bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prosumer Aggregators in Romania
Authors: Palade Dan , Ioanid Alexandra
Published: July 2024

The European Union has pledged to transform Europe into the first climate neutral continent by 2050, and the first step towards achieving this goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2050, compared to levels recorded in 1990. The two main paths the EU has chosen to follow to ensure its climate neutrality goals are electrification and the increase of the integration of renewable energy technologies. If the 2010 period was characterized by the development and adoption of large-scale production of energy by using renewable sources, the 2020s seem to encompass a decentralization process, meant to bring energy production closer to the final consumer. In Romania, the past three years saw a rapid growth in the overall production of energy through distributed energy sources. Although this development is encouraging for achieving the broader environmental targets of the EU, at a local level there are several disadvantages that are starting to appear, such as issues in the distribution grid and confusion of both consumers and prosumers regarding the economic advantages of producing energy locally. The main goal of the research that has been conducted for a doctoral thesis was to develop a set of recommendations for aggregators regarding prosumers, based on mathematical model and calculations centered around a specific time frame. Research was spread into identifying and analyzing existing renewable technologies, detailing concepts such as decentralization, electrification, demand response and power aggregators, and the study of the main power aggregator business models. For these aspects to be covered, secondary research was used in the form of both academic and industry state-of-the-art papers. The main contributions of the research are the synthesizing of available information on aspects related to decentralized energy systems, and a set of recommendations aimed at aggregators, as a business, and existing and potential future prosumer.
Understanding Public Perception of Internet Security in the European Union
Authors: Vargas Vanesa Madalina , Oancea Marian , Teodorescu Cosmin Alexandru , Saftiuc Bogdan Paul
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an extensive analysis of Internet security experiences and perceptions among European Union (EU) citizens, as detailed by data within commented graphics highlighting awareness of online privacy practices, security-related aspects and data tracking methods. The paper also examines the implications of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding businesses operating within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). Via a thorough investigation of Internet users' awareness of cookies as tracking tools and the prevalence of security-related incidents, the paper provides insights into the evolving landscape of online privacy and security. It elucidates the challenges and opportunities presented by GDPR compliance for businesses, compliance requirements, spanning core principles and broader implications of data processing practices. The findings mark the imperative to align businesses’ operations with GDPR provisions, addressing key aspects such as consent mechanisms, lawful bases and the importance of robust data security measures. The conclusion reveals the significance derived from the intersection of internet security perceptions, GDPR compliance, and business operations within the EU and EEA. Synthesizing empirical data with regulatory analysis, the paper provides a valuable understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the evolving regulatory landscape, thereby equipping businesses with actionable strategies in order to safeguard data privacy rights and uphold regulatory compliance in the digital age.
The Role of Clusters in Managing Technological Challenges and Achieving Resilient Agri-Food Systems at the Global Level
Authors: Coman Cristiana-Ioana , Alexoaei Alina-Petronela , Cojanu Valentin
Published: July 2024

There is a strong need to transform agriculture from its heavy dependence on staple crops to an increased production that can, on the one hand, address the needs and quality requirements of domestic and export markets, but also grow into a resilient agri-food system. The paper acknowledges the emergence of agro-clusters as an essential element in promoting sustainable agriculture practices and in supporting export performance. The main objective of our research is to investigate the role of clusters in promoting knowledge transfer, improve competitiveness and boost technological investments through the example of selected relevant agri-clusters. To extend the existing literature, our research aims to evaluate the link between export performance - measured considering the volume of trade – and the existence of agri-clusters. We have assumed that there is a strong direct relationship between the existence and stage of development of agricultural clusters, the performance of agricultural exports – expressed in terms of total value of agricultural exports - and resilient agri-food systems. To test our hypothesis, we use data from the United Nations Comtrade Database on changes in export share and value of agricultural products over the last decade, complementary with qualitative analysis based on more than 100 sources (government documents, webpages, presentations, projects) of the top five global agricultural exporters to evaluate the existence of agricultural clusters, the government support and implication, and the integration of other actors such as universities, research centers, financial institutions. The results indicate a positive correlation between the development stage of analysed agricultural clusters, the resilience of agri-food systems and the performance of agricultural exports of the country of origin.
Exploring the Climate Change-AI Nexus: A Bibliometric and Scientometric Study1
Authors: Chițu Florentina , Mecu Andra-Nicoleta , Marin Georgiana-Ionela
Published: July 2024

The intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change mitigation has received increased attention as a result of pressing global environmental concerns and technological advancements. This paper will cover key scientific literature about the development and implementation of AI in tackling climate change challenge. Methodologically, bibliometric and scientometric analyses, including cooccurrence and co-citation analysis, were employed to systematically examine research trends and patterns. The major research question focuses on tracing the evolution of AI research in relation to climate change, investigating important drivers of interest and identifying influential works and research groups. The data find a considerable increase in AI and climate change papers after 2015, demonstrating a growing appreciation for AI’s potential to provide novel solutions. Implications of this trend include the use of AI technologies for environmental monitoring, prediction, and policy makers. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaborations on AI and climate change between experts from various fields shown the importance of global climate issues. This paper provides a new idea for the study on AI in climate change, highlighting opportunities for further exploration and collaboration.
Small Modular Reactors in Romania’s Energy Future. Two Essential Perspectives: Capital Costs and Public Perception
Authors: Crețulescu Andreea
Published: July 2024

In 2023, during the annual United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), Romania joined the Net Zero Nuclear Initiative and the Ministerial Declaration for the tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050, which recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving net zero goals worldwide. In this context, wanted to implement national projects and strategies to achieve the global goal of tripling nuclear power generation capacity by 2050 (taking 2030 as a reference) and to act to ensure that nuclear power plants are operated in security conditions. This paper examines the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Romania's energy landscape, considering the country's recent commitment to the Net Zero Nuclear Initiative and the goal of tripling nuclear capacity by 2050. The focus is on integrating new nuclear technologies, particularly SMRs, and modernizing existing facilities like the Cernavodă Power Plant. The study also explores the economic benefits, public perception challenges, and the role of European and American expertise in advancing SMR technology. For the first time, using specialized literature and data from public sources, the study aims to analyze the prospects for SMR projects developed in Romania to overcome two essential perspectives: capital costs and public perception in many communities where concerns related to nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, and potential risks associated with nuclear technologies exist.
The impact of Emerging Technologies on Logistics: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Faget Madalina-Floriana
Published: July 2024

Starting with the development that we had in previous years; we will look deeper into the benefits that emerging technologies have on logistics. We will explore specific applications and will use study cases as examples from companies that were successful in implementing this type of technology. Logistics management is being transformed by emerging technologies, bringing unprecedented efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. As global trade and supply chain complexities growth, logistics stakeholders are embracing cutting-edge technologies to optimize their operations. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, and Autonomous Vehicles are leading the way as key drivers of this process. Highlighting these technologies, how they work, addressing their challenges and potential drawbacks, we will emphasize with a cause-and-effect projection for a better understanding of how the future will look into logistics. This paper analyses the consequences of these emerging technologies on logistics, emphasizing their capacity to redefine conventional paradigms and mold a future for the industry that is more resilient and adaptable.
The Economic Consequences of the Reflexivisation of the Concept of Intellectual Property – A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Iatan Petru-Răsvan , Jora Octavian-Dragomir
Published: July 2024

