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In Romania, domestic tourism is increasingly incorporating rural tourism. The number of travelers using the specific services provided by agritourism and tourism guesthouses increased during the pandemic. In this context, in this paper it was analyzed the evolution of this categories of guesthouses, at the national level in the period 2018-2023, with the following statistical indicators: tourist destinations, types of tourists, degree of occupancy, accommodation capacity, tourist arrivals, occupancy rate, and number of overnight stays. The study reveals a preference of tourists for guesthouses and the efficient use of natural, cultural and human zonal resources. The creation of tourism products that capitalize on the zonal development potential is one of the options with a great development potential. Tourism and agritourism guesthouses have adapted more easily to the requirements of the health crisis by promoting a personalized tourist offer closer to the needs of tourists. The creation of diversified tourism products that capitalize on the regional specificity is one of the options with a great potential for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The field of artificial intelligence is starting to permeate all aspects of society and management is no exception. From digital transformation, marketing and industry 4.0 to privacy and ethics, the significant growth of the number of papers being published each year makes it difficult to assess the state of research, the current topics that academia is focusing on and how these topics are evolving over the years. This paper aims to highlight the main topics of this complex and central theme and showcase the evolution of the field through a structured bibliometric analysis of all business-relevant articles and conference paper published in this interval. Leveraging the SCOPUS database, a number of 4763 papers have been identified and analysed, revealing a number of new insights into how the study of artificial intelligence is evolving. Although we are looking at a global perspective, in subsidiary we also observe and compare how Romania is faring against the other global players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to make a comparison between the national situation and the realities related to the consumption of milk and dairy products at global and community level. For this purpose, total consumption and consumption per capita at the general level of the product group, for milk, butter and cream respectively, were used as indicators. At national level, total consumption reached 4,935 thousand t (average of the period 2017-2019), of which milk held 4,905.67 thousand t, butter 23.67 thousand t and cream 5.67 thousand t. Worldwide, Romania accounted for an average of 0.58% of total milk and dairy consumption, 0.59% of milk consumption, 0.21% for butter consumption and 0.16% in case of cream consumption. Related to the Community context, Romania held shares of about 3.30% regarding the total consumption of milk and dairy products, 3.38% for milk consumption, 1.37% for butter consumption and 0.24% for cream. If we refer to the situation of consumption per capita, there are averages of the indicator, as follows: 233.54 kg - total consumption, 232.04 kg - milk consumption, 1.20 kg for butter and 0.30 kg for cream. Reported worldwide, Romania exceeded 3.23 times the total consumption of milk and dairy products and 3.29 times the consumption of milk and in case of butter and cream only 82.19 and 66.67% beside the global level of the indicator were achieved. unlike European Union, Romania exceeded consumption at the general level of the product group and for milk, but for butter and cream the situation was unfavorable (about 1/3 of the Community consumption for butter and only 6.05% for cream). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to test the aggregates chosen for an efficient application of granulated chemical fertilisers of different types during the optimal period, as well as to reduce the time and costs required for the agricultural work performed. The experiments were carried out within the IF Raicsics Mihailo Dragan Farm in the Commune of Sânpetru Mare, Timiș County, Romania. Depending on the capacity of the fertiliser hoppers of these machines, we chose the tractor with which to work in the aggregate. Obtaining high-quality crops at the lowest possible costs can only be achieved through the application of specific, perfected technologies, which allow a superior utilisation of both natural resources and inputs. Therefore, comparing the fertiliser machines studied, we notice a difference in terms of direct costs due to the technological characteristics of each one. That is why it is very important to calculate the economic efficiency of the types of aggregates chosen for different agricultural works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of university education in providing access to the labour market (employment) is reflected in increased employment opportunities for the educated population. The relationship between the unemployment rate and educational attainment is evident: the unemployment rate decreases as one moves from lower to higher levels of education. It can be seen that the unemployment rate, in terms of its size and dynamics, is inversely proportional to the level of education: it falls as the level of education rises, and vice versa. The aim of the research in this paper is to respond to the need to teach students with practical solutions for getting the skills needed to be easily employable in the labour market after graduation. The paper used a quantitative (questionnaire) and a qualitative (bibliometric) analysis. The data studied through the research shows the need for final-year students to receive additional practical skills training for employability. Entrepreneurship education, in addition to the university curriculum, can provide them with a viable alternative to increase their chances of integrating into the 21st century labour market. The innovative character of the work derives from the concrete practical activities that supported the optional entrepreneurial training of IULS students from Iasi. We can affirm, following the study undertaken, that the development of such additional and adapted educational activities increases young graduates' practical skills needed on the labour market. The access to non-reimbursable European funds, which offer additional educational opportunities to students, must be continued in order to produce the major economic effects expected by the whole Romanian society, with the aim of reducing youth unemployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the paper is to analyze the land use as cultivated area and grasslands for producing animal feed in Romania in the interval 2013-2022 utilizing the data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and Eurostat. The dynamics was highlighted as graphical trend lines, regression equations and R square, fixed basis and structural indices reflecting the changes across the time. The results showed that the surface with green forages in arable land was 847,978 ha in 2022 representing 10.59% of the total cultivated area and also reflected a reduction by 1.26% versus 2013. The perennial forages covered 675,207 ha in 2022 (+3.7% vs. 2013). Alfalfa accounted for a larger surface with a share of 62.52% in 2022(vs. 52.39% in 2013), while the clover area decreased its weight from 18.5% to 14.2%. In 2022, annual green forages covered 179,952 ha, by 13.35% less than in 2023. Fodder maize was cultivated on only 48,634 ha in 2022 (-13.36% vs. 2013) and root crops on only 3,033 ha, a surface smaller by 79.32% in 2022. The declined is justify by the negative influence of climate change which reduced forage production and also by the decreasing trend in livestock. Romania has also 5,172,800 ha grasslands, coming on the 3rd position in the EU after France and Germany. This area plays an important role in animal nutrition at a lower cost, in soil conservation, mitigating the effects of climate change, preserving biodiversity and the beauty of the landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper was to study the tourism in the Danube Delta and to evaluate the impact of the hostilities in Ukraine on tourist flows and other aspects. The study was carried out between February 15 and March 15 2024, by applying a questionnaire with 6 questions, on site and during the Romanian Tourism Fair (February 15-18). The questions in the questionnaire addressed how the tourism structures in the Danube Delta have been affected by the