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Bendra kultūros erdvė Europoje ir nauji iššūkiai ekonomikos raidai
No full textThe paper aims to evaluate the main features of the creation and development of an integral cultural space in Europe and the main problems of economic development in the context of the enlargement of the European Union and the transition processes in Central and Eastern Europe.The author has used the outcomes of the research done over the recent several years, dedicated to the diagnostics of the problems of transformations as well as economic and social development in Central and Eastern Europe with a special reference to the development of the integral cultural space and human rights in the context of economic development in the European Union.The major findings show that the creation and development of the integral cultural space in Europe is a very complex and controversial process, and in its course various problems and conflicts arise. Therefore, to encourage the creation of the integral cultural space in Europe, appropriate cultural policies are necessary to be implemented.These policies may embrace many priorities including- preservation of cultural diversity;- adaptation and dissemination of integrated European dimensions;- elimination of inappropriate factors within humanism and democracy of all European countries;- provision of equal rights for all groups of modern society.For implementation of key priorities of cultural policies, the use of a number of special pan-European programmes is suggested.The new non-traditional ideas of a possible economic and social development in Central and Eastern Europe are discussed.Straipsnyje kompleksiškai nagrinėjami sudėtingi ir prieštaringi bendros kultūros erdvės Europoje formavimosi procesai, parodomas jų poveikis ekonomikos raidai Europos Sąjungos plėtros sąlygomis. Daugiausia dėmesio skiriama transformacijoms Rytų ir Vidurio Europos šalyse kaip esminiam bendros kultūros erdvės visoje Europoje formavimosi veiksniui.Ypač pažymimas tos transformacijų procesų aplinkybės, kurios turi įtakos įvairių visuomenės sluoksnių ir grupių lygių galimybių sampratos pokyčiams bei lygių galimybių principo realaus įgyvendinimo perspektyvoms. Parodyta, kad lygių galimybių principas išreiškia prioritetines vertybes, kurias siekiama įgyvendinti bendroje kultūros erdvėje Europoje: lygių galimybių samprata ir realūs gebėjimai jas įgyvendinti apibūdina visuomenės brandą ir raidos perspektyvas.Pažymima, kad ekonomikos raidą Rytų ir Vidurio Europos šalyse Europos Sąjungos plėtros sąlygomis ir atsirandant naujų tolesnės ekonominės integracijos galimybių itin paveiks tolesni visuomenės demokratizavimo procesai, iš jų - orientuoti į realų lygių galimybių įgyvendinimą.Lygių galimybių principo įgyvendinimas nagrinėjamas atsižvelgiant tiek į bendruosius kultūros erdvės Europoje pokyčius, tiek į specifinius transformacijų Rytų ir Vidurio Europoje ypatumus. Ypač svarbu, kad transformacijų procesai, per pastaruosius keliolika metų vykę Rytų ir Vidurio Europos šalyse, žymiu mastu rodo išryškėjusią įvairių visuomenės sluoksnių ir grupių požiūrio į lygias galimybes kaitą.Straipsnyje kompleksiškai apibūdinami tiek transformacijų procesai, reiškęsi iki Rytų ir Vidurio Europos integracijos į Europos Sąjungą, tiek transformacijų procesai, besireiškiantys Europos Sąjungos plėtros ir vidaus integracijos gilėjimo joje laikmečiu. Atskleidžiami šiems procesams būdingi požymiai ir prioritetai, parodyta transformacijų raiška ir ypatumai įvairiose ekonominės raidos ir kultūros bei socialinio gyvenimo srityse.Straipsnyje pateikiami bendros kultūros erdvės formavimuisi Europoje skirtų tyrimų rezultatai. Išryškinti svarbiausi bendros kultūros erdvės požymiai, atskleistos tokios erdvės formavimosi problemos, ypač tos, kurias lemia Europos Sąjungos plėtra bei Rytų ir Vidurio Europos šalyse vykstantys socialiniai ir ekonominiai pokyčiai
Lietuvos miškų sektoriaus raidos galimybės: esami konkurenciniai pranašumai ir prioritetinės plėtros kryptys
Get PDFThe purpose of the paper is to present a short summary of the current situation in the Lithuanian forestry sector, to identify the importance of the sector to the economy of the country, evaluate the main competitive advantages and to discuss the possible expansion trends for the nearest decade. The practical relevance of the research is related to the problem of Lithuanian timber and furniture industry development. The forestry sector occupies a significant part in the economy, therefore its role is very important to Lithuania. Timber industry and forestry are recognized by the Lithuanian government to be the priority sectors of the economy, therefore it is important to analyse the further development perspectives and the possible enhancement of their competitiveness. The Lithuanian forestry sector supplies important products and services to society and contributes towards the overall welfare and development. Forests comprise 7.5% of Lithuanian national property