The current paper aimed to comparatively scrutinize some key dimensions apposite for the dynamics of traditional versus virtual teams in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasis was laid on the positive leadership perception, communication effectiveness among team members, objectives achievement, diversity approach, and the perception of team culture strength. Invitations to fill in an online questionnaire consisting of paired items were sent in January 2022 via email to over 200 potential respondents working in both traditional and virtual teams, using a snowball sampling technique; 137 subjects completed the entire questionnaire, hence allowing a reasonable research sample for conducting relevant statistical analyses (i.e., paired t-test given that the aim was to investigate the difference between paired sets of variables for the same issues). The empirical exploration brought to the fore significant differences among the considered dimensions, thus underscoring the benefits and drawbacks of working in traditional versus virtual teams in the context of the new normal. Evidence was brought forward that teamwork in traditional teams (i.e., based on face-to-face interaction) is preferable to that in virtual teams (i.e., based on online interaction). Meaningful differences were observed regarding the perception of team culture strength, communication effectiveness, positive leadership perception, and diversity approach in favor of traditional teams, the questioned respondents opting for the offline coordination and collaboration processes.

In the present economic context, one of the most important topics of discussion is that regarding sustainable development. According to the agenda developed by the United Nations, one of the most important objectives for the present decade is represented by the list of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals can be divided into five pillars: people, planet, prosperity, partnership and peace. One of the first stipulated goals of the UN agenda is the eradication of poverty and famine. We consider that a significant influence on the eradication of poverty is represented by the development of technology. In this paper, the authors aim to establish a connection between the rate of technological development and the poverty headcount rate. To measure the digital development of the analyzed countries, we decided to compose an index of digital development by taking into account indicators made available by the International Telecommunication Union and the poverty headcount ratio, as was calculated by the World Bank database. This empirical study is of interest for the implications that it has in shaping governmental policies regarding easing the access to digital technology. The method used to quantify the influence of digital development on poverty was the panel data GMM vector autoregressive model for a dataset composed of 35 countries for the period between 2005 and 2018. The results indicate that an increase in digital development will lead to a reduction in the poverty headcount rate. These results imply that by increasing access to technology, countries could help reduce their level of poverty. In this paper, we will also analyze the way in which adopting digital development leads to better economic performance when faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the present study are of great interest to the scientific community and the public due to the implications of digital development in the field of economics and the combined effect of this phenomenon and the COVID-19 pandemic. We thus conclude that by encouraging digital development and through adopting new technologies, the government can lead to the eradication of poverty. This seems counterintuitive due to the fact that investment in shelter and primary goods can be seen as one of the primary ways of developing the economy. We conclude that better and more consistent results regarding the reduction of poverty can be obtained by increasing the digital development of a country.

Purpose: This paper explores the integration of sustainable development practices within today’s business management, emphasizing the managerial perspectives and strategies adopted to address economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and their organizational outcomes, namely performance and reputation. Design/methodology/approach: Through a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with twelve managers from various sectors, this research utilizes content analysis and Qualitative Data Analysis Software (AtlasTI) to map managerial insights and strategies. The study identifies key constructs and their impacts on organizational performance and reputation. Findings: The study identifies a complex interplay between economic, social, environmental, and cultural management practices and their take on organizational performance and reputation in the current context and emphasizes the importance of leadership and regulatory frameworks in promoting sustainability. Research limitations/implications: The study’s qualitative approach provides in-depth insights but may limit generalizability. Future research could employ quantitative methods to validate and extend these findings across different contexts and industries. Originality/value: This study contributes to the sustainability and business management literature by providing a detailed examination of how Romanian managers perceive and operationalize sustainability. It underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into core business strategies and offers practical insights for managers and policymakers aiming to enhance sustainable business practices.

Purpose: The paper aims to develop a microcredit evaluation model (MEM) which could serve as a useful tool for banks and NBFIs when SMEs’ economic and financial risks are evaluated. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the literature review, a set of 17 qualitative and quantitative prudential indicators is selected. Further, a calculation system is developed which relies on the multiple criteria analysis model elaborated by Altman (1968); starting from this, a matrix is developed and a rating system is built. The model is tested among six NBFIs which operate on the Romanian market; three of them are labeled by the Romanian Central Bank as the worst performers, while the other ones are qualified as the best performers. Data are collected from companies’ annual reports and also from the Ministry of Finance. Findings: It proves that the MEM can serve as a useful tool for the national and international NBFIs’ risk assessment. It can anticipate NBFIs’ success or fall. Furthermore, its results can be guaranteed with a probability of 95 per cent, calculated through the VaR method. Last but not least, it can also be used by the international NBFIs which intend to enter in the Romanian market. Originality/value: The present paper proposes an original model based on both quantitative and qualitative indicators organized in an integrative equation. The MEM helps both parties involved in the financial grant awarding process – NBFIs are able to better assess requests from SMEs, enabling them to increase the volume of granting, whereas SMEs are able to access money for development projects more easily.

Nowadays the tourism industry faces major changes given the vast possibilities for the development of a collaborative economy in tourism that brings forth a new marketplace where consumers rely on each other-changing renting, swapping, and sharing their accommodation locations. The purpose of the present paper is to answer one of the most important challenges of the City of Brașov in Romania, which is the management of the touristic offer. The paper provides a quantitative-qualitative research approach that analyzes - based on semi-structured surveys with the users of collaborative platforms - the perception of travelers concerning the development of collaborative tourism in Brasov County. The management of touristic offer should take into account the pressure that this new type of renting may be exerting on the local economy, especially considering unfair competition on other segments of the tourist market and the change in the physiognomy of the cities of Brașov County.