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Sustainable Development and Entrepreneurship in Contemporary Economies

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 November 2014) | Viewed by 165833

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Guest Editor
Vice-Rector, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Piata Romana Square, no.6, 1st District, Bucharest, Romania

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Guest Editor
1. Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, Splaiul Unirii 176, Bucharest, Romania
2. Center for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis at the American Association for Economic Research, 30-18 50th Street, Woodside, New York, NY 11377, USA
Interests: macroeconomics; labor economics and policies; economic governance; sustainable development
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Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Sustainable development represents not only a major challenge for every contemporary economy, but also an existential paradigm in doing business. Over the years, it has imposed a specific entrepreneurial development, where resource allotment and business initiatives are centered around a more environmentally friendly approach, beyond the classical economics efficiency criteria. Achieving a sustainable and well functional economic model necessitates the existence of a strong entrepreneurial culture, where the business initiative must assure a high degree of inland economic potential capitalization. With entrepreneurship, both the investors and communities will gain economic benefits which will further contribute to general social stability and welfare.

This Special Issue aims to discuss currently relevant research concerning sustainable development and entrepreneurship in contemporary economies, but from the larger context of paradigms changing in a post crisis period.

We welcome submissions of review and conceptual papers, both theoretical and practical contributions, case studies and research articles with a high degree of originality and field application. All submissions will be subjected to a rigorous peer review before publication.

Prof. Dr, Istudor Nicolae
Prof. Dr. Andrei Jean Vasile
Prof. Dr. Popescu H. Gheorghe
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • agricultural and rural policy
  • business practices
  • development paradigms
  • ecosystem services
  • entrepreneurship
  • green economy
  • green marketing
  • land use policy
  • rural development
  • sustainable business models
  • sustainable development

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Published Papers (17 papers)

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Research

1355 KiB  
Article
Food Sustainable Model Development: An ANP Approach to Prioritize Sustainable Factors in the Romanian Natural Soft Drinks Industry Context
by Răzvan Cătalin Dobrea, Gabriela Molănescu and Cristian Buṣu
Sustainability 2015, 7(8), 10007-10020; https://doi.org/10.3390/su70810007 - 24 Jul 2015
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5242
Abstract
The latest developments in natural soft drinks in the Romanian market signal significant changes in consumers’ perceptions of the sustainability concept. While the necessity of preserving natural resources and ensuring a decent level of healthiness seem to be steadily embraced by the Romanian [...] Read more.
The latest developments in natural soft drinks in the Romanian market signal significant changes in consumers’ perceptions of the sustainability concept. While the necessity of preserving natural resources and ensuring a decent level of healthiness seem to be steadily embraced by the Romanian society, the lack of long enough time series to acknowledge this shift render impossible a traditional econometric validation of these recent trends in economic thinking. The large number of European-funded projects for upgrading technology in the Romanian sector of natural soft drinks raises the question whether the learning by doing effect dispersed into the Romanian managers’ investment decision making from the perspective of both economic and food sustainability. This paper presents the construction and the evaluation of an Analytical Network Process (ANP) market share model, which emerged from extended in-depth interviews with 10 managers of the main Romanian natural soft drinks producers. This model differs from traditional market share ANP ones since concepts like either food of economic sustainability were considered as significant driving factors. The coincidence between the estimated market share and the actual one, expressed by Saaty’s compatibility index, validate this model and offer comparative numerical weights’ of importance for food or economic sustainability. Full article
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311 KiB  
Article
Balance of Comparative Advantages in the Processed Food Sector of the Danube Countries
by Svetlana Ignjatijević, Ivan Milojević, Gorica Cvijanović and Mersida Jandrić
Sustainability 2015, 7(6), 6976-6993; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7066976 - 29 May 2015
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6650
Abstract
In this paper, we investigated the level of competitiveness of the processed food sector of the Danube region countries, in order to show the existence of comparative advantage and the correlation of exports. We used the Balassa (RCA–revealed comparative advantage) index and TPI [...] Read more.