Intellectual property is, from the perspective of economic theory, quite a stand-out. It retains the meritocratic particularities of material property – and, as such, advocating for its validity seems justified to many on the grounds that it helps the economic agent appropriate the benefits of his (in this case, intellectual) labour, while also being, in and of itself, immune to the scarcity which is inherent to “standard”, material property and, therefore, to the so-called “natural laws” governing most laissez-faire moral convictions, seeming to be a rather positive construction instead. Such a peculiar set of attributes is bound to make this concept sensitive to both intellectual differences among its “scientific undertakers” and applicative disturbances. If the praxeological approach of some Austrian School economists, like Stephan Kinsella, renders intellectual property a monopolistic obstacle in the way of proper free market development, other advocates of laissez-faire economics, such as Ayn Rand, fully embrace the notion and even consider it the only valid form of private property in existence (material property being nothing more than one of its sub-categories). This paper features an exclusively theoretical, non-empirical methodological approach, its aim being to analyse the way in which three key psychoanalytical issues of “reflexivisation”, present (also) in the field of economics, affect the concept of intellectual property. These issues are as follows: 1. How the economic agents who directly relate their (intellectual) activity to this concept risk altering some / all of the significance of its interpretative functions; 2. How the “grey area” specific to most “human rights” prevents the proper use of intellectual property rights and fuels the rhetoric used by its opponents; and 3. How some of the theoretical approaches advocating for / being against this concept are unknowingly driven by what psychoanalysis refers to as either neurosis (in the case of its advocates) or psychosis (mostly in the case of its opponents). The aimed result of this research is to provide a proper economic interpretation of the way in which the theoretical conceptual evolution of intellectual property may be affected by its very own “reflexivisation”.
Investigating the Effects of Education and Labour Market Challenges on Income Inequality
Authors: Jianu Ionuț , Tudorache Maria-Daniela , Nicolescu Andreea Florentina
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the impact of education and labour market challenges on the income inequality in European Union (27 Member States) within the period 2012-2022, this being calculated using the Panel EGLS method. Even if the effects are clearly visible from a theoretical point of view, in the latest years there were not many authors focusing their studies on the effects of the unemployment and early dropout from school and training on income inequality. In this regard, updating the figures, the impact coefficients and the theoretical background increase the understanding of the statistical processes and their results in the new economic context. Our results confirmed a positive relationship between unemployment rate and income inequality (measured by Gini coefficient), this being also the highest impact found, but also a positive link between the early leavers from education and training rate and income inequality. In addition, we used additional variables to catch the current economic challenges that are related to demographic changes and high energy prices. In this context, we found positive effects exerted by housing cost overburden rate and old-age dependency ratio on income inequality. Even if the model is limited to four income inequality drivers, we have demonstrated that the calculated coefficients are the best linear unbiased estimators.
The Rise of Geotechnology: A Paradigm Shift from Geopolitics and Geoeconomics in the Context of Industry 4.0
Authors: Nedelcu Mihai-Răzvan
Published: July 2024

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, where the physical, digital and biological areas merge, there is a growing demand for technology-centred thinking in world affairs. In the dynamic and complex landscape of international economic relations, the 21st century may witness a transformative shift in strategic thinking from traditional geopolitics and geoeconomics to the new realm of geotechnology, from the analogue and the geographic towards the digital and the abstract amidst the incoming economic disruption that is represented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This article explores the emerging paradigms, and how technological advancements have not only altered the traditional power dynamics among states but have also opened the way for a more interconnected and interdependent international system which necessitates new methods of thinking in order to cope with the economics of Industry 4.0. By discussing key aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this study aims to elucidate how technological innovations have become influential determinants in decision-making processes traditionally dominated by geopolitical or geoeconomic considerations. Through a rigorous review of the speciality literature, the article aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the rise of geotechnology and its transformative impact on shaping the future of international relations, by democratising global governance and providing a technologically-centric view in the context of the proliferation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its potentially disruptive capabilities.
Economic Incentives for Environmental Conservation via Corporate Social Responsibility: Case Study of Corona’s Plastic Retrieval Tournament
Authors: Preda Alexandru-Florin
Published: July 2024

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives encourage environmental preservation, economic viability and customer engagement. This study focuses on the potential transformation brought by such projects using a case analysis of Corona’s Plastic Collection Tournament. It evaluates how effective monetary rewards can be in promoting conservation among locals through involving them in scavenging plastic wastes for sale instead of relying entirely on fishing. The success of the event at incentivizing plastic retrieval is measured against what fishermen normally earn from their trade, underlining the financial feasibility of eco-friendly actions. Additionally, it looks into how teaming up with Mexico Recicla (one of Mexico’s largest recycling firms) can help members access new revenue streams.
Audit Market Concentration for Listed Entities in Romania and the Impact Following the Latest EU Audit Reform
Authors: Maca Alexandru Ioan , Ionescu Andreea Gabriela
Published: July 2024

The concentration of the audit market has been of interest for several years as the dominance of a few companies has always been an issue of debate. The need or not to address this situation, the reasons that cause it, any possible risks assessed and solutions to reduce them have been addressed by a wide range of studies.

