WAYS TO INCREASE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF SMES IN

WAYS TO INCREASE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF SMES IN ROMANIA THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A MODEL OF PERFORMANCE MEASSUREMENT AND IMPROVEMENT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE EUROPEAN MODEL OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 Project director: Institutional affiliation: Project duration: Prof. univ. dr. Marieta Olaru Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest 2007 - 2010 1

Summary n Project purpose n Current status of performance indicators achievement n Main obtained results, which are original and valuable from a scientific point of view n Young researchers involvement and the way the involvement is reflected in the staff expenses n Difficulties met in conducting the project (scientific and/or administrative) PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 2

PROJECT PURPOSE n elaborating a model for evaluation and improvement of process performance in Romanian small and medium sized enterprises according to the European Quality Management model and defining new techniques and instruments for the application of this model with the aim of increasing competitiveness. PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 3

CURRENT STATUS OF ACCOMPLISHING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Planned indicators* Accomplished indicators* Articles accepted to be published in ISI indexed publications 2007 - 0 2008 - 1 2009 - 1 2007 - 0 2008 - 2 2009 - 2 Articles accepted to be published in international database indexed publications 2007 - 1 2008 - 2 2009 - 2 2007 - 6 2008 – 10 2009 - 5 Papers 2007 2008 2009 - Difference explanation (if that is the case) 2007 - 2 2008 - 6 2009 - 11 presented at international conferences 0 3 5 * Pentru perioada monitorizată PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 4

CURRENT STATUS OF ACCOMPLISHING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (cont. ) Planned indicators* Accomplished indicators* Organized workshops 2007 - 0 2008 - 1 2009 – 1 2007 - 0 2008 - 1 2009 - 1 International conferences organized 2007 - 0 2008 - 1 2009 - 0 Difference explanation (if that is the case) 2007 - 0 2008 - 1 2009 - 0 Information gathering and research internships 2007 - 0 2008 - 2 2009 - 2 Webpage creation and update 2008 2009 2010 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 2007 - 0 2008 - 2 2009 - 2 2008 2009 2010 ID_856 5

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS PLANNED FOR 2010 Performance criteria Planned Articles accepted to be published in ISI indexed publications 1 Articles accepted to be published in international database indexed publications (minimum) 2 Papers presented at international conferences (minimum) 2 Workshop organization 2 Completing several doctoral theses in adjacent areas Obs. 5 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 6

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase I 2007 – Results related to objective O 1 - Analysis of current orientations regarding the development of small and medium sized enterprises in Romania and their competitiveness enhancement Specific methods to define policies and objectives by SMEs Models and specific methods to plan, organize and coordinate the activities of SMEs Models and specific methods regarding SMEs’ human resource management Methods and specific techniques to evaluate and improve SMEs’ outcomes Elaboration of a questionnaire to evaluate Romanian SMEs’ performances in relationship with the European model of quality management Phase I 2007 - Results related to objective O 2 - Analysis of tendencies regarding the development of SMEs in Romania and their competitiveness enhancement Study on the strategic and legal framework regarding the development of SMEs in Romania and their competitiveness enhancement in relationship with their innovative potential PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 7

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Questionnaire tematics: implementation of quality management systems by the Romanian SMEs and performance evaluation of these organizations, according to the European model of Quality Management Sampling: where: n = the size of the minimum sample; t = confidence level representing the probability that guarantees the results (from statistical tables of the Student distribution); p = proportion of sample size that has the research characteristic (when p is not known it is considered to be 0. 5 – corresponding to the maximum dispersion); Δω –limit accepted error. Number of questionnaires sent: 3100 Number of filled in questionnaires: 1227 The distribution of questionnaires according to the type of enterprise: SMEs 1018 out of which: - 698 SMEs in the service area - 220 SMEs in the products area Large companies: 207 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 8

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase II 2008 - Results related to objective O 3 - Evaluation of the current state regarding the implementation and certification of quality management systems in SMEs in Romania • Particularities regarding quality management systems in SMEs regarding: the management, human resources, product and service realization, monitorization and evaluation of outcomes • Documentation specific to quality management systems – model and structure • Specific instruments for the monitorization and evaluation of outcomes (quality audit, Pareto diagram, cause-effect diagram, control diagram etc. ) • Methodology to implement and certify quality management systems in the SMEs from Romania • Costs of quality management certification in the case of SMEs • Main factors involved in decision taking of the implementation of quality management systems in Romanian SMEs • Main factors involved in decision taking of the certification of quality management systems in Romanian SMEs 9 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase II 2008 - Results related to objective O 4 - Evaluation of the efficiency of quality management systems in increasing the competitiveness of the SMEs from Romania • Models to evaluate the efficiency of quality management systems applied by the SMEs from Romania • Software application to evaluate efficiency of quality management systems applied by the SMEs by taking into account the quality costs • Determination of the effects registered with the implementation of quality management systems upon the performances of SMEs from Romania, based on a questionnaire, related to: customer satisfaction, number of clients, financial results in business, process, staff competence and satisfaction controlling • Improvement of the data management system related to organisation processes PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 10

