIHE and an employer, and in compliance with a Programme of Field Practice agreed with an employer. During field practice a student has to fulfil the aforementioned programme and has to prepare a field practice report. The report has to be developed according to the Field Practice Guidelines. A field supervisor or another person appointed by an enterprise evaluates the field report and performance of a student according to the 10-point scale: the acquired knowledge and work skills, as well as a student’s attitude to fulfilment of his/ her responsibilities during the placement. The field practice report is checked and assessed by a lecturer appointed by BIHE in accordance with the requirements set by the Study Department. The final evaluation of field practice consists of:  field supervisor’s assessment,  field practice report assessment,  presentation of the field practice report. Students will improve their practical skills also during classes by developing individual and group projects and papers. It has been foreseen to present results of group projects to the audience, and both the audience and the lecturer will provide their assessment. Case studies will be widely used during the learning process. It has been planned to utilize both case studies of world leading business schools and of local enterprises. In addition to the aforementioned projects, which are implemented in the framework of individual courses, students will write a Master's Thesis at the end of the study programme. The Master’s Thesis reflects a student’s abilities to integrate and use the knowledge acquired during the study programme from the academic and professional point of view. The objectives of writing a Master’s Thesis are:  demonstrate an ability to make use of the concepts, methods, analytical work skills acquired during the course of the programme in the framework of the specific theme chosen by a student;  demonstrate an ability to identify enterprise management problems and find solutions to these problems;  demonstrate an ability to systematically and structurally develop and present publicly a Master’s Thesis; The Master’s Thesis Defence Committee will consist of leading specialists of national and international enterprises. Most of the solutions to problems suggested by students in their Master’s Theses will be implemented by enterprises.

7.3 Practical implementation of the study programme

When registering for the Master’s programme studies, each student receives the study plan of the respective academic year, methodological recommendations for acquisition of the study course, including requirements of the study course, the curriculum and tasks for independent work.

The study course consists of lectures, seminars, practical work, consultations, independent work, as well as of tests/ examinations according to the curriculum. 35% of the total scope of the study course is foreseen for practical work. Knowledge checks (tests, reports, presentations, etc.) have been foreseen for each study course, as well as the final examination. All types of checks determine the final grade. The Master’s Thesis Defence Committee will be represented by employers and lecturers from other higher education institutions of Latvia. Members of the Committee will be approved by the Senate. Successful graduates of the Master's professional study programme can continue their education in a doctoral programme.

7.4 Assessment system

BIHE applies the following basic principles of assessment:

 the principle of aggregating positive achievements – the acquired knowledge is assessed by aggregating positive achievements;  the compulsory principle of assessment – it is necessary to get positive assessment for the acquisition of the programme main components;  the principle of requirement transparency and clarity – a set of basic requirements has been established for assessment of the acquired education in conformity with the programme objectives and tasks;  the assessment conformity principle – during a test/ examination a student has an opportunity to prove his/ her analytical and creative abilities, knowledge and skills through tasks and cases according to the respective acquisition levels. The scope of tests/ examinations corresponds to the course curriculum and the knowledge and skills requirements set by the occupational standard.

Students’ achievements, in compliance with order No 208 of 14 April 1998 by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia, are assessed in the 10-point system and according to the assessment criteria adapted to the requirements of BIHE. The lowest positive assessment is 4 points (nearly middling). In order to use the assessment system of the 6-level (A, B, C, D, E, F) scale in the framework of international cooperation, the procedure of comparison of the two assessment systems is used. Students have to take a test or examination after the acquisition of each study course. The type (oral, written or mixed) of the respective test/ examination is determined by a lecturer. The final evaluation on the acquisition of the study course may include the assessment of a student's work during the period of the study course, e.g.:

 participation and work quality at lectures, seminars and workshops,  test results,  results of independent home assignments,  assessment of a test or examination.

A student’s independent written work can be: an assignment, report, problem research, analysis of a publication, summary and evaluation of data, etc.

Examination requirements are approved by the head of the respective department.

If the programme has been successfully acquired and the state examination has been positively assessed, a student is awarded a professional Master’s degree in enterprise and institution administration.

7.5 Students 7.5.1 Number of students in the programme

62 students were matriculated for the Master's professional study programme in 2004/ 2005. Studies commenced on 7 February 2005. 7.5.2 Number of matriculated first-year students

Since the professional Master’s programme commenced on 7 February 2005, currently the number of students is the same as the number of first-year students. It has been planned to matriculate 35 students on the list of first-year students in the academic year 2005/2006. 7.5.3 Number of graduates

55 students will graduate from the professional higher education Master’s study programme in the academic year 2005/2006. 7.5.4 Student surveys and their analysis

BIHE has a good tradition of professional cooperation between the academic staff and students during the study process, in extracurricular work, in sports, social life and other areas. In order to make this cooperation more constructive student surveys are carried out as a means of information exchange. Surveys enhance cooperation and allow to timely detect issues to be focused on during the study process. Surveys are conducted on a regular basis every academic year – during the second semester or at the end of the academic year on the following themes: 1. Education quality and study problems at BIHE – organized by the students’ self- government and the management of the higher education institution. 2. Students’ satisfaction with studies and current issues of the students’ self-government – organized by the Students’ Council of BIHE. 3. BIHE’s contribution to education and the labour market – organized by academic staff in cooperation with students within the framework of applied researches.

Academic staff asks students to fill in questionnaires at the end of the respective study course in order to have feedback on: 1. students’ attitude and self-assessment during the study course, 2. understanding of the acquired material, style and quality of its presentation, 3. comprehensibility of handouts and their compliance with a theme.

Questionnaires are usually used for such surveys. Processing of self-assessment questionnaires was carried out by using information technologies, therefore summarized information contained in questionnaires can be found in an electronic format.

Out of 12 questions included in the general part of questionnaire students, on average, give the highest rates to quality of premises, followed by technical provision and students’ mutual

20 Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe relations. The lowest ranking was given to the organization of field practice and schedule of classes; part-time students gave lowest ranking also to the attitude of the administration.

Completely different opinions were expressed when assessing work of individual lecturers. An overall summary of these opinions would be too general and in concrete. Heads of departments together with individual lecturers analyze his/ her work assessment in order to improve work quality.

It has been planned to carry out a students’ survey at the end of each study course also for the professional study programme Business Administration in Europe.

7.5.5 Graduate surveys and their analysis

BIHE has a good tradition of cooperation with its graduates, including graduate surveys, to improve the study process and enhance quality of studies. The results obtained are used for preparing a self-assessment report and for improvement of study work. Graduates are used to participating in surveys since their own student days, therefore their answers are open and honest, and their proposals – considerable and objective. 98% of graduates answer to all phone survey questions; 39% of graduates fill in questionnaires sent to them by e-mail or by mail. Graduates support surveys carried out by BIHE and other higher education institutions (e.g., Riga Technical University, Riga Business Institute, Riga School of Economics, etc.) on their place in the labour market.

Insight into the information provided by the surveyed BIHE graduates: no one of those surveyed who currently do not work, mentioned that he/ she has not been able to find his/ her place in the labour market. Graduates continue their studies or they are housewives and bring up children. A large part of graduates work in the private sector as entrepreneurs, project managers, chief accountants, accountants, human resources managers; at banks (Hansabank, Unibank of Latvia, Mortgage and Land Bank, Parex Bank, etc.) as securities specialists, loan specialists, administrators, analysts, account operators, client service specialists, heads and deputy heads of branches, heads of settlements groups, specialists of transaction provision divisions, heads of deposit divisions, head of product sale division, head of personnel department, assistant to the director, lawyer, clerk; at auditing firms (Ernst&Young, Deloit Touch, Visa Vērte, etc.) as auditor, accountant, seniot tax inspector, deputy director; at the State Revenue Service as tax inspectors, senior tax inspectors, heads of tax collection divisions, tax specialists, executive directors. Other occupations mentioned: an expert at the Competitiveness Council, studies in other study programmes or Master’s programmes, a lecturer at a college, a housewife.

The question about remuneration was answered by 18 graduates. The lowest mentioned salary is Ls 260 per month, the highest – Ls 1,500. The most often mentioned salaries by graduates are Ls 300 or Ls 500 per month.

Graduates gladly express their opinion about their student years, and most of the answers are very positive. The majority of graduates are positive about BIHE’s activities to enhance cooperation with graduates. They: - would willingly continue cooperation with BIHE, - would willingly receive information about news, - agree to provide information on their career on a regular basis.

- Students of the higher professional education Master's studies programme Business Administration in Europe will be surveyed during the second semester of the academic year 2004/2005.

At the initiative of graduates, a BIHE Graduate Association will be established in February 2005. Thus cooperation with the administration and academic personnel will become more constructive and productive.

7.5.6 Students’ participation in the improvement of the study process

Bylaws of BIHE provide students’ participation in collegiate decision making institutions – the Assembly and Senate of BIHE. Thus students’ activities can be ensured regarding all issues related to the content of the study process, its organization and extracurricular work.

BIHE students have an opportunity to participate in the improvement of the study process:

1. BIHE has the Students’ self-government which can express and defend students’ point of view at the Senate and Assembly meetings. BIHE’s Students’ Council represents BIHE’s students’ interests in all bodies of the higher education institution and in state institutions. 2. Students take active part in surveys organized by BIHE and the students’ self-government. Surveys are conducted on a regular basis – during the second semester of an academic year. 3. Students have an opportunity to meet the management, administration and heads of departments. Heads of groups and students’ self-government meet the administration to address day-to-day issues. Information about students’ activities is received by an executive methodologist of the Students’ Information Centre and by an organizer of extracurricular work. 4. BIHE supports students’ initiative and their ability to organize events. When organizing a project competition Innovations for the Development of Sectors of National Economy for students of higher education institutions, BIHE’s students attracted supporters: the Mortgage and Land Bank, Latvia’s Technology Centre and a consultancy firm Konsorts Ltd. 5. Following students’ initiative, ministers, politicians, entrepreneurs, managers and leading specialists of banks, auditing firms and enterprises are invited to BIHE to have discussions with students and the academic staff on topical for Latvia economic issues in the context of globalization.

Mutual relations between BIHE's academic staff and students are characterized by: mutual trust, democracy, openness, mutual respect, artlessness and honesty. Such relations promote understanding, adequate perception of knowledge, as well as the ability to use the acquired knowledge.

7.6 Staff involved in the implementation of the study programme and the academic staff employed in structural units

7.6.1 BIHE has the number of academic staff necessary for ensuring the implementation of the planned study programme (see Table 5)

The basic principle of planning load for the academic staff is to make use of BIHE’s professors, associate professors, assistant professors and lecturers-practitioners who have proved themselves in practical work and who know lecturer’s working methods. Table 5. BIHE’s academic staff (number of people)

Status of academic staff Involved in the Total implementation of the study programme Business Administration in Europe 1. Full-time academic staff 11 42 2. Part-time academic staff 7 40

More than 85% of the planned study programme is fulfilled by full-time academic staff (see Table 6). 20% of full-time academic staff has a doctor’s degree. Four professors and associate professors, as well as eight assistant professors participate in the implementation of the study programme Business Administration in Europe.

