SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ITS CHANGES IN ARMENIA: CHALLENGES AND EXPECTATIONS

Author(s): Albert Hayrapetyan,Liana Isayan / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

Social capital was the Achilles’ heel of the economic competitiveness of Armenia. In the meantime, the country made significant progress in solidifying it since the Velvet Revolution. In this article, we tried to present and analyze those elements of social capital which demonstrated significant progress in post-revolutionary Armenia, as well as the changes thereof. For that purpose, we have formulated the following research questions: What factors led to this growth, and what factors still lag? What hidden challenges can be observed through factual indicators which probably resulted from the slight decrease in the updated scores? What changes can be expected from the turbulent world and in the post-war society? The applied methodology is quantitative. In particular, to answer the research questions we used index analysis, graphic analysis, and comparison, correlation analysis techniques, pared t-test of the mathematical-statistical significance of changes, and Principal Component Analysis. The results of the analysis showed that a significant increase in the level of social capital was recorded in post-revolutionary Armenia, which was mainly due to the progress in institutional trust. Nevertheless, some revealed anomalies and encountered challenges undermined the archived progress in the growth of trust. Therefore, we put forward several recommendations.

Научна конференция (24 – 25.09.2021 г.) и том VI на „Известия на Центъра за стопанско-исторически изследвания“, посветени на темата „Предприемачеството в историческа перспектива“

Author(s): Emilia Vacheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2022

Smart and connected cities in Pennsylvania: a multi-case study

Author(s): Jane Beckett-Camarata / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2022

The objective of this study is to describe two Pennsylvania cities' unique approaches to smart and connected technology design and implementation around mobility, public safety, and sustainability. Harrisburg and Pittsburgh are emerging leaders implementing their unique smart and connected approach. These two cities are undergoing a physical, technological, and demographic transformation, which impacts social and economic issues. As a result, many distinct aspects and elements of these cities play an increasingly important role in defining the quality of life of the diverse citizenry.Cities depend on newer and emerging technologies, such as smart streetlights, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, shared mobility, and the Internet of Things(IoT) connected devices to improve health, safety, general welfare, and quality of life for citizens. Moreover, in smart cities, citizens' activities are not limited to their homes. Thus, smart spaces need to connect the smart city to the smart home seamlessly into a smart home concept [1]. The smart and connected cities concept is defined and visualized differently by each city depending on the context, needs and funding. As a result, each city initiates intelligent technology strategies, tools, and partnerships in its approach to developing and implementing the parameters that frame a just, equitable, and inclusive smart city. This multi-case study describes each city’s smart city and connected goals, successes and challenges to answer the research question: How has Pittsburgh and Harrisburg defined and implemented the concept of Smart City to better manage its emergent needs as a result of changing demographics?

The Contribution of Oil Signs to the Petroleum Prospect in the Erindi Region, Albania

Author(s): Enkela NOÇKA,Altin KARRIQI,Irakli PRIFTI / Language(s): English Issue: 02/2022

Many wells have been drilled in Albania to search oil traps in the carbonate reservoirs of the Ionian area. One of them is the Nokova-1 well, drilled in the overflow front of the Berati anticline belt. Geographically it is in Erindi region, southern Albania. Nokova-1 well has passed flysch deposits of Oligocene (Pg3) and carbonate deposits of Eocene - Paleocene (Pg1-Pg2). To conclude in the results presented at this paper, various geological and geochemical studies have been studied.During the drilling and testing processes, signs of oil and hydrocarbon gas have appeared, which contribute to the oil-bearing perspective of the region. Limited quantities of crude oil were obtained during the testing process. Samples taken from this oil were determined density, from which API was calculated. Also hydrocarbon composition was performed. According to samples analysis, are determined parameters of density (0.923 gr/cm3), API (21.8) and hydrocarbon composition as follows: saturate (49.20 %), aromatics (27.9%), saturate + aromatics (77.10 %), NSO-comp (14.86%), asphalt (7.95%), saturate/aromatics (1.763441%) and NSO-comp + asphalt (22.81%).The results of the hydrocarbon composition were correlated with those of the oil traps (carbonate reservoirs) in Albania. From this correlation we have concluded that the crude oil taken from the Nokova-1 well is light oil, it is not biodegradable. Nokova-1 well oil correlates with oil of oil traps in Amonica, Cakrani, Mollaj, which have been interpreted as oil traps of younger geological age.In conclusion, it can be said that the oil samples taken from the Nokova-1 well are results from the contribution of an oil trap that can be located at depth, or the result of new phases of hydrocarbon migration.

