Albanian Citizens Research Articles

The integration of Albanian women in the Balkan and European labor market

Abstract The integration of Albania in the EU is one of the greatest aspirations that Albanian citizens have in their future. The effort to adapt the workforce of Albanian citizens to the European market has been positive. This can be seen in the number of Albanian women who have moved and continue to move in the EU countries. The emancipation of women has led to an increase in the level of education and an increase in the professional level. The integration of women as equal power in Albanian families makes it possible for the spirit of gender discrimination to decrease significantly. The presented study will be based on the inclusion of the Albanian woman in the European market as well as her emancipation in professional development. The review of information includes the analysis of relevant and available data and sources (reports, reports from previous surveys, research, etc.) regarding the needs of the labor market. In this paper we will analyze the relationship between gender, education level, age and salary level. Each of these factors in the economy has defined roles, based on the primary indicators and on the distinguishing indicators of everyone’s knowledge in this scheme, but with a common goal to serve the stability and growth of the Albanian economy. The registered unemployment rate for 2011 was 13.3% of which women represent 14.3% and men, 12.4%. The highest unemployment rate corresponds to the 15-29 age group and it is estimated that there is at least 50% employment in the informal economy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the women’s labor market in Albania based on the statistical data of INSTAT with a focus also in the EU and the Western Balkan market by using the linear regression method.

Albanian Public Opinion on US Role in the Israel-Gaza Conflict

Against the Israel-Gaza conflict and the United States’ involvement, this study explores the complex dynamics of Albanian public opinion regarding these geopolitical events. Through a systematic examination of demographic variables including gender, age, educational attainment, and religious belief, the research aims to elucidate how these variables shape perceptions and attitudes among the Albanian populace. The objectives encompass assessing knowledge levels regarding the US role in the conflict, evaluating public opinion on this role, and examining pro/anti-American sentiments. Hypotheses are formulated to substantiate the influence of demographic factors on these perceptions. Employing structured questionnaires and statistical analysis, data was collected from Albanian citizens, revealing intriguing insights. While age emerges as a significant determinant of understanding and assessment, gender and religious faith notably influence pro/anti-American sentiments. The study underscores the intricate interplay between demographic factors and public perceptions, shedding light on the multifaceted dynamics shaping attitudes toward international affairs and the USA in Albania. These findings hold implications for policy-making, public discourse, and future research on global conflicts and public opinion. Received: 1 February 2024 / Accepted: 30 April 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

German-Albanian Intercultural communication and interaction in the workplace

Remote work has brought societies and cultures more together than ever. The workplace has been taken to another level and understanding the cultures and behaviours of different countries has become essential, so that there can be a harmonious working environment. Different ways of conveying the information in the same situation and context but at the same time in two different cultural environments, often lead to inconsistencies or problems in different situations in everyday life. In this thesis, German-Albanian communication and interaction in the workplace is observed from a cultural point of view. Communication in the workspace environment has quite a high influence on the working atmosphere, satisfaction, productivity of the employees or companies worldwide management success. The field of study focuses on the workspace since the reason why many Albanian citizens stay in Germany or have work relations with German companies is the offer of a working contract with higher income possibilities. The purpose of this study is to achieve understanding from both sides of the cultures or even let other cultures understand them both at the same time. Beside the theoretical solution of this problem, an illustrated book with funny and simple illustration has been designed to bring better understanding for the cultural differences independent from their age, gender or intellectual level.

Protection of Privacy and Personal Data in Albania

The Protection of Personal Data became an important issue for the Albanian citizens. The new era of the protection of personal data through administrative claims started after 2008. This brought up sensitive issues like unauthorised legal processing of data on media and online portals, e-mail lack of personal data security, online data processing and online security etc. The sensibility of people increased when personal data were used for political or commercial benefits. During the COVID-19 pandemic period our lives were dominated by technology as the only means of connecting with others or continuing our normal life in abnormal conditions. On one side, human rights were suffering the most powerful restrictions and on the other,technology was gaining position faster. This paper raises questions on the relation between the protection of dignity, honour and privacy of the persons as a democratic value and technological evolution. This paper aims to introduce the Albanian legislation on the protection of privacy and personal data, legal reforms and their adaptation to international law through case law and jurisprudence. Findings, suggest the need for an international global binding act, which would facilitate the process of exchanging information, reduce administrative barriers, and increase the connection and collaboration.

