The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted normal activities such as going to school, moving education online. Based on data gathered through a survey (N = 784), this paper analyses students’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of online education in a period when this type of education is the only available option. Although several studies suggest that online education can be as effective as traditional education which requires attendance, few studies have focused on learner satisfaction with online instruction, particularly in the transition to online learning from traditional approaches. The results indicate that students react differently to online education, and their reaction is based on their proficiency in using online tools, their ability to technically access online courses, and the instructors’ manner in conducting learning activities.

This study investigates safety and security from the perspective of Romanian tourists by assessing the level of importance that tourists give to safety and security depending on the level of classification of the services they experienced and the generation to which they belong. We used a quantitative research method in the form of a questionnaire and analysed eight dimensions of safety and security: detectors, emergency preparedness, medical preparedness, staff security, guestroom security, pool and beach security, hotel access control, and cyber security. We identified the differences between tourists’ perception of safety and security depending on the level of classification of accommodation services and on generation.

In a context in which tourism is considered to favour the degradation of the environment, it is important to promote forms of travel with low environmental impact. Globally, studies have shown a good understanding and increased receptivity to the practice of sustainable forms of travel among tourists. Therefore, this study proposes an analysis of the nexus between sustainable behaviour of tourists from Generation Z and the factors that influence the protection of environmental quality. The research methodology included the development and application of a questionnaire on a sample of 492 tourists belonging to Generation Z, with travel experience. The results showed nexus among the analysed factors and the Cronbach Alpha score for the latent variables: cultural factors (α = 0.769), personal factors (α = 0.829), psychological factors (α = 0.809), technological factors (α = 0.800), sustainable behaviour of young tourists (α = 0.910), social factors (α = 0.857) and conservation of the environmental quality (α = 0.906). The hypothesis regarding the testing of tourists’ sustainable behaviour in nexus with the protection of the environment quality was confirmed, even if the results of testing the nexus between the social factors and sustainable behaviour of Generation Z Romanian tourists could not be considered statistically significant. However, the study represents a contribution to the literature in a field concerned with this aspect of sustainability and interest, which is constantly growing, and for which, at least until now, there have been no studies in the literature pertaining to Romanian space.

The paper aims to analyze the entrepreneurial intention determinants in nine post-transition economies of European member states. To achieve our stated goal, the study focused on the influence of fear of failure and networking on individuals’ inclination towards entrepreneurship. Additionally, gender, income, education, and work status were also considered control variables. The data were collected using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database. We included responses collected from nine former transition economies, giving us a total of 13,494 observations, for 2015. Logistic regression models were employed to measure the influence of perceptions on the propenisty of individuals to create a new venture. The results indicated that fear of failure is significantly and negatively correlated with entrepreneurial intentions for all groups of countries. The results also indicated that people who have entrepreneurs in the family have a higher propensity for entrepreneurial intentions than people who do not have family members with such a status.

Purpose: This study investigates the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North-East Region of Romania regarding the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The research aims to examine the competencies required for employees from the perspective of both the business environment and the educational sector, focusing on aligning educational programmes with the needs of Industry 4.0. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research method was employed, using data obtained from interviews conducted with managers from SMEs (160 interviews) and teaching staff (85 interviews) in the North-East Region of Romania. The interviews were processed using NVivo software. The study evaluates both the business environment’s perception of necessary employee skills and the educational environment’s perspective on developing relevant competencies for the workforce. Findings: The results indicate a growing demand for meta-competencies related to AI usage among employees. Additionally, there is a recognized need for coordinated efforts between the educational sector and industry to better align educational programmes with the competency requirements of Industry 4.0. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to the North-East Region of Romania, focusing specifically on SMEs and educational institutions in that area. Originality/value: This study fills a gap in the existing literature by providing a focused analysis of AI adoption at the SME level. By examining the intersection of AI technology, workforce competencies and educational preparation in the context of Industry 4.0, this research contributes to understanding the evolving role of AI in shaping both employee profiles and organizational needs.

This study analysed the role of risk perception and business self-efficacy feeling through entrepreneurial education acquired by higher specialised studies on the emergence of entrepreneurial intentions. The quantitative research method included a questionnaire measured on a Likert scale, which was used to collect data from high school and university students from educational institutions with an economic profile in Romania. The evaluation of the model proposed in this study and the testing of the hypotheses postulated was performed through structural equation modelling (SEM). Our findings indicated that the role of risk perception and the self-efficacy feeling acquired through entrepreneurial education have a direct positive and statistically significant impact on entrepreneurial intentions. In the context of the growing relevance of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, this study aims to examine how entrepreneurship education fosters sustainable entrepreneurial intentions among young people. Thus, the importance of entrepreneurial education (EE) on entrepreneurial intentions among high school and university students in Romania was confirmed. This study is to investigate how entrepreneurship education encourages sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intents among young people in light of the growing significance of sustainable entrepreneurial intentions.