Browsing: 2013, Vol. 17, Issue 1, May

Introduction. Today is obvious that online users tend to have similar attitude when they use Internet services. Based on the devices they use (computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones) we can extrapolate some behavior that is common to all people.

Aim of the study. The main purpose of the paper is to illustrate how an average internet consumer is to be provided with information that is most of the time generated only to him. In the era of WEB 3.0, where some decisions are performed by software, information is generated based on some very strict rules about a certain user.
Keywords: Influencing online user behavior, WEB 3.0

Introduction. Due to the current global economic situation, all the companies are now involved in searching effective ways of improving efficiency and profitability. Many researchers  claim that the digital technologies are used to improve the decision making process for businesses. As shown by the recently published studies, the latest trend in information technology is “cloud computing”.

Aim of the study. Our research approach consisted in checking the perception of both MSc students enrolled to research and professional masters organized by the Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems and teaching staff who is teaching Accountingin Academy of Economic Study as regards the usefulness of adopting the “cloud computing” technologies by more and more Romanian companies.

Introduction. The importance of technology for the economic development is widely recognized considering the impact it can have on the success, survival or failure of business activities of the companies, particularly in an environment of intense and global competition. Technology often provides saving solutions in downward economic cycles because it allows the creation of more effective business models and ecosystems.

Aim of the study. The article addresses the issue of Cloud Computing concept from the perspective of its implications on the business environment. In this respect we have analyzed the changes brought by the new technology which come to connect the discontinuities between the IT solutions adopted by small and medium organizations and those adopted by large corporations. The article analyzes the benefits and limitations of cloud both in terms of small companies and in terms of more developed entities. Whatever the size and type of organization but especially for SMEs Cloud provides a competitive advantage by providing access to affordable, reliable and flexible IT solutions that allows them to operate more efficiently among their competitors in the market.
Keywords: cloud, small companies, corporations, benefits, challenges

Introduction. The process of instructing the sportsmen has always been a complex and thorough activity, that requests profundity, professional sensitivity and bonding. The main characters in this process are played by managers, coaches, trainers, methodists, psychologists, sociologists, technicians who establish and hand over theoretical knowledge, abilitiesand skills for the sportsmen. In this way is being created the environment for instructing and highlighting the physical, technical, tactical and psychic potential of the participants in competitions.

Aim of the study. The training process of the sportsmen is more and more headed towards the integral and deep internalization of the instructive components, based on the interconnections between the elements of modern sport science.
Keywords: managerial system, structural elements, evaluation, transforming processes.
JEL classification: I.21, I.25

Introduction. The interwar period was called the Golden Age of Romania. From a certain point of view it was. Cultural effervescence of the time, the economic boom due by the development of the industry has brought Romania to the attention of Western Europe. Many industries in the late ‘30 had advanced enough to be able to satisfy almost all domestic needs. Regarding technology, most romanian plants were behind those in the West. In heavy industry, only Malaxa and the Steelworks Resita were the best in Western Europe.

Aim of the study. In retrospect of these events I have considered appropriate to study this issue closely, to be fascinated by a controversial but destined to lead character, a character that has go down in history because of his pioneering leadership actions.
Keywords: leadership, interwar period, Malaxa plants, economic development, entrepreneur

Introduction. During the time, especially in the last fifty years, leadership has increasingly become a major subject in the management literature, a subject of much thought, writing and teaching. While the importance of leadership is generally accepted all over the world, there are as many definitions of it as there are organizations. In spite of the fact that the business literature on leadership is so voluminous, there is not an agreed-upon definition of the concept of leadership. Leadership is not only intensely studied, but also practiced in different organizations. How to lead effectively an organization depends on many factors such as the organizational culture, the behavior of the followers, and the personal traits of the leader. The vast majority of successful leaders are multi-dimensional individuals.

