63 10 3494 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/9390fe2eed86df4c2b381b6881d152d6.docx 9d583307dfe5a54719b2d206707d1e32 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/74b5635dddcd06cafaaeaec87f9ca7f6.pdf 0e3b8e743bfedcaedcf40bfa5386e89d PDF Text Text The Casual Effect of Education Level on Wages: Albanian Case JerinaPodo Epoka University Albania jpodo@epoka.edu.al Abstract: Education is a very important investment decision motivated by the fact that it will yield ongoing long term income. This income otherwise is called wage, which refers to regular payment gained by working. There are a lot of factors that define the wage level such as: job position, employment policies of the country etc., but does the education level have significant impact on the wage or wage growth? This paper makes a methodological, qualitative analyze by using the empirical results generated by the survey “The effect of education level on wages: Albanian case”, provided to a random sample of employed people in Albania. By observing the data on the education level and the job satisfaction with regard to wage level, this survey aims to show if the overall wage growth changes proportionally as the education level changes and also if the more educated people have higher working opportunities. The results of the survey reflect that the education level has a significant effect on the job position, especially in the specific working areas, so the working experience and the wage level grow monotonically with the education level. Keywords: education level, wage growth, working experience, specific working areas, welfare. 65 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2500 Title A name given to the resource The Casual Effect of Education Level on Wages: Albanian Case Author Author PODO, Jerina Abstract A summary of the resource. Education is a very important investment decision motivated by the fact that it will yield ongoing long term income. This income otherwise is called wage, which refers to regular payment gained by working. There are a lot of factors that define the wage level such as: job position, employment policies of the country etc., but does the education level have significant impact on the wage or wage growth? This paper makes a methodological, qualitative analyze by using the empirical results generated by the survey “The effect of education level on wages: Albanian case”, provided to a random sample of employed people in Albania. By observing the data on the education level and the job satisfaction with regard to wage level, this survey aims to show if the overall wage growth changes proportionally as the education level changes and also if the more educated people have higher working opportunities. The results of the survey reflect that the education level has a significant effect on the job position, especially in the specific working areas, so the working experience and the wage level grow monotonically with the education level. Keywords: education level, wage growth, working experience, specific working areas, welfare. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/ec01ff84370c332e832002493de91626.docx 0dc4caa5ab882a638f5d1cff607914a7 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/cdf3256caccaa6ee66a9e19a2f9e0ac4.pdf 8f9113d611c37b71086192210ccf5a8a PDF Text Text Impact of Regulatory Reforms on the Banking System in Bosnia and Herzegovina Medina Prašović International Burch University Bosnia and Herzegovina mismedina@yahoo.com Abstract: In the last two decades, we have witnessed great changes and growth in the financial sector worldwide. While some countries have experienced economic development, others experienced banking crisis which sometimes lead to costly bank failures and overall disruption in economic activity. The extent to which the financial system can support economic growth depends mostly on the stability and efficiency of the banking sector due to the fact that banks are still the main financial intermediaries. This comparative study will be conducted by applying a discriminate analysis about the implementation of set of common rules for regulating the banking system (Basel II) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, as well as preparation of these countries for implementation of Basel III. The main goal of the paper is to analyze how and why the new global financial regulations in the banking sector are applied differently in different countries and regions. These questions are answered by analyzing the implementation of Basel II, results of appliance of this rules as well as expectations from Basel III. Keywords: Banking system, Economic development, Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Risk, Implementation, EU, Standards. 24 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2454 Title A name given to the resource Impact of Regulatory Reforms on the Banking System in Bosnia and Herzegovina Author Author PRAŠOVIĆ, Medina Abstract A summary of the resource. In the last two decades, we have witnessed great changes and growth in the financial sector worldwide. While some countries have experienced economic development, others experienced banking crisis which sometimes lead to costly bank failures and overall disruption in economic activity. The extent to which the financial system can support economic growth depends mostly on the stability and efficiency of the banking sector due to the fact that banks are still the main financial intermediaries. This comparative study will be conducted by applying a discriminate analysis about the implementation of set of common rules for regulating the banking system (Basel II) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, as well as preparation of these countries for implementation of Basel III. The main goal of the paper is to analyze how and why the new global financial regulations in the banking sector are applied differently in different countries and regions. These questions are answered by analyzing the implementation of Basel II, results of appliance of this rules as well as expectations from Basel III. Keywords: Banking system, Economic development, Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Risk, Implementation, EU, Standards. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/2856ad4d111cc4c67cfa664b3e0d52e5.docx 3a2f7b0d53fb9a979238de98c9838c19 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/6cd5b3dbf67e21bc91c3a3479181eb34.pdf fc27461a74e8ae862a268ea3c6cde315 PDF Text Text European Union Integration: The Impact in Albanian Economy and Life UrmatRyskulov Epoka University Albania uryskulov@epoka.edu.al RiadaBerhani Epoka University Albania riadaberhani@gmail.com Abstract: Most of the countries in South-East Europe have a political, economic and social goal to access the European Union. The focus of this paper is the process of Albanian accession in EU and its impacts on Albanian economy and life. Theoretical and empirical researches were used to analyze these impacts. The theoretical research analyzes the economic advantages and disadvantages of the increase of foreign direct investment which will result by the integration into EU as well as the political and social impacts. Empirical analysis forecast the trends of Gross Domestic Product and Foreign Direct Investment in Albania by using time series forecasting methods according to two different scenarios. It predicts that GDP will increase by 16.60-23.92% and FDI level in Albania will increase by 29.22-32.12%. Keywords: Albania, EU integration, FDI 17 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2443 Title A name given to the resource European Union Integration: The Impact in Albanian Economy and Life Author Author RYSKULOV, Urmat BERHANI, Riada Abstract A summary of the resource. Most of the countries in South-East Europe have a political, economic and social goal to access the European Union. The focus of this paper is the process of Albanian accession in EU and its impacts on Albanian economy and life. Theoretical and empirical researches were used to analyze these impacts. The theoretical research analyzes the economic advantages and disadvantages of the increase of foreign direct investment which will result by the integration into EU as well as the political and social impacts. Empirical analysis forecast the trends of Gross Domestic Product and Foreign Direct Investment in Albania by using time series forecasting methods according to two different scenarios. It predicts that GDP will increase by 16.60-23.92% and FDI level in Albania will increase by 29.22-32.12%. Keywords: Albania, EU integration, FDI Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/bea9c905b084372e0db5e751df0113f6.docx 47d287830c08df57bf62a4bf278ed826 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/a3e8a001647d161f8a42da5c9a05f130.pdf 19d5fceccda21b8dde4ca1fa450f3f09 PDF Text Text Macroeconomic Determinants of Nonperforming Loans in Albanian Banking System UrmatRyskulov Epoka University Albania uryskulov@epoka.edu.al RiadaBerhani Epoka University Albania riadaberhani@gmail.com Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study the impact of macroeconomic factors in the amount of nonperforming loans in Albanian banking sectors by using multi regression analysis model from 2003 to 2012. This paper studies the relationship between the amount of non-performing loans and six important macroeconomic factors which are: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, inflation rate, money supply (M2) annual growth rate, interest rate, unemployment rate and exchange rate. The multi regression analysis suggests that all variables have a negative impact in the non-performing loan level except inflation and exchanges rates. Moreover the time forecasting analysis predicts an increase in NPL level in Albanian Banking System. Keywords: Albania, Banking System, Macroeconomics, NPL, Credit risk. 64 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2499 Title A name given to the resource Macroeconomic Determinants of Nonperforming Loans in Albanian Banking System Author Author RYSKULOV, Urmat BERHANI, Riada Abstract A summary of the resource. The aim of this paper is to study the impact of macroeconomic factors in the amount of nonperforming loans in Albanian banking sectors by using multi regression analysis model from 2003 to 2012. This paper studies the relationship between the amount of non-performing loans and six important macroeconomic factors which are: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, inflation rate, money supply (M2) annual growth rate, interest rate, unemployment rate and exchange rate. The multi regression analysis suggests that all variables have a negative impact in the non-performing loan level except inflation and exchanges rates. Moreover the time forecasting analysis predicts an increase in NPL level in Albanian Banking System. Keywords: Albania, Banking System, Macroeconomics, NPL, Credit risk. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/ddb3d9a8dd60d57327a35058863bbe85.docx 15aa68a45159c48514a27418860f957a https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/58591f8fffbfe300d6eb2cdac0d392ee.pdf f00a81e20733f8504e72bf724952352c PDF Text Text The Study of Economic Capital Effects on Lifestyle (The Case Study of Pistachio Farmers in Two Villages of Kerman City in Iran) ShimaSafa Soil conservation and watershed management research Institute Iran shima.safa@gmail.com Abstract: As the social world changes, we need new concepts to understand it. The most important change in recent centuries has been the historical increase of consumption. Lifestyle and basic cultural values have changed in Iranian villages in the past half century. In fact, in Iranian villages, some sort of "Iranian rural modernity" has emerged. This paper has attempted to review the terms of lifestyle and indicators. And then it pays to examine the effect of pistachio orchards spread over the rural lifestyle both quantitative and qualitative methods. In this study, theories of sociologists Bourdieu and Giddensare used to study lifestyle, and Ronald Inglehart and other sociologists’ to analyze generational replacement. In qualitative research method, we have used rapid rural assessment, participatory approach, and semi-structured interviews. Interviews transcend walk, and group discussion were among the techniques used in this study. In quantitative part, 440 people from three generations living in the villages were sampled at random Research findings show that consistent with Bourdieu's “distinction theory” economic capitalist associated with lifestyle as the main hypothesis of the research. But the greatest impact is related to generation. As Bourdieu's theory, economic status does not determine the lifestyle changes. Keywords: economic capital - lifestyle – generational changes – pistachio cultivation – Kerman 70 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2505 Title A name given to the resource The Study of Economic Capital Effects on Lifestyle (The Case Study of Pistachio Farmers in Two Villages of Kerman City in Iran) Author Author SAFA, Shima Abstract A summary of the resource. As the social world changes, we need new concepts to understand it. The most important change in recent centuries has been the historical increase of consumption. Lifestyle and basic cultural values have changed in Iranian villages in the past half century. In fact, in Iranian villages, some sort of "Iranian rural modernity" has emerged. This paper has attempted to review the terms of lifestyle and indicators. And then it pays to examine the effect of pistachio orchards spread over the rural lifestyle both quantitative and qualitative methods. In this study, theories of sociologists Bourdieu and Giddensare used to study lifestyle, and Ronald Inglehart and other sociologists’ to analyze generational replacement. In qualitative research method, we have used rapid rural assessment, participatory approach, and semi-structured interviews. Interviews transcend walk, and group discussion were among the techniques used in this study. In quantitative part, 440 people from three generations living in the villages were sampled at random Research findings show that consistent with Bourdieu's “distinction theory” economic capitalist associated with lifestyle as the main hypothesis of the research. But the greatest impact is related to generation. As Bourdieu's theory, economic status does not determine the lifestyle changes. Keywords: economic capital - lifestyle – generational changes – pistachio cultivation – Kerman Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/8645893bacf81d5093aceb7490e099a2.docx e7d826521431d2e23b7bb2c6626049c4 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/c36930c837e195e92e3efb0c4135ce2c.pdf d153533b99969472de2e554a796ca144 PDF Text Text Challenges of Waste Management in the South East Albania, Korça Region MarselaSalavaçi Epoka University Albania msalavaci@epoka.edu.al SalihOzcan Epoka University Albania sozcan@epoka.edu.al Abstract: Waste management process is the collection, transportation and processing of waste materials. Generally waste management is done by local government institutions and it needs cooperation between these institutions and the entire population. Waste management is a challenge for local governments due to increasing amount of waste, lack of the budget because of the lower taxes collected from the local inhabitants for the service of waste management, and lack of cooperation with the population. People are not yet aware of the damage they cause to the environment, to their quality of life and to the next generations. The aim of this paper is to analyze the current situation of waste management in the south east of Albania in the Korça region. This region has 33 local government units (municipalities and communes) of which 28 have jointly established a company called Korça Regional Waste Management (KRWM). This cooperation between local governments is the first example of its kind in Albania. The financial aid for this cooperation which includes the collection of waste, transportation to the landfill, waste processing and building the landfill is financed by the KreditanstaltfürWiederaufbau (KfW) bank in Germany. As a methodology this paper will analyze the primary data taken from this corporation. The results of the questionnaire used by this corporation will demonstrate the waste management methods done by each of these municipalities and communes until now and what are their expectations for the future work need to be done by KRWM. Furthermore, an interview with the administrator of this company is also planned.As a first successful pilot project in Korça region, this new way of cooperation between local governments should also be followed by the other regions of Albania. Keywords: Waste management, Korca Region, KRWM, Albania, KfW 34 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2464 Title A name given to the resource Challenges of Waste Management in the South East Albania, Korça Region Author Author SALAVAÇI, Marsela OZCAN, Salih Abstract A summary of the resource. Waste management process is the collection, transportation and processing of waste materials. Generally waste management is done by local government institutions and it needs cooperation between these institutions and the entire population. Waste management is a challenge for local governments due to increasing amount of waste, lack of the budget because of the lower taxes collected from the local inhabitants for the service of waste management, and lack of cooperation with the population. People are not yet aware of the damage they cause to the environment, to their quality of life and to the next generations. The aim of this paper is to analyze the current situation of waste management in the south east of Albania in the Korça region. This region has 33 local government units (municipalities and communes) of which 28 have jointly established a company called Korça Regional Waste Management (KRWM). This cooperation between local governments is the first example of its kind in Albania. The financial aid for this cooperation which includes the collection of waste, transportation to the landfill, waste processing and building the landfill is financed by the KreditanstaltfürWiederaufbau (KfW) bank in Germany. As a methodology this paper will analyze the primary data taken from this corporation. The results of the questionnaire used by this corporation will demonstrate the waste management methods done by each of these municipalities and communes until now and what are their expectations for the future work need to be done by KRWM. Furthermore, an interview with the administrator of this company is also planned.As a first successful pilot project in Korça region, this new way of cooperation between local governments should also be followed by the other regions of Albania. Keywords: Waste management, Korca Region, KRWM, Albania, KfW Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/02c9bac6fe7475dba1dedec6d64368ea.docx ec06fc758ece877fbef2f9d33021bf11 https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/4da7b7c794183231e1c566e4f7a41db0.pdf e0c53e35294ac9efa93a5c28ec4e0990 PDF Text Text Rise in Non-performing Loans: Determinants and Repercussions Amir Salkanović International University of Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina salkanovic@yahoo.com Abstract: Ever since 2008 as the global financial crisis came about, we witness quite major increase in non-performing loans in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also elsewhere in Eastern and Southern Europe and around the world. Non-performing loans can be viewed as realization of credit risk and indicator of financial health of the banking sector but also as an indicator of liquidity in real sector. The paper investigates determinants of non-performing loans and concludes that both macroeconomic and bank level determinants play a major role in determining level of non-performing loans in a country. The paper also discusses the feedback effect of rising level of non-performing loans back to the economy and finds that there is effect and repercussion on short term to medium term on macroeconomic climate. The paper also shortly addresses the banking regulation that regulates management of credit risk. Keywords: Non-performing loans, macroeconomic and bank level determinants, feedback effect, banking regulation. 84 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2519 Title A name given to the resource Rise in Non-performing Loans: Determinants and Repercussions Author Author SALKANOVIĆ, Amir Abstract A summary of the resource. Ever since 2008 as the global financial crisis came about, we witness quite major increase in non-performing loans in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also elsewhere in Eastern and Southern Europe and around the world. Non-performing loans can be viewed as realization of credit risk and indicator of financial health of the banking sector but also as an indicator of liquidity in real sector. The paper investigates determinants of non-performing loans and concludes that both macroeconomic and bank level determinants play a major role in determining level of non-performing loans in a country. The paper also discusses the feedback effect of rising level of non-performing loans back to the economy and finds that there is effect and repercussion on short term to medium term on macroeconomic climate. The paper also shortly addresses the banking regulation that regulates management of credit risk. Keywords: Non-performing loans, macroeconomic and bank level determinants, feedback effect, banking regulation. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/f462566df982d5ad3c0b407e167fbf5b.docx 00bbfd83fe918645fce06af3e0ec63bb https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/ebe2885b2386f08c9fa08945835985b7.pdf 4564938465bdf9d4f6dfd2b3ed51c0fd PDF Text Text Towards Establishing Financial and Budget Indicators for Municipalities: A Literature Review MirjanaSejdini Epoka University Albania msejdini@epoka.edu.al Abstract:Currently, one of the main problems that municipalities and other stakeholders face is having some objective indicators related to the finances and particularly the budget of municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia. Considering the nature of local government finances and consulting various previous studies carried in similar countries like Macedonia, it is possible to generate some representative financial or budget indicators that could apply to municipalities in the country. These indicators would serve as the basis on which municipalities could be ranked within a year or through various years. It would depend on the availability of the data aiming at analyzing their relative performance and positioning. This paper aims at consulting the literature about generating these indicators and analyzing their applicability in the case of municipalities in Macedonia. The output of this study is a set of financial or budget indicators related to revenues and expenditures in municipalities of Macedonia. Definitely, this is a pioneering study for the country and the region. It would contribute to the existing research about evaluating the financial relative performance and financial conditions of municipalities not only in Macedonia, but also in the region. Keywords:Financial Indicators, Budget Indicators, Municipalities. 