<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/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/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/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/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/674">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[International Trade, Finance and Development; an Approach of Understanding in what Fields is Albania the Right Country to Invest in.]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Our research consists of many approaches to present a wide, clear picture in understanding how a South-Western Balkan’s country such as Albania offers many ways in investments and development.What we will be further explaining are all the reasons that make Albania different from the countries in the region. Also, we will be giving points of view in where the investments from either national or international parties would not only be beneficial for the country’s economy, but very profitable for the investors as well.Known for the many opportunities it offers in this field, agriculture will be our focal point of attention. When Albania was under the communist regime, nearly 80% of the country’s GDP was made due to agricultural products. Taking into consideration the fact that technology, vehicles and farmers have higher aims and are way better than 30 years ago, we are absolutely positive that with a little bit of investment, this field will continue to remain priority.    The second field we, after checking the latest statistics, are sure that Albania is worth investing is the tourism. Being the 4th in the 2014’s chart of places to visit is not enough. Acknowledging the improvements in some parts of tourism, there’s still plenty of work to do. We will be presenting the particular parts that still need support and also what will be the benefits to gain from these investments.Another thing we will be stressing in our paper is the urge to bring back the industrial factories and their processes. Before ‘90s, there were several towns in the country that had particular factories, providing the citizens with their needs and even exporting a part of the products. During this past decade, many discussions have led to this topic, yet never coming up with an agreement in the end.    Lastly, we claim that technology is a very helping hand in the whole process of developing the economy. It will definitely be useful in international trades and it will help having a network available to all of those interested in investing in Albania.In our conclusion, we will be giving all the details on how we think all this process will be a success and in which ways it will make the country develop in surprisingly huge steps.  Keywords: EU, Balkans, agreements, Albanian economy, tourism, agriculture, industry, technology, development.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2474]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/673">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[The Exchange Rate in Albania and its Connection with Import-Export]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Recently, trade agreements among different countries are becoming more and more important. Exchange rate and its volatility are important elements taken into consideration when these trade agreement and exchanges are done. The history of Albania has had crucial developments in different periods. These changes and developments have had an impact not only in policy making process but also in the way how economic policies are compiled. Among the most important economic actions undertaken in the transition period is the adoption of flexible exchange rate. This paper is an attempt to explain the relationship that exists through the exchange rate and import-export as this is one of the traditional methods for long-term analysis taken into consideration in studying this connection. The aim of this research paper is to analyze the way how these variables are connected to each-other and to explain which factors have influenced in the volatility of exchange rate in these years in Albania. This study examines the effect of exchange rate volatility in imports and exports by using multiple regression analysis with exchange rate as dependent variable and trade balance, remittances, government spending as independent variables. Thus, an empirical method is used in order to prove whether there is a relationship between the exchange rate and its variables and import-export. Moreover, a detailed analysis of exchange rate volatility on trade balance connection is included. All the data are taken by Bank of Albania, Instat and World Bank and all the values of variables are in million Albanian Leke. The analysis is based on respective values of above mentioned variables for the period from 1996-2010 for Leke-Dollar exchange rate and from 1999-2010 for Leke-Euro exchange rate. The findings of this study conclude with the result that exchange rate volatility does not have significant impact on import because some of the products that Albania imports are basic products regarding the inelastic demand of these products. On the other hand, exchange rate volatility affects exports as exports are directly related with exchange rate volatility.    Keywords:Exchange Rate, Volatility, Import, Export, Regression Analysis, Trade Balance, Government Spending.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2521]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/672">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[The Role of Business in Society]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[The purpose of this study is to, explore and develop the role and responsibilities of the business toward society, and the role of individuals as a key factor in a creating relations between business and society with the main focus on the ethically behavior, moral responsibility by increasing awareness of the role of the business in society.Through theoretical knowledge, science acts and research findings, analysis of using experience and good business practice of developed European countries, this paper aims to stimulates relations between business and society. This will be conducted with the responsibility that means the obligations to undertake some activities that will contribute to improving the wellbeing of the whole society. It implies thatall done activitiesare executedin the company, withrespectto economic,legalandethical principles. The future of society depends almost on the business relations in creating values to community which reflects to individuals respecting the main source of social norms, behaviors, habits and tradition that are somehow disarranged by changes. Those changes are affected by a lot of modern trends in today’s lifestyle, technology, science, educations.    