IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i8p3650-d1637158.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Governance, Education, and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis in Central and Eastern Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Bogdan Ștefanachi

    (Department of Political Sciences, International Relations and European Studies, “Al.I.Cuza” University of Iași, 700506 Iasi, Romania)

  • Silviu Grecu

    (Department of Political Sciences, International Relations and European Studies, “Al.I.Cuza” University of Iași, 700506 Iasi, Romania)

Abstract

This study assessed the interplay between economic development, rule of law, social inequalities in education, and sustainable development in Central and Eastern European countries. Grounded in the theoretical background of sustainable development, this study examines how governmental efficiency, transparency, economic development, and social capital function as key drivers of SDG goals in CEE countries. The analysis draws on three theoretical models: the economic theory of sustainable development, institutional frameworks emphasizing good governance and sustainable development, and the role of social capital in shaping SDG dynamics. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the following research directions: i. the impact of economic development on the sustainable development index; ii. the relationship between the rule of law and the achievement of SDG goals; and iii. the relevance of social factors in sustainable development. Using a quantitative research design based on both linear and nonlinear regression models, we estimate that the interplay between governance and education is strongly related to an increased SDG index. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on sustainable development, offering insights into the particularities of Central and Eastern European social and economic development. This study provides evidence for scholars and policy-makers interested in sustainable development, highlighting the importance of institutional transparency and education in enhancing social and economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Bogdan Ștefanachi & Silviu Grecu, 2025. "Governance, Education, and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis in Central and Eastern Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-28, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3650-:d:1637158
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3650/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3650/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Boese-Schlosser, Vanessa A. & Edgell, Amanda B. & Hellmeier, Sebastian & Maerz, Seraphine F. & Lindberg, Staffan I., 2021. "How democracies prevail: democratic resilience as a two-stage process," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 28(5), pages 885-907.
    2. Annick Hedlund-de Witt, 2014. "Rethinking Sustainable Development: Considering How Different Worldviews Envision “Development” and “Quality of Life”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(11), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Francesca Collevecchio & Valerio Temperini & Virginia Barba-Sanchez & Angel Meseguer-Martinez, 2025. "Sustainable Governance: Board Sustainability Experience and the Interplay with Board Age for Firm Sustainability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 197(2), pages 371-389, March.
    4. Adesuwa Vanessa Agbedahin, 2019. "Sustainable development, Education for Sustainable Development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Emergence, efficacy, eminence, and future," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(4), pages 669-680, July.
    5. Robert H. W. Boyer & Nicole D. Peterson & Poonam Arora & Kevin Caldwell, 2016. "Five Approaches to Social Sustainability and an Integrated Way Forward," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Joseph Crawford & Javier Cifuentes-Faura, 2022. "Sustainability in Higher Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-11, February.
    7. Merkel, Wolfgang & Lührmann, Anna, 2021. "Resilience of democracies: responses to illiberal and authoritarian challenges," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 28(5), pages 869-884.
    8. Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo & Andrea Ciacci & Enrico Ivaldi, 2021. "Measuring Sustainable Development by Non-aggregative Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 157(1), pages 101-122, August.
    9. Jeimmy Carrera & Darinka Ramírez-Hernández, 2018. "Innovative Education in MOOC for Sustainability: Learnings and Motivations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, August.
    10. Lopez, Ramon & Toman, Michael A. (ed.), 2006. "Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability: New Policy Options," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199298006, Decembrie.
    11. Sara Calvo & Fergus Lyon & Andrés Morales & Jeremy Wade, 2020. "Educating at Scale for Sustainable Development and Social Enterprise Growth: The Impact of Online Learning and a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.
    12. Ivo Šlaus & Garry Jacobs, 2011. "Human Capital and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-58, January.
