Search

The paper aims to emphasize the transformations occurring in the internal audit field at globallevel, in these changing times, due to machine intelligence development. The artificial intelligencetechnology impact on businesses is huge, providing opportunities and challenges altogether. Theinternal audit is changing, the auditors need to understand the basics of artificial intelligence, toidentify their the roles they ought to play and the exposure they take, risks and opportunities of AI;they need to get ready for the change, reshape their role and adapt to process automation.

Starting on 25 May 2018, all Member States, including Romania, must apply the new GeneralData Protection Regulation 2016/679. It contains obligations regarding the collection, processing,storing, disclosing of data to individuals (clients, employees, etc.), with very large sanctions. Although, as a rule, record-keeping obligations do not apply to small and medium sizedenterprises, organizations with less than 250 employees have record-keeping obligations unless theprocessing is likely to generate certain risks for the rights and freedoms of the data subjects, if it’snot occasional or includes special data, and many SMEs enterprises fall into such situations. In this light, the present paper analyzes the impact of the new regulation and the stage ofimplementation of the necessary measures for compliance at the level of the Romanian small andmedium sized enterprises.

Economic growth and the level of employment are two key factors that economists should consider when analyzing different economic aspects. In this article, we focus on the relation between the growth of unemployment rate and the growth of real gross domestic product (both expressed as a percentage) in the case of Romania. In our research we answer at the following questions? Is Okun’s rule valid in Romanian economy from 2000 to 2018? Does it hold over time? What is the relation between these variables? The empirical analysis showed the inverse relationship between them, confirming Okun’s findings, underlying that the rule is valid in the Romanian economy in the analyzed period, although the small value of R-squared made us interpret the results with caution, questioning somehow the sustainability of the law over time. Its validity can be seen more on short term analysis rather than on long term projections.

While innovative technologies significantly influence all organizational activities, information tends to become one of the vital resources of sustainable development. In this direction, the present article aims to present a reflection on the paradigm of innovative technologies - digital information starting from the digital information features and challenges. The methodology used consists of the bibliographic-documentary survey, a review of the literature in the digital information field, its management and its quality, opening new directions of study and analysis on this topic. The data collected in this way were subjected to a qualitative analysis, structured according to thematic sections and the main interest spheres were identified. The results demonstrated a major challenge for responsible parties in terms of information management, assurance and compliance with quality requirements in the age of innovative technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new digital technologies integrated into economic and social life had determined the need for professionals in the economic field to possess and to develop new skills, capable of giving organization added value. The economics students´ groundwork for these new competencies is both a necessity and a consequence of the changes that have taken place in the different market types, as they increasingly become protagonists of their own learning process. The current endeavor is an effort to explore the students' attitude towards technology, in which the proactive attitude of economics students determines their involvement in economic life and their resultant determines how they relate to information technology as future professionals on the dynamic job market. The study is based on a number of 424 questionnaires completed between April and May 2024 by the students from The Faculty of Economic Sciences of the "Ovidius" University of Constantza, Romania, through which proactive attitudes and the active involvement into economic life and pro-technology attitudes were determined, resulting in a significant positive correlation between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a changing world, with a massive exposure to risks on all levels, from nature climate change to violent cyber war attempts, the business environment needs to adapt its instruments in mitigating and responding to cyber-security risks on different stages: prevention, detection, disposal, improvement. Internal audit function has a key role in assessing cyber disruptions as part of strategic risks and identifying the operational control gaps on the business level, working with management at developing and maintaining an adaptive capacity to different types of risks building and improving business continuity.

Cyber terrorism is an intangible danger, a real over the corner threat in the life of individuals,organizations, and governments and is getting harder to deal with its damages. The motivations forthe cyber-attacks are different, depending on the terrorist group, from cybercrime to hacktivism,attacks over the authorities’ servers. Organizations constantly need to find new ways ofstrengthening protection against cyber-attacks, assess their cyber readiness, expand the resiliencecapacity and adopts international security regulations.