Bundling and tying in smart living

Author(s): Ina Virtosu,Chen LI / Language(s): English Issue: 02/2022

Smart living is a trend promising more comfort, security, and energy efficiency in our everyday life through digitalization and the inter-connectivity of devices. From driverless cars to smart thermostats, from movable office to ecosystem of smart home, all of them are smart “objects” on which smart living and smart cities rely, involving original and innovative solutions aimed at making life more efficient, more controllable, economical, productive, integrated, and sustainable. Nowadays, these objects are not single products anymore but a series of integrated products, which can be tied or bundled. However, the bunding and tying are not traditional one, like ordinary merchandise or software tying in the landmark case Microsoft. It can be between software and hardware, as well as with a more complicated structure. For the smart objects the bundling and tying may be not limited in bilateral ones but also can be multilateral. This paper aims to discuss bundling and tying products in a smart city life, and mainly the commercial reality of such smart products on how the components are bundled and tied. After, it analyses the structure of bundling and tying in some smart products to confirm whether there is a main product, which can be either a hardware or a software, or net-shaped like in the ecosystem of smart home. Based on these commercial realities, this paper discusses whether multilateral bundling and tying related to smart objects may be a threat to a competition order and mainly to violate Articles 102 TFEU.

The future of work in the smart city: Managing virtual work by leveraging smart cities to achieve organizational strategy

Author(s): Joshua Olusegun Fayomi,Zainab Abdulqadir Sani / Language(s): English Issue: 03/2021

The goal of the organization is to maintain and increase productivity of its resources including human capital. A clear assessment of all the available resources to management provides requisite information to enable them to allocate work tasks and monitor and assess outputs. The way work is done is changing across most industries and the future of work is one that has been celebrated and researched by experts and scholars alike. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has opened up the virtual work sphere as a paradigm for all organizations to explore, and many otherwise traditional work arrangements are beginning to innovate around how their work functions are achieved. This paper explores the concepts of smart cities, the future of work and virtual work. And through a mixed method of interviews and surveys identifies how organizations are leveraging on the advantages of smart cities in planning and implementing work arrangements for their employees in order to cope with the current pandemic and what their strategy would be overall when the situation comes back to normal. About 8 top managers were interviewed and 59 employees currently working virtually were surveyed. Responses were analysed and connectivity, flexibility and autonomy were identified as factors organizations considered as they planned and implemented virtual work arrangements. And their outlook for the future certainly included virtual work arrangement for at least a fraction of their employees as working from home, cafes, hotels etc has become a norm today and is generally accepted as a legitimate work arrangement between organizations and their employees.

THE UNITED NATIONS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: UNDP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY IN MONTENEGRO

Author(s): Danilo Djikanovic / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2022

The paper analyzed the challenges of poverty in Montenegro. It provided an overview of the structure and scope of UN action in Montenegro and general sustainable development policies and their national implementation. The objective was to research the contributions of the UN system to the sustainable development of Montenegro while focusing on the role of the UNDP in eradicating poverty. The methodology consisted of the literature overview and the case scenario analysis of integrated social protection and employment policies. In addition, secondary data analysis has been employed to complement the research findings. The paper has identified the national socio-economic situation and the contributions of the UNDP in eradicating poverty through the design and implementation of integrative policies. The research proved the importance of the UNDP in fighting poverty in Montenegro and the effective role of the UN in achieving sustainable development.

Политики в образованието по туризъм, компетенции и стимули за развитие

Author(s): Mincho Polimenov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2022

The article seeks to draw the attention of government institutions, schools, universities and the tourism business so as to link educational policies in such a way that young people would be motivated in the profession they choose and would have a guaranteed job in tourism. The aim is to innovate educational systems in order to improve the quality of knowledge and skills and increase competencies and competency models. The possibility for validation of knowledge and skills in the work environment has been considered and a constructive differentiated system, star class qualification for a specific position has been proposed. Education is focused on market demand and the possibility of establishing a link between secondary and higher education, credit recognition in certain disciplines, and creating opportunities for upgrading in the profession and certification of knowledge and skills. We are looking for an opportunity for freedom in education, duality and class in business training, which will materialize in adequate financial remuneration for the work invested.

