One of the central questions in entrepreneurship is why some firms succeed and others fail. Determining what factors influence performance has implications for prospective entrepreneurs, as well as advisors, investors, managers and so forth. Thus, using extensive data over a period of 14 years, this study explores and tests the sign of the relationship between microeconomic factors and financial performance. The dataset includes 55 Romanian industrial companies listed at the Bucharest Stock Exchange and covers the period of 1999-2012. Through a panel data analysis, results indicate that the sign of the relationship is positive and statistically significant; supporting the importance and independence of the sets of factors in explaining performance

This article explores the intricate relationship between digital transformation and non-financial performance in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. As these nations navigate the complexities of post-communist economic landscapes, the role of digitalization emerges as a pivotal factor influencing various dimensions of organizational performance beyond mere financial outcomes. In this framework, our research aims to analyze the ways in which digital transformation (as proxied by DESI) impacts a range of non-financial performance metrics (ESG) in order to furnish a thorough comprehension of the intricate interplay within the specific context of CEE countries. With data collected over an 11-year timeframe, we performed a panel data analysis, relying on a robust regression. The main findings indicate that digital transformation profoundly impacts the environmental (CO₂ emissions, renewable energy consumption), social (ratio of female-to-male labor force participation rate, unemployment) and governance (government effectiveness) performance of CEE countries, although the effects vary significantly across different regions. The panel data highlight potential areas for policy emphasis, particularly in relation to reducing CO₂ emissions, improving regulatory quality, and advancing digital integration and connectivity. The disparities identified may inform targeted strategies aimed at uplifting underperforming regions, thereby contributing to enhanced economic growth and sustainability.

This paper focuses on entrepreneurship issues, specifically entrepreneurial intention in Romania, country that according to Hofstede's 1980 model presents features that do not stimulate the propensity towards entrepreneurship. We believe that because the entrepreneur is very sensitive to its environment, he is affected by the institutional and cultural context of his countr y. The analysis was undertaken upon a specific group: 3rd year Management students of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Timisoara. The results show that this group, through its socio-demographic profile and level of education, presents a different entrepreneurship profile than the one registered at a national level

In today’s global context, entrepreneurship is recognized as the engine of sustainable economic growth, competitiveness and employment in the economy of any nation. In order to improve the measures aimed at encouraging the creation of new businesses, an enhanced understanding of the drivers of nascent entrepreneurship seems essential. Drawing on planned behavior theory and the approach of entrepreneurial perceived behavioral control (PBC) as a motivational antecedent in starting a new business, the current study seeks to understand how the personal characteristics of the entrepreneurs influence entrepreneurial PBC. Three types of characteristics were assessed in a sample of 212 Romanian nascent entrepreneurs: personality traits (Big Five model), empathy, and assertiveness. The hierarchical multilinear regression analysis, in which entrepreneurial PBC was treated as a dependent variable, showed that the model with the highest explanatory power for the variance of results of entrepreneurial PBC included characteristics from all three levels: personality traits—Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness; empathy—personal distress and perspective-taking; and adaptive assertiveness. Additionally, the findings showed that adaptive assertiveness provides an effect over and above personality factors and empathy on the entrepreneurial PBC. The practical implications of these findings indicate that to enhance the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education programs, components aiming to enhance internal personal resources of entrepreneurs (such as assertive communication skills) should be added.

Positioned in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent recovery, the research investigates how digital infrastructures and skills contribute to strengthening governance quality and urban economic resilience across Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries over the 2019–2024 timeframe. Using a panel data framework, the analysis incorporates Harris–Tzavalis unit root tests, multicollinearity diagnostics, and comparative fixed and random effects estimations selected via the Hausman test, with additional robustness checks for serial correlation. The findings indicate that digitalization exerts a positive and statistically significant effect on economic resilience, particularly when supported by effective corporate governance structures. At the same time, disparities in digital access highlight persistent structural vulnerabilities across CEE urban areas. The results emphasize the importance of integrating digital transformation and governance reforms into comprehensive resilience strategies. The study contributes to the emerging literature on post-pandemic urban recovery by offering empirical evidence from a heterogeneous regional context and providing policy-relevant insights for sustainable and inclusive urban development.