Agroecological Transition and Digital Ecosystems: Policies, Markets, and Perspectives for Agri-Food SMEs in Romania

This study explores the drivers of agroecological transition among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Romania’s agri-food sector, emphasizing the role of policy support, market demand, and digital ecosystems. Using survey data and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the analysis shows that policy support is the strongest determinant of transition strategies (β = 0.940), which in turn significantly shape both economic performance (β = 0.750) and resilience performance (β = 0.819). Market demand enhances profitability (β = 0.674) but has only a limited impact on resilience (β = 0.149), indicating that sustainability outcomes are not yet adequately valued by consumers.The study highlights the importance of digitalization and ecosystem platforms in reducing bureaucracy, strengthening cooperative networks, and connecting local producers to broader value chains. Results suggest that Romania’s agroecological transition is primarily policy-driven, with markets playing a complementary role. Practical implications are offered for agri-food SMEs, cooperatives, and clusters, underlining how digital ecosystems can enhance resilience and competitiveness while bridging the gap between policy support and market valuation.. Keywords: Agroecology; Romania; Policy Support; Market Demand; Transition Pathways; Resilience; PLS-SEM