and occupy 1/3 of the territory; they supply the renewing and growing timber resources.The study was conducted using the following methods: systemic analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and statistical data sources and comparative analysis of forestry enterprises’ activity. In order to identify the main problems and perspectives of the sector, an interpretation of the secondary data sources was carried out using the economic statistical analysis and expert evaluation methods.The paper starts with describing the relevance of the topic, identifying the role of the forestry sector in the economy of Lithuania, and presenting the methods applied in the research. The current state of the forestry, timber and furniture industry as well as wood energy is presented.The forest area in Lithuania is growing from the middle of the 20th century. On 1 January 2006, Lithuania possessed 2014 thous. ha of forests (32.5% of the territory of the country) with 401.1 mill. m3 of wood. 7.6 mill. m3 of timber with bark is harvested in Lithuania every year; it comprises 58% of the total wood increment. Part of timber (about 0.1 mill. m3) is left as a post-harvesting waist on site. In the 3rd and 4th forest groups, utilisation of wood increment comprises 67%. Analysis of governmental forest inspection data suggests that Lithuania does not exploit significant reserves (about 2-2.5 mill. m3 of timber per year) to increase the supply of local timber for the industry and energy sectors. About 1.5 mill. m3 of timber per year is not delivered only from the forest reserved for the restoration of the ownership rights (which comprises 300,000 ha or 15.6% of forest area). Lithuanian industry suffers a loss of potential timber because no activity is performed in the areas until property is returned to the owners.The forestry sector produces 4% of the Lithuanian GDP. Timber industry contributes 10% to industrial value added in Lithuania. The sector involves 220 thous. private forest owners and 52 thous. workers of forestry and timber industry. This industry is among the fastest growing areas of the Lithuanian economy with a positive export-import balance (more than 60% of products are exported). The further development of the timber industry is also related to the growth of export.The second part of the paper describes the competitive advantages identified in the course of the analysis. The main competitive advantage of the timber and furniture industry is local raw materials. The producers of timber slabs are able to satisfy the growing demand of the national furniture industry. The project of vertical integration uniting producers of timber slabs and furniture components was executed successfully. Qualified human resources, experience in the field, knowledge obtained from cooperation with worldclass enterprises, as well as a strong financial capability and funding sources are promising for the growth of international competitiveness.The paper is finalised by presenting conclusions about priority business development areas and opportunities for the Lithuanian forestry sector in the next decade. It is indicated that import pressure from lower cost countries forces to review the business models: in order to increase competitiveness, producers are involved into the vertical integration from raw material supply to the end-user product (e.g., furniture supplied with wooden houses). It is forecasted that the competitive position of Lithuanian forestry sector will be enhanced by the further integration between timber raw materials and end-user products, i.e. between producers of soiled timber. wooden houses and components as well as between producers of timber slabs and furniture. A significant reorganisation is pending in the sawmill industry: old inefficient sawmills are expected to be replaced by modem sawmills that will be integrated into the production chain of value added wooden products. Advanced forestry forms are expected to be adopted in the supply of raw materials. The supply of timber raw materials will be enhanced in order to meet the increasing demands of the industry and energy sectors. The goal is to increase the supply of timber from 6.4 mill. m3 in 2005 to the level of 7.5 mill. m3 by 2010 and no less than 9.5 mill. m3 by the year 2030. In order to produce additional wood fuel, a more efficient collection of harvesting waist on site will need to be organised. In addition to the traditional forestry methods, it is suggested to apply a new, non-traditional growth system in the short turnover and plantation forests. It is concluded that the importance of the forestry sector will grow, and this is documented in a number of strategic documents adopted by the EU.Straipsnio tikslas - glaustai įvertinti Lietuvos miškų sektoriaus dabartinę būklę, jo reikšmę šalies ekonomikai, pagrindinius turimus konkurencinius pranašumus ir tuo remiantis aptarti galimas plėtros kryptis artimiausiam dešimtmečiui. Straipsnio pradžioje apibūdinamas temos aktualumas, miškų sektoriaus vaidmuo Lietuvos ekonomikai, tyrimo metodai, atskirai pristatoma miškininkystės, medienos ir baldų pramonės, medienos energetikos esama būklė. Kitoje straipsnio dalyje aptariami tyrimo metu atliktos sektoriaus analizės dėka išryškėję konkurenciniai pranašumai. Straipsnis baigiamas išvadomis apie ateinančiu dešimtmečiu prioritetines Lietuvos miškų sektoriams verslo plėtros kryptis ir galimybes