Table 6. Provision of the academic staff for the Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe STUDY COURSES First name, Academic Full-time surname Scientific/acad position lecturer/ visiting

emic degree (BIHE) lecturer Financial and managerial accounting in a European Mag. oec. lecturer A Gunta Innuse BIHE environment A Enterprise financial management in a European Mag.oec. assistant BIHE Inese Mavļutova environment professor A visiting assistant Risk management Andris Rozentāls Mag.s.c professor A Mag. oec. assistant BIHE Marketing management Andra Briģe professor A Kristaps Lešinskis Mag. oec. assistant BIHE Economics for managers professor A Management of global strategies Tatjana Volkova Dr.oec. professor BIHE A assistant BIHE Business legislation Sniedze Šreibere - professor A BIHE Mag.paed Assistant Gita Vērdiņa Leadership of organizations in the changing business professor environment Brigita Baltača Mag.soc.zin. visiting assistant professor visiting assistant B Knowledge manegement Jānis Briedis Mag.oec professor B Nikolajs Dr.hab. professor visiting professor Logistics Sprancmanis B Enterprise evaluation in a European environment Andris Deniņš Dr.oec. professor visiting professor B Corporate social responsibility in a European lecturer BIHE Jānis Strautmanis environment - assistant BIHE A Project development and management Gita Vērdiņa Mag.paed. professor visiting assistant A Research methods in business Inga Pučure Mag. oec. professor visiting assistant Management of information systems in conditions of Tatjana A Mag. oec. professor change Tambovceva comp Andra Brige Mag.oec. assistant BIHE B Consumer behaviour professor Valda Gavare, Mag.philol. assistant BIHE professor B Intercultural communication Sandra Kraže Dr. phil. associate BIHE professor

7.6.2 Qualification of the academic staff

Qualification of BIHE’s academic staff is increasing. It is also proved by the fact that 47% of BIHE’s lecturers without a doctor’s degree are acquiring doctoral programmes and research topical economic and education problems.

Basic directions of researches carrried out by BIHE's lecturers over the past years are conncted with the following themes: Main Conditions for the Development of Higher Professional Economic Education and Enterprise (Organization) Competitiveness and Quality Control Systems. Lecturers also carry out researches whose themes are connected with the respective study courses; results of these researches are regularly published both in Latvia and abroad. Academic further education in 2002-2004 of the academic staff involved in the Master’s programme is described in Table 7.

Table 7. Academic further education of BIHE’s academic staff Academic year 2003/2004

N Surname, first Type of further education Theme of the doctor’s dissertation No name . 1 Strautmanis Doctoral programme, Formation of a manager’s . Jānis University of Latvia social responsibility in the organization’s cultural (2001-2005) environment 2 Briģe Andra Doctoral programme, CRM implementation . University of Latvia problems in commercial banks of Latvia (2001-2005) 3 Šreibere Doctoral programme, Autonomy and centralization . Sniedze University of Latvia of higher education institutions (2003-2007) 4 Vērdiņa Doctoral programme, Self-assessment of a higher . Gita University of Latvia education institution as a quality ensuring instrument (1999-2004) of higher professional education 5 Innuse Doctoral programme, Cost management in the . Gunta University of Latvia health care system of the (2004 -2008) Republic of Latvia

International scientific conferences are organized in the framework of BIHE’s research work on a regular basis. In February 1999 an international conference Professional Economic Education: Problems and Solutions took place; in October 2000 – Competitiveness and Quality Control Problems, but in October 2001 – Educated Society and the New Economy in Qualitative Interaction. On 12 and 13 September 2002 – Qualitative Growth of Higher Education Institutions and Its Impact on the Development Economy and Science. In September 2003 – Preconditions of Sustainable Development: New Challenges and Perspectives. In October 2004 - an international conference Knowledge Society and the Implementation of the Lisbon Strategy in Latvia and Europe. Conference reports are regularly published in compilations.

Creative and scientific biographies of the academic staff can be found in annexes; information on their participation in conferences and seminars, on research directions, on academic further education in 2002– 2004, and a list of publications in 1999– 2004 is also available in annexes.

7.6.3 Academic staff selection, renewal and training policy

Academic positions at BIHE are elected offices in compliance with legislation of the Republic of Latvia and BIHE’s Regulation on Academic Positions. The Regulation contains lecturers’ qualification and conformity criteria in compliance with Articles 32, 36 and 39 of the Law on Higher Education Institutions. Lecturers have actively improved their qualification by attending various seminars, courses and conferences both in Latvia and other countries; they have participated in European-scale lecturers’ mobility activities.

BIHE provided an opportunity for all lecturers to attend professional training courses, financed by the higher education institution (in compliance with provisions of the Cabinet Regulations No 33 of 3 October 2003 Regulations on Requirements Regarding Education and Professional Qualification Necessary for Pedagogues). Courses were attended by 31 lecturers who received a respective certificate. Thus, as of the academic year 2004/05, all BIHE’s full- time lecturers fulfil requirements of the aforementioned regulations. 80 % of lecturers have participated in various conferences in Latvia and other countries both as presenters and listeners. The fifth annual international conference Preconditions for Sustainable Development: New Challenges and Perspectives organized by BIHE was very well attended. 34 articles have been published in different compilations of scientific writings. Two textbooks have been published – Business Risks and Their Management by G. Petere and I. Voronova, and Business Marketing by A.Briģe. Almost all lecturers have participated in seminars and courses according to their respective study courses both in Latvia and abroad; they have visited Western European countries, Lithuania, Belarus and Uzbekistan to exchange experience.

During the reporting year BIHE is focusing on addressing human resources management issues. A personnel policy strategy and personnel management system will be gradually developed.

The necessary information has been gathered to create databases about lecturers’ participation in further education events (seminars, courses, conferences), about publications, researches, social activity, etc. This information will be used to plan further development of staff. Drafts of various organizational documents (e.g. on elections of the academic and administrative staff, on responsibilities of lecturers, etc.) have been prepared, an assessment system is being created, many job descriptions have been developed or updated.

A new remuneration system, based on equality and transparency principles, has been developed for the academic staff. New tariffication development principles have been created. In the academic year 2003/2004 a staff satisfaction survey was carried out for the first time.

7.7 Sources of funding and provision of infrastructure

7.7.1 Sources of funding

The Banking Institution of Higher Education is a state-founded education institution functioning on a self-financing principle, and its structure of financial resources is determined by the Senate. – for a full-time professional higher education Master’s study programme Business Administration: – with professional qualification (length of studies 1.5 years) Ls 1,800; – without professional qualification (length of studies 2 years) Ls 2,100; The policy of tuition fees is connected with the basic activity of BIHE – organization of the study process and with an additional activity – rental of premises in the building in Valdemāra iela 161. Studies provide students with qualification and knowledge which can be considered as a special form of students’ intellectual property, and costs - as a special personified capital – investment in human development.

The following study financing forms are available for students:  funding provided by students' employers;  students’personal means;  study loan.

Tuition fees can be paid four times a year. Thus in case of termination of studies, students would have paid only for the actual study process.

Students can make use of study and students’ loans in compliance with the procedure determined by the Cabinet.

BIHE’s financial resources (according to the actual data of 2004) consist of:  revenue from tuition fees 91.98%  revenue from rental of premises 3.92%  funding from international programmes -  other income provided by law 4.10% BIHE’s Auditing Commission checks the budget utilization. BIHE’s structural units and support staff involved in the implementation of the study programme

All structural units of the higher education institution are involved in ensuring the study process; their establishment is determined by the Senate. The structural units are as follows: 1. Students’ Information Centre 2. Carreer Centre 3. Library 4. Methodology Department 5. Study Department 6. Economy Department 7. Financial Department 8. Business Department 9. Foreign Languages Department 10. International Relations and Project Department 11. Administrative Department

12. Bookkeeping Office 13. Maintenance and Procurement Department

BIHE employs 125 staff members; 42 out of them constitute the academic staff.

The programme implementation will be lead by the programme director. It has not been foreseen to attract additional support personnel for the programme implementation; the current BIHE staff will fulfil the functions necessary for the study process support. 7.7.2 Provision of infrastructure

7.7.2.1 Library

The purpose of the library is to ensure BIHE’s study process and scientific activity, as well as to provide library, bibliographic informative and copying services to students, lecturers and other visitors.

Components of the library are: book storage, acquisition, cataloguing, library loan; one reading room is located in BIHE’s administrative building in K.Valdemāra iela 1b, the other one - in K.Valdemāra iela 161.

In order to ensure students with independent work opportunities, the library offers laws of the Republic of Latvia and other regulatory documents, monographs, reference literature, statistical data, Internet resources and other materials and services. BIHE’s library has more than 13,000 bibliographic items. A reading room is equipped with computers providing access to information contained by BIHE and Internet library catalogues. The library regularly receives periodicals published in Latvia and abroad. Ten different newspapers are available in the reading room (Diena, Dienas Bizness, Latvijas Vēstnesis, Izglītība un Kultūra, etc.) and 22 different magazines (Latvijas Ekonomists, Kapitāls, Biznesa Partneri, Grāmatvedība un Revīzija, Bilance, Mērķis, etc.), as well as statistical digests (Ziņojums par Latvijas tautsaimniecības attīstību, Latvijas makroekonomiskie rādītāji, Uzņēmējdarbības finansiālie rādītāji, etc.) and reference publications. The following foreign periodicals are subscribed: The Economist, Focus and Деньги. The book stock has been tailored to BIHE’s specialization and is constantly stocked up. Very wide choice of literature is available on banking, finance and entrepreneurship related issues. Over the past five years the library stock has been supplemented by more than 1,586 fifferent books (almost 9,500 copies). The library subscribes to the following electronic data bases: NAIS, LETA, BNS, LURSOFT (news subscriptions), EBSCO (full texts of 4,500 magazines), Dienas Bizness (archive), Latvijas Vēstnesis (archive). The library has an electronic catalogue designed in the integrated library system ALISE providing search according to different parameters. The library catalogue is also available on the Internet. All library processes – acquisition, customers service, reporting and reference system development is carried out through the system ALISE. The reading room in K.Valdemāra iela 161 provides distant access to the system ALISE. The latest information in the field of libraries, as well as different foreign data bases for trial are provided by a state agency Culture Information Systems.

BIHE’s library has close cooperation with the Bank of Latvia library which provides BIHE’s library with publications by the Bank of Latvia and other informative materials. Another important cooperation partner is the Information Centre of the Central Statistical Bureau. As of September 2002, BIHE’s library is a member of the Association of Latvian Academic Libraries. Participation in the association ensures cooperation with libraries of other higher education institutions and obtaining information about current events of the sector. A modern reading room in K.Valdemāra iela 161 was established and opened on 1 September 2004. It is equipped with 12 computers with Internet access, and provides printing and copying possibilities. Books, statistical materials and press are available for work in the reading room. Laptops are also available, however, taking into account the large number of students, the number of laptops is insufficient to meet the needs.