Our research seeks to examine the structure of the Romanian Audit Market for listed entities, both before and following the recently adopted European Union Audit Reform. The main purpose is to understand the market structure, identify some of the main factors that influence auditor choice and if there was any impact following the new directive. The analyses focused on 74 listed companies, for the period from 2013 to 2022, for which we collected the relevant data in order to analyze the audit market structure, its evolution following the new audit directive and, using linear regressions models, test the influence that size, share class category, existence of long-term debt, shareholder type, evidence of shareholder direct involvement and auditor office location has on choosing one of the Big 4 auditors or not. Our analysis showed that Big4 auditors ecreased in market share especially after 2016, the date the new audit reform came into effect, from 49% to 41% and that the number of auditor changes increased significantly after this date. We also found that the number of cases where another Big4 auditor was selected decreased from 64%, in the period from 2013-2016, to only 28%, in the period from 2017-2022. These findings support therefore the assumed existence of an impact in the market following the latest European Union audit directive.

The linear regression analysis performed showed no significant influence for the variables analyzed, when it comes to choosing a Big4 Auditor, the highest coming from the share class variable (26%) and size (12%). Even though our paper offers some light regarding the audit market for listed companies in Romania and the evolution following the new directive further research is needed to better understand client behavior and what influences auditor choice.
The Role of Accounting and Audit in Sustainable Development
Authors: Petricică Vintilă Alis Elena , Buboi Dănăilă Angelica
Published: July 2024

The involvement of accountants and auditors in sustainable development has become more and more present in the literature specialised forums. Sustainability accounting works in the same direction with corporate practices and the evolution of best practices for financial standards. Accountants and auditors contribute to the standardization of uniform procedures for all the nations. Our study will present the responsibilities and work area of accountants and auditors in the economic sector for sustainability. The traditional role of accountants and auditors is evolving towards a more comprehensive spectrum that also includes a sustainability role. We considered the analysis of specialized literature to identify the involvement of sustainability in different fields, sustainability being a subject of interdisciplinary interest.. The current role of accountants and auditors in promoting sustainable development by examining actions set by accounting regulatory authorities and representatives of the accounting profession through a qualitative analysis. Our research aims to enrich the specialized literature in academic financial research. The actual case study will present the involvement of accountants and auditors in the area of sustainable development that desire to achieve the standards proposed by the UN. The importance of work performed by accountants and auditors for international businesses for sustainable development will be also presented. Although it is really important to keep in mind that the actual paper has boundaries that could provide new interesting opportunities for research areas.
Content Marketing – Innovative Strategy to Keep Companies on the Market
Authors: Ciocodeică David-Florin , Pestrea Constantin-Daniel , Berbece Ștefan-Alexandru
Published: July 2024

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the strategy and growth of a company through content marketing, including the positive impact it could have on its target audience. Content marketing makes the difference with the respect towards the quality. It does not create a rapid saturation effect on the target audience, because ad spam does not exist in this category. People choose what they want to view.

In a time of continuous technologization, companies need to strategically adjust in order to survive in the market. This adaptation takes shape throughout content marketing, which is remarkably becoming the one that makes the difference between being successful or not in the market in which you operate.

These days, the budgets allocated to content marketing are extremely high and they continue to grow as the years are passing.
Open Data and Smart Tourism Development in Viticultural Areas in Serbia
Authors: Jovanović Radmila , Michalijos María Paula , Seciu Cornelius
Published: July 2024

Viticulture and wine production have a long tradition and are a very important agricultural branch in Serbia with a potential that is still untapped. However, the development of viticulture had different periods and stages of development, from stagnation and war events, bad climatic and economic conditions to the placement and sale of wine on the domestic and world markets. Open data enables the management of tourist destinations, but in Serbia there are no or rare examples of good practice, studies and research on this matter. Smart tourist destinations make up the concept of tourist development, the basis of which lies in innovative solutions and modern technology. Numerous tourist destinations in Serbia is not even at the beginning of improving smart tourism in destinations or are just beginning to implement them.

The Belgrade viticultural region has a high rating due to its proximity to the destination itself, primarily Belgrade, as the main and important emissions center, which makes the trip shorter, the longer stay and the participation of tourists more attractive. The capital of the Republic of Serbia is located in this region, as well as the immediate surroundings of other city centers with a large share of the population. Belgrade is the main transit point of Serbia: good traffic connections, as well as the proximity of the "Nikola Tesla" Airport.

