bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helminth parasites of fish of the Kazakhstan sector of the Caspian Sea and associated drainage basin
Authors: Abdybekova A. M. , Abdibayeva A. A. , Popov N. N. , Zhaksylykova A. A. , Barbol B. I. , Bozhbanov B. Zh. , Torgerson P. R.
Published: August 2020

The northern section of the Caspian Sea is an important fishery for Kazakhstan. In the present study, a total of 606 individuals of 13 fish species were collected. For each of Abramis brama, Alosa saposchnikowii, Atherina boyeri caspia, Carassius auratus, Clupeonella cultriventris, Cyprinus carpio, Liza aurata, Leuciscus aspius, Rutilus rutilus caspius, Sander lucioperca, Sander marinus, and Sander volgensis 50 individuals were examined whilst 6 individuals of Siluris glanis were examined. The nematode parasite Anisakis schupakovi was found in all fish species except Liza aurata, Carassius aurata, Cyprinus carpio and Rutilus rutilus at intensities ranging from 1 to 1197 parasites per infected fish. Trematodes of family Diplostomidae were also isolated from all fish except Alosa saposhnikowii, Clupeonella cultriventris and Sander marinus at intensities ranging from 1 to 242 parasites per infected fish. Other parasites found included the nematodes Porrocaecum reticulatum, Contracecum sp, Camallanus sp and Eustrongylus excisus; the cestodes Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus, Bothriocephalus opsariichthydis; the monogenean parasites Mazocraes alosa, Ancyrocephalus paradocus, Gyrodactylus spp, Ligophorus vanbenedenii and Dactylogyrus spp; and the crustacean parasites Ergasilus sp. and Synergasilus sp. In addition one unidentified species of nematode and a bivalve of the genus Unio was recovered from Rutilus rutilus caspius. There was no association between Fulton’s condition index and intensity of parasite infection.
Genetic characterization of hydatid cysts of different intermediate hosts
Authors: Mousa W. M. , Abdel-Wahab A. M. , El-Gameel Sohila M. , Mahdy O. A.
Published: August 2020

Cystic echinococcosis is an important cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis that causes public health and economic problems in Egypt. The present study was undertaken to identify genotypes of hydatid cyst (HC) DNA isolated from different animal isolates and to identify the genotype of secondary hydatid cysts (HCs) developed in rabbits experimentally infected with camel HC for detection of any genetic mutation. In the present study, we extracted DNA from the germinal layers of 8 HCs collected from 3 camels, 1 cattle, 1 sheep and 3 donkeys in addition to 3 secondary HCs collected from rabbits experimentally infected with camel HC. PCR amplification of the ITS1 gene of all examined samples showed an amplified DNA band at 1115 bp. The partial nucleotide sequences of the ITS1 gene of all isolates were aligned and compared with the reference sequences of the genotypes G1–G8 in GenBank. The camel and rabbit samples were identified as Echinococcus canadensis genotype 6 (G6), while the cattle and sheep samples belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1). The donkey isolates belonged to E. equines (G4). Alignment of the ITS1 partial nucleotide sequences of the camel HCs and rabbit secondary HCs isolates with the G6 partial nucleotide sequence in GenBank was performed. Both camel HCs and rabbit secondary HCs isolates exhibited the same sequence identity matrix, which indicated the absence of mutation in the rabbit secondary HCs. It can be concluded that camel and rabbit samples were identified as E. canadensis (G6), the cattle and sheep samples belonged to E. granulosus sensu stricto (G1) and donkey isolates belonged to E. equines (G4). No mutation occurred during HCs transmission from camel to rabbit.
Seroprevalance of Trichinella spp. in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from Bihor county, western Romania
Authors: Boros Z. , Vallée I. , Panait L. C. , Gherman C. M. , Chevillot A. , Boireau P. , Cozma V.
Published: August 2020

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) has a wide geographical distribution and can be an important source of Trichinella spp. infection in humans in Romania.

The objective of this study was to identify the presence of Trichinella spp. in the wild boar population in Bihor County, Romania.

Eighty four plasma and diaphragm samples, collected from wild boars, were included in this study. Artificial digestion, ELISA and Western blot were performed on these specimens. All diaphragm samples were negative for Trichinella larvae in artificial digestion, while in ELISA, 54 (64.2 %) plasma samples were positive and 6 (7.1 %) plasma samples were doubtful. Western blot was performed on 26 plasma samples from which only 6 (23.0 %) gave a positive result.

