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The Creative Paradox of AI: Enabler or Disruptor of Human Imagination?

Author(s): Eduard-Claudiu Gross / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Creative industry; Copyright; AI in arts; Ethical implications;

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in communication and its effects on the market for creative jobs are covered in this article. While AI-generated pictures offer numerous advantages, such as efficiency and flexibility, the article emphasizes that they can have ethical consequences, such as deceit, stereotyping, illicit data usage, and intellectual property infringement. The essay goes into further detail on the problems of copyright, artistic credit, and imitation when using AI to create artwork. The dispute over whether robots can actually produce works of art or can only imitate human creativity is also discussed in the essay, raising concerns about the very nature of creativity. The paper concludes by highlighting the significance of analyzing the ethical implications of emerging technology.

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Social Media for the Good of the Community

Author(s): L. Meseşan-Schmitz,A. Truşmei / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: social media; proactive engagement; reactive engagement;

Today, social media platforms are widely used by individuals, organizations, and companies who want to promote themselves and interact with different audiences. Based on a quantitative content analysis procedure, this research aimed to discover how effectively the NGOs from Brașov County, active in the social services field, use social media platforms to attract community engagement. A total score of effective use was calculated for each NGO. Our findings suggest that nonprofit organizations have low levels of effective social media use.

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The Application in Romanian Jurisprudence of the “Alford Plea” and “Nolo Contendere” Principles

Author(s): Adrian Aldea / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: Alford plea; nolo contendere; plea agreement; Criminal procedure;

The article aims to analyze the jurisprudence of the highest courts regarding the interpretation and application of guilt plea standards known in the United States of America as the "Alford" or "nolo contendere" pleas. In this regard, it will briefly present the special procedure of the guilty plea agreement, with a focus on the acknowledgment of guilt and the imputed offense by the defendants. Furthermore, it will present the elements of the aforementioned American procedures and recent relevant jurisprudence, followed by a conclusion.

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The Tactics of the Search

Author(s): Ioan Aron / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: tactics; search; procedural documents; psychology;

Among the factors that directly contribute to the success of a search, a central place is occupied by psychological factors, factors whose knowledge, by the judicial body, is absolutely necessary. The exact outline of the issue of psychology implies, from the very beginning, emphasizing the distinction between the psychology of the person conducting the search and the psychology of the search. This distinction is imposed by the fact that we are in front of a procedural act, somewhat similar (of course on psychological grounds) to listening to the accused or the defendant. In this "duel", we can see that not only the criminal investigation body seeks to notice the way of thinking and behavior of the searched person, but also the searched person, especially if he is a well-versed person, will try to put himself in the position of the person coming to search, when he hides the objects.

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Aspects regarding the Divergences between the Constitutional and the Conventional Control in the Field of Human Rights

Author(s): Silviu-Gabriel Barbu,Cristina-Maria Florescu / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: unconstitutionality; unconventionality; res judicata;

The integration, at the national level, of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights may open the subject of a dispute in relation to a contrary jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court, regarding the protection of human rights. This paper integrates the possible disputes and proposes ways of solving them, as well as proposals for improving the dialogue of European states regarding the jurisdictional protection of human rights.

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A Right of the Defendant: Requesting the Re-Administration of Evidence during the Criminal Prosecution

Author(s): Ioan Constantin Gliga / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: evidence; criminal prosecution; defendant; protection;

Although the adversarial principle is specific to the phase of the preliminary chamber and the trial phase, there are situations in which this general principle of law is also applicable to the criminal prosecution phase. This paper proposes to capture the applicability of art. 100 CPA, by reporting the possibility of the suspect or the defendant proposing the administration of evidence during the criminal prosecution phase. We will dissect the issue of the administration of evidence at the request of the suspect or the accused in the criminal prosecution phase, taking into account the provisions of the criminal procedure code, but also the European provisions applicable to the topic tackled here.

