IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/prg/jnlcbr/v2023y2023i4id333p77-103.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Digitalization and Platformization in Romania Based on the Digital Platform Economy Index 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Apostol

Abstract

This article examines the Romanian digital platform economy. In particular, it discusses how this novel paradigm could help Romania adapt to new technological and structural conditions and participate in the upcoming industrial-digital revolution. It intends to investigate the bottlenecks in the country's platform economy. Moreover, it compares the health of the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem with that of neighbouring countries. So that Romania may achieve sustainable growth, it suggests ways to enhance the platform economy framework. The methodology and data analysed in the study are based on the Digital Platform Economy Index 2020. It combines 61 indicators from different sources in 24 variables, twelve for the digital environment and twelve for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These variables comprise the twelve pillars. Providing a basis for comparison, they are a crucial component of the model. Lastly, the four sub-indices and the main super-index are calculated. Platform economies such as Romania lack technology transfer, financial facilitation and digital literacy, according to the research. Demand side issues, such as fewer companies operating online and utilizing cloud technologies and low consumer online purchases, inhibit the introduction of new online businesses and technologies. Digitalization of industrial processes is not a trend in Eastern European countries. It is important to note that the study is limited by using macro-level indicators. With no platform-specific examples, it generalizes the concept of the digital economy. As a study topic, the digital platform economy presented in this article is an emerging field of research. Implications for Central European audience: This article identifies the bottlenecks in the digital platform economy in Central and Eastern European countries. Particularly, it emphasizes the necessity to improve digital literacy, the number of multi-sided platforms networking, as well as technological transfer pillars of the platform economy. It also compares several cross-country dimensions of the digital platform economy. The author theoretically proves the importance of changing business models and embracing digitization in order to move towards a platform economy. In addition to describing what platform economies are and what they are not, the article also discusses how platforms can be combined with traditional firms to maintain a constant economic growth rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Apostol, 2023. "Digitalization and Platformization in Romania Based on the Digital Platform Economy Index 2020," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(4), pages 77-103.
    • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlcbr:v:2023:y:2023:i:4:id:333:p:77-103
    DOI: 10.18267/j.cebr.333
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://cebr.vse.cz/doi/10.18267/j.cebr.333.html
    Download Restriction: free of charge
    File URL: http://cebr.vse.cz/doi/10.18267/j.cebr.333.pdf
    Download Restriction: free of charge
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.18267/j.cebr.333?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zoltán J. Ács & László Szerb & Esteban Lafuente & Ainsley Lloyd, 2018. "The Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index," SpringerBriefs in Economics, in: Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index 2018, chapter 0, pages 21-37, Springer.
    2. Bernd Wurth & Erik Stam & Ben Spigel, 2022. "Toward an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research Program," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(3), pages 729-778, May.
    3. Marc Rysman, 2009. "The Economics of Two-Sided Markets," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 23(3), pages 125-143, Summer.
    4. Zoltán J. Ács & Erkko Autio & László Szerb, 2015. "National Systems of Entrepreneurship: Measurement issues and policy implications," Chapters, in: Global Entrepreneurship, Institutions and Incentives, chapter 28, pages 523-541, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Jean-Charles Rochet & Jean Tirole, 2003. "Platform Competition in Two-Sided Markets," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 1(4), pages 990-1029, June.
    6. Zoltan J. Acs & Abraham K. Song & László Szerb & David B. Audretsch & Éva Komlósi, 2021. "The evolution of the global digital platform economy: 1971–2021," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1629-1659, December.
    7. Zoltán J. Ács & Pontus Braunerhjelm & David B. Audretsch & Bo Carlsson, 2015. "The knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship," Chapters, in: Global Entrepreneurship, Institutions and Incentives, chapter 7, pages 129-144, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Steinfeld, Edward S., 2004. "China's Shallow Integration: Networked Production and the New Challenges for Late Industrialization," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(11), pages 1971-1987, November.
    9. Carlota Perez, 2010. "Technological revolutions and techno-economic paradigms," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 34(1), pages 185-202, January.
    10. Esteban Lafuente & László Szerb & Zoltan J. Acs, 2016. "Country level efficiency and national systems of entrepreneurship: a data envelopment analysis approach," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(6), pages 1260-1283, December.
    11. North, Douglass C., 1971. "Institutional Change and Economic Growth," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 31(1), pages 118-125, March.
    12. Pritika Reddy & Bibhya Sharma & Kaylash Chaudhary, 2020. "Digital Literacy: A Review of Literature," International Journal of Technoethics (IJT), IGI Global, vol. 11(2), pages 65-94, July.
    13. Mariusz Próchniak, 2011. "Determinants of economic growth in Central and Eastern Europe: the global crisis perspective," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(4), pages 449-468, May.
    14. Abraham K. Song, 2019. "The Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem—a critique and reconfiguration," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 569-590, October.
    15. Ullah, Barkat, 2020. "Financial constraints, corruption, and SME growth in transition economies," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 120-132.