Serological evidences indicate the presence of Trichinella spp. in wild boars from western Romania. Therefore, human consumers might be at risk to ingest Trichinella larvae, even in low numbers.
Quality of Functional Services for Private University Lecturers (Studies at the Office of LLDIKTI Region VIII)
Authors: Datutusta I Nyoman Gede Prajanata , Rochmah Siti , Amin Fadilah
Published: August 2020

Public opinion regarding the quality of public organization services is an interesting issue in recent years, especially after the many complaints from the public that states that it is not as expected by the community. One of the services available at the LLDIKTI office is the management of functional Lecturer and other functional staff. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of management services of functional position, determine the suitability of service user expectations with the performance of functional position management services and determine priority policies that can be applied in improving the quality of functional position management services in LLDIKTI Region VIII. The number of samples from the population determined by the Krejcie and Morgan table was 357 people. The data analysis technique used is the validity test, reliability test, calculating the value of the community satisfaction survey (SKM), and the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) Analysis. The results of this study shows the level of satisfaction using the community satisfaction survey (SKM) included in the quality of service B with a score of 82.24 with the GOOD category. Conformity level is the average of the score of the implementation level and the average score of the importance level is 93.89%. Based on the results of the Cartesian diagram, the element of service quality that needs to be prioritized for improvement in its implementation is the element of item suitability with the type of service, clarity of flow in service procedures and clarity of information about service procedures. Suggestions that can be given are an increase in the clarity of information on the management of functional positions can be done by increasing the use of the web and the user data-based notification system
Risks and Vulnerabilities in Digital Public Services. Threat of Cyberterrorism Vs Romania’s Cybersecurity Strategy
Authors: Constantin Mihai , Borţea Andra-Nicoleta , Mema Denisa-Atena Costovici
Published: August 2020

The digitization of the administration and the governance process implies a number of advantages that we cannot ignore, but these advantages are supported by a series of disadvantages and unforeseen situations, but by far the biggest threat is Cyberterrorism. Romania aims both to encourage the indigenous information environment and the services specific to the information society, but also to ensure the fulfilment of the objectives assumed in the area of national security and to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens. Currently anyone can be the target of a cyber-attack, and the most important state institutions are usually the first ones targeted. The weak point remains the human factor, the user of the computer system. That is why in any strategy of “Cybersecurity” its awareness and training from the point of view of computer security plays a vital role. The fact that so far, no attacks have been reported with major impact on public institutions, strategic companies with state and / or private capital or critical infrastructure elements, denotes that the strategy adopted by Romania is a viable one, but must be constantly updated in depending on the dynamics of the threats.
The Effect of Glass Ceiling Syndrome on Women’s Career Barriers in Management and Job Motivation
Authors: Imadoğlu Tuğba , Kurşuncu Rabia Sultan , Çavuş Mustafa Fedai
Published: August 2020

In recent years, despite the fact that women have become more and more involved in business life as a result of economic, social and cultural developments, the proportion of women in the managerial staff and leaders is very low. In terms of female labor force, there are some barriers as well as many advantages. One of these barriers is the glass ceiling syndrome mentioned most often in business world. This is a qualitative research which examines the effects of glass roof syndrome and career barriers on job motivation. The sample group for the research comprises 33 women working in private sector. The findings of the research reveal that women who do not get their deserved promotions have low motivation. Being unmotivated leads some women to reduce their job performances, on the other hand this leads some women to work more motivatedly. Women should be guided and psychological support should be given for career planning in institutions they work for. The absence of gender discrimination and the appreciation of women as a result of their achievements will increase their motivations in workplaces and this will help institutions they work for achieve their goals more quickly.
Management Consulting Intervention Case Study in a Complex and Toxic Hospital Organizational Culture
Authors: Burrell Darrell Norman
Published: August 2020

Healthcare organizations in turmoil often turn to management consultants to collect data, engage in analysis, evaluate processes, and make recommendations. This is a case study of an actual hospital with complex issues around organizational culture, organizational conflict, diversity, and talent management. The paper explores the intervention approaches used to address the toxic organizational cultural problems through the lens of organizational development, change management, and corporate behavioral theory.
Analysis of Performance Information Use in Tanzania: Insights from Tanzania Public Service College, Tabora
Authors: Marijani Ramadhani , Manase Richard
Published: August 2020