Lenkijos finansų institucijų - kredito unijų ir nacionalinės kredito unijos finansų valdymo sprendimai
No full textCrediting financial institutions (financial co-operatives) on Polish territories began functioning in the 19th century. They performed duties also in the period of the 2nd Republic of Poland. After World War II, credit unions were subjected to various organizational transformations. Their regeneration in Poland took place early in the 1990s in the shape of the credit unions. The non-banking financial institutions in Poland - credit unions and the National Credit Union - take investment and financial decisions. These decisions deal with finance management. Investment decisions are not a uniform category. One can group them on various bases. The credit unions and the National Credit Union may take up various attitudes towards the investment risk. Financial decisions are determined by operational and investment activity of the mentioned financial institutions. The scope of investment and financial decisions of credit unions and the National Credit Union is different. There are external and internal factors, as well as mixed internal-external factors influencing at the present moment the investment and financial decisions of credit unions and the National Credit Union. Future changes within the investment and financial decisions of credit unions and the National Credit Union in Poland may be determined, among other factors, by the accepted model of development of these financial institutions (Model of QuantityQuality Changes - MQQC or Banking Model - BM).Kredito institucijos (kredito kooperatyvai) Lenkijos teritorijoje pradėjo kurtis XIX amžiuje. Jos vykdė veiklą Lenkijos antrosios respublikos laikotarpiu. Po Antruoju pasaulinio karo kredito institucijos buvo įvairiai pertvarkytos. Jas atkurLi Lenkijoje pradėta XX amžiaus paskutiniuoju dešimtmečiu kredito unijų forma. Lenkijoje finansų institucijos ne bankai - kredito unijos ir Nacionalinė kredito unija - priima investicinius ir finansinius sprendimus. Straipsnyje išskiriami ir aptariami tų unijų finansų valdymo sprendimai. Aptariama investicinių sprendimų įvairovė. Išskiriamos pagrindinės jų rūšys.Nagrinėjami kredito unijos priimami materialiųjų ir finansinių investicijų sprendimai, jų įstatymų ribojimai, taip pat finansinių investicijų į Nacionalinę kredito uniją ribojimai. Nagrinėjami Nacionalinės kredito unijos priimami materialiųjų investicijų realizavimo sprendimai, jos ir kredito unijų daromi sprendimai dėl trečiosios - nematerialiųjų investicijų rūšies. Kredito unijos ir Nacionalinė kredito unija gali turėti įvairų požiūrį į investavimo riziką. Finansinius sprendimus apibrėžia minėtų institucijų operacinė ir investicinė veikla. Išskiriamos kredito unijų ir Nacionalinės kredito unijos investicinių ir finansinių sprendimų sritys. Nagrinėjami išoriniai ir vidiniai bei mišrūs vidinis-išorinis veiksniai, turintys įtakos kredito unijų ir Nacionalinės kredito unijos investiciniams ir finansiniams sprendimams. Siūloma Lenkijos kredito unijų ir Nacionalinės kredito unijos būsimiesiems investiciniams ir finansiniams sprendimams, kitiems pokyčiams įvertinti bei šių finansų institucijų raidos tyrimams naudoti kiekybinių ir kokybinių pokyčių ir bankininkystės modelius, detalizuojami tie pasiūlymai
Studijų kokybės vadybos sistemų tyrimas
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to show the importance of quality in the economics and social field and to highlight the peculiarities, problems and interferences of education quality assurance at universities and colleges. The article is prepared using the scientific and methodological literature together with organizations’ research. case-study analysis and summary of education practice at universities and colleges of Lithuania and in the world.The implementation of the TOM and ISO 9001 systems at universities and colleges provides for the following benefits: personnel involvement into the processes of education quality improvement; better usage of personnel competency; more precise measurement and assessment of work results; better identification and control of processes; rise of satisfaction of clients, social partners and society with work results of universities. Most of education institutions implementing quality management tools and principles confront the following major problems: complicated description of the study quality concept and content; multiplicity of study quality indicators and their measurement and assessment vulnerability; lack of skills using the TOM concept, its principles, ISO 9001 management models and