In the vineyards of Serbia, the formation of wine products and accompanying tourist content did not occur, but they remained in the tourist offer as part of the rural tourist offer.
The Impact of Social Networks on the Choice of Tourist Destinations
Authors: Barbu Florentina-Simona , Sanda Grigorie , Rusu Corina-Maria , Balint Petronela-Gianina
Published: July 2024

The travel industry has grown significantly in recent years due to the advancement of social media and technology. Nowadays, there is a vast array of tourism-related goods and services available to consumers, making it challenging to select the ideal travel location. In these circumstances, it is critical to comprehend the driving forces behind consumer decision-making regarding travel destinations or on traveler choice. Our travel habits have evolved as a result of the digital world, particularly social media. Research in this field, particularly in the areas of content and influence marketing, can be very helpful in comprehending and evaluating the most recent practices and trends employed in the travel and tourism sector. Based on the questionnaire results, this study analyze how platforms, social networks, and influencers affect travelers' preferences for travel, as well as how tourists choose travel destinations based on user behavior, perceptions, and content. A total of 306 respondents from different age and income groups and geographical areas filled out the questionnaire. The study is based on the quantitative approach, and SPSS was used to statistically interpret the results. Due to the inductive reasoning and our study findings we can affirm that in a world that is increasingly digitally connected, there still is a lot of room for research and innovation in this area. The online environment presents distinctive marketing prospects. Content marketing and influence marketing will continue to lead social media marketing trends.
Understanding Resilience – a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Bucovetchi Olga , Georgescu Alexandru , Gheorghe Adrian V. , Popescu Gabriel
Published: July 2024

Nowadays we face a shift of paradigm from risk management to resilience management. Resilience is a complex concept that has become not just a “buzzword”, but also a meta-concept used in fields as far apart as biology, psychology, environmental studies, system-of-systems engineering and more. In this regard, the authors conducted fundamental research (mainly a literature review of a selection of open-source papers) to increase awareness towards the conceptual elements related to resilience. There were defined three resilience-related concepts: engineering resilience, organizational resilience and socioecological resilience. Afterwards, the main characteristics of resilient systems were highlighted. Nevertheless, the authors described a possible organizational resilience framework. The 6 suggested and detailed steps are: the comprehensive resilience analysis encompassing existing or new methodologies – audit, defining and fleshing out needed strategies, the actual design of measures to be implemented, the implementation phase of the previously designed measures, the monitoring step, and the evaluation phase of the success of the various implemented measures. The main limitation of the present research is the lack of validation of the proposed methodology.
Economic Whirlwinds: Navigating the Business of Sports Through the COVID-19
Authors: Moiceanu Georgiana , Jurubiță Geanin Georgian , Popescu Mirona Ana Maria
Published: July 2024

Sport is a key sector in the global economy with a strong influence in almost every sphere of business interest. The pandemic of COVID-19 has for a time paralysed all major branches of the economy with effects that are still felt today in some sectors. Sport being a conglomerate of business and connections, new challenges have emerged for all relevant actors involved. From the suspension of leagues to the closure of stadiums, the once-thriving sports business found itself navigating uncharted territories. This article delves into the dynamic realm where the love for sports intersects with the complexities of commerce, exploring how the industry coped with unprecedented challenges and adapted to the ever-evolving global landscape. However, sport is a rather volatile field and able to adapt to economic challenges, for example football, basketball and tennis have managed through various strategies to cope with crisis situations. The pandemic has created new opportunities and transformed the economics of sport.
The Contribution of Sustainable Businesses to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Viziteu Loredana , Lucaci Ancuța , Orhean-Vranceanu Maria
Published: July 2024