7.7.2.2 Premises

The study process and commercial activity of BIHE takes palce in two buildings: * K.Valdemāra iela 1b; * K.Valdemāra iela 161. The premises in K.Valdemāra iela 1b (total area 1,677 m2) are rented from the Bank of Latvia. Nine lecture rooms with 355 seats for students with the total area of 405 m2 are located in this building.

The Ministry of Education and Science has handed over the building in K.Valdemāra iela 161 to BIHE’s administration. The total area of the building is 6,481 m2; students’ hotel occupies 2,796 m2 (261 beds). There are also 21 lecture rooms with the total area of 1356 m2 and 1,180 seats in the building. In 2004 two new lecture rooms with 72 seats were opened. Brand new tables and chairs both for students and lecturers were purchased for all lecture rooms which are equipped with modern technical aids – overhead projectors, white boards; there is an opportunity to use a TV set, video player, video camera and multimedia projector. Several lecture rooms have Internet connection. Copying services are provided in both buildings.

All BIHE students have an opportunity to use the rented sports hall in K.Valdemāra iela 163 and body-building room in K.Valdemāra iela 161.

Cafes in both buildings are at disposal of students and lecturers.

7.7.2.3 Information technologies

BIHE uses the opportunities provided by computers to improve the study process and professional development. In 2000 and 2001 two modern computer rooms with 34 workstations were set up (each room was equipped with latest generation computers Compaq or HP with Windows'2000 operating system). Students’ workstations meet ergonomic requirements; it is easy to ensure contact between students and a lecturer during a class. Each computer room is equipped with a high-powered multimedia projector for work with visual information during lectures. In 2003 one more modern computer room with 34 workstations was set up.

Workstations are provided with the latest business software to train students in line with the quality requirements of the modern labour market. In addition to the regular office programmes – Ms Word XP, Ms Excel XP, etc. – workstations are equipped with specialized software for designing home pages, for project management, processing of graphic information, drawing business charts, development of data bases, acquisition of the basics of programming, translation and archiving of information. A powerful scanner is available for students for scanning graphic information, as well as specialized software for recognition of scanned text. Each student during the period of his/ her studies is registered as a user in the BIHE computer network. Students have an opportunity to get acquainted with additional learning materials, get detailed information on the study course programme, safely save information in a personal or public catalogue of the file server and access it from any computer connected to the BIHE network. Each student has his/ her own e-mail address and access to the Internet. The computer network is operating on the basis of Alcatel category 5 Fast Ethernet network which has optical connection to the Internet. The network has several high-power Hewlett Packard servers with Windows'2003 server software. All software used in the computer network is licensed, all workstations have access to high-power black-and-white and colour printers. A colour laser printer is available as of 2003. During their leisure time students can go to a computer room designated for independent work to prepare and print out reports, course papers and other materials related to the study process. Workstations of free access computer rooms are connected to the Internet to provide students and lecturers with an opportunity to get additional information from the global web. Both study computer rooms and the free access computer room are located in the building in K.Valdemāra 161. In 2003 BIHE designed a new public home page (providing general information on BIHE) and an internal (intranet) home page. Both home pages are located on BIHE’s servers; they are updated and supplemented on a regular basis. Due to the fact that the scope of information and communication intensity continue growing, and globalization of economy is becoming stronger, BIHE like many other organizations in Latvia and worldwide wants to have a qualitative information system to accelerate information exchange, ensure effective working conditions and operative approach to information and its processing.

In spring 2004 gradual introduction of BAIS modules developed by a BIHE informative system development group started. Currently the following registers and software have been developed and used:  BIHE academic and administrative staff register with tools for its maintenance,  BIHE students register with tools for its maintenance,  study courses register,  study programme register, including licensed, accredited and study programmes topical for the specific academic year,  student admission module,  software for preparing various statistical reports,  register of orders regarding students’ flow and tools for its maintenance,  issuing of various standardized certificates, e.g. about studies at BIHE,  planning module of classes, including planning of classes for a semester, their management, printout of different reports, posting on BAIS home page, etc.

From September 2004 students, lecturers and staff can access BIHE informative system home page https://bais.ba.lv which is constantly upgraded and supplemented.

Currently a student can find out the following information:  schedule of his/ her classes and topical changes to it,  schedules of classes of other academic groups,  schedules of lecturers classes,  his/ her session schedule (tests, examinations, consultations),  his/ her study schedule (i.e., classes, sessions, holidays, field practice, etc. during the respective academic year),  his/ her personal data (in case of necessity it is possible to send a request to change the contact information),  lists of lecturers' consultations,  lists of academic groups,  documents related to students’ life, which are not foreseen for posting on the web site for public access. During 2005 it has been planned to post information regarding:  student’s progress (results of tests, examinations),  student’s financial responsibility (tuition fees – deadlines, amounts, debts, payments for repeated tests/ examinations, library commitments, etc.). Lecturers and staff members are offered a bit different information:  schedules of their classes and topical changes to them,  other lecturers’ schedules of classes,  schedules of classes of academic groups,  list of tests, examinations and consultations regarding the study courses taught,  schedules of studies,  lists of academic groups,  lists of lecturers’ consultations,  their personal data (in case of necessity it is possible to send a request to change the contact information).

Lecturers have an opportunity to place materials of their study courses (presentations, study literature and descriptions of study courses) in the informative system. All the information posted on BAIS home page can be accessed only by authorized users of the system, and it is enciphered by using 128 bit SSL encryption technologies providing a safe communication channel, without any information leak, between the system end-user and BIHE.

Computers and software are continuously upgraded; in 2004 new computers and server equipment were purchased. Thus the equipment bought several years ago was changed and the number of workstations for the academic staff was increased.

7.8 Foreign relations

7.8.1 Cooperation with employers

BIHE has established a lasting cooperation with professional organizations, associations, graduates in Latvia and abroad. Permanent cooperation partners regarding field practice are: the State Control, Lattelekom, Latvian Gas, Latvenergo, LMT, stock company Kolonna, Columbus IT partneri Ltd, stock company Riga International Bus Station, Augstceltne – būve Ltd, Latvia’s Post Office, State Revenue Service and its territorial institutions, Riga Customs Regional Office of the State Revenue Service, stock company Hansabank, stock company Latvia’s Unibank, stock company Latvia’s Savings Bank, stock company Latvia’s Mortgage and Land Bank, stock company Nord LB, stock company Baltic Transit Bank, stock company Western Bank. These institutions and companies provide most of placements. BIHE has also other cooperation partners among institutions and enterprises. A student can also choose his/ her own work place for field practice. Since the academic year 2002/2003 BIHE concludes long-term cooperation agreements with enterprises on the provision of placements.

7.8.2 Cooperation with similar programmes in Latvia and abroad

BIHE is a member of the Central and East European Management Development Association (CEEMAN). This association unites higher education institutions and organizations in 41 countries by establishing a network with 150 participants of the association. It organizes annual seminars and conferences on quality, accreditation and research issues related to entrepreneurship, business environment and economy, especially in developing countries.

BIHE in cooperation with six foreign higher education institutions is a founder of the Baltic Management Development Association (BMDA). The objective of the association is to enhance management as science and profession. BIHE takes active part in the organization of annual conferences. The association prepares an international journal for publication; BIHE is represented at its editorial board.

PRIME-Networking (Professional Inter-University Management for Educational Networking) Association is one of the largest partnership and cooperation networks in Europe, and it unites one professional higher education institution from 14 countries. They jointly develop various international projects. The purpose of PRIME-Networking is to promote the development of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study programmes, enhance exchange of research works and exchange of lecturers’ experience. BIHE is represented at the PRIME-Networking Board and participates at PRIME-Networking activity by promoting research work in the EU context.

BIHE is a Board member of the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE), and takes active part in international conferences and exchange of experience on professional higher education issues, as well as participates in conferences on higher education in Europe organized by the European University Association (EUA).

In 2003 BIHE became a member of an international association of higher education institutions SPACE. Within the framework of the association BIHE students have new possibilities to acquire a course European Studies, as well as to master additional skills by acquiring courses developed within the SPACE network and by taking international examinations in business studies and foreign languages.

Evaluation of the study programme from the point of view of international recognition and compliance with regulatory enactments

In order to evaluate the programme from the point of view of international recognition, it has been compared with results3 of the study organized by the EMBA (Executive MBA) Council, with the Master’s study programme of the Sloan Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as with the Master of Business Administration programme of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

Comparison with the study carried out by the EMBA Council shows that nine courses contained by the Master’s study programme Business Administration in Europe are among the most widely taught ones (table 9). 97 universities and business schools worldwide participated in this study. Table 8.

Comparison of study courses of the Master’s study programme Business Administration in Europe with the study carried out by the EMBA Council Proportion of education The respective course of the Master’s institutions (%), where Courses study programme Business the respective course is Administration in Europe taught4 Marketing 100 Marketing management Organization behaviour 99 Leadership of organizations in the changing business environment Managerial Accounting 99 Financial and managerial accounting in a European environment Policy 97 Management of global strategies Finance 97 Enterprise budget and financing OPS 96 Knowledge management Project development and management Logistics International business 93 Intercultural management Corporate social responsibility in a European environment Information systems 75 Management of information systems in changing conditions

3 According to the curriculum and target audience the Master’s study programme complies with the main characteristics of a business administration programme

4 Data from the Benchmarking EMBA Programs study (www.emba.org)

The international MBA programme jointly implemented by the CMC Graduate School of Business (the Czech Republic) and DePaul University (USA) is similar regarding its length (18 months). Study courses according to their content are similar with the Master's study programme Business Administration in Europe study courses. Their comparison is summarized in Table 10.

Table 9.