102 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2560 Title A name given to the resource Towards Establishing Financial and Budget Indicators for Municipalities: A Literature Review Author Author SEJDINI, Mirjana Abstract A summary of the resource. Currently, one of the main problems that municipalities and other stakeholders face is having some objective indicators related to the finances and particularly the budget of municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia. Considering the nature of local government finances and consulting various previous studies carried in similar countries like Macedonia, it is possible to generate some representative financial or budget indicators that could apply to municipalities in the country. These indicators would serve as the basis on which municipalities could be ranked within a year or through various years. It would depend on the availability of the data aiming at analyzing their relative performance and positioning. This paper aims at consulting the literature about generating these indicators and analyzing their applicability in the case of municipalities in Macedonia. The output of this study is a set of financial or budget indicators related to revenues and expenditures in municipalities of Macedonia. Definitely, this is a pioneering study for the country and the region. It would contribute to the existing research about evaluating the financial relative performance and financial conditions of municipalities not only in Macedonia, but also in the region. Keywords:Financial Indicators, Budget Indicators, Municipalities. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/8e4a2d56a40c719ade777aed5ce81789.docx b56619be998f8b8f8b350c74cdf9172f https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/6cc1b800d614d55fae29ffbe71765df4.pdf af4d315be6aa4ab063ea18c7600cc1bb PDF Text Text The Challenges of Western Balkans towards the European Union Loren Senja Epoka University Albania lsenja@epoka.edu.al Abstract: Integration of the Western Balkans in the European Union is one of the major challenges in the policies of this Union. There are different reasons for this situation. European countries look with distrust coexistence of peoples of the Balkan under the mantel of EU. The economic crisis that has involved the European Union has created difficulties in integration of the Western Balkans. As a result of economic crisis extremist spirit was added in some states of the Union. This paper presents challenges faced by Western Balkan countries towards EU integration.The hypothesis of this paper is to analyze economic crisis in European Union and diminished initiative to expand to new countries. Paper also analyzes the impact of Balkans interior conflicts of 1990s and approaches towards integration. Additionally paper examines the steps that are following Western Balkans to become EU member. What are the challenges of Western Balkan countries towards EU integration? Why Enlargement of Union was not supported too from citizens of EU? What new brought economic crisis in EU? Strong economic dependence of Balkan states with European Union and national deficits has less opportunity for progress. Solving the economic crisis is seen with more priority by countries members of the EU rather than its expanding initiatives. Furthermore the paper discusses the fact that economic crisis raised the extremist spirit of some European Union member states. Countries like Netherlands and Greece have their veto for the further expansion of the Union. Methodology used is multiple case reports through qualitative method. Literature is based in different books, newspapers and various articles related with this topic. First part discusses Balkan internal problem and EU. The second part analyzes European Union economic crisis and integration of Western Balkans. Keywords: Western Balkans, European Union, Economic Crisis, Expanding, Integration 12 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2436 Title A name given to the resource The Challenges of Western Balkans towards the European Union Author Author SENJA, Loren Abstract A summary of the resource. Integration of the Western Balkans in the European Union is one of the major challenges in the policies of this Union. There are different reasons for this situation. European countries look with distrust coexistence of peoples of the Balkan under the mantel of EU. The economic crisis that has involved the European Union has created difficulties in integration of the Western Balkans. As a result of economic crisis extremist spirit was added in some states of the Union. This paper presents challenges faced by Western Balkan countries towards EU integration.The hypothesis of this paper is to analyze economic crisis in European Union and diminished initiative to expand to new countries. Paper also analyzes the impact of Balkans interior conflicts of 1990s and approaches towards integration. Additionally paper examines the steps that are following Western Balkans to become EU member. What are the challenges of Western Balkan countries towards EU integration? Why Enlargement of Union was not supported too from citizens of EU? What new brought economic crisis in EU? Strong economic dependence of Balkan states with European Union and national deficits has less opportunity for progress. Solving the economic crisis is seen with more priority by countries members of the EU rather than its expanding initiatives. Furthermore the paper discusses the fact that economic crisis raised the extremist spirit of some European Union