<rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/">
<rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/675">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[The Impact of Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Factors on Tourism and Economic Performance of Balkan Countries]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[This study aims to unravel causes that have the potential to explain variation in performance of tourism industry and Balkan economies, in terms of GDP and employment variables. Authors used Travel and Tourism Competitiveness pillars as potential causes of this variation in tourism and country economic performance of Balkan countries. Tourism performance and country economic performance has been measured by using World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) data on tourism industry.In this study, we used the data of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “The Travel and Tourism (T&amp;T) Competitiveness Index Factors (T&amp;T regulatory framework, T&amp;T business environment and infrastructure, and T&amp;T human, cultural and natural resources)” as independent variables for the years between 2008-2013 (2010 is missing), which are the only available data published by WEF for tourism and travel competitiveness. We also used World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) data for the same years in order to form tourism arrivals, tourism receipts, T&amp;T industry and economy employment and GDP ad dependent variables. By using the secondary data, we aimed to analyze, first, the relationship between T&amp;T Competitiveness factors and tourism performance as tourist arrivals and receipts. Second, we examined the impact of T&amp;T competitiveness index factors on T&amp;T and economy employment and T&amp;T and economy GDP. To analyze aforementioned relationships we employed correlation analysis because of the lack of enough data provided by WEF and WTTC to perform multivariate tests.  Analyses results postulated that T&amp;T competitiveness factors, in most of the relationship, have an impact on both tourism and economic performance of Balkan countries. The only exceptions of these results can be reported are the lack of relationship between T&amp;T regulatory framework and T&amp;T industry employment, T&amp;T economy GDP, T&amp;T economy employment, and tourist arrivals.     Keywords: Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Factors, Gross Domestic Product, Tourism Performance, Employment, Balkan Countries]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2463]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/676">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[The Role of Middle men in Economy: are they Redundant or Important?]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[In economic theory producers (firms) compete to satisfy the needs of consumers and on this way try to get maximum amount of profits. Consumers generally try to choose the cheapest and the one with highest quality to maximize their utility. In addition to this, producers try to sell their goods with highest price to maximize their profits. In perfect competitive markets it is assumed that both producers and consumers have perfect information about prices. However, in daily life they cannot have all information without searching and suffering from transaction costs. Also sometimes consumers cannot find firms that produce the goods they need. They need help to find firms that sell goods for them. Middlemen are agents who help consumers and also producers to meet each other. For instance, real estate managers, dating clubs, travel agencies are that kind of agents. These are thought to be agents who reduce transaction costs and by this way help providing equilibrium of markets. But, middlemen have not enough space in economy books and there is so little search in literature. If they have important place in economic life why there is so little search about them in literature? If they are redundant why most of consumers go to real estate’s to find appropriate flats, lands, offices etc for them?    In this study the place and importance of middlemen in economic life is discussed. First economic literature about middlemen and their roles in market are reviewed. Then, it is tried to reveal their role in reducing transaction costs and providing economic equilibrium. To this aim a model consists of firm, consumer and middlemen is constructed. By the help of this model we can answer (or at least discuss) if intermediaries are redundant or important factor in economic life. This study can help for future researches about the role of middlemen in economic life and by this way middlemen will gain rightful place in economic theory and literature.     Keywords: Intermediaries, Imperfect Information, Transaction Costs, Information, Middlemen.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2506]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/677">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[The Hydro-energy Potential in Bosnia and Necessity for SIA Researches: A Comparative Study with Turkey]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the few which has got a prospect for a potential of economic development in the country. Currently, electricity is one of the items for export in the country which can be regarded as a strategic sector regarding the country’s tiny economic structure. Almost half of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants (HEPP).    Currently total renewable water resources per capita in Bosnia are almost 9000 cubic meters, which means the highest in Europe. Since country’s topography is dominated by Dinaric Alps, it generates an advantage for hydroelectric potential. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina is using only 38% of country’s hydroelectric potential and both government bodies and economists agree that investing in HEPPs would one of the prescriptions for country’s poor economical situation while the energy-lacking countries in the region are ready-customers. Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina projects that an investment of 5963 million Euros is required to construct new HEPPs. The projects are envisioned not only to make a considerable surplus to GDP of the country, but also would boom the economy of the country which has a population of 4 million inhabitants.    