Health and spa tourism is a rapidly growing sector that merges traditional healing with modern innovations to meet increasingly diverse client needs. Understanding professionals' perspectives is crucial for developing sustainable strategies that enhance service quality, organizational performance, and long-term business viability. Drawing on qualitative narrative analysis and thematic network analysis, this study explores the key factors that spa tourism professionals in B & abreve;ile Felix-the largest spa resort in Romania-associate with business success, competitive differentiation, and sustainable development. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 41 entrepreneurs and managers who provided detailed narratives on their strategic goals and market positioning. Rather than measuring customer psychological constructs directly, this study captures professionals' expert attributions regarding service quality, staff professionalism, infrastructure investment, and economic objectives, and interprets these as managerial perceptions grounded in operational experience. Five research propositions guided the interpretive analysis: (P1) professionals narratively associate service quality and treatment diversity with perceived business performance and guest retention signals; (P2) staff professionalism and attitude are attributed as the primary drivers of competitive differentiation; (P3) infrastructure investment and innovation are framed as prerequisites for sustaining market positioning; (P4) the identified themes form a structurally interconnected network with key bridging nodes; and (P5) professional narratives reveal tensions between short-term economic objectives and longer-term commitments to service quality and sustainability. Thematic network analysis identified four central constructs-service quality and treatment diversity, staff professionalism and attitude, innovation and infrastructure investment, and economic and development objectives-and mapped 16 interconnected sub-themes, with modularity analysis (Q = 0.42) confirming a moderately cohesive structure. Sustainable innovation was operationalized across environmental efficiency, social value, and economic resilience dimensions, and found to be embedded systemically across multiple thematic clusters rather than treated as an isolated practice. The originality of this study lies in integrating narrative and thematic network analysis to reveal how these constructs co-evolve within a sustainability-oriented system, offering a novel methodological lens for spa tourism research in post-transitional Central and Eastern European contexts. Findings provide actionable insights for spa managers, policymakers, and investors seeking to balance modernization with tradition in resource-constrained destinations.

In the context of accelerated digital transformation, understanding the factors that stimulate entrepreneurship at the European level has become a strategic priority. This study investigates the impact of digital infrastructure and human capital on new business density in the European Union, testing the hypothesis that these determinants operate differently depending on countries’ innovation stage. The analysis is grounded in a balanced panel dataset covering 26 EU member states over the period 2010–2023, grouped into four innovation clusters according to the European Innovation Scoreboard. Empirical analysis adopts a dual econometric approach. Static relationships are estimated using a Panel EGLS framework with cross-section SUR weights to capture short-run correlations and cross-country interdependence. Dynamic relationships are examined through a Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model estimated via the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) method, allowing for the identification of long-run equilibrium effects and adjustment dynamics while accounting for structural heterogeneity. Results show substantial cross-cluster heterogeneity. For Moderate Innovators, primarily located in Southern and Central Europe, digital infrastructure acts as a clear catalyst for entrepreneurship, exerting positive effects on new business density in both the short and long run. In contrast, for Strong Innovators, digitalization displays a more complex temporal pattern, with short-run effects dominated by implementation and adjustment costs, while long-run benefits materialize as productivity gains. The analysis shows that tertiary education supports entrepreneurial entry in the short run, while its long-run effect becomes negative, reflecting rising opportunity costs and the increasing absorption of skilled labor into corporate employment. While emerging economies benefit directly from investments in digital infrastructure, mature economies require structural interventions to reduce market rigidities and better align human capital with entrepreneurial activity.

New ventures pursuing sustainability face a persistent tension between mission and financial viability, yet the behavioral and cognitive factors associated with dual performance in this context remain poorly understood. This study aims to examine whether social and green entrepreneurial orientations are associated with financial and SDG-aligned performance through entrepreneurial bricolage and green creativity, with paradox mindset as a boundary condition. Drawing on paradox theory, survey data from 323 new-venture founders in China were analyzed using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS 4, supplemented by Hayes’ PROCESS macro for conditional indirect effects. Six control variables were included; none significantly predicted either outcome. Results confirm that both orientations are significantly associated with bricolage and green creativity. Bricolage is positively associated with both financial and SDG-aligned performance, while green creativity is significantly associated only with SDG-aligned performance, where its contribution is statistically comparable to that of bricolage. Formal moderated mediation testing confirms that paradox mindset amplifies most orientation-to-mechanism pathways, with the exception of the SEO-to-bricolage relationship, where resource recombination appears to operate as a structural necessity independent of cognitive disposition. Because the study measures the two performance domains rather than founders’ experienced tension, the paradox serves as the motivating theoretical lens rather than a directly tested construct. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. The study extends paradox theory into sustainable entrepreneurship and offers actionable guidance for founders and policymakers seeking to support new ventures in pursuing both financial viability and SDG contribution.

