This paper introduces a comprehensive maturity assessment framework for public sector data governance, aimed at supporting governments in building future-ready institutions. Grounded in institutional theory, sociotechnical systems thinking, and public value theory, the framework spans five pillars: governance and institutions, data and knowledge value creation, infrastructure and standards, trust and security, and digital preparedness and soft skills. Drawing on global models (DAMA DMBOK2, OECD, World Bank), it provides a structured, context-sensitive diagnostic tool to identify institutional strengths, gaps, and reform priorities. Certain elements of the framework were piloted in Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Kosovo using a mixed-methods approach, revealing that public sector data governance generally remains at a nascent to emerging stage, with notable progress in data protection and trust, but persistent weaknesses in foundational infrastructure and skills. The results highlight the importance of institutional ownership, regular assessments, and alignment with broader digital transformation and AI governance goals. The paper proposes an expanded model with 36 sub-components, incorporating emerging needs such as AI literacy, ontologies, and cloud computing. It positions data governance not as a technical exercise but as a strategic imperative for public value creation, accountability, and resilience in an increasingly data-driven world.
Gender equality is a pressing issue on the agenda of many countries. Climate change is a global problem that cannot be solved without joint efforts. In Moldova, the problem of climate change is particularly acute, as the country is agrarian. Over the past six years, every second year, due to climate cataclysms, the volume of agricultural production has fallen. First of all, crop production volumes declined by an average of 30% in 2020, 2022, and 2024. On the other hand, Moldova strives to mitigate gender inequality, which manifests itself in various spheres of life (economy, health care, participation in decision-making bodies). This study tests the hypothesis about the impact of climate change on gender vulnerability. The authors suggest that in Moldova, climate change is exacerbating existing gender vulnerability, widening gender gaps in income, employment, poverty, and political participation. The research methodology is based on correlation analysis of publicly available data from the National Bureau of Statistics. The novelty of this study lies in the development of the Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI), consisting of six sub-indices that reflect the gender gap in income, employment, absolute poverty level, life expectancy at birth, representation in Parliament, and ministerial positions. The results of the study showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between climate change and the level of gender vulnerability. Gender gaps in employment and income exert the most significant impact on the GVI. These two indicators reflect women's limited opportunities in the labor market and wages compared to men, and their value has been higher in the last five years than in the previous period. The developed equations of multiple linear regression not only confirmed the proposed hypothesis but also proved that to mitigate gender vulnerability, it is necessary to promote strategies and programs aimed at reducing female unemployment and increasing the level of women's education.
This article explores recent developments and key factors influencing gender equity in Moldova from 2015 to 2024, set against a backdrop of institutional reforms, international pressures, and internal cultural resistance. Based on data analysis from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), conducted in 2015 and 2024, the author offers a comprehensive overview of the dynamics of gender relations, starting with the theoretical distinction between equality and equity and employing an intersectional sociological approach. Using a multi-theoretical framework - comprising gender role theory, family decision-making theory, social change theory, and institutional theory - the article highlights substantial progress in strengthening the legislative framework, promoting female leadership, and enhancing the flexibility of family policies in Moldova. The analysis examines the interconnectedness of cultural norms, institutional processes, and civil society initiatives, exploring both the advances made and the ongoing systemic resistances. The findings show positive progress in gender equity but also reveal ongoing structural challenges: deeply rooted gender stereotypes and economic inequalities. They also offer opportunities for developing evidence-based programmes on gender equality and guidelines for designing public awareness campaigns.
The purpose of this research is to analyse the influence of the financial indicators Return on Equity, Leverage, Liquidity, size on intangibility degree of companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB). The intangibility degree is important because it signals the existence of valuable intangible resources that are not quantified by traditional accounting, but which contribute significantly to the market value and growth potential of the company. The intangibility degree has been determined in this paper using Tobin's Q ratio, determined as the ratio between the market value of companies and the total replacement cost of their assets. This was achieved through a literature review. It was used to identify the financial indicators recommended by various researchers as determinants of the intangibility degree, as well as the working hypotheses of the paper. Another objective of the paper was to create an econometric multiple linear regression model to explain the influence of the previously selected financial indicators on the intangibility degree of companies listed on the BVB. The results obtained show that the Sig. value for the variables Return on Equity, Leverage, Liquidity is lower than the statistical threshold of 0.05, which reveals their positive influence on the intangibility degree, while size does not influence this degree because the Sig. value exceeds the mentioned threshold. We believe that the results of this paper can support companies that have as a strategy to increase the intangibility degree by maximising the influence of the variables that contribute to this increase.
Demographic transformation is a defining global trend, and Moldova is undergoing profound structural shifts that reflect this broader pattern. The country's population is shrinking, aging, becoming more educated, and more economically active - trends that carry wide-ranging implications for public policy, economic resilience, and longterm development. This paper analyzes how these demographic changes will affect the future demand for critical services and infrastructure by 2050. Using scenario-based population projections, the study estimates populationbased demand across four key sectors: education, health, social protection, and physical infrastructure. The analysis distinguishes between a baseline scenario, where current population-to-infrastructure or population-to-service ratios are maintained, and a continued development scenario, where the ratios improve over time. The results reveal that demographic decline creates opportunities to enhance efficiency in sectors like education and housing, while also generating pressure to restructure services in health care and social protection due to population aging. The study highlights the importance of 'demographic resilience' as a policy framework - defined as a society's capacity to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to demographic change through strategic planning and human capital investment. By integrating demographic evidence into cross-sectoral policymaking, Moldova can best position itself for achieving lasting demographic resilience. This study advances the concept of demographic resilience by demonstrating how strategic investment in human capital can offset the challenges of population decline and aging.