The role of the International Community as a pivotal and reliable actor in democratic transition in Albania!

The paper analyses the role of various actors in the democratization process in Albania, with specific emphasis on one key participant. It is structured into three distinctive sections: the first identifies the domestic actors in the beginning of transition, such as the political class, civil society, knowledge elite, media etc, highlighting the political class as the most powerful and influential of them. However, the paper argues that instead of being a reliable and responsible factor in the process of democratization and integration, the Albanian political elite has shown a chronic lack of responsibility, willingness, professionalism and commitment to tackle the country’s major problems. Its primary objective has been its own self-interest and self-preservation. On the other hand, since Albania opened up to the world, another actor has been crucial for the country, the international community. The subsequent section focuses on this external actor, which has played a significant role throughout the three-decade transition period. It asserts that inability of local actors to deal with domestic challenges and cooperate with one another have ‘promoted’ this actor, which has been trying to fulfill the role of facilitator and mediator that the state institutions have proved unable to perform. The lack of legitimacy and the unreliability of political parties and other domestic actors have increasingly amplified the importance of this actor. Therefore, the paper argues that legitimacy in Albania lies with the international community and its verdict tends to be considered as final. This is also reflected in public opinion surveys, indicating that Albanian citizens trust much more international than national institutions. The third section analyses the impact and influence exerted by the two most significant external actors: the European Union, whose significance escalated notably post-2000 owing to Albania’s aspirational EU membership, steering reforms and providing financial assistance; and the United States, which, through its diplomats and ambassadors, has been very proactive in Albanian politics, helping the country to overcome persistent problems as corruption and organized crime, and more recently the judiciary reform. The paper concludes that Albanian road towards democratization could have had a different trajectory without the involvement and guidance of the international community pushing for and directing reforms. While acknowledging the significance of assistance from external driving forces, the primary onus for the progress of a country should rest upon its domestic actors. Keywords: International community, domestic actors, political class, transition, democratization, European integration, the European Union, the United States.

The Open Balkans and the Impact on EU Membership

The Open Balkans and the Impact on EU Membership

THE INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION OF CITIZENS IN THE EUROINTEGRATION PROCESS OF ALBANIA

Albania’s national interest is the integration into the European Union. To fulfill this objective, every state component, public institutions, civil society, the media, and the citizens, play a very important role. The main focus of this paper is the public sphere, the attitudes of Albanian citizens toward the EU membership, and their role in the process. By applying qualitative and quantitative methods, the main theories of the field, global and regional indexes, studies, surveys, interviews, and personal observations, we aim to focus on the citizens' attitudes toward the EU membership process. Our in-depth analyses have shown that the Albanian institutions, CSOs, and media to inform and include the citizens in the Europeanization process have not been effective enough. Thus, there is a knowledge gap between sensitive groups and the other part of society.

E-voting, a proposed framework for Albania scenario

Albania has held elections with a paper-based system for many years now. However, with the innovative technological developments that have taken place in the country, there is the possibility to apply these technologies to better impact the voting process. This study aims to propose an electronic voting architecture, using a hybrid solution that integrates voting kiosks within the country and online voting for Albanian citizens living abroad. The study uses a review of the literature method. This study analyses the voting process in Albania, focusing on two key issues: the accuracy of the process and the impossibility of voting for the citizens living outside the country. The electronic voting process through electronic voting machines and online systems are analyzed as new technological approaches to address and solve the issues mentioned above. From the study, electronic voting process implementation has a higher cost. Moreover, to evaluate the feasibility of the system implementation, a detailed analysis of costs is needed, security requirements specifications, and a legal framework. Keywords: Devices; DRE; elections; e-voting; E2E.