quality methods; difficulties in resolving university work into interdependent managed the processes and the process of thinking development; inertia and sometimes even resistance of part of the employees to fundamental changes. An original model of the organization development “tree” is presented.Straipsnyje analizuojami pasaulinės ekonomikos ir įvairių veiklos sričių globalizacijos ir internacionalizacijos procesų lemiami aukštojo mokslo raidos pokyčiai ir universitetinės veiklos bei studijų kokybės užtikrinimo metodai ir priemonės. Remiantis mokslinės literatūros analize, užsienio ir Lietuvos aukštųjų mokyklų veiklos praktikos apibendrinimais ir autoriaus atlikto organizacijų tyrimo rezultatais atskleidžiami kokybės vadybos sistemų (KVS) ir kitų vadybos priemonių diegimo ypatumai, probleminės sritys ir išryškinami galimi trukdžiai sukurti veiksmingą KVS. Pateikiamas studijų organizacijos rezultatyvios plėtros veiksnių ir priemonių modelis
Paramos smulkiam ir vidutiniam verslui efektyvumo vertinimas
Get PDFSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SME) play a major role in economic growth and provide major external benefits such as creation of new jobs and increase in employment. Increase of employment is the main social policy or the government. As in the case or public goods, the SMEs faces market failures and other barriers. Therefore, SMEs have specific strengths and weaknesses that require special policy responses. SMEs face many problems: lack of financing, difficulties in exploiting technology, constrained managerial capabilities, low productivity. regulatory burdens. The government should improve SMEs access to financing, information infrastructures and international markets. Providing the regulatory, legal and financial frameworks conductive to entrepreneurship and small firm start-up and growth is a priority.Government policy initiatives should take account of the regional and local factors that affect entrepreneurship and on this basis to foster the partnership of small firms. Building on local strengths. SME policies need to address the new dynamics of entrepreneurship, and small firm clusters should meet the challenges of globalization.Fostering public-private partnerships and small-firm networks and clusters may be the most expeditious path to a dynamic SME sector. Grouped in the local system of production, SME arc more flexible and responsive to customer needs than large integrated firms. They can pool resources, share costs of training, research and marketing. Clustering facilitates exchange of personnel and diffusion of technology, creates efficiency gains and helps to meet the challenges of globalization. SME in clusters seek international opportunities also through strategic alliances, franchising and joint ventures.Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers, firms in related industries, and associated institutions (e.g., universities, standards agencies, trade associations) in a particular field that compete but also cooperate. Clusters, or critical masses of unusual competitive success in particular business areas, are a striking feature of virtually every national, regional, state, and even metropolitan economy, especially in more advanced nations. Clusters represent a new way of thinking about national, state, and local economics, and they necessitate new roles for companies, for various levels of government, and for other institutions in enhancing competitiveness. For companies, the thinking about competition and strategy has been dominated by what goes on inside the organization. Clusters suggest that a good deal of competitive advantage lies outside companies and even outside their industries. residing instead in the locations at which their business units arc based. This creates important new agendas for management that are rarely recognized. For example, clusters represent a new unit of competitive analysis along with the firm and industry. Cluster thinking suggests that companies have a tangible and important stake in the business environments where they are located, in ways that go far beyond taxes, electricity costs, and wage rates. The health of the cluster is important to the health of the company. Companies might actually benefit from having more local competitors. Trade associations can be competitive assets, not merely lobbying and social organizations. Clusters are important because they allow companies to be more productive and innovative than they could be in isolation. And clusters are important because they reduce the barriers for new business creation relative to other locations.The article deals with criteria for the government support to SME efficiency. A methodology of government support efficiency evaluation based on sustainability criteria is proposed. The criteria for selection of SME support measures should address all dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental. The methodology can be applied on country, region or enterprise level. Economic