    13. Lorenz Probst, 2022. "Higher Education for Sustainability: A Critical Review of the Empirical Evidence 2013–2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-24, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bogdan Ștefanachi & Silviu-Petru Grecu & Horia Costin Chiriac, 2022. "Mapping Sustainability across the World: Signs, Challenges and Opportunities for Democratic Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Conțiu Tiberiu Șoitu & Silviu-Petru Grecu & Romeo Asiminei, 2022. "Health Security, Quality of Life and Democracy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparative Approach in the EU-27 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-26, November.
    3. Fredrik von Malmborg, 2024. "Strategies and Impacts of Policy Entrepreneurs: Ideology, Democracy, and the Quest for a Just Transition to Climate Neutrality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-51, June.
    4. Schopmans, Hendrik & Tuncer Ebetürk, İrem, 2024. "Techno-authoritarian imaginaries and the politics of resistance against facial recognition technology in the US and European Union," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 31(5), pages 943-962.
    5. Ionuț Jianu & Marin Dinu & Dragoș Huru & Alexandru Bodislav, 2021. "Examining the Relationship between Income Inequality and Growth from the Perspective of EU Member States’ Stage of Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, May.
    6. Bryan Cheng-Yu Hsu & Yu-Feng Wu & Hsin-Wei Chen & Man-Lai Cheung, 2020. "How Sport Tourism Event Image Fit Enhances Residents’ Perceptions of Place Image and Their Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-14, October.
    7. Ida Camminatiello & Rosaria Lombardo & Mario Musella & Gianmarco Borrata, 2024. "A Model for Evaluating Inequalities in Sustainability," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 879-898, December.
    8. Larisa Gorina & Marina Gordova & Irina Khristoforova & Lyudmila Sundeeva & Wadim Strielkowski, 2023. "Sustainable Education and Digitalization through the Prism of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    9. Merkel, Wolfgang & Lührmann, Anna, 2021. "Resilience of democracies: responses to illiberal and authoritarian challenges," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 28(5), pages 869-884.
    10. Agnieszka Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska & Anna Kłoczko-Gajewska & Piotr Sulewski, 2019. "Between the Social and Economic Dimensions of Sustainability in Rural Areas—In Search of Farmers’ Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.
    11. Kate Elizabeth Gannon, Mike Hulme, 2017. "Geoengineering at the ‘edge of the world’: exploring perceptions of ocean fertilization through the Haida Salmon Restoration Corporation," GRI Working Papers 280, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.
    12. Elisa Gavari-Starkie & Patricia-Teresa Espinosa-Gutiérrez & Cristina Lucini-Baquero, 2022. "Sustainability through STEM and STEAM Education Creating Links with the Land for the Improvement of the Rural World," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, October.
    13. Yuzhakov, Vladimir (Южаков, Владимир) & Startsev, Y (Старцев, Я.), 2015. "Development of a Concept of an Interdisciplinary Research Program of Formation of Complex Methodologies and Techniques of Management Development in Public Administration [Разработка Концепции Межди," Published Papers mn37, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.
    14. Sandra Ricart & Rubén A. Villar-Navascués & Salvador Gil-Guirado & María Hernández-Hernández & Antonio M. Rico-Amorós & Jorge Olcina-Cantos, 2020. "Could MOOC-Takers’ Behavior Discuss the Meaning of Success-Dropout Rate? Players, Auditors, and Spectators in a Geographical Analysis Course about Natural Risks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-18, June.
    15. Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Țoniș & Luciela Vasile & Rareș Stănescu & Alina Moanță, 2022. "Creating IoT-Enriched Learner-Centered Environments in Sports Science Higher Education during the Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-25, April.
    16. Mohammed Abdullatif Almulla & Waleed Mugahed Al-Rahmi, 2023. "Integrated Social Cognitive Theory with Learning Input Factors: The Effects of Problem-Solving Skills and Critical Thinking Skills on Learning Performance Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-26, February.
    17. Zijian Zhang & Yinghao Lin & Xiaoyuan Wang & Xin Zhang, 2024. "Pathways to Resilient and Sustainable Online Education in the New Normal: Interpreting University Teachers’ Willingness to Use Online Teaching Platforms Consistently," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-20, November.
    18. Ulybina, Olga, 2014. "Russian forests: The path of reform," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 143-150.
    19. Richard Perkins, 2013. "Sustainable Development and the Making and Unmaking of a Developing World," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 31(6), pages 1003-1022, December.
    20. Nazanin Hosseini Arian & Alireza Pooya & Fariborz Rahimnia & Ali Sibevei, 2021. "Assessment the effect of rapid prototyping implementation on supply chain sustainability: a system dynamics approach," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 467-493, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3650-:d:1637158. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.