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase II 2008 - Results related to objective O 5 - Evaluation of the effects registered with the certification of the quality management systems upon the performances of the SMEs from Romania, in accordance with the European model of total quality management • Determination of the effects registered with the certification of quality management systems upon the performances of SMEs from Romania, by means of a questionnaire • Method to identify and model to analyze the nonconformities observed while implementing the quality management systems within the SMEs from Romania with an impact upon their performances • Typical nonconformities observed while implementing the quality management systems within the SMEs from Romania as compared with other EU member states • Criteria related to the European model of quality management; Determining, by means of a questionnaire, the degree of fulfilment of the criteria related to the European model of quality management PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 11

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase II 2008 (selective) Articles published in ISI indexed publications: • Olaru, M. , Hannah Herlemann, Improvement of competitiveness of international companies in a multicultural environment, in “Amfiteatru economic”, special issue 2/ 2008, Editura ASE, CNCSIS cotation, category A, indexed ISI Thomson Reuters Services • Brad, S. , Vectors of innovation to support quality initiatives in the framework of ISO 9001: 2000, in “International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management”, Volume 25, Number 7/ 2008, p. 674 694, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 0265 -671 X, publication indexed in international database Cabell’s Directory of Publishing Opportunities in Management and Marketing (ISI) Articles published in the publication “Calitatea – acces la succes”, included in international indexed database Scopus and EBSCO Publishing, Inc, Editor SRAC, Bucharest: · Olaru M. , Cojocariu S. , Dinca V. , Possibilities of increasing the competitivness of Romanian SMEs in the field of hotel services · Olaru M. , Dinca V. , Ensuring a fair competition for SMEs in the European Union · Brad, S. , Multilayer Innovation – A Key Driver towards a Rapid Growth of Economic Competitiveness: Challenges for Romania · Cojocariu Steliana, Loghin Octavian, Molnar Elisabeta, Exigencies in the European Union for Ensuring Hospitality Small and Medium Enterprises Service Quality · Cojocariu Steliana, Cherciu Odeta, Molnar Elisabeta, A Study Related to Evaluation of Process Quality for the Hospitality Small and Medium Enterprises in Romania · Olaru Marieta, Loghin Octavian, Cherciu Odeta, Quality Management System Maturity in Relationship with Organizational Culture. A Case for SMEs PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 12

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- - Phase II 2008 (selective) „ Papers published in Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Commerce”, Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, 7 -8 April 2008: • Olaru M. , Sandru D. , Aspects regarding quality and performance measurement in SMEs • Cojocariu S. , Olaru M. , Dinca V. , Preoccupations concerning quality insurance for hotel services provided by Romanian SMEs • Dinca V. , Olaru. M. , Approaches in EU concerning the SMEs competitiveness development, • Purcarea I. , Loghin O. , “The relationship between innovation and competitiveness of Small and medium enterprises in Romania, in the context of the dynamics of globalization” Papers published in “Proceedings of the International Conference CHER 21’ 08 “Challenges in Higher Education and Research in the 21 -st Century”, 4 -7 June 2008 Sozopol, Bulgaria · Olaru, M. , Stoleriu, G. , Concerns of Romanian SMEs regarding the evaluation of process performance · Stoleriu, G. , Olaru, M. , Nedelcu V. , Considerations on the role of innovation in increasing the performance of Romanian SMEs PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 13

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase II 2008 (selective) n International conference organizing “The QIEI 2008 International Conference on QUALITY – INNOVATION – EUROPEAN INTEGRATION”, in Sibiu, during 18 -20 September 2008 (www. qiei 2008. ase. ro, co-organizers Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany Technical University Vienna, Austria, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, ”Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu Conference objectives: n n n Establishing connections between the academic environment representatives and the economic practice specialists involved in the quality and innovation management, with interdisciplinary interests in the area of business and European integration Gathering in an extended experience exchange of representatives of the academic environment, researchers, Ph. D students, consultants and representatives of the business environment worldwide, whom are interested in the most recent developments related to: European excellence standards in business, entrepreneurship, organizational intelligence and competitive development, intellectual property, enterprise management in multicultural environment, integrated management systems quality-environment-security, sustainable development Debate of the current interest issues related to the development of the European Union, highlighting the evolution of the European integration process as well as the dynamics generated by this evolution PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 14 ID_856