indicators for support effectiveness evaluation on enterprise level include the positive changes in financial indicators of a company on receiving support. Social indicators on such level arc the new jobs created and the increase of income. Environmental indicators such as pollutant emission reductions in an enterprise allow to evaluate the social effect of support. Therefore, a complex system of indicators needs to be developed to evaluate the efficiency of support provided to SMS according to economic, social and environmental criteria. The system of sustainability criteria may be applied on a country level and include more general indicators such as: GDP growth, increase of employment, higher real income of population, decrease of inequality of income, pollution reduction in the country, etc.Straipsnyje analizuojamos paramos smulkiam ir vidutiniam verslui (SW) efektyvumo vertinimo problemos, pateikiami argumentai, kodėl būtina sukurti paramos SW efektyvumo vertinimo daugiakriterinę metodiką, pagrįstą socialinio, ekonominio ir aplinkosauginio poveikio vertinimu. Straipsnis yra apžvalginio analitinio pobūdžio. Jo tikslas pagrįsti paramos SW vertinimo efektyvumą pagal paramos įtaką darnios plėtros tikslams. Pagrindiniai straipsnio uždaviniai yra suformuluoti paramos SW efektyvumo vertinimo metodologiją, pagrįstą daugiakriterine analize, ir pateikti konkretų šios metodikos taikymo pavyzdį
Verslo vertinimo kokybei turintys įtakos finansinės analizės aspektai
Get PDFThis article presents an examination of the importance and influence of an analysis of a company’s financial condition on business valuation results. The accuracy and quality of a business valuation are directly related to the accuracy and reliability of the information presented. Business valuation practice in Lithuania has shoved. that without reliable internal information a business valuation is impossible, while without external information. a business valuation is inaccurate.A financial condition analysis of the company under valuation includes an valuation of its past, current and expected financial results. Business va1uers must gather comprehensive information and proceed with its analysis. However, not all of Lithuania’s business valuers react positively when given these requirements, and are often content to limit themselves to less comprehensive information on the object under valuation, not bothering to assess the surrounding circumstances.This article presents two aspects of the importance of and problems associated with a financial analysis - the investment aspect and the financial apsect. Literature that highlights the investment aspect often places a higher priority on the application of analytical methods, while the issue of the suitablity of information regarding financial responsibility is described merely as a difference in the existing record-keeping rules, and the problems arising from their comparison. In addition to the already mentioned detailed analysis problems, advocates of the financial aspect have identified many more and underline the necessity of closely assessing and distinguishing the results of the business under valuation for the actual business activities that are undertaken. The stages, actions and aims of a financial analysis encompass several stages, from identifying the record-keeping policies in use, through to the most important business evaluation results, as well as identifying potential areas for misrepresentation and their subsequent correction. It is in fact the very identification of misrepresentation and its correction that determines the reliability of data used in the business valuation, as well as the accuracy of the business valuation results.Taking into consideration the regulatory standards applied to business valuation and methodological recommendations, four main financial indicator groups in business valuation practice can be distinguished: profitability indicators; business effectiveness (asset management) indicators; solvency (liquidity) indicators; and capital structure indicators. A financial analysis can be based on both. smaller and a wider range of indicators, each reflecting the various aspects of the business concerned. Business valuers use their analytical systems. giving priority to those indicators they deem to be most important.Straipsnyje nagrinėjama įmonės ūkinės finansinės veiklos analizės svarba ir įtaka verslui vertinti. Aptariama finansinės analizės procedūrų ypatumai ir nuoseklumas vertinant verslą, esami teorijoje ir įvairių šalių praktikoje skirtingi požiūriai į finansinės analizės svarbą ir problemas. Atkreipiamas dėmesys į Lietuvoje esamas ūkinės finansinės veiklos analizės spragas vertinant verslą, kurias lemia objektyvūs ir subjektyvūs veiksniai
Verslo socialinės atsakomybės teorijų raida
