Our researchers from the Informality Data Research Lab recently presented key studies at the ICESS Conference, delving into themes of informality, governance, and sustainable development:

1. Do Governance Indicators Impact the Shadow Economy? (2022) – Adriana Ana-Maria Davidescu, Eduard Mihai Manta
   This study analyzed how governance influences informality across CEE countries, offering insights on strategies to reduce the shadow economy.
2. Exploring Undeclared Work Patterns in Research Publications (2022) – Adriana Ana-Maria Davidescu, Eduard Mihai Manta
   Through bibliometric analysis, this research mapped trends in undeclared work studies, highlighting emerging themes and knowledge gaps.
3. Incorporating the Shadow Economy in Sustainable Development Frameworks (2024)– Roberto Dell’Anno, Adriana Ana-Maria Davidescu, Eduard Mihai Manta
   A comparative analysis showing how integrating informality into sustainable development models can lead to more realistic strategies.
4. Unemployment’s Impact on the Formal Economy Amid Informality (2024) – Adriana Ana-Maria Davidescu, Friedrich Schneider, Marina Diana Agafiței, Eduard Mihai Manta, Maria Cristina Geambasu
   This paper examined the interplay between unemployment and informality, providing insights into economic resilience.
5. The Hidden Layers: Examining the Impact of Unemployment on the Formal Economy in the context of Informality (2025) – Maria Cristina Geambasu, Zouhair Ennaoumi, Marina Diana Agafitei, Eduard Mihai Manta and Margareta Stela Florescu                                    This paper examines how GDP and unemployment interact in six Central and Eastern European countries, highlighting the roles of external shocks and the informal economy in shaping this relationship from 2002 to 2021.
6. Integrating Informality: The Key to Inclusive Sustainable Development A Machine Learning-Based Approach (2025)– Roberto Dell’Anno, Eduard Mihai Manta, Tamara Maria Nae, Cristina Maria Geambasu

   This paper explores how informality affects sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Europe, using machine learning to reveal its complex influence and guide more effective policy strategies.

7. Exploring Patterns of Informality and Skills: A Bibliometric Approach (2025) – Maria-Bianca Bolboașă, Marina-Diana Agafiței, Zouhair Ennaoumi, and Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu
   

   This paper uses bibliometric analysis to map research trends on the informal economy and competencies, revealing thematic gaps and calling for integrated studies on how skills influence informal employment and formalisation.