Entrepreneurship education has become a strategic priority for higher education institutions (HEIs), responding to the growing demand for innovation, adaptability, and value creation among graduates. This paper investigates how 14 universities from 13 European countries evaluate the impact of their entrepreneurship education programs, aiming to identify effective practices and institutional strategies. To explore evaluation practices, our research employs a dual qualitative methodology - content analysis and thematic analysis - applied to institutional reports submitted through the HEInnovate initiative. Data collection focused on three core dimensions: evaluation methods, impact indicators, and educational outcomes. Specific attention was given to formative and summative assessments, student self-evaluation, peer feedback, and strategic tools aligned with institutional goals, also considering indicators such as entrepreneurial intention, competency development, startup creation, and integration into entrepreneurial ecosystems. Our findings reveal a diverse range of evaluation approaches, highlighting both informal feedback mechanisms and structured strategic frameworks. The study underscores the importance of extracurricular activities and stakeholder collaboration in reinforcing entrepreneurial behavior and practical skill acquisition. The research contributes to the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurship education and calls for coherent, standardized evaluation models, emphasizing that effective impact assessment is essential for improving program relevance, institutional accountability, and alignment with societal and economic needs.

The relationship between economic growth, most commonly measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the rate of business creation is central to understanding how new businesses contribute to economic development and how economic conditions influence entrepreneurial activities. The literature emphasizes the significant role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in economic growth, highlighting the importance of the type of entrepreneurship (opportunity or necessity), the economic context, the role of support measures, and entrepreneurial education. New businesses contribute to innovation, productivity, and job creation but the quality and intensity of these contributions significantly varies across regions. Countries and regional disparities affect the rate of business creation and economic growth. Moreover, innovative regions demonstrate greater resilience to economic crises and can rapidly resume economic growth and diversification . In this research, we set out to identify a unidirectional or bidirectional long-term and short-term relationship between GDP variables and the rate of establishment of companies at the level of Romania, respectively at the component development region, based on the statistical data available for the period 2006-2021. We found a long-term relationship between GDP and the establishment rate of companies in Romania and most of the component regions. This relationship is not statistically significant in the short term. While the rate of new firm establishment does impact economic growth in certain areas over the short and long term, our findings indicate that economic growth more significantly influences the establishment of new firms in the long term. However, the varied results suggest that further analysis is needed.

Cultural and event tourism plays a key role in the global tourism industry, contributing significantly to national, regional, and cross-border development strategies. It attracts visitors interested in cultural heritage, artistic events, and local traditions, supporting the preservation and promotion of local identity. Assessing cultural tourist flows become essential to understand their economic and social impact, and this article proposes an integrated methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, including data collection on cultural events, participant estimation, economic analysis, satisfaction assessment, data visualization, reporting, and continuous monitoring. The proposed model ensures a comprehensive evaluation of cultural tourist flows and supports the sustainable development of cultural tourism. Its relevance is both theoretical and applied: it offers a conceptual and analytical framework for studying this complex phenomenon, but also, it provides useful insights for decision-makers and stakeholders involved in tourism development, helping to design effective policies and strategies for promoting and managing cultural tourism. The novelty of the research lies in the proposal of a detailed and integrated methodology tailored to the specific challenges of evaluating cultural tourism, aiming to improve data accuracy, strategic planning, and long-term sustainability.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-facilitated leadership on team member productivity. To realize this goal, a quantitative methodological design based on positivism was used to investigate the systematic impact of AI-empowered leadership practices on teamwork dynamics and performance determinants. A survey consisting of different cadres, i.e., 308 lower, middle, and top-level managers, as well as team members from different fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms, was conducted. The outcome indicated a strong and positive connection between AI-backed leadership and team efficiency through a good big data culture. The findings emphasize the transformative impact of AI on leadership positions within the FMCG industry, implying that companies that manage to successfully infuse AI while nurturing a culture based on data can increase their competitiveness, as well. This information is crucial for FMCG firms aiming at utilizing AI and big data to improve team performance and ultimately achieve organizational success.