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Romanian Diplomacy around the Second World War

Author(s): Cristinel Ioan Murzea / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: peace; security; independence; aggression; revisionism;

The consequences of the rivalry between the winning and the losing powers of the First World War would become more acute at the end of the fourth decade of the 20th century in the context of the obvious revengeful tendencies of Germany and its acolytes to the expense of maintaining a climate of peace and international security. The Romanian diplomatic circles were forced to undergo endeavors and specific actions in order to obtain, from the powers which guaranteed the „Versailles system” increased guarantees for the protection of our independence and integrity in the new international context, actions which were doomed to fail given the peaceful and non-confrontational tendencies of France and England; thus, Romania had to elaborate a new approach in regard to economic and political-diplomatic relations.

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Violation of the Right to Private and Family Life in Case of Lack of Official Recognition of Same-sex Relationships

Author(s): Georgeta-Bianca Spîrchez / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2023

Keywords: private and family life; same-sex relationships; margin of appreciation; positive obligations;

The present study focuses on presenting the positive obligations of the signatory states of the European Convention on Human Rights, under Art. 8 of the Convention, to provide a legal framework enabling same-sex couples to enjoy adequate legal protection of their relationship. In order to achieve the proposed research objective, we considered the most recent cases before the European Court of Human Rights, namely the case of Buhuceanu et al. against Romania, respectively the case of Fedotova against Russia.

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Establishing Cross-Curricular Connections Through Python Programming in Computer Modeling Education

Author(s): Tsvetanka Georgieva-Trifonova / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Cross-curricular connections; Python programming; computer modeling learning

In the present paper, the possibilities of making cross-curricular connections through Python programming in computer modeling education are explored. For this purpose, sample projects are systematized according to the study subjects – mathematics, history, geography, human and nature. Their designation is to contribute to the consolidation of certain knowledge and skills, both in terms of Python programming and in the relevant other subject. Concrete implemented projects are represented, different variants of them are discussed, and their accessibility is ensured for their future reuse for educational purposes. As a result, they could be directly used to apply a project-based teaching approach in learning relevant topics from the study material.

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Environmental Kuznets Curve: An Updated Empirical Vision for Ecuador

Author(s): Cesar Salvador-Guerra,Juan-Antonio Jimber-del-Río,Arnaldo Vergara-Romero / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Economic growth; CO2 emissions; Environmental Kuznets Curve; environmental degradation; pollution

The Environmental Kuznets Curve provides a conceptual and empirical tool to discuss the relationship between economic development and environmental deterioration in the advancement of the study of the Anthropocene. The analysis is performed using World Bank data from 92 countries with at least 60 interludes and is subjected to a polynomial function model. The results show that the curve is N-shaped for countries with high per capita income. The fulfillment of the turn for Ecuador is related to a trend that can accept the assumption of the Kuznets Environmental Curve. Likewise, the study is limited to the ambiguities in the heterogeneity between countries, therefore, the analysis of the effectiveness of environmental policies, spatial variations and the long-term trend is recommended as future research.

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Sustainable Development and Agricultural Economics: Focus on the Current Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

Author(s): Nikolche Jankulovski / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Sustainable development; agricultural economics; organic farming; agroforestry; climate smart agriculture

The current research aimed at addressing the trends, challenges, and opportunities in agricultural economics. The constant development in agricultural economics warrants a better understanding of such changes to help with effective decision making in agriculture. Consecutively, a review of literature has enabled the research to identify three trends; organic farming, agroforestry, and climate-smart agriculture. The research used secondary data and primary data when conducting the thematic analysis. The findings from the analysis revealed that opportunities such as consumer demand, profitability, and government subsidies motivated the farmers into undertaking sustainable practices. Meanwhile, the challenges such as time constraint, farm size, and access to equipment and expert skills acted as barriers that prevented the farmers from adopting sustainable practices.

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Satisfaction of Postgraduate Students With Hybrid Flipped Learning to Develop Their Mathematical Competencies

Author(s): Edgar O. Cardoso-Espinosa,Jésica A. Cortés-Ruiz,Ma. Elena Zepeda-Hurtado / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Hybrid flipped learning; mathematical training; quality; student body; student satisfaction

The objective of the research is to assess the effectiveness of flipped learning in the development of mathematical competencies of postgraduate students to determine the level of satisfaction achieved during academic training in hybrid modality. The methodological approach was a quantitative a descriptive scope. The questionnaire was the instrument used with a cross-sectional design. The sample was 32 postgraduate students. The results are that hybrid flipped learning promotes the usefulness of the contents; integrates through discussions, practical cases or problems what has been learned for work performance. The mathematical competencies with the highest level of development are the use of mathematical terminology; use digital tools for the presentation of the strategy. The relevance of the research is to contribute about the effectiveness and use of flipped learning with the support of digital tools to promote quality mathematical training.

