Cristian Busu

Although we live in one of the most stable periods from a socio-economic point of view, many studies show that the level of stress perceived by the population has increased, along with the incidence of psychiatric diseases associated with chronic stress, this divergence being influenced by a multifactorial context: technological and AI advances, challenges related to professional life, specific scenarios such as the coronavirus pandemic, etc. By conducting this systematic literature review, we aimed to identify the potential intergenerational contrast related to the level of perceived psychological stress and biological stress, mainly following the four generations currently active in the workforce – Generation, Z, Y, X and Baby-Boomers. We reached 471 studies through our systematic search in 5 scientific databases and we selected 48 studies which respected our including criteria. Studies assessed the generational cohort as the primary exposure, so there were no interventions that have been made. Although research into perceived stress has supported clear gradients across generations, Generation Z appear to experience higher perceived stress than Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y across diverse contexts and geographic regions, though evidence for consistent generational differences in biological stress markers remains inconclusive. Future research should prioritize physiological stress measurements across generations to determine whether subjective stress differences correspond to objective biological responses, and longitudinal designs are needed to distinguish true cohort effects from age and period effects. The findings of this review carry implications for mental health practice, public health policy, and organizational management. The evidence presented in this review constitutes a call to action. The mental health of younger generations is not only an individual concern, but a challenge of the society, with serious implications for workforce productivity, social cohesion, healthcare systems, and the well-being of future generations.

The rapid growth of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the European Union highlights the need for a rigorous understanding of its long-term dynamics and the role of innovation in shaping its trajectory. This study investigates how innovation influences the dynamics of WEEE generation in the European Union. We develop an innovation-adjusted mathematical model of e-waste as a stock flow system and prove the existence and global stability of a unique positive equilibrium. The model analytically generates an environmental Kuznets-type turning point and shows that innovation reduces waste accumulation by accelerating effective depreciation. To link the theoretical results with empirical patterns, we embed the model in a STIRPAT panel specification using annual data for 27 EU member states from 2013 to 2023, where EU Eco-innovation Index (EEI) serves as a composite index which directly captures policy-driven green technology and circular economy activities, aligning precisely with our theoretical framework. We also extend the quasi-demeaning transformation to panels with correlated shocks and establish its consistency under a factor structured error process. The empirical estimates confirm a positive effect of income on WEEE at lower development levels and a negative coefficient on its squared term, consistent with an inverted U pattern, while innovation is associated with lower waste intensity. These findings demonstrate how mathematical modeling can strengthen the interpretation of macro panel evidence on circularity and provide a basis for future optimization of innovation driven sustainability transitions.

Examining the energy consumer behavioral model is critical for national governments and academia. This endeavor seeks to uncover effective solutions amid the energy crisis and climate change challenges. This article delves into legislative developments within the energy sector, European Commission recommendations for reducing energy consumption, and existing constraints impacting individual consumers. By scrutinizing the relevant literature, we aimed to identify and analyze factors that can enhance individual benefits derived from energy savings. Then, a comprehensive set of variables was formulated to model the final consumers’ behavior. Data collection involved administering questionnaires to individual consumers, consumer associations, and energy micro-enterprises in Romania. The gathered data were meticulously analyzed using the Smart-Pls 4 statistical software. Building upon insights from specialized literature, this paper pinpoints the behavioral determinants influencing the reduction in energy consumption. These determinants serve as independent variables shaping the voluntary adoption of measures in lifestyle and behavior among various types of energy users. This study’s findings validate the assumptions presented in this article, highlighting that a reduction in energy consumption is a direct and intrinsic outcome achieved by cumulatively addressing several factors. These factors encompass investments in the energy sector, budget allocation for energy consumption expenditure, adherence to social behavior norms, access to pertinent information about the consequences of the energy crisis, and individual responsibility. Notably, the perception of energy-saving opportunities emerges as a mediator between the independent variables and energy savings with a significant effect. This aspect, developed for the first time in this article, draws inspiration from the prospect theory introduced by Kahneman and Tversky.