In this paper, we investigated the level of competitiveness of the processed food sector of the Danube region countries, in order to show the existence of comparative advantage and the correlation of exports. We used the Balassa (RCA–revealed comparative advantage) index and TPI (trade performance indexes). At first, using the Pearson and Spearman index, we examined the existence of correlations between the processed food sector of the Danube countries. Then, we applied the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test to further compare the value and answered the question: between which Danube countries are there significant differences? With the study, we found that the distribution of the RCA index in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova and Slovenia deviates from normality. We also found the existence of a strong correlation of the RCA index of the Czech Republic with Romania, Hungary with Moldova and Serbia, Moldova with Serbia and Bulgaria with Ukraine. Finally, we concluded that the development of trade in the countries of the Danube region requires the participation of all relevant interest groups and could play an important role in providing faster economic development, that is in achieving sustainable development of the countries, with the sustainable use of available resources. Full article
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729 KiB  
Article
Leadership in Romanian Small to Medium Enterprises
by Liliana Crăciun, Marian Năstase, Tănase Stamule and Cristian Vizitiu
Sustainability 2015, 7(4), 4183-4198; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7044183 - 10 Apr 2015
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6189
Abstract
We have conducted a broad statistical research on Romanian small to medium enterprises (SMEs), with the goal of better understanding: (1) the incipient organizational culture of a recently-opened East European market; and (2) the role of leadership in increasing the competitiveness of SMEs. [...] Read more.
We have conducted a broad statistical research on Romanian small to medium enterprises (SMEs), with the goal of better understanding: (1) the incipient organizational culture of a recently-opened East European market; and (2) the role of leadership in increasing the competitiveness of SMEs. The paper studies the perceived characteristics of a leader and their influence on the organization’s results (as seen by employees), and it tries to reveal the subliminal inter-correlations among these characteristics. The method is factor analysis (implemented in SPSS), for a questionnaire with 23 items, answered by 930 subjects on a five-point Likert scale. The six factors identified by our analysis were: adaptability; cooperation; authority; charisma; confidence; motivation. By highlighting these basic components, our study aims both at increasing competitiveness in Romanian enterprises and at designing better training programs for managers and entrepreneurs acting on East European markets, adapted to the real characteristics of these young economic environments. Full article
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1640 KiB  
Article
Estimating Potential GDP for the Romanian Economy and Assessing the Sustainability of Economic Growth: A Multivariate Filter Approach
by Dan Armeanu, Georgiana Camelia Crețan, Leonard Lache and Mihaela Mitroi
Sustainability 2015, 7(3), 3338-3358; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7033338 - 19 Mar 2015
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7471
Abstract
In the current context of economic recovery and rebalancing, the necessity of modelling and estimating the potential output and output gap emerges in order to assess the quality and sustainability of economic growth, the monetary and fiscal policies, as well as the impact [...] Read more.
In the current context of economic recovery and rebalancing, the necessity of modelling and estimating the potential output and output gap emerges in order to assess the quality and sustainability of economic growth, the monetary and fiscal policies, as well as the impact of business cycles. Despite the importance of potential GDP and the output gap, there are difficulties in reliably estimating them, as many of the models proposed in the economic literature are calibrated for developed economies and are based on complex macroeconomic relationships and a long history of robust data, while emerging economies exhibit high volatility. The object of this study is to develop a model in order to estimate the potential GDP and output gap and to assess the sustainability of projected growth using a multivariate filter approach. This trend estimation technique is the newest approach proposed by the economic literature and has gained wide acceptance with researchers and practitioners alike, while also being used by the IMF for Romania. The paper will be structured as follows. We first discuss the theoretical background of the model. The second section focuses on an analysis of the Romanian economy for the 1995–2013 time frame, while also providing a forecast for 2014–2017 and an assessment of the sustainability of Romania’s economic growth. The third section sums up the results and concludes. Full article
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1182 KiB  
Article
Methodology for Evaluating the Rural Tourism Potentials: A Tool to Ensure Sustainable Development of Rural Settlements
by Alexander Trukhachev
Sustainability 2015, 7(3), 3052-3070; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7033052 - 13 Mar 2015
Cited by 64 | Viewed by 12649
Abstract
The paper analyses potentials, challenges and problems of the rural tourism from the point of view of its impact on sustainable rural development. It explores alternative sources of income for rural people by means of tourism and investigates effects of the rural tourism [...] Read more.