This paper attempted to analyze how public managers use performance information at Tanzania Public Service College (TPSC), Tabora campus. It based on self-reported performance information. We systematically reviewed the TPSC Self-Evaluation Study Report (2019); TPSC Service Delivery Survey report, 2016; TPSC steering committee report, 2017; and TPSC performance reports of 2016-2019. This review was corroborated with interviews from 89 respondents and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to offer the following insights: First, despite the presence of sound governance structures in TPSC and adherence to the public service rules and regulations, there is a weak purposeful use of performance information by public managers at TPSC to improve organizational performance through their decisions. This can be attributed to the nature of vertical information flow in TPSC. Second, there is weak culture of performance information use, paucity of performance information, lack of institutionalization of information and support from TPSC top leadership, which could facilitate strong internal use of performance data and in turn, improve organizational performance. Based on the findings, the paper offers recommendations to encourage performance information use at TPSC and NACTE, and points to new avenues for future research.
First-time mothers and the labor market effects of the earned income tax credit
Authors: Shirley Peter
Published: August 2020

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the largest anti-poverty programs in the United States, providing over $67 billion to more than 27 million families for the tax year 2016, an average of $2,455. By subsidizing the earnings of low-income workers, the EITC reduces poverty both directly through the credit itself and indirectly through labor supply incentives. The two primary determinants of the amount a tax unit receives are earned income and number of children. Many studies define eligibility based on the presence of children in a household and separate analyses by marital status, a reflection of the fundamentally different incentives the EITC poses for single- and dual-earner households. However, as the EITC theoretically encourages fertility and generally discourages marriage, endogenous responses along these two dimensions could bias estimates which rely on them for identification and sample selection. In this paper, I revisit the classic question of the EITC’s labor market effects while exploiting a source of arguably exogenous variation in EITC receipt that does not rely on these potentially endogenous characteristics: birth timing around the end of the calendar year. Using the Survey of Income and Program Participation, my results show positive earnings and employment effects for unmarried women in the 12 months following their first/only child’s birth, including for those with a high school degree or less (low-ed). Overall, the results are usually small and insignificant for married women, with the exception of negative (and sometimes significant) effects on earnings for low-ed married women. Using a difference-in-discontinuities approach, I separate the income effect of the credit itself from the information effect, which, I argue, occurs when women receive the EITC for the first time. I show that, while the income effect is negative across all groups of women, the information effects are positive for unmarried women and negative for married women, again consistent with theory and the body of evidence on the EITC.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or Catatonia? A Case Report
Authors: Rodriguez Sebastian , Dufendach Keith A. , Weinreib Robert M.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

A review of the literature has shown that there are many similarities in the presentation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and catatonia. Attempts to reconcile the differences have been made by suggesting that NMS and catatonia may represent different presentations of the same illness or that they lie within the same spectrum of a poorly understood clinical syndrome. The described case is of a patient who presented with NMS and catatonia which was difficult to diagnose, but which responded to treatment with intravenous diazepam.

Case presentation

The case concerns a 22-year-old male admitted for pulmonary hypertension to an intensive care unit (ICU). Three days following admission, he developed a high fever that did not respond to antibiotics. The patient then developed rigidity, nocturnal agitation, decreased responsiveness, and somnolence. Without the use of bromocriptine (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) or dantrolene (Par Pharmaceuticals, Chestnut Ridge, USA) discontinuation of neuroleptics combined with intravenous diazepam (Pfizer, NY, USA) led to a very rapid response and marked improvement in the case.

Conclusions

Early recognition and management of NMS and MC in a complex, gravely ill patient, may be accomplished in the ICU despite obfuscation of traditional signs and symptoms of the NMS and MC syndrome. Such interventions can have life-saving effects on patients in danger of fatal autonomic instability.
A Comparison of Nosocomial Infection Density in Intensive Care Units on Relocating to a New Hospital
Authors: Ture Zeynep , Ustuner Tugba , Santini Ario , Aydogan Serhat , Celik İlhami
Published: August 2020

Background

The study aimed to investigate the changes in nosocomial infection density after patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a new-build hospital.

Methods

The types and rates of nosocomial infections were obtained for a one-year period retrospectively before leaving the old hospital premises and for a one-year periods after moving into the new hospital. The intensive care unit in the “old” premises was comprised of a 17-bedded hall, and thirty-three nurses shifted to work forty-eight hours a week, with each nurse assigned to provide care for two patients. The intensive care unit in the “new” premises consisted of single rooms, each with twenty-eight beds.

Results

The median nosocomial infection density decreased from 23 to 15 per 1000 in-patient days. The catheter-related urinary tract infection rate decreased from 7.5 to 2.6 per100 catheter days.

