Decoding ICT trends: comparative insights into Romania’s economic, employment and innovation dynamics

Purpose This study examines the evolution of Romania’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, focusing on economic output, employment and research and development (R&D) investment, while situating the performance of Romania’s ICT sector within a broader international context, by comparing it with Bulgaria, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the EU27. Design/methodology/approach A multifaceted analytical approach was employed, integrating descriptive statistics, correlation matrices and heatmaps, contour plots, principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering. Time-series data covering the period 1995–2022 were analyzed to capture the temporal dynamics and relationships between variables. Advanced visualization techniques (correlation heatmaps and contour plots) were used to emphasize complex patterns within Romania’s ICT sector and the comparison countries. Findings The study showed that Romania’s ICT sector has experienced steady growth in economic output and employment, while R&D investment remained relatively low. Correlation matrices and heatmaps highlighted significant relationships between these variables over time, and contour plots provided novel insights into the interaction between economic output and employment. PCA and K-means clustering identified distinct development phases, underlining both achievements and structural challenges in the sector. Originality/value The novelty of this research lies in the use of advanced statistical methods and visualizations techniques to investigate the ICT sector. Unlike conventional approaches that rely primarily on linear methods and basic visualizations, this study provides a robust framework for policymakers, researchers and industry stakeholders to understand the complex interdependencies within Romania’s ICT sector.