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Title	Smart Work in the Emilia-Romagna Region
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-1
Author	Davide Dazzi
Abstract	The Emilia-Romagna Region has developed a structured experience of smart working even before the Covid-19 outbreak through a concrete involvement of trade unions and worker representatives. Whilst most of the Public Administrations in Italy were forced to undergo the fluctuating legislative provisions issued at the national level, the Emilia-Romagna Region, thanks to its expertise, has succeeded in reacting to the challenges posed by the pandemic and continued in its organisational transformation based on an effective social dialogue approach. The development of smart working in the Emilia-Romagna Region can be divided into four phases: pilot period, regular implementation, extraordinary smart work during the pandemic, and smart work becoming a common practice after the pandemic, driven by a formalized organizational plan. Introduced as an experimental form, smart work became a common practice, with over 400 active smart-working projects. While in the pilot period only small group of employees were involved, nowadays approximately 85-90% of the regional workforce is engaged in smart work projects.
Keywords	Covid-19; remote work; smart work; collective bargaining
JEL Codes	J5; M5; O33

Title	Harmonization of Artificial Intelligence Rules with New Approaches in Administration
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-2
Author	Monica Agheorghiesei
Abstract	IBM says that „Artificial Intelligence (AI) uses computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of humans.” This paper contains ideas from his current AI research and is based on its implementation and analysis of its ethical impact on society, especially in education, and presents several European concepts and initiatives. Today we are talking about artificial intelligence (AI) in terms of technology development focused on industry or manufacturing goods and services, but finding artificial intelligence services in education remains difficult. That’s why I suggest investigating before the benefits and limitations it has. The purpose of introducing an AI code of ethics, alongside the other European rules, is to provide guidance to stakeholders when faced with decisions related to the use of artificial intelligence.
Keywords	artificial intelligence; human intelligence; AI code; administration`s skills
JEL Codes	H83

Title	Factors Influencing Local Governments’ Investment Decision
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-3
Authors	Florin Oprea, Andrei Dascălu
Abstract	Local communities’ sustainable development represents a key topic on public governments’ agenda, thus raising the problem of social and economic growth determinants, which could be shaped throughout promoted public policies. In this context, public investment plays a crucial role, being considered as a main trigger of local development on medium and long term, in close connection with the quality of the associated decision-making process. Under democratic values as decentralization, local autonomy and self-government, public investment decisions are configured by local authorities while facing particular constraints or influence factors, both related to endogenous sources (e.g. administrative capacity, legal collaborative partners, competence or legal constraints) or exogenous ones (as financial market conditions, corruption, institutional arrangements, politics etc.), which are in the end affecting the quality of the adopted decisions. From this perspective, our study aims first to identify the factors potentially affecting the local governments’ investment decision, to emphasize the particular transmission channels of their influence and to reveal their potential expected impact. On this base, we also aim to suggest some alternatives to counteract the negative effects of the discussed factors, as useful inputs for (new) public policies.
Keywords	local governments; decision; investments; factors; vulnerabilities
JEL Codes	H70; E22

Title	The role of Public Institutions in the Romanian Healthcare System
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-4
Authors	Daniel Boldureanu, Mihaela Mihai
Abstract	The Romanian healthcare system is a predominantly public one, in which public institutions have the main role. The article analyses the role and organization of the main public institutions in the Romanian health system: the Ministry of Health, the Public Health District Authorities and the National Health House in terms of their roles and duties. Following the inductive and deductive analysis, it emerged that public institutions have an essential role in the Romanian health system, contributing to the provision of medical services to the insured, ensuring access to medical care, promoting public health and protecting the interests of patients and the population in general. In conclusion, the situation of the Romanian health system is a complex one: although it faces many problems such as limited resources, old infrastructure or shortage of medical personnel, it manages to provide medical services at low or free costs to all insured persons.
Keywords	health; health system; public institutions
JEL Codes	I13; H83

Title	Out-of-Office Work – Two Case Studies in Poland
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-5
Author	Dominik Owczarek, Maciej Pańków
Abstract	The article presents results of an in-depth qualitative case studies on out-of-office work in Poland: remote working in a large bank and an ICT-based mobile work in an electricity company. The former case relates to the implementation of remote working in a large universal bank that is part of a transnational financial institution in response to the restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the use of remote working among workers not performing ICT based mobile work was very limited and managers were reluctant to allow it on a large scale even for highly skilled employees. The pandemic forced a radical change in the management model, with the eventual introduction of hybrid working (done from home on selected days of the week) in 2022, after recognising its significant benefits. These were felt by both the employed and the employing parties. However, the role of trade unions in implementation of remote work was limited. In the case of the second company, ICT-based mobile work has been introduced in 2016 and successively developed in the following years, allows electricians servicing power grid in the field to communicate and work fully remotely. In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, this model was facilitated and extended to more electricians. Company management reported a significant increase in productivity and control over the electricity network, as well as an improvement in the quality of service provided to end customers (i.e. a reduction in power outages). Electricians highlighted greater flexibility in organising tasks and working hours, resulting in increased job satisfaction. However, the process of implementing mobile working has caused some tensions with management, in addition, some employees have found it difficult to acquire new skills and adapt to new technologies. In parallel to the development of ICT-based mobile working, a self-employment model is being introduced among electricians, which has implications for collective labour relations.
Keywords	Covid-19; remote work; ICT-based mobile work; collective bargaining
JEL Codes	J5; M5; O33

Title	Innovation and Digital Transformation in Local Communities
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-6
Authors	Elena Cigu Rusu, Denis Hyams-Ssekasi, Mihaela Onofrei, Anca Florentina Vatamanu, Ana-Maria Bercu
Abstract	The use of technology is inevitable in a society of knowledge, being implemented including at the level of local governments where has the potential to improve interactions between local authorities and citizens through the simplification of procedures, as well as contributing to open local government. The innovation and digital transformation of government means the further modernisation of public administration, seamless cross-border mobility and enhanced digital interactions. The paper aim is to show that local governments operate in an increasingly open and receptive manner by using innovation and an increasing number of digital tools that facilitate the development of local communities and the improvement of living standards.
Keywords	information technology; local community; innovation; local government
JEL Codes	H70; O36

Title	Smart Cities in Europe. A Focus on Romania
DOI	DOI: 10.47743/ejpar.2023-1-7
Author	Mihaela Izman
Abstract	This article explores the evolution of urban settlements throughout history and highlights the crucial role they play as engines of economic, cultural and technological development. The positive link between urbanization and economic growth is outlined, but also the negative aspects related to urbanization that have a global impact. The focus is on the concept of „smart” cities that integrate digital technology into infrastructure and services, with the aim of improving the quality of life of citizens and contributing to a more sustainable future. The article focuses on the analysis of examples of „smart” cities in Europe and offers a series of suggestions for the implementation of this concept in Romania. In the end, I conclude that if Romania were to follow the example of „smart” cities in Europe and implement similar strategic plans, the country could reach a higher level of (socio-economic) development and modernization, becoming a prominent participant among „smart” cities in Europe.
Keywords	smart city; Europe; digitization; economy
JEL Codes	H70; O18; O52; R11; R58