THE IMPACT OF THE CRISIS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE CRISIS EFFECTS. CASE STUDY: ROMANIA

The economic crisis creates a series of consequences such as loss of jobs, reducing wages, insecurity of the population, reducing standard of living, material hardships, low self-confidence and hope for the better, illnesses, altered human relationships, social protests, ever greater scale strikes, in other words, deterioration of the economic environment. This paper aims to identify possible solutions to improve the effects of the crisis on the quality of life, based on figures from surveys conducted by research firms and the possible correlations to be made between these dates, without attempting to consider that these solutions are unique or the best. The main indicators considered for identifying the negative aspects of the crisis among the population are: the evolution of unemployment, changes in gross domestic product or wage developments in the economy and the share of expenditure linked to the basic needs out of the income earned. Regarding the possible solutions to reduce the population crisis, they are closely related to the credit and monetary policy, and also to the budgetary policy. Under the impact of the economic crisis, the business environment in Romania has suffered. Sub impactul crizei economice, mediul de afaceri din Romania a avut de suferit. Since most investments in 2008 were of foreign origin, the fact that this crisis has affected Romania as well did not surprise anyone. Nowadays Romania's business climate is characterized by lack of direct foreign investments and self funding sources whereas the population declares itself in a large proportion -more than 50% - to be affected by the crisis (1). Effects of the crisis can also be observed in the evolution of consumers' behavior who fearing layoffs and declining revenue, not only turned to buying the same products or to purchase cheaper products, but also to reducing the amount of the purchased products. The quality of social life is essential and strongly related to stimulating economic activity. Satisfaction felt by the consumer will determine the level of consumption and will influence and ultimately decide the supply level. An adequate economic policy in Romania to restore the balance between supply and demand in the market may induce a state of economic recovery. This should be the objective of anti-crisis policies.crisis, quality of life, unemployment rate, gross domestic product, wages rate, social conditions of life, economic environment

ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AND BARRIERS INFLUENCING THE CONSUMPTION OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS. CASE OF BIHOR COUNTY, ROMANIA

The recent pandemic, as well as sustainability issues have led to changing trends when it comes food purchasing and consumption. Thus, more and more consumers tend to pay more attention to how the food is produced, processed, handled and marketed. Over the past few years, the organic food market has experienced a notable surge in popularity. This study seeks to examine the factors and obstacles shaping the consumption of organic products. Additionally, it aims to explore the socio-demographic traits of consumers in this category and identify the primary types of preferred organic products. The study's convenience sample of 214 customers from Romania's Bihor County served as the basis for data collection, which was done online. The results of our study show that the confidence that a product is organic ranked first among all factors on the consumer’s list, followed by a price similar to normal food products and certification by a control body. Organic vegetables, fruits, and eggs were among the most preferred products by the consumers, while processed and canned goods ranked lower on the preferences list for the respondents. Concerning obstacles to organic food consumption, the main concern is related to the additional cost that consumers have to cover relative to other food items. Additionally, half of the respondents who abstain from organic product consumption expressed a lack of belief in organic certification

Effectiveness of bio-effectors on maize, wheat and tomato performance and phosphorus acquisition from greenhouse to field scales in Europe and Israel: a meta-analysis

Biostimulants (Bio-effectors, BEs) comprise plant growth-promoting microorganisms and active natural substances that promote plant nutrient-acquisition, stress resilience, growth, crop quality and yield. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of BEs, particularly under field conditions, appears highly variable and poorly quantified. Using random model meta-analyses tools, we summarize the effects of 107 BE treatments on the performance of major crops, mainly conducted within the EU-funded project BIOFECTOR with a focus on phosphorus (P) nutrition, over five years. Our analyses comprised 94 controlled pot and 47 field experiments under different geoclimatic conditions, with variable stress levels across European countries and Israel. The results show an average growth/yield increase by 9.3% (n=945), with substantial differences between crops (tomato > maize > wheat) and growth conditions (controlled nursery + field (Seed germination and nursery under controlled conditions and young plants transplanted to the field) > controlled > field). Average crop growth responses were independent of BE type, P fertilizer type, soil pH and plant-available soil P (water-P, Olsen-P or Calcium acetate lactate-P). BE effectiveness profited from manure and other organic fertilizers, increasing soil pH and presence of abiotic stresses (cold, drought/heat or salinity). Systematic meta-studies based on published literature commonly face the inherent problem of publication bias where the most suspected form is the selective publication of statistically significant results. In this meta-analysis, however, the results obtained from all experiments within the project are included. Therefore, it is free of publication bias. In contrast to reviews of published literature, our unique study design is based on a common standardized protocol which applies to all experiments conducted within the project to reduce sources of variability. Based on data of crop growth, yield and P acquisition, we conclude that application of BEs can save fertilizer resources in the future, but the efficiency of BE application depends on cropping systems and environments

REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS AND COMPETITION POLICY. CASE STUDY: EU, ASEAN AND NAFTA

The large number of regional trade agreements notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) significantly influenced the flow of world trade. By April 2014 there had been notified 583 regional trade agreements to the WTO, of which only 379 are in force. The objective of this paper is to highlight the importance of regional trade agreements in world trade, especially the importance of establishing a regional competition policy in these agreements. The research methodology used is the analysis of legislation governing preferential trade agreements at the level of WTO, the collection and interpretation of statistical data provided by the WTO Secretariat, the case study, namely the study of literature. The paper is structured in three parts. The first part of the paper examines the basic laws based on which regional trade agreements are notified to the WTO and the evolution of these agreements in the period 1958-2013. The second part of the paper is devoted to the analysis of competition policy in regional trade agreements. In this part of the paper, to highlight the patterns of competition policy adopted under these agreements was analyzed by three case studies of competition policy in the EU, ASEAN and NAFTA. The three case studies have revealed that the three preferential trade agreements present regional competition policies with varying degrees of integration. The most complex form of competition policy is found in the European Union, because we are talking about a centralized model of competition policy. ASEAN presents a partially decentralized model, while NAFTA scrolls with a decentralized model of competition policy. The last part of the paper presents the characteristics of the four models of competition policy identified in the preferential trade agreements in force. It should be emphasized that if the initial preferential trade agreements have not put a great emphasis on the rules of competition policy, practice has shown the importance of competition policy at the regional level and there is now considerable progress in this regard

THE ANALYSE OF THE REGULATIONS AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL REGARDING CARTELS. CASE SUDY: CARTEL BETWEEN THE COMPANIES CHIQUITA AND PACIFIC

The present paper tries to make an analyse of the policy in the field of competition, at the level of the European Union, more exactly the policy applied on cartels. It is important to know the regulations regarding cartels, especially the way in which procedures are done in the case of a cartel. Cartels have a negative impact on competition and consumers, and that’s why it is extremely important that they are discovered on time and after that, by using correction measures to try to recuperate the created damage. The used research method is the analyze of the legislation in force regarding cartels and the study of the existing literature in this field, and in order to give an example of the procedures in the case of a cartel, we analyzed the cartel between two companies Chiquita and Pacific. It is extremely important for these regulations to be known, and in order to discourage such practices, the European Committee has thought of a series of advantages for the companies that give information and evidence regarding the existence of a cartel. Among these advantages we could mention immunity to fine, that permits the company to be absolved of all its fines. The paper presents schematically the legislation that forbids anti-competitive practices, at the level of the European Union, and after that the applied procedure when a law violation is discovered. The modality in which the procedures are applied, in the case of suspecting a cartel, have been presented step by step, and after that, the case study does not exist only to give an example of procedures, but also to present the applied methods, in the case of success in proving the existence of a cartel. The importance of competition policy at a European level cannot be denied because of the fact that only by implementing of a proper policy in this field, an economy can develop further

THE IMPACT THE COMPETITION POLICY HAS ON THE LIBERALISATION OF INTERANTIONAL TRADE. CASE STUDY: THE CARTEL

The liberalization of international trade is the key when we talk about globalization from an economic aspect, because only when there will be a single global market can we talk about abundance as to what economic globalization is concerned. It is a known fact that market economies can work in free competition conditions. Taking into account the present tendencies of international trade, a decisive role is played by competition authorities. The policy in this field and the commercial policies play complementary roles, because in the absence of one of the two policies, we cannot see economic development and growth. In order to benefit from the full advantages of a free trade, companies must respect the laws of competition. In this context, in this paper, we proposed to study the way in which the existence of a cartel on a certain market can cancel the positive effects of international trade. The working hypothesis from which we started in this study was the following: identifying a cartel that functioned on the European market before and after the Uruguay Round, in order to study the negative effects that this anti-competition practice had. The Uruguay negotiation Round has been chosen, because the best results concerning the liberalization of international trade have been achieved in it. The cartel case was not chosen at random; we have searched to find one that was active in a field which got significant customs tax reductions in the Uruguay Round. We have decided to analyze the impact which a cartel had in the field of industrial products. Following our study, we have managed to empirically demonstrate the way in which a cartel can cancel the benefits of international trade liberalization. The analysis of the way in which the Industrial Tubes cartel acted on the EU market, as well as the analysis of the indicators that led to the undisputable conclusion that this cartel case canceled the positive effects which should have been felt on the European market after the Uruguay Round negotiations. We need to admit and to highlight the very important role that is played by competition policies, in the context of implementing liberalization policies for international trade