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase II 2008 (selective) n The papers of the international conference QIEI 2008 were presented to the entire public and in parallel session. 280 papers were presented by the 120 participants from Romania, Germany, Austria, Italy, Great Britain, Luxemburg and other countries Workshops addressed to the business environment, organized at the conference QIEI 2008: n n Improvement of the Romanian SME performance evaluation in relation to the European Quality Management system Strategic and operational management of enterprises in the context of the economic globalization. Measures to ensure their sustainability. Open innovation: What and why? Possible solutions for the economic environment in Romania The event offered an excellent networking and local culture exploration possibility, allowing the opportunity to form a network of high class academics and professsionals. PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 15

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase II 2008 (selective) n Organizing the international participation workshop „Improvement of the Romanian SME performance evaluation system in relation to the European model of Quality Management”, during the international conference QIEI 2008 – „Quality – Innovation – European Integration”, that took place in Sibiu, during 18 -20 September 2008 (www. qiei 2008. ase. ro). The objectives of the workshop: Presentation of the results obtained in the project IDEI 856; Presentations and ideas from the participating organizations, as to identify new possibilities to use the results of the project. PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 16

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase III 2009 – Results related to objective O 6 - Identification of current preoccupations of Romanian SMEs regarding the use of performance evaluation indicators • The specific model regarding the process based approach of the quality management system applied by SMEs. Drafting the documents which identify and represent process according to the ISO 9000 standard requirements: the model regarding the process based map, process diagram, process card • Identification of indicators used by SMEs in Romania to evaluate performances of sub-contractors, identified by means of a questionnaire and the evaluation fo the effects of using these indicators in relation with the: quality of the purchased products, the costs of evaluation of subcontractors, the reception costs and the total purchasing costs • Identification of indicators used by SMEs in Romania to evaluate process performances, identified by means of a questionnaire: time to respond to an order, promptness to deliver products and services; deviations in process unfolding; process efficiency, innovation rate; difference to the leader/competition, risk related to the workplace heath and safety • Identification of performance indicators related to staff and used by the Romanian SMEs, identified by means of a questionnaire: competence level, staff satisfaction, staff turnover, workplace security 17 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase III 2009 – Results related to objective O 7 - Identification of current preoccupations of the SMEs from Romania regarding the use of performance indicators referring to customers’ satisfaction • Evaluation of the implementation extent of the quality management based principle – customer focus – within SMEs from Romania, questionnaire based • Performance indicators referring to customers’ satisfaction within SMEs from Romania, identified by means of a questionnaire in relation with the requirements of the ISO 9000 model and with the criteria of the European Excellent model • Identified non-conformities related to the customer relationship regarding: communication with customers, client relationship management, evaluation and monitoring of client satisfaction • Determining the effects of the client and society satisfaction evaluation and monitoring in the case of the Romanian SMEs related to: product redesign, improvement of product and service quality, determining corrective and preventive measures, determing and implementing a continous improvement program. PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 18

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Phase III 2009 – Results related to objective O 8 – Definition and experimentation of a model which evaluates process and resource performances within SMEs from Romania Definition and experimentation of a model which evaluates sub-contractors of SMEs: • Evaluation model of sub-contractors of the SMEs based on an self evaluation questionnaire and on the basis of the records related to their performance • Multi-criteria based evaluation model of sub-contractors, by integrating the criteria referring to quality, costs and delivery deadlines on the basis of the quality management system audit • Global performance indicator for the quality management system of the subcontractors and sub-contractor ranking model according to their performance Definition of multicriteria model of process performance in the case of the Romanian SMEs: • Identification of the innovation types applicable in SMEs and the definition of an innovative model of evaluation of the process maturity of the quality management systems, related to their process performance • Multi-criteria based evaluation model of process performances, by integrating the criteria referring to process capability and innovation in case of the Romanian SMEs • Multi-criteria based evaluation model of human resources based performances, by integrating the criteria referring to competences, employees’ involvement and satisfaction in case of the Romanian SMEs 19 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase III 2009 (selective) Articles in the publication “Amfiteatru economic”, Editor ASE Bucuresti, CNCSIS cotation, category A, included in international database ISI Thomson Reuters Services: • Marieta Olaru, Felicia Albescu, Dorel Paraschiv, Stoleriu Ghiorghiţa, Claudia Adriana Langă, Performance assessment of the training service providers in Romania related to the criteria of the common quality assurance framework (publicat) • Marieta Olaru, Vasile Dinu, Ghiorghiţa Stoleriu, Diana Sandru, Violeta Dincă, Responsible commercial activity of SMEs and specific values of sustainable development in terms of the european excellence model (acceptat pentru publicare). Articles in the publication “Calitatea – acces la succes”, included in the international database Scopus şi EBSCO Publishing, Inc, Editor SRAC, Bucharest: · Olaru Marieta, Stoleriu Ghiorghiţa, Study regarding nonconformities established during internal and external audits of quality management systems within SMEs in Romania · Albescu, Felicia, Olaru Marieta, Paraschiv Dorel, Pugna Irina Excellence in global services through intercultural knowledge management · Dincă Violeta Mihaela, Şandru Ioana Maria Diana, Pelău Corina, Increasing Romanian SMEs’ competitiveness in the trade industry by developing a knowledge databased on process inovation PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 20