Prawo cudzoziemców do nauki i prowadzenia badań w Republice Albanii

The European Union has achieved much in promoting cross-border access to education in the course of the last two-and-a-half decades. Free movement of students is one of EU law’s most important achievements in the general context of free movement of persons. Today, EU law confers far-reaching educational rights upon workers and their family members and it entitles all EU citizens to move to other Member States to take up studies. The right to education is one of the basic human rights, which is recognized in the Albanian legislation as well. The right to education is granted to Albanian citizens, all foreigners and stateless persons resident in the Republic of Albania alike. Albania has especially changed its legislation to improve its alignment with the standards of the EU necessary for its eventual accession. As it is known Albania has transposed all EU directives relating to immigration and asylum into its national legal system and now it participates in the negotiations on new migration and asylum rules at a regional level as well. This paper seeks to provide an overview of rules in Albania for foreign students and researchers in the Republic of Albania. It also highlights some of the challenges in the application, interpretation and development of immigration rules for students and researchers currently present in the Republic of Albania, especially the Law “On Foreigners”. The objective was to trace the main institutional and legal procedures applicable to foreign citizens who seek to study and research in Albania, to analyze the data on students and researchers in Albania and to reflect on these findings.

THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION IN THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM: THE CASE OF 2016 JUDICIAL REFORM IN ALBANIA

Corruption in the judiciary system has been considered by Albanian citizens and international organizations as deeply corrupt. In 2016 Albanian Parliament, supported by the EU and USA, adopted a judiciary reform to increase transparency, accountability, impartiality and citizens’ access to information. One way of preventing corruption and increasing citizens’ access to justice is by using information technology. This paper analyses the role of information and communication technology in preventing corruption in the Albanian judiciary system. The main research question is how and to what extent digitizing the judiciary contributes to preventing corruption in the judiciary system. The paper argues that the use of ICT in the judiciary system has been limited due to several factors, such as lack of legislation on the use of ICT in the judiciary system, absence of a unified automated case management system, lack of appropriate education or training of judiciary staff to use ICT and lack of reinvestments on ICT equipment in courts. The 2016 judicial reform, for the first time, emphasized the importance of digitizing the judiciary system in Albania. The paper concludes that digitizing the judiciary will increase integrity and prevent corruption in the judicial system.

A Mixed-Methods Study of the Influence of Demographic Factors on Albanian Individual Taxpayers’ Ethical Beliefs Surrounding Tax Compliance

Many governments worldwide are concerned about tax evasion and avoidance, which has been studied extensively over the years. The primary goal of this research is to convey Albanian citizens’ and taxpayers’ perspectives on tax evasion, avoidance, and compliance. Several studies are being conducted worldwide to assess the public’s perception of demographic factors influencing tax evasion and avoidance. The principal indicators used in this paper, such as the attitude toward tax evasion and tax avoidance, are based on individual taxpayer perceptions rather than real evidence. This issue is particularly acute in many developing and developed economies, including Albania. Tax evasion erodes the government’s ability to raise revenue impartially and cost-effectively. Tax evasion creates inequality among citizens/taxpayers and economic difficulties for the country. Because of the lower revenue generated by tax evasion, the state coffers cannot provide public services such as health, transportation, and justice that are tailored to the needs of taxpayers and the contributor’s rights. However, current research into the factors influencing tax evasion and avoidance in Albania is still limited. We analyzed data from a survey sent to 387 individual taxpayers in Albania to achieve our goals. We discovered relationships between socio-demographic factors and their impact on an individual’s ethical perception of tax avoidance and evasion using empirical analysis. For the statistical analyses in this paper, we used Fisher’s Exact Test on count matrices using R studio and JMP statistical software. Based on our empirical findings, we concluded that gender, marital status, level of education, and residential area all impact tax compliance and ethics. While there is a statistically significant relationship between employment status and influence on tax evasion and avoidance, insufficient evidence demonstrates a trend. No statistically substantial dependence was found for the age determinant. The study’s findings may be helpful to researchers, policymakers’ institutions, and practitioners.

Impact of Legal Incentives on “Credit Fraud” Criminal Offence

Currently, the number of financial institutions has been increased in Albania, which provides Albanian citizens with access to various financial services, mainly to obtain financing services in the form of microcredit. Given the history of our people, not all the Albanian citizens have had opportunity to have access and to benefit from various financial services. Denial of financial services is an issue that has affected not only Albania, but also other small Balkan countries. The reasons for this denial are numerous, but among them, we can distinguish the lack of lending experience, as one of the common reasons for being excluded in these countries from the development of the financial sector. Taking into consideration that, the growth of financial institutions led to the growth of financial services by raising awareness and financial education of citizens. Finally, the Bank of Albania , as the supervisor of financial activities, intends to set a ceiling on the interest of consumer loans provided by non-bank financial institutions and commercial banks in Albania. This paper aims to present through a professional legal treatment all the challenges of the legal and institutional framework of the Bank of Albania, itself in undertaking this initiative. The questions we intend to answer through this paper are: Is the Bank of Albania legitimized to set a ceiling interest rate for consumer credit? What are the benefits or challenges that this initiative will bring to the financial sector? How will this regulation affect the criminal offense of "Credit Fraud"? How will the financial industry be designed after the implementation of the initiative? Will it have any impact on customer beneficial? etc.

