ANALYSIS OF ROMANIA'S LEVEL OF DIGITIZATION IN THE REPORT OF THE INDEX OF THE ECONOMY AND DIGITAL SOCIETY (DESI) 2022

In recent years, Romania has made remarkable strides in advancing its digitization efforts, which have become a top priority for the Romanian government. Substantial initiatives have been launched to expedite the country's digital transformation. Romania boasts a well-developed IT infrastructure, with widespread high-speed internet access and extensive coverage. Most urban households have internet connectivity, and smartphone usage is pervasive. In the corporate sphere, digitization has taken center stage for many businesses. The online commerce sector has witnessed significant growth, as has e-banking. Moreover, there is a noticeable uptake of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things. Digitalization has permeated nearly all economic sectors in Romania, albeit to varying degrees and complexities, making it an integral part of both public and private services. However, the socio-economic impact of this digitalization varies across sectors. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this landscape, a detailed assessment of Romania's level of digitization is imperative. This is the focal point of the article, which offers a concise analysis of Romania's digitization status in relation to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)

THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF ENERGY AND IMPACT ON THE ROMANIAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

This paper deals with issues related to the increase in the cost of purchasing energy, following the secondary effects related to the liberalization of the markets, which will lead the main clients from the business environment in Romania to conclude that the increase in the cost of energy is a consequence of the decisions established by the main players in the market, those who provide energy and natural gas, decisions aimed at maximizing their profit. In a much more detailed research, a series of remarks can be made, such as that at the basis of the increase in the purchase regarding the fluctuations in the cost of natural gas cost variations of energy and natural gas that consumers have to bear, there are a multitude of aspects imposed by the European Union. and energy, fluctuations that have proven to have created fluctuations in the business environment in our country over time. Following the research carried out, we can conclude that the main causes of the energy and natural gas market that create imbalances in the business environment are: stock market fluctuations which in the current context have proven to be very dynamic and very unpredictable in extremely sudden changes; energy import and transformations generated by cross-border flows; the return to the consumption recorded before the pandemic period; the reorganization of the geopolitical space based on the decisions imposed by the Russian Federation has a very big impact; non-exploitation of natural gas stocks from warehouses to the maximum