hostilities in the neighborhood and whether they were helped by the central and local public authorities. Representatives of 178 accommodation units, totaling 3,080 accommodation places, as well as representatives of some public institutions and NGOs answered the questionnaire. It was tried to find out exact data from all areas of the Danube Delta, so the authors went to the representative localities from a tourist point of view: C.A. Rosetti, Letea, Periprava, Chilia Veche, Crisan, Mila 23, Jurilovca, Maliuc, Murighiol, Sfântu Gheorghe and Sulina. The conclusions pointed out a deep decline in the number of tourists in the Danube Delta in the year 2023, by 42% compared to 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food loss ans waste, referred next as FLW, has a great extent on the economic and behavioural patterns of consumption. In this paper, we aim to present statistical univariate and multivariate analyses based on a statistical study run during a period of several months in the Romanian territory. In this matter, the main purpose of the analysis developed in this paper is to determine several patterns of FLW phenomenon. This is made based on a methodology which comprises two main sections: the univariate analysis, consisting in statistical determinations of indicators and direct observation, and the multivariate analysis, related to the clustering analysis. The clustering analysis is based on the usage of hierarchical method, which has as final result the determination of clusters describing patterns of consumption related to food loss and waste. After the analysis was run, five main clusters related to food waste behaviour patterns were determined, with slight differences between food consumption habits, but with various combinations between the parameters taken into consideration. The obtained clusters offer important information for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to customize interventions and programs to target specific demographic groups or segments of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses a very topical issue, climate changes, increasingly present recently, with negative effects on our entire existence, with repercussions on agriculture and the way food is produced in general. In the last decade, climate changes have been increasingly present and adapting to these changes is essential. In this paper, two crops, barley and alfalfa are presented, and how these climate changes produced in the Sânnicolau Mare area during 2020-2022 had negative effects on the soils and, above all, on the production of barley and the number of mows in alfalfa. In the elaboration of the paper, the bibliographic study was combined with a series of laboratory analyses regarding the properties of the two types of soil identified. The idea was developed on the basis that we monitored the annual thermal and pluviometric regimes impact on crops and on soil evolution, through their distribution and through the specific adaptability of the plants to risk conditions in a short period of time. These climatic changes are obvious not only from one year or from one season to another: they appear within the same locality bringing obvious changes in terms of the amount of precipitation in a certain area of that locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the market value for the agricultural properties - agricultural lands located within the Casimcea Administrative Territorial Unit (UAT), Tulcea county, Romania. What was analyzed is the fact that a well-executed market analysis can help a lot in the evaluation process. Thus, after choosing the case study, the exact identification of the agricultural land was made. The next stage was the realization of the market analysis. Thus, the current state of agricultural land transactions was analyzed at the European, national and local level. The actual evaluation of the land was done through the market approach and all the adjustments were explained in the content of this paper. The results revealed the fact that the final market value falls within the range found following the market analysis. The analysis is carried out also at the processing level, the results indicating also a quite high coefficient of variation. This paper has achieved its goal, that is to see the impact that the market analysis has in determining the market value of an agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangalia area harbors in the western Black Sea a distinctive marine environment thriving under specific hydrochemical conditions, largely influenced by a significant number of sulphurous springs occurring in shallow marine waters. These springs led to the designation of the area as part of the Natura 2000 Marine Protected Area (MPA) network at European level (Underwater Sulphurous Springs from Mangalia - ROSAC0094), as unique hydro-geomorphological features in the region. In 2021 and 2023, two research cruises led by GeoEcoMar investigated underwater sulphurous springs primarily located offshore of Mangalia (Constant, a County, Romania). The study area, located between 17-29 meters water depth and 1.8-3 km offshore, encompasses two marine protected areas: the Underwater Sulphurous Springs from Mangalia (ROSAC0094) and Cape Aurora (ROSCI0281). The research combined geophysical and geochemical techniques and sediment sampling. Considering the susceptibility of these natural systems to human activities such as fishing and dredging, as well as the impact of ecological and climate changes, this paper offers significant insights contributing to the development of effective conservation and management strategies for these environments. The surveys were conducted for benthic habitats mapping, with the objective of improving our understanding of these ecosystems' distribution, composition and dynamics. As these sulphurous waters are rich inmethane, a powerful greenhouse gas, our results also contribute to the inventory of greenhouse gas sources. The results presented in this paper provide valuable new insights into this specific environment, contributing to the understanding of its complex functioning and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary narratives, rural landscapes and identities, as judged by the inhabitants' sense of belonging, continue to be important points that need to be (re)considered when discussing places as instruments for local development. This paper pushes forward these debates and explores the construction of rural and regional identity in Romania with the help of a case study that focuses on perceptions of rural landscapes as cultural heritage in two rural communities situated on opposite sides of the river Mureș. Based on participant and ethnographic observation and making use of a survey and a qualitative analysis, this paper highlights the most significant features of the local cultural identities and their rural landscape heritage expressed by the two sets of people, which often coincide with the most important characteristics attributed to the regions separated by the river Mureș. The results of this study underline the dividing role of the river in the preservation of rural identity and cultural heritage. They also demonstrate that rural landscapes and the construction of identities along the river have generated both development opportunities and various risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic farming system emerged in the context of sustainable agricultural development, contributing to the promotion of an agricultural system that protects the environment. The specific practices of ecological agriculture contribute to the protection of biodiversity, to the maintenance of soil fertility, to the reduction of soil erosion, to the reduction of pollution of water resources, and to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Also, in organic farming, energy consumption is reduced because this farming system is based on practices that require a lot of manual labour compared to conventional agriculture that consumes more energy. The European Commission demands, through the European Green Pact - Farm to Fork, that, by 2030, 25% of European agriculture should be organic. Based on these considerations, the authors of this paper carried out a study on the evolution of organic agriculture in Europe with an emphasis on Romania to analyse whether this objective proposed by the EU is achievable or not. The result of the analysis highlights that it is unlikely that this particularly ambitious goal will be achieved by 2030, noting that, in 2021, only 4.3% of the agricultural area cultivated in the ecological system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial Organization, the Resource-Based View, and the Relational View are some classical, well-established, and widely accepted theories in the strategic management domain regarding the understanding, explanation, and prediction of competitive advantage of firms and above-average firm performance. Recent evidence of economic geography and regional economics added to this stream of research new perspectives like cluster theory and microeconomic competitiveness. Despite the high enthusiasm with which companies and policymakers embraced the new advancements, there is some contradictory evidence regarding the positive effect of local conditions on firm performance. Thus, in this paper, we aim to empirically test some aspects of a modern regional development theory, proposed mainly by Michael Porter and collaborators, and the impact of these aspects on firm performance. External determinants considered at three levels of analysis (local economy, local clusters, and industry) will be investigated in relation to firm performance. We will analyze empirical data through detailed correlational analyses and by building multilinear regression models. After the statistical analysis of the answers provided directly by 67 medium and large manufacturing companies operating in Romania, we will provide empirical support for some external determinants, while for other determinants, we will show that the data rejected the proposed associations. The main conclusion derived from this study is that different combinations of external determinants, considered at all three levels of analysis, have a positive and significant effect on different measures of firm performance. The findings in our paper are important for both regional economics and the strategic management literature, suggesting the importance of creating local or urban conditions depending on the type of performance that the firms in the local economy are underperforming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The way firms and marketers promote their products is being shaped by consumer needs and trends alongside the evolution of the marketplace. As web technologies and consumers’ online behavior improve, influencers are becoming increasingly significant in social media marketing strategies. This research intends to investigate a particular digital phenomenon observed in the field of books, namely, marketing books on Instagram. Therefore, the study aims to highlight the key aspects of book influencers' Instagram activity, namely by examining the literature, but also the evolution of the bookstagram phenomenon in a dual perspective in both Romania and the United States. Furthermore, the purpose of this research is to draw attention to the similarities and differences among the existing communities in the two countries pointed out by a quantitative research. On that account, the data analyzed was collected in two different ways, first we retrieved information from Statista online database about the phenomenon in the United States of America and then, we conducted a questionnaire to bookstagram community members in Romania. Accordingly, the paper will contribute to the expansion of the literature on #bookstagram communities in various cultures around the world by providing useful information and a more diverse view of this market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Achieving improved rates of overall survival remains a significant challenge in advanced-stage ovarian cancer; even if complete debulking is achieved, certain patients report poor results in terms of survival. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate new prognostic markers that could point out which cases could benefit most from debulking surgery and which ones should be rather submitted to neoadjuvant therapies followed by debulking surgery. Background: Despite improving surgical techniques and achieving more often complete debulking procedures, certain patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer still have a very poor prognosis. The aim of the current paper is to investigate whether inflammatory and nutritional status can predict the long-term outcomes of ovarian cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 57 cases diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer submitted to surgery as first intent therapy was carried out. In all cases, the preoperative status was determined by calculating the CRP/albumin ratio, as well as the Glasgow score, the modified Glasgow score and the prognostic nutritional index. Results: Patients presenting higher values of the CRP/albumin ratio, with a higher Glasgow score, modified Glasgow score and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), were more frequently associated with incomplete debulking surgery, a higher peritoneal carcinomatosis index and poorer overall survival (20 months versus 9 months for the CRP/albumin ratio p = 0.011, 42 versus 27 versus 12 months for the Glasgow score p = 0.042, 50 versus 19 versus 12 months for the modified Glasgow score, p = 0.001, and 54 months versus 21 months, p = 0.011 for the prognostic nutritional index). Conclusions: A strong relationship between the nutritional and inflammatory status in advanced-stage ovarian cancer seems to exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its importance in the analysis of gender in various research fields, Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity circulates in rather restricted academic spaces in Romania, as her gender studies is not yet a wide field of research. The importation and particularization of the discussion of gender as a social construct is influenced by various factors: from the persistent patriarchal structure of a society in which the post-communist legacy is still felt, to the simultaneity of theoretical receptions of works authored by Butler and several other types of feminist discourse, such as Rosi Braidotti's posthumanist approach. This paper analyses to what extent these theories produce effects in contemporary Romanian literature, especially in prose with queer issues at its core. The paper further examines the way in which the category of socially constructed gender can be used as a tool for analysing the configurations of the human subject as a sexualised Other in contemporary Romanian literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the notions of urban sprawl and suburbanisation are introduced and discussed in the context of American and European cases. The drivers of urban sprawl are discussed along with the main typologies analysed in the literature about the issue. The debate regarding urban sprawl is discussed in the particular context of Eastern Europe, and a timeline of suburbanisation is presented from the socialist years until today. Then, the specific case of Bucharest is examined through the case of Popesti Leordeni, where the particularities of the city development and the stages of urban sprawl are compared with the typologies observed in the Romanian context. The paper concludes with the need for further research to identify different or diverging planning practices within the metropolitan area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its simplicity, the one-diode model is commonly used for modeling the operation of photovoltaic (PV) modules at standard test conditions (STC). However, its inherent implicit nature often presents challenges in modeling PV energy production. In this paper, the innovative explicit one-diode model developed by us over time is adapted for estimating PV power production under real weather conditions. Simple yet accurate equations for calculating the energy output of a PV generator equipped with a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system are proposed. The model's performance is assessed under various normal and harsh operating conditions against measured data collected from the experimental setup located at the Solar Platform at West University of Timisoara, Romania. As an application of the new equation for maximum power, this paper presents a case study where the energy loss in the absence of an MPPT system is evaluated based on atmospheric and sky conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on an overview of two programs applied to the residential building stock of Bucharest (Romania), namely, the seismic strengthening program and the thermal rehabilitation program. The methodology for seismic risk assessment given in the current generation of Romanian codes, as well as in previous regulations, is examined. A brief review of other seismic risk assessment methodologies currently applied in various seismically prone countries is also