The management of cultural tourist flows is crucial for maximizing the economic and social benefits of cultural tourism while preserving heritage. This research compares management practices from Japan, Italy, and Morocco to identify similarities and differences and transfer know-how to improve the efficiency and sustainability of cultural tourism in Romania. The methodology is based on comparative management principles, analysing the cultural context, identifying and adapting good practices, and transferring managerial know-how through selected case studies. Thus, these case studies include integrating contemporary art into natural landscapes, combining cultural heritage with culinary experiences and picturesque landscapes, and focusing on urban regeneration and heritage conservation. The results of our research highlight various approaches to managing cultural tourist flows, emphasizing heritage conservation and creating authentic experiences, and propose a conceptual model that can be replicated in different cultural-tourism contexts, showcasing similarities and differences in managerial approaches and offering suggestions for improving cultural tourism management at national and regional/local levels. The originality of our paper lies in integrating a conceptual model for the comparative management of cultural tourist flows, applicable in various cultural contexts, and emphasizing an integrated and collaborative approach.

This paper explores the role of crowdfunding in the financing of small and innovative companies, highlighting its importance in filling the gap of traditional financing and in stimulating innovation, challenges particularly visible after the financial crisis of 2008. The main objective is to identify the factors that contribute to the success of crowdfunding campaigns for innovative SMEs. We did this mainly by reviewing the existing literature and then by an assessment of the critical factors for the success of crowdfunding campaigns, such as the quality of the project presentation, the use of social networks, the involvement of qualified investors and the setting of realistic funding goals, but also stressing the importance of a constant communication and post-campaign support. The results show that the success of crowdfunding campaigns depends on a harmonious combination between the attractive presentation of the project, the active involvement of supporters and effective marketing strategies. We have also identified the main vulnerabilities in the financing of innovative companies and projects, such as financial risks or lack of transparency, which can be mitigated through a rigorous planning of the stages or the protection of intellectual property. The usefulness of the research lies in offering practical recommendations for entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting the importance of transparency and trust in financing products through crowdfunding. Undoubtedly, crowdfunding has significant potential to support innovation and economic growth, but its success depends on a number of interrelated factors. As this type of funding continues to develop and mature, further research is needed to fully understand its impact on innovation and entrepreneurship.

This study investigates the relationship between economic growth, as measured by GDP per capita, and various innovation indicators across 24 European countries. Employing the PMG-ARDL model, the research examines both short-run and long-run interactions between GDP per capita and innovation inputs, including research and development expenditure (RDEXP) and the number of researchers in R&D (RRD), as well as outputs such as patent and trademark applications. The results demonstrate that while innovation significantly influences economic growth, the impact differs according to the type of innovation and the specific economic context of each country. The results of Dumitrescu and trademarks, indicating a mutually reinforcing relationship. A unidirectional causality from GDP to non-resident patents, trademarks, R&D expenditure, and researchers is observed, suggesting that economic growth primarily drives the attraction of foreign innovation and R&D investments, rather than being driven by them.

In the context of a rapidly evolving global economy, higher education institutions are increasingly called upon to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and attitudes among students. This study explores how 14 universities from 13 European countries implement entrepreneurial education, analysing their strategies, methodologies, and institutional practices. Drawing on the HEInnovate framework developed by the European Commission and the OECD, the research employs a qualitative comparative analysis of institutional self-assessment reports to identify patterns, best practices, and challenges in fostering entrepreneurship within academia. The study focuses on three key dimensions: integration of entrepreneurship into curricula, the role of extracurricular activities, and the scope of collaborations with external stakeholders. Findings reveal a shared commitment across universities to promote entrepreneurial thinking through interactive teaching methods - such as case studies, simulations, and project-based learning - and through diverse extracurricular initiatives like business plan competitions, mentoring programs, and start-up incubators. However, significant differences emerge in terms of institutional strategies, resource allocation, and regional approaches to entrepreneurship. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of entrepreneurial universities by linking educational practices to models, offering actionable recommendations for enhancing entrepreneurial ecosystems in higher education.

In the era of digitalization and rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a decisive factor in transforming the labor market, requiring the continuous adjustment of educational competencies to prepare students for the labor market demand. This study investigates the impact of AI on educational requirements, identifying the essential competencies that educational systems and the business sector must shape to equip future professionals for AIdriven challenges and opportunities. Employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the research analyzed the survey data from a sample of 138 educators from various pre-university and university environments in Bihor county, Romania. to determine the relationships between the educational system, business sector, educational competencies, and AI career preparedness. The findings show significant influences from both sectors in shaping competencies that, in turn, affect labor market demands. This study highlights the imperative for educational systems the business sector to develop forward-thinking programs that anticipate future changes, thereby maximizing an AI-driven economy’s economic and social benefits. The results indicate that both the educational system and the business sector are integral to developing the competencies required in the AI era, with AI career preparedness exerting the greatest influence on labor market demands.

