Year 2026, Issue 3
Date published17.10.2026
Table of content
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Raphael Röettinger, Eugen Röttinger
The Governance of Critical Infrastructure in Europe: Anticipation and Public Administration Strategies for Emerging Security ThreatsSummary: This article develops an anticipatory governance framework for protecting critical infrastructure from emerging security threats. A literature review and comparative case studies identify governance practices that strengthen public... This article develops an anticipatory governance framework for protecting critical infrastructure from emerging security threats. A literature review and comparative case studies identify governance practices that strengthen public administration through foresight, coordination, institutional learning, and adaptive risk governance.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58861/tae.di.2026.3.01 -
Nikolay Stoenchev, Yana Hrischeva
The Impact of Short-Term Rentals on Long-Term Rental Rates in BulgariaSummary: The shortage of housing for the local population, the lack of financial resources for the construction of municipal housing, and the overtourism experienced by some of Western Europe’s leading tourist destinations due to the... The shortage of housing for the local population, the lack of financial resources for the construction of municipal housing, and the overtourism experienced by some of Western Europe’s leading tourist destinations due to the enormous number of visitors have brought to the forefront the debate on the benefits and negative effects of short-term rentals, as well as the need to examine and substantiate the potential introduction of restrictions. In Bulgaria, an increase in tourist numbers is still generally regarded as a positive development. However, the time may not be far off when a significant share of society begins to perceive tourism growth as adversely affecting its quality of life and residential comfort. This may necessitate not only the introduction of clear regulations but also legislative amendments establishing certain restrictions. The study provides compelling evidence supporting the introduction of restrictive measures in some European cities, such as Vienna, Milan, and Amsterdam. For Bulgaria, however, the results of the empirical analysis are less conclusive. A very strong positive correlation was identified between the number of short-term rental listings and median long-term rental prices in the six most developed real estate markets in Bulgaria: Burgas, Varna, Plovdiv, Ruse, Sofia, and Stara Zagora. However, no inverse relationship was identified between the number of short-term and long-term rental listings. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that a higher number of short-term rental listings leads to a reduction in the supply of long-term rental properties that could, in turn, be considered a factor contributing to higher rental prices. Seasonality was observed in the number of rental listings; however, this pattern, as well as the differences in median asking rents across cities, can reasonably be attributed to the specific characteristics of the respective destinations. At present, an appropriate approach would be to combine an effective registration regime with enhanced monitoring and enforcement of income tax compliance in relation to rental income.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58861/tae.di.2026.3.02 -
Ivan Marinov
Analysis of Consumer Sentiment and Problems in Online ShoppingSummary: This study analyses consumer sentiment and the main sources of dissatisfaction in online shopping by examining 1,254 independent customer reviews of Amazon published on Trustpilot between October 2025 and January 2026. The paper... This study analyses consumer sentiment and the main sources of dissatisfaction in online shopping by examining 1,254 independent customer reviews of Amazon published on Trustpilot between October 2025 and January 2026. The paper applies lexicon-based sentiment analysis (VADER), correlation and regression analysis, and topic modelling (LDA). Opinions are polarised: 54.63% of reviews carry negative sentiment, 41.95% positive and 3.43% neutral. About half express a categorical attitude, while the rest contain mixed or restrained assessments. The relationship between the composite sentiment score and the rating is moderate and positive (r = 0.413), so the text and the stars convey similar but not identical information. One third of one-star reviews receive a positive composite score, which marks the limits of the lexicon-based approach. Controlling for the reviewer's country leaves this relationship almost unchanged, while the ratings themselves differ systematically across countries. The topic analysis identifies five areas. Reviews about delivery to the address and about contacting customer service carry the most negative sentiment, while those about returns and refunds have the lowest average rating. Together these three areas cover 57.18% of the reviews and concern stages that follow the order. The findings direct attention to the last mile of delivery and to problem resolution after purchase.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58861/tae.di.2026.3.03 -
Georgi Georgiev Dimitrov
Thermonuclear Fusion – the Future of Global EnergySummary: Fusion is a physical process in which light atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing significant amounts of energy. In the face of ever-increasing global energy consumption, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and the... Fusion is a physical process in which light atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing significant amounts of energy. In the face of ever-increasing global energy consumption, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and the growing need to limit carbon emissions, fusion is increasingly seen as one of the most promising options for the future development of the global energy sector. Despite a well-established theoretical understanding of the process, the practical implementation of controlled fusion remains an extremely complex scientific and technological problem. The purpose of this article is to examine the principles of fusion, to review modern approaches and large-scale experimental projects aimed at its implementation, as well as to make an economic justification for investments and to analyze the main challenges for its future development as a sustainable energy source.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58861/tae.di.2026.3.04 -
Mladen Mondeshki
A Study of the Relationship Between Corporate Sustainability Initiatives and Staff Motivation, Satisfaction, Engagement and RetentionSummary: This study is designed as quantitative research aimed at confirming or rejecting the existence of a positive relationship between the implementation of sustainability initiatives at the business organization level and employee... This study is designed as quantitative research aimed at confirming or rejecting the existence of a positive relationship between the implementation of sustainability initiatives at the business organization level and employee satisfaction, motivation, engagement, and retention. The study is based on data collected through a self-selection sampling approach, using descriptive statistical methods for analysis. The findings show that the majority of respondents perceive corporate sustainability initiatives as having a positive impact on their satisfaction (H1), motivation (H2), engagement (H3), and retention (H4). These results align with previous research and highlight the importance of sustainability efforts in enhancing key employee attitudes. Despite certain limitations, such as the self-selection sampling and the subjective nature of self-reported data, the study provides valuable insights into the impact of sustainability initiatives on employees in Bulgaria. Future research could further explore these relationships using more representative samples and advanced statistical techniques.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58861/tae.di.2026.3.05