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Adopting Sustainability and Digital Transformation in Business in Romania: A Multifaceted Approach in the Context of the Just Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Florina Pinzaru

    (National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Alina Mihaela Dima

    (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)

  • Alexandra Zbuchea

    (National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Zoltan Veres

    (Pannonia University, Veszprem, Hungary)

Abstract

This study investigates the many facets of sustainability and digital transformation in business in the context of the fair transition, which will generate multiple challenges and opportunities for companies in various industries. In such a context, a solution to increase resilience and adapt to the fair transition can be identified in the lessons learned by companies due to the application of sustainability and digitization and by understanding the various elements underlying these dimensions. Thus, in order to identify the various elements of this complex framework in practice, based on a semi-structured narrative review of the literature and quantitative analysis, exploring aspects such as the reasons and catalyst factors of the adoption of sustainability and digitalization in companies, the interpenetration of the two concepts in the practice of companies (in production, innovation, customer relationship, logistics, etc.), as well as the associated opportunities and challenges. The research bridges a gap in the academic literature, highlighting the relationships between the digital transformation of business and the adoption of sustainability in companies as a conducive basis for responding to the challenges of the just transition. The analysis details the dimensions of sustainability and digital transition in business in an exploratory model made using structural equations through SmartPLS software applied based on a quantitative study to which 154 professionals, executives, and managers, responded, from local and multinational companies, in different fields of activity. The results obtained after processing 128 valid answers out of the initial 154 are relevant both for the theoretical understanding of the challenges and the practical benefits associated with the digital transformation of business in the context of the development of sustainability strategies. Future lines of investigation are also highlighted.

Suggested Citation

  • Florina Pinzaru & Alina Mihaela Dima & Alexandra Zbuchea & Zoltan Veres, 2022. "Adopting Sustainability and Digital Transformation in Business in Romania: A Multifaceted Approach in the Context of the Just Transition," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(59), pages 1-28.
    • Handle: RePEc:aes:amfeco:v:24:y:2022:i:59:p:28
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    2. Florina Pînzaru & Adina Săniuță & Bianca Roxana Sălăgeanu, 2022. "Managing innovation for sustainability in public administration: the challenges of capacity-building," Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania. Modern Management Systems, Military University of Technology, Faculty of Security, Logistics and Management, Institute of Organization and Management, issue 3, pages 65-80.
    3. Lazar Mihai-Alin & Zbuchea Alexandra & Pînzaru Florina, 2023. "The Emerging Generation Z Workforce in the Digital World: A Literature Review on Cooperation and Transformation," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 1991-2001, July.
    4. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Luiela Magdalena Csorba & Florin-Lucian Isac & Sergiu Rusu, 2023. "Managing Sustainable Sharing Economy Platforms: A Stimulus–Organism–Response Based Structural Equation Modelling on an Emerging Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
    5. Paul Stefan MARKOVITS, 2024. "Assesing Romanian Farmers’ Motivation For Digitalization: A Unified Theory Of Acceptance And Usage Of Technology (Utaut) Based Research Model," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 98-112, March.
    6. Rafael Martínez-Peláez & Alberto Ochoa-Brust & Solange Rivera & Vanessa G. Félix & Rodolfo Ostos & Héctor Brito & Ramón A. Félix & Luis J. Mena, 2023. "Role of Digital Transformation for Achieving Sustainability: Mediated Role of Stakeholders, Key Capabilities, and Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-27, July.
    7. Tong Tang & Chun-Ai Ma & Heng-Yu Lv & Fu-Ying Hao, 2023. "The Effect of Corporate Resource Abundance on the Transformation and Upgrading of Manufacturing Enterprises from the Perspective of Whole Process Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-31, July.
    8. Shizhong Peng & Haoran Peng & Shirong Pan & Jun Wu, 2023. "Digital Transformation, Green Innovation, and Pollution Abatement: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    9. Tiberiu Foris & Alina Simona Tecău & Camelia-Cristina Dragomir & Diana Foris, 2022. "The Start-Up Manager in Times of Crisis: Challenges and Solutions for Increasing the Resilience of Companies and Sustainable Reconstruction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, July.
    10. Paul Stefan Markovits, 2023. "Digital Transformation of Agriculture in Romania: A Change Management Perspective," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 282-291, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sustainability in business; digital transformation; just transition; structural equations; SmartPLS;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L19 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Other
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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