Get PDFRecently, the issues of social responsibility of business in the US and EU states have been extensively addressed not only by researchers, but also by CEOs of enterprises, politicians, executive governmental authorities, trade unions, non-governmental organisations. This can be judged from the increasing number of publications on this issue as well as states’ governmental acts passed to initiate and encourage corporate social responsibility initiatives. The article deals with the development of social responsibility of business in the context of the prevailing economic and manageral theoretical models. Although the concept of corporate social responsibility has been developed in the second half of the 20th century, the social role of business has been mentioned in the English classical political economy research studies. We can state that A. Smith and D. Richard essentially formulated the elements of the concept of corporate social responsibility in business operating within the free competition scheme. K. Marx’s theoretical models provide a specific conception of social responsibility, which is actually radically different from that of the classical English political economy approach. Through imposing the value added production function to the capital and by giving its critical assessment, Marx presented his interpretation of social responsibility of both market economy and of alleged public limited company.An important stage in the corporate social responsibility study was the introduction and promotion of stakeholders theory which was reviewed in detail by R. Freeman in his monograph in 1984. He then modified a conventional corporation input-output model which accepted only four groups of players as directly linked to the firm’s activity: shareholders, workers, suppliers and customers, by expanding the influences’ list to governmental bodies, political groups, trade associations, trade unions, communities, associated corporations, environmentalists, human and customer rights’ proponents and other vested parties whose interests are important to business and undertakings. Stakeholders theory admits the importance of corporate responsibility and the necessity of related costs. It maintains that the support of stakeholders adds to formation of a firm-friendly environment and positively affects a firm’s operation results. Despite its popularity, stakeholders theory however failed the overall unconditional acclaim and has been subject to criticism both in the theoretical and empirical aspects.Corporate social responsibility analysis has been closely related to strategic corporate governance issues. This is obviously featured in a rather popular resource-based view model. The model maintains that every firm possesses a unique specific combination of resources and competences. Should these resources and capacities prove to show indeed valued, unique, rare and indispensable, they can actually make for the exclusive competitive advantage to the firm. Certainly, companies strive to identify, sustain and develop this advantage.Modem society shows an obvious growing influence of corporate social responsibility supporters. It shoved be noted that stakeholders, who a couple decades ago used to demand managerial social responsibility, sought arguments in the defence of their positions primarily in the ethics research works. Lately there has been a general tendency to justify the social responsibility of business on the account of financial benefit consideration. Also, an important thing is that even amongst the conventional neoclassical economic scholars increasing are studies that attempt to justify the costs of corporate social programmes through revealing their efficiency on a long-term scale. As a joint-point to enable incorporation of social expenses in the neoclassical profit maximisation model, the conception of strategic investment has been used lately. Classical enterprise theory makes impossible the maximization of the two values simultaneously - the profit and social benefit. Some researchers, however, through the use of traditional macroeconomic analysis instruments, seek to prove that corporate social programmes should be approached as strategic investment. In this respect, the dimensions of profit and social responsibility maximisation coincide.In Lithuania, corporate social responsibility has been mostly assessed in the context of human resource theory. Empiric analysis in the field remains in its initial stage.Straipsnyje nagrinėjama verslo socialinės atsakomybės sampratos ir įtakos kaita paplitusių ekonomikos ir vadybos teorijų kontekste. Analizuojami valstybės institucijų, piliečių ir jų organizacijų verslo santykiai, atskleidžiamos verslo socialinių funkcijų traktuotės evoliucionuojant rinkos ūkiui. Korporacijų socialinės atsakomybės koncepcija buvo išplėtota antrojoje XX amžiaus pusėje, tačiau verslo socialinių funkcijų klausimo ištakos - anglų klasikinės politinės ekonomijos atstovų darbai. Svarbiu įmonių socialinės atsakomybės tyrinėjimo etapu tapo suinteresuotųjų grupių teorijos plėtra ir raida. Įmonės išteklių požiūrio teorijoje išryškėjo tendencija verslo socialinį atsakingumą grįsti finansine nauda. Net tradicinės neoklasikinės ekonominės minties atstovų darbuose gausėja argumentų, pateisinančių įmonių socialinių programų kaštus ilgą laikotarpį. Lietuvoje socialinės atsakomybės tyrimai plėtojami žmoniškųjų išteklių teorijos kontekste