THE CARTEL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ROMANIA - RETROSPECTIVE OF THE YEARS 2009-2013

The cartel is considered the most harmful anti-competitive practice; therefore the competition authorities were concerned about the continuous improvement of the legislation governing this practice. In order to stimulate companies to withdraw from participating to a cartel in the European Union, the leniency policy has implemented. The present paper aims at achieving the hindsight of the years 2009-2013 regarding the evolution of cartel cases detected both at EU level and in Romania. The research methodology used is the study of literature, followed by the analysis of the legislation governing the European cartel and the analysis of all decisions issued between 2009-2013, both by the European Commission and by the Competition Council of Romania. The paper is structured in four parts. The first part presents the cartel from the theoretical and legislative point of view. The second and third parts of the paper include the analysis of cartel cases detected both at European and national level. The following aspects were taken into account when analysing the cartel cases: the date when the decision was issued by the competition authorities, the number of companies involved in the cartel, the opening date of the investigation, the method of opening the investigation, the field in which the cartel operated, the duration of the cartel as well as the amount of the fine. The final part of the paper highlights a number of conclusions. In the reviewed period 22 cartel cases were detected in the European Union and 23 cartel cases in Romania. The amount of the fines imposed at a European level is 251 times higher than the fines imposed by the Competition Council of Romania. In the European Union there were 11 long-term cartel cases, 10 medium-term cases and only one case lasted less than a year. In Romania there have been detected 4 long term cartel cases, 7 medium-term cases and 12 cases of short-term cases

LEGAL MIGRATION – RIGHTS AND BENEFITS IN THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM

: In the present paper we are discussing about legal migration inside U.E and the rights it confers. All the states members are facing migration, which is a complex of challenges, including demographic, political and economics -one of the most important, the decrease in the labour market. Every country needs to attract skills and knowledge from abroad. Innovation and transition to a green and sustainable economy is a priority for all. We also approach the peculiarities and the characteristics of European digitalisation in social security coordination in all institutions in E.U., including Romania. In 2023, more than are 17 million of Europeans citizens are working or living abroad. European Union provides information for all the workers: equal treatment, E.U. legislation, rules for each one, rights in each country and also for family members. The countries implement the European interoperability for social security institutions, to make easier the electronic exchange between the institution from all Europe. Using this type of communication, mandatory for all members countries, gradually will be removed the documents on paper support by electronic one. This is part of green economy. EESSI (Electronic exchange of social security information) is use in different branch of social security such as unemployment, old age pension, accidents at work or sickness benefits, family benefits, or maternity and paternity benefits. Labor migration is a very important aspect of European Politics. Thus, the growing flow of foreign workers, who must benefit from all the rights conferred by European citizenship, accelerate the process of using these programs, to facilitate access to all this in shortest possible time and no additional costs

THE ABUSE OF DOMINANT POSITION - RESTRICTING COMPETITION PRACTICE. CASE STUDY: ENI

The abuse of dominant position along with cartel, merger and state aid are practices restricting competition strictly regulated at EU level. These practices can have a disastrous effect on the internal market harming both competition especially consumers. These practices can have a disastrous effect on the domestic market harming both competition and especially consumers. This paper aims to analyze how the abuse of a dominant position is regulated in the European Union. The research methodology used is the study of literature, analysis of legislation, case study, and the collection and interpretation of statistical data. The Competition Law at European level is harmonized among European Union member states. The competition authorities of the EU Member States work together to detect and sanction the practice that is restrictive for competition. Improving legislation that regulates the abuse of dominant position has been an ongoing concern of competition authorities, which is why the EU currently enjoys a very well established procedure. The procedure governing the abuse of dominant position consists of a series of steps that must be taken gradually to have the desired result, i.e. restoring fair competition on a given market. The case study presented in this paper is indicative and shows very clearly the next steps for referral to an abuse of dominant position, with special reference to the outcome arising when applying the procedure correctly. The analysis of statistical data regarding the number of investigations opened and the number of decisions made by competition authorities on abuse of dominant position is relevant, outlining the evolution of the work performed by competition authorities. Throughout the period of ten years analyzed (January 2004 - February 2013) there were 1583 cases of violation of antitrust laws at European level. The percentage of investigations opened by the competition authorities of the Member States is 86%, much higher than the number of investigations opened by the European Commission (14%). Both the activity of the competition authorities and especially the importance of competition policy as well as the guardian position for consumer protection assumed by the Competition Council in each Member State of the European Union have to be underlined

THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF A COUNTRY

In recent decades the economic growth based on innovation is no longer just the privilege of the industrialized countries, of countries with a high GDP. More and more developing or emerging countries have turned innovation policies in national development strategy. The economic practice has shown that innovation is one of the main drivers of economic growth. The question is: How can a developing or emerging country support financially and managerially a macroeconomic policy for innovation and especially how can it implement innovation in economy. The paper presents comparatively the situation of innovation in China and the US as an argument that a country that has shaped the innovation policy over more than 20 years may come to compete in this area with the strongest economy in the world. In 1978 China introduced the policy of innovation in the education sector, reforms that have generated an accelerated progress in higher education and research, aimed mainly at increasing the standard of successful innovation and technology. In 2010 China was the second largest economy, surpassing Japan in macroeconomic terms, and in 2014 China's GDP reached US $ 10 trillion dollars. China also leads in innovation among BRICS nations (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa). All these achievements were due to the political and innovation reform that China supported for several decades. In the late 1970s, China implemented a series of R&D policies to stimulate the economy and to transform the education and research system into a system close to economy. The example of this country has changed the paradigm according to which innovation and research as well as their application in the economy are only possible in industrialized countries and has also demonstrated that R&D are vital to the progress of economy