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The energy sector is essential to a country's economy and social life. In recent years, the energy market in Romania has experienced a certain dynamism, influenced by multiple factors such as regional conflicts, national and EU energy legislation, liberalization of the energy market, and increasing demand for energy products. These factors determined a sharp increase in electricity, gas, and oil prices in Romania in recent years. Based on the above, the present study aims to analyze Romanian energy companies' financial performances and determine whether there is any correlation between their governance and their performance. In order to fulfill the research objectives, financial performance data were extracted and analyzed for a number of 43 energy companies in Romania, considering the financial statements prepared up to 31 December 2021. Using the scoring method, governance indices were determined for each company. Finally, using a linear regression model, we analyzed the correlation between governance and performance of the 43 companies. The results of the study indicate that there is a direct correlation of moderate intensity between the two variables, with the performance of energy companies being higher if they have implemented a governance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defined as the key engine of economic and social development in Europe, a combination of welfare and solidarity, the social economy reduces the risk of dependence on social services, improves living conditions and offers new perspectives to individuals. Through an in-depth analysis of articles related to this field, published in scientific journals in the last 5 years, we want to analyze the opportunities and risks of professional integration of the most socially disadvantaged groups in Romania, such as people with disabilities, people who they left school and the Roma ethnic group early, etc. Following the content analysis of the articles, we were able to identify a number of opportunities, such as: increasing the standard of living and reducing the risk of dependence on social benefits, economic security and job stability or reducing social stigma. At the same time, we highlighted a number of risks, such as the difficulties of obtaining financing and the management of their social enterprises so that they become economically efficient. This paper contributes to the broadening of knowledge about this economic model promoted in the EU and has the role of opening new possible directions of research. Secondly, the paper highlights a number of practical implications for the inclusion of vulnerable people in the labor market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there is a new European Union commitment to the potential of the social economy which is a pioneer in job creation linked to the circular economy that will be further leveraged by the mutual benefits of supporting the green transition and strengthening social inclusion. Considering this general context, we propose in this paper an exploratory research aiming to investigate the potential of the Romanian social economy sector as part of a circular economy approach that could advance the green transition in the following years. Our paper is based on the findings of preliminary systematic content analysis for the identification of the social enterprises in Romania which include circular economy and/or green economy in their business model, and on qualitative research based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with the social economy organizations' managers. We have highlighted five good practice examples (Recicleta, Atelierul de Pânză, Educlick/Reconect, Remesh, and Bio&co Farm), which clearly show that combining the principles of social economy with the ones of circular/green economy is a strategy that might lead to overcoming the current challenges of the society. Our investigations represent the first approach to this topic, aiming to understand the specific challenges of the circular or green economy and social economy models when joining forces together for sustainable development in the context of an emerging social economy, as is the case of Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partnership to achieve common goals is an example of social action. When it is geared towards achieving a high level of quality of life, it is a complex dynamic and therefore of interest to researchers. This study explores the associative phenomenon from the perspective of two dimensions (which define the quality-of-life paradigm), namely quality of society and lifestyles (according to Mărginean and Precupețu's vision, 2011), but also from the perspective of the community life and social participation dimension (as stated by Fahey et al., 2003). In addition to the theoretical approach on joining organizations for social involvement (in order to achieve a better life), the results of empirical research based on the administration of a questionnaire are presented. The empirical research highlights perceptions of action in society, the determinants of associational behavior oriented towards social involvement, the motivations behind the establishment of non-governmental organizations and their relation to the concern to improve the quality of life. The present study is one section of a larger ongoing research on motivations for setting up NGOs and the development of the non-profit sector. The topic is of interest in that, thirty years after freedom of association was achieved in Romania, the exploration of the motivations for setting up an NGO has been sporadic, the study showing current aspects of association for involvement in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to present the situation of the social economy in Romania. Through this work, we want to emphasize the role that non-reimbursable European funds have in the development of the social economy in Romania, by making a comparison between the state of social economy before the funding period of 2007 to 2013, the state of social economy after the funding period of 2007 to 2013, the difference been made by the results of the European funding for this section. It is based on the annual reports provided by Ministry of European Funds for Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013, along with recent publications presenting the investigated topic. For the funding period of 2007 to 2013, the data have been processed into the following indicators: social economy structures created, people qualified or requalified in programs for vulnerable groups and the number of jobs created. After the implementation period of 2007 to 2013, the social economy sector has been improved by the foundation of approximately 1,400 social economy structures, by the qualification or requalification of over 130,000 vulnerable people and by creating over 12,000 jobs in the founded structures. As a conclusion, we consider that after the funding period of 2007 to 2013, the significant steps have been made, but the improvements still need to be made in approaching the people belonging to vulnerable groups, helping them fill the gaps that separate them from the majority population in terms of education, work culture and skills required on the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper invite to a more and deeply thinking of importance and role of the Romanian rural social economy. Lack of relevant statistical data and information concerning this issue invited us to try to identify its influence on general development. On appreciate that it is necessary to take into consideration a smart growth in line with poverty reducing and increasing of the role of social agriculture. This issue started to be used in EU rural areas, especially in agricultural farms, with right results. In Romania, in small-subsistence farms it is possible to get positive results in the case of its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania, the term of social economy is rather new and almost unknown for the public at large, and the legal framework contains only regulations specific for different types of entities which perform activities or which generate effects that may be considered as partial forms of social economy. This paper reviews the recent literature which approached mostly the problems of conceptualization and definition of the social economy, both at the national and European level. The paper also proposes an evaluation of the social economy sector in Romania in terms of its development capacity on medium-term. The paper reviews scientific contributions from Romania and abroad, reports of public or private institutions, and development policies. All these documents are used to develop a theoretical framework of the social economy and to describe the social economy as a sector of activity within the European Union and Romania, taking into consideration several criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article addresses a topic of interest for both the public sector and the nonprofit sector, namely that of the innovative practices of social economy. Diverse practices and models of social economy are increasingly present in the Romanian community, this being the reason why it is important to study the major coordinates of social economy and social entrepreneurship identified by means of an empirical research done in Romania. Social economy is considered one of the most important innovative strategy approaches as this sector may contribute to some efforts done for the elimination of poverty and the re-launching of local economies. The integration of the identified elements in regional programs and public policies is the starting point of the strategic approaches regarding reform in public administration. Social economy can be an example of joint action for public and private organizations and institutions interested in carrying out community projects based on inclusive, participative and innovative forms of community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]