Aim of the study. The aims of our paper are to present a short biography of Steve Jobs and to highlight his contribution to modern leadership. Our research is based on a literature review. The S. Jobs example illustrates how a transformational leader as him can be a key factor in successfully turning round the fortunes of a company as Apple. The paper facilitates a better understanding of modern leadership, emphasizing the case of S. Jobs, and provides a platform on which to build further studies on the same subject.
Keywords: leadership, Steve Jobs, leader, Apple
JEL Classification: M1, M19

Introduction. Mutual relations between the economic groth and social development are particularly complex. Development in the social sphere is strongly influenced by the characteristics and dynamics of economic environment. Long-term economic development and social progress determine, support and stimulate each other. Nevertheless, the results of economic growth is not automatically transferred to the social field, since a prosperous economy is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for individual and social welfare.

Aim of the study. The article analyses the main amendments brought by Law of the social work no. 292/2011 from the perspective of the social management and efficiency of social work system reform in Romania. Given the necessity of restructuration of the system of social benefits and services, the reform project outlines the responsibilities of the social actors in providing welfare and proposes a block of measures aimed to contribute at reducing social sector spending according to the austerity measures imposed by the economic crisis. The new management vision focused on reducing costs does not seem to provide suitable solutions for institutions functioning as it enables the harmonization of the economic efficiency with the social one. Received with scepticism by the public opinion and profoundly contested by the academic world, the reform project only partially succeeds in reaching proposed objectives of modernizing the social assistance system and supporting the people in need.
Keywords: law of social assistance, welfare system, social services, social assistance, social benefits.

Introduction. The economic crisis revealed the importance of organizational capability to adapt to the everlasting changing environment. While change has become a regular feature of organisational life, leadership plays a crucial role in this endeavour. The change success can be assessed considering different parameters such as organizational context, factor necessitating change, strategy for change and actors involvement.

Aim of the study. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of the organizational communication to the most important leadership effects – the success of changes within the Romanian companies. A set of hypotheses are tested in order to identify the links between the success of change implementation and elements such as objectives and organizational communication components. A set of hypothesis was tested during our research, using specific methods of quantitative and qualitative analysis and the SPSS software. The results of our research, limited to the purpose and the sample size, shows that that organizational communication is liable to the success of changes promoted by leaders within Romanian firms.
Keywords: leaders, organizational change, organizational communication
JEL Classification: L29, C59, O52, M13

Introduction. Over the last decades, an impressive number of conceptual models in the field of educational leadership have emerged; contingency or trait theories, situational, instructional, shared or distributed school leadership approaches, all tried to demonstrate their specific impact on school development and students achievement.

Aim of the study. The present paper is focused on exploring one of the foremost models, subject of systematic inquiry and controversial debates developed in relation with school or in nonschool organizations: transformational school leadership. The approach is considered a relevant support for school change process. Its contribution is analyzed in comparison with the benefits of other competing models, the aim of the paper being not to establish hierarchies but to gather significant solutions for better schooling. As a reconciliation solution, the integrative leadership model is also advocated.
Keywords: transformational school leadership, shared instructional leadership, distributed leadership, school improvement and development

Introduction. The term ‘sport marketing’ was first used in the United States by the Advertising Age in 1978. Since then it has been used to describe a variety of activities associated with sport promotion. People tend to define marketing in terms of their experiences, instead of recognizing one of the most important roles of marketing—carrying out the mission of an organization.

Aim of the study. In many segments of the sport industry, sport marketers are pressured to increase their product sales to generate increased revenues for their organizations. This pressure poses a challenge. Because sport marketers are involved in persuading consumers to buy, they run the risk of exaggerating or misrepresenting their products in an effort to sell them. Today, and in the future, sport marketers should recognize this risk and monitor their marketing strategies to ensure that they communicate honest images and messages about their products that are consistent with the core values of their organizations. A marketing program is not delivered in isolation of the organization-wide planning process. In normal circumstances, the marketing planning process must reflect the overall plans for the organization.
Keywords: sport marketing, strategy, marketing program, planning process
JEL Classification: M31