Conclusions

Treatment of patients in the new hospital resulted in a decrease in nosocomial infection density.
Russian perception of its network-centric warfare capabilities in Syria
Authors: Revaitis Algirdas
Published: August 2020

This article examines Russian military and defence intellectuals’ reflection on Russia's military involvement in Syria. The research is based on a mix of open-source Russian military writings, mainly analytical texts in prominent Russian military journals. The aim of the study is to analyse Russian narrative of its military campaign in Syria. The first part begins by providing Russia's internal discussions about probable military coalitions-building variants, risks, and operational-level decisions and objectives. The second part deals with Russian Armed Forces’ network-centric warfare capabilities and limitations. The article concludes by showing that in Syria Russia introduced a modified network-centric warfare as its main feature of new method of operations is the combination of advanced intelligence-command assets and old-fashioned munitions.
Small Zero-Utility Passive Houses as a Method of Lowering Smog and Protecting the Environment
Authors: Grebski Wes , Grebski Michalene , Czerwiński Stefan , Jagoda-Sobalak Dominika , Łapuńka Iwona
Published: August 2020

The chapter describes the concept of sustainable development to minimize the environmental footprint and introduces the concept of the zero-utility solar passive house. The purpouse of the chapter is presentation of sollution for small zero-utility passive houses as a method of lowering smog and protecting the environment. The different concepts of the solar passive residential dwellings are being discussed and evaluated from the perspective of lowering carbon emissions. Energy savings as a result of increasing energy efficiency are also being calculated. The chapter analyzes the procedure for selecting the photovoltaic (PV) system to power the passive house and charge an electric car. Authors calculate the environmental benefits. There were some suggestions and recommendations for industry.
On the Temporal Variability of Air Pollutants’ Emissions – Case Study of Residential PM10 Emission in Silesian Metropolis
Authors: Zasina Damian , Zawadzki Jarosław
Published: August 2020

The paper summarizes previous studies associated with carrying out of the air pollutant emission inventories. There are presented three approaches for obtaining monthly distribution of PM10 air emission: using expert’s judgement, modelling of the heating demand, and temporal disaggregation using the heating degree days (HDD). However some differences due to not considering hot water demand, it can be effectively used for obtaining temporal, and spatiotemporal distributions of air pollutants’ air emissions necessary for air quality modelling.
A New Look at the Geological Structure of the Knurów Hard Coal Deposit in Light of Model Tests
Authors: Sosnowski Piotr
Published: August 2020

The Knurów hard coal deposit is characterized by rich fold and fault tectonics and diverse morphology of the overburden. The deposit contains a fold zone called Knurów anticline and four complex of faults with the total amplitudes reaching up to several dozen meters. While making a 3D model of the deposit, a range of complications related to the correct interpretation of the running and development of the aforementioned tectonic structures were encountered. Additional data were begun to be introduced during the detailed analysis of the 3D model being made in stages, thereby forcing the software to perform the modeling according to preset assumptions. This process covered such areas of the deposit that were poorly explored or documented to an extent requiring an intervention from a geologist.
Analysis of Stoppages in the Process of Roadway Drivage Caused by Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Level of Methane Concentration
Authors: Brodny Jarosław , Tutak Magdalena , Felka Dariusz , Palka Dorota
Published: August 2020

Methane is one of the most dangerous gases occurring in mining production. Being inseparably connected with the rock mass, it presents a serious risk to occupational safety and reduces the effectiveness of mining production. A particularly high methane hazard occurs directly during exploitation in longwall headings and the drivage of roadways. Exceeding the maximum allowable level of its concentration in these headings makes it necessary to disconnect all machines until this concentration level is reduced. This leads to unscheduled downtimes of such machines, thus increasing the costs of their operation and decreasing their effectiveness. The paper demonstrates the results from the analysis of machine downtimes in the drivage of roadways, caused by excessive methane concentration levels. The analyses were based on the indications from the system for automatic monitoring of the ventilation parameters in this heading. The results obtained clearly demonstrated that exceeded values of methane concentration caused a series of unexpected downtimes in the drivage process. As a result, the process was disturbed and its effectiveness reduced. The presented analyses are one of the first to address the issue of how methane emissions affect machine downtimes. However, this phenomenon represents a major problem that needs to be addressed comprehensively in order to minimise the losses arising out of the necessary disruptions to the exploitation process.
Conical Pick Production Process
Authors: Bołoz Łukasz , Kalukiewicz Antoni , Galecki Greg , Romanyshyn Liubomyr , Romanyshyn Taras , Giménez Rafael Barrionuevo
Published: August 2020