The paper analyses potentials, challenges and problems of the rural tourism from the point of view of its impact on sustainable rural development. It explores alternative sources of income for rural people by means of tourism and investigates effects of the rural tourism on agricultural production in local rural communities. The aim is to identify the existing and potential tourist attractions within the rural areas in Southern Russia and to provide solutions to be introduced in particular rural settlements in order to make them attractive for tourists. The paper includes the elaboration and testing of a methodology for evaluating the rural tourism potentials using the case of rural settlements of Stavropol Krai, Russia. The paper concludes with a ranking of the selected rural settlements according to their rural tourist capacity and substantiation of the tourism models to be implemented to ensure a sustainable development of the considered rural areas. Full article
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1176 KiB  
Article
Social Investment, Economic Growth and Labor Market Performance: Case Study—Romania
by Ramona Olivia Ștefănescu-Mihăilă
Sustainability 2015, 7(3), 2961-2979; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7032961 - 11 Mar 2015
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 9362
Abstract
A few years have passed since the financial crisis began with the bankruptcy of the American Lehman Brothers bank and few dare predict the moment when we will overcome the crisis. Chaotic human resource policy in the Romanian economy and complex taxation have [...] Read more.
A few years have passed since the financial crisis began with the bankruptcy of the American Lehman Brothers bank and few dare predict the moment when we will overcome the crisis. Chaotic human resource policy in the Romanian economy and complex taxation have lowered our chances to overcome it. Excessive income tax, massive layoffs, not always dictated by real needs in the private sector, hesitation in the government regarding the reorganization of an oversized public sector and the low productivity are only some obstacles in overcoming the crisis. People are a very important factor in the production process and in the success of a company. It is essential that modern organizations rethink their strategies, make long-term investments, and invest in people. Success and survival on the market greatly depend on the understanding of these facts and managers must be aware of their importance. Full article
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833 KiB  
Article
“Greening” the Youth Employment—A Chance for Sustainable Development
by Mirela Ionela Aceleanu, Andreea Claudia Serban and Cristina Burghelea
Sustainability 2015, 7(3), 2623-2643; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7032623 - 3 Mar 2015
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 10893
Abstract
Currently, at the European Union level, there has been an increase in unemployment, especially youth unemployment, as a result of certain imbalances in the labor market, exacerbated by the current financial and economic crisis. The sustainable economic development of each country is strongly [...] Read more.
Currently, at the European Union level, there has been an increase in unemployment, especially youth unemployment, as a result of certain imbalances in the labor market, exacerbated by the current financial and economic crisis. The sustainable economic development of each country is strongly influenced by the human resource in the context in which it is sought the creation of a strong, competitive and prosperous Europe. The human resource and especially young people are the most precious wealth of a nation. Therefore, solving the problem of youth unemployment is a matter of great concern and requires bringing to the forefront modern employment policies correlated with the economic reality, to which the EU attaches increasingly more importance, namely promoting green employment in a green economy. Our paper begins by analyzing the evolution, causes and differences recorded at the European Union level on the size and structure of youth unemployment and it ends with identifying some measures to reduce it, in the context of European sustainable development. The conclusions in our research highlight the importance of employment policies at both the micro and macro level and show the positive role of active policies, investment in education and green employment. Full article
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841 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Environmental and Social Performance on Financial Performance: Evidence from Romania’s Listed Entities
by Elena Dobre, Georgiana Oana Stanila and Laura Brad
Sustainability 2015, 7(3), 2513-2553; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7032513 - 3 Mar 2015
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 9431
Abstract
Companies that are listed on a stock exchange should know that reporting only financial measures is not enough for ensuring sustainable development. To be truly competitive, they should also include information about environmental policies and about the benefits that the company offers to [...] Read more.