The conclusion of paper outlined here is that business  needs the extremely high level of responsibility  and continuous procedures together with the social responsibility of managers. Thos emanagers should seek ethical and  responsible behavior, invest in its relationship with society  in order to foster and promote social values that foster a certain society.  Keywords: business, the role, the responsibility, society, relations.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2551]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/671">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Can there be an Islamic Democracy? Democratization in Turkey]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Concern over the issue of compatibility between democracy and Islam has been the focus of worldwide debate. After the fall of communist regimes worldwide, both democracy and Islam began a revival and expansion period. Can these two modes of governance be reconciled at all, or is it highly unlikely for them to reach a synthesis and instead clash as Huntington and others have claimed?     This paper argues that Islam and democracy can be reconciled, since both are what Feldman (2003) notably called mobile ideas in nature, ideas that spread across the world, appealing to many people living in strikingly different countries and societies. Given that mobile ideas claim to work always and everywhere, there can be a potential clash. Nevertheless, they also incline towards flexibility in that they function in different ways all over the world and therefore are capable of coming together in fascinating ways to produce unimagined, new configurations. In order to encourage the spread of democratic values of liberty and equality requires arguing that, to the contrary, certain readings of Islam not only accommodate but actually mandate freedom and self-government. It won’t be a surprise if in a decade or two, the argument made by some that the Muslim World cannot accommodate democracy, will come to seem just as outdated as the now-defunct, once-popular arguments that Catholicism and Confucianism, each in turn were incompatible with democracy. This will be illustrated by an analysis of the process of democracy consolidation in the Republic of Turkey.    Keywords: Democracy, flexibility, Islam, mobility, Turkey]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2462]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/670">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[Gender (in) equality in Political Participation in Bosnia and Herzegovina]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[The focus of this paper is on the distribution of gender and their political participation on a cantonal level of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Three leading parties in Canton Sarajevo are going to be analyzed: the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Union for a Better Future of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SBBBIH). The analysis in this study will first start with a comparison of the number of candidates to be elected at the municipal and the cantonal level and their genders. Furthermore, by using descriptive analysis we aim to show gender inequality in three leading parties, according to the results of the local elections held in 2012. Also, by using descriptive analysis we will compare the number of candidates who were nominated and the number of candidates who were elected according to genders, to find the possible cause. Results show that the problem lies in the overall low political participation of females on the political scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, we will analyze and discuss economic and social - political reasons for such low political participation of females. Several suggestions are going to be made through a positive example of a rather small political party in B&amp;H, NašaStranka.  Keywords:Gender Inequality, Political Participation, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Descriptive Analysis, Political Parties, Canton Sarajevo]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2476]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description><rdf:Description rdf:about="https://omeka.ibu.edu.ba/items/show/669">
    <dcterms:title><![CDATA[The Effect of Tax Incentives on Regional Economic Development]]></dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:abstract><![CDATA[Tax incentives are exceptional applications which are used to encourage in a specified activity for a certain period. Today most of the countries have created tax incentive programs for many reasons but especially to attract regional economic development. Tax incentives can be used as a tax exemption or as a financial incentive. One of the significant outcomes of the tax incentives is that they reduce firm’s costs. Tax incentive programs are focused on the expectations of welfare gains such as the region’s level of employment and income. Another point of these expectations in terms of the state tax incentive programs can result from the loss of tax revenue and inefficient allocation of public goods. Although tax incentives have been used over the world since the 1980s, its utility in practice is a controversial issue in the academic literature. While some studies find an impact on economic development, some studies especially focusing on long term, find the opposite.     The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of tax incentives as a device for providing regional economic development. Tax incentives have been undertaken as an economic development strategy in developing and developed countries over the past years. Based upon countries’ regional economic development experiences, particularly Turkey’s strategy about regional economic development has been evaluated. Although in the 1980s several attempts have been made about tax incentives, from the 1990s strategies which consist of using it as a tool of regional economic development, come into prominence. In 1 January 1999 Turkey has provided investment allowances which depend on location and type of investment, but its application results have not been as expected. To eliminate these failures and set up regional economic development through tax incentives, a new tax incentive program has been introduced in 4 June 2009. This paper particularly takes into account the effects of new investment incentive plan which effectuated in 1 January 2012 in Turkey. One of the main results of the study is that the use of tax incentives could be limited to the reinforcing of regional economic development.    Keywords: Regional development, Fiscal Instruments, Tax incentives, Incentives, Turkey.]]></dcterms:abstract>
    <dcterms:publisher><![CDATA[International Burch University]]></dcterms:publisher>
    <dcterms:date><![CDATA[2014-04-24]]></dcterms:date>
    <dcterms:extent><![CDATA[2503]]></dcterms:extent>
    <dcterms:identifier><![CDATA[ISSN 2303-4564     ]]></dcterms:identifier>
</rdf:Description></rdf:RDF>