No abstract

Background: This study aims to identify how and if strategic procurement 4.0 performance influences competitiveness under circular economy conditions. In this regard, to achieve the aim of the study, we examine the moderating and mediating effects of strategic procurement 4.0 performance. In addition, the paper explores the role of procurement 4.0 in the circular economy and its impact on organizational competitiveness, with a focus on the mediating factors in the relationship between manager attitudes and competitiveness, making a significant contribution to the emerging research in this field. Methods: The results of a two-way moderated multiple regression analysis showed that there is an effect that intensifies the relationship between the variables being studied. Mediating effects were tested using Smart PLS-4 and the results showed significant mediating effects of strategy for procurement 4.0 and planning for procurement 4.0. Results: The study found that organizations with high strategic procurement 4.0 performance and high circular economy openness have the highest level of competitiveness. However, low levels of circular economy openness result in similar competitiveness levels regardless of low or average strategic procurement 4.0 performance. Conclusions: We found that strategic procurement 4.0, aligned with sustainability goals and incorporating digital technologies, leads to increased competitiveness in the context of the circular economy, as demonstrated in the Romanian business environment. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of strategic training in procurement 4.0, the need for a three-level approach in procurement strategy, planning, and performance review, and the significance of considering non-financial aspects in competitiveness and innovation within the context of a circular economy.

Through this research approach, we aimed to identify the main characteristics of the leaders of the Colțea Clinical Hospital, in the conditions and context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We chose this approach in view of the fact that the pandemic was and still is a challenge for all medical staff in the medical unit, which could have led to changes in behaviors, interpersonal relationships, with potential influences on the medical act. The results indicate that within the medical unit there is a rather transformational leadership style, with very little transactional influences, perceptions of interpersonal relationships are positive, and in terms of the quality of the medical act the highest scores were obtained by equity of the medical services and the item that described patient safety, all being elements that can characterize the activity of medical units during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This paper aimed at identifying factors that could support increasing urban competitiveness or on the contrary, which may have negative effects on the level of urban competitiveness. The work highlighted a series of viable actions through which Bucharest could maintain a satisfactory level of urban competitiveness. This was accomplished through an empirical research on the urban competitiveness of Bucharest, which included the analysis of the questionnaire results applied on three large employers in Romania in order to test the hypotheses and to capture the factors that could increase the urban competitiveness of Bucharest. Also, the paper revealed the role of local actors regarding the factors that influence competitiveness and what caused Bucharest's decline in terms of urban competitiveness in 2018 compared to 2017.

The main purpose of this paper was to analyze the relationship between the company’s sales activity, innovation and competitive advantage using a representative sample of firms analyzed in dynamics in 2014-2018 time period. Scientific literature on the determinants of innovation has shown that large firms are more likely to innovate when compared to small firms and that innovation inputs significantly increase innovation output. The types of innovation to which this work refers are process, product, organizational and marketing innovation. Thus, looking at the history and evolution of companies, in terms of financial statement and, more specifically, sales, we can reveal relevant information about their innovation activities and potential sustainable competitive advantage emerging from innovation. Sales can be considered input into the innovation process through the information gathered from customers, thus contributing to the innovation process. For example, when it comes to launching a new product or improving the existing one, sales feedback could be of great help because the salesperson has the ability to collect important customer feedback such as: what are the issues with the present product, what could be improved and how etc. So, we ask: Does sales contribute to the innovation process and gaining sustainable competitive advantage? If so, what happens with the degree of innovation according to the volume of sales, the size of the company, the number of employees? To highlight the relationship between sales, innovation and competitive advantage, and to estimate the predictability of the model, multiple linear regression was used. Thus, the analysis has shown that sales activity positively and significantly influences innovation when it comes to the information that sales can make available, contributing in some cases as a source of sustainable competitive advantage. Research also identified a significant but negative influence between sales, innovation and sustainable competitive advantage when we talk about sales in terms of their volume.