On the other side, recently various outcomes of HEPP’s are being widely discussed referring to political, environmental and social and cultural impacts of the projects, not only by NGO’s, environmental activists and such, but also by national governments, international organizations and by international finance institutions who give credit for large scale development projects. In this respect, not only EIAs (Environmental Impact Assessments) but also SIAs (Social Impact Assessments) are required for “correct” projects.This paper will discuss the necessity for SIAs in B&amp;H for HEPPs looking from the point of view that the country has a fragile and fragmented political and social/cultural system. Relying on the experience on different SIA projects in Turkey (namely; Pervari HEPP, İncir HEPP, Tirebolu HEPP, Simav JEPP, Kargı HEPP) the paper will try to make a comparative analysis and figure out the dynamics and obstacles for SIAs in B&amp;H.    Keywords: Social Impact Assessment, Hydro-energy, Anthropology, Bosnia.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2475]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/678">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Trade Agreements of Albania and their Impact on Agriculture, Imports and Exports]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[This paper examines the impact that the free trade agreements of Albania have had on the overall economy in general and in agriculture sector, exports and imports in particular, turning out to be increased in significant amounts. These trade agreements have provided the Albanian economy with a competitive advantage and economic space. The long journey of integration for Albania has started with its association in the World Trade Organization (WTO), a great step towards international competitiveness, followed by being part of Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA). Albania has also free trade agreements with nine countries of the region, including Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Croatia, Yugoslavia and Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria, which are the latest EU members, and by January 2009, the process of ratification from the members of European Union countries finished. This means free exchange of goods and services between these countries by exploiting better their competitive advantages. The possibility of the development of agro-industrial industries continues to be high for Albania, because many products can be exported customs duty zero, facilitating the burden of tariffs and taxes. All analyses done about the impact of the FTA on trade facilitation, price reduction and the volume of imports and exports results that generally in 2008 and especially since 2010, there has been seen a positive trend in the increase of the volume of trade, indicating the positive effect of these agreements in the mentioned sectors. Furthermore, there is a need for deep structural changes, including changing the size of the farm, further development of the land market, increased competitiveness, more domestic production, and an increase the level of public and private investments in the future.    Keywords:Agriculture, exports, imports, tariffs, customs duty, impact.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2509]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/679">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Informal Economy in Albania]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[There have been made many studies about informal economy, and different reasons and causes have been related with it. Many activities are considered as shadow or informal, but for some of them have been excluded by some researcher. A clear definition of informal economy is not found. This paper studies what is informal economy, what is included and excluded from it, reasons and causes that make it happen, its effects in the economy in general and to the society. Then the informal economy in Albania is studied. What have been the factors of a so developed informal economy in Albania, what are its effects to the Albanian economy and society, estimates of shadow economy are given in relation to the GDP for Albania and some other Balkan countries. Recommendations of what must be done in Albania to decrease the informal economy are given.    Keywords:Informal economy, Albania, corruption, taxes.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2561]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/680">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Importance of the European Union Regional Development Fund: The Case of Turkey]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Development is one of the major concepts that determine the countries’ place among other nations in the world and the welfare of the citizens of country. The concept of development in the globalization process can be discussed in transnational, national and regional dimensions. While nation-states are improving their own development strategies, transnational structures try to employ different methods on a global scale in order to promote development.  In this context, answering these questions such as what the main factors is to determine the development index and what degree these factors influence on the development are very important.   In this paper we will review the literature to find out (1) which factors are effective to ensure the development, (2) what type of work these actors carried out in order to ensure the development, (3) what are the common elements in the documents that national and transnational organizations revealed, and (4) in the process of European Union membership, what proportion of the grant programs has impact on Turkey&#039;s regional development. In our study we will examine these issues by comparing the grant programs with the development criteria.  We will analyze project proposals that Turkish Regional Development Agencies, Turkish Ministry for European Union andTurkish Ministry of Development called for during the period of 2007-2013 IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance). We will compare the fund release with millennium development criteria and IPA components over the period undertaken and tabulate the results.  Keywords: Development, Regional Development, Grant, European Union, Turkey.  ]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2432]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/681">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Capitalism system, actuality and problematic]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Since 1989, the year of the fall of the Berlin wall, ended the division of the world into two camps and at the same time marked the end of the communist system and the onset of capitalism. The word “capitalism” is often heard in modern time and serves to describe the current system in which we live .The aim of this paper is to examine the Capitalism System, its actuality and problematic. Secondary data were used from different sources and the data were analyzed to get conclusions and recommendations related to the topic.  