FOREWORD

At a time when global economic dynamics are facing unprecedented challenges, and fiscal instability, from inflationary pressures to the transition to sustainable models and the accelerated digitalization of all sectors, the Journal of Financial Studies continues its mission to promote quality research and provide a space for academic reflection on these transformations.
The current edition brings together a valuable collection of articles covering topics of major interest to academics, financial accounting practitioners, regulators and institutional investors. The research approaches included provide interdisciplinary perspectives on topical issues such as: managing financial risk and budget deficits in volatile contexts; the impact of sustainable reporting and the transposition of European directives on corporate behavior; the transformations in the accounting professions in the digital age and the adaptation of human capital; the analysis of fiscal risks and financial transparency; the contribution of foreign investment and monetary policies to the sustainable development of emerging economies; the role of financial education and governance in strengthening capital markets.
Without going into the specific details of each article, it is important to emphasize that this edition reflects a clear direction of evolution in financial research: the focus is increasingly shifting to the interdependence between economic performance, social responsibility and institutional adaptability. Thus, ESG-related topics (environmental, social, governance) are no longer just a niche topic, but are becoming essential pillars of strategic construction in organizations.
The analysis of the role of technology, in particular artificial intelligence, in reshaping financial, accounting and auditing processes also completes the picture of a transforming ecosystem where digital skills and foresight are becoming key competitive advantages.
The collective effort behind this edition is remarkable: authors from various universities and research institutes in Romania and abroad provide relevant and well-documented contributions, and the peer-review process has ensured that a high scientific standard has been maintained. The diversity of the thematic and methodological approaches provides the reader with a broad and balanced perspective on current trends in finance.
We would like to thank all those involved in the production of this edition: authors, reviewers, editorial board and institutional partners. Each contribution adds value to the common effort to understand and anticipate developments in the financial sector.
We hope that this edition will be a source of inspiration and a starting point for further research, reflection and debate among specialists, practitioners and decision-makers in the economic sphere.