The Russia-Ukraine War and Its Impact on Global Food Security. Are GMO Products a Good Alternative?

Author(s): Marwan Abou-Raya,Amira Youssef / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

This paper shows how governments are reluctant to take decisions to allow GMO products for human use and to change them. It also draws a comparison about the allowance and usage of GMO products between Russia and Egypt (with the United States of America representing the largest country around the world in using GMO products). The results of the study are supported by the data of a survey among certain age groups from the Russian and Egyptian populations, conducted by the authors of the paper. As a solution, the Egyptian and Russian governments should allow imports and cultivation of GMO crops under supervision by departments to guarantee their safety. The authors see that GMO products are the best solution to face the potential food shortage for most of the countries dependent on foods imported from Ukraine and Russia because of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Two Circuits for Labour: Different Labour at Different Sites

Author(s): Praveen Verma / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

The main aim of this study is to explore and analyze the labour conditions and labour relations of migrant workers, in two sub-parts of the construction sector in New Delhi; one in big public works projects in Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University and second, the study of labour chowks at Rani Bagh, Kingsway Camp and Wazirpur.

Kolkata’s Foodscape: the Evolution of ‘the Calcutta palate’

Author(s): Debika Banerji,Anandita Pan / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

Kolkata’s cultural landscape can be defined by the existing foodscape. The heritage restaurants existing in the city are an amalgamation of the cultural diffusion between the different communities that reside in the city. In this paper, primarily, three food zones have been recognized, each specializing in a particular type of cuisine. The paper seeks to understand the development of the cuisines in relation to these food zones, how different communities have slowly exchanged ideas which have led to the creation of a new type of fusion cuisine, modified in accordance to suit local tastes and preferences. This acculturation process is constantly occurring and is reflected in the present day foodscape of the city.

ECONOMETRIC EVALUATION OF PUBLIC DEBT ON INFLATION: EVIDENCE FROM KOSOVO AND NORTH MACEDONIA

Author(s): Ismail Mehmeti,Gazmend Deda / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2022

The nexus between public debt and inflation has been continuously investigated, but after the pandemic, it has returned to the center of researchers' courtesy. Consequently, this research examines the influences of public debt, interest rates, trade openness, GDP growth, and foreign direct investments on inflation. The study employs secondary data from 2008 to 2021 and incorporates a mixed econometric technique such as the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Arrellano-Bover/Blundell-Bond approach. The study's findings argue that public debt, interest rates, and trade openness significantly influence inflation, whereas GDP growth has a significantly negative impact. Because of the limited number of observations in the context of the research, we have not been able to evaluate the impact in the long term. The uniqueness and relevance of this research stem from its use of a combined approach, and in recent months, a continuous increase in inflation has been recorded throughout the world. The current findings and arguments inspire a productive discourse among academics, scholars, and policy-making entities.

Развитие на института на концесиите в България (1883–2018)

Author(s): Krasimira S. Valcheva,Ralitsa Veleva,Alexander Valkov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2022

In recent decades public-private partnerships (PPPs) represent a modern solution for the efficient use of public resources with increasing economic and social importance. The state's ability to structure and stimulate the development of long-term institutionally sustainable relationships with business for the development of key public activities is a sign of the maturity of its economic and social policy. The study applies comparative document analysis. The temporal scope coincides with the promulgation of the first and the lastest legislative act regulating the relations between the state and private initiative, with a focus on one of the earliest forms of PPP applied worldwide - concessions. The paper periodizes and identifies the evolution and functions of the concept of concession in Bulgaria, based on the legislative framework and the adopted practices. The regulation of this form of cooperation solves specific tasks during different stages of socio-economic development in the country. In post- liberation Bulgaria, concessions were aimed at supporting the establishment of a modern market economy. Nowadays, the institutionalisation of PPPs, and concessions in particular, is applied as a tool for good public governance.

