The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of Cloud Computing adoption within Romanian Small and Medium sized Enterprises in the digital age. Most of the scientific papers related to this topic examine the general outlook of cloud computing implementation in Romania and focus on the use of the afore-mentioned technologies by large scale companies. In order to identify the factors that have an influence over the choice of Romanian SMEs to adopt cloud computing technology, a conceptual model has been set forth. The model’s dependent variable is the choice of the company’s management to implement cloud computing technologies. Five different independent types of variable structures which have an effect on the adoption of cloud computing within SMEs were identified. The five categories of variables are competition & government, ICT providers & firm departments, employee, manager and technological factors. Each of these categories of determinants encompasses at their turn two or more constructs. An online survey tested the model based on the responses of managers and directors from 198 Romanian SMEs from the cities of Bucharest and Cluj. The validity of the model was performed by completing factor analysis and reliability tests of the data; a logistic regression analysis was deployed to test the research hypotheses. The results emphasized that the managers’ know-how on cloud computing and the perceived costs of implementing the technology represent the main components influencing the spreading of cloud computing among Romanian SMEs. This study makes a valuable contribution to the academic environment but to businesses as well. The model can be used to examine the implementation of different innovative applications. Companies which offer cloud computing services could take advantage of the outcomes of this study to expand the degree of cloud service introduction among SMEs.

Purpose: The study sets out to explore the mediating role of intellectual capital (IC) dimensions (i.e. human, structural and relational) between scholars' affiliation to online academic networks and institutional knowledge capitalization. Online academic networks are tackled through the lens of knowledge networks which have been of primary importance for new relevant knowledge acquisition during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire-based survey of 305 academics from 35 different countries was conducted from July to December 2021, employing a partial least squares structural equation modelling technique. The database was initially filtered to ensure the adequacy of the sample, and data were analyzed using the statistics software package SmartPLS 3.0.Findings: Evidence was brought forward that the proposed conceptual model accounted for 52.5% of the variance in institutional knowledge capitalization, the structural and relational capital availed by knowledge networks exerting strong positive influence on the dependent variable.Research limitations/implications: The study has both research and managerial implications in that it approaches a topical phenomenon, namely the capitalization of online academic networks in the COVID-19 context, which has dramatically altered the way that research and teaching are conducted worldwide.Originality/value: The most important contribution of the paper resides in the comprehensive research model advanced which covers individual, organizational and network multifaced layers, starting with the personal and institutional motives to join a specialized network, continuing with the opportunities provided by knowledge networks in terms of intellectual capital harnessing, and ending with its influence on higher education organizations.

Due to the population’s growing need for energy and the increasing impact of the phenomena of global warming and climate change on a global level, it becomes imperative to diminish energy consumption worldwide. For this reason, a deeper understanding of factors that encourage energy-saving habits and overall lifestyle is required. This research examined the factors that hold an impact on the adoption of energy-saving habits in Romania. It used eight constructs that were checked to see if they influence the individuals’ intentions to save energy. The research used a quantitative analysis approach, with primary data assembled through a survey of the population from six developed counties in Romania. In order to investigate and assess the data, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used. The results show that environmental awareness, perceived consumer effectiveness and a collectivistic perspective affect individuals in implementing energy-saving habits (in their life) in a significant and positive way. However, resistance to change and perceived costs were identified as having a negative and significant impact on the individuals’ implementation of such habits within their households. The outcomes of this research play a part in raising awareness of what could determine a more energy-saving lifestyle, and therefore it is essential that stakeholders within the energy sector in Romania consider the aspects of environmental awareness, perception of consumer effectiveness, perceived costs, collectivism and resistance to change during the development of programs of energy efficiency.

Lately, concern for green innovation has expanded in the business environment and many companies see it as a helpful element to gain competitive advantage. Due to the strains of maintaining sustainable businesses, mobile commerce companies are propelled to build up their own green innovation programs and harmonize them with the firm’s management programs. The central scope of this research is to examine the drivers for green innovation within a range of Romania-based mobile commerce companies that operate in different industries. With the aim of identifying the factors that determine the development of green innovation, a conceptual model has been conceived. The dependent variable within the model is the action of the company’s management to develop green innovation. Four independent types of variable structures that have an impact on the development of green innovation in mobile commerce firms were distinguished. The four categories of constructs are business environmental factors (1), green training (2), green supplier development (3), and technological factors (4). An online survey tested the model based on the responses of senior level management representatives from 182 Romanian mobile commerce companies from Bucharest. The validity of the model was fulfilled though factor analysis and reliability tests for the data; a logistic regression analysis was also used to test the research hypotheses. The research revealed that green training embodies the fundamental element enhancing green innovation among Romanian mobile commerce companies. This article benefits both academia and business. Firms could be inspired by the results of this paper to broaden the level of green innovation throughout the Romanian business environment.

Research background: Romania is in a profound process of transformation of its energy sector, with sustainability, security, and alignment with the European Union standards as the main factors. The ability of consumers to make energy consumption more efficient and to improve their energy use habits is therefore a major input to strengthen the Romania and EU's energy independence and fight climate change. Purpose of the article: In this article, the authors are studying the ability of Romanian citizens to make energy consumption more efficient, and also the direct and indirect effect on their real contribution to saving energy. Methods: The data was gathered through a questionnaire and the respondents are citizens from Romanian households. The analysis was carried out through an econometric model by applying the PLS-SEM technique. The objective was to identify and investigate the elements that impact the contribution to saving energy of Romanian citizens. Findings & value added: The findings of the article confirm the study hypotheses crafted in the literature review section and demonstrate that the real contribution to saving energy of Romanian citizens is directly caused by various determinants, such as: being aware and informed about energy saving processes, being responsible about the energy consumption, the choice of energy provider and devices and the social/ community influence. Identifying the independent variables with relevant influence on the citizens’ contribution to saving energy could help the stakeholders within the energy sector to implement measures that could help citizens use energy more efficiently and reduce environmental impacts. Studying the independent variables that have considerable influence on the citizens’ contribution at saving energy through their ability to make energy consumption more efficient could assist the stakeholders from the energy sector to outline and improve their capabilities in meeting the needs of the energy consumers of the future.

Purpose: This article explores the connections between the entrepreneur's global mindset and entrepreneurial motivation in the quest for determining the underlying relationships among these constructs. The aim of the study resides in the advancement of various entrepreneurial profiles which imply specific configurations of the global mindset and motivational drivers, by also covering their correlations with the business outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected in 2022 from over 100 entrepreneurs operating in the Romanian SMEs sector, using a questionnaire-based survey. Findings: The results posit that at least three statistically relevant clusters can be observed in the studied population, stemming from the particularities of the entrepreneurs' global mindset. The findings reveal that the levels of development of the entrepreneur's social capital, psychological capital and intellectual capital are linked to different entrepreneurial motivations and impact the company in specific manners. Practical implications: The research offers useful cues to the entrepreneurs for identifying prospective partners for their local or cross-border operations. Originality/value: The results foster a new topical framework for discussion on the motivational configurations of entrepreneurs and the global mindset.