Social Entrepreneurship in Romania: Significance and Models

Abstract

Approach: Social entrepreneurship is a complex process that provides solutions to the most complex contemporary issues of our society. Nowadays, more and more organizations use this form of market approach when seeking to help less fortunate people, by providing unique benefits and by gaining the upper hand on a competitive level. In many cases, the impact of these organizations on target markets is undeniable, confirming the sustainable and critical nature of this process oriented towards solving social problems generated by: excessive resource consumption, environmental pollution, increasing number of social assistance, discrimination against people with disabilities and vulnerable groups etc. Purpose: In the article, the authors provide an overview of the current state of social entrepreneurship research, offering baseline data on the state of social entrepreneurship in Romania. Even in the most austere environments, anyone possessing creativity and determination can dare launch social enterprises. Methodology: Supporting the theoretical premises of the literature, the authors turned to a qualitative empirical research, which they conducted with the help of an interview addressed to representatives of 1.418 organizations. Findings: Pertinent conclusions are drawn, thus increasing relevance both in terms of theoretical and practical aspects. Our research results function as a benchmark for further approaches in the field of social entrepreneurship and facilitate a better understanding of social entrepreneurship rates in Romania.

Green Entrepreneurial Orientation and Green Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

“…Apart from addressing environmental issues, green innovations are vital in attracting and retaining staff, maintaining better communications, and increasing the acceptability of the brand. Furthermore, it has several other benefits which include awareness of social responsibility, recruitment, and retaining suitable people (Ključnikov et al 2020;Mehta and Chugan 2015;Crisan et al 2015). Indeed, as inferred by Wagner (2013), the performance of the firms that invest in social accountability, pay appropriate attention to satisfied customers through innovations, and appoint suitable staff increases.…”

Improving Social Performance through Innovative Small Green Businesses: Knowledge Sharing and Green Entrepreneurial Intention as Antecedents

“…Enterprises with GI principles focus on improving the satisfaction of both customers and staff, thereby retaining both and giving themselves time to develop products [78,80]. Furthermore, GI practices allow an enterprise to spread awareness regarding their recruiting procedures and level of social responsibility [81,82]. GI also enables employees to fully engage in organisational activities that will ultimately improve their enterprise's reputation in the eyes of the public [83].…”

“…Enterprises that enhance internal KS and direct their employees' intentions towards the greening process tend to develop innovative ideas that can lead to modern products that ultimately benefit society and its members. As indicated above, customers are provided with satisfying products and services, employees are more easily recruited and retained, environmental awareness can be spread effectively, social responsibility can be increased, the quality of products can be improved, enterprises' reputations can be enhanced, and rules and regulations are more likely to be followed [17,[79][80][81][82][83]88]. Thus, this study focuses on examining the influence of GI as a mediating variable that explains the connection between SP, KS, and GEI.…”

Convergence trends of environmental taxation in European countries

“…At the present time tax competition and convergence is an important factor to make investment decisions at the international level, which taking into account production integration and mobility factors level increase, determines entrepreneurship activity at the countries' level given the difference of national and abroad taxation terms. Nowadays tax factors are not only components, which provide the financial efficiency of companies, but also define corporate social and environmental responsibility tendencies [56].…”