Cryptocurrencies appeared as a normal evolution of digital money. It is certain that cash is less used compared to twenty years ago, most transactions are made online or using digital money, such as banking transfers, credit cards payments, mobile applications, pay pal, etc. Cryptocurrency became the second generation of digital money, in a improved form, using current technology, and is constantly growing, exceeding the most optimistic predictions, but is also challenging and unpredictable because of it is impossible to control it anyhow.

This research probes into the digital transformation shifts in Romania and sets them against a backdrop of certain EU countries. Its primary objective is to spotlight digitalization's significance and assess its level of integration within the Romanian banking landscape. Our approach relies on a detailed examination of the adoption of digital banking instruments in Romania through correlation and ANOVA assessments. The ANOVA analysis of the DESI index and its associated dimensions reveals how Romania's digital transformation stands in relation to other EU member states. Our findings emphasize the numerous advantages Romanian banks have garnered from increasingly embracing digital innovations and artificial technologies. These perks span from optimized operations and efficiency to enhanced customer experiences and a sharpened competitive advantage. The research indicates a strong positive correlation between a bank's return on assets and its liquid assets to deposits and short-term funding ratios. This suggests that as digital integration deepens, there is a marked upturn in financial robustness. Additionally, the study sheds light on the perks of individuals adopting digital banking offerings and delves into factors that propel and impede the digital evolution in the banking arena. Overall, this paper presents valuable insights into Romania's digital banking trajectory and the sector's long-term viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Corporate governance (CG) disclosures are seen as the essence of the organizations' nonfinancial reporting. The consequences of governance reporting are based on internal and external interconnected factors, so quantitative studies fail to capture the whole picture. As an example, poor performance can be both the result and the cause of underlying governance mechanisms. The present work aims to analyse the governance reporting rules versus principles by carrying out an empirical research of governance reporting through the Romanian financial investment companies listed on the BSE (Bucharest Stock Exchange). The results show the relevance of organizational culture in promoting governance and positive attitude at all organizational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research paper aims to bring into discussion the theoretical approaches of corporate governance but also to identify, through specialized literature, the existing relationships between corporate culture and the governance process improvement as well as the effects of management's orientation towards innovation in terms of organizational culture in the development of effective corporate governance systems, based on generally accepted rules or principles. The study highlights the complexity of governance, as a result of innovative business models capable of integrating economic, social, cultural, ethical pillars and to generate for stakeholders a unitary information systems. The balance mandatory for organizations to optimally fulfill the set objectives can be achieved all the more easily as corporate responsibility becomes part of the thinking of all members of the organization and responsibility and accountability towards all stakeholders is directed from the inside out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studies, through specialized literature, the performance of the accounting information system (AIS) in its capacity as the main provider of the necessary information for various interested categories in synchronisation with modern information technology resources. But all this digitization is a double-edged sword for stakeholders, the role of active mediators in finding and identifying the most suitable AIS, returning to accounting professionals alongside information technology (IT) experts. The motivation for choosing this issue is justified in terms of the complex dynamics of AIS in recent years, while information quality, as a resource of organizations, represents a topic of maximum interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As it is more and more included in socio-economic life's area, sustainable technology has become a competitive advantage for organizations with a relevant performance. The paper proposes, based on a specialized literature systematic review, a study of the ways through which organization can integrate innovative sustainable development policies in various fields within the organizational culture. The topic addressed is one of maximum interest for the business environment, so the research attention to these aspects is constantly increasing. The transition of the organizational culture towards a digital culture, by promoting a responsible leadership, results in the appreciation of the final performance through the filter of sustainability. The outcome obtained from this study have both theoretical and managerial implications, the organizational culture representing one of the main pillars of the company's orientation towards digital innovation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial inclusion is an important national subject, sustained by the European Union policies. Financial inclusion has an outstanding role in growing the quality of life of citizen, and financial inclusion can be accomplished both through educational programs and through programs which facilitate access to financial products and services. The financial inclusion score, a very useful instrument, can be influenced by many factors in order to decrease the major gap between the urban and rural environment. In this paper, we analyze the level of financial education and inclusion of Romanians, the barriers that are encountered and giving solutions to enhance the level of financial inclusion in Romania. The low levels of financial inclusion can be improved by the government through public polices mainly, but also in partnership with banks or other non-governmental institutions, regarding digitalization, financial education and fiscal and non-fiscal policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines changes in consumer behavior in the post-pandemic era, as reflected in ecommerce statistics, with the aim of predicting future trends that will help companies manage their online businesses. The dramatic impact that the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which brought restrictions in terms of social distancing, affected people in many aspects of their lives(social, psychological and economical). In terms of consumer buying habits, adapting to a new environment created by the sanitary crisis(meaning that people had to get accustomed with online sopping) and the influence of other factors such as the unstable economic environment, the instability of the labor market, the increase in unemployment, etc., caused major shifts in consumer behaviour, forcing many companies to reconsider and reorganize their business strategies accordingly. This paper examines the changes in consumer behavior in a post-pandemic era, reflected by e-commerce statistics, with the purpose of anticipating future trends which will help companies manage their business in the online environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to compare the traditional methods of teaching as well as the new and modern methods such as: multimedia teaching. The use of internet is integrating the IT technology in the education process in order to help students develop their skills. A SWOT analysis of the multimedia learning method will emphasis the advantages and disadvantages of the multimedia learning process. Moreover, the paper suggests other useful teaching methods that can be used in sharing knowledge to the students via online methods. In a modern society, with an expansive evolution, characterized by economic, political and cultural mobility, the future in teaching is delivering a dynamic, formative education. For this reason, the need for a reform of the theoretical pedagogical movement and also the educational practices must progress. Modern methods of education coexist with traditional ones and strive to replace those imposed by the educational needs of the last century, hoping that, in this way, education will succeed in meeting the demands of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to explore the influence of cultural diversity on accounting disclosure among companies from Islamic countries. The methodology consists in analysing the literature on accounting disclosure and accounting information reported by companies operating in Islamic countries. We used the inductive reasoning, starting from a review on current scientific research over the changes occurred in accounting practices in developing economies. Islamic companies need to disclose clear and accurate financial and nonfinancial information in a trustworthy and reliable manner, while both Shari'ah-receptive investors and regulators care for environmental, social and governance impacts of Islamic investments. Analysing the governance scores, we came to conclude that companies with headquarters in countries that adopted Shari'ah standards as national ones, score higher than companies from countries where international accounting standards are used or in countries where both standards are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since the financial crisis recovery scholarly approaches on sustainability have intensified. Organizations feel pressure from various sources to adopt practices of social sustainability. Stakeholders are interested in not only the performance of companies but also in processes and structures that are implemented to back up the performance. Covid-19 became a great global concern impacting environmental and social sustainability together with life quality. In this context, the aim of present research is to understand the impact of the pandemic on social responsibility. The methods used are the review of published literature and policy work and qualitative analysis of annual reports and sustainability reports of the biggest company in energy from Eastern Europe - OMV Petrom, two listed Romanian banks - Banca Transilvania and BRD GSG and one international listed Bank Erste Group Bank. The conclusions of the study can serve professionals and stakeholders who lead social sustainability research in this field and open the path for more extensive research in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empowering consumers and effectively protecting their safety and economic interests have become key objectives of the European Union which promotes a holistic approach in this regard, by taking into account the various consumer issues in developing all its important policies and implementing them in the Member States. In this context, this paper aims to analyze the impact that the quality of national governance has on consumer conditions in the Member States, including United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyses the relation between the corporate governance requirements and the corruption phenomenon, explaining how by respecting or ignoring certain aspects of governance and disclosure, might have a fundamental significance in the fight for combating the corruption behaviours or encourage them. The research problem is finding the correlation between corruption and the quality of the corporate governance system. We proved that assuming the conjunction of the cultural dimensions power distance indicator, uncertainty avoidance and short-term orientation in the same society is a red flag for corruption thriving in the respective country is true. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy is multidimensional, affecting, among other things, supply chains, human resources or companies' revenues. Although this impact differs, from one economic sector to another, however, similar business responses to the crisis can be identified, especially in the case of SMEs. In this context, the present paper analyzes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the European business environment in general and on the Romanian one in particular, as well as the measures adopted in response to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania is at the moment, as in fact almost all the countries of the world, in a deep economic crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic that inevitably affects small and medium-sized enterprises as well. This paper presents the impact felt by Romanian entrepreneurs following the new crisis and their reaction to the measures adopted by the Government to mitigate this impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to raise awareness over the occurrence of citizens’ infringement rights to freedom and democracy violations occurring in the harsh times of the pandemic globally. Combatting this virus requires sharp decisions in terms of public health respecting international health recommendations. Governments must protect human rights and the value of democracy in each country to maintain public trust and gain people’s cooperation. In the health crisis and building the new future the fight against COVID-19 will not be effective and might lead to authoritarian measures. Authoritarian regimes might use strength, fear and fraud to control their people. On the other hand, democracies act in transparency, information-wise and their public legitimacy. When citizens start losing their faith in the legality of democracy for not functioning effectively, the dangerous risk of democracy failure appears. Without an well educated and informed population these governments might use the new coronavirus pandemic to promote their power abandoning democratic norms and the rule of law on behalf of drastic restraints that might remain permanent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the tourism is a significant and remarkable economic branch. The increase in volume and the complexity of the touristic service offer have generated a true industry of the journeys and tourism, which justifies treating the touristic phenomenon as a distinctive branch of the national economy which is in full development, being a component of the tertiary sector. In this way there is a concern to define the concept in a more complete form. Tourism is a phenomenon characteristic to the modern civilization, influenced by its evolution. It fulfils the needs of all client categories. Also, through its mass character and complex content, tourism trains a vast material and human potential, with important implications upon the evolution of the economy and society, upon the national and international interhuman relations. As a result, tourism represents a true business, contributing to the employed work force and the gross world product. The balneary tourism, as an integrated branch of tourism, its extremely important, given that it's based on natural resources, given that it is based on natural resources, from which not every country benefit from. So, owning some natural resources constitutes a true treasure that needs to be treasured and simultaneously valued through adopting a total management. We have chosen this theme in order to highlight the differences between the approach of balneary tourism by two countries: Turkey and Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper concerns the interactions between privacy and cybersecurity as business risks, exploring how the same challenges apply to both of them and how security is a global threat in a digitalized world. In their quest to gain competitive advantage, capitalizing on digital information and owning personal data, businesses of all types get challenged in managing risks, being exposed to data privacy and cybersecurity. As information and processes get digitized, more risks occur and an organization evolution is influenced by the way it manages risks of all kind: reputational, ethics, conformity, regulation, market, strategic, credit. The paper raises awareness and encourages dialogue on data governance and presents important direction lines over cyber security as a fundamental part of online privacy protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The touristic activity is among the few phenomena that have been imposed in the contemporary era. Through the dimension reached today in tourism, in all its components, through its implications on the development of the economy, but also on the quality of the environment, we can appreciate that tourism really has implications in three essential areas: economic, social and environmental. The organization and management of the touristic activity thus requires a process of ordering the components of the touristic device in order to ensure the functioning of the ensemble and to obtain a profit. It aims at synchronizing and correlating this field with the other branches and activities, as well as establishing attributions so as to ensure the development of tourism activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is far more than an economic sector. It is a complex system in which potential interactions with other economic sectors can be developed in a sustainable way both upstream and downstream. For this reason, it is essential to implement and develop projects in Romania in a much larger context. Contemporary tourism succeeds in being a complex activity, having numerous economic, social and cultural implications. The development of tourism is constantly in close correlation with the growth rhythms of other economy branches. Lately, balneary tourism, known also as health tourism, benefits from an increased attention, as it presents outstanding resources, such as health care factors, which help to maintain the health. Given this, we have chosen to conduct a study on the importance and development of the balneary tourism in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to highlight the importance of competition policy for the operation of a free market economy at optimal parameters. Compliance with its provisions by Romanian companies is supervised nationally by the Competition Council, authority whose activity during the period 2012-2015 is analyzed in the frame of the present paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand the importance of the intervention within the market in favor of the consumer, and also the mechanisms by which it can be effectively implemented, the present paper presents the historical and social context of the assertion of the need for consumer protection and its evolution due to the development of a consumerist society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]