Volume 43 / 2016

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR REPUTATION MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

Yanica Petkova DIMITROVA

Abstract: Corporate reputation is an intangible value of the company, which generates competitive advantages if it is professionally constructed. Corporate reputation generates significant competitive advantages when the strategies created for its management are aimed at a positive shift in its sustainability. Communication strategies support the overall management of reputation. With the help of social media, the managerial process becomes interactive and includes dialogues and interactions between the organization and various stakeholder groups with which it maintains relations.
Keywords:  corporate reputation; stakeholder; social media; communication strategies; intangible values.
Classification-JEL: M14


A NEW MULTIDIMENSIONAL RANKING OF SHADOW ECONOMY FOR EU COUNTRIES

Gheorghe ZAMAN, Zizi GOSCHIN

Abstract: Shadow economy is a perennial, multifaceted and hard to gauge phenomenon that affects to some degree all countries. Scientific research needs to develop rigorous and internationally comparable metrics of shadow economy in order to avoid possible misunderstanding, exaggeration and sometimes bad intentions concerning the assessment of shadow economy, corruption and fiscal fraud. Considering the limitations of single shadow economy indicators we propose a more comprehensive measurement based on a new synthetic shadow economy index (SSEI). This index encompasses three relevant indicators, namely the size of shadow economy per capita, the shadow economy relative to GDP and the countries’ shares in EU total shadow economy. The analysis covered the period 1999 to 2012 and the results indicated that some of the developed EU countries, rather than the new members, are on top positions of the shadow economy. We also found a sigma convergence trend in shadow economy size and intensity among EU-28 countries over 1999-2012. The main conclusion of our paper is that the analyses of shadow economy should be based on a set of relevant indicators, instead of a single indicator.  
Keywords: shadow economy metrics; synthetic index; EU.
Classification-JEL: D33; E65; H26; P44.


INEQUALITY IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF FEMALES IN ARAB COUNTRIES: COMPARISONS TO EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN ECONOMIES

Ahmed DRIOUCHI, Cristina BOBOC, Alae GAMAR

Abstract: This paper emphasizes the status of women through the assessment of inequality in educational attainment in Arab countries and comparisons with Eastern and Central European Economies (ECE). The results show a recent relative high trend in education attainment with lowered gender and female inequalities. But these inequalities appear to be higher for females in Arab countries. Even with decreasing inequalities, lower equality is observed for females that show a decreasing pattern of inequality in education. But, the levels of inequality, vary between Arab countries and in comparison to ECE economies.
Keywords: women; Inequality; Educational attainment.
Classification-JEL: I320; J620


AGEING DETERMINANTS OF POST-RETIREMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOUR MARKET 

Irina ANGHEL, Valentina VASILE

Abstract: One of the most pressing issues on the political agenda at all national and international levels is the challenge to design the most efficient tool package to address the demographic ageing phenomenon, the approach that would minimize or avoid threats and turn the opportunities associated to best advantage. Among the directions of action, encouraging, supporting and promoting active ageing is a core strategic objective. This paper looks into the aspects related to the propensity among the elderly to stay active on the labour market after retirement and, based on qualitative as well as quantitative analyses, and depicts some important determinants and their relative influence on the behaviour and attitude of the older generations towards employment. It also highlights main policies and actions that may be taken in order to increase the participation rate.
Keywords: active ageing; demographic ageing; retirees on the labour market
Classification-JEL: I320; J26; J21


MAPPING GLOBAL AND ECONOMIC CRIME IN ROMANIA. REGIONAL TRENDS AND PATTERNS 

Zizi GOSCHIN

Abstract: Although many recent studies have approached the topic of economic crime, with a focus on corruption and bribery, the regional dimension of the phenomenon is still under researched. This paper employs a variety of statistical methods, from descriptive statistics to convergence and spatial econometrics, in an attempt to explore global and economic crime in Romania, at county level, over 1990-2014 period. The analysis revealed that developed counties tend to have higher criminality rates, with Ilfov County and Bucharest Municipality frequently on top, and the county rankings are relatively stable in the short run. Against expectations, the regression models that have been estimated could not provide enough support for the variable GDP per capita (proxy for development level) as a statistically significant factor of influence on criminality rate in all years, but the explanatory variable “criminality rate in previous year” proved to be positive and highly significant in all models, indicating the relative inertia of this phenomenon.
Keywords: economic crime; spatial model; county; Romania
Classification-JEL: I320;J620


CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY. CONSEQUENCES ON MARKET PERFORMANCE OF COMPANIES IN ROMANIA 

Cornel IONESCU, Adrian IONESCU, Andreea PACHIȚANU, Alexandru IONESCU

Abstract: Our goal is to increase the Romanian economy’s competitiveness through innovation. This research investigates the relationship between absorptive capacity, innovation capability and the performance of firms in Romania. The sample includes data collected from 290 companies operating on the Romanian market in trade, IT&C, construction, manufacturing, transport and storage, financial services and others. Our endeavor demonstrates the hypothesis that the absorptive capacity per se does not have a direct and positive influence on the performance of organizations, but depends on the development of their innovation capabilities, as an important mediating factor of this relationship.
Keywords: innovation; absorptive capacity; innovation capability; innovation in Romania; the performance of companies
Classification-JEL: L25; M31; O32


THE RESILIENCE  OF THE ROMANIAN R&D SYSTEM 

Steliana SANDU

Abstract: Based on the available literature on the concept “resilience” , the paper looks into the resistance capacity of the Romanian research and development (R&D) system confronted with the profound and frequent transformations after 1990, its ability to mitigate the consequences of the various shocks, and to surpass the aftermath of the more recent economic crisis. The national mechanisms and regulations that steered this system before 1990 were thoroughly replaced, in compliance with the requirements of the market economy, as well as the legislation and practice in the EU. The recurring interventions designed and implemented by very numerous policy-makers in the last 26 years have had a positive but also a negative impact on the R&D system institutions, employment, funding and sources. At the same time, they altered the speed and efficiency of the knowledge and technology transfer to the economy and the society. Yet, it is apparent that, despite multiple and various shocks and crisis, the Romanian R&D system has proven its resilience, its capacity to recover and adapt to new circumstances. This paper emphasizes the vulnerabilities of the R&D system, as well as the pillars that have ensured and will secure its resilience and endurance.
Keywords: the R&D system; resistance to changes; vulnerabilities; Romania
Classification-JEL: B40; O32; O33; O38


ECONOMIC CYCLES AND DISEMBODIED TECHNICAL CHANGE OF ROMANIA’S ECONOMY DURING THE PERIOD 1863-1913 

Florin Marius PAVELESCU

Abstract: This paper intends to reveal the features of economy dynamics from 1863 to 1913, which represents the most important part of Romania’s first transition to market economy. If the Kondratieff long economic cycles vision is adopted the respective period may be divided into two quasi-three decennial cycles (1863-1887 and 1888-1913, respectively), which differed from the point of the macroeconomic policy promoted by public authorities and by the foreign trade regime. The analysis is based on a series of econometric estimations related to elasticity between the gross domestic product and gross value added and rate of disembodied technical change proper. In this context, some methodological proposals are made in order to obtain a better understanding of the significance of the estimated parameters and reveal the form of the trajectory of economic growth. The implementation of the respective methodological proposals allows us to compare the dynamics of Romania’s economy during the two above-mentioned economic cycles and to highlight their common features and differences at macroeconomic and sectoral level. The main conclusion of the analysis is that the extension of market relations and of the role played by market economy institutions favoured the development of non-agricultural activities and the acceleration of economic growth.
Keywords: representative index; representative rate; economic sectors; linear regression intercept; gross value added; trajectory of economic growth
Classification-JEL: B41; E30; E32; J11


CRITERIA OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN ROMANIA 

Daniela ANTONESCU, Florina POPA

Abstract: The present paper represents an synthesis of the research study entitled Criteria Of Economic And Social Efficiency Of Public Administration In Romania, developed within 'Economic and social criteria of regionalization and local development in Romania' Priority Programme of National Institute of Economic Research "Costin C. Kiritescu" (2016).
The objectives of the research paper are in agreement with current national strategic priorities, regarding to modernization and efficiency of public administration in Romania.
The paper aims to present, from a theoretical and practical perspective, the importance which public administration has within economic systems which are continuously under the influence of political, local or central factors, which decide from a period to another, the proportion of resources allocation needed to achieve various objectives of social or economic nature. 
Keywords: public sector; public administration; administrative reform; welfare; economic efficiency
Classification-JEL: H10; H11; H41; H50