member states. Countries like Netherlands and Greece have their veto for the further expansion of the Union. Methodology used is multiple case reports through qualitative method. Literature is based in different books, newspapers and various articles related with this topic. First part discusses Balkan internal problem and EU. The second part analyzes European Union economic crisis and integration of Western Balkans. Keywords: Western Balkans, European Union, Economic Crisis, Expanding, Integration Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General) https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/5c03f01c440dc4b3a13c9a24bcb002eb.docx 5f6f16649c684b8f9ed0b3cc8510900b https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/files/original/150447b5c08fc4356209575f28494b03.pdf 85db73d45ce5258e10447018488e6f00 PDF Text Text The Features and Challenges of Democratization Process in the Balkans Gloria Shkurti Sakarya University Turkey gshkurti09@epoka.edu.al SalihOzcan Epoka University Albania sozcan@epoka.edu.al Abstract: This paper aims to analyze the consolidation of democracy in the Balkans, but mostly demonstrated in the case of Albania. The process of democratization in the Balkans has undergone a long path since the fall of the communist regime in the region. As a consequence the analysis of the democratization in the Balkans has remained vague and difficult to be framed. This research was conducted on bases of quantitative and qualitative researches. In terms of the qualitative research there were conducted nine interviews with people that are competent in this field (such as politicians, analysts, political scientist etc.). The interview consisted of 6 open-ended and fully structured questions. Furthermore these interviews were conducted via e-mail or face-to-face. Secondly, the quantitative study will be based on primary data that is taken from the reports of Freedom House and the Economist Intelligence Unit. On basis of this study the democratization process can be understood through two main approaches: political and social approach. In terms of the political approach there should be considered the history of the Balkans (conflicts, wars and communist regimes). On the other hand there is the social approach related with the ill feelings transmitted from one generation to another, which indirectly affects the consolidation of democracy. Moreover in this article the process of democratization is analyzed also in terms of the external factors such as that EU or USA. In addition there is done also a short comparison, between Balkan states and other ex-communist states (such as: East European states, Czechoslovakia, Poland, etc.). After assessing all the elements, the future of democratization process in the Balkans and especially in Albania gives space for being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time. While optimism is related with the fact that there is no other path to be followed except democratization, pessimism on the other hand is related with the will of the political class. Key words: democratization, consolidation of democracy, the Balkans, challenges, features. 37 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Extent The size or duration of the resource. 2468 Title A name given to the resource The Features and Challenges of Democratization Process in the Balkans Author Author SHKURTI, Gloria OZCAN, Salih Abstract A summary of the resource. This paper aims to analyze the consolidation of democracy in the Balkans, but mostly demonstrated in the case of Albania. The process of democratization in the Balkans has undergone a long path since the fall of the communist regime in the region. As a consequence the analysis of the democratization in the Balkans has remained vague and difficult to be framed. This research was conducted on bases of quantitative and qualitative researches. In terms of the qualitative research there were conducted nine interviews with people that are competent in this field (such as politicians, analysts, political scientist etc.). The interview consisted of 6 open-ended and fully structured questions. Furthermore these interviews were conducted via e-mail or face-to-face. Secondly, the quantitative study will be based on primary data that is taken from the reports of Freedom House and the Economist Intelligence Unit. On basis of this study the democratization process can be understood through two main approaches: political and social approach. In terms of the political approach there should be considered the history of the Balkans (conflicts, wars and communist regimes). On the other hand there is the social approach related with the ill feelings transmitted from one generation to another, which indirectly affects the consolidation of democracy. Moreover in this article the process of democratization is analyzed also in terms of the external factors such as that EU or USA. In addition there is done also a short comparison, between Balkan states and other ex-communist states (such as: East European states, Czechoslovakia, Poland, etc.). After assessing all the elements, the future of democratization process in the Balkans and especially in Albania gives space for being optimistic and pessimistic at the same time. While optimism is related with the fact that there is no other path to be followed except democratization, pessimism on the other hand is related with the will of the political class. Key words: democratization, consolidation of democracy, the Balkans, challenges, features. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available International Burch University Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-04-24 Keywords Keywords. Article PeerReviewed Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ISSN 2303-4564 H Social Sciences (General)