• Energy Research

This article presents the influence of the evolution of the oil price on the international markets on the strategies of companies whose main activity is the manufacture of oil equipment for the Romanian oil industry. As a tool for economists and specialists in the oil industry, such a study helps to develop economic strategies and management decisions based on forecasts of oil price developments. Based on statistical data for the annual oil price on international markets and the turnover of the oil companies, an analysis was proposed which showed that the trends in the mathematical models are similar, which highlights that economic activities in the oil sector are sensitive to the evolution of oil price. Management strategies are based on anticipating changes in the corporate environment, assessing the company’s internal potential and making the necessary changes to bring it in line with the economy, its mission, and the objectives set to ensure its survival and continuity. These views make it possible to analyse and forecast oil prices; upward trends will encourage companies to design and develop strategies that include investments to expand production capacity, and downward trends will synergistically lead to downsizing strategies. Variations in company production will generate an economic, social, and environmental impact in the countries where they operate.

This article presents the influence of the evolution of the oil price on the international markets on the strategies of companies whose main activity is the manufacture of oil equipment for the Romanian oil industry. As a tool for economists and specialists in the oil industry, such a study helps to develop economic strategies and management decisions based on forecasts of oil price developments. Based on statistical data for the annual oil price on international markets and the turnover of the oil companies, an analysis was proposed which showed that the trends in the mathematical models are similar, which highlights that economic activities in the oil sector are sensitive to the evolution of oil price. Management strategies are based on anticipating changes in the corporate environment, assessing the company’s internal potential and making the necessary changes to bring it in line with the economy, its mission, and the objectives set to ensure its survival and continuity. These views make it possible to analyse and forecast oil prices; upward trends will encourage companies to design and develop strategies that include investments to expand production capacity, and downward trends will synergistically lead to downsizing strategies. Variations in company production will generate an economic, social, and environmental impact in the countries where they operate.

During the last few decades, economists have tried to find a solution to eradicate poverty, especially since the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals were launched. The target of Goal 1 is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. While income inequality and unemployment have played a major part in contributing to poor wellbeing in the world, other factors such as political instability, a lack of good investment opportunities, and living conditions have contributed to it as well. Thus, in this work, the authors analyze the factors that impact poverty and compare these results between countries within the European Union and post-communist countries that include the Western Balkan (WB) countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The method used consists of both descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis using the fixed effect model where poverty is taken as the dependent variable. The data used in this study are gathered from the World Bank and Legatum Prosperity, during the period between 2009 and 2018. The results show that income inequality does indeed impact the further progress of poverty for both the EU and WB, while economic development in terms of GDP is shown to have a more significant impact on EU than in WB, where the most significant impact was through income per capita. Other factors such as education, investment environment, and especially unemployment also significantly impacted on decreasing the poverty rate in both economic zones.

During the last few decades, economists have tried to find a solution to eradicate poverty, especially since the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals were launched. The target of Goal 1 is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. While income inequality and unemployment have played a major part in contributing to poor wellbeing in the world, other factors such as political instability, a lack of good investment opportunities, and living conditions have contributed to it as well. Thus, in this work, the authors analyze the factors that impact poverty and compare these results between countries within the European Union and post-communist countries that include the Western Balkan (WB) countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The method used consists of both descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis using the fixed effect model where poverty is taken as the dependent variable. The data used in this study are gathered from the World Bank and Legatum Prosperity, during the period between 2009 and 2018. The results show that income inequality does indeed impact the further progress of poverty for both the EU and WB, while economic development in terms of GDP is shown to have a more significant impact on EU than in WB, where the most significant impact was through income per capita. Other factors such as education, investment environment, and especially unemployment also significantly impacted on decreasing the poverty rate in both economic zones.

