The study investigated the impact of factors such as non-performing loans, CO2 emissions, bank credit, and inflation on the variable sustainable economic growth for India, Brazil, and Romania during the period 2005–2017, through a panel data analysis. Specifically, we investigated the timeline before, during, and after economic turmoil, with a special focus on the global financial crisis. Our empirical results are valuable for both developing and developed nations. As a first result, we showed that CO2 emissions increased the level of economic growth, but in this context, authorities should design suitable policies to limit its impact on the overall society. In addition, a single supervision mechanism increased the level of sustainable economic growth. Last but not the least, the period during and after the global financial crisis, sustainable economic growth decreased under the influence of bank credit, inflation, and non-performing loans. Within this framework, public authorities are called to design efficient economic, fiscal, and monetary policies.

The study focuses on the effects of imports, exports, financial direct investment inflow and financial direct investment outflow on sustainable economic growth expressed by various macroeconomic indicators (gross domestic product, gross domestic savings, gross domestic capital) using the least squares panel method. Sample data were selected for ten Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and the time frame considered was 2005–2016. Generally, transitional economies have to incorporate strong savings and a steady capital formation in order to achieve higher economic growth via foreign direct investment. Results showed that the analyzed factors played a major role in the sustainable economic growth of CEE countries. Another important and valuable insight of this study is that the financial sector steers the process of achieving sustainable economic growth across CEE countries.

PurposeChanges in food retailing (globalization, concentration) have negative impacts on smaller, “traditional” food retail businesses. Their market share decreasing year by year. The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the financial performances of these businesses under the given circumstances and current economic environment in a Hungarian and a Romanian county.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on two complete databases, including all companies that behoove retail food activity (considering the NACE cod) in the counties of Hajdu-Bihar (Hungary) and Cluj (Romania). The database analyzed contains the financial statements for five consecutive years for 212 and 690 businesses. Databases were examined by the most typical financial indicators using the multivariate and univariate analysis of variance and the k-medoid cluster analysis methods.FindingsThe results of the analysis have shown that there are differences in the number of retail food companies in the case of two counties, both in number and in financial performance. Companies in Hajdú-Bihar county perform better in terms of financial ratios than those in Cluj county. The groups created by k-medoids cluster analysis are relatively well distinguished in the case of Hajdú-Bihar county, while the picture is much more mixed in the case of Kolozs county. However, it is also important to note that the companies analyzed should generally perform better to survive.Research limitations/implicationsAmong the limitations of the study, it is important to note that the findings are relevant only to the two counties examined. Another limiting factor is that quite several companies had to be excluded from the analysis due to missing data or outliers.Practical implicationsThe study presents for the corporate decision-makers the current performance of the companies of the sector examined in the two counties. The results of the study highlight the business areas of concern in management. The findings show that they need to change this performance to strengthen their market position. We believe that it is not enough to complain about the expansion of the supermarket chains, but they should take appropriate actions to improve their situation. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that there is a need to improve the financial efficiency of retail food companies in both counties to survive in the long run. This improvement is essential because retailers can play an important role in smaller settlements and narrower residential environments.Originality/valueComparative analysis of retail food companies in similar counties in these two neighboring countries has not been conducted using complex financial analysis. The study revealed the common and/or individual characteristics of these companies.

The commercial sector and especially the food trade in Romania have expanded more and more through the medium of hypermarkets-supermarkets, online commerce, etc. thus dominating the market. The turnover and profit they make are significantly increasing, while small and medium-sized businesses in stores and traditional stores lose customers, their market share is diminishing, profitability is low, and they are confronted with big financial problems. Modern trade tends represent almost 60% of Romania’s total market, which means that small shops are losing ground in detriment of others, despite their currently large number at national level. The study, extended over a period of more than 5 years, includes a comparative analysis of the small and medium-sized enterprises in the food commerce sector of Cluj County and the supermarkets-hypermarkets in Romania. Advantages of hypermarkets - supermarkets, online commerce, etc. in relation to small and medium-sized stores are ultimately reflected in the financial performance. Following the selection of 5 financial indicators, considered by the authors to be representative of the trade sector, and their comparative analysis, one can see the economic and financial situation these small and medium retail companies are facing, if they do not change their strategy. Their disappearance from the Romanian market would result in social and economic consequences and the discontent of a segment of the population.

The financial performance of a commercial company is dependent on a multitude of factors, which can be grouped into external factors and internal factors. Through the conducted study, we tried to analyze the influence of external factors specific to the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the financial performance of some commercial companies in the field of manufacturing pharmaceutical products in Romania (Antibiotice) pharmaceutical preparations (Biofarm, Zentiva) ambulatory healthcare activity (Med Life). These commercial companies faced the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic period, the measures taken in this regard, as well as the fierce competition from some international manufacturers (Sanofi, Sandoz Romania, Hoffmann la Roche, Pfizer, etc.). Thus, some commercial companies in the field of manufacturing pharmaceutical products have reduced their volume of activity and others have performed much higher than the pre-pandemic period.