This volume examines key theoretical and practical dimensions of current world-economic developments, emphasizing emerging analytical frameworks, shifting industrial policies, the digital and green transitions, disinflation dynamics, productivity recovery, investment in human capital, fiscal sustainability, and financial-market vulnerabilities. Featuring selected contributions presented at the 2024 Economic Scientific Research - Theoretical, Empirical and Practical Approaches (ESPERA) International Conference, the book analyzes the transformative forces reshaping national economies and the policy instruments suited to diverse regional contexts. The shared challenges confronting countries worldwide are considered to highlight the need for new policy levers to strengthen resilience and long-term development. In addition, the chapters call for a renewed economic vision that integrates technological advances, including generative AI, with sustainability and shock-resistant growth models.

Featuring dynamic modeling, innovative methodology, and quantitative analyses and evaluations, this volume is beneficial to researchers, scholars, academics, students, professionals, and decision-makers interested in the developments in the new world economy.

Luminita Chivu is General Director and Senior Researcher at the National Institute for Economic Research “Costin C. Kiritescu” (INCE), Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania. He is also member of the Advisory Board for Research, Development and Innovation and PhD mentor in economics and Director of the Doctoral School of Economic Sciences, School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy. Her research focuses on economics of agriculture and rural development, labor market, economic growth and restructuring, national wealth.

Valeriu Ioan-Franc is Deputy Director and Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Economic Research “Costin C. Kiritescu” (INCE), Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania. He is also Director of the Economic Information and Documentation Center, and President of the “Pierre Werner” Center of Studies and Documentation Romania-Luxembourg. He has published numerous scientific papers in marketing.

George Georgescu is Deputy Director and Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Economic Research “Costin C. Kiritescu” (INCE), Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania. He is also member of the Fiscal Council Romania and of the National Council of Statistics. He has extensive experience in various areas of economic research, including macroeconomic and financial balances, labor market, industrial restructuring, FDI, internationalization of companies.

Ignacio De Los Ríos Carmenado is Full Professor for Engineering Projects at the School of Agricultural, Food and Biosystems Engineering and Director of GESPLAN Research Group at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain. His research focuses on project management, urban/rural development, teaching methods, and behavioral competences.

Jean-Vasile Andrei is Full Professor at Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, Department of Business Administration, scientific coordinator of the Center for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency within the National Institute for Economic Research "Costin C. Kiriţescu", Romanian Academy and Ph.D. mentor in economics at Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania. He is co-founder and scientific coordinator of the Research Network on Resources Economics and Bioeconomy (RebResNet).