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase III 2009 (selective) „ Papers published in Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April 22 nd – 25 th, 2009” (CD), SGB Editioni, Messina Italy : • Olaru Marieta, Stoleriu Ghiorghiţa, Langă Claudia Adriana, Personnel performance indicators used by Romanian SMEs in the context of the implementation of iso 9000 quality management systems and of excellence models • Olaru Marieta, Purcarea Irina, Fostering innovation in small and medium enterprises through corporate entrepreneurship • Cojocariu Steliana, Şandru Diana, Dincă Violeta, Molnar Elisabeta, Current trends in the field of hotel services provided by Romanian SMEs in comparison with the large hotel chains. Papers published in Proceedings of the „The 6 th International Conference on Management of Technological Changes”, 3 -5 September 2009, Alexandroupolis, Grecia, indexed in the ISI Web of Knowledge, ISI Proceedings Database, http: //www. isiwebofknowledge. com · Olaru Marieta, Dinca Violeta Mihaela, Sandru Ioana Maria Diana, Increasing the competitiveness of the services providing small and medium enterprises from Romania by developing a knowledge databased on the process innovation · Olaru Marieta, Stoleriu Ghiorghita, Langa Claudia Adriana, Supplier performance assessment methods used by the Romanian SMEs in relationship with the requirements of the ISO 9000 model of quality management system · Stoleriu Ghiorghita, Olaru Marieta, Purcǎrea Irina, Developing an innovation-oriented organizational culture for Romanian small and medium enterprises · Diana Pitic, Marieta Olaru, Developing strategies and change directions of a Romanian SME 21 using the balanced scorecard instrument. PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856

MAIN OBTAINED RESULTS Results dissemination- Phase III 2009 (selective) n Organizing the workshop with theme: „Indicators and multi-criteria evaluation models of the SME performance in Romania”, ASE Bucharest, 24 th July 2009 Workshop objectives: Presentation of the results obtained in the project IDEI 856; Presentations and ideas from the participating organizations, as to identify new possibilities to use the results of the project. PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 22

AGENDA n State of the performance indicators regarding the involvement of young researchers n Ph. D. theses elaborated on the project topic and other related areas n Involvement of young researchers in activities of goal achievement and in other project based activities n Involvement of young researchers in the project activities – a personnel cost based perspective PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 23

STATE OF THE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS REGARDING THE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS (members of the research project)* Aspects Planned Achieved Ph. D thesis 2007 2008 2009 2010 1 5 1 1 4 5* Articles accepted for publication in journals indexed ISI 2007 2008 2009 2010 -0 -0 -0 – 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 -0 -0 – 1 Articles accepted for publication in journals indexed in international databases 2007 2008 2009 2010 -0 -2 – 1 -0 2007 2008 2009 2010 -0 -4 – 5 – 2* Papers presented at international conferences 2007 2008 2009 2010 -0 -1 – 2 -1 2007 2008 2009 2010 -2 -3 – 6 – 2* *currently under development PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 24

PH. D. THESES ELABORATED ON THE PROJECT TOPIC AND OTHER RELATED AREAS (co-ordinated by the project director) Ph. D. theses elaborated on the project topic and other related areas (defended, and approved by C. N. A. T. D. C. U. MEd. CTS) n n Possibilities regarding the implementation of total quality management within the SMEs from Romania (defended 2007 and approved 2007) Development of an organizational culture focused on quality by elaborating a quality management system (defended 2008 and approved 2009) Improvement of quality management in relationship with human resources management within SMEs (defended 2008 and approved 2009) Possibilities regarding the quality improvement of hotel services in Romania in accordance with the exigencies of the European Union (defended 2008 and approved 2010) Ph. D. theses elaborated on the project topic and other related areas (defended or to be on defense) n. Possibilities regarding the competitiveness improvement of enterprises on the European market trough human resources management (defended 2009) n. Possibilities regarding the implementation of an integrated management system quality– environment– social accountability within textile enterprises in Romania, in accordance with the exigencies of the European Union (defended 2010) n. Possibilities regarding the improvement of processes within the SMEs from Romania by means of quality management methods (defended 2010) PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 25

