INTERACTIVE BUSINESS GEOLOCALIZATION

M.Z. Zira¹, K.C. Cabs², M.C. Cekule²

1 - Ltd.IntelSystem, Riga, Latvia

2 - University of Latvia, Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation, Riga, Latvia

aurum7@inbox.lv

Geolocalization of an enterprise or in other words the choice of location is different for every type of business, besides it is also experiencing changes due to the time dimension, which means increase in the level of use of information and communication technologies. Thus also number of the potential territories for the location of the enterprises is increasing, as in their identification the new location criteria and impacts have to be taken into consideration. This process is fostering competition between the regions not only on the local, but also on the global scale. Under the circumstances of global localization the decision on location of the enterprise as any other effective decision has to be based on the results of a complex global and local system analysis.

Aim of the research is to elaborate methodology for definition of the mutual correlations of business geolocalization indicators for Riga and its vicinity and to elaborate a working model for the given territory.

The research area is Riga and its vicinity where the potential business opportunities are being assessed based on the development planning documents, evaluation of the existing situation, analysis of the retrospective data, elaboration of prognosis and scenarios. There are data bases created with a wide range of attributes, which are located on the map thus defining the scope of the spatial analysis, e.g. evaluation of new locations or measuring the impact of a new store or competitor. Data bases include the following attributes: number of inhabitants, age and gender structure per territorial unit, crime situation layer, infrastructure layers, and environment indicators.

The enterprise data base used is related to the concrete spheres of activity, also analysis on its interrelation with the connected spheres is made, as well as its link to the specific infrastructure, demographic, environmental and other data layers. Analysis is based on the interrelations used in the global experience and their adoption to the situation in the given territory. It results in the possibility to assess the impact of changes in different GIS layers on the businesses in the research territory and vice versa - impact of business development on the other GIS layers.

Riga and its vicinity business spatial information structure is based on the geomatic platform. Databases are integrated into GIS in order to ensure quick and quality spatial analysis. System prototype is web based and accessible on the internet.