Lietuvos užsienio prekybos pokyčiai integruotoje Europos Sąjungos rinkoje
Get PDFThe rapid economic growth of the world countries is associated with the expedited development of foreign trade. Lithuania’s political and economic situation urges to conceive that the country requires active improvement and development of its foreign relations. It is important for Lithuania to occupy its place in the European Union (EU) integrated market. Therefore the aim of this article is to highlight changes in the Lithuanian foreign trade and to foresee the possibilities of improving competitiveness in the integrated market.To present objectively the results of the analysis. data of the Department of Statistics of the Republic of Lithuania, the latest research in the field were taken as a reference. Comparative analysis and summary methods of academic literature, publications and statistical data were applied.In current conditions, a country is able to achieve economic growth only by participating in foreign trade. International economic relations have established most recently in Lithuania and now become extremely important. The key changes of Lithuanian foreign trade policy are concerned with the integration in the EU market and common foreign trade policy. The application of new internal and external market conditions have influenced the country’s foreign trade developments. The EU membership expanded Lithuania’s markets of disposal, formed the background for an increase of foreign trade and the development of economy.After becoming the EU member, Lithuania effects its foreign trade in accordance with the common EU foreign trade policy requirements and measures by modelling the common trade policy together with other Member States. Lithuania’s accession to the EU had a positive impact on the expansion of its foreign trade. Export increased by 18.43% in 2006, and import increased by 22.98% within one year. Regionally, EU Member States are the key Lithuania’s export and import partners. In 2006, the further increase of internal demand encouraged import, therefore, export lagged behind import in terms of the rate of development (4.55 percentage points), and Lithuanian foreign trade deficit amounted to 14262.3 million LtL in 2006 and was further increasing rapidly.In 2006, the key Lithuania’s export partners were Russia (12.8%), Latvia (11.1%), Germany (8.7%), Estonia (6.5%) and the key import partners were Russia (24.4%), Germany (14.8%), Poland (9.6%), Latvia (4.8%). Export growth has been achieved in almost every section of the Combined Nomenclature in 2006. Mineral products (24% and 23.6% respectively) formed the largest part of Lithuania’s import and export, and Lithuania’s production and processing industry ensured the major part of the country’s export (about 60%).In developing its foreign trade, Lithuania still needs to overcome the problems inherent in new participants of the global economy. One of the key problems is the insufficient competitiveness of Lithuania’s industry.Pasaulio ekonomikos išsivystymo lygis ir vis labiau intensyvėjanti globalizacijos procesų skatinama ekonominė integracija meta iššūkį valstybėms, siekiančioms dalyvauti šiuose procesuose, padidinti konkurencinį pranašumą pasaulinėje rinkoje. Šiuolaikinėje globalioje verslo aplinkoje vykstantys pokyčiai skatina rasti naujų gebėjimų palaikyti ir plėsti visus tarptautinius prekybinius santykius. Regioninių prekybos ryšių plėtra turi būti laikoma tarpiniu etapu, leidžiančiu verslo subjektams laipsniškai įgyti naujų žinių, patirties, kaip sėkmingai konkuruoti integruotoje Europos Sąjungos rinkoje. Spartus valstybių ekonominis augimas susijęs su spartesne užsienio prekybos plėtra kaip viena iš pasaulinio ūkio globalizaciją skatinančių jėgų. Globalizacijos procesai, skatinami didėjančių rinkos poreikių, mažėjančių prekybos kliūčių tarp nacionalinių ekonomikų, verčia aiškintis ir analizuoti Lietuvos užsienio prekybos pokyčius ir numatyti priemones, siekiant įtraukti Lietuvos verslo subjektus į debatus dėl globalizacijos tendencijų poveikio užsienio prekybai. Vykstant globaliai plėtrai Lietuvos verslo įmonėms svarbu pasirinkti tinkamus užsienio prekybos plėtros būdus, padedančius išlikti konkurencingoms globalioje ekonomikoje ir tinkamai reaguoti į palankias pasaulinės rinkos galimybes. Todėl reikėtų siekti plėtoti bendradarbiavimą ir eksporto-importo ryšius ne tik įsitraukiant į ES bendrąją rinką ir jos vykdomą užsienio prekybos politiką, bet ir adekvačiai reaguoti į integruotos rinkos teikiamas pasaulinės plėtros galimybes.Straipsnio tikslas - išryškinti svarbiausius Lietuvos užsienio prekybos pokyčius, numatyti užsienio prekybos plėtros ir konkurencingumo didinimo integruotoje rinkoje priemones.Naudoti metodai - literatūros analizė ir apibendrinimai, lyginamoji analizė