The present study explores the opportunities and challenges of cross-border cooperation (CBC) in cultural and event tourism in the north-western counties of Romania. Cross-border cultural tourism involves visiting cultural heritage sites in border regions, promoting cultural diversity, and strengthening community ties and this research highlights the positive impact of this type of tourism on economic growth, cultural events’ s visibility and infrastructure investments. The best practices from European projects and initiatives abundantly demonstrate the importance of collaboration and information exchange between communities for the sustainable development of CBC in cultural tourism. Our research in the studied has identified various and solid historical and contemporary cultural relations between Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine, underling mutual influences and artistic collaborations, common interests, but also key obstacles, including cultural and linguistic differences, varying stakeholders and objectives, underdeveloped infrastructure, and geopolitical tensions and crises that can disrupt tourism flows, creating instability and uncertainty. Additionally, different regulatory frameworks between countries complicate the coordination and implementation of cross-border projects. Our study proposes solutions to overcome these challenges, such as promoting cooperation and partnerships, developing infrastructure, managing tourism sustainably, and last but not least a consistent access to European funds. Cross-border cultural tourism has significant potential for the economic, social, and cultural development of border regions, contributing to improved quality of life and the promotion of cultural values. By addressing the identified challenges and leveraging the opportunities, regions can foster sustainable and inclusive tourism that enhances cultural exchange and overall regional development.

The investigation of the relationship between tourism, digitalization, education, and economic growth is increasingly significant in the context of sustainable development and technological transformation. This study examines the long run and short run impacts of digitalization (measured through internet usage and broadband subscriptions), education (reflected in tertiary enrollment and public expenditure), and macroeconomic factors (including GDP per capita, employment in services, and urbanization) on international tourism performance, as indicated by arrivals and receipts across clusters of European Union countries. Methodologically, the study adopts a two-stage approach. Hierarchical cluster analysis is first applied to classify European Union countries according to key tourism characteristics, followed by the estimation of panel ARDL models for each resulting cluster to examine both long-run equilibrium relationships and short-run dynamics. Employing panel ARDL models applied to four distinct groups of countries, the analysis highlights differentiated dynamics, strong long-run effects in high-income tourism economies and more pronounced short-run responsiveness in structurally varied countries. Cointegration tests affirm the existence of long-run relationships in most clusters, reinforcing the validity of an error correction framework. Therefore, the empirical findings indicate that digitalization exerts a consistently positive influence on tourism performance in the long-run, while the effects of education are more heterogeneous across clusters. In the short-run, the impact of macroeconomic variables and digital infrastructure is more pronounced, underscoring the relevance of structural and contextual factors in shaping tourism dynamics. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning digital and educational policies with tourism development strategies while considering the structural differences among regions. This research provides a comparative framework that enhances the understanding of tourism as both an economic and social phenomenon

This research investigates the factors influencing organizational participation in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically examining the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) attributes and the moderating influence of stakeholder pressure. Utilizing fuzzy-set Quantitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on a dataset of 220 Chinese firms, this study identifies that high SDG engagement arises from multiple, equally effective configurations of CEO characteristics (age, education, experience, CEOs in family and non-family firms, digital and financial literacy) and shareholder pressure as a moderator. Our research shows three distinct configurational paths towards participation in SDGs. Young–Skilled–Pressured (Path A): Younger, highly educated CEOs with strong financial and digital literacy, operating under significant stakeholder pressure, are more likely to participate in SDGs. Older–Experienced–Family–Pressured (Path B): Older, experienced family CEOs, supported by at least one form of literacy (financial or digital), and facing strong stakeholder pressure, tend to participate in SDGs. Professionalized Non-Family (Path C): Highly educated CEOs in non-family firms with robust financial and digital literacy, who are also under strong stakeholder pressure as moderators, participate in SDGs. Crucially, strong pressure from external stakeholders is found to be a near-constant prerequisite (quasi-necessary condition) for achieving high SDG participation. This study contributes to Upper Echelons Theory by demonstrating the conjunctural nature of CEO attributes in impacting strategic outcomes. It also reinforces Stakeholder Pressure Theory by confirming its critical and moderating role in driving sustainable practices. Practically, the findings suggest that boards should strategically design leadership teams and foster robust stakeholder engagement, as this external pressure is nearly always required to enhance SDG participation.

