FOREWORD

In an economic and geopolitical context characterised by volatility, persistent inflationary pressures, rapid technological transformations, and shifts in the European regulatory architecture, the Journal of Financial Studies continues its commitment to provide solid analysis and relevant academic perspectives on these developments. This issue brings together contributions that capture both the complexity of today’s financial environment and its transformative directions.
The current edition includes a variety of studies addressing topics of major interest to economists, accounting professionals, technology specialists, regulators, financial institutions, and academics. The published research addresses the mechanisms through which overlapping crises generate inflation and influence macroeconomic stability, the structural shifts introduced by digitalisation and automation in taxation, accounting and reporting, the role of technology in advancing sustainable development and influencing market dynamics, the psychological determinants of financial decision-making in SMEs, as the challenges associated with audit, governance, migration, the climate transition, and modern financial remuneration instruments.
Without detailing the content of each article, it is important to highlight some key trends emerging from this edition. First, digitisation continues to redefine financial, fiscal, and governance processes, both through emerging technologies and European regulations with significant impact on institutions’ operations. Second, analysing the interdependence between economic performance, sustainability, and institutional resilience is becoming a central research direction. At the same time, more attention is being paid to the behavioural and social factors that influence economic decisions, complementing traditional financial analysis with multi-disciplinary perspectives.
The contributions of authors from Romania and abroad reflect an outstanding collective effort of documentation and analysis. The rigorous peer-review process has ensured the maintenance of the high scientific standard that characterises our publication. Thematic and methodological diversity provides the reader with a broad and balanced view of current issues in the field of finance.
We would like to thank all those involved in the realisation of this issue: authors, reviewers, editorial board, and institutional partners. Everyone’s contribution has been essential in strengthening the quality of this edition.
We expect Issue 19 of the Journal of Financial Studies to be a useful source of reflection, inspiration, and debate for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers concerned with contemporary economic and financial developments.