presented. Examples of high-rise buildings in Bucharest that suffered significant damage during the Vrancea 1977 earthquake and that were thermally rehabilitated without any strengthening works are shown in this paper. The consistent differences between the current outcomes of the two programs are presented and discussed. Finally, this review paper highlights the lack of coherence in terms of seismic risk assessments for the same class of buildings, inducing, in some situations, a false feeling of safety in the building inhabitants. In addition, a combined procedure for both seismic strengthening and thermal rehabilitation is mandatory, considering the seismicity of Romania, as well as ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, it is estimated that 14% of existing buildings were built before 1919, whereas 26% were built before 1945. In Romania, about 31% of the buildings date from before 1961, contributing to the current stock of old buildings with historic and architectural value in the country. This paper illustrates the current state of buildings with historic and architectural value in Romania, alongside a case study of a representative administrative building in Câmpulung, Romania. The analysis of the Town Hall building in Câmpulung, Romania, demonstrates that potential energy savings of up to 47.53% can be achieved by implementing interventions such as upgrading windows, insulating the attic, and installing photovoltaic panels. The highest energy reduction is obtained by replacing the window glass with a value of 18.16% with attic insulation with a value of 16.1%. This paper also presents indoor measurements of temperature and humidity in different offices positioned in the north and the south. The study conducted on the south façade office revealed consistent temperatures ranging from 21.7 °C to 24.4 °C, with an average of 23.31 °C. However, the humidity levels fluctuated considerably, ranging from 17.1% to 39.1%, with an average of 26.89%. The sun-exposed section of the building saw relatively stable temperature conditions, but the varying humidity levels could have a detrimental impact on the quality of the indoor atmosphere and potentially decrease the effectiveness of the workforce. By contrast, the north façade office exhibited lower and more fluctuating temperatures, ranging from 19.8 °C to 23.6 °C, with an average of 21.74 °C. Additionally, it had higher and more stable humidity levels, ranging between 19.5% and 41.7%, with an average of 29.83%. A thermographic analysis was performed on the north façade of the Câmpulung Town Hall, utilizing thermal imaging technology to detect areas of heat loss, and thus identifying the energy inefficiency problems of the building's exterior. The investigation found notable variations in temperature, especially around the windows, where temperatures could be as high as 14.1 °C, highlighting the insufficiency of the building's antiquated timber-framed windows in preventing energy loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As highlighted by Pop & Georgescu (2024), the Romanian academic literature concerning municipal bonds is sparse, while the investigations regarding the factors that can influence the sub-sovereign bond trading at Bucharest Stock Exchange is quasi non-existent, to the best of authors’ knowledge. The present paper continues the work of Pop & Georgescu (2024) by trying to identify which of the public available information regarding various interest rates and Bucharest Stock Exchange (henceforth BVB) indices returns influence the trading activity of municipal bond market segment. The correlations presented within this paper imply that the modest profile of municipal bond segment at BVB is related to a relative small number of individual investors that dominate the transactions, using mostly observed data to decided when to trade and what to trade. The scarce correlations that appear in relation with the trading volume and trading value point toward the idea that only a small portion of the listed municipal bonds are owned by individual investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper examines the influence of the historical legacy regarding the impact of the border of the former Habsburg Empire, the former political membership of the Romanian Communist Party (PCR), and perceptions about the communist past - in understanding the current tolerance of bribery in Romania, more than 25 years after the fall of communism. We started from an existing background suggesting that in the aftermath of the fall of communism, Romania underwent significant socio-economic changes, with persisting regional disparities accentuated by historical and cultural legacies. Using representative data from the European and World Values Survey joint dataset v.2.0, other relevant sources (Public Opinion Barometer from 2000 and 2007), variable selection and analysis methods based on DK/NA value treatment, binary derivations, the LASSO pack in Stata 17.0 together with different types of regressions including OLS, binary and ordered logistic ones, cross-validations both random and based on wellestablished criteria (mixed-effects modeling), and collinearity removal techniques based on maximum accepted values of the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF), the results highlight that respondents from certain Romanian macro-regions that experienced higher levels of membership in the PCR and positive views about communism are less likely to be tolerant of bribery. It appears that if the region of residence was part of the former Habsburg Empire, current intentions for bribery are higher. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the propensity to bribe is negatively affected by current macro elements, such as higher crime levels, material deprivation, urban connectivity or lower levels of migration abroad, and left-wing voting preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current situation of the Romanian economy must be understood beginning from the analysis of the main measures of fiscal-budgetary policy applied over the last years by the public authority. In general, the Romanian fiscal policy (before and after accession) was procyclical. However, we continue by presenting some of its characteristics for the past years when we underwent the last ascending phase of the economic cycle. Actually, Romania's GDP exceeded constantly the potential level, and the demand surplus became predominant, generating inflationary pressures. Maintaining the expansionist level of the fiscal policy, in the conditions of a positive deviation of GDP, as of 2017, and opting-out regarding the structural deficit target contributed to affecting the stability of public finances, on short-and medium-term. Romania entered into an extremely difficult economic context, generated by the pandemic, with an extremely narrow fiscal space which limited a lot the possibilities of combating the effects of the pandemic. In this paper we analyzed a period limited to the year 2020, because we consider this time as marking the end of an economic cycle in a period of peace and economic calm, as another is about to begin based on the new realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania is organized with all the 41 counties into 8 development regions. Some regions have an important representation for quality schemes and products that enrich the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the area. Among the 4,857 certified products at national level, the highest share belongs to mountain products, an aspect which consolidates the national and not necessarily international representativeness. The purpose of the paper is to analyse the status of agri-food products with national recognition and products with international recognition regarding the attestation of quality schemes. The Pearson correlation coefficient and the linear and polynomial regression functions (2nd, 3rd and 4th degree) were used to analyze the relationship between the number of certified products and the number agricultural holdings. The data are collected from national and European registers (e-Ambrosia). For the certified products, the data were extracted for the period 2005-2023, and regarding agricultural holdings, 2002-2020 was analyzed. The results pointed out that there is no direct relationship between agricultural holdings and the number of certified products and that the center and northwest regions are the ones that best represent Romania in terms of agro-food products with gastronomic value and certified quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism, as a form of spending free time, has undergone numerous