In recent years, the trend of digital transformation of commerce has been extremely dynamic, and the COVID-19 pandemic has generated a strong impetus for the development of digitalization. However, there is a large difference in the use of e-commerce in European Union (EU) countries. The objective of this article is to explain the complex evolution of e-commerce in terms of B2C using econometric methods, especially regarding Internet purchases made by individuals according to six social and technological factors considered basic factors in purchase decisions. Thus, we propose a conceptual model for the analysis of disparities in Internet purchases, taking into account both factors related to demand (consumer) and factors related to supply (supplier). Based on the data provided by Eurostat for all 27 EU countries for the period 2012–2021, the empirical findings of cluster analysis suggest changes in the grouping of countries at the beginning and end of the analysed period. Socioeconomic factors that can explain the transition of EU states from one group to another in terms of development level of Internet purchases by individuals were identified. The results of this study can serve as a starting point for future adaptation strategies of e-commerce in the context of global economic development with a focus on increasing digitisation, the existence of for which a digital convergence in the process of digital transformation is essential.

The interest of the countries with traditions of walnut cultivation to increase the quantity and quality of walnut production is due to the fact that the organic cultivation of walnut is a sustainable business, with an ecological, economic and social impact. The walnut plant (Juglans regia) is a resource for food, dermatocosmetic and phytotherapeutic products, is raw material in the wood industry and a source of biomass. It is a species suitable for organic farming, with no chemical factors input (in line with the EU program to reduce pesticide use and fuel consumption by 35% in the context of the current energy crisis), and has properties of atmosphere purification and air-conditioning. Due to the creation of varieties with high production potential, suitable for cultivation in intensive and super-intensive plantations and also due to the government financial support, walnut plantations can contribute to the development of new valorization directions for the obtained production, by processing fruits and other vegetative organs (green nuts, green and dried shells, foliage, timber) with significant profits. In order to establish and capitalize on a walnut plantation in the pedological and climatic conditions of Romania, pedological studies, worthiness and pedoclimatic studies were carried out in the depression area of Gorj County and show the stages of cultivation technology in intensive and super-intensive systems. The sustainability and economic efficiency of setting up organic walnut cultivation has been highlighted in view of the costs for agrotechnical works, labor and material expenses. According to the analysis of the efficiency indicators, it has been shown that the establishment of an ecological walnut orchard, on an area of 1 ha, in Gorj County, Romania, is a sustainable, appropriate and opportune investment, in terms of capitalizing on the agricultural potential of the land, environmental protection and with social and economic impact.

Evaluating and comparing the sustainable development of regions or countries is fundamental in the management of economic and social systems. From the multitude of tools and means for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the level of sustainable development, which ensure the comparability of the performances of each state, there is a set of indicators known as the Sustainable Society Index, originally developed by the Dutch Sustainable Society Foundation and later developed by TH Köln–University of Applied Sciences. Taking this into account, the objective of the undertaken research was to identify the stages and the similarities and disparities between the European states grouped into the four regions (East, North, South and West), as well as the positioning of Romania in this European context. The obtained results emphasize the fact that between the four European regions, as well as between their component states, there are both similarities and differences, especially in areas such as Well-balanced Society, Climate and Energy, and Economic Well-being regarding the values and implicitly the stage of development of sustainable societies. The article is intended to be a catalyst for discussions on understanding the causes which produce differences regarding the sustainability of European states in the context of the EUs commitment to the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Additional efforts are needed in the recovery and resilience process, especially in Eastern and Southern European countries.

The exceptional progress in artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of technical jobs and the educational requirements needed for these. This study’s purpose is to present and evaluate an intuitive open-source framework that transforms existing courses into interactive, AI-enhanced learning environments. Our team performed a study on the proposed method’s advantages in a pilot population of teachers and students which assessed it as “involving, trustworthy and easy to use”. Furthermore, we evaluated the AI components on standard large language model (LLM) benchmarks. This free, open-source, AI-enhanced educational platform can be used to improve the learning experience in all existing secondary and higher education institutions, with the potential of reaching the majority of the world’s students.

This paper presents a study on the establishment and the capitalization of a remontant red raspberry crop, the Polka variety, on a privately agricultural land area of 0.2 ha in a crop with a support system in V using a geotextile membrane for soil mulching and the method of micro-irrigation by drip. It has been shown that the annual gross profit is advantageous for diversifying the population incomes of rural areas, and the red raspberry is economically profitable regarding cultivation because the recovery of the invested sum is achieved in a maximum of 5 years after the establishment of the culture. The aim of this paper is to explore the growth and commercialization of red raspberry cultivation on privately owned arable land in rural Romania, emphasizing its potential for productivity and sustainability in the context of the circular economy. This initiative not only delivers substantial profits for investors but also fosters rural development and boosts local income levels. The study demonstrates that this cultivation method of red raspberry, aligned with the principles of the circular economy, enhances sustainability by reducing waste, optimizing resource use, and involving local communities in production cycles.