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Despite the increasing interest in modern solutions for energy performance improvement in residential sector, a gap persists between literature development and current implementation practices on domestic heating and cooling through heat pumps technology. Homeowners are encouraged to manage their energy-related issues in a systematic manner to ensure continual improvement of energy efficiency. This paper attempts to explore the drivers and obstacles to the use of heat pumps system for domestic heating, cooling, and hot water production in the residential sector, in order to improve dwellings’ energy performance and reduce the carbon footprint. The study uses a regression model with a sample of 389 participants from Romania and shows that the availability of energy plans, voluntary association in an energy community, and mixed funding exert a positive influence, whereas bureaucracy, poor energy efficiency-related information, and fiscal incentives exert a negative influence on the intention of adopting heat pumps technology by homeowners.

The paper aims at defining the management framework for community innovation labs (CILs) linked to higher education institutions (HEIs) by applying the Delphi method. CILs are regarded as experimental settings established in HEIs aimed at addressing societal challenges. Specifically, the research study investigated the following questions: (1) What is the HEI-based CIL purpose and role, which is beneficial to society; (2) What kinds of governance, business method, capabilities and core activities are necessary for the establishment of viable CILs in HEIs; and (3) What forms of added value generated by CILs have the most potential for benefiting society? Results indicate that during 2020s it is expected that CILs will play a significant role in designing the local, regional or country innovation agenda. Also, they are expected to establish networks of people and multi-disciplinary teams that can address various societal challenges, while aiming at catalysing deeper, more sustainable and more creative approaches to systemic change. In addition to reinforcing the conceptualisation of a HEI-based CIL, the research results indicate understandings of the role and priorities of HEIs in CILs. This, then, leaves open how a CIL can manifest across and within communities when operationalized through this developing management framework. The ongoing process of shaping the effective CIL governance and HEI collaboration calls for dialogue, exploration and pilot solutions.

COVID-19 has created an un-precedent crisis for SMEs and challenged each single enterprise to reconsider its business operations and to adapt to the new unexpected circumstances. The present paper aims to explore the resilience measures that the micro and small enterprises in Romania can consider to dealing with the disruptions caused by the pandemic. A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from a sample of micro and small enterprises operating in the central part of the country. An exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify underlying variables that explain the pattern of correlations between the resilience measures for enterprises, which help them cope with the pandemic effects. There are seventeen resilience measures to the pandemic included in the analysis and further tested in the paper. In addition, a multiple linear regression was conducted to determine which of the resilience measures has the most impact on the enterprises’ overcoming illness. The results show that in order for the micro and small enterprises to better cope with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic they should demonstrate, on the first place, openness to production innovation and adaptation and ensure a strong support for customers and communities. On the second place, efforts should be directed toward ensuring efficiency of their internal operational management and worker protection. While there exist external circumstances that lead enterprises to adopt several resilience measures to better respond to the pandemic, the motivations that are most relevant in this decision are generally internal in nature.

Organizations are increasingly subject to hazardous events and threats, which can be critical for their business operations and performance. Any natural, accidental, or deliberate incidents that happen to the organization can cause major disruptions to it. The present paper aims to examine the prerequisites for a sound business impact analysis necessary to build the organization’s business continuity management capability and ensure business resilience. It is meant to discover those critical functions and resources which are vital to business operations in a sample of small and medium-sized enterprises from a certain geographic area in Romania, in order to maintain their core operations and ensure business continuation. The research results rely on the data collected through face-to-face interviews from 119 Romanian companies. The research findings of the multiple linear regression employed indicate that, in undertaking business impact analysis for business continuity, it is vital for enterprises to identify the skills and level of expertise required from staff to carry out organization’s critical activities. Also it is critical for companies to identify alternative premises and systems and means of voice and data communication, as well as the priority suppliers/partners whom they depend on, necessary to undertake their critical activities. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the prerequisites of the organization’s business impact analysis that are critical to build a strong business continuity management capability. It also offers new insights to companies meant to generate a better understanding of current practices of undertaking a business impact analysis for business continuation in their organizations.

Developing the local, regional, even national communities is often central to a university’s mission. This is a two-way process and both society and university itself should benefit from this collaboration. Universities around the world have been in the past decades required to leave their ivory tower and to become more involved in addressing the needs of the society and thus more relevant for the communities which they serve. They are expected to take a leadership role in implementation of the required change by contributing to community development through knowledge, innovations, skills and jobs. By taking a leading role in society and continuously innovating, universities will support communities with achieving a sustainable growth and therefore will contribute to increasing the well-being of society at large. The current paper aims to assess the university obligations to society by analyzing 27 universities around the world best ranked in social responsibility according to QS Stars University Rating 2016. In the paper, we discuss the extent to which different attributes of the university social responsibility are reflected among the initiatives and projects run by the universities included in the study. Also, an exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify underlying variables that explain the pattern of correlations between university social responsibility initiatives. Following the QS Stars methodology, the dimensions used to evaluate social responsibility of sampled universities included: community investment and development, social work and disaster relief, regional human capital development, and environmental impact. The results show that the level of involvement in social responsibility actions is high for all the universities included in the study. Also, the types of initiatives vary in terms of nature, intensity and impact for each one of the dimensions analyzed. Our research findings offer useful insights for both universities’ leaders and community developers in their joint-efforts to develop and grow a prosperous community.