transformations in the last period of time, this is due both to globalization that contributed to the internationalization of tourist experiences, but also to recent events (such as the Covid-19 pandemic, economic crises, etc), but also changing the perception of tourism consumers regarding how they can spend their free time. Traditional or well-known destinations have started to face overcrowding, which is starting to be felt negatively by both residents and visitors who are starting to change their consumption habits regarding the locations they choose as tourist destinations. On the other hand, the challenges of the modern world regarding the effects of global warming, the sharp increase in the population, the depletion of planetary resources, but also the much greater concerns of the current generations regarding these aspects, make the choices we make regarding the choice leisure destinations to change and become more responsible. In this context, creative tourism as an increasingly sought-after option, among a growing category of consumers. In this paper, we set out to analyze the perception that tourism consumers in Romania have regarding this form of tourism. The research assumed, on the one hand, a bibliographic analysis regarding the term creative tourism and how this notion has evolved from the moment of its definition as a form of tourism in the 2000s until now, as well as from a study of case based on the application of a questionnaire to measure the perception of consumers regarding this form of tourism, but especially on the awareness of its existence. The questionnaire had 16 questions answered by 124 respondents. The data were centralized and interpreted with the help of the Excel program, the results highlighting the fact that although some of the respondents practice creative tourism, it is quite little known as a concept. The answers given by the study participants highlighted the fact that they are interested in practicing activities integrated into creative tourism, considering that there are many advantages both regarding the experiences they create, with the interactions they establish with the locals or with the other participants. At the same time, the impact that creative tourism practices have at the local level (both economic and social) is recognized. We consider that these results are useful not only at the micro level, but also at the macro level, under the conditions that the development strategies of the field of hospitality will be thought in such a way as to promote, integrate and develop this form of contemporary tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural area has faced and continues to face countless challenges regarding the lack of financial resources, the way to use material and human resources, labor productivity and labor mobility. Although Romania is a rich country in natural resources, the rural environment being predominant and having an old tradition in agriculture, certain factors stop or make rural development quite difficult. The present study aims to identify and analyze these factors that make rural development less than desired, ways to finance human resources through programs dedicated to the rural environment so that people who earn income from subsistence agriculture can also develop in non-agricultural fields, can achieve a performing agriculture and helps the economic and social growth of the Southwest Oltenia region. An important source of financing for the rural environment is funds from the European Union, which also contribute to the development of human resources in the area. To begin with, we considered the statistical analysis of the data on the evolution of the resident population in the region, the employed population, the net monthly salary that people in the region obtain according to the branches of the national economy, but also statistical data related to unemployment. Thus, for an overview of the existing situation, we continued with a SWOT analysis of the regions in order to establish investment priorities. Another important point in the paper, which helps us to observe the contribution of European funds to rural development, is the degree in care of the measures of the National Rural Development Program accessed as well as certain factors that made submeasure 1.1. to be poorly accessed. The conclusions of the study show that the South-West Oltenia region has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, with a population that, living mostly on the income obtained from subsistence agriculture, is in acute need of funds, additional training and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A local development strategy allows the active coordination of the development process taking place in the territory, taking into account local characteristics, changes in the external environment and allowing a positive approach to territorial development in an innovative way. Local development strategies are characterized by at least seven characteristics recommended to local managers responsible for development: vision for the future, creativity, flexibility, activity, created for action, orientation to change and orientation to sustainable gain. The purpose of this paper is to highlight both the needs and requirements of the inhabitants of the Snagov commune, respectively the degree of satisfaction with the public services they benefit from, as well as the development vision of the Snagov commune. To obtain the information necessary for the study, the questionnaire method was used, and the group of people related to the sample filled in the requested data and expressed their opinions regarding public services, infrastructure, community projects. The key challenge is to ensure a balanced and sustainable development of the territory based on polycentric development, providing services to the surrounding rural areas, avoiding the decline of the rural population and ensuring the continued attractiveness of these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes an in-depth analysis of Romania's agrotourism services market, highlighting its evolution and regional/counties concentration. Romania, renowned for its cultural and touristic diversity, employs agrotourism to facilitate authentic interactions with local communities, offering insights into native culture. Utilizing Clarivate, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases, the research employs statistical processing and graphical representation. Market concentration is gauged using the Herfindahl-Hirschman and Gini-Struck indices. Findings reveal a dynamic national sector with an annual growth rate surpassing 10%. Regionally, concentration levels are notably high, with the North-West, Center, North-East, and South-East collectively contributing over 75%. Countylevel concentration is moderate, indicating potential development even in areas with untapped resources. Romanian authorities actively promote agrotourism, capitalizing on rural development potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the analysis of the profitability threshold of bell pepper cultivation in the solar system in conventional farming and organic farming with proposed for the crop year 2022/2023. Thus, by using a system of indicators (specific indicators, result indicators and profitability indicators, production costs, capitalization prices and the degree of profitability per product unit can be estimated. Economic profitability is evaluated in terms of the use of production framework technologies in the production process and the rational use of raw materials, human and financial resources with the aim of obtaining low-cost and high-quality products. Agribusiness actions will always be based on crop profitability. The findings of the undertaken study can favourably influence farmers, giving them the opportunity to adjust their existing farm resources and capacities to achieve higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyse how the increase in the fertiliser usage in Romania in the last years, 2010-2022, made change in the imports value of these products. For this purpose, it was analysed first the recent evolution of fertiliser usage in Romanian agriculture, and then the impact on imports, using data provided by the European Commission and the International Trade Centre. The results of the quantitative analyse indicated that Romania is highly dependent of external markets in order to cover its internal needs for the usage of these products in agriculture. Both usage of natural and chemical fertilisers increased in the analysed period, and the poor internal production conducted to a very high annual growth rate of the