Promoting Sustainable Entrepreneurship Through Competition: The Case of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

Abstract: The aim of this research is to analyse and describe the promotion of sustainable entrepreneurship by governmental organizations to new entrepreneurs. The thesis looks into the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) which is the main governmental body for organizing business idea competitions in Latvia. The desired outcome of this study is to provide insight into sustainability education to new entrepreneurs and point out issues on state level that hinder transition to sustainability. A qualitative research technique was selected as it offers a way to conduct a comparative research for analysing different points of view for case studies. The results showed that, among other findings, that there is too little emphasis on sustainability at national level, resulting in little interest from the public and a correspondingly narrow range of offerings from LIAA. Consequently, the excessive volume of work and functions is hindering the agency's work, which is reflected in delayed development at sustainability context. The fact that Latvia is lacking a clear national image could be perceived as the result of inability to define values for several decades and failure to implement innovative, sustainability-oriented education system.