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Social and Environmental Considerations within the IT Sector: Evidence from Romanian Start-Ups

Author

Listed:
  • Irina-Eugenia Iamandi
  • Laura Gabriela Constantin
  • Bogdan Cernat-Gruici

Abstract

The research purpose of the present paper is to investigate the nature and depth of integrating social and environmental requirements into daily economic activities of Romanian start-ups from technology and Internet-related business sectors. As such, more than 150 already launched start-ups in Romania were analysed according to their economic, social and environmental scopes, on a scale quantifying their involvement degree. The results emphasize that, although economically-driven in most of the cases, the technology and Internet-related start-ups in Romania are increasingly considering the social and environmental concerns. This finding refers to the strategic inclusion of the sustainability requirements in their object of activity and inner core of their business, and not to mere corporate social responsibility (CSR) pursuits. The conclusion emphasizes a new business pattern implemented by Romanian start-ups in the technology, information and Internet-related domains, where economic, social and environmental requirements are considered together when the corporate business strategy is formulated on the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Irina-Eugenia Iamandi & Laura Gabriela Constantin & Bogdan Cernat-Gruici, 2016. "Social and Environmental Considerations within the IT Sector: Evidence from Romanian Start-Ups," Romanian Economic Journal, Department of International Business and Economics from the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, vol. 19(62), pages 73-94, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rej:journl:v:19:y:2016:i:62:p:73-94
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cristian Valentin Hapenciuc & Florina Pînzaru & Elena-Madalina Vatamanescu & Pavel Stanciu, 2015. "Converging Sustainable Entrepreneurship and the Contemporary Marketing Practices. An Insight into Romanian Start-Ups," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 17(40), pages 938-938, August.
    2. Jose Luis Retolaza & Maite Ruiz & Leire San‐Jose, 2009. "CSR in business start‐ups: an application method for stakeholder engagement," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(6), pages 324-336, November.
    3. Mirvis, Philip & Herrera, Maria Elena Baltazar & Googins, Bradley & Albareda, Laura, 2016. "Corporate social innovation: How firms learn to innovate for the greater good," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(11), pages 5014-5021.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Romanian start-ups; entrepreneurship; social and environmental concerns; IT&C sector; online business;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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