Who am I?

My name is Rima Rubčinskaitė. I am from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, a small country near the Baltic Sea.
I have been the Principal Economist at the Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos Bankas, Market Infrastructure Department) since November 2022. I have been a Research Fellow at Vilnius University Faculty of Economics & Business Administration since 2018. I was a Project Manager and  Principal Investigator in the research grant project "Euro4Europe" (www.euro4europe.vu.lt), mostly within the research area on the Impact of Economic Integration on Regional Business Cycle Synchronization (Jan 2018 - June 2022).    

I worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at Lithuania's Government Strategic Analysis Center in November 2020. I was responsible for analysing the European Union Green Deal possibilities for the Lithuanian economy. Under this task, I’ve managed a team of 4 while applying  Sustainable Development Goals and the OECD Regional Wellbeing approach for quantitative analysis of economic, GHG emissions, and social factors on the national and regional levels of Lithuania. I was a member of the team working on Smart City concept development for Lithuania, and I was responsible for the analysis of the rates for professional services (notaries and bailiffs) and the evaluation of the costs & benefits of Smart City investments in Lithuania.  
I received my Ph. D. in Economics in October 2019, and my Ph. D. Thesis was "Clusters' Impact on the Economy and Innovation of the Baltic States". In my Ph. D. Thesis I've explored the business sector's 4-digits NACE Rev 2 economic activities clustering by labour and productivity in 3 Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) exploiting k-means clustering and panel models.

Since 2017 I have been a member of the Regional Studies Association (www.regionalstudies.org). Since 2020 a member of the European Regional Science Association (www. ersa.org) and European Economic Association (www.eeassoc.org).

Since 2004 I worked as a consultant and applied cost-benefit analysis to various business and Higher Education investment projects. Since 2005 I consulted various businesses in developing innovations through R&D activities. Since July 2017 I have been an Innovation & Technology Expert at the National Innovation Agency (www.mita.lt) helping companies identify, develop and transfer innovations & technologies to the market.

My research interests

Innovation & Regional Development, Productivity & Resilience, Higher Education & Knowledge Production Function, Unsupervised Learning Methods & Panel data

Publications & Papers in progress

Rubčinskaitė, R.,  Urbšienė, L. (2024). What Matters for the Economic Synchronization of the Baltic States. Empirica, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10663-024-09615-1 

Rubčinskaitė, R., Birbilaitė, J.,  Cibaitė, G., Pauliukaitė-Gečienė, Ž., Popova, B. (2021).  Transformation and Breakthrough Directions for the Lithuanian Economy. @Strata. https://strata.gov.lt/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20210930-Lietuvos-ukio-transformacijos-ir-proverzio-kryptys.pdf

Rubčinskaitė, R., Pauliukaitė-Gečienė, Ž., Pranckevičiūtė - Amonson, R. (2021). Analysis of the Practice of Foreign Countries in Implementing the "Smart City Concept", Assessment of Lithuanian Practice and Preparation of Proposals for Lithuania. @Strata. https://strata.gov.lt/images/tyrimai/2021-metai/20220308-ismanusis-miestas.pdf 

Rubčinskaitė, R. (2019). Ph. D. Thesis (monograph) "Klasterių poveikis Baltijos šalių ekonomikai ir inovacijoms" (Clusters' Impact on the Economy & Innovation in the Baltic States). ISBN 978-609-07-0273-4

Rubčinskaitė, R., Kasnauskienė, G. (2017). The Role of Economic Activities Clusters in Gross Value Added Generation in the Baltic State. Proceedings of the international Central Bohemia University conference 2017 “Innovations in Science and Education”,  http://ojs.journals.cz/index.php/CBUIC/article/view/957

Rubčinskaitė, R., Kasnauskienė, G. (2016). Identification of Clusters Contribution to Economic Growth in the Baltic States (2016). Development in Economics: Theory and Practice. 12th International Prof. Vladas Gronskas Young Researchers Scientific Conference. Reviewed Selected Papers. http://www.khf.vu.lt/dokumentai/failai/konferenciju/gronsko2016/GRONSKO_KONFERENCIJOS_LEIDINYS_2015.pdf