Discourse on Europe and the European Identity of Albanians

Political discourse on Europe and EU integration in the Albanian social and political reality has played an important role in all its continuity and evolution from the 1990s until today. It has been used by various political actors as one of the main instruments aimed at informing, propagating and communicating with the broad masses of the electorate and citizens. Discourse on Europe is also discourse as a form of thinking about identity, because all the values, beliefs and ideas it adheres to also determine how Albanian citizens see themselves in relation to the past, the present and the design of their future. The idea of Europe and the European identity of Albanians is not late among Albanians, which is articulated only from the 1990s onwards. On the contrary, the most common point of view considers the Albanian people with an early inherited European identity and also related with the geographical determination, which was lost as a result of historical fates and finally in an attempt to regain it. All this contributes to the further consolidation of an ideology of "deserved" integration in Europe, part of which we have been and must necessarily be. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse the Albanian political discourse focused on Europe as an idea and the attempt to transform the discourse for Europe, in an ideological hegemonic discourse. It aims to discuss whether Europe and EU integration has become the main hallmark of Albanian political discourse given the importance it takes in explaining, defining and justifying issues, actions and events in general.

Effects of Migration and Human Capital Formation in Albania

Albania has one of the world’s highest emigration rates, relative to its population, at -3.3 migrants per 1,000 people, and a total migrant population of more than 1.25 million in 2014, according to UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs data. In 2010 Albania was granted with visa-free travel to the Schengen area and this also affected the crossing of the borders and the circular migration across the land border between Greece and Albania was for many years, one of the most significant irregular migratory flows across the EU’s external borders. Although during the last years it is observed an increase number of return migrants, Albanian citizens continued to migrate and it is observed an increase of the number during 2014, and the new trend now is requesting asylum in EU member states increased during 2014. According to EUROSTAT data show that 65,000 Albanians applied for asylum in 2015, 55,000 of them sought asylum in Germany and 99 percent of Albanian asylum requests have been refused from European countries, half of them belong to the age group 18 – 34 years old. Due to the poor economic and living conditions in Albania, the labor market in Albania is still vulnerable and it affects the on-going migrant flows from Albania to the most developed labor markets of other countries. These migrant flows are directly linked with labor market development especially level of unemployment and poverty. Migration in Albania has major development impact and poverty implications in several levels. It has effects for individuals and their families, for origin and destination countries, and the national economy. At the individual level it shows that migrants benefit economically from their movements, their migration leads to better employment opportunities and income; at the household level in the home country migration reduces poverty at the family level and positively contributes to human capital formation, and improving education and healthcare conditions. Migration also has effects at the national level, bringing positive changes to the national economy.

Advanced Trauma Life Support training. How useful it is?

For more than 20 years, following the changes that took place in Albania in 1992, we receive information from trauma patients in the media about the delivery of trauma services. Police records are worthy of a war balance report. Trauma is estimated to be the cause of deaths in 13.7% / 100,000 people. Every two days three Albanian Citizens die because of Automobile Accidents…
 Changes have already taken place, but the question arises, who cares about the trauma and its management?
 Formerly and now the state ... ok ... but? Is this enough?
 The Ministry of Health should have a “Trauma Committee” if yes… is it active?
 Already of the three years at the heart of these medical emergency management networks is a National Center of Medical Emergency (NCME).
 The trauma service delivery is now evolving along the lines of a central and spoken model with a concentration of expertise and specialization in the center surrounded by smaller units that feed on the center.
 The study showed a 19% increase in the chances of survival since the introduction of these changes. Another 1,600 trauma victims are alive today due to developments in the administration of trauma patients in England over the past six years.
 In this system or mode of organizing what is today the NCME or organizing the transport of traumatized from the scene to the University Hospital of Trauma... by medical staff who have done a substantial part of the PhTLS® course ... How is the educational status of personal in other regions far from Capital? ATLS® student courses in our country have been implemented by few and individually… ASTES, by default rules, has acquired the right to organize ATLS® in Albania…