Companies that are listed on a stock exchange should know that reporting only financial measures is not enough for ensuring sustainable development. To be truly competitive, they should also include information about environmental policies and about the benefits that the company offers to its employees. The present research aims to provide information on how Romanian listed companies report environmental and social indicators and whether or not this has an impact on financial performance. We used a four time period panel fixed effect model for Romanian companies that are listed in the first category of the Bucharest Stock of Exchange. The results point out that increasing water, air and soil protection has a negative impact on current return on equity, while no effects were detected on return on assets and stock market returns. Other environmental variables such as gas, energy or sound were found not to be statistically significant. Training and benefits after retirement have a mixed effect on financial measures. The research correlates Romanian accounting regulation changes with companies’ characteristics and the influence of financial audit on financial performance, and concludes that increasing environmental and social protection could have an impact on financial performance in the long run, as positive correlation was detected between social or environmental performance and stock market returns one year after the changes occurred. Full article
1108 KiB  
Article
Controversies Regarding Costs, Uncertainties and Benefits Specific to Shale Gas Development
by Jianu Daniel Muresan and Mihail Vincentiu Ivan
Sustainability 2015, 7(3), 2473-2489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7032473 - 2 Mar 2015
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7534
Abstract
The shale gas exploration and development is now a delicate and controversial subject. It is often assumed that unconventional exploration and extraction automatically brings prosperity for local, national and regional economies. In this paper, we argue that shale gas development requires a contextualized [...] Read more.
The shale gas exploration and development is now a delicate and controversial subject. It is often assumed that unconventional exploration and extraction automatically brings prosperity for local, national and regional economies. In this paper, we argue that shale gas development requires a contextualized understanding of regional issues. We are also trying to identify the opportunities and the risks of shale gas development in Eastern Europe (referring to Romania’s case) and offer a cost-benefit analysis model that may be of interest to any policymakers and investors. Full article
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1248 KiB  
Article
The Textile Industry and Sustainable Development: A Holt–Winters Forecasting Investigation for the Eastern European Area
by Dorel Paraschiv, Cristiana Tudor and Radu Petrariu
Sustainability 2015, 7(2), 1280-1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7021280 - 26 Jan 2015
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 17528
Abstract
To achieve sustainable development, massive changes towards fostering a clean and pollution-reducing industrial sector are quintessential. The textile industry has been one of the main contributors to water pollution all over the world, causing more than 20% of the registered levels of water [...] Read more.
To achieve sustainable development, massive changes towards fostering a clean and pollution-reducing industrial sector are quintessential. The textile industry has been one of the main contributors to water pollution all over the world, causing more than 20% of the registered levels of water pollution in countries like Turkey, Indonesia and China (among the G20 group of countries) and also in Romania and Bulgaria (in the Eastern European area), with even more than 44% in Macedonia. Given the controversy created by the textile industry’s contribution to pollution at a global level and also the need to diminish pollution in order to promote sustainable development, this paper comparatively investigates the contribution of the textile industry to the water pollution across Central and Eastern European countries, as well as developed countries. In addition, we employ the Holt–Winters model to forecast the trend of the total emissions of organic water pollutants, as well as of the textile industry’s contribution to pollution for the top polluters in Eastern Europe, i.e., Poland and Romania. According to our estimates, both countries are headed towards complete elimination of pollution caused by the textile industry and, hence, toward a more sustainable industrial sector, as Greenpeace intended with the release of its 2011 reports. Full article
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862 KiB  
Article
Impact of Marketing Consulting on Performances of Agrarian Clusters in Serbia
by Drago Cvijanović, Branko Mihailović, Miroslav Čavlin and Gordana Čavlin
Sustainability 2015, 7(2), 1099-1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7021099 - 22 Jan 2015
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5979
Abstract
The subject of this paper is the role of marketing consulting in development of performances of agrarian clusters in Serbia. The research that was carried out has pretensions to point out to many issues that are linked to these problems, initiate their solving, [...] Read more.