Comparison of the international MBA programme jointly implemented by the CMC Graduate School of Business (the Czech Republic) and DePaul University (USA) with the Master’s study programme Business Administration in Europe

Courses of the Master’s study Courses of the international MBA programme5 at programme Business the CMC Graduate School of Business (the Czech Administration in Europe Republic) and DePaul University (USA) Financial and managerial accounting Financial accounting in a European environment Managerial accounting for decision making Special topics in corporate finance

Enterprise budget and financing in a Money and financial systems European environment Investment analysis Financial management Risk management Business conditions analysis

Management economics Economics for decision making

Research methodology Research methods in business Knowledge management Enterprise evaluation in a European Global economy environment Project development and management Project management Consumers behaviour Marketing management International marketing Decisions in marketing management Management of global strategies Strategic analysis for competing globally Leadership of organizations in the Strategic management of human resources changing business environment Behaviour in organizations

Management of information systems Management of information technology in conditions of change Logistics Managing operations for competitive advantage

Corporate social responsibility in a Legal and ethical environment European environment Intercultural management Legal and ethical environment Field practice - Master’s Thesis -

Table 10

5 www.cmc.cz

Comparison of the study program Business Administration in Europe offered by BIHE with Accredited MBA Program offered by RTU Riga Business School (RBS)

BIHE Study Course CP Similar RTU RBS Study Course CP STUDY COURSES PROVIDING ACQUISITION OF THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SECTOR (COMPULSORY PART) - 20 CREDITS Financial and Managerial Accounting in a Financial and Managerial A 2 4 European Environment Accounting Enterprise Financial Management in a Financial Management A 2 4 European Environment A Risk Management 2 - - A Marketing Management 4 Marketing management 4 A Economics for Managers 4 Economics for managers 4 A Management of Global Strategies 2 Startegic Management 4 A Business Legislation 2 Business Law 4 Leadership of Organizations in the 2 Human Resource Management A 4 Changing Business Environment OPTIONAL COURSES - 6 CREDITS B Knowledge Management 4 Knowledge Management 4 B Logistics 2 Logistics 4 B Enterprise Evaluation in a European 2 - - Environment B Corporate Social Responsibility in a 2 Business Ethics 4 European Environment RESEARCH, CREATIVE WORK, PLANNING WORK AND MANAGEMENT STUDY COURSES - 6 CREDITS A Project Development and Management 2 Project and Management 4 A Research Methods in Business 2 - Management of Information Systems in Management Information Systems A 2 4 Conditions of Change PEDAGOGY AND PSYSCHOLOGY COURSES – 2 CREDITS B Consumer Behaviour 2 Consumer Behavior 4 B Intercultural Communication 2 Organizational Behavior 4 FIELD PRACTICE- 6 CREDITS Field Practice 6 - - GRADUATION PAPERS - 20 CREDITS Master’s Thesis 20 Master’s Thesis 20

Comparison of two study programs - Business Administration in Europe offered by BIHE and accredited MBA Program offered by RTU Riga Business School is presented in table 10 Both study programs are similar from structure; however there are differences in number of credit points for particular subjects. BIHE pays particular attention to the research

issues, providing study course Research Methods in Business. Sush course is not offered by RBS. According to the latest changes in legislation, BIHE provides Field Practice of 6 CP. Both programs require Master Thesis of 20 CP. The total amount of credits in BIHE study program is 60 CP, while 80 CP in RBS. In addition, BIHE requires taking additional study courses for students without previous professional qualification.

7.8.1 Academic staff who have worked at foreign education instituions and who have carried out scientific or research work abroad

BIHE’s academic staff follows the latest trends in higher education in the specific study directions by actively participating at international conferences and seminars. Over the past years lecturers have presented their reports, have lectured and facilitated classes, have improved their professional qualification by attending courses and seminars in Denmark, Luxemburg, Great Britain, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Greece Portugal, Spain, Belarus, Hungary, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa and other countries. During the academic year 2004/2005, BIHE’s lecturers implementing the Master’s study programme have been involved in international and national researches.

Lecturers have participated in the study Transition Process of the New EU Memberstates and Impact of the Accession to EU Economy, financed by the Japanese Ministry of Education and Science, 2003 – 2005 (prof. T. Volkova, assistant prof. S. Šreibere, asoc. prof. I. Brīvers).

Latvia’s participation in the European knowledge society: the new choices of entrepreneurship and employment in the implementation of the Lisbon strategy // Interdisciplinary study using foresight methods. LZP No 04.1096, 2004 - prof. T. Volkova. 8 Study programme development plan

1. Enhance improvement of the study programme in line with the labour market requirements and findings, and requirements of the new theories of management science.

2. Organize students’ research conferences on topical business administration issues.

3. Promote international cooperation with Shefield University in Great Britain and other higher education institutions implementing similar programmes.

4. Foster visiting lectures by heads of leading enterprises for Master's students.

5. Organize methodological seminars for the academic staff on the latest findings in theory and practice of management science.

6. Develop and publish methodological materials of study courses.

Annexes

Annex 1 Resumes of faculty creative and scientific activities

February 2, 2005

Name, surname Brigita Baltača

Date of birth October 7, 1957

Education Since 2000 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics, doctoral program 1997 – 2000 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics, degree of MPA 1975 – 1981 State University of Latvia, Faculty of Foreign Languages, qualification obtained: philologist, teacher

Work experience Since 2002 Mortgage and Land Bank of Latvia, Leading Analyst of Project Development and Management Department Since 1999 Guest lecturer at Banking Institution of Higher Education 2002 – 2003 Riga Business School, Director of MBA Program 1998 – 2002 Development international Desjardins, Manager of CU Strengthening project in Latvia/Executive Director of Latvian Cooperative Credit Union Association (LKKSS) 1995 – 1998 World Council of Credit Unions project in Latvia, Training Officer 1991 – 1994 Lielvarde High School, Teacher of English

Pedagogic activities, Leadership in the changing business environment courses Credit Unions As A Part of Financial Market

Publications 15

Further education German Co-operative and Raiffeisen Confederation, Germany, 2004 Community Foundations, Czech Republic, 2003 DID Marketing Seminar, Russia, 2001 DID Marketing Seminar, Lithuania, 2000 WOCCU training in Financial Management, Latvia, 1997 WOCCU training in Financial Management, Ukraine, 1997 Internship at Oregon CU League, USA, 1996 Course in Accounting for Bank Managers, Arthur Andersen, Latvia, 1996 WOCCU training in CU Accounting, Romania, 1996 Presentation Skills and Moderation, German Integrated Consultants, Latvia, 1996 Corporate Governance, Price Waterhouse, Lithuania, 1996 Internship at Pennsylvania State Employees CU, USA, 1995

International and 2001 – 2003 Baltic American Partnership Program, coordinator of professional Philanthropy and participation project

37 Banking Institution of Higher Education Master’s professional study programme Business Administration in Europe membership Since 2000 Lielvarde CU, Vice-president Since 1998 Association of Cooperative Credit Unions of Latvia, Board Member Since 1994 Lielvarde Foreign Relations and Education Aid Bureau, Board Member

Language skills Russian and English – fluent

CV 15 October, 2003

Name, surname Andra Briģe

Date of birth 17 November, 1957

Education Since 2001 University of Latvia, doctoral program in management 1994 -1997 University of Latvia, master’s degree in economics 1992 University of Stockholm, master’s course in banking 1976 – 1982 Latvian Academy of Agriculture, qualification obtained: economist in agricultural sector, organizer

Academic position Assistant professor

Years of pedagogical 11 years experience

Work experience Since 1992 Banking Institution of Higher Education, assistant professor 1999 – 2002 UN Commission for Refugees, head of department 1993 – 1998 World Bank, Regional Office in Baltic States, head of department 1987 – 1992 Institute of Agricultural Economics, senior research associate 1985 – 1987 Agro-Industrial Committee, senior engineer 1982 – 1985 Ministry of Fruit and Vegetable Farming, specialist

Pedagogic activities, Basic Course in Marketing courses Marketing of Financial Services Marketing Research and Market Segments International Marketing

Directions of Relations between a bank and a customer, CRM scientific research

Publications Magazine E-pasaule, May 2002, “Banking Technologies – Closer to a Client?” “The Role of Education in the Development of Technological Solutions in the Commercial Banks of Latvia”, collection of reports presented at the conference “The Impact of Qualitative Development and Growth of Higher Education Institutions on the Development of Science and National Economy, 2002

Further education International Computer Drivers Licence, ANO, 2003 “Strategy and Tactics“, R. Ķīlis, Triviums, 2002 “Banks and Finances in the Baltics”, Riga, 2002 “Culture Communications in Advertising”, R. Ķīlis, Triviums, 2000 “Archetypes in Advertising”, Triviums, 2000 “Advertising 2000”, conference, Riga, 1999 Language skills English, Russian – fluent

February 2, 2005

Name, surname Jānis Briedis

Date of birth May 26, 1971

Education 1997 – 2003 Riga Technical University, doctoral program 1995 – 1997 Riga Technical University, master’s degree in business administration 1994 – 1995 Riga Technical University, bachelor in economics 1993 – 1994 Riga Technical University, degree of engineer in power supply 1990 – 1993 Riga Technical University, bachelor in electronics 1986 – 1990 Riga Technical College of Radio Engineering and Machinery, obtained diploma in specialization Industrial equipment and gadgetry

Work experience Since 2004 PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd., senior consultant Since 2001 Riga Business School, lecturer 2002 – 2004 TietoEnator Ltd., managing director 1999 – 2002 TietoEnator Ltd., consultant 1998 – 1999 Latvenergo, Perspective IT Department, Technical Centre, system analyst, later – acting head of the department 1994 – 1998 Latvenergo, programming engineer Since 1996 Latvenergo, Department of Information Systems, Technical Centre, project manager 1994 – 1997 Latvian Society of Science, lecturer 1991 – 1994 Latvenergo, PR Department, communications specialist

Pedagogic activities, Knowledge management courses

Directions of Knowledge management and its role in company management scientific research

International and Since 2002 Baltic Management Development Association, board professional member membership Since 2002 Riga Business School, board member

Language skills Russian and English – fluent, German – conversational

CV February 2, 2005

Name, surname Andris Deniņš

Date of birth July 23, 1957

Education 1993 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics, degree obtained: Doctor of science in Economics 1992 – 1993 Harvard Business School (USA) 1983 – 1986 Institute of Textile and Light Industry of St. Petersburg (Russia), Faculty of Engineering Economics, degree obtained: doctor of science in Technology 1975 – 1980 Riga Polytechnic, Faculty of Engineering Economics, qualification obtained: the engineer – economist

Degree Dr. oec.

