Purpose – the study has a dual purpose. First, to assess the impact of the most important determinants of financial performance, which have been measured through four generations of indicators. In addition, the study provides the first quantification of interdependencies between different financial performance measures: profit margin (PM), profit growth rate (PGR), return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and economic value added (EVA). Research methodology – the primary data was collected from the AMADEUS database. Empirical research was conducted on a relatively homogeneous sample from the automotive industry, using the panel data method for the period 2010–2019. Two models were tested. The first model highlights the relationships between performance measures and selected determinants. The second model highlights the relationship between the different performance measures and the determinants used in the first model. Findings – the determinants analysed have different influences on the selected performance measures. For example, in the first model, the results statistically significant indicated the following. The current ratio has a positive influence on ROA, but a negative one on ROE and EVA. Gearing has a negative influence on PM and ROA, but a positive one on EVA. The growth rate of sales has a positive influence on PM, but a negative one on ROA and EVA. The size of the company has a positive influence on three performance measures (PM, ROA, and EVA). Regarding the relationships between the different performance measures (second model), the research indicates that EVA is negatively influenced by PGR and ROA. In this model, the determinants analysed maintain their meaning and intensity of influences. Research limitations – the article has several limitations. The representativeness of the results is valuable only at the level of the researched industry. In addition, it should be noted that the analyses are focused only on financial performance, assessed by accounting measures. The authors are considering conducting comparative analyses at the level of fields/branches of activity to capture not only the impact of determinants on financial performance but also to assess organizational resilience. Practical implications – The research provides clues to managers and financial decision-makers to increase the financial performance of the companies they lead. Originality/value – the originality of the study lies in the presented methodological approach. Unlike previous research, which usually evaluated performance on only one indicator, this paper aims to assess the impact of the most important determinants on five performance measures. In addition, the analysis of the interdependencies between the different performance measures is another novelty of this research.

The paper investigates the determinants of capital structure of micro- and small enterprises based in the county of Iaşi in Romania. Our study employed debt ratio as the dependent variable and five factors (profitability, tangibility, liquidity, size, and growth opportunity) as determinants of capital structure. We have found that leverage is negatively related to tangibility, profitability and liquidity. The size of the firm and the growth opportunities can also have a negative impact on the leverage, but to a lower extent

In the context of the development of information technologies, the concerns about assessing the effects of digital transformation have increased. Although it is intuitively accepted that digital transformation has a favourable impact on macroeconomic variables (based on the interdependencies between micro- and macroeconomic performance), there is little scientific research providing evidence of this. Building on this identified research problem, this study aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice. After assessing the extent to which the world’s economies have responded to the need for digital transformation, an econometric analysis was conducted to quantify the impact of digital transformation on economic and social outcomes. To ensure the representativeness of the results, the econometric analysis was conducted on a sample of 46 countries selected according to the size of their gross national income per capita. The NRI (Network Readiness Index) and the sub-indices associated with the economic environment (future technologies, business, and economy) were used as independent variables. Gross domestic product (GDP) was used as a dependent variable. The results indicate that NRI has a positive and significant impact on GDP per capita. Analysis at the sub-indices level partially confirms this result and highlights that their contributions to the growth of macroeconomic performance may be different. The study results have practical utility as they provide clues on the structural efficiency of the benchmarks underpinning the digital transformation. To increase the positive impact on macroeconomic outcomes, policy-makers can propose and implement policies to facilitate access to those technologies that prove to be more effective.

Some of the constructs in the field of performance management are intuitive or not empirically validated. This study provides a data-driven framework for measuring and improving the performance through synchronized strategies. The ultimate goal was to provide support for increasing business performance. Empirical research materializes in an exploratory case study and a statistical analysis with econometric models. The case study revealed that a company can improve its performance, even in periods of growth, being characterized by consistent investments. The statistical analysis, performed on a restricted sample of companies, confirmed the results that were provided by the case study. The measurement of performance was made by capitalizing on financial and non-financial data precisely to intensify the interest for corporate sustainability. The obtained results, contrary to previous research that showed that economic value added (EVA) is negatively influenced by the increase in invested capital, open up new research perspectives to find out whether, at the industry level, performance appraisal that is based on EVA stimulates the development of a business’s economic capital. The research has a double utility: scientific (by providing an overview of the state of the art in the field of performance management) and practical (by providing a reference model for measuring and monitoring performance).

Against the backdrop of concerns for diminishing the vulnerabilities of the economies of the Member States, the EU has adopted measures to strengthen budgetary discipline and control of the public deficit. In this context, the responsibility of government institutions has increased, not only in ensuring the sustainability of public finances but also in direct or indirect cooperation for good economic governance. From this perspective, this study aims to assess the impact of macroeconomic variables and those associated with supreme audit institutions on the sustainability of public finances measured by the size and dynamics of government deficit and gross public debt. Additionally, the impact of the same variables on governmental effectiveness and control of corruption has also been assessed. The data collected from secondary sources and panel data models were used to conduct an empirical study of the EU Member States which covered the 2002–2019 period and the sub-periods, divided as follows: pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis. The results of the study show that supreme audit institutions, through their organizational structure, the nature of their activities, and professionalism, may contribute to the reduction of public deficit and gross public debt and, implicitly, to higher efficiency and control of corruption. The results of analyses for the sub-periods show that ISAs played a more important role in reducing government deficit during crisis and post-crisis periods. By confirming or rejecting the results of the few studies that have been conducted so far, this study provides additional evidence that fills the gaps in the literature.

Theory and practice suggest that entrepreneurship is the engine of economic growth. The speed with which a nation moves from economic growth to economic development depends on the performance of entrepreneurial initiatives. Given the role played by entrepreneurship for the development of an economy, increasing its performance can help the development of national markets and the increase in national competitiveness. The main objective of our paper is to investigate the link between entrepreneurial performance and economic development of countries. The research was carried out on a sample of 27 European Union countries in a period of twelve years. We used panel data regression models. As dependent variables for expressing the economic development, we considered the global competitiveness index and the gross domestic product per capita growth. As independent variables, we used a set of indicators measuring entrepreneurial performance. Our findings highlight the significant role played by increased entrepreneurial performance for enhancing the economic development of EU countries. We also find that some indicators expressing entrepreneurial performance might have different effects on the economy depending on the stage of economic development of countries. Our research provides empirical evidence regarding the need for performant entrepreneurial activities for enhancing economic development.