The subject of this paper is the role of marketing consulting in development of performances of agrarian clusters in Serbia. The research that was carried out has pretensions to point out to many issues that are linked to these problems, initiate their solving, inform those that are obligated to be interested on the role and significance of consulting, as well as the methods of its use. About everything that could contribute to an increase in benefit and improvement of agriculture, including proposing solutions that resulted from exact researches through application of scientific methods by logical conclusions. The empirical research of impact of marketing consulting on the performances of agrarian clusters in Serbia was carried out by a survey. Audit was performed by a procedure by which some relevant scientific conclusions were achieved—by researching data in the field specifically, by collecting adequate data on the agrarian clusters which operate in Serbia. In this paper we started from the following hypothesis: Using marketing consulting improves marketing performances of agrarian clusters, which indirectly leads to an improvement in their financial performance. The basis of the research hypothesis is the so called, PIMS program whose starting point is the influence of the market’s strategy on an enterprise’s profit, i.e., it shows the connection between marketing and financial performance of an enterprise. Finally, regardless to the level of success of the research, and proving the obtained results, this paper will surely represent a basis for future researches of marketing consulting and their support to business management. Full article
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1025 KiB  
Article
Measuring Corporate Sustainability Performance
by Eugen Nicolăescu, Cristina Alpopi and Constantin Zaharia
Sustainability 2015, 7(1), 851-865; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7010851 - 13 Jan 2015
Cited by 84 | Viewed by 18274
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to examine and evaluate the evolving character of sustainability management in corporations, the significance of environmental protection and sustainability, and barriers to carrying out an incorporated and strategic firm-wide advance of social responsibility. In the present [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study is to examine and evaluate the evolving character of sustainability management in corporations, the significance of environmental protection and sustainability, and barriers to carrying out an incorporated and strategic firm-wide advance of social responsibility. In the present paper, we focus on the contribution of sustainability undertakings towards enhancing corporate performance, the financial involvements of sustainability position and operation, and the chief function of values in corporate policy. Our paper contributes to the literature by supplying proof of elements that lead to the triumph of business patterns for sustainable development, processes through which stakeholders are affecting corporate sustainability conduct, and the link between economic growth and the environment. Full article
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686 KiB  
Article
Labor Market Determinants of Migration Flows in Europe
by Elvira Nica
Sustainability 2015, 7(1), 634-647; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7010634 - 7 Jan 2015
Cited by 59 | Viewed by 9420
Abstract
Considerable research attention has focused on the labor market impacts of immigration, the operation and competitiveness of the European Union (EU) labor market, and the expenditures and advantages of labor circulation for sending and receiving economies. The aim of the present study is [...] Read more.
Considerable research attention has focused on the labor market impacts of immigration, the operation and competitiveness of the European Union (EU) labor market, and the expenditures and advantages of labor circulation for sending and receiving economies. The aim of the present study is to examine and evaluate the negative social consequences arising from the mobility of workers, the social and economic drivers of migration, and the effect of immigration on natives’ labor market results such as wages and employment. Full article
884 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Land Tenure Relations as a Factor of Sustainable Agricultural Development: Case of Stavropol Krai, Russia
by Vladimir Trukhachev, Anna Ivolga and Marina Lescheva
Sustainability 2015, 7(1), 164-179; https://doi.org/10.3390/su7010164 - 26 Dec 2014
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6913
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to give an overview and analyze the contemporary land tenure relations in Russia in view of their influences on economic viability of agricultural production. The paper investigates progress made toward the development of agricultural land market in [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to give an overview and analyze the contemporary land tenure relations in Russia in view of their influences on economic viability of agricultural production. The paper investigates progress made toward the development of agricultural land market in economies in transition. The research is made with emphasis on Stavropol Krai, agricultural region in the southern part of Russia. The authors retrospectively address land tenure relations in the region, analyze contemporary tendencies, and discover linkages between land tenure relations and sustainable agricultural development. The later concept is understood here as economic viability of agricultural production. The paper focuses on the potential approaches for resolving specific problem issues in the sphere of sustainable agricultural development through effective land tenure relations. The paper is concluded with the substantiation of methodology of land rent payment, the size of which is made conditional on land productivity and effectiveness of agricultural production. Full article
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371 KiB  
Article
Is Romanian Rural Tourism Sustainable? Revealing Particularities
by Daniela Ruxandra Andrei, Rodica-Manuela Gogonea, Marian Zaharia and Jean-Vasile Andrei
Sustainability 2014, 6(12), 8876-8888; https://doi.org/10.3390/su6128876 - 3 Dec 2014
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7783
Abstract
Research on sustainable tourism involves developing an appropriate framework to highlight the interdependences of economic, social and environmental systems. The interdependence is based on the entropy of the system while respecting the principle of holism and diversity of rural tourism sustainability. In this [...] Read more.