Work experience Since 1999 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Management, Institute of Economics, associated professor Since 1991 “BDO Invest Rīga” Ltd., director and chairman of the board 1989 – 1999 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Management, assistant professor 1987- 1989 Riga Polytechnic, Faculty of Engineering Economics, senior lecturer

Pedagogic activities, Valuation of Companies in the European Environment courses

Publications The total of 19 during the last 6 years

Further education 1996 Swedish Board Academy (Sweden) 1996 Australian Production and Inventory Control Society (Australia) 1991 University of Roskilde (Denmark), completed study course “Implementation of the Principles of Market Economics in Post- socialism Countries”

Social activities 1997 – 2001 Commission of Securities Market of the Republic of Latvia, board member 1999 – 2000 Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, Council of Economics, councillor Since 1999 Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, Council of Intellectual Service Sector of Advisory Board,

chairman of the board Since 1998 Latvian Hockey Federation, board member Since 1998 Latvian Rugby Federation, president Since 1995 Latvian Association of Business Consultants, president Since 1994 Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, board member 1994 – 1999 Latvian Association of Appraisers, vice-president 1992 – 1996 University Council for Economics and Management Education Transfer, member

Language skills Russian, English – fluent

8 October 2003

Name, surname Valda Gavare

Date of birth 12 December 1942

Education 1992 - 1994 State University of Latvia, Faculty of Foreign Languages, master’s degree in philology 1973 - 1975 State University of Latvia, professional efficiency courses for teaching staff of higher education institutions 1962 – 1968 State University of Latvia, Faculty of History and Philosophy, acquired qualifications of teacher of the English language and literature

Work experience Since 2000 Banking Institution of Higher Education, assistant professor 1993 – 2000 University of Latvia, Centre of Languages, lecturer Since 1991 University of Latvia, Institute of Foreign Relations, lecturer 1975 – 1991 University of Latvia, lecturer 1969 - 1973 Latvian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, translator - informant, Head of the Patent Group 1968 – 1969 Jurmala Secondary School No.1, English teacher

Pedagogical activity, English for specific purposes (business administration, courses economics, finance and banking area) Culture of international cooperation and business etiquette

Directions of Methods of teaching English for special purposes scientific research Intercultural business communication

Publications 11

Further education ESPELL Project in Methodology of Teaching Foreign Languages, British Council, 1998 – 2000 Moscow State University, Faculty of Professional Efficiency of Higher Education Institutions Teaching Staff, 1978, 1981, 1985

8 October 2003

Name, surname Gunta Innuse

Date of birth 10 February 1958

Education 1997-1999 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Management, master’s degree in economics 1996-1997 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Management, qualification acquired: accountant/ economist 1977-1982 University of Latvia, Faculty of Finance and Trade, qualification acquired: economist

Academic position Lecturer

Years of pedagogical 1 year experience

Work experience Since 2003 – Banking Institution of Higher Education, lecturer 2000 - 2003 the project on the reform of the health care system funded by the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Health/ project “Reform of the Health Care” accountant – financial officer 1995 – 2000 the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Health, Finance and Accounting Department, senior specialist, deputy chief accountant 1997 the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Interior, Citizenship and Migration Department, head of department 1993 – 1995 SIA Enni, manager 1991 - 1993 SIA Pavadonis, manager 1989 – 1991 the Republic of Latvia Association for Distribution and Trading of Periodicals, accountant, deputy chief accountant 1986 – 1989 Professional Efficiency Institute for National Economy Specialists, economic education office, employee 1979 – 1986 International Youth Travel Agency Sputņiks, task manager Pedagogical activity, Management Accounting courses Financial Accounting Directions of Operating expenses and methods for calculation of the product scientific research (prime) cost, comparison of the calculation methods Further education The Republic of Latvia Association of Accountants, Certificate of a Professional Accountant, Riga, 2001 - 2002 Financial Analysis of the Republic of Latvia Ministry of Health, SIA Eiropersonāls, 2001 Financial Management of the Projects Funded by the World Bank, International Training Centre, Turin, Italy, 2000

Language skills English, Russian - fluent

15 October 2003

Name, surname Sandra Kraže

Date of birth 11 March 1955

Education 1992 University of Latvia, degree obtained: doctor of science in philology 1991 – 1992 London University, Educational Institute, degree obtained: MA in Education 1985 – 1986 Leningrad State University, postgraduate course 1973 –1978 State University of Latvia, Faculty of Foreign Languages, qualification obtained: philologist, teacher

Scientific degree Doctor of science in philology (Dr. philol.)

Academic position Associated professor

Work experience Since 1999, Banking Institution of Higher Education, Head of International Relations and Project Division and associated professor 1999 University of Latvia, Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, assistant professor at the Foreign Language Teaching Methodology Department 1999 Public Service Language Centre, curriculum consultant 1994 – 1999 Language Centre, senior teacher 1994 –1999 University of Latvia, Language Centre of the Natural Sciences Faculty, Foreign Languages Department, assistant professor 1992 –1994 University of Latvia, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Foreign Languages Dptm, assistant professor 1988 - 1992 State University of Latvia, Foreign Languages Department, assistant professor 1986 – 1988 State University of Latvia, Foreign Languages Department, senior teacher 1978 – 1986 State University of Latvia, Foreign Languages Department, teacher

Pedagogic activities, English Stylistics courses Tendencies in English Intercultural Business Relations Business English Written Language English (for geography, geology and environment experts)

Directions of Cultural diversity in the anthropological context scientific research Different text types and their importance in foreign language teaching: a discourse

Publications 18

Further education Courses, Banking Institution of Higher Education, 2001 -2002 Conference "Transparency and accreditation for higher education", European Union, Madrid, Spain, 2002 Conference "Harmonisation in higher education in Europe ", European Association of Institutions in Higher Education, Galvey, Ireland, 2002 European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE) annual conference, Viseu, Portugal, 2001 Seminar on BEC exam, British Council in Latvia, Riga, 2002 Course in English language and methodology, Studio School, Cambridge, Great Britain, 1996 Course in business English teaching, LTS Training and Consulting, Bath, Great Britain, 1995

International and Member of international organisation “SIETAR-EUROPA” professional (intercultural education, training and research) membership Member of the London University’s Educational Institute Association (ALUMNI) Member of the Council of the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education PRIME Networking board member EURASHE executive council member Language skills English - fluent German – conversational skills Russian - good

20 October 2003

Name, surname Kristaps Lešinskis

Date of birth 25 September 1973

Education Since 2000, studies in the doctoral program in the Faculty of Economics of the University of Latvia 1995-1997 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics, degree obtained: master of science in economics 1991-1995 University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics, degree obtained: bachelor of science in economics

Work experience Since 2001.g. Banking Institution of Higher Education, lecturer 2000-2002 Riga Stradiņš University, European Integration Institute, guest lecturer 2002-2002 Riga Culture Secondary School, teacher of economics and business basics 2000-2001 University of Latvia, Eurofaculty, EU PHARE programme’s short-term consultant 2000-2002 SIA Margaret Astor, financial consultant 1999-2001 SIA Lešinskis un partneri, director 1996-1999 Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, European Integration consulting unit, director, State Secretary’s assistant in EU matters 1994-1996 Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, Economic Structure Policy Department, senior assistant

Pedagogic activities, Business Economics courses International Finance Relations Political Economics International Finance Relations

Directions of Promotional work topic: “Latvian Labour Structure and its scientific research Compliance with the Current Market Requirements”

Publications 9

Further education Macroeconomic Policy of Denmark, Ministry of Economics of Denmark, Copenhagen, 1998 Integration Process of Austria to the EU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Vienna, 1998 Sweden and the EU- Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Stockholm, 1997 Danish Industries and Integration to the EU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Copenhagen, 1997 Legal and Economic Aspects of the EU, University of London, 1997 Experience exchange tour for foreign trade issues to Aarhus University, Denmark, 1996 EU Institutions and the Single Market, European Union, TEIEX office, Brussels, Belgium, 1996 Macroeconomics, in-depth course, University of Latvia, Eurofaculty, Riga, 1995 Microeconomics, in-depth course, University of Latvia, Eurofaculty, Riga, 1994 Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Stabilization, World Bank, Tallinn, Estonia, 1994

Language skills English, Russian – fluent

1 October 2003

Name, surname Inese Mavļutova

Date of birth 28 July 1963

Education 1995 – 1996 Riga University of Aviation, master’s degree in economics 1990 – 1992 State University of Latvia, post-graduate program, theoretical course 1987 – 1990 State University of Moscow, post-graduate program, theoretical course 1980 – 1985 State University of Moscow, Faculty of Economics, qualification obtained: economist – cybernetician

Work experience Since 2000 Banking Institution of Higher Education, lecturer 1999 – 2000 Institute of Transport and Communication 1997 – 2000 SIA Atreks, chief accountant 1996 – 1997 SIA Baveks, chief accountant 1995 – 1999 Riga University of Aviation, lecturer 1992 – 1995 SIA Bary, chief accountant 1986 – 1987 State University of Latvia, lecturer 1985 – 1986 State University of Latvia, Studies Department, methodologist

Pedagogic activities, Finance courses Finance Analysis Modelling of Social Development Prices and Pricing Mechanisms Financial Accounting Macroeconomics Microeconomics Basic Course of the Theory of Economics Political Economics Directions of The role of the financial analysis in decision-making scientific research Further education Course for Obtaining Top-level Certificate in Accounting, International Federation of Accountants (UK), final level certificate, 2002 Course for Obtaining Top-level Certificate in Accounting, International Federation of Accountants (Great Britain), intermediate level certificate, 2001 – 2002 International Drivers – Entrepreneurs, RTU, 1997

Language skills English - conversational

January 12, 2005

Name, surname Inga Pučure

Date of birth March 24, 1976

Education Since 2003 Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics, doctoral program 1998 – 2000 Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics, degree obtained: master’s degree in economics 1994 – 1998 Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics, degree obtained: bachelor in economics

Work experience Since 2000 Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics, lecturer 1998 – 2000 Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics, Department of Economics, assistant

Pedagogic activities, Research methods in business courses

Further education Training „Future Competitiveness of Agriculture Enterprises in the EU”, Husuma, Germany, 2004 Training „How to Write a Competitive Proposal for Framework 6” (tutor Sean McCarthy, Ireland), Riga, 2004 Training „Presentations Skills” (tutor M. Fransen, the Netherlands), LLU EF, Jelgava, 2004 Study course „Geld und Kredit II” (tutor Dr. Vita King, USA) Eurofaculty, University of Latvia, 2002 “Innovation in the System of Higher Education”, further education program of pedagogy, Latvia University of Agriculture, 2001

International and Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics, board professional member membership Latvia University of Agriculture, member of the convention

Publications 9

Language skills Russian and German – fluent, English – conversational

February 2, 2005

Name, surname Andris Rozentāls

Date of birth July 1, 1972

Education 1997 – 2000 Riga Technical University, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Production Quality Institute, doctoral program 1995 – 1997 Riga Technical University, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Production Quality Institute, master’s degree in production quality provision and certification 1991 – 1995 Riga Technical University, Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Production Quality Institute, bachelor in production quality systems 1987 – 1991 Riga Industrial Technical School, specialty: exploitation and adjustment of numerical control equipment

Work experience 1998 – 2004 JSC Zurich Latvia Ltd., managing director 1998 – 1998 JSC Trygg-Hansa Latvia Ltd., managing director 1996 – 1998 JSC Trygg-Hansa Latvia Ltd., risk engineer/underwriter 1995 – 1996 Hansa Kindlustus, risk engineer/underwriter 1994 – 1995 Balti Ltd, advertising manager

Pedagogic activities, Risk management courses Directions of Research and Development of Risk Management at Enterprise scientific research Further education Comite Europeen des Assurances, E-commerce in insurance industry, France Mercuri International, Persuasive appearance, Latvia Trendsetters, Stretch Leaderships, Latvia Kellogg, Northwestern University, Strategic Management program, USA Zurich Financial Services Group, Zurich strategic Management program, USA Centris Consultancy, Professional selling, Lithuania Effectus Gruppen, Active-passive selling, Sweden Trygg-Hansa AB, Marketing, Sweden-Estonia Hansa Kindlustus, Risk management, Estonia-Latvia Trygg-Hansa AB, Insurance (property, business interruption, casualty, construction erection, machinery breakdown insurance, risk modelling, risk engineering and analysis), Latvia-Sweden Hansa Kindlustus, Engineering lines insurance and analysis, Estonia Trygg-Hansa AB, English, Latvia-Sweden Soft-tronik Education Centre, Personal computer software, Latvia International Exchange Centre, English, United Kingdom