The paper examines the role of sustainable businesses in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Recognising the significance of business participation in attaining a more sustainable future, this study uses bibliometric analysis to assess the present status of research in this area. To begin, the paper emphasises the growing importance of understanding the role businesses can play in advancing the SDGs. This research seeks to bring to light existing knowledge gaps and trends in the scientific literature that investigate this critical link. Using a systematic approach, the study analyses a comprehensive dataset of academic papers to address the following subjects: the evolution of the research on sustainable business, the authors, organisations, countries, documents, and sources that have impacted the development of the field, the issues that framed the research on sustainable business, and the contribution of sustainable business practices to specific SDGs. Investigation uncovers key insights, reveals research focus trends, and specific areas of the Sustainable Development Goals. These conclusions underscore the evolving understanding of sustainable businesses' potential contributions to achieving the SDGs. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape using a robust bibliographic methodology. The findings provide valuable information for researchers, companies, and policy makers aimed at further increase the positive impact of sustainable business practices on the achievement of the ambitious goals of the United Nations SDG agenda. The contribution of sustainable businesses to achieving Sustainable Development Goals is highlighted by scientific papers with research focusing on the correlation between sustainable business and SDG indicators. An attention-grabbing aspect is that most scientific papers on sustainable business were published in connection with the "Industry Innovation and Infrastructure" and "Responsible Consumption and Production" indicators.
Financing of Rural Tourism in Romania, Serbia and Montenegro in the Period of Integration into the European Union
Authors: Radović Gordana , Vuković Predrag , Drăcea Raluca Mihaela , Zejak Dejan
Published: July 2024

Rural tourism, viewed from the aspect of agricultural farms, provides additional income, enables the creation of new jobs, but also provides a market for the placement of agricultural products. Adequate sources of financing are needed, which would enable the development of this activity, significant for agricultural farms, the local rural economy, but also for the entire country. In the section dedicated to relevant sources from the literature, the views of the cited authors point to the conclusion that the growth of rural tourism requires a strategy, which should be interdisciplinary, as well as adequate means of financing. The purpose of the paper is to present the sources of financing rural tourism in the period of integration into the European Union (pre-accession period) in Romania, Serbia and Montenegro. The pre-accession period for EU membership is still ongoing in Serbia and Montenegro, so the final effects of these funds will only be seen in the future. To answer the research question formulated: "How do the sources and methods of financing rural tourism vary in Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro during the period of integration into the European Union, and what is the impact of these differences on the development and sustainability of rural tourism in each country?", the authors use descriptive and desk research method, like us, methods of analysis and synthesis. The authors suggest that Romania has effectively utilized EU pre-accession financial tools to foster growth in this sector, indicating that its approach could serve as a model for Serbia and Montenegro.
Factors That Affect Telework Adoption: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: Gherghina Elena Mădălina
Published: July 2024

Teleworking, this flexible way of working, has become possible for an increasing number of employed people as technologies have evolved and their use has become increasingly accessible. The need for businesses to digitize, coupled with a workforce familiar with the use of information and communication technologies, has led to the expansion of work tasks that can be performed in a different place from the traditional office. Teleworking has increased in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with almost 1 in 4 employed people teleworking in the European Union in 2021. Even if the trend in terms of the evolution of teleworking adoption is similar in the case of EU member states, there are significant disparities between states, in 2022, teleworkers accounting for between 4% and 40% of all employed people. In this paper, some of the factors that could explain these variations between EU member states are briefly presented. Therefore, using descriptive statistics and the results of specialized studies, correlations are highlighted between the adoption of teleworking and structural factors of the employed workforce, on the one hand, and the degree of digitization of the population, on the other. Cultural influences could also explain the management strategies adopted, how employees and employers relate to work, and the degree of autonomy employees have and feel at work. As a result, following cultural influences, it is proposed that the characteristic of the management model of different regions is proposed to be analysed in future research, to verify its impact on the adoption of teleworking.
Socio-Economic Modelers of Environmental Performance: Empirical Evidence from the European Union
Authors: Drăcea Raluca Mihaela , Cristea Simona Mirela , Noja Grațiela Georgiana , Trică Carmen Lenuța , Toró Gyöngyi
Published: July 2024

The environment represents one of the main collective responsibilities of the current period, marked by accelerated economic development. In the context of increasingly pronounced ecological deterioration and less sustainable practices, the level of involvement of decision-makers and the population has become a great challenge. Beyond legislative mechanisms, which can help states improve their environmental performance, an important role is also played by knowing the direct and indirect factors that can act on this performance. The specialized literature approaches environmental performance from various angles, most studies being focused on analysis tools and how to measure it, and less on the factors that can shape it at the national level. In this context, our approach takes into account the synergies between the environmental performance at the level of the European Union member states (measured by the Environmental Performance Index - EPI) and the selected economic-social factors. The selected sample includes the 27 member states of the European Union, the analysis being carried out for the period 2006-2022. The research methodology is based on Bayesian network analysis through Gaussian graphical models. The obtained results show that environmental performance is closely related to economic and social factors, through positive or negative connections, the relationship being bidirectional. Our approach is thus intended to be useful in providing a series of information to support decision-makers both in the implementation of environmental policy at the European level and in the adjustment of some national regulations.
Artificial Intelligence and Renewable Energy Utilization
Authors: Iorgovan Daniela
Published: July 2024

