Annals of Spiru Haret University. Economic Series

18

Authors: Irina Gabriela RĂDULESCU, Costin LIANU, Cosmin LIANU

Dual-use technologies, which mean technologies used for both military and civil applications, are evolving in the context of digitalization. Even in pre-digital era, at the dawns of the technological progress of mankind, the use of technologies was ambivalent, both for warfare and civil wellbeing. Now however, we assist to a fast blending of dual use and digital processes which is changing the landscape of the business models. We name this new process interaction as Dual-use Digital Blending (DDB). This paper is investigating the trends of evolution of this blended dual-use digital transformation technologies and their impact on the new geo-economic and geopolitical confrontations, on the trade flows and economic balance of power. We analyse the new emerging business models triggered by DDB and the managerial challenges they will require, especially for innovative SMEs and SMEs. Finally, we argue that university led innovation ecosystem, like the case study presented, may offer knowledge hubs for managers, organized in clusters in order to be better prepared for the described DDB process.

20

Authors: Olushola Joshua OMOLEKAN, Olushola OMOLE

Networking has made the world become a small community especially through social media. The usage of social networking sites by all has made the world a commonplace for both individuals and businesses alike. Small businesses now utilized social media to promote and communicate their products and services to the global community. Thus, the inherent small business challenges such as finance, low patronage, high cost of doing business and low market share are being checked. Therefore, this study examines the influence of social networking on small business performance in Nigeria. Specific objectives are to: evaluate the influence of social media on market share; and determine the effect of search engine on consumers’ choice making. Survey design was adopted for the study. The study population comprises of registered small businesses in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. Judgmental and simple random techniques were used to select the sample respondents. Ordinary least square regression was used to analyse the collated data. The findings revealed that social media have significant effect on market share. Also, search engine significantly influences consumers’ choice making. The study concluded that significant relationship exists between social networking and small business performance. The study recommended that video sharing platform should be adequately embraced to favourably positioned products and services. Besides, consumer trust should be built through timely delivery and product quality to encourage repeat purchase.

22

Authors: Costin LIANU, Irina-Gabriela RĂDULESCU, Simona Corina DOBRE (GUDEI)

Digital technologies are used increasingly in everyday life, in any aspects of human activities. Pandemics like coronavirus imposed stricter rules for health, and people, most probably, will prefer to be safer with organic products. Even before the crises, organic agriculture especially was on the path to digitalization. Now we realize better that Digitally Conducted Organic Agri-food (DCOA) solutions will emerge even faster. This paper is investigating the trends of evolution of digital transformation in organic agri-food industry and their impact on trade flows with food products. We look at the new emerging business models triggered by the DCOA solutions and the managerial challenges this will require especially for innovative start-ups, farmers and SMEs in agri-food sector. Finally, we argue that university led innovation ecosystem, like the study case presented, may offer knowledge hubs for farmers, processors and sector branch organizations in the organic sector.