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Optimization of Resource Allocation and Task Allocation with Project Management Information Systems in Information Technology Companies

Author(s): Ilham Nur Pratama,Muhammad Dachyar,Novandra Rhezza Pratama / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Project management information system; enterprise architecture; decision making project; human resource management

This study proposes a novel approach to designing an integrated Resource Allocation and Task Allocation Optimization System (RATAOS) using Enterprise Architecture (EA) to improve project management efficiency. The proposed approach integrates Project Management Information System (PMIS) with an optimization system designed using a random forest model and Natural Language Programming (NLP). The integrated system optimizes resource and task allocation, reducing operational costs by 14% and planning phases by 88.7%. Project completion time increased by 50.80%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the integrated system. The purpose of this study is to find a solution for PMIS to be used as an automatic data-driven Resource and Task Allocation Optimization System. The technique used in this study is service integration between the existing PMIS with the Resource and Task Allocation Optimization System.

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Socio-Technical Perspective in Determining the Factors and Components for Minimizing Cybersecurity Threat

Author(s): Eko Haryadi,Abdul Karim,Lizawati Salahuddin / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: Socio technical; cybersecurity; threat; behaviour; smart city implementation

Smart city development necessitates careful planning and control. Many factors contribute to failures in smart cities, such as the lack of attention in dealing with cyber security threats, misappropriation of internet facilities, and limitedness of awareness and knowledge of basic-level cybersecurity to safely perform daily activities. Numerous studies have discovered that procrastinating, impulsive, forward-thinking, and risk-taking behaviours vary across organizations, which may help to explain why different organizations adhere to security policies. This research aims to analyse the socio-technical structural relationship of socio-technical perspective in determining the factors and components for minimizing security threat. The research uses a mixed-methods study while the results regarding the contribution of socio-technical components to the improvement of work behaviour in minimizing cybersecurity threats and proposes new analysis result of the contribution work behaviours as contribution and a positive influence for minimizing cybersecurity threat toward successful smart city.

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E-Business as Catalyst for Global Transformation of SMEs: A Middle East Perspective

Author(s): Marko Selaković,Nikolina Ljepava,Anna Tarabasz,Ilija Stojanović / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: SMEs; e-business; digital transformation; economic development; competitiveness

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are carriers of the economic development on local, regional, and national level. With high levels of flexibility, agility and adaptability, small and medium enterprises have the ability to transform and embrace new emerging technologies and opportunities. In the Industry 4.0 world, characterized by the intensive development and integration of digital solutions into all levels of operations, SMEs are among early adopters of such solutions. The purpose of the paper is to examine how small and medium enterprises in the Middle East are increasing their competitiveness, using innovative digital and e-business solutions as key transformative tools. Within the research, a systematic review of support ecosystem for development of the sector in the Middle East has been performed. Based on the systematic review and literature findings, the 5I framework, consisting of internationalization, innovation, integration, implementation, and intensifying, has been suggested as the model for transformative development of small and medium enterprises. In the future research, it is possible to examine how fast-growing economies that create supportive environment for the development of small and medium enterprises, simultaneously recognizing digital and e-business solutions as important pillar of increasing competitiveness and innovativeness, might benefit from successful implementation of 5I framework for successful global transformation.

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ESG Performance and Disclosure: National Composite Indicators for Monitoring Sustainable Growth Conditions in the EU-27

Author(s): Petra Jílková,Jana Kotěšovcová / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2023

Keywords: composite indicators; DSG; ESG; non-financial reporting; sustainable development

Sustainable growth is a major global concern due to environmental challenges, social and corporate governance matters. Identifying and analyzing key indicators can provide valuable insights into the critical factors affecting sustainability in the EU-27 countries. This paper analyzes environmental, social and governance national composite indicators for monitoring sustainable growth conditions in the EU-27. The authors develop a simplified algorithm based on the ESG index methodology and composite indicators theory. The three pillars of the ESG methodology are examined with a focus on the ten most valuable indicators in each pillar. A sub-objective is to verify what percentage of the results are consistent with the original approach. The data were collected for the EU-27 countries for 2020–2021. The study's main outcome is a simplified approach to measuring sustainability that is 81% consistent with previous calculations. In line with previous studies, Norway, Sweden, and Finland rank highest on the ESG index, while Cyprus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Greece rank the lowest.

