Florica Ortan

In the context of accelerated digital transformation, understanding the factors that stimulate entrepreneurship at the European level has become a strategic priority. This study investigates the impact of digital infrastructure and human capital on new business density in the European Union, testing the hypothesis that these determinants operate differently depending on countries’ innovation stage. The analysis is grounded in a balanced panel dataset covering 26 EU member states over the period 2010–2023, grouped into four innovation clusters according to the European Innovation Scoreboard. Empirical analysis adopts a dual econometric approach. Static relationships are estimated using a Panel EGLS framework with cross-section SUR weights to capture short-run correlations and cross-country interdependence. Dynamic relationships are examined through a Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model estimated via the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) method, allowing for the identification of long-run equilibrium effects and adjustment dynamics while accounting for structural heterogeneity. Results show substantial cross-cluster heterogeneity. For Moderate Innovators, primarily located in Southern and Central Europe, digital infrastructure acts as a clear catalyst for entrepreneurship, exerting positive effects on new business density in both the short and long run. In contrast, for Strong Innovators, digitalization displays a more complex temporal pattern, with short-run effects dominated by implementation and adjustment costs, while long-run benefits materialize as productivity gains. The analysis shows that tertiary education supports entrepreneurial entry in the short run, while its long-run effect becomes negative, reflecting rising opportunity costs and the increasing absorption of skilled labor into corporate employment. While emerging economies benefit directly from investments in digital infrastructure, mature economies require structural interventions to reduce market rigidities and better align human capital with entrepreneurial activity.

The last few decades brought about unprecedented rapid technological change. The COVID-19 pandemic sped it up and forced digitalized citizenship, digitalized teaching and learning, and permanent engagement through the virtual bond. Many processes were moved to the virtual world and those illiterate in digital tools might have felt excluded or left behind. Technological advancements have had many benefits revealed but they have also had multiple negative effects on the educational process and the well-being of participants of the latter. As our study shows, human social nature opposes the use of the Internet as the main or only medium of human interaction. Our study shows that sole online education is not desirable and is not good for our well-being. In the article, we present empirical research findings from 4 EU countries representing different parts of Europe. A group of researchers from 4 universities joined forces to map the needs of teachers and learners and to identify key factors for well-being in education in post-pandemic educational settings. Qualitative data came from over 2000 participants (teachers and learners), as a part of a larger case study. In this article, we focus primarily on the data from an online survey in 2022, supplemented by a prior Pilot study in 2021. Key words: COVID-19, education system; EDUCATORE project; student; teacher, wellbeing.---Sažetak Posljednjih nekoliko desetljeća došlo je do neviđeno brzih tehnoloških promjena. Pandemija bolesti COVID-19 ubrzala ih je te prisilno digitalizirala građane, digitalizirala poučavanje i učenje te nametnula stalni angažman putem virtualne veze. Mnogi su procesi premješteni u virtualni svijet, a oni nepismeni u digitalnim alatima osjećali su se isključenima ili zapostavljenima. Tehnološki napredak otkrio je mnoge prednosti, ali je također imao i višestruko negativne učinke na obrazovni proces i dobrobit njegovih sudionika. Kao što pokazuje naša studija, ljudskadruštvena priroda protivi se korištenju interneta kao glavnoga ili jedinoga medija ljudske interakcije. Naša studija pokazuje da isključivo internetsko obrazovanje nije poželjno i nije dobro za našu dobrobit. U ovom članku predstavljamo rezultate empirijskih istraživanja iz 4 zemlje članice EU koje predstavljaju različite dijelove Europe. Skupina istraživača s 4 sveučilišta udružila je snage kako bi prikazala potrebe nastavnika i učenika te identificirala ključne čimbenike za dobrobit u obrazovanju u poslijepandemijskom obrazovnom okružju. Kvalitativni podatci prikupljeni su od više od 2000 sudionika (nastavnika i učenika) i dio su veće analize slučaja. U ovom se članku prvenstveno usredotočujemo na podatke iz internetske ankete iz 2022. godine, dopunjene prethodnom pokusnom studijom iz 2021. godine. Ključne riječi: COVID-19; dobrobit; nastavnik; obrazovni sustav; projekt EDUCATORE; učenik.

Information about the paper titled "STUDENTS' PERCEPTION ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE EFFICIENCY OF SCHOOLS IN SHAPING THE SOCIAL MENTALITY" at IATED Digital Library

Teacher job satisfaction and well-being have a significant impact on educational outcomes, considering that teaching is the main objective of the educational process. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between teacher job satisfaction and four main categories of determinants: self-efficacy, relational aspects (colleague collaboration, student behavior, school management), work-related aspects (administrative workload, teaching tasks), and working conditions, in order to identify various implications for teachers’ well-being. The study employs a survey delivered to 658 K-12 (pre-university) teachers, from the North-West region of Romania. We used factorial analysis and a structural equation model to test eight proposed hypotheses. The results showed that self-efficacy, promotion, positive student behavior, and working conditions have significant effects on job satisfaction. These factors influence job satisfaction and well-being in the teaching profession because they ensure a positive work environment in which teachers and students thrive, thus leading to higher levels of involvement from teachers, students, and parents alike. An efficient work environment decreases attrition, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and teacher turnover, while increasing job satisfaction, well-being, and teacher retention.

The paper is the result of collaboration between seven European universities and covers health, social pedagogy, and special education programs, aimed at the removal of barriers to social inclusion and social participation facing children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The collaboration received funding from the Erasmus+ Intensive Program with the aim of developing a common curriculum on social inclusion for children and young adults with IDD. Identifying variables that support inclusion for individuals with IDD who engage in challenging behavior is critically important and this paper is built on reviewing social and educational policies from 5 European countries in order to do so. The paper reveals loopholes and paradoxes in policy that hinder social inclusion when addressing challenging behavior. The greatest challenges identified by the researchers are the gaps in training for different professions and the lack of overarching legislation for these professions. Another issue identified is government tolerance of a lack of clear competencies and codes of conduct amongst unregulated service providers.