The study found out that in this system there are three main elements; profit, competition and rationality. The most important quality of capitalism is the idea of a free profit, snotty and without conditions. But on the other hand, this paper argued that: We cannot have capitalism without capitalists&quot;. This system therefore, has the idea of living in permanent benefit and provides over profit by a moving mechanism from new material production, new ways of transportation and new types of industrial organization, all of these are created by capitalist enterprises.    Also it was discovered that there are four types of capitalism system for different countries in the world and after all there is a new economic model to improve Albanian economy, because the basis of this system is not man, but economic and political development and such material things that these provide. Orientation is toward mass production and the focus is to increase productivity.    The study concluded that the present form of capitalism system in Albania had a lot of advantages but also many disadvantages and problematic that is of interest to be resolved.  Some useful recommendations were made on how to improve this system in Albania.  Keywords: capitalism, advantages, disadvantages, profit, competition and market.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2525]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/682">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Building the University Brand in Bosnia and Herzegovina]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[This paper revolves around the current brand identity of 5 existing higher education institutions in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the fact that insufficient attention is paid to the issue. It reviews the existing actions of these academic institutions on branding and positioning in the society/market. The accent is on the actual need for branding, due to the high competition that has grown in the past 6 years, and the fact that education in Bosnia and Herzegovina has become more commercial than ever.     Data gathered through questionnaires, structured interviews with pupils and students, and direct contact to these 5 higher education institutions was analyzed. Research results explain how the public image of institution contributes to the students’ selection of the university.  With comparison to branding standards and initiatives of successful universities in the World, paper proposes practical actions for building the brand identity of university in Bosnia and Herzegovina.    Keywords:Branding, Corporate Image, University, Higher Education, Institutional Branding, Sarajevo, Positioning.  ]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2588]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/683">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Challenges of Economic Reforms in Ukrainian Society with Reference to Russia]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[This paper explores the economic reforms undertaken by Ukraine and their impact on the Ukrainian civil society. How Ukraine managed its economy after the epochal change of the USSR disintegration, the repercussions it had on society and what influence have EU on one side and Russia on the other, in a big country always contended between West and East should be very interesting questions to point out by taking as reference Russia. Quantitative research will be applied in this work. Data will be collected through the related books, papers, periodicals and different articles as well as statistical data from the official documents. Furthermore, recent events and current political situation will also be evaluated using the most recent sources of the newspapers and internet. The first part of the paper is devoted to a description of the reforms towards the economic capitalist system of Ukraine, its legacies from the centrally planned economy of USSR and the reforms in agriculture as a vital sector of Ukraine’s economy. The second part portrays how society was reshaped with the advent of capitalism, the increased economic inequalities, unemployment and the brain drain phenomenon. The third part concerns Ukraine’s place in the global economy and its role and engagement in the International Organizations. Finally, this paper endeavors to evaluate the very delicate situation of Ukraine and its dilemma’s between strong supporters of European Integration in the occidental part and those of further economic and political integration into the East Bloc led by Russia in the oriental part.  Keywords: Ukraine, Economic Reforms, Society, Russia, EU Integration]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2465]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/684">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[23 Years after the fall of Communism the Challenges of Albania in the Political System]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Albania was the last country 23 years ago that broke down the communist regime paving the way for the establishment of pluralism and the creation of Democratic Party, the first political force in the country. In these years Albania has undergone profound changes and has achieved a big leap. It should be noted that it might have progressed more quickly if transition will not be related with trauma that delayed it in time. Transition in theory is called historical process during which the communist states carry out radical transformation of the political regime into pluralist democracy and market economy. Albania during these years had faced many defeats that hindered its political and social development.   This paper examines the challenges of Albania in efforts to be a developed country, the problems that Albania has experienced with the fall of communist system and the multiple transitions toward democracy. How have numerous political parties influenced Albanian political system? What is the impact of new electoral system in Albania and which steps have led Albania towards democratization? What are the challenges that Albania have experienced in these years? What are the success and failures of Albanian politics?    Methodology that it is used is single case study through qualitative method. Literature is based in different books, newspapers and various articles related with this topic. The first part analyzes the political system in communism regime and after the fall of communism the situation of Albania. The second part discusses the challenges of Albania in political system and democratization. Additionally, the paper argues about the attempts of government towards democratization of the country and the current situation.    Keywords: communism, transition, democracy, Albania, challenges, developed country, current situation, challenges, political system]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2431]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description></rdf:RDF>