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In a world dominated by data, information is one of the most important resources. But simply collecting and storing data is not enough, as data has to be transformed into information. Researchers agree on the fact that both computing power and analytical methods allow this at an unprecedented level. Given the consistent and wide applicability of such systems and technologies today, the present work goes into possible uses of cognitive computing and sets its focus on the retail sector. Cognitive computing generally helps with consumer profiling, deriving their preferences, delivering suitable product recommendations, and contouring the consumer experience when interacting with companies. The main aim of the present work is to investigate consumer experiences with the help of cognitive computing and lay ground for further research on this topic. In the following sections of the present article, we define the concept of cognitive computing, with regard to its meaning for multiple, diverse data streams and types. We then empirically investigate the use of CC for shaping and enriching consumer experiences with the help of cognitive virtual assistants (CVAs). After conducting quantitative research, we discuss differences in perceptions between two age groups (under and over 40 years).

Specialists in the field of business administration have tried over time to identify those elements or combination of elements which lead to a higher performance and excellence of companies. One of these models was created and it is applied by the European Foundation of Quality Management. This model defines nine elements, divided into enablers and results. Although this model is widely used in the evaluation of businesses, empirically there are still concerns regarding the characterization and correlations between the elements of the model and the connection with the performance of a company. This article aims to determine the correlations between the elements of the EFQM model based on the results of a research conducted in a clothing company in Romania. For this, the factor analysis was applied in order to determine both the correlations between the elements of the model and in order to group them in several strategic directions. Based on the results, there were determined three strategic directions. Out of these directions, one was oriented towards the external environment of the company, one was oriented towards the internal environment and the third one towards the "brain" of the company, who has the vision and the strategic thinking.

The development of the environment of a company has a direct influence on its performance and its success. For this reason a company should not only analyze its internal performance, but also the external performance of the business environment and the su

In a permanent changing environment, the measurement and monitorisation of the performance of a company has become one of the key issues for its success. This fact increases the capacity of each company to adapt to the conditions of the environment, because only by a permanent monitorisation of the performance, a company can discover both its strenghts and its weaknesses and in time, it can react according to these. This paper concentrates on the controlling and performance measurement of the distribution policy of a company. It analyses both the efficacity and efficency of the distribution channels as well as the succes of the logistics activity.

One of the biggest challenges of companies is to determine the behavior of its consumers, because only by this it can influence determine them to buy their products. It is not enough just to know the behavior of the consumer at one moment of time, but also its dynamic. On one hand there are changes at the level of each individual when passing from one stage of his life to another, and on the other hand, there are also changes determined by the society such as changes in values and norms, trends, technological developments. For this reason in consumer behavior it is important to analyze this dynamic and try to find the reasons for these changes, because only by this a company can adjust its products and strategies. This article presents several aspects of the Romanian consumer behavior, depending on age and gender. There are analyzed for different segments of population patterns of consumer behavior, the social and emotional behavior, the impulsive buying behavior and the attitude of the consumer towards this type of behavior