Rubčinskaitė R. (2014). Regional Dimension of Baltic Countries Clusters‘ Impact on Economy: First Insights. Proceedings of  “4th International Scientific Conference „Practice and Research in Private and Public Sector – 2014“  ISSN (online) 2029-7978. http://prpps.mruni.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/PRPPS-2014-PROCEEDINGS.pdf

Rubčinskaitė R., Vaiginienė E., Stonkienė M., Milišiūnaitė I., Matkevičienė R., Serafinas D., Adomaitytė-Subačienė I., Bulajeva T., Lepaitė D., Jaržemskis A., Leišytė L., Berger F., Heimer T., Melin G. (2014). Lietuvos studijų politikos ir EAME bei Europos Sąjungos strateginių nuostatų lyginamosios analizės ataskaita (studija) (in English “A Comparative Study of Higher Education Policy of Lithuania and Strategic Provisions of the EHEA and the European Union”). p. 12-48, 99-118, 144-167, 226-242. http://www.esparama.lt/documents/10157/490675/Lyginamoji_lietuvos+ir+ES_analize.pdf/babb173e-8eae-4879-a725-48560c25fa29

Vaiginienė E., Stonkienė M., Serafinas D., Rubčinskaitė R., Miliūšinaitė I., Matkevičienė R., Jaržemskis A., Dikčius V., Dubinskas P., Bulajeva T., Bikas E. (2013). Lietuvos studijų politikos 2009-2011 m. pokyčių kompleksinė analizė (in English “The comprehensive analysis of the changes in the Lithuanian higher education policy during the period from 2009 to 2011”).  p. 125-154.  http://www.esparama.lt/documents/10157/490675/Kompleksine+analize.pdf/05ac895c-3eb5-403a-abfc-17f20f52d710

Rubčinskaitė, R., Kasnauskienė, G. (2017). The Role of Economic Activities Clusters in Gross Value Added Generation in the Baltic State. Proceedings of the international Central Bohemia University conference 2017 “Innovations in Science and Education”,  http://ojs.journals.cz/index.php/CBUIC/article/view/957

Pūtienė R. (present Rubčinskaitė), Gineitienė Z. Verslo inovacinės veiklos finansavimo naudojant Europos Sąjungos struktūrinius fondų lėšas Lietuvoje 2004 – 2006 m. programavimo laikotarpiu efektyvumo vertinimas (in English “Evaluation of Business Innovation Activity Funding Performance through European Structural Funds in the period of the Single Programming Document Period 2004-2006”). (2011). Socialinių mokslų studijos.  Vol 3 (2), p. 533-550. ISSN 2029-2236 (print). ISSN 2029-2244 (online).

Presentations

Presentation "What is digital financial inclusion and what factors to consider by promoting it in different geographical areas" at the RSA annual conference "Transforming Regions: Policies and Planning for People and Places", 16 June, 2023, https://events.rdmobile.com/Sessions/Details/1802823 

Presentation “Sectoral labour market dynamics and adjustment to shocks in the Baltic States” at Regions in Recovery 2022, 28 March, 2022, https://events.rdmobile.com/Sessions/Details/1316885

Presentation "The impact of spatial factors on sectoral labour market dynamics and adjustments to shocks in the Baltic States" at the 6th International Conference on Applied Theory, Macro and Empirical Finance (AMEF), 18-19 April, 2022, https://amef.uom.gr/amefprogram22.pdf 

Presentation "What Matters for the Economic Synchronization of the Baltic States" at the International Conference on International Economics, 16-17 June, 2022, https://aeefi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Final_program_CIE2022.pdf

Presentation “How to Identify Similar Patterns of the Resilience for the Regions” at the Regional Studies Association International Event “Regions in Recovery”, June, 2021. https://events.rdmobile.com/Sessions/Details/1135818

Presentation “Synchronization in resilience at the EU NUTS 3 level” at the International Conference “Reassessment of the ‘Optimal Currency Area’ theory in the persistently heterogeneous European Union”, 9-10 September, 2021, Vilnius (Lithuania). https://www.euro4europe.vu.lt/conference/#conference_programme

