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In the last decades the corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been a major subject both for universities, civil society and businesses. Although the CSR concept is especially promoted by large multinational and transnational corporations, it has become also a prominent issue for universities. Social responsibility represents more than a challenge for universities. It has to be a purpose of the universities, taking into account that young people formation also means creating a high level of awareness about the need to involve members of society in solving social problems. Our paper contributes for better clarifying the CSR concept and presents as a study case some of initiatives of the University of Bucharest related to the social responsibility.

A new approach, called “business excellence”, has emerged in the business world and scientific literature in the past decades. Facing an increasingly turbulent and chaotic environment, more and more companies have implemented business excellence strategies and made quality a key element of their business philosophy. Modern measurement frameworks were created and developed by national or international bodies such as the excellence business models. These models provide guidelines and criteria for evaluation and are used by companies across the world as groundwork for continuous improvement. The paper aims to present and compare three well-known business excellence models in the world: Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the Australian Business Excellence Framework and the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model. In this respect, the authors have displayed the key elements of each business excellence model, followed by their comparison. In order to achieve the previous goals, the paper uses two methods: analysis and comparison. The information were obtained from multiple secondary sources of data- books and academic journal articles from the domains of total quality management and production economics found in libraries and electronic databases- through a desk research based on a significant literature review. The paper contributes to a better understanding of the business excellence models and may help managers to design and implement business excellence strategies. The paper shows that business excellence models provide a holistic approach to continuous improvement for any type of organization. These models are based on sound values, concepts and principles and have proved their viability during the time. Consequently, they gave birth to frameworks that allow organizations to benchmark their performances and demonstrate best practices in their field of activity. Also, the research findings indicate that the American model constituted a landmark for other business excellence models around the world.

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Сonsideration of the dynamic changes from the socio-economic environment, social entrepreneurship plays an essential role in the labour market as it creates new jobs, contributes to the improvement of the economic and social position of vulnerable groups in society, and stimulates economic development. The financial crisis from 2008 and the current health crisis, which generated a significant economic crisis and the specific social context existing in each member state, constitute the leading causes that led to a slow convergence rhythm of the labour market at the European Union level. Unemployment and non-employment have a significant impact on the people affected by poverty and the disadvantaged people. A coherent, systematic and sustainable approach to social entrepreneurship is required to generate significant change at the European level. Innovative solutions to current economic, social and environmental challenges are needed since the private or/and public sectors do not fully meet the communities’ existing needs. The aim of the paper is to analyze how social entrepreneurship contributes to the reduction of the unemployment rate, by meeting the objectives set out in the Europe 2020 Strategy, to create a sustainable and inclusive social market economy, and to improve social cohesion. The quantitative method, based on the data found in various international journals, statistical reports and electronic databases, was used by the authors to accomplish the objective of the paper. The paper illustrates that social entrepreneurship is a complex process in which resources are used in an efficiently and effectively way, new skills, competences, and knowledge are accumulated, which turn into social and economic innovation, having a positive impact on productivity and the creation of highly skilled jobs, as well as maximizing the opportunities which lead to social change. Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship, Unemployment, European Union, Education.

Category of paper -Research paper combined with a case study Purpose -To demonstrate that lean management could be successfully applied in an enterprise from an Eastern European country like Romania. To propose solutions in order to improve the current management practices in the Romanian industry and to increase productivity in order to deal with global competition. To implement the customer-supplier logic within a Romanian manufacturing enterprise. Design/methodology/approach -The main objectives of the paper were achieved by using quantitative and qualitative research methods. A survey, based on a questionnaire applied to the firm's employees, was conducted and the work processes during a product cycle were observed by the two authors. Focus-groups were also organized within the Romanian enterprise. Findings -Findings are related to the business environment and economical changes in Romania. Due to the implementation of lean management in the Romanian enterprise, waste decreased in a significant manner, work productivity increased and work area decreased. Also, by using lean production and management, emphasis is put on inter-functional effectiveness, process efficiency and system flexibility. Training (for instance "5S" training) and team work play a key role in implementing a customer-supplier logic (or internal client or customer-in) within the Romanian enterprise. Research limitations -There are little statistical methods applied in the Romanian industry. That is why future research should focus on the performance measurement and the indicators used in the management of the processes in a manufacturing enterprise. Practical implications -Romanian government, private and public enterprises could use the findings in order to rethink some of theirs management strategies and practices. Changes should be made within manufacturing enterprises in order to gain a flexible and organizational structure. Originality/value -The paper shows that the lean paradigm leads to a management-byprocess organization. On the other hand, the paper demonstrates that lean management could be successfully applied in a Romanian manufacturing enterprise. Suggestions are made

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Education is the critical vein for human development, for society and economic growth. Because the context nowadays is vacillating, sometimes turbulent even, mankind needs empowerment through a belief system. We believe that an educated man is key to a sustainable economy, one that promotes values, lucidity and rationality. Education is modelled by and models society, through the way we think, act and react. The individual is the main actor on life's scene and he is responsible of the various shapes and forms of the socio-economic systems, of different contexts and behaviours in general. In this chapter, we aim to highlight the importance of entrepreneurship, management, creativity in managing an educational institution (system). We will analyse how an entrepreneurial system should look like, how creative thinking helps and how it will contribute to an “educated development”.