One of the basic methods of mechanical rock mining is cutting, which faces increasingly difficult working conditions. Despite the rapid development of machines used in underground and opencast mining as well as in tunnel building, construction industry and road engineering, the problem of insufficient durability of mining tools remains unsolved. In addition to drilling and, to a lesser extent, planing, cutting provides a huge market for tools. Currently, the process of cutting is mainly based on conical picks. The cutterheads of cutting machines are equipped with several dozen, and frequently – more than one hundred conical picks, which, due to their workability and abrasiveness, sometimes work only a few hours. There is a market demand for over two hundred models of conical picks. This is due to the huge variety of shapes and sizes of picks as well as the methods of their mounting in the holder. The article briefly presents various solutions of conical picks, their construction, methods of protection, dimensions and materials used. Next, based on materials produced by ZWM Carbonex, the classic method of their manufacture using the turning technology has been described. The authors have also presented briefly the use of die forging for the large-scale production of picks, applied by Górnicza Fabryka Narzędzi Sp. z o.o.
Impact of the Winding Angle of the Auger Blade on the Loading Process With Milling Auger Drums
Authors: Wydro Tomasz
Published: August 2020

This publication addresses the impact of selected design parameters of milling auger cutting drums on the loading process, and above all the winding angle of the auger blade. The loading process is often referred to as an auxiliary process because the milling process is considered to be the dominant throughout the work of the cutting drum. The correct determination of the relationship between the mining process and the loading process allows to understand how the individual design and kinematic parameters of the mining drums and the mining machine on which they are installed affect each other. The publication discusses the problem of loading with milling cutting drums and ways to increase its efficiency. The research results of the loading process have been presented, affecting the efficiency of this process in the aspect of various angles of inclination of the auger blades. Based on the tests, conclusions have been formulated that allow for the possible selection of an appropriate winding angle for the auger blade, depending on the granulation of spoil.
Empathy in Social Relations of the Modern World
Authors: Gulin Wojciech
Published: August 2020

The present day is characterized by many new technical and scientific solutions. The goal is probably to improve human existence. A computer and any related issues or a mobile phone; they are supposed to make life easier, but they also generate many negative phenomena. One of the most important is communication, increasingly poor in content (sms), “virtual world” at the expense of the real. Negative phenomena have also occurred from the social side. The sense of social exclusion is intensifying, which is a good example of older people. Empathy is the solution and also a way to address the negative tendency. It results in prosocial processes, through which people will look for direct relationships in interpersonal contacts, so there will be a renewal of interpersonal relationships that have characterized humanity for centuries.
The influence of strategic agility on firm performance
Authors: Lungu Miruna Florina
Published: August 2020

The business environment is becoming more dynamic, reaching new milestones driven by technology and innnovation. As companies are transforming, the competition in the IT sector is increasing. This is translated into uncertainty and a higher focus on setting the right strategic direction of the company. The IT sector has been a driver of change and innovation for the economy. It is on a continous exponential trend, setting new directions for the business environment. Given so, the literature highlights the importance of strategic agility as a tool of increased firm performance and improved results. The current paper points out how strategic agility is influencing the peformance of a company. To outline the findings of the paper, the author uses a quantitative and qualitative analysis. Based on the literature we focus on understanding on the connection between strategic agility, transformation and firm peformance. The author will perform a statistical analysis based on collected primary data. To capture the opinion of the respondents, the author has created a survey and shared it with IT professionals who are part of IT organizations in Romania. Their responses will be analyzed and transposed into a regression model. As a result, the paper will help us bridge the literature with a real-case analysis applied on the IT sector in Romania. The outcome of the paper might serve as a reference for those who want to invest in the Romanian IT sector or who want to open-up an IT company in Romania.
Green Bonds: Between economic incentives and eco-change
Authors: Hoinaru Răzvan , Benson Cedine , Stănilă Georgiana Oana , Dobre Florin , Buda Daniel
Published: August 2020

