The main purpose of this paper is to study the influence of various indicators related to the knowledge economy on country competitiveness in the European Union (EU). Based on the Pearson coefficient and panel-data regression models, we analyzed the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) in relation to research and development (R&D) expenditure (as a % of gross domestic product (GDP)), percentage of population with tertiary education, lifelong learning, GDP per capita, and debt to equity. The findings highlighted the crucial role of both innovation and education as determinants of EU competitiveness and economic convergence. The development of EU policies regarding the lifelong learning possibilities of the European workforce and the focus on research and development activities can significantly contribute to the competiveness of EU member states.

Sustainable Business Models: An Imperative in the Strategic Management of Companies and Organizations

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought tremendous challenges for the educational field, especially in terms of leadership strategies to be taken on a short notice in order to ensure both health security of the personnel and learners, but also adapt to an online teaching environment and other challenges. While several higher education institutions had partially or completely adapted to an online educational model, the COVID-19 period offered new challenges in terms of internationalization, investment in technology and financing, but also in terms of implementing new educational models, fully online or hybrid models. Based on a sample of 23 Universities from the European Union, the current research aimed to propose new directions of the academic leadership strategies and focus points during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as expected trends after the end of the pandemic. Based on the study of the academic leadership strategies and models in the European Union, this paper offers an additional practical overview to existing studies in the field, as it inquires the implemented university leadership strategies in order to adapt and overcome the current pandemic crisis, as well as ensuring the continuity of activities and development of higher educational institutions.

In the past two decades wind energy has become one of the main sources of renewable energy used globally. With the expanding installments of wind turbines and wind parks, several issues have become apparent, especially in terms of closing in to human habitats, but also in terms of damages to the landscape, flora, fauna and other such issues. As more wind turbines are placed in order to achieve the global standards of renewable energy until 2020 and 2030 deadlines, a main issue of the NIMBY effect has also emerged, causing additional pressure on wind energy producers regarding placement, design, height and other elements of the wind turbines. The present study presents current public perceptions of Romanian residents on different placements of wind turbines, as the public becomes more aware of the new type of installments taking place today. Through the Delphi method based on interviews and questionnaires the study reveals current public perceptions and potential perspectives of the NIMBY effect in Romania. A main finding is that most respondents opposed placements of wind turbines in locations, such as residential areas, although wind turbines in Romania are generally placed in remote areas. This result reveals a public perception and consciousness regarding the protection of the human habitats against potential technological sources of discomfort, although renewable energy was perceived as a matter of interest for most participants. The relevance of the study lies in the novelty of the matter, as few studies have referred to NIMBY effects in Romania previously.