CV February 2, 2005

Name, surname Nikolajs Sprancmanis

Date of birth October 13, 1936

Education 1966 – 1969 Moscow Auto-Highway Institute, degree obtained: Ph.D. (ing) 1958 - 1963 Latvian Academy of Agriculture, qualification obtained: engineer

Work experience Since 2004 Research and Education Centre for Business Logistics, director Since 2003 Department of International Business, Transportation Economics and Logistics, Professor 1993 – 2002 Head of Business Logistics and Transport Economy professor group Since 1993 Professor of Economics 1979 – 1993 Institute of Post graduate Education of Latvia, Director of Department of Economics 1971 – 1993 Economics Institute of Post Graduate Education of Latvia, Associate Professor

Pedagogic activities, Logistics courses

Publications More than 100 scientific papers including 7 books

Further education University of Ghent, 1998 Carlsrue Technical University, 1997 EU – PHARE Public Administration Reform Program, 1994 Norwegian Business School, 1993

International and Since 2003 Logistics and Customs Brokers Association, member professional Since 2003 Latvia Motor Engineering Association, executive membership council Since 2002 Consulting Board of Latvian Public Services Regulation Commission, member Since 1996 Member of Editorial Board of Journal “Transportas” (Vilnius, Lithuanian Academy of Sciences) Since 1994 Member of Presidium of Latvian Transport Development and Education Association Since 1993 Consultant, Institute for Leading Managers and Specialists of National Economy

16 October 2003

Name, surname Jānis Strautmanis

Date of birth 6 October 1957

Education Since 2001, studies in doctoral program at the University of Latvia, Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology 1992–1994 University of Latvia, qualification obtained: Latvian teaching in minority schools 1976–1980 State Conservatorium of Latvia, qualification obtained: organiser – methodologist for cultural educational work

Work experience Since 2001, Banking Institution of Higher Education, Head of Further Education Department, lecturer 1993 – 2001 Banking Institution of Higher Education (former: Latvian Banking College), guest lecturer for preparatory courses 1994 - 2001 Sigulda City Council, deputy chairman 1993 - 1994 Sigulda Secondary School No. 2, director 1991 - 2001 Sigulda Secondary School No. 2, teacher of cultural history and the Latvian language (since 1994, by means of combining jobs) 1985 - 1991 Riga district, Young Technicians’ Centre, methodologist 1985 - 1991 Riga Cultural Education Technical College, lecturer (by means of combining jobs) 1982 - 1985 Sigulda secondary school No. 1, teacher, 1978 - 1980 Professional Technical Education Committee, methodologist at the cultural centre

Pedagogic activities, History of the Latvian Economy courses Political Science

Direction of scientific Adult pedagogy research

Publications 5

Further education 1995 - 1997 Soros foundation – Latvia’s project Efficient School

Language skills English, Russian – conversational skills

October 6, 2004

Name, surname Sniedze Šreibere

Date of birth September 6, 1956

Education Since 2003 University of Latvia, Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, doctoral programme “Education management” 1977 - 1982 State University of Latvia, Faculty of Law, qualification obtained: lawyer

Work experience Since 1997 Banking Institution of Higher Education, assistant professor, lawyer 1995 - 1996 SIA Felikss, lawyer 1989 - 1995 Rīgas Komercbanka, Head of Legal Department 1985 - 1989 Riga District People’s Court, judge 1983 - 1985 Riga City Proletarian District Prosecutor’s Office, prosecutor’s assistant 1982 - 1983 Ventspils Inter-district Prosecutor’s Office, intern

Pedagogic activities, EU Law courses Labour Law Economic Law Law Directions of Autonomy and Centralization of Higher Educational Institutions scientific research Publications 4

Further education Professional Development Program “Further Education for Academic staff/Innovations in Higher Education/Education Management”, University of Latvia, 2003/2004 Seminar „State and Municipality Procurement”, University of Latvia, Municipal and project management state training, Riga, 2003 Seminar complex on the new labour law, Latvian Legal Centre, Riga, 2002 Banking Institution of Higher Education, 4th international scientific conference „ Qualitative Growth of Universities and its Impact on Economic and Scientific Development”, Riga, 2002 Course „Tourism Business”, Business & Technical College of Bornholm, Denmark, 2001 – 2002

Language skills Russian – fluent, English – conversational skills

February 2, 2005

Name, surname Tatjana Tambovceva

Date of birth June 25, 1973

Education Since 2003 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Engineering Economics, doctoral program 2000 – 2003 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Engineering Economics, master’s degree in marketing 1997 – 1999 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Engineering Economics, bachelor in economics 1994 – 1996 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Computer Engineering, master’s degree in computer science 1993 – 1995 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Computer Engineering, degree in engineering 1990 – 1993 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Computer Engineering, bachelor in computer science

Work experience Since 1996 Riga Technical University, Faculty of Engineering Economics, lecturer 1995 – 1996 I. Bacun`s proprietorship, secretary

Pedagogic activities, Information systems management courses

Publications 16

15 October 2003

Name, surname Gita Vērdiņa

Date of birth 11 January 1955

Education Since 1999 – Latvian University, doctoral program in education management 1996 – 1998 University of Latvia, master’s degree in pedagogy, speciality: theory and history of pedagogy 1973 – 1978 State University of Latvia, qualification obtained: economist

Work experience Since 2002 - Banking Institution of Higher Education, Head of Business Administration Department 1999 – 2002 Banking Institution of Higher Education, Head of Business Economics and Administration Studies 1998 - 1999 A/S Latvijas Krājbanka, Head of the Training Centre 1992 - 1998 Latvian Banking College, Head of the Training Course Department, assistant professor 1990 - 1992 The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Latvia, Chief Financial Inspection, a specialist in the methodology and organisation administration 1979 - 1990 Riga Accounting and Credit College, lecturer, Head of Extramural Studies Department 1978 State Insurance Administration, economist

Pedagogical activity, Theory of Management courses Human Resources Management and Organisation of Work Project Management Internal Audit

Directions of Internal audit as a tool for ensuring the quality of the higher scientific research professional education

Publications 6

Further education Establishment of Study Programme in Tourism, Technical College of Bornholm, Denmark, 2001 – 2002 General Principles of Internal Audit, University of Latvia, State Training Centre for Municipal and Project Management, Riga, 2000

Seminar “Banking Strategy”, the Ministry of Finance, Riga, 2000 Seminar for Heads of Internal Audit Units, PHARE project framework, Riga, 2000 Project Management, University of Latvia, State Training Centre for Municipal and Project Management, Riga, 1999 Effective Technologies in Communication” Training Centre “Arpus”, Riga, 1998 Course for Banking Specialists - Trainers, Denmark, 1996 Train the Trainer, AIB Bank and Latvian Association of Commercial Banks, Riga, 1996 Teaching Methodology for Civil Servants, Danish School of Administration, the Republic of Latvia School of Public Administration, Denmark, 1995 The Course for National Tax Administration Personnel, Directors and Heads of Training Centres, OECD Training Centre, Denmark, 1995 Basic Course in Administration, Swedish consulting firm OMNIA/ the Republic of Latvia School of Public Administration, Riga, 1995 Certificate Entitling to Teach the Basics of Administration to the Civil Servants, Danish School of Administration, Denmark, 1994 Expert Workshop in Teaching Methodology Issues, Swedish Foundation BITS, Sweden 1994 Bank Management Skills, FAIRPLAACE, Riga, 1993

Language skills Russian - fluent, German - conversational

September 1, 2004

Name, surname Tatjana Volkova

Birth date October 11, 1960

Education 1992 – University of Latvia, Doctor of science in economics 1982 - 1986 Moscow State University, post-graduate program 1978 - 1982 State University of Latvia, Finances and Trade Faculty, qualification obtained: economist

Scientific degree Doctor of science in economics (Dr.oec.)

Academic position Associated professor

Years of pedagogical 22 years experience Work experience Since 2004 Banking Institution of Higher Education, Acting rector, professor 1999-2004 Banking Institution of Higher Education, Vice-rector, associated professor 1998 – 2000 Banking Institution of Higher Education, Head of Further Education Dptm, assistant professor 1995 – 1998 Representative Office of the World Savings Companies’ Council in Latvia, training manager 1986 – 1998, University of Latvia, Faculty of Management and Economic Information, assistant professor 1993 – 1995 SIA Rotterdam Consult, head of the Dutch financial consulting company

Pedagogic activities, Business Economics courses Business Management EU and Business Strategic Management

Directions of EU and business scientific research Strategic management

Publications 51

Further education International Management Teachers Academy, CEEMAN, Bled, Slovenia, 2002 Human Resources Management, Luxemburg, 1999 Mortgage Lending, Bornholm Erhvervsskole, Denmark, 1999

Social activities European movement in Latvia, board member Baltic management development association, board member Academy of Science, head of the economic terminology sub-commission Language skills Russian, English – fluent

Annex 2 Description of study courses

Financial and Managerial Accounting in the European Environment

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management” Term: I Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Mag. oec. G. Innuse, lecturer Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Financial and Management Accounting Contents of the course: The course is designed to acquire the most important concepts of financial and managerial accounting in compiling financial reports and disclosure of information in compliance with the requirements of International Accounting Standards. The students will acquire the main differences in the existing accounting models and report writing .The course examines the issues referring to accounting policy, calculations fault detection and correction.Special emphasis is given on the analysis and generalization of financial data essential for managerial decisions.The course focusses on financial instruments and their recognition and evaluation, as well as transactions with them.It also deals with the fixed assets and liabilities and record keeping in compliance with the International Accounting Standards and the EU guidelines and regulations. The impact of IAS on the integrated Accounting System of Latvia is also presented. Literature: 1.International Standards of Financial Reports,Financist,No.1,2004. 2. Pelšs A. Management Accounting. Part 1,Cost Accounting and Cost Price Calculation, Riga: Business Complex, 2001. 3. Pelšs A. Management Accounting. Part 2,Cost Analysis in Decision Making, Riga: Business Complex, 2001. 4.International Accounting Standards,Association of Certified Auditors, 2000. 5. Application of International Accounting Standards in Latvia, Accounting and Audit, No. 2, 2002. 6. FASB Discussion Memorandum. An Analysis of Issues Related to Effect of Rate Regulation on Accounting. FASB. December 1999. 7. John Watts. Accounting in the Business Environment. 2nd ed., London, Pitman Publishing, 2002. 8. Needles E., Belverd Jr. Financial & Managerial Accounting:/7th ed. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. http://www.eaa-online.org. End-of-the-term test: Examination