As the investor base committed to financing sustainable companies in an attempt to combat the climate crisis expands, green financial products have become more attractive to issuers, corporate and sovereign alike. As a result, the EU is attempting to create favourable market conditions which mobilise the allocation of private capital for investments that reduce the contribution to climate change. As part of the EU Commission’s Action Plan for Sustainable Finance, it intends to create Green Bond Standards which aim to support the transition to greener securities investments. As a foundation, we provide an overview of the green bond market development. We then consider investment challenges such as incentivisation and transparency and discuss whether the Green Bond Standards shall likely resolve these issues. Furthermore, we confer that enforceability of current green securities regulations is weak to non-existent and propose possible policy approaches which address these issues.
Study regarding the return of retirement pension plans and programs in Romania
Authors: Sahlian Daniela Nicoleta , Trasca Daniela Livia , Munteanu Irina Denisa , Matac Liviu , Pavel Daniela Codruta
Published: August 2020

Quite often, people ask questions about the size of their retirement funds, nevertheless, demographic changes are fueling an existing insecurity. Thereby, in the actual context, it is necessary to analyze the current retirement system in order to be able to provide reliable solutions in the future. The objective of the research is to elaborate an econometric analysis based on the information available for Pillar II of retirement pensions for each fund apart, but also at the market level. The mandatory private funds of Pillar II are managed by companies existing on the Romanian market. The study aims to analyze the causal relationship between the size of the fund, analyzed through the size of the total net assets, and its profitability. The research method consists in testing the connection between the two variables through a linear regression at the market and individual level, in terms of each fund. The results of the research will complete the already existing researches and, moreover, it will provide an updated base in order to evaluate the previsions regarding the investments made from these funds and act accordingly to increase the benefits that employees receive during their retirement age.
Business Strategy during Crisis
Authors: Shayb Hezi , Muşetescu Radu
Published: August 2020

Drawing from a body of strategic management literature, we explore the approaches proposed by theory and available to business decision makers during crisis. We argue that there is no real theory of success of management during crisis but only broad principles that should be followed. In a certain sense, experience and intuition – what could be called soft skills – are as important as hardcore economics. Moreover, the metrics of measuring crisis and the impact of decisions during such circumstances are to be further explored and divided in a comprehensive taxonomy. Despite its popular use, crisis management is at the start of its development. The authors advance both an approach as well as a tool for supporting decisions during business crisis.
Motivations for Coopetition Strategies between Banks and Fintechs
Authors: Fonseca Cristina , Meneses Raquel
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to identify the main motivations for the formation of strategic coopetitive partnerships between Banks and Fintechs. In this sense, an exploratory qualitative analysis was performed using semi-structured interviews. Following the triangulation between literature review, primary sources (interviews) and secondary sources (news and relevant documentation), the analysis of the results was performed using the Systematic Combination approach. The results led to the conclusion that the “clients” factor, materialized in the will to respond to their new demands, through value creation, is the main motivation for both institutions to establish strategic alliances. This study filled the literature gaps regarding the identification of the main motivations to form coopetitive strategic alliances between Banks and Fintechs: banks need the Fintechs’ technological know-how, their flexibility in the processes and the fact that Fintech operate in specific niches; Fintechs need banks’ market knowledge and their scale. Together they can answer in a better way new customer demand. This investigation is limited by the lack of tangible identification of existing Fintechs; and also because of qualitative analysis lack of quantitative confirmation.
The impact of business digitization on the three pillars of sustainable development
Authors: Munteanu Paula , Ciornei Laurențiu
Published: August 2020

The world is currently facing great challenges generated by the fourth industrial revolution. If the first three major industrial revolutions took place over several centuries, the current revolution, in full swing, is characterized by an alert rhythm, having an exponential evolution, rather than a linear one. Many specialists consider that this is a continuation of the third industrial revolution, started in the sixties of the last century, but the permanent need to adapt and change the business models that characterize daily life determines us to appreciate that they represent the elements of a new, unusual revolution, which will greatly change the face of humanity. Digital technology will bring about essential changes in business, social organization and even current governance models. In this sense, we will approach the digitization of the business from the perspective of the three pillars, social, economic and environment, to conclude to what extent, this new and last revolution adheres to the principles of sustainable development. In this study, we aim to analyze the economic links between the digitization of business and sustainable development in Romania, through an econometric analysis. The results of the econometric analysis will determine to what extent the defining elements of sustainable development will be influenced by this phenomenon. Furthermore, we would like undeline that the fourth industrial revolution, by digitizing business, will affect the three pillars of sustainable development, without mitigation measures which the decision makers should consider, amplifying the phenomenon of social inequity, deepening economic imbalances as a result of the polarization of economic activities, concentrated only in certain regions and irreparably affecting the environment and natural balance, becoming a danger to biodiversity conservation.
ICT Security Measures for the Companies within European Union Member States – Perspectives in COVID-19 Context
Authors: Meghisan-Toma Georgeta-Madalina , Nicula Vasile Cosmin
Published: August 2020