Entrepreneurial universities play a crucial role in existing economic landscape, stimulating innovation, entrepreneurial initiative and economic development. These institutions extend their traditional mission of teaching and research by integrating an entrepreneurial perspective, promoting the commercialization of research and supporting start- ups. The concept of the entrepreneurial university has evolved significantly, now including actions and initiatives that support innovation and knowledge transfer to industry and communities. Factors such as visionary leadership, institutional culture, support networks and collaborations with business and public authorities are essential for the development of these universities. For regional development, knowledge transfer and commercialization of the academic research’s outcomes, the incubators and support for new firms are also important activities promoted by these universities. While facing challenges such as funding constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, entrepreneurial universities have significant opportunities to innovate and collaborate with industry partners. Their impact on regional development is evident by creating jobs, stimulating innovation and improving the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, thus contributing to economic growth and human capital development.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-facilitated leadership on team member productivity. To realize this goal, a quantitative methodological design based on positivism was used to investigate the systematic impact of AI-empowered leadership practices on teamwork dynamics and performance determinants. A survey consisting of different cadres, i.e., 308 lower, middle, and top-level managers, as well as team members from different fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms, was conducted. The outcome indicated a strong and positive connection between AI-backed leadership and team efficiency through a good big data culture. The findings emphasize the transformative impact of AI on leadership positions within the FMCG industry, implying that companies that manage to successfully infuse AI while nurturing a culture based on data can increase their competitiveness, as well. This information is crucial for FMCG firms aiming at utilizing AI and big data to improve team performance and ultimately achieve organizational success.

Entrepreneurship education plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape by empowering the next generation of innovators and business leaders. Building a future through entrepreneurship is also recognized as a viable career option, while technical advancements and operating in a connected world open up great opportunities for doing business. However, the existence of entrepreneurship education initiatives within universities does not necessarily translate into clear entrepreneurial intentions of the Romania's economic students. Is there a gap correlated to the matrix of educational support? Is it the what or the how of learning entrepreneurship? Does digitalization and globalization truly expand students' horizons for their entrepreneurial (ad)venture? Understanding the influence of entrepreneurship education on students' entrepreneurial intentions is crucial. This research seeks to evaluate how entrepreneurship education impacts the intentions of Romanian economic students to pursue entrepreneurial careers, thus bridging educational input with entrepreneurial output.

The manufacturing sector’s carbon emissions and energy consumption is much greater than other counterparts, which needs to be remedied. To solve this issue, energy efficiency is an essential element for sustainable production in the manufacturing process. While a number of studies have examined different energy efficiency policies, no prior study has delved into their interactions. Moreover, there is a lack of studies classifying the policies based on their driving and dependence power. To fill these research gaps, this study identified twelve policies through researching literature, which were further analyzed using the ISM MICMAC approach. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was used to develop contextual relationships among identified policies, whereas cross-impact matrix multiplication was applied to classification (MICMAC) to analyze driving and dependence power. The study results reveal that “strategic planning” and “green capabilities” are the most influential policies for energy efficiency, while “green marketing” and “green production” have reduced roles in energy efficiency. The findings of this study can be used to manufacture sustainable goods and services, which can enhance overall corporate sustainability. Businesses can lessen their environmental impact while maintaining their financial sustainability through an energy efficiency scheme.

In today’s dynamic world, environmental issues are increasing alarmingly. Consequently, improving sustainability performance has become a critical priority. This study fills a significant research gap by examining the relationships between external environmental factors, organizational sustainable culture, and sustainable performance. Importantly, this study investigates the mediating role of organizational culture between external environmental factors (customer pressure, regulatory pressure, government support, environmental uncertainty) and green performance. Questionnaire data from 214 personnel from manufacturing organizations in China were collected, and Smart PLS 4.0 was used for analysis. The results reveal that all external environmental factors significantly influence organizational culture. In addition, the organizational culture significantly mediates the relationships between external environmental factors and green performance. This study contributes to understanding how external factors shape organizational culture, subsequently influencing sustainable performance. This study offers a new perspective on the indirect role corporate culture plays in environmental outcomes. Policymakers and managers should foster a sustainable work culture to address external demands for green performance.