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Financing infrastructure using land value capture

Author(s): Andrei-Daniel Apostol / Language(s): English / Issue: 11/2023

Keywords: hedonic analysis; Land Value Capture; infrastructure;

The study explores the feasability and benefits of using land value capture mechanisms in the financing of Romanian infrastructure projects. The impact that the PLS Zarea – Laminorului – Straulesti subway expansion had on neighbouring real estate values is estimated by performing a hedonic analysis on 2990 observations of properties surrounding the two new stations in order to create an index that can display the effect proximity to the new line had on prices. With a rate of growth nearly double that of the overall market, it is admissable that the value generated by the newly built infrastructure can be isolated and captured in order to pay for the line expansion.

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Patterns of vernacular conflicts in medieval and early-modern towns of historical Upper Hungary

Author(s): István Kollai / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: inter-ethnic relations; nationalism; emotions; interests; vernacular languages;

Along the history of Central and Eastern Europe, a great variety of intercultural conflicts has been emerged in this region, among which a special form of conflict is embodied by tensions between vernacular language groups within medieval and early modern urban communities. Despite many valuable research results, the question of pre-modern vernacular conflicts is generally on the periphery of academic interest; while particular urban histories have explored much around these events, a general conceptualization seems to be lacking. This paper attempts to contribute to the academic discourse with a conceptualization, trying to clarify the specifics of these pre-modern vernacular urban conflicts in a comparativ way: ie. comparing them with modern nationalisms. As a result, it is concluded that pre-modern tensions between vernaculars were driven both by differing interests and emotions of the parties – like in case of modern nationalisms – but, unlike modern nationalisms, they lacked an intellectual motive. This lack of intellectual motives is embodied in the non-participation of circles of people-of-letters in these conflicts and in the apparent absence of explanatory (ideologizing) narratives that could provide more abstract reasons for situational contradictions than pure conflicts of interest or emotional hatred and distrust.

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How does the firm size impact its financial performance?

Author(s): Șerban - Gabriel Bican / Language(s): English / Issue: 11/2023

Keywords: company size; financial performance; energy field; ROA; ROE;

In the energy sector, the size of companies is considered to be an important factor determining financial performance. Large energy companies often benefit from the economies of scale and scope and can invest more in research and development. However, the relationship between the size of the company and its financial performance is complex and multifaceted. The size of the company, defined as the measurement of company’s scale based on variables as Total Assets and Total Liabilities, has been recognized as a key factor in the determination of financial performance. The study uses regression analysis on data collected between 2000 and 2022 from six companies in the energy sector and aims to investigate the link between the firm size and financial performance. Financial performance is measured by ROA and ROE, among others. The study concluded that while the size of companies is an important factor in determining financial performance, it should be considered in addition to other factors.

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Propaganda Component of the Process of Sovietization and Forms of its Implementation in the Western Regions of Ukraine in 1944 – 1950.

Author(s): Galyna Starodubets,Serhii Sokoliuk / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2022

Keywords: western regions of Ukraine; Sovietization; propaganda; mass media; public events;

The article deals with the peculiarities of the process of Sovietization of the western regions of Ukraine during the period of late Stalinism. Given the totalitarian nature of the Stalinist regime, it is emphasized that the informational space was one of the most important spheres of life, control over which by the ruling Communist Party was complete and inseparable. The scientific novelty is that the author defines the organization and holding of meetings of various categories of the population as one of the active forms of Stalin’s propaganda. They were an instrument of forcing the local population to trust the Soviet government, to legitimize it. It is noted that such events systematically repeated, gradually became part of Soviet everyday life. The task of Stalin’s propaganda was to construct a new type of man – „homo Sovieticus“, for whom communist ideology is not just a set of slogans, but an inner conviction.

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