This article shows the role that digital intelligence has on renewable energy, based on literature underpinnings. Therefore, the methodological research is based on literature review to demonstrate the link between artificial intelligence and renewable energy, with a focus on global sustainable development strategies in this field. The main findings reveal the fact that we must take advantage of the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence on energy, in general, and renewable energy, in particular. Referring to literature, it is constantly expanding due to the importance of the development of renewable energy for researchers but also for the population, being many parties interested in this field. The aim of the study is to highlight the relationship between renewable energy and artificial intelligence. Therefore, with the help of artificial intelligence and energy innovations, the population enjoys renewable energy that exists in its many forms (solar panels or photovoltaic panels, water, or wind energy and so on). To put in a nutshell, the research considered in this article reflects the impact of artificial intelligence on renewable energy as part of supporting the achievement of sustainable economic development.
Designing Knowledge Strategies
Authors: Bratianu Constantin
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how managers should design the company’s knowledge strategies. That is a new dimension of knowledge management and it can be performed by using design thinking and the theory of knowledge fields and knowledge dynamics. The analysis is based on a critical literature review and on the known-unknowm matrix developed at the individual level and then extended at the company’s level. Knowledge strategies deals with the intangible resources of any organization and becomes more important in the knowledge intensive business services (KIBS). Designing knowledge strategies follows a different approach than that known for business strategies. Their purpose is to design a thinking framework in the absence of knowledge that generates uncertainty and psychological difficulties in making decisions. Knowledge strategies do not follow the Porter’s principle of competitive advantage, but they are designed following the known-unknown dynamics within an organization. From designing thinking perspective, they adopt abductive thinking instead of induction or deduction. The main categories of knowledge strategies resulting from the known-unknown dynamics are knowledge exploitation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge exploration. Knowledge exploitation aims to use efficiently all the available knowledge within an organization; knowledge sharing implies a process of increasing the knowledge entropy of a given team or organization that leads towards increasing innovation; knowledge exploration aims at reducing the absence of knowledge by creating new knowledge. Knowledge exploration reduces the uncertainty and increases chances for better decisions.
Approaches for Maintaining Ethics in AI-Drive Education Solutions and Foster Sustainability
Authors: Mirea Corina Marina , Bobocea Andrei
Published: July 2024

This article introduces sequential strategies regarding the way to use artificial intelligence as a learning facilitator for both teachers and students while preserving ethics and the legislative norms launched. Learning solutions are proposed to be used both by students, to study at school, but also at home, and by teachers to meet all the needs of students. The intelligent systems that are in general proposed to be part of the educational process can be designed so that the norms of ethics and responsibility are taken into account and as many actors involved in the educational environment, whether they are teachers, students, people who run educational institutions or decide to country level to be as it embraces with a much higher level of confidence artificial intelligence learning systems. For this work, a qualitative analysis was carried out to answer the question of how learning systems implemented with artificial intelligence should be built so that ethical principles are not neglected. While ensuring a sustainable environment.

Specifically, a review of academic articles was conducted to highlight the concerns and importance of artificial intelligence in education. An analysis was also made of documents produced by specialised institutions such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), U.S. Department of Education, World Economic Forum, European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the European Union, and The Institute for Ethical AI in Education on the topic of ethics in artificial intelligence and and the guidelines outlined for building ethical systems and including sustainability.

