Research background: The article explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in predictive maintenance (PM) within Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) context. It addresses the increasing importance of leveraging advanced technologies to enhance maintenance practices in industrial settings. Purpose of the article: The primary objective of the article is to investigate and demonstrate the application of AI-driven PM in the IIoT. The authors aim to shed light on the potential benefits and implications of incorporating AI into maintenance strategies within industrial environments. Methods: The article employs a research methodology focused on the practical implementation of AI algorithms for PM. It involves the analysis of data from sensors and other sources within the IIoT ecosystem to present predictive models. The methods used in the study contribute to understanding the feasibility and effectiveness of AI-driven PM solutions. Findings & value added: The article presents significant findings regarding the impact of AI-driven PM on industrial operations. It discusses how the implementation of AI technologies contributes to increased efficiency. The added value of the research lies in providing insights into the transformative potential of AI within the IIoT for optimizing maintenance practices and improving overall industrial performance.

This paper discusses the major trends in scholarship about the role of FDI and exports on economic growth, the effect of tax policies on FDI, the formation of the economic catch up of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region and the determinants of FDI inflows in CEE nations. I am specifically interested in how previous research investigated the influence of FDI on host country economic growth, the inward FDI stock as a percentage of GDP, the features and restrictions of fiscal schemes in CEE economies and the institutional soundness displayed in policies towards FDI. The analysis presented in this paper contributes to research on FDI as a mechanism in the transition to the market, the dissimilarities in the FDI-assisted development methods among the CEE nations, the impact of FDI inflows for productivity convergence in CEE and the current slowing of growth in emerging Europe.

Environmental taxation represents a key influence on sustainable development in post-transition countries. Romania has experienced important transformations of environmental policy, including taxation, due to sustained reliance on traditional energy sources to satisfy its energy needs. The aim of this paper is to show a possible causal relationship between the Romanian GDP and several explanatory variables related to taxation of environmental damage and energy generation and consumption in the country. In order to do this, the authors make use of several statistical tests to verify the existence of a meaningful relationship between economic variables expressed in time series. The study has also attempted to identify the influence of environmental taxation on ensuring green economic development, starting from the premise that for emergent economies these taxes provide both a GDP increase and prevent environmental degradation by decreasing the pollution and environmentally harmful supplies and practices.

The recent transformation of the national economies has raised numerous theoretical and practical aspects in measuring economic growth, welfare, environmental performance, and competitiveness, representing a challenging research topic within the context of economic paradigm transformation. Despite its importance, a fully operational model to be used in any context has not yet been designed. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate and analyze the macroeconomic dimension of the three determinants of sustainable competitiveness: the economic environment, the social environment, and the natural environment, at both the European and Romanian levels. This paper used the Hierarchical Clustering methodology, aiming at evaluating the global competitiveness in terms of a sustainable development model, using four indices: Human Development Index, Environmental Performance Index, Global Competitiveness Index, and GDP per capita. The clusters were designed on the basis of the role of the indices in assessment of the sustainable performances of the countries and also of the possible convergences between them. The results could sustain the conclusion that these indices are not able to offer an exhaustive image of the sustainable performances assessment. A new complex indicator could be considered in order to design a convergence model for the EU member states.

In recent years, the interrelationships between the environment, energy, and health have received a growing amount of attention due to their substantial impact on the health of humans. By examining what influences Eastern Europeans' longevity between 1990 and 2021, this study hopes to contribute to this field of study. Energy consumption, health expenditure, pollution, institutional quality index (IQI), financial development, and other attributes profoundly impact human health. Because of the extensive network of commerce, tourism, education, religion, and treaties connecting East European countries, tests for cross-sectional dependence (CSD) and slope heterogeneity (SH) are utilized. After verifying the CSD and SH issues, the study uses the second generation's unit root and cointegration tests. As the previous test indicates, a new panel method, the cross-sectional autoregressive distributive lag (CS-ARDL) model, is required, as conventional estimations are inappropriate. The Quantile Regression (QR) method is also applied to check robustness. This study indicated that increased health expenditure, renewable energy consumption, and IQI improves health outcomes in Eastern European nations. There was a good connection between renewable energy consumption and health benefits, the study concluded. Though financial development positively impacts life expectancy, the impact is insignificant. On the other hand, the study also shows that CO₂ emissions and fossil fuel consumption decrease life expectancy. These results are consistent with those obtained using the QR method. To enhance health outcomes, it is necessary to take measures to raise health spending, increase the use of renewable energy, and foster financial development over the long term. On the other hand, Eastern European nations need to shift their attention from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were established by the United Nations for the year 2030 are considered the blueprint for reaching a sustainable future through addressing poverty eradication, education, social protection, environmental protection, climate change, health, job opportunities, and strong institutions. Until now, sustainable development has focused mainly on the formal sector, somehow neglecting the potential contributions of the informal sector to sustainable futures. In this context, the paper aims to analyze the main causes of the Romanian shadow economy (SE) both at the micro and macro levels, and how they can make a considerable impact on achieving a more sustainable future. The main purpose of the paper is to highlight the relevance of knowing the main determinants of this phenomenon, emphasizing that keeping the incidence of the shadow economy and its causes under control could offer an alternative in the process of achieving sustainable development. In order to do that, we use an improved MIMIC (Multiple Causes Multiple Indicators) specification of the causal variables that is grounded in an evidence-based approach through using the points of view of the Romanian entrepreneurs. Their opinions are based on a national representative survey that is based on quarterly data covering the period 2000–2017. The empirical analysis pointed out the roles of tax avoidance, bribery, a lack of trust in public officials, the poor quality of business legislation, the poor government support for entrepreneurs, high social contributions, a relatively high of corruption, high tax rates, and uncertainty about regulation policies in increasing incidences of shadow economic activity. The macroeconomic results that were revealed to be the main causes for the Romanian SE were self-employment, unemployment, part-time employment, and the lack of trust in public institutions. Therefore, policymakers need to focus on building reliable and transparent institutions with a lower level of corruption, regulations, and bureaucracy, regaining people’ confidence in public institutions, and elaborating effective strategies for tackling the undeclared activities that will contribute to the achievement of sustainable development desideratum by the fulfillment of two main SDGs. These are Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth, and Goal 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions.