Transformations  in
Business & Economics

TRENDS, CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FOR ROMANIA
Laura Diaconu (Maxim), Andrei Maxim, Adina Dornean

ABSTRACT. The present paper aims to analyse the economic, social and environmental climate of Romania, between 2000 and 2016, in order to identify the main factors that challenge the sustainable development and to formulate possible solutions.
The research methods we have used are both qualitative and quantitative ones. The documentary research led to the development of three hypotheses which were subsequently tested using several models based on statistical analysis of secondary data. The conclusions of the study underline that, in order to sustain the economic growth, Romania needs to increase its human capital stock, especially that related to the secondary education, to reduce pollution and waste, and to raise the level of the social inclusion. This last aspect could be achieved through adequate policies and active re-qualification measures meant to reduce unemployment, poverty and wage inequalities .

KEYWORDS:  sustainable development, economic growth, living standard, social inclusion, environment protection.

JEL classification:  Q01, Q56, I30.