RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP VISION DEVELOPMENT AND ETHICS

Preface
The present volume comprises the papers presented at the 9th edition of the International
Conference on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development (ICEIRD), organized
by the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), from
Bucharest, Romania, and the University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College,
Thessaloniki, Greece. The conference has been designed as a forum able to facilitate discussions
and cooperation between decision-makers, academia and researchers, as well as practitioners
involved in innovation and entrepreneurship. The past editions of the conference
addressed a wide area of topics relevant for national competitiveness as well as sustainable
regional development.
The 2016 edition follows the successful series of ICEIRD conferences previously organized
in Greece, Serbia, FYROM, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus and UK. This year’s edition held
in Bucharest, Romania on June 23-24, proposed debates around the concept of responsible
entrepreneurship. The economic and social benefits of entrepreneurship are important factors
of sustainable development. In order to enhance the actual contribution to society,
entrepreneurial activities have to be responsible. It means that entrepreneurs are not concerned
only with their own financial interests, but they should also be keen to contribute to the prosperity
of the society. They operate taking into account the interests of various societal stakeholders
and communities, as well as the environment.
Since 2000, promoting entrepreneurship is one of the priorities of the European Union
as a means of employment, of economic reform, of social cohesion, of smart and sustainable
development. Nevertheless, the success rate of responsible entrepreneurial endeavors
is low, as it is the growth rate of such surviving start-ups. One of the causes might be the
relatively low interest in universities in entrepreneurship. A study published in 2012 by the
European Union reflecting the state of the entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship in EU and
beyond (Flash Eurobarometer 354), reveals that only one of four Europeans has taken a course
on entre preneurship or undergone an activity related to entrepreneurship while students. Many
other reasons could be related to economic and political factors, even with cultural framework
in which entrepreneurs operate. These and many other aspects are investigated in the
present volume.
We trust that reading this tome will provide useful insights referring to the entrepreneurial
endeavors and challenges around the world. We also believe that the studies presented can
contribute to better understanding of the relationships between academic, governmental, nongovernmental
and economic environments, contributing thus to closer cooperation. We hope
that it is thought-provoking and will lead to new discussions and directions of investigation
in the field.
Editors