Examining the energy consumer’s behavioral model is a critical process for both national governments and academia. This endeavor seeks to uncover effective solutions amid the energy crisis and climate change challenges. This article delves into legislative developments within the energy sector, European Commission recommendations for reducing energy consumption, and existing constraints impacting individual consumers. By scrutinizing relevant literature, we aim to identify and analyze factors that can enhance individual benefits derived from energy savings. To model the behavior of final consumers, a comprehensive set of variables is formulated. Data collection involved administering a questionnaire to individual consumers, consumer associations, and energy micro-enterprises in Romania. The gathered data was meticulously analyzed using the Smart-Pls 4 statistical software. Building upon insights from specialized literature, this paper pinpoints the behavioral determinants influencing the reduction of energy consumption. These determinants serve as independent variables shaping the voluntary adoption of measures in lifestyle and behavior among various types of energy users. The study’s findings validate the assumptions presented in this article, highlighting that the reduction of energy consumption is a direct and intrinsic outcome achieved by cumulatively addressing several factors. These factors encompass investments in the energy sector, budget allocation for energy consumption expenditure, adherence to social behavior norms, access to pertinent information about the consequences of the energy crisis, and individual responsibility. Notably, the perception of energy-saving opportunities emerges as a mediator with a significant effect between independent variables and energy savings. This aspect, developed for the first time in this article, draws inspiration from the prospect theory introduced by Kahneman and Tversky [1].

The growing importance of sustainable energy sources, driven by environmental concerns and energy security, has led to increased interest in the biomass sector's impact on economic growth. This study employs multiple linear regression analysis to examine how the biomass sector influences Romania's economic landscape. The aim of this research is to unravel the sector's dynamics, understanding its contribution to the national economy, and exploring its potential in advancing sustainable development objectives. A comprehensive literature review delves into past studies probing the relationship between the biomass sector and economic growth, with an emphasis on the Romanian context. Key economic indicators and variables are identified and included in the regression model. The empirical analysis is based on data obtained from various sources, allowing for a robust examination, and the results of the multiple linear regression analysis reveal significant insights into the dynamics of the biomass sector's impact on economic growth in Romania. Furthermore, potential confounding factors are considered, and their influence on the findings is discussed. The paper also includes a stakeholder analysis for using black pellets as the biomass option of choice in the energy sector. Contributing to existing knowledge, the research sheds light on Romania’s biomass sector specific context, while discussing practical and policy implications, and offering guidance to stakeholders and policymakers in sustainable energy and economic development. Emphasising the pivotal role of biomass in economic growth, the study underscores the need for informed decision making and policy development to nurture this sector in Romania.

This paper analyses the public procurement auctions for snow removal contracts to find out whether bid-rigging occurred. Due to the limited participation in the auction processes, detection of anticompetitive agreements was possible. The econometric analysis used in our study supported the findings of a cartel agreement. Cluster analysis, statistical hypothesis, normality and symmetry and nonparametric tests reveal two types of auctions: competitive and noncompetitive bids. The aim of this paper is to analyze the public procurement auctions with nonparametric statistical methods. Our findings are in line with the literature in the field.

Kalman filtering is a linear quadratic estimation (LQE) algorithm that uses a time series of observed data to produce estimations of unknown variables. The Kalman filter (KF) concept is widely used in applied mathematics and signal processing. In this study, we developed a methodology for estimating Gaussian errors by minimizing the symmetric loss function. Relevant applications of the kinetic models are described at the end of the manuscript.

In this paper, starting from the conceptual model of the rational behavior theory developed by Icek Ajzen, the authors develop a behavioral model of rational expectations of the managerial decisions in order to determine the influence of the behavior of the undertakings on a competitive environmental market. The data were collected between 1 May 2019–30 June 2019 with the help of a questionnaire addressed to the employees and managers of the companies engaged in the green procurement processes in Romania. The sample volume was 160 and the data was analyzed with partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method and by using the statistical software Smart-PLS 3.2.8. Starting from the relevant economic literature in the field of rational behavior, the article identifies the behavioral indicators that underlie the decision to invest in this market. These indicators are the independent variables that model the impact of rational behavioral theory on managerial decisions. The conclusions of the study confirm the theoretical aspects presented in the article, emphasizing that the managerial decisions based on rational behavior theory are the direct result of the cooperation of several factors, such as the strategic vision, innovation, regulation, and the level of competences of the human factor.