Research on sustainable tourism involves developing an appropriate framework to highlight the interdependences of economic, social and environmental systems. The interdependence is based on the entropy of the system while respecting the principle of holism and diversity of rural tourism sustainability. In this context, sustainability in general and rural tourism in particular can be considered a complex system of development, which in some ways can be studied by statistical and econometric methods that allow the analysis of the interdependences between the variables of rural tourism at county level and at the level of rural communities. Conducting such studies involves identifying the rural communities where rural tourism has reached significant levels. Based on this consideration, this paper aims to identify the development regions and counties of Romania where the trends of development of rural tourism are significantly above the average recorded at country level, as a first step towards particular studies of sustainability in rural communities. Full article
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666 KiB  
Article
Food Security in Romania—A Modern Approach for Developing Sustainable Agriculture
by Nicolae Istudor, Raluca Andreea Ion, Maria Sponte and Irina Elena Petrescu
Sustainability 2014, 6(12), 8796-8807; https://doi.org/10.3390/su6128796 - 2 Dec 2014
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 8628
Abstract
This paper investigates the state of food security in Romania and its place in the world. We analysed the level of food security indicators for 1990–2012, in Romania, and their average levels worldwide. References are also made to developed and developing countries. The [...] Read more.
This paper investigates the state of food security in Romania and its place in the world. We analysed the level of food security indicators for 1990–2012, in Romania, and their average levels worldwide. References are also made to developed and developing countries. The research seeks to answer the questions: Is food security achieved in Romania and, if so, what kind of structural changes can be made towards improving food quality and people’s living standards? As indicators show, the findings indicate that food security is ensured, on average, in Romania. Dietary energy supply is above dietary energy requirements, the ratio of cereals import dependency is below its average level worldwide, and the daily diet is balanced between vegetal and animal origin food. Having solved the quantitative aspect of food security, Romania can look towards improving the qualitative aspects of it. In this regard, organic food may be considered as a direction of developing sustainable agricultural economy. Full article
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682 KiB  
Article
FDI and Economic Growth in Central and Eastern Europe
by Gheorghe H. Popescu
Sustainability 2014, 6(11), 8149-8163; https://doi.org/10.3390/su6118149 - 17 Nov 2014
Cited by 114 | Viewed by 14067
Abstract
This paper discusses the major trends in scholarship about the role of FDI and exports on economic growth, the effect of tax policies on FDI, the formation of the economic catch up of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region and the determinants [...] Read more.
This paper discusses the major trends in scholarship about the role of FDI and exports on economic growth, the effect of tax policies on FDI, the formation of the economic catch up of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region and the determinants of FDI inflows in CEE nations. I am specifically interested in how previous research investigated the influence of FDI on host country economic growth, the inward FDI stock as a percentage of GDP, the features and restrictions of fiscal schemes in CEE economies and the institutional soundness displayed in policies towards FDI. The analysis presented in this paper contributes to research on FDI as a mechanism in the transition to the market, the dissimilarities in the FDI-assisted development methods among the CEE nations, the impact of FDI inflows for productivity convergence in CEE and the current slowing of growth in emerging Europe. Full article
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