In the conclusion section of the article, admissions are made that there is necessary support from the institutions, so it is still possible to make educational systems with artificial intelligence that respect ethical norms and pay attention to sustainability.
Design Thinking with AI
Authors: Poleac Dalia
Published: July 2024

This research paper focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications to enhance the teaching of design thinking, aiming to provide a more effective and captivating educational experience. Design thinking, a creative problem-solving approach commonly taught in universities, emphasizes fostering students' creativity for innovative solutions to complex problems. Typically, workshops employ a straightforward toolkit comprising paper, stickers, markers, and prototyping materials. However, in response to students' pronounced interest in emerging technologies, this study investigates the integration of technology, specifically AI, into the teaching of the design thinking method. Conducting an analysis of scholarly articles published within the last two years, during the rise in popularity of AI applications such as Midjourney or ChatGPT, the paper examines the intersection of technology and pedagogy. The focus is on exploring how each step of the design thinking process can be enhanced through AI, elucidating potential limitations of employing this technology in teaching creative problem-solving, and determining the optimal balance between human creativity and machine learning. The overarching goal is to glean insights into successfully training students in the field of design thinking. It is important for educators to model responsible use of ChatGPT, prioritise critical thinking, and be clear about expectations. Educators need to present students the ethical implications of AI in education underlining the importance of skill and knowledge development rather than reliance on AI systems.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Performance Management and Employee Well-Being
Authors: Lungu Diana-Cristina
Published: July 2024

In light of the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic and recent societal shifts, there has been a notable transformation in people's lives and needs. These changes have significantly impacted professional activities, posing new challenges in maintaining organizational commitment among employees. Consequently, there is a pressing need to transition from viewing performance management as a mere task to be completed, towards a process centered on employee motivation and professional development solutions, which are imperative for organizational success in the current climate.

This study aims to critically examine performance management and employee well-being practices that are relevant in the contemporary context. The overarching goal is to develop a novel approach centered on addressing employees' needs to optimize organizational performance. To achieve this objective, the research methodology employs a bibliometric analysis leveraging insights from VOSviewer software. This approach entails a comprehensive review of specialized literature on performance management, alongside articles addressing the evolving needs and demands of employees. This analysis, by highlighting significant themes, relationships, and developing patterns, serves as a key tool for guiding future research efforts and informing organizational policies targeted at improving both performance outcomes and employee well-being.
Motivation as the Catalyst: Enabling Knowledge Sharing and Talent Management in Organizational Contexts
Authors: Marin Ioana , Marin Radu
Published: July 2024

The paper explores the complex relationship between motivation, knowledge sharing, and talent management within organizational contexts. Motivation acts as driver that determine individuals to embrace knowledge sharing behaviors, improves performance and enhances goal achievement. At the same time, motivation supports effective talent management, by contributing to attract, develop and retain high-potential employees, leveraging organizational performance and innovative behavior. Knowledge sharing is closely interconnected to talent management, enabling employee development and innovation, supporting organizations to develop their pipeline of talents, by driving continuous learning behaviors and improving employee engagement and retention. The paper analyzes the relations that authors found between the concepts of interest for our research (motivation, knowledge sharing, talent management), by using the scientific papers approaching these concepts in order to perform multiple bibliometric analyzes. We used documents indexed in both Web of Science and Scopus. Supported by the analyzed literature, the paper investigates the mechanism through which motivation influences knowledge sharing and how it influences talent management. The semantic connections found after performing the bibliometric analyses, along with the intensity of the links found between the analyzed topics and other related concepts, supports the conclusion that analyzed topics present strong interrelations and also that they are closely interconnected with: performance, trust, innovation, employee engagement, job satisfaction and turnover intention.
Cultural Agility in the Age of Disruption
Authors: Tudoran Diana , Tudoran Cristian
Published: July 2024

The aim of this paper is to propose a holistic conceptual framework focusing on cultural agility, intercultural competence and how they activate within the complex dynamics of disruptive business environments in order to enhance companies’ ability to operate in international markets and to respond to the challenges posed by a rapidly changing landscape impacted by fast technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence, global trends or major geopolitical shifts. Our research methods included a critical screening of relevant literature, journals, books, articles, reports, statistics, internet researches, that represented the theoretical part of this study. Based on this theoretical foundation, interpreting our findings, a holistic conceptual framework is proposed. This framework illustrates a process constituted by 4 stages strongly connected with the concepts of organizational culture and strategy. It highlights the vital importance of cultural knowledge, behaviour, feedback & assessment, improvement & learning within organizations facing disruptive challenges. This paper is part of a larger project on the importance of intercultural competences in multinationals and offers future research opportunities.