Stop Mass Exodus: Guidelines by the Reform Part of the Croatian State-Party Leadership for the Policy Regarding Labour Migrants from the Socialist Republic of Croatia in Western Europe

Author(s): Wollfy Krašić / Language(s): English Issue: 16/2022

The paper presents the fundamental guidelines issued by the reform part of the Croatian state-party leadership in the early 1970s regarding the issue of the increasing number of labour migrants from the Socialist Republic of Croatia in Western Europe. In this context, an analysis of the aforementioned trend within the Communist Party of Croatia was made, which was oriented towards spreading the autonomy of the Socialist Republic of Croatia within Yugoslavia. It limited the introduction of market mechanisms in the Yugoslav economy, and abolished the patterns of operation and behaviour of state-party officials, the roots of which lied in the Yugoslav unitarism or the idea of Greater Serbia. Since the reform movement had been ended in Croatia by force, it was not even attempted to implement a part of the planned policies. Although several policies continued to be advocated, there was no genuine wish or possibility for the implementation. For the purposes of comparison, the paper illustrates – using selected documents from the second half of the 1970s and the 1980s – the relationship of the Yugoslav communist regime to labour migrants, in particular the ones from the Socialist Republic of Croatia, and the main characteristics of the return-emigrant trends in the labour migrant population on the relation Yugoslavia – Western Europe. Nevertheless, in this period, further mass exodus was halted, and even a part of labour migrants returned. This was what the reform part of the Croatian state-party leadership strived to achieve, yet the principal reason lied in the suppressing factors in Western Europe. On the other hand, however, those labour migrants, who managed to keep/get employment in Western Europe in the midst of crisis, were joined by their family members. This radically reduced their chance of return. The Yugoslav authorities claimed in public, and their officials in many closed meetings, how very dedicated they were to the return of labour migrants, although the regime suffered from major difficulties in the context of employment, even of the persons who were forced to return. During the 1960s and in the early 1970s, the Yugoslav diplomatic, consular and other officials abroad continued to maltreat, humiliate and deprive labour migrants of the Croatian nationality of the recognition of their national identity.

Application and Challenges of Web 3.0 in Smart Cities

Author(s): Joshua Olusegun Fayomi,Zainab Abdulqadir Sani / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2023

Citizens are becoming more directly involved in the advancement of sustainability in smart development in areas where web 3.0 promises to transform urban cities into advanced smart cities and where ICTs are integrated in strategies for participation and co-production. This study's aim is to investigate and pinpoint the applications and difficulties in using Web 3.0 technologies in smart cities in Lithuania. A systematic questionnaire with open-ended questions was created after a thorough study in order to elicit 250 replies from citizens, managers, and online workers in Lithuania. The information gathered was examined. Our research findings in this paper offer a multidisciplinary understanding of web 3.0's applications and difficulties in smart cities, as well as insights into the chances for citizen participation in decision-making and service delivery. Future cities will likely need a stronger technological connection with smart technology, with an emphasis on the rising role of the digitally "empowered" citizen. In order to improve surroundings in web 3.0 contexts, this study examines the difficulties and applications of implementing such a futuristic idea. It will be said that although much of the technology needed to realize the vision of Web 3.0 applications in smart cities is already available, further research is still required in several important areas.

Using RPA for data generation using OCR platforms in Mediterranean University of Albania

Author(s): Gerild Qordja / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2023

The increase in the amount of data today has led to the use of computer applications in order to manage processes precisely. Robotic process automation (RPA), also known as software robotics, uses automation technologies to mimic back-office tasks of human workers, such as extracting data, filling in forms, moving files, et cetera. Optical character recognition (OCR) is sometimes referred to as text recognition. An OCR program extracts and repurposes data from scanned documents, camera images and image-only pdfs. OCR systems use a combination of hardware and software to convert physical, printed documents into machine-readable text. Hardware such as an optical scanner or specialized circuit board copies or reads text then, software typically handles the advanced processing. Process Automation in Azure Automation allows you to automate frequent, time-consuming, and error-prone management tasks. This service helps you focus on work that adds business value. In this paper, I will use the above-mentioned technologies to realize the automatic data generation process for the construction of an online library. In addition, the level of data accuracy will be studied in the automation of data generation from pdf files to mySql. The application will be built in front end html and back end php programming language and mySql database. These tests will be done by inserting more than 17000 books in pdf format.

