Marieta Olaru

Assessment and Continuous Improvement of Information Security Based on TQM and Business Excellence Principles

Abstract This paper highlights a part of the results of a doctoral research regarding information security management systems in the context of business excellence conducted by authors in the Research Centre of Business Administration of The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania. It focuses on an approach for self-assessment and continuous improvement of information security based on the fundamental concepts and criteria of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Business Excellence Model. The first objective of this paper is to highlight the state of the art regarding the approaches used for the assessment and continuous improvement of information security. A second objective is to propose a methodology for assessment and continuous improvement of information security integrating the criteria of the EFQM Model and its RADAR (Results, Approaches, Deploy, Assess and Refine) logic. The methodology presented can be used by organisations wishing to go beyond compliance with the requirements for Information Security Management System defined in standards such as ISO 27001 or NIST standards, to identify opportunities for improvement and to coordinate efforts towards sustainable information security performance.

Modal Strategic Decisions in Transport and their Role in Sustainable Development: An Example from Romania

Abstract This paper aims to analyse the existence of a long term relationship between the modal split in transport and the sustainable economic development. The case considered is that of Romania in the period 1990-2013 (it includes the transition period and the crisis periods). The economic evolution is quantified using the GDP at market prices Index 2005 (=100). The Engel-Granger two step methodology and the Pearson coefficient are used in order to analyze the data series. It has been found that there is a long term relationship between the different transport modes and the GDP index. The paper also provides an in depth comparative analysis regarding the different action leverages in the modal field, that affect the sustainable economic growth. In the end, some policy recommendations are formulated in order to stimulate economic growth using modal transportation modes.