imports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to follow the recent developments regarding the production and Romanian trade with fresh or dried walnuts in shell or shelled. Both statistical and specific indicators of international trade are used. The results indicated that Romania increased its production of walnuts and performed well in trade with shelled walnuts, and the trade balance was positive in the entire analysed period. Is not the case of the trade with walnuts in shell, where the trade balance was consistently negative. Most part of the Romanian trade with walnuts is either with EU countries or with the neighbour countries which are not EU members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green and circular economy is associated with the sustainable development concept and is an integrated part of the development strategies of all EU Member States. In line with the Union's objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 under the Green Deal, the European Commission proposed in March 2020 the first package of measures for the transition to a circular economy, included in the Circular Economy Action Plan. The Plan includes measures for encouraging the production of sustainable products, informing consumers about the green transition, reviewing building materials regulations, and a strategy for sustainable textiles. Against this background, this paper aims to present a comparative analysis of the green and circular economy principles implementation in Romania and the European Union. One of the conclusions of the paper is that even if some progress has been made in the last decade, the implementation of green and circular economy principles in Romania is still at the beginning of the road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to carry out a short statistical analysis on the fat content of milk from two breeds of cattle from a farm in the Moldavian area. 30 milk samples were analysed, more precisely 23 from the Holstein breed and 7 from the Simmental breed in two periods, such as the cold season (autumn-winter) and the warm season (spring-summer). It is known that these breeds are among the best breeds of cows for milk, the first being considered the most productive in the world, and the second the best breed of cows for farms in Romania. The Holstein breed is a highly specialized breed for milk production, while the Simmental breed is a dual-purpose breed selected for both meat and milk production. Following the statistical analysis, it can be seen that there were significant differences between the two breeds of cattle studied and also between the milk fat content recorded in the cold season compared to the fat content recorded in the warm season. The value of P was less than 0.0001, confirming the heterogeneity of the data recorded in the two seasons. The main conclusion is that for the total experiment, the data are significant (alpha=5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to examine individuals' behavior at work and/or in college, by placing the focus on employability, proactiveness and socioeconomic status as predictors. The paper's objectives are threefold: (1) to examine if there is a causal relationship between employability and proactive personality of individuals and their citizenship or deviant behavior at work and/or in college; (2) to understand the extent to which socioeconomic status influences individuals' citizenship or deviant behavior at work and/or in college; and (3) to determine the mediation role of socioeconomic status in the causal relationship between employability and proactiveness and individuals' behaviors. Linear regression models were employed to test the predictive power of the variables once a causal relationship had been confirmed. Mediation tests were used to quantify the extent to which a variable participated in known causal relationships. The research reports results based on data collected from 534 university business students in Romania. The results confirm that employability and proactiveness predict workplace behavior, and that socioeconomic status mediates this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Rural development is the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (EU), with the role of helping the rural areas of the EU and implicitly Romania to address the economic, environmental, and social challenges they face. The purpose of the research included in this paper is to demonstrate the contribution of the LEADER approach to rural development in Romania, with an emphasis on the North-East Development Region. At the same time, the aim was to highlight the innovative nature of this approach: what it means, how it can be applied, and how it was applied. The data studied through the analysis carried out show that the Romanian territory and, implicitly, the North-East Development Region is poor, fragmented, depopulated, or in the process of depopulating, with few opportunities for young people. The innovative character of the LEADER Programme in Romania and implicitly the North-East Development Region results from the degree of novelty that an investment financed through it brings to the targeted territory, without being limiting and without necessarily presupposing a technological innovation, because the innovation must be evaluated relative to the local situation. The main instrument through which the principles of the LEADER approach can be implemented is the Local Action Group. It is the main driving force behind the activities to be carried out in the territory and which will lead to their implementation. The Local Action Groups set up in the North-East Region provide a common communication framework for local communities to develop and implement Local Development Strategies by initiating, developing and financing projects at local level. They contribute to the unity of local communities and their participation in local development. LEADER approach has brought and how its innovative character is highlighted. The questions that informed its development were: Is this concept considered as a model for sustainable rural development in Romania and the N-E Region? Is LEADER a truly innovative approach. In order to achieve the proposed goal, a multi-step working procedure was developed to allow the collection of target data and additional data derived from the initial target data. Thus, the working procedure was structured in the following steps: problem identification and conceptualization, literature review, document structuring, strategy selection, operational planning, data calculation, and interpretation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in this work. Thus, from a quantitative point of view, the following research methods were considered relevant for obtaining data: administrative data analysis. As a qualitative method, a bibliometric analysis was carried out, i.e., the literature on sustainable rural development through the use of support measures was analysed by means of the VOSviewer programme, using the Web of Science collections database. Without the implementation of the LEADER Programme in Romania and implicitly in the North-East Development Region, rural areas may be deprived of funding that determines the improvement of conditions in that area, but efforts in the field of implementing sustainable rural development measures must be continued so that the effect of this funding is really visible. Thus, the results of the research carried out in the North-East Development Region of Romania add additional value to the information published in previous studies through proposals for rural reform and concrete examples of innovative projects implemented there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migration of medical staff results in the diminution of human resources in the health sector, undermining the capacity of developing countries' health systems to provide medical services equitably. Various factors, such as economic, professional, political, social, or personal considerations, contribute to the decision of health workers to emigrate. This paper's primary objective is to analyze the prevailing trends in the migration flows and stocks of physicians and nurses, with a focus on identifying the principal pull factors of migration. The preferred destination countries for Romanian health professionals include the UK, Germany, France, and Italy. Notably, Germany stands out as a leader in health care professionals' migration flows, characterized by two distinct migration periods: the first featuring exceptionally high levels of physician migration and the second marked by increasing levels of nurses' migration. Through panel data regression analysis, we have established that the pull factors for physicians differ from those for nurses. For physicians, the presence of a Romanian community of health professionals in the destination countries is crucial, whereas for nurses, the development level of the destination country holds top importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood, as the main product of the forest, must be brought from the forest to various beneficiaries by various vehicles. The choice of a particular type of vehicle should consider the characteristics of the area from which the wood is loaded, the wood-storage yard, and the availability of a certain model. Besides this, the assortments and quantities of wood to be transported influence, to a large extent, the type of vehicle, which has consequences for transport efficiency and productivity. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the wood-loading process in various types of transport vehicles in terms of time consumption for each working phase and the factors that can affect productivity. The research was carried out in four counties of Romania and addressed the loading of wood in different forestry trucks and platforms, with or without trailers. Transport distances were documented in Brasov County based on 200 transport documents. To evaluate the transport distances in the case of wood intended for contractors, field measurements were carried out in three different are as managed by the private Lignum Forest District (Bacău County). The study of the loading process and productivity estimation at loading was carried out in three locations, namely Bacău County, Sibiu County, and Caraș-Sever in County. To observe whether there are differences in the loading of tree lengths from the harvesting area in various types of vehicles (forestry trucks—ATF—and forestry platforms—APF), research was carried out in Caraș-Sever in County. After processing the data, it was found that in the forests managed by the state and in the forests owned by the local public administrations, the fuelwood reaches mainly locals, and the working wood reaches some wood processing companies. For forestry trucks (ATFs), the loading time was somewhat constant, while for forestry platforms (APF), it varied, with differences observed from the first to the last loading. Following the evaluation of the work-element phases specific to the operation of loading round wood into vehicles, it was found that, sometimes, significant importance is given to the working elements as phases of preparation of the wooden material that can be carried out before the loading process, in order to load it. To eliminate delays in the loading process, it is recommended that logs are prepared before loading, which will increase productivity and it will decrease the risk of accidents for workers who perform these tasks during the loading process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, the integration of large language models (LLMs) into healthcare has emerged as a revolutionary approach to enhancing doctor–patient communication, particularly in the management of diseases such as prostate cancer. Methods: Our paper evaluated the effectiveness of three prominent LLMs—ChatGPT (3.5), Gemini (Pro), and Co-Pilot (the free version)—against the official Romanian Patient's Guide on prostate cancer. Employing a randomized and blinded method, our study engaged eight medical professionals to assess the responses of these models based on accuracy, timeliness, comprehensiveness, and user-friendliness. Results: The primary objective was to explore whether LLMs, when operating in Romanian, offer comparable or superior performance to the Patient's Guide, considering their potential to personalize communication and enhance the informational accessibility for patients. Results indicated that LLMs, particularly ChatGPT, generally provided more accurate and user-friendly information compared to the Guide. Conclusions: The findings suggest a significant potential for LLMs to enhance healthcare communication by providing accurate and accessible information. However, variability in performance across different models underscores the need for tailored implementation strategies. We highlight the importance of integrating LLMs with a nuanced understanding of their capabilities and limitations to optimize their use in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to identify the factors that are positively or negatively impacting students' well-being and their academic engagement. We used partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using the data collected through a questionnaire from four countries: Romania, Turkey, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. The model includes seven factors that influence the well-being of students and indirectly their academic engagement: stressors in the students' lives; professors' support; social support from family and friends; the students' perceived satisfaction in their lives; engaging in activities during their leisure time; self-exploration regarding their careers; and environmental exploration regarding their careers. The results show that all factors, except for stressors and environmental exploration regarding their careers, positively influence the students' well-being and thus their academic engagement. These findings are useful for university professors and managers in better organizing activities to increase academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This article focusses on the impact generated on GDP growth by the number of graduates in the ICT domain of Romanian counties in the period 2014-2020. Research methodology -- We have collected the number of ICT graduates, the GDP per inhabitant in EUR per Romanian county, the number of ICT employees, the number of information service activities employees from the National Institute of Statistics (Romania) and Eurostat. Additionally, we consolidate the correlation matrix and regression analysis for previous statistics indicators. Findings -- We have revealed a strong correlation (85,77%) between the number of ICT graduates and the GDP per inhabitant in EUR per Romanian county, and very strong correlations between the number of ICT graduates and the number of ICT employees (94,80%) and the number of employees of information service activities (97,38%). Research limitations -- The data set from the National Institute of Statistics (Romania) does not contain entries for every county, due to its statistical methodology, and other socioeconomic phenomena which contribute to the development of the ICT field were just enumerated, such as natality, immigration, and emigration. Practical implications -- The study revealed that investment in ICT education (number of graduates) contributes to the local prosperity of communities, counties, and, in general, at the national level as GDP growth. Romanian government can utilize the outcomes of this paper to engage additional resources, funds from Ministry of Education, to develop a long-lived learning culture of ICT skills for the entire population. Originality/Value -- The article methodologically highlights the most important ICT hubs in Romania, which are correlated with the existence of an ICT educational infrastructure (high schools and universities) and the measure of impact on GDP growth for the number of highly skilled graduates in the ICT domain. The selected national and European indicators contributed to the novelty of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the major pressure exerted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its management on students and teachers, the EU member states and institutions face the necessity to accelerate the digitalization of education. The EU interventions in this field open the debate on whether digital education will be another subject of Europeanisation as the supranational institutions are acquiring more competences, and whether a new European policy approach was generated by the pandemic. Therefore, the paper investigates whether the COVID crisis represents a major shift in the Europeanisation of digital education in the EU. We will thus try to assess this transformation by analysing the impact of the crisis on digital education, showcasing Romania and the manner in which the national government designed its public policies against the background of the EU positions, recommendations and measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study provides an in-depth analysis of employment trends within the European Union's meat processing industry over a ten-year period, from 2011 to 2020. It specifically focuses on companies across various employee size categories, emphasizing Romania's position within these dynamics. The research employs comprehensive data from Eurostat, assessing changes in the labour force across different company sizes and countries. The study uncovers notable variances in labour force evolution, reflecting the distinct impacts of economic conditions, industry-specific factors, and regulatory frameworks in each nation. Germany exhibited a significant rise in its labour force in larger companies, while Spain showed the highest growth rate, more than doubling its labour force in this sector. Contrarily, Poland experienced a minor decrease, illustrating a different trend. Italy and Romania both marked considerable growths, with Romania demonstrating notable progress, particularly in larger companies. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of labour dynamics in the EU meat processing industry, influenced by a complex interplay of market demand, technological advancements, and economic policies. The study underscores the sector's essential role in the EU's economy and the need for adaptable labour force strategies in response to changing industry landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical fertilizers applied to Romania's soils represent a particularly important aspect in ensuring a qualitative and quantitative production. The expenditures that farmers have to be able to fertilize the soil correctly and with a sufficient amount have become over the years increasingly higher. The paper analyzes in evolution, over two periods of time, 2007-2014 and 2014-2021, 2 aspects: the surfaces of agricultural holdings, by classes of economic size; the main technical-economic indicators of the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural holdings, namely the expenditures per hectare of agricultural land with chemical fertilizers, in total and by types: N, P205 and K2O fertilizers, and the expenditures with chemical fertilizers to obtain 100 euros of plant production. The data were retrieved from the FADN platform and statistically interpreted using mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, growth rate, t-test of significance. The conclusion that emerges from the analysis undertaken is that there are big differences between the two analyzed periods, in both of them are signs of variations over the years and increases in chemical fertilizer expenses, but the second period, 2014-2021, shows a greater homogeneity of data, even decreases in the higher classes, while the classes (1) 2,000 - < 8,000 EUR and (2) 8,000 - < 25,000 EUR have increased expenditures per ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is the analysis of the dynamics of tourist flow (domestic and inbound) in terms of tourist arrivals and overnight stays in Romania after the Covid-19 pandemic, using the statistical data provided by National Institute of Statistics. The methodology involved the calculation of the fixed and variable basis indices and the comparison of the level of each indicator from a year to another. Dynamics of the tourist arrivals and overnight stays involved to establish the trend using polynomial regression functions and determination coefficient. The results showed that the recovery of the tourist flow from its lowest level registered in 2020, the worst year of tourism during the pandemic, needed three years to attain a higher performance than in 2019, a year which was considered the peak in Romania's tourism. In 2023, the number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals accounted for 13,647.30 thousands, being 2.13 times higher than in 2020, and by 2.03% higher than in 2019. Also, the number of overnight stays reached 29,171.1 thousands, being 2 times higher than in 2020, by 7.8%higher than in 2022, but by 3.05% smaller than in 2019. The experience learnt in the travel and hospitality industry has generated a new resilience strategy to sustain the development of tourism and its contribution to GDP and better satisfy tourists demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of aggregates is also made depending on the direct operating costs. If two aggregates, according to the cost of the works, require the same production costs, the one that satisfies the requirements of the machine system is chosen. When performing works with different agricultural aggregates, the optimal option is always chosen, which is evaluated according to the minimum value of the number of aggregates that take part in the execution of the work or according to the minimum value of time, respectively according to fuel consumption. Agricultural aggregates, while moving on the ground, consume a large amount of energy, which is why the problem arises of determining, on a scientific basis, some constructive and operating parameters at which the energy consumption is minimal. The present work presents an analysis of the consumption and costs of mechanised works and materials used in maize in the territory of Gurasada commune, Hunedoara County, Romania, in the year 2022-2023, in order to optimize the cultural technology. The mechanization technology for corn crop in the studied area was realized on a soil with high fertility. The agricultural machinery used for the applied technology is the one that the farm has. The main mechanization works for corn cultivation were: land fertilization, land preparation, ploughing, sowing, weeding, mechanical harrowing, as well as harvesting. After studying the corn crop over a longer period taking into account the pedo-climatic conditions as well as the productions obtained, we can conclude the following: can be obtained good yields if a series of recommendations given in the conclusions will be respected. In order to obtain a profit in the corn culture, it is recommended to use drought-resistant hybrids with high production potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addressing the critical interplay between market dynamics and food security within Romania's swine meat market, amidst evolving economic and social challenges, the research aimed to elucidate the roles of elasticity dynamics and trade balance performance in ensuring a high food security level. Utilizing data from 2011 to 2022, the analysis employed key elasticity metrics--price elasticity of demand (PED), income elasticity of demand (IED), factor elasticity of demand (FED), and income elasticity of the swine meat trade balance's deficit (IET)--to dissect the complex interactions configuring demand, supply, and international trade dependencies. The methodology was grounded on quantitative analyses, contrasting year-over-year and base-year elasticities to capture both immediate and longitudinal market responses to socio-economic stimuli. This detailed approach uncovered pertinent findings: despite general price inelasticity in swine meat demand, significant fluctuations in response to income changes and production factors were observed, with 2015 marking a year of heightened sensitivity due to external factors like the African swine fever outbreak. This study underscores the imperative of leveraging elasticity analyses to inform the development of agricultural policies aimed at enhancing domestic production, managing trade deficits, and ultimately reinforcing Romania's food security socio-economic infrastructure against the backdrop of global market volatilities and domestic supply constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes an analysis of the local gastronomic services market in Romania. The growing interest in culinary tourism through Local Gastronomic Points is evident both globally and nationally. Gastronomic tourism can provide unique culinary experiences, especially in rural households. Clarivate, Google Scholar, and Research Gate articles were used for bibliographic research. The necessary data for the research were selected from the reports of the National Agency for Mountain Areas and the statistics of the National Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Authority. The information was statistically processed and graphically represented. The assessment of market concentration was conducted using the Herfindahl-Hirschman and Gini-Struck indices. The research results highlighted the dynamism of the sector against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic but also revealed some deficiencies at the local authorities' level. HHI and GSI values indicate a low market concentration at the county level. Local Gastronomic Point businesses have high development potential, significantly contributing to increasing people's income and rural area development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]