Project Development and Management Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 2 Academic staff: G. Vērdiņa, Assist.prof. Prerequisites: Enterprise Management,Project Management Contents of the course: The aim of the course is to make an in-depth analysis of a project and its characteristic traits within the framework of the EU requirements providing and consolidating the knowledge and skills required for ensuring the functioning of project management. The studies include the analysis and the evaluation of the project results, quantitative,qualitative and specific evaluation criteria, methods and procedures as well as cost management of the project. The course examines the organisational aspects of projects paying special attention to team building and coordination as well as development of communication skills including cross-cultural relations,delegating,management style and conflict and crisis management. Literature: 1. Maylor, Harvey. Project Management. 3rd. edition: Pearson Education Limited, 2003. 2. Lewis, James P. Basics in Project Management, translated by K.Caunite, Riga , 2003. 3. Geipele, Ineta: Project Management for Studies and Business, /Ineta Geipele, Tatjana Tambovceva. Rīga: Valters un Rapa, 2004. 4. Ž. Ilmete. Quidelines of National Competence in Project Management, The Latvian Association of Project Management, 2004. 5.Quidelines in Developing Projects of the EU Structural Funds, 2004 End-of-the-term test: Examination

Consumer Behaviour Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme”Business Management in Europe” Term: I Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Mag. oec. A. Briģe, Assist.prof. Prerequisites: Marketing, Fundamentals of Management Contents of the course: The aim of the course is designed to acquire the theory and concepts of consumer behaviour, to provide knowledge and specific skills in consumer behaviour and show its impact on the company performance in different areas. The course is dealing with the theoretical and practical aspects of consumer behaviour in local and global markets and presents the basis of understanding of cross-cultural differences and their significance in different market segments. It supplies the basis for comprehension of how the theory and the practical aspects of cross-cultural differences may be used in the introduction of global marketing strategy. Literature: 1. Solomon, R. Michael. Consumer Behaviour: A European Perspective / Gary Bamossy, Soren Askegaard.- Harlow: FT Prentice Hall, 2002. 2. Kardes Frank R. Consumer Behaviour and Managerial Decision Making. - Reading, Massachusetts: Addison- Wesley, 1999. 3. Goldsmith Elizabeth B. Consumer Economics: Issues and Behaviours / Elizabeth B. Goldsmith. - Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. End-of-the term-test: Examination

Marketing Management

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management “ Term: II Credit points: 4 Academic staff: Mag. oec. A. Briģe, Assist.prof. Prerequisites: Marketing, Fundamentals of Management Contents of the course: The aim of the course is designed to acquire the theoretical and practical aspects of marketing. The course focusses on the significance of marketing orientation and its role in successful development of an enterprise. The students acquire the practical instruments and ways of satisfying the consumer needs and demands. A special emphasis is placed on understanding the role of competitiveness in taking the strategic decisions of marketing regarding the brand.The latest theoretical and practical concepts and methods of marketing will be examined, for example, Consumer Relations Marketing (CRM). The course is devoted to better understanding of the role of marketing information and the ways for ensuring corporate competitiveness. During case studies the students demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge in marketing by developing the marketing strategy for real and imaginary companies.

Literature: 1. Kotabe, Masaaki. Global Marketing Management: / Kristiaan Helsen. 2nd ed.-New York: Wiley, 2000. 2. Kotler, Philip. Marketing Management: International Edition. 11th ed.- New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2003. 3.Fundamentals in Marketing. Rīga: Jumava, 2002. End-of-the-term-test: Examination

Management of Global Strategies Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Dr. oec. T. Volkova, prof. Prerequisites: Marketing, Management Economics, Language skills Contents of the course: The aim of the course is to make an in-depth analysis of theoretical and practical issues having impact on successful and sustainable development of enterprises in global business environment. The course focusses on issues dealing with strategic management processes, choice of the corporate strategy when entering and competing in the global market.The course examines export, licensing and franchise strategies and the differences between them. The issues dealing with the advantages of competitiveness of multinational strategy as well as transfer of competences and responsibilities, cross-border coordination activities and establishing strategic alliances and joint ventures and the risks involved are discussed. The course is designed with a particular emphasis on the understanding of theoretical aspects of strategic positioning and its practical application in business environment. Students will analyze long-term strategic tasks of an enterprise as well as make potential recommendations for managing directors for task implementation stating the point of view of a consultant. Students develop a strategic plan and master the skills required to manage a real or imaginary enterprise operating in a global environment. Much attention is paid to the analysis of case studies and teamwork to master the teamwork skills required for developing and implementing global strategies.. . Literature: 1. Charles W.L. Hill, Gareth R. Jones, Strategic management: an integrated approach. Houghton Mifflin Company, the 6th edition, 2004. 2. Strategic management. Concepts and cases. Tomphson Arthur, Jr. A.J. Strickland, McGraw- Hill Irwin, 2001. 3. Ralph D. Stacey Strategic management and Organisational Dynamics. The challenge of Complexity. England, Prentice Hall, 2000.

4. / Jānis Caune, Andrejs Dzedons, Strategic Management: Strategies of Functional, Business and Corporate Levels, Rīga: De Novo, 2004. The end-of-the term Examination test:

Leadership in Changing Business Environment

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 2 Academic staff: G. Vērdiņa, Assist.prof. Mag. soc. Brigita Baltača Prerequisites: Basics in Management Contents of the course: The aim of the course is to present theoretical and practical understanding of the leader’s role in organisation management. Leadership in today’s changing business environment in enterprises is one the most vital issues. Leadership is something more than being a successful manager in an enterprise. It is linked with the relationships between the followers and the leaders and refer not only to the top managers, but all employees in the company. Nowadays the manager has to combine the emotional human factor with targeted business performance ensuring sustainable development of the enterprise. Literatūra: 1. Paul Tafinder. Intensive Leadership Course, “Pētergailis”, 2004. 2. Hilarie Owen, Vicky Hodgson, Nigel Gazzard. The Leadership Manual. Pearson Education Limited, 2004. 3. Rasma Garleja. Labour, Organisation and Psychology. RaKa, 2003. 4. Inese Voroņčuka. Personnel Management, LU, Rīga, 2001. 5. V.Praude, J.Beļčikovs. Management. Vaidelote, 2001. 6. Colina A.Carnall. Managing Change in Organization. Prentice Hall, Europe, 1999. 7. John Edeir. Effective Communication. , SIA “ASJA”, 1999. 8. Ilgvars Forands. Managers and Management. Kamene, Rīga, 1999. 9. Hughes/Ginnett/Curphy. Leadership. Enhancing Lessons of Experience. Irwin/McCraw-Hill, 1999. The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Corporate Social Responsibility in European Environment Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme ”Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 2 Academic staff: J. Strautmanis, lecturer Prerequisites: Management and Organisation Theory and Business Ethics Skills Contents of the course: The aim of the course is to provide master’s degree students with a systematised approach on the concept of corporate social responsibility presenting a basis for understanding this concept in Latvia and abroad as well as to develop a vision about the relationship between business people, community and companies. During the course the students get acquainted with the field of social responsibility, make analysis and present their own ideas about the means and applications of good practice. Special emphasis is paid to the role of the corporate social responsibility in developing a specific enterprise and the growth of competitiveness in the context of global business environment. Finally, the students will acquire the knowledge and understanding of the significance of social responsibility for successful and sustainable development and efficient performance of an enterprise in business environment and establishing of a good reputation of the company. They will also familiarize themselves with the methods and strategies required to implement the corporate responsibility and will be provided with the knowledge and the know-how required when identifying the corporate mission, corporate values, corporate culture and planning. Literature: 1. McIntosh, M., Thomas, R., Leipziger, D., and Coleman G. Living Corporate Citizenship: Strategic Routes to Socially Responsible Business. – London: Pearson Education, 2003, pp. 298 2. Robbins S., Coulter M. Management. – Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005, pp. 608 3.Manual of Global Contracts. – Rīga: UN in Latvia , 2003 The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Management Information Systems in Changing Business Environment

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Dipl. Ing., Mag. oec.,Mag.in Computer Sciences T. Tambovceva, lecturer Prerequisites: Computer Studies Contents of the course: The course is designed for making analysis of the needs of information and information systems in an enetrprise as well as outlining the principles of organising information systems and performance principles. The students will acquire the principles, methods and instruments of the management information systems essential for successful development of enterprises in a changing business environment. Particular emphasis is given to the aspects of system hardware and software, though the course is primarily designed for the management of information systems and the needs analysis as well as application of the systems in decision-making. Literature: 1. O’Brien, James. Management Information Systems: Managing Information Technology in the Business Enterprise/. 6th ed.- McGraw - Hill, 2004. 2. McLeod, Raymond: Management information systems /Raymond McLeod, Jr., George Schell. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall, 2001. The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Cross-cultural Communication Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme ”Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Dr. philol. S. Kraže, Assoc. prof. Mag. philol. V. Gavare, Assist.prof. Prerequisites: Business Communication, Psychology Contents of the course: The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding about cross-cultural communication, problems and possibilities to solve them and analyze the similarities and differences in different cultures. The course develops the skills required to analyze the cultures and on the basis of case studies points out the differences in behaviour and outlook.

Special emphasis is placed on characteristics of culture dimensions (G.Hofsteds, E. Hols, R.D.Lewis).Definition of culture, its elements. Influence of climate on the classification of cultures. Culture shock, analysis of peculiarities, methods of overcoming the culture shock. Polychronic and monochromic understanding of time. Understanding of space in different cultures. Peculiarities in presentations and meetings in different cultures. The significance of the diplomatic language in negotiations. The course deals with the concept of culture shock, its elements and consequences and presents the preventive measures for avoiding it. Case studies are used to illustrate the consequences caused by the culture shock as well as to show the effect of cultural differences on business negotiations. Literature: 1. 1 Dž.Mouls. Biznesa kultūra un etiķete Eiropas valstīs. J. Rozes apgāds. Rīga, 2003 2. Richard R. Gesteland Cross-cultural Business Behavior.Copenhagen Business School Press. Denmark, 1999 3. Richard D.Lewis When Cultures Collide. Nb Publishing.London, 2000 4. Richard D.Lewis The Cultural Imperative: Global Trends in the 21 st Century. Intercultural Press, Inc. 2003 The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Logistics

