Mariana Dragusin

The Question of Clusters in Lagging Regions: Do They Really Make the Difference? A Case Study in Romania

We propose an empirical analysis of the clustering phenomenon in the Eastern part of Romania as a relevant example to support the idea that the question of clusters in lagging regions, usually with economic structures dominated by mid-tech and low-tech industries, could become an interesting niche for cluster-devoted research in forthcoming years. The specific features in two lagging Romanian regions have been investigated by means of geographic information systems, followed by an interview-based qualitative inquiry. The findings indicate that, despite its great potential, the clustering process has not yet reached an upper-level stage; it is still in a ‘start-up’ phase with a series of ‘economic agglomerations’ that could be mostly considered of a static-cluster type. Subsequent reflections on support policies suggest that local production systems of industrial-district type are an appropriate organisational form for cluster development in the two analysed regions, with a special emphasis on ‘soft’ measures that are able to strengthen the local networks and to ensure cluster identity.

Sustainable strategic management in an emerging market economy: the case of Romanian women entrepreneurs.

For decades the field of strategic management has been dominated by research on developed economies, especially those of USA and Europe. Emerging markets, such as the former Soviet bloc countries, have largely been ignored. These countries have experienced, in varying degrees, major political, economic and social changes that have had a major impact on their current entrepreneurial climate. Based on the new legal and institutional frameworks these former Soviet bloc emerging markets are establishing, the role women-owned businesses are playing to create economic growth and sustainable businesses are explored. The results showed similar findings in Romania compared to a similar study completed on women entrepreneurs in the Ukraine. Implications for sustainable strategic management in emerging economies are discussed.

Issues regarding the effective municipal real property management: the question of classification criteria with a case study in Romania

The effective municipal real estate management has a special significance to the East European countries, considering their major inheritance of municipal real estates from the former communist regime, which could represent an important generator of local revenues. This paper proposes a discussion on the classification criteria of municipal properties, as a preliminary step for designing a long-term strategy for each class of properties. It is followed by the identification of the assessment methods that can be used in this field. The paper aims to demonstrate that classification and assessment represent - in this order - two distinct phases, explaining how they can be linked so as to serve as a solid methodological basis for the effective management of the municipal real estates. A case study in Romania is also included, aiming to explore the possibilities to adapt and apply various classification criteria developed in the international arena. In addition, the methods for the real estate property assessment used in the Romanian practice have been adapted in order to be employed for the assessment of the municipal real estates.