Women’s Activism in the Civil Resistance Movement in Kosovo (1989–1997): Characteristics, Development, Encounters

AbstractThis article analyzes women’s socio-political participation and activism within the nonviolent civil resistance movement in prewar Kosovo between 1989 and 1997, as well as the movement’s gender dynamics. This Albanian-led resistance movement emerged during the early 1990s with the principal goal of building a parallel state, seeking independence from Serbia, and offering means of survival for the population. This project required the participation of all Albanian citizens, and although the participation of women was massive, this has gone largely unrecognized. This article will explore the principal features of women’s participation and activism within this movement, what kind of gendered dynamics were developed, and the principal forms of resistance they encountered against their full and active participation through an analysis of women’s activism both within the Women’s Forum of the Democratic League of Kosovo and within independent women’s organizations.

The impact of new media in the promotion of protected areas as tourism destination (Albania)

The tourism sector has become lately a key sector for the Albanian economy. Promotion and marketing are identified as main pillars to tourism sector. Protected Areas as a tourism destination is a new concept to Albanian citizens and stakeholders given isolation of these areas during communism regime. On the other hand the promotion of PAs to enhance tourism is also a new practice followed by government and stakeholders, during the last decade only. A crucial phenomena of the present decade reshaping the world, is the worldwide accessibility to the internet. New media is increasing immensely its usage and is gaining significant ground each year toward traditional media. This study will bring light on how new media influence and impacts the promotion of PAs in Albania as tourism destinations, as researchers have called for further studies in developing countries on this field of study.

The impact of new media in the promotion of protected areas as tourism destination (Albania)

Tourism sector have become lately a key sector for the Albanian economy. Promotion and marketing are identified as main pillars to tourism sector. Protected Areas as a tourism destination is a new concept to Albanian citizens and stakeholders given isolation of these areas during communism regime. On the other hand the promotion of PAs to enhance tourism is also a new practice followed by government and stakeholders, during the last decade only. A crucial phenomena of the present decade reshaping the world, is the worldwide accessibility to the internet. New media is increasing immensely its usage and is gaining significant ground each year toward traditional media. This study will bring light on how new media influence and impacts the promotion of PAs in Albania as tourism destinations, as researchers have called for further studies in developing countries on this field of study.

ATLS® Course Albania Brunch Step by Step

For more than 20 years, following the changes that took place in Albania in 1992, we receive information from trauma patients in the media about the delivery of trauma services. Police records are worthy of a war balance report. Trauma is estimated to be the cause of deaths in 13.7% / 100,000 people. Every two days three Albanian Citizens die because of Automobile Accidents… Changes have already taken place, but the question arises, who cares about the trauma and its management? Formerly and now the state ... ok ... but? Is this enough? The Ministry of Health should have a“Trauma Committee” if yes… is it active? Already of the three years at the heart of these medical emergency management networks is a National Center of Medical Emergency (NCME). The trauma service delivery is now evolving along the lines of a central and spoken model with a concentration of expertise and specialization in the center surrounded by smaller units that feed on the center. The study showed a 19% increase in the chances of survival since the introduction of these changes. Another 1,600 trauma victims are alive today due to developments in the administration of trauma patients in England over the past six years. In this system or mode of organizing what is today the NCME or organizing the transport of traumatized from the scene to theUniversity Hospital of Trauma... by medical staff who have done a substantial part of the PhTLS® course ... How is the educational status of personal in other regions far from Capital? ATLS® student courses in our country have been implemented by few and individually… ASTES, by default rules, has acquired the right to organize ATLS® in Albania…

Exploration of marketing tools for the promotion of protected areas (Albania)

Promotion and marketing are identified as main pillars to tourism sector in Albanian Government strategy 2017 – 2021. Protected Areas as a tourism destination is a new notion to Albanian citizens and stakeholders given isolation of these areas during communism regime and the decade after. This study will aim to bring light on how new tools of marketing may influence and impacts the promotion of PAs in Albania as tourism destinations and how stakeholders are engaged, accept and perceive these new marketing and communication approaches and the use of modern and digital promoting tactics. This study responses the call of researchers for further studies in developing countries for a deeper exploration in tourism industry