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: II; III Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Dr. hab. oec. N. Sprancmanis, prof. Prerequisites: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Computer Studies, Economics, Marketing, Economic Statistics Contents of the course: The aim of the course is to comprehend logistics as planning, implementation and control process in a specific organisational system ensuring the delivery of the goods required by the buyer just-in-time and at the right place at minimum costs and lead time, thus guaranteeing the profitability and the growth of assets increasing the sales and reducing investments in stocks. Literature: 1. Stock, James R. Strategic Logistic Management: Douglas M. Lambert / 4th ed. – Irwin; McGraw – Hill, 2001. 2. Waters Donald. Logistics An Introduction to Supply Chain Management – Great Britain: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002. 3. Sprancmanis, Nikolajs: Business Logistics / Nikolajs Sprancmanis. Rīga: Vaidelote, 2003. 4. Sprancmanis, Nikolajs: Economics and Organisation of Transportation Services, Rīga: RTU, 2001. 5. Praude V., Beļčikovs J. Logistics, Rīga: Vaidelote, 2003. The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Knowledge Management Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: II Credit points: 4 Academic staff: M. Sc. J. Briedis Prerequisites: Strategic Management, Personnel Management, Management Information Systems, Psychology Contents of the course: The course is designed to familiarize the students with the basic elements and approach of knowledge management philosophy , its role in business management and potential application scenarios in the performance of enterprises. The course is dealing with the analysis and examination of the business management and organisation from the point of view of knowledge management putting special emphasis on the human values, culture,leadership,human personality, way of thinking and approach leading to better understanding of information technologies in knowledge management field. Literature: 1. T. Davenport and L. Prusak. Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know. Harvard Business School Press, 2000. 2. Nonaka, I. and Takeuchi, H. (1995). The Knowledge- Creating Company. Oxford University Press, New York 3. Davenport, T. (1997) Information Ecology: Mastering the Information and Knowledge Environment: Why Technology is not enough for Success in the Information Age, Oxford University Press. 4. Senge, P., Ross, R., Smith, B., Roberts, C., Kleiner, A. (1994) The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, Nicholas Brieley, London. 5. Sveiby, K.E. (1997) The New Organizational Wealth - Managing & Measuring Knowledge Based Assets. San Francisco. Berrett Koehler 6. Tiwana, A. (2000) The Knowledge Management Toolkit, Practical Techniques for Building a Knowledge Management System. Prentice Hall PTR. Upper Saddle River. The end-of-the term test: Examination

Business Research Methods

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: I Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Mag. oec. I. Pučure, lecturer Prerequisites: Statistics, Mathematical Statistics Contents of the course: The course is designed to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge in research starting with the identification of the problem and formulation of hypothesis leading to the publication including the issues on research planning, methodology development, data mining and processing methods in economics. In addition students are familiarized with the general trends in the development of sciences in Latvia and abroad emphasizing the role of science in globalisation. Literature: 1. Maksim P., Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Oxford University Press, 1999, 405 p. 2. Newbold P., Carlson W., Thorne B., Statistics for Business and Economics, 5th ed., Prentice Hall, 2003, 850 p. 3. Arhipova A., Bāliņa S.Statistics in Economics, Computer Centre, Rīga, 2003, 349 p. 4. Krastiņš O. Statistics and Econometrics ,CSP, 1998, 416 p. 5. Bryman A., Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, 2001, 540 p. 6. Frolova L. Mathematical Modelling of Economics, Turība, Rīga, 1999, 308 p. 7. Kļaviņš D. Optimization Methods in Economics, I, II, Computer Centre, Rīga, 2000, 228 p. 8. Paura L., Arhipova I., Nonparametric Methods, Jelgava, 2002, 147 p. 9. Vasermanis E., Šķiltere D., Krasts J. Forecasting Methods, Rīga, 2003, 129 p.. The end-of-the term test: Examination

Economics for Managers Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: I Credit points: 4 Academic staff: K. Lešinskis, Assist.prof. Prerequisites: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Business Economics, International Business Contents of the course: The course is designed to consolidate and provide an in- depth analysis of the logics, management and environment of economic processes, closely relating these issues with the specifics and principles of business management. The course includes: demand forecasting and its impact, demand, long term and short term costs and production volumes, profit maximization aspects for different competitive models in the market, the alternative targets of businesses, considerations of owners and managers, strategic alternatives of growing businesses, strategic alternatives of price policy, the government and businesses relationships, international business aspects and macroeconomic environment of an eneterprise. Literature: 1. Diderihs H.Business Economics. R., Science Publishers, 2000. 2. Hoff K.G.Business Economics, R., J. Roze Publishers, 2002. 3. Sloman J, Sutcliffe M. Economics for Business. Second edition. – Harlow, Prentice Hall, 2001.

The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Risk Management

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme “Business Management in Europe” Term: I Credit points: 2 Academic staff: A. Rozentāls Prerequisites: Business and Financial Management Contents of the course: The course is designed to provide basic theoretical and practical knowledge in risk management kinds of risk and the basic identification methods for evaluation of business risks, concept of legal basis as well as owner and manager responsibility in minimizing risks. The course includes the following topics: concepts and topicalities of risk management in Latvia and abroad, documentation governing risk management, history of development of the standards , classification and kinds of risk, risk identification and management models, COSO model, standard and simple risk model, cascade and Ishikawa model , risk management in an enterprise, the role of internal audit in risk evaluation and minimization, project risk management, best practice and case studies of risk management in Latvia and abroad. Literature: 1. Endziņš J., Paiders J., Commercial Law. What should the manager of a business be aware of today? Rīga, 2002. 2. Weston F.J., Chung K.S., Siu J.A., Takeovers, Restructuring, and Corporate Governance, Prentice Hall. 3. Pratt S.P., Reilly R.F., Schweihs R.P, Valuing a Business: The Analysis and Appraisal of Closely Held Companies. McGraww-Hill, 2000. 4. Watson D., Head T., Corporate Finance. FT Pitman Publishing The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Evaluation of Businesses in European Environment Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme”Business Management in Europe” Term: I Credit points: 2 Academic staff: Dr. oec. A. Deniņš, prof. Iepriekšējās prasības: Financial and Management Accounting in European Environment Contents of the course: The course is designed to acquire different instruments to be used for identification of the corporate value.Students will learn how to analyze , identify and explain the different factors having impact on the corporate value. The value will be identified through the constructive and destructive processes and the potential increase of the value will also be assessed. Evaluation will be examined in the periods of big investments as well as in public tenders and mergers of enterprises. The course gives a review of the analytical instruments of evaluation putting special emphasis on mastering skills of evaluation methods and choice of instruments. Literature: 1. Corrado J. Charles. Fundamentals of Investments Valuation & Management / Bradford D. Jordan. 2nd.- New York: McGraw - Hill Irwin, 2002. 2. Copeland Tome, Koller Tim, Murrin Jack. Valuation of Companies, Mo Kinsey&Company. New York: John Willy &Sons, 2000. 3. Reilly F.Robert, Schweihs P.Robert. Valuing Intangible Assets. New York: Mc Graw-Hill, 2002. 4. Reilly F. Robert, Schweihs P. Robert. The Handbook of Advanced Business, 3rd edition. Valuing Intangible Assets. New York: Mc Graw-Hill, 2001. 5. Pratt P. Shannon, Reilly F. Robert, Schweihs P. Robert. Valuing Small Business and Professional Practices. New York: Mc Graw-Hill, 2002. The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Financial Management of Businesses in European Environment

Study programme: Professional master’s degree programme ”Buisiness Management in Europe’ Term: I Credit points: 2 Academic stafff: I. Mavļutova, Assist.prof. Prerequisites: Financial Accounting,Management Accounting, Financial Analysis, Financial Systems, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics, Financial Management Contents of the course: The course is designed to acquire the most effective evaluation methods of financial resource management and best practice offered by financial managers dealing with the financial management issues in European environment. The methods of financial management allow to identify and evaluate the finance resources of businesses as well as the profitability of the finance resources invested. The financial management of businesses in Europe covers such issues as investment decisions,business financing and all capital management areas: capital turnover, capital productivity and structural dynamics.

Literature: 1. Manual of Financial Management / Addition to “Dienas Bizness” – Rīga, 2004. 2. Financial Management, Method and Meaning. Anthony G. Puxty, J. Colin Dodds, edited by the Alen Press, Oxford. ISBN 0 412 40970 4. 3. Financial Management. Anthony G. Puxty. London - Glasgow - Weinheim - New York - Tokyo - Melbourne - Madras. 4. Financial Management. Principles and Practice. Timothy J. Galapher, Joseph D. Andrew. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. 5. Foundations of Financial Management. Fifth edition. Stanley B. Block, Geoffrey A. Hirt. Homewood, Illinois 60430. 6.Breily R., Mayers S. Principles of Corporate Finances, 2004, 1008 p. 7.Brigham J. Gapensky L. Financial Management, 2004. 8. Van Horn , James K., Vahovitz Jr. John M. Basics in Financial Management, 11th edition,2001, 992 p. 9. Business Evaluation , edited by prof.A.G.Grjaznova & prof. M.A.Fedotova, Finances and Statistics, Moscow,2002 . 10. Bodie Z., Kane A., Marcus A. Investments. –Singapore: Irwin / McGraw-Hill, 1999 , 967 p. The end-of-the-term Examination test:

Legislation in business

Study programme: Professional Master’s study programme Business Administration Semesters: 2 Credits: 2 Lecturer: S. Šreibere, assistant professor Previous knowledge Law, economic law requirements: Course description: The objective of the course is to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in the application of regulatory enactments in business administration. The course focuses on the improtance of proper application of regulatory enactments in the operation of an enterprise or institution. Students will acquire skills in choosing and applying regulatory enactments in ensuring the operation of an enterprise or institution and in project management. They will acquire knowledge on responsibility, provided by regulatory enactments, of founders, managers of executive agencies, enterprises and institutions, as well as on the possibilities of and the procedure for dispute settlement. The aforementioned themes will be acquired by studying regulatory enactments and other sources of literature, by case studies, by discussing topical problems of the application of regulatory enactments and by developing a course paper in which a student has to demonstate his/ her ability of using theoretical knowledge in practice.

Literature: 1. Administrative Procedure Law. Latvijas Vēstnesis. Riga, 2003; 2. Bernem S.J. How to draw up agreements. Guide for practical application of the Liability Law. Riga, 1995; 3. Comments to the Civil Law of the Republic of Latvia. Part four. Liability Law. By a group of authors, under the general scientific editorship of prof. K. Torgans. Riga, Mans īpašums, 2000 4. Landbooks in Latvia. Riga, Court house agency, 2003; 5. Enterprise manager’s handbook. Dienas Bizness. Riga, 2004; 6. What a Latvian businessman has to know about the European Union. Second revised and supplemented edition. Publishing house Rasa ABC. Riga, 2003; 7. Jean-Noel Kapferer. [Re]Inventing the brand. Will the leading brands survive in the new market conditions? Baltic Management Conference Ltd. Riga, 2003; 8. On strengthening a democratic labour environment and legal labour relations in Latvia. Riga, Imanta, 2003.

Form of final Examination assessment:

Additional information for a self-assessment report 9 Accreditation certificate of the Banking Institution of Higher Education

10 Registration certificate of the higher education institution

11 Occupational standard

12 Advertising booklet

13 Sample diploma and its sample annex

14 List of documents for accreditation and their location

Nr. Title of a document Location Responsible person 1. Materials of conferences Vice-recors office G. Piebalga

2. Documents on field practices Career centre Dz. Atstāja

3. Students` Manual and Library E. Jurjāne methodological materials 4. Normative documents of BIHE Administrative L. Lancmene department and Intranet 5. Directions of scientific research and Vice-recors office G. Piebalga publications of accademic staff 6. Employers` references Career centre Dz. Atstāja