Exchange rate forecasting with Artificial Intelligence

Author(s): Zela (Male) Katerina / Language(s): English Issue: 01/2023

This study concerns the problem of forecasting the exchange rate between the official currency of EU member states, Euro and Albanian Lek, aiming to identify the best predictive model for financial time series future trend prediction. We compare the forecasting performance of linear and nonlinear forecasting models using monthly data for the period between January 2002 until January 2022. We discuss various forecasting approaches, including an Autoregressive Integrated. Moving Average model, a Nonlinear Autoregressive Neural Network model, a BATS model and Exponential Smoothing on the collected data and compare their accuracy using error term measuring indicators, choosing the model with the lowest Mean Absolute Percentage Error value. Finding the most accurate forecasting model would help improve monetary and fiscal politics, as well as orient future personal investments.

Geopolitical Assessment of Cultural Diffusion in the Moscopole (Voskopoja) of the 18th Century

Author(s): Arben Belba / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

The paper “Geopolitical assessment of cultural diffusion in Moscopole of the XVIII century” is a professional effort to convey to scholars, teachers, specialists of local and central government, tourism and entrepreneurship, findings and interesting facts about Moscopole, a mountainous resort village, in the southeastern Albania. This paper deals with the concept of cultural diffusion of the medieval city of Moscopole (XVIII century). The paper analyzes the indicators that highlight the flourishing of the city of Moscopole in the years 1750–1769 and the cultural richness that this nucleus of civilization conveyed to Albanian territories and further in the Balkans. The methodology followed is based on the research method, intertwined with information processing, comparison, and data synthesis analysis. This cultural diffusion and rich historical heritage have turned Moscopole into a model for the development of mountain tourism.

BANK PROFITABILITY DETERMINANTS: EVIDENCE FROM KOSOVO AND ALBANIA

Author(s): Vesë Qehaja-Kekaë,Skender Ahmeti,Muhamet Aliu / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2023

This research aims to examine the factors that impact the profitability of commercial banks in Kosovo and Albania. Profitability is crucial in the financial sector as it directly affects policymakers, regulators, and bank management. The study focuses on several determinants of bank profitability, including the number of employees, loan interest rate, non-performing loans, and total loans. The study employed quarterly secondary data spanning from 2010 to 2020, resulting in 400 observations. The analysis used multiple linear regression, influenced by the huge number of observations and the applicability of ordinary least squares (OLS) for such studies. This method allowed for a thorough examination of the interactions between the dependent and independent variables, providing a more in-depth understanding of the factors driving bank profitability. The statistical significance was determined using software such as STATA and SPSS. The dependent variables in the analysis are return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The findings reveal that the loan interest rate, total loans, and non-performing loans significantly influence the profitability of the analyzed banks in Albania and Kosovo. Furthermore, the total number of loans and employees are statistically significant determinants of ROE. These findings provide valuable insights for bank management and policymakers in enhancing bank profitability and stability.

Together or not? The Effects of Individual and Group Work of the Faculty of Philology Students During E-learning Online

Author(s): Anna Ślósarz / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2023

This article tested a widespread belief that by working in groups distance education students achieve cognitive goals of learning, and develop their social competencies and skills. The subject of the study was the achievements of 655 bachelor and master degree students enrolled in 22 on-campus and blended learning units offered within 2 university courses, full-time and part-time, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. in the academic years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. An instrumental case study was carried out: the grades students obtained for individual work were compared with grades obtained for work done in pairs and groups of threes within the same courses. It was found that a statistically significant difference did not exist. But the highest grades (on average 83.81) were obtained by students who had worked individually, and the lowest (81.64%) by those who had worked in groups of three. The highest grades were obtained by the final-year students. They showed an understanding of the assessment criteria and the ability to follow such. Also, they wanted to pass on the first attempt in order to have time to prepare for the final examination. International students were reluctant to work in groups. They focused on achieving good grades and preparing for the thesis due to the time limits of student visas and the unrest caused by the war in Ukraine. First-year students who had no experience in adhering to the assessment criteria and problems with communicating due to isolation caused by the pandemic obtained the lowest grades.