Presentation “Do high productivity clusters reflect smart specialization strategies‘ priorities in the Baltic States“ at the International Conference „Pushing Regions Beyond their Borders“, Santiago de Compostela (Spain), 5-7 June, 2019. https://3ftfah3bhjub3knerv1hneul-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Abstract-Book.pdf 

Presentation “Agglomeration, Clusters and Productivity: A Case of Small European Region“ Urban and Rural Wellbeing, First Nations Economies and Global Value Chains for Regional Sustainability”, February 2019. https://3ftfah3bhjub3knerv1hneul-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2019-Australasia-Conference-Online-Abstract-Book.pdf 

Presentation “Agglomeration or periphery? What is the way for small EU region: the case of the Baltic States” at the international Regional Study Association conference “The Place Dimension of Cities and Regions: Governance, Industrial Development and Sustainability”, November, 2017, London. https://3ftfah3bhjub3knerv1hneul-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Abstract_Book.pdf

Presentation „Identification of contribution of clusters to economic growth in the Baltic States: does gross value added matter?“ at the 12-th international prof. Vladas Gronskas young researchers conference „Development in Economics: Theory and Practice“, 10th December, 2015.

Presentation „Lessons learned for monitoring indicators during 2007-2013 period: the case of Higher Education in Lithuania“  5th July, 2013 at the international conference „Cohesion Policy 2014-2020:  towards evidence based programming and evaluation“.

Presentation “The Role of Economic Activities Clusters in Gross Value Added Generation in the Baltic States” at the international Central Bohemia University conference “Innovations in Science and Education”, 22-24, March, 2017. Prague.

Presentation „Identification of contribution of clusters to economic growth in the Baltic States: does gross value added matter?“ at the 12-th international prof. Vladas Gronskas young researchers conference „Development in Economics: Theory and Practice“, 10th December, 2015.

Presentation „Lessons learned for monitoring indicators during 2007-2013 period: the case of Higher Education in Lithuania“  5th July, 2013 at the international conference „Cohesion Policy 2014-2020:  towards evidence based programming and evaluation“.

Presentation “The Role of Economic Activities Clusters in Gross Value Added Generation in the Baltic States” at the international Central Bohemia University conference “Innovations in Science and Education”, 22-24, March, 2017. Prague.

Projects

2018-2022, Grant Research Project "Reassessment of the Optimum Currency Area in the persistently heterogeneous European Union (Euro4Europe)”, www.euro4europe.vu.lt, Researcher & Co-Investigator

2015-2016, Contract „Social Sciences Expertise Service", Expert & Project Manager

2013-2014, Contract services „SMEs consultation for preparation of project applications of international programs services“, Leader of VU IBS experts’ team 

2012-2014, Contract R&D project „Pilot Application of Higher Education Policy Research Methodology”, Expert & Project Manager

2012-2014, Research grant project „Research of Attracting Investments into Lithuanian Capital Market“ , Junior Researcher

2012-2013, Services contract „Internal Quality Management System Improvement Services of International Business School at Vilnius University“, VU IBS Team Manager

2012 Contract „Social Sciences Expertise Service“, Leader of VU IBS experts’ team 

2014-2017 main projects at the Research Institute of Changes:

Contract R&D service project, main role – project leader. Project included 6 consultations on R&D, qualitative and quantitative market research, creation and development of eco-design, technical tests of product eco-design. November 2014 – February 2016

Contract for qualitative research of foreign markets for creative cluster (8 countries: USA, UK, Ireland, DE, IT, FIN, RU, PL), main roles – organizer & researcher, November 2014 – August 2015

Contract on Study on Clusterization in Lithuania, main role – expert, August - November, 2017. http://klaster.lt/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Klasterizacijos-studija-2017.pdf 

Contacts

Personal email: rima.putiene@gmail.com

Vilnius University: rima.rubcinskaite@evaf.vu.lt

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rima-rubcinskaite-510b7037/