    16. Helfat, Constance E. & Raubitschek, Ruth S., 2018. "Dynamic and integrative capabilities for profiting from innovation in digital platform-based ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1391-1399.
    17. László Szerb & Esteban Lafuente & Krisztina Horváth & Balázs Páger, 2019. "The relevance of quantity and quality entrepreneurship for regional performance: the moderating role of the entrepreneurial ecosystem," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(9), pages 1308-1320, September.
    18. László Szerb & Eva Somogyine Komlosi & Zoltan J. Acs & Esteban Lafuente & Abraham K. Song, 2022. "The Digital Platform Economy Index: Country Rankings and Clustering," SpringerBriefs in Economics, in: The Digital Platform Economy Index 2020, chapter 0, pages 19-29, Springer.
    19. Fiona Sussan & Zoltan J. Acs, 2017. "The digital entrepreneurial ecosystem," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 55-73, June.
    20. Bart Hobijn & Boyan Jovanovic, 2001. "The Information-Technology Revolution and the Stock Market: Evidence," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(5), pages 1203-1220, December.
    21. László Szerb & Eva Somogyine Komlosi & Zoltan J. Acs & Esteban Lafuente & Abraham K. Song, 2022. "The Digital Platform Economy Index 2020," SpringerBriefs in Economics, Springer, number 978-3-030-89651-5, June.
    22. Zoltan J. Acs & László Szerb & Ainsley Lloyd, 2017. "Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index 2017," SpringerBriefs in Economics, Springer, number 978-3-319-65903-9, June.
    23. Zoltan Acs & László Szerb & Erkko Autio, 2017. "Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index 2016," SpringerBriefs in Economics, Springer, number 978-3-319-63844-7, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zoltan J. Acs, 2023. "The global digital platform economy and the region," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 70(1), pages 101-133, February.
    2. Zoltan J. Acs & Abraham K. Song & László Szerb & David B. Audretsch & Éva Komlósi, 2021. "The evolution of the global digital platform economy: 1971–2021," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1629-1659, December.
    3. Pindado, Emilio & Sánchez, Mercedes & García Martínez, Marian, 2023. "Entrepreneurial innovativeness: When too little or too much agglomeration hurts," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(1).
    4. Shi, Xianwei & Liang, Xingkun & Luo, Yining, 2023. "Unpacking the intellectual structure of ecosystem research in innovation studies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(6).
    5. Byambasuren Dorjnyambuu, 2023. "Estonian Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Based on Digital Platform Economy Index 2020," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(2), pages 347-375, July.
    6. David B. Audretsch, 2021. "The Legacy of Zoltan J. Acs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1623-1628, December.
    7. Abraham K. Song, 2019. "The Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem—a critique and reconfiguration," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 569-590, October.
    8. Chaudhary, Sanjay & Kaur, Puneet & Ferraris, Alberto & Bresciani, Stefano & Dhir, Amandeep, 2024. "Connecting entrepreneurial ecosystem and innovation. Grasping at straws or hitting a home run?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    9. Dorine Cornet & Jean Bonnet & Sébastien Bourdin, 2023. "Digital entrepreneurship indicator (DEI): an analysis of the case of the greater Paris metropolitan area," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 71(3), pages 697-724, December.
    10. Jean-Michel Sahut & Luca Iandoli & Frédéric Teulon, 2021. "The age of digital entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1159-1169, February.
    11. Zoltan J. Acs & Saul Estrin & Tomasz Mickiewicz & László Szerb, 2018. "Entrepreneurship, institutional economics, and economic growth: an ecosystem perspective," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 51(2), pages 501-514, August.
    12. Thorsten Lammers & Dilek Cetindamar & Maren Borkert, 2021. "A Digital Tale of Two Cities—Observing the Dynamics of the Artificial Intelligence Ecosystems in Berlin and Sydney," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-19, September.
    13. Szerb, László & Varga, Attila & Sebestyén, Tamás & Szabó, Norbert, 2024. "A vállalkozói ökoszisztémát fejlesztő szakpolitikák regionális hatásának elemzése az EU három országában [Assessing the regional impacts of policies to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems in three E," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(11), pages 1141-1175.
    14. Alexandre Lado & Ignacio Castro-Abancens & Ana M. Moreno-Menéndez & José C. Casillas, 2024. "Traditional and digital entrepreneurial ecosystems: a framework of differences and similarities," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    15. Mohamed Abouelhassan Ali & Moaaz Kabil & Rahaf Alayan & Róbert Magda & Lóránt Dénes Dávid, 2021. "Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Performance in Egypt: An Empirical Study Based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-22, June.
    16. Zoltán J. Acs & David B. Audretsch & Erik E. Lehmann & Georg Licht, 2016. "National systems of entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 527-535, April.
    17. Ganira Ibrahimova & Petra Moog, 2023. "Colonialism versus independence—the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Azerbaijan over time," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 1289-1336, October.
    18. Kristian Kremer, 2019. "The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Country Comparison Based on the GEI Approach," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 17(02), pages 52-62, August.
    19. Erkko Autio & Laszlo Szerb & Eva Komlosi & Monika Tiszberger, 2018. "The European Index of Digital Entrepreneurship Systems," JRC Research Reports JRC112439, Joint Research Centre.
    20. Haifeng Qian & Zoltan J. Acs, 2023. "Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Economic Development Policy," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 37(1), pages 96-102, February.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    platform economy; digitalization; entrepreneurship; ecosystem;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • N70 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • P27 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Performance and Prospects

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:prg:jnlcbr:v:2023:y:2023:i:4:id:333:p:77-103. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Stanislav Vojir (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/uevsecz.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.