Despite the increasing interest in modern solutions for energy performance improvement in residential sector, a gap persists between literature development and current implementation practices on domestic heating and cooling through heat pumps technology. Homeowners are encouraged to manage their energy-related issues in a systematic manner to ensure continual improvement of energy efficiency. This paper attempts to explore the drivers and obstacles to the use of heat pumps system for domestic heating, cooling, and hot water production in the residential sector, in order to improve dwellings' energy performance and reduce the carbon footprint. The study uses a regression model with a sample of 389 participants from Romania and shows that the availability of energy plans, voluntary association in an energy community, and mixed funding exert a positive influence, whereas bureaucracy, poor energy efficiency-related information, and fiscal incentives exert a negative influence on the intention of adopting heat pumps technology by homeowners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global pressing need to protect the environment, save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide has prompted the enterprises to implementing both individual energy saving measures and a more systematic approach to improve the overall enterprise’s energy performance. Energy management is becoming a priority as enterprises strive to reduce energy costs, conform to regulatory requirements, and improve their corporate image. As such, enterprises are encouraged to manage their energy related matters in a systematic manner and a more harmonized way, to ensure continual improvement on their energy efficiency. Despite the increasing interest in energy management standards, a gap persists between energy management literature and current implementation practices. The release of the ISO 50001 international standard was meant to help the organizations develop sound energy management systems and effective process-based energy management structures that could be recognized through third-party certification. Building on the energy management literature and energy management standards, the current paper presents the essential steps the enterprises should take to practically design a sustainable energy management system. Also, by using multiple case studies of enterprises that have implemented an ISO 50001 energy management system, it introduces a structured approach that companies can use to effectively develop their energy planning and improve energy performance. The key components of the enterprise’s energy planning are discussed, as well as practical examples of energy objectives and performance indicators from various industries are offered. The paper shows that by establishing an effective energy planning system, this will efficiently meet demands for achieving energy performance indicators and international certification.

