Investigation of environmental sustainability development issues for companies in the freeport of Riga

Abstract

Recently, the studies of the problems and opportunities of sustainable development have become increasingly important. In the face of increasing competition the ability to develop long-term strategic decisions gives companies the competitive edge. Sustainable development allows to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" (Brundtland Commission, 1987).

This particular research is devoted to the study of the environmental issues of sustainable development focusing on the companies that operate in the Freeport of Riga. The paper is based on the results obtained during an applied research project conducted as part of Erasmus Intensive Programme “ ECO-sup-Port: Sustainable Business for SME’s in European Harbours”. The study can be considered as an intermediate stage of ECO-sup-Port project and it offers the analysis of the sustainability problems faced by the companies in the port sector.

The research problem can be formulated as follows: port-related companies do not have or do not fully implement their sustainable development strategies. Therefore the overall objective has been set to investigate the problems of sustainability of the Latvian organisations, which activities are related to the Freeport of Riga. The paper identifies the following three research questions:
1. What is the level of knowledge about sustainability and ways of achieving it among port-related organisations?
2. Are the initiatives about air pollution, waste management, and energy efficiency viewed by the companies as drivers or barriers to business development?
3. What do organisations expect from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with regard to sustainable development?

The main conclusions of the study state that the companies have no clear understanding of the concept of sustainable development and ways of achieving it. The main objectives of the companies are focused on economic development and pursuit of short-term goals, while environmental problems are not considered as high-priorities. The companies have different perceptions of the importance of the European environmental initiatives. HEIs are expected to provide qualified experts capable of working in specific company-related fields as well as to supply information about doing business in the international environment.