As civilization and technology have developed, there have been multiple energy transitions that have pushed various resources like coal, wood, oil, and gas to the forefront of the energy mix. Due to a variety of geopolitical initiatives, there have been progressively more restrictions on the energy sector in recent years. One of the main concerns of researchers is the widespread use of renewable energy and the replacement of fossil resources. The utilization of non-renewable energy sources results in a detrimental increase in greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most crucial strategies for lowering energy consumption and enhancing the energy system’s sustainability is to increase energy efficiency. Numerous studies note that energy transition has become necessary in the modern day. Using the analysis of the main components as an extraction method, hierarchical cluster analysis, this study focuses on the situation of the states of the European Union in their race for energy transition, taking into account the main challenges generated by geopolitical tensions and the energy poverty spectrum for the population. The conclusions of the study call for a reconfiguration of the energy mix based on renewable energy. Increasing the share of renewable energy is a goal pursued by EU countries, but energy policies must be considered in a broader context that includes the social aspects of the energy transition. So, just transition is a new concept that reshapes the actions of public authorities on the path to a low-carbon economy. Just transition is a necessity that puts the consumer at the center of attention so that the negative externalities generated by the move away from fossil fuels are minimized in terms of social impact.

As civilization and technology have developed, there have been multiple energy transitions that have pushed various resources like coal, wood, oil, and gas to the forefront of the energy mix. Due to a variety of geopolitical initiatives, there have been progressively more restrictions on the energy sector in recent years. One of the main concerns of researchers is the widespread use of renewable energy and the replacement of fossil resources. The utilization of non-renewable energy sources results in a detrimental increase in greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most crucial strategies for lowering energy consumption and enhancing the energy system’s sustainability is to increase energy efficiency. Numerous studies note that energy transition has become necessary in the modern day. Using the analysis of the main components as an extraction method, hierarchical cluster analysis, this study focuses on the situation of the states of the European Union in their race for energy transition, taking into account the main challenges generated by geopolitical tensions and the energy poverty spectrum for the population. The conclusions of the study call for a reconfiguration of the energy mix based on renewable energy. Increasing the share of renewable energy is a goal pursued by EU countries, but energy policies must be considered in a broader context that includes the social aspects of the energy transition. So, just transition is a new concept that reshapes the actions of public authorities on the path to a low-carbon economy. Just transition is a necessity that puts the consumer at the center of attention so that the negative externalities generated by the move away from fossil fuels are minimized in terms of social impact.

This research investigates the synergistic relationship between sustainability and financial prosperity in businesses, specifically focusing on the impact of consumers on profit growth in Kosovo and Albania. The study aims to understand consumers’ perceptions of their purchases, the factors influencing their choice of businesses, and the types of businesses that effectively support consumers in these countries. Data were collected through a survey completed by 200 consumers and 200 businesses. The analysis, utilizing multivariate analysis of variance, descriptive analysis, and reliability analysis with SPSS, reveals that consumers significantly influence the sustainability of business profit growth. Moving forward, it is recommended that businesses prioritize offering reasonable prices, quality products/services, easy access to products/services, clear information about products/services, and convenient locations. The research has profound implications for businesses, consumers, and countries and suggests the need for further exploration of the impact of consumers on profit growth in diverse contexts.

This research investigates the synergistic relationship between sustainability and financial prosperity in businesses, specifically focusing on the impact of consumers on profit growth in Kosovo and Albania. The study aims to understand consumers’ perceptions of their purchases, the factors influencing their choice of businesses, and the types of businesses that effectively support consumers in these countries. Data were collected through a survey completed by 200 consumers and 200 businesses. The analysis, utilizing multivariate analysis of variance, descriptive analysis, and reliability analysis with SPSS, reveals that consumers significantly influence the sustainability of business profit growth. Moving forward, it is recommended that businesses prioritize offering reasonable prices, quality products/services, easy access to products/services, clear information about products/services, and convenient locations. The research has profound implications for businesses, consumers, and countries and suggests the need for further exploration of the impact of consumers on profit growth in diverse contexts.