Holding employees who are highly motivated and who illustrate fulfilment in respect to their work is a catalyst of positive change for nowadays organizations, who perform operations in quickly changing circumstances. Such individuals are known to engage more in organizational citizenship behaviour and steer away from deviant workplace behaviour. As employees display different personality traits and work-related motivation, only organizations which know how to properly engage their personnel, foster organizational citizenship actions and nurture ethical conduct within all organizational levels can attain a leading position on the market. The paper aims to examine the extent to which the socio-economic wellbeing influences 'good' or 'bad' behaviours at work and/or at school. The paper's objectives are twofolded: (1) to understand if there is a causal relationship between the socio-economic wellbeing of individuals and their behaviour at work or/and at school; (2) to determine the extent to which the socioeconomic wellbeing contributes to shaping a 'good' or a 'bad' behaviour at work or/and at school. Correlations and simple linear regression model were employed to understand the predictive power of the socio-economic wellbeing on behaviour once a causal relationship has been confirmed. Results show that the perceived ambition to obtain a high social status, accumulate wealth and become rich and powerful predicts positively a 'bad' behaviour and negatively a 'good' behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at defining the management framework for community innovation labs (CILs) linked to higher education institutions (HEIs) by applying the Delphi method. CILs are regarded as experimental settings established in HEIs aimed at addressing societal challenges. Specifically, the research study investigated the following questions: (1) What is the HEI-based CIL purpose and role, which is beneficial to society; (2) What kinds of governance, business method, capabilities and core activities are necessary for the establishment of viable CILs in HEIs; and (3) What forms of added value generated by CILs have the most potential for benefiting society? Results indicate that during 2020s it is expected that CILs will play a significant role in designing the local, regional or country innovation agenda. Also, they are expected to establish networks of people and multi-disciplinary teams that can address various societal challenges, while aiming at catalysing deeper, more sustainable and more creative approaches to systemic change. In addition to reinforcing the conceptualisation of a HEI-based CIL, the research results indicate understandings of the role and priorities of HEIs in CILs. This, then, leaves open how a CIL can manifest across and within communities when operationalized through this developing management framework. The ongoing process of shaping the effective CIL governance and HEI collaboration calls for dialogue, exploration and pilot solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an increasing demand from society towards higher education institutions (HEIs) to contribute to the development of local communities in which they are embedded through responsible (social) innovation actions. Redesigning thoughtfully the relationship between HEIs, the public sector, diverse private actors and NGOs is paramount. The goal is to create a connected governance structure that enables coherent innovation actions by diverse actors in accordance with co-creation principles and collective intelligence. A response to this call for action from academic stance are so called community innovation labs (CILs). This paper gives an overview of the CIL concept and framework and reports first experiences on running CIL projects. Drawing on the existing literature on community innovation labs as well as experiments and projects run by a business school CIL from Romania, the paper identifies the key elements of the management framework for running a CIL. The paper also makes recommendations regarding how such an experimental setting can be used in higher education business and management studies for generating solutions to sustainability problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has created an un-precedent crisis for SMEs and challenged each single enterprise to reconsider its business operations and to adapt to the new unexpected circumstances. The present paper aims to explore the resilience measures that the micro and small enterprises in Romania can consider to dealing with the disruptions caused by the pandemic. A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from a sample of micro and small enterprises operating in the central part of the country. An exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify underlying variables that explain the pattern of correlations between the resilience measures for enterprises, which help them cope with the pandemic effects. There are seventeen resilience measures to the pandemic included in the analysis and further tested in the paper. In addition, a multiple linear regression was conducted to determine which of the resilience measures has the most impact on the enterprises' overcoming illness. The results show that in order for the micro and small enterprises to better cope with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic they should demonstrate, on the first place, openness to production innovation and adaptation and ensure a strong support for customers and communities. On the second place, efforts should be directed toward ensuring efficiency of their internal operational management and worker protection. While there exist external circumstances that lead enterprises to adopt several resilience measures to better respond to the pandemic, the motivations that are most relevant in this decision are generally internal in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of governmental funding accompanied by an increase in the demand for social services have urged the universities to rethink their mission and their position on the market. The paper aims to investigate the dimensions of social impact of university entrepreneurship building on recent studies on the social mission of higher education. The existence of several dimensions in academia is tested by using a sample of twelve universities from Romania which rank first in terms of quality and academic results. A comparison is made between the ways in which the dimensions appear in the discourses of the universities to establish if the discourse is unaltered of variable. The examination reveals that the degree of social orientation differs among universities, some relying more on the activity of their student associations to promote social change, whereas others take the matters in their own hands and implement social projects based on European funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper highlights the most popular topics in social innovation research identified in the scientific literature, trying to emphasize the dimensions of the concept and its links with adjacent notions. The paper quantifies the frequency with which social innovation is addressed in the literature and then critically analyses its most debated aspects. The research is based on a literature review of the articles indexed in Thomson Reuters ISI Web of Knowledge during the period 1966-2014. Social innovation as a field of research is rather new but in the last ten years it has gained an amazing popularity among scholars, particularly with respect to pressing social issues like poor education, poverty, hunger, illness or social injustice. It is obvious why this field is more present in research, as social problems that affect a large number of populations are significant and their impact could be scaled and measured appropriately. The paper is meant to help academics and research scholars advance research in the social innovation field, by building on existing streams of research presented in the current paper, which need further investigation. As such, the findings of the paper will have a theoretical applicability and implication in what regards the understanding of the concept of social innovation, as well as its content and links with other related terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In any national economy entrepreneurial entry serves to transform and revitalize markets and industries, thereby enhancing their competitiveness. Existing empirical research suggests that the pre-entry knowledge of the market and the entrepreneur's prior practical and managerial experience will influence the new venture's chances of survival and its future growth. The current paper emphasizes the key role that the entrepreneur has on the market entry as this entry influences business survival, growth or exit. In the paper we seek to better understand the relationship between the pre-entry knowledge and experience and the new venture's success, by performing an in-depth analysis of the specialized literature. We argue that the pre-entry knowledge should be assessed against three key perspectives: (1) personal characteristics of the entrepreneur, (2) knowledge about the business activity, the market and the industry, and (3) resources at entrepreneur disposal. Also, the pre-entry experience can contribute to development of three categories of skills in an entrepreneur, such as: (1) functional skills - ability to perform various managerial functions, (2) relational skills - ability to work with external actors, and (3) resource management skills - ability to effectively identify and allocate scarce resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper summarizes the main challenges that the Romanian higher education will be facing during the years to come, in terms of its responsibilities for both the individual development and community evolvement. These challenges are revealed as gaps against the European and international tertiary education system, but also as opportunities as well as threats. In addition, the article explores the changing factors that shape the future of higher education in Romania, with a focus on those factors that build the entrepreneurial process throughout the university and sustain its performance on long term. By using the expertise provided by a team of knowledgeable experts from academia, government and various business fields, we explore the future provocations that universities should address in order for them to be sustainable and increase their impact on local or regional community; furthermore, we discuss the key driving factors that shape the future of educational market in Romania as well as influence the labour market trends. The changing factors addressed in the paper were determined based on a PESTEL analysis conducted for higher education by an interdisciplinary team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]