PH. D. THESIS ELABORATED ON THE PROJECT TOPIC AND OTHER RELATED AREAS (co-ordinated by the project director) Ph. D. thesis elaborated on the project topic and other related areas (scheduled for defense in 2010) n n n Orientation towards excellence of SMEs in Romania, by means of modern quality management models and methods with the aim of improving their competitiveness (2010) Evaluation and improvement of SMEs’ performances with the aim of improving their competitiveness (2010) Development of SMEs’ innovation capacity with the aim of improving their competitiveness (2010) Ph. D. thesis elaborated on the project topic and other related areas (scheduled for defense in 2011 -2012) n. Improvement of SMEs’ process performances in Romania, in the context of economic globalization (2011) n. Quality improvement of services carried out by medical laboratories in Romania in accordance with the exigencies of the European Union (2011) n. Management of SMEs’ processes sustainable performance in Romania in the context of economic globalization (2012) n. Models and indicators to evaluate SMEs’ performances in Romania with the aim of improving their competitiveness (2012) n. Impact evaluation of total quality management on business performances within industrial enterprises 26 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856

INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS IN GOAL ACHIEVEMENT AND IN OTHER PROJECT BASED ACTIVITIES Planned Achieved • Involvement in the documentation process and questionnaire based research • Involvement in the elaboration of the research report for each stage • Involvement in the organization of the international conference QIEI 2008 Achieved “The QIEI 2008 International Conference on QUALITY – INNOVATION – EUROPEAN INTEGRATION”, 18 -20, September 2008 (www. qiei 2008. ase. ro, coorganizatori: Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, University Erlangen. Nuremberg, Germany Technical University Vienne, Austria, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, ”Lucian Blaga” University, Sibiu • Involvement in the organization of the workshop: „Improvement of SMEs’ performances evaluation system in Romania in relationship with the European model of quality management”, within the international conference QIEI 2008 – „Quality – Innovation – European Integration”, Sibiu, 18 -20 September 2008 (www. qiei 2008. ase. ro) • Involvement in the organization of the workshop „Indicators and models regarding the multi-criterial evaluation of SMEs’ performances in Romania”, ASE Bucharest, 24 July 2009 PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 Achieved ID_856 27

INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS IN GOAL ACHIEVEMENT AND IN OTHER PROJECT BASED ACTIVITIES Planned Achieved Participations at international conferences: • • • The QIEI 2008 International Conference on QUALITY – INNOVATION – EUROPEAN INTEGRATION”, 18 -20, September 2008, Sibiu, Romania (2 young researchers) The 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April 22 nd – 25 th, 2009, Messina Italy (1 young researcher) The 6 th International Conference on Management of Technological Changes”, Sept. 3 -5 2009, Alexandroupolis, Greece (2 young researchers) The Second International Conference on Commerce”, Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, 7 -8 April 2008 (2 young researchers) The International Conference CHER 21’ 08 -“Challenges in Higher Education and Research in the 21 -st Century”, 4 -7 June 2008 Sozopol, Bulgaria (1 young researchers) Other international conferences (Oradea, Brasov, Bucharest etc. ) (2 young researchers) Documentation, information and research internships ( 2 young researchers) PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 Achieved Achieved ID_856 28

INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG RESEARCHERS IN THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES – A PERSONNEL COST BASED PERSPECTIVE Indicators 2007 2008 2009 Value of gross salary (lei) 3. 936 9. 961 33. 331 2 2 2 No. of work hours 87 223 603 Share in a workload (%) 18 9 27 No. of persons PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 29

DIFFICULTIES MET IN CONDUCTING THE PROJECT As a result of the under-financing of the project in 2009: • Reconsidering the distribution of the staff expenses, according to the allocated resources Redistribution of the responsibilities among the members of the project team related to accomplishing results and planned activities Reduction of the international mobilities, a higher priority was given to the mobilities that were important in finding collaborators on thematic of the project Planning the mobilities in such a way that the results of the projects are disseminated in the same time with the participation in well known international conferences Not all the equipment and necessary materials were purchased, the activities were conducted by using the current infrastructure from other research projects PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 30

n Thank you for your attention! PN II – IDEI – PCE – 2007 – 1 ID_856 31