ISSUE: 4/2025
- Volume 29
- Number 4
- 2025
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Studia Europejskie –
Studies in European Affairs
ISSN: 1428-149X
e-ISSN: 2719-3780
License
Articles published in the journal are under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivatives 4.0 International License

Publication co-financed by Ministry of Science and Higher Education pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 3 August 2021 (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 1514) on the “Development of Scientific Journals” programme.
Publikacja dofinansowana przez Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego na podstawie rozporządzenia Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z 3 sierpnia 2021 r. (Dz. U. z 2021 r. poz. 1514) w sprawie programu „Rozwój czasopism naukowych”.

Publication co-financed by the University of Warsaw within the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme.
Czasopismo otrzymało dofinasowanie w ramach Programu „Inicjatywa Doskonałości – Uczelnia Badawcza”.
A Digital Crossroads: The Digital Evolution of Romania in the European Union Landscape – A Comparative Analysis With the Baltics, With Emphasis on the Business Sector
Abstract
Romania’s digital trajectory is examined in relation to broader European and global benchmarks, with a particular focus on its path towards digital transformation. This study examines Romania’s digital performance using key metrics from the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), comparing 2030 Digital Compass targets to those of the Baltic States. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, testing several hypotheses primarily through simple linear regression. A qualitative analysis of policy and strategic documents further enhances the robustness of the findings, supplementing the quantitative data. The results outline important differences between Romania and the European Union average, with clearer contours in what is considered the adoption of artificial intelligence, the use of cloud computing services, big data analytics, and digital intensity amongst small and medium enterprises. Romania lags behind the Baltic States, indicating that the country continues to grapple with significant challenges in the European digital landscape. The findings of this study indicate that, in the case of Romania, there have been significant gaps that have hindered its full integration with the digitalised European market. In summary, this paper recommends that Romanian policymakers focus on digitalisation initiatives, renew digital infrastructure, and ensure continuous, convincing, and coherent preparation for the needs of advancing digital literacy, inclusive growth, and a competitive European digital economy. These areas, if addressed, will facilitate the rapid digital transformation of Romania and reduce the digital gap within Europe.
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Language: English
Pages: 291-305
How to Cite:
Harvard
Călinescu, G. and Drăgan, G. (2025) "A Digital Crossroads: The Digital Evolution of Romania in the European Union Landscape – A Comparative Analysis With the Baltics, With Emphasis on the Business Sector". Studia Europejskie – Studies in European Affairs, 4/2025, pp. 291-305. DOI: 10.33067/SE.4.2025.14