The development of ICT usage in households, by individuals or in enterprises is submitted to the requirements of security. This paper aims a statistical analysis of ICT security aspects from several perspectives: ICT policies, staff awareness of ICT security related issues, ICT security related activities. The methodology used for testing the hypotheses is based on descriptive statistics, chart case study, correlation and factor analysis. The results emphasize the importance of investing resources in cyber security, moreover, in the current pandemic situation generated by COVID-19.
Why should the gravity model be taught in business education?
Authors: Tamaş Anca
Published: August 2020

The aim of this paper is to critically analyze the papers from the literature mainstream regarding the gravity model and to identify the main findings. The paper highlights the importance of studying the gravity model in the tertiary business education. Introduced by Tinbergen (1962), the gravity model was widely used to analyze the international trade flows in theoretical, as well as empirical studies. Alongside the classical determinants, economy size, market size and geographical distance, other variables which influence the trade flows were found: trade agreements, foreign direct investments, exchange rate, trade taxes, cultural distance, migration, remoteness, knowledge capital, technological development. There are many controversies regarding the zeroes problem within the model, as well as many controversies on the solutions of the zeroes problem. A meta-analysis and systematic review of the relevant literature in the last 56 years was conducted. From author’s knowledge, this study is the most extended literature review on the gravity model, covering more than 50 years of research. Despite all the theoretical controversies, the gravity model proved to be a robust one, with a great power of explanation in more than 80% of the dynamics and structure of the trade flows. Therefore, the gravity model should be considered a valuable analysis tool in teaching and studying in tertiary business education: international trade, econometrics, statistics, trade policy and so on.
Economic education in the digital era
Authors: Paşa Adina Teodora
Published: August 2020

Digital era brought a revolution in both business and education areas. The creation of World Wide Web (www) platform back in 1989 shortened the distance between knowledge and individual, enabling an easier access to the economic culture. In the contemporary era, developed countries worldwide use digitization as a progression strategy in education, in general, and in economic education, in particular. The digital era plays a crucial role in spreading and developing economic education to individuals enabling the increase of economic welfare for stakeholders by development of skills, knowledge and capability. The economic education in the digital era offers alternatives on how to develop the capacity of the current education systems to adapt the economic culture of individuals to the continuous changes in the economic environment. In the current study, the impact of digitization on economic education will be outlined highlighting the challenges and opportunities in developing new strategies for the economic education.
Factors with impact on the knowledge management practices within shared service centers
Authors: Dincă Violeta Mihaela
Published: August 2020

Nowadays it has become easier and easier to reach and achieve information and a great reason for that is the fast evolution of technology. Along with these less complicated opportunities to access information there is an increasing consciousness of recognizing the ways to use it in different moments in time especially within the business environment. Successful organizations empower employees to share knowledge by rewarding them for such actions. And the organization’s leaders must be role models of sharing knowledge regularly with their teams, and they should discuss openly about successes and failures. Taking all these aspects into account, in this paper various processes of knowledge management (KM) are presented from theoretical approaches to practical ones. Successful examples of KM within multiple Shared Service Centers of two multinational companies based in Bucharest, Romania are displayed in order to uncover best practices. A qualitative and in the same time a quantitative investigation were expanded and tested in these Shared Service Centers with the objective to detect the current most suitable patterns and procedures of KM in 2019 and, simultaneously, the difficulties in applying the KM methods within an organization. Information from different employees in the companies was gathered regarding the key success factors of implementing Knowledge Management in organizations (organizational culture, leadership, efficient and systematic processes, technology and strategy). The results certified that communication, along with an open professional behavior, sharing experiences and teamwork as the most important factors for boosting Knowledge Management within the organization.
The impact of knowledge transfer on the Organizational performance
Authors: Zamfir Francisca-Elena
Published: August 2020

While the importance of knowledge creation and management has been widely recognized as critical to the continued competitiveness and success of an organization since the 1990s, few systematic studies have been conducted on the processes of creation and knowledge management transfer in organizations. Much of what has been reported in the literature has an anecdotal nature. The development of knowledge management as a distinct domain has historically been influenced by research undertaken in a wide range of disciplines. These disciplines include sociology, psychology and philosophy. Since the early 1990s, research in the area of knowledge management has expanded into contiguous areas such as change management, systems theory, organizational theory, organizational learning &development and artificial intelligence. During the past years, there has been a great deal of interest in knowledge as an organizational and commercial variable, with the need to better understand the processes of knowledge transfer in organizations. In this paper, I present and develop the following questions: What kind of knowledge should we transfer? How should we transfer knowledge between entities? What is the impact of knowledge transfer on organizational performance? To develop the previously mentioned questions, a quantitative research based on a questionnaire has been applied on a sample of 100 people who are working in a certain shared services centre. The main purpose of the research is to identify the impact of knowledge sharing on organizational performance and to analyze the importance of having a solid base of information in order to achieve excellent organizational performance. The result is that knowledge transfer has an impact on the company’s vision, continuous learning and business performance. The way knowledge is managed in a company is crucial to gain a competitive advantage, this being recognized by the respondents as important for achieving the following goals: project success and self-improvement.
Knowledge management strategies for leadership in the digital business environment
Authors: Băeşu Camelia , Bejinaru Ruxandra
Published: August 2020

Throughout this paper we try to propose several updated theories about leadership strategies considering the new framework and coordinates imposed by the digital age. By operating a literature review, firstly we will define the intriguing concepts of: digital age, digital leader and digital leadership. Nowadays leaders must understand the global technological revolution and integrate with it in their daily business routine. Within the sections of the paper we will analyze the different features of the digital knowledge age, considering issues like the work environment, the new type of employees or the new skills. We believe that by mapping all these novel aspects we will emphasize which are the gaps between the current state and the potential one. Acknowledging the opportunities of the digital age is empowering both for managers and employees in terms of achieving their success. We will provide an analysis of the most important traits of a digital leader and their necessity in the present environment. Even if great theorists consider that a leader’s essential characteristics are timeless we will argue which are the substantial changes generated by digitalization. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential knowledge strategies to be applied for effective leadership in the digital business environment. Throughout this paper we want to bring to attention which are the major impactful connections between the trends of digitalization and leadership concepts. In the final section of the paper we will present our conclusions and propose for discussion further challenges of the digital age, mainly from managerial perspective.
Expectations regarding the application of internal managerial control system in Romanian public entities
Authors: Filip Cosmin
Published: August 2020

Community legislation in the field of internal managerial control (IMC) is largely made up of general principles of good practice, which are accepted also internationally. The manner in which these principles are transposed in the internal control systems is specific to each country, being determined mainly by the legislative, administrative, cultural conditions etc. It is necessary to deepen these aspects of IMC from the development perspective of the managerial decision making point of view. In the public domain, according to the requirements of the specific normative acts in Romania, as well as the European Commission, the rigorous, efficient, effective and transparent use of public funds is essential. For monitoring the managerial decisions in order to meet these requirements, the IMC system in public entities is established at both national and international level. The implementation of the IMC system is a necessary measure, in the context in which the public institutions are managing, both public funds that are allocated to them, and the public patrimony that is under their management. From this perspective, it is obvious that, in the absence of an IMC system, it is not possible to reasonably ensure the efficiency, the effectiveness and the economy of the operations carried out by the public entities. In this context, the current study is proposing a holistic analysis on the correlation between expectation and achievements regarding the application of the IMC system in Romanian public entities. Thus, starting with the latest report published in august 2019 by the Internal Managerial Control and Interinstitutional Relations Department from the Romanian Government’s General Secretariat (DCIMRI, 2019) regarding the IMC implementation in Romania, the aim of the paper is to point out the issues identified in the implementation practice of IMC standards and to judge the results in terms of expectations.
Perspectives and reviews in the use of narrative strategies for communicating fake news in the tourism industry
Authors: Anton Emanuela , Teodorescu Cosmin Alexandru , Vargas Vanesa Madalina
Published: August 2020

In this article we review research from the past decade that explores how elements of communication from social media and press articles influence the decision making for choosing a travel destination. ‘Fake news’ has the potential to impact opinions, expectations and behaviour of tourism consumers. Perceived as an important threat to modern democratic societies, the course of intentional false data dissemination is able to disrupt perception and throughout the normal functioning of state institutions and private companies. Hence, manipulation of information shapes differently the image of tourism destinations, accommodation units, cruise ships and even tourist attractions mostly in order to produce higher economic benefits. Unfortunately, sometimes ‘fake news’ spreading could be detrimental to tourist destinations and operators. In order to pursue, cope, absorb and adjust threats related to ‘fake news’, we will use and approach in a later work the aspects regarding a ‘societal resilience’