Kosovo Research Articles

Paradoxes of Gender Politics: Nationalism, Patriarchy and the Hijacked Feminism of the New Right in Serbia

The article maps the positioning of women in the right-wing nationalist politics in Serbia, as well as the place of gender (equality) in the programs of these right-wing and other political parties. The grand frame of all right-wing groupings in Serbia is three-fold: (1) the collapse of the Yugoslav state and socialist regime; (2) the ethnonationalist frames of extreme wartime violence, which conditioned the Serbian postsocialist “transition”; and (3) the repatriarchalization of society and politics that resulted from the first two processes. The positioning of women in the New Right in Serbia will be explained by the context of the following processes: (a) nationalism and related historical revisionism that justifies the wars of the 1990s and their lasting unsettled aftermath, including the frozen conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the unresolved status of Kosovo; (b) the transformation of Serbia from rogue state in the 1990s to the Europe-and-globally-friendly state; and (c) the globalization of the New Right, where the prominence of token women in leadership positions confuses their individual mobility with the broader goals of women’s solidarity, anti-discrimination struggle, and feminism.

Challenges of Implementing IFRS in Kosovo

Challenges of Implementing IFRS in Kosovo

Occupational, health and safety situation at small and medium enterprises in Kosovo, contextual factors, barriers, drivers and intervention process

AbstractThis survey has been performed as part of a wider survey within the Western Balkan Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) Competitiveness Support Project. It presents the current situation of occupational health and safety (OHS) management at 18 SMEs in Kosovo. SMEs in the Republic of Kosovo are facing many difficulties in identifying the real need for interventions, recruiting adequate professional staff to support their activities in OHS. Exposed to an opened market under the regional and international competition, their sustainability has become more difficult and their financial fragility leads very often to the ignorance of OHS issues within their organization.The first objective of this research aimed to understand the OHS contextual factors, barriers and drivers based on the current practice of SMEs in Kosovo. The second objective was to find out if the OHS “ideal intervention process” is applicable to achieve improvements for SMEs in Kosovo. Data collection was expedited through internal documents review, site visits and questionnaires. The statistical data were subject to descriptive analyses and inferential statistics. The findings showed that the contextual factors which influence the intervention process, were of participatory nature, cognitive and physical workplace environment, while the perceived barriers were mainly coming from lack of resources and information. Finally the features of OHS “ideal intervention process” were analyzed and compared for applicability to the SMEs in Kosovo and several interventions in this regards were proposed.

Переговорный процесс и План Мартти Ахтисаари как путь к безусловной государственной независимости Республики Косово

The article presents an analysis of one of the most acute and urgent problems of our time — the acquisition of the de facto independence declared by Pristina on February 17, 2008 by the separatist forces of the Kosovo Albanians, represented mainly by the former leaders of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army, of the sabotage and punitive character of the fighting, and the Albanian politicians completely subordinate to them by that time. The authors focused on identifying the role of the UN (UN Security Council and the UN Civil Administration in Kosovo and Metohija — UNMIK), the United States, the EU, and Serbia since the beginning of the illegitimate process of negotiations, not on the implementation of the binding UN Security Council Resolution No. 1244, but on the completely contradictory negotiations on the status of Kosovo and Metohija, the failure of which, however, led, as planned, to the proclamation of the creation of the "Republic of Kosovo" and its subsequent strengthening on the basis of the principles underlying the preparation and conduct of these negotiations, as well as the Martti Ahtisaari Plan. The article covers the period from the end of the NATO military aggression against the FRY (June 1999) to February 17, 2008 – the starting point of the creation of the quasistate of Kosovo. The materials of the article can be used in the educational process within the "International Relations" and "Political Science" program tracks. English version of the article on pp. 322-333 at URL: https://panor.ru/articles/negotiation-and-martti-ahtisaariplan-as-a-path-to-the-unconditional-state-independence-of-the-republic-of-kosovo/65975.html

Occurrence and enrichment sources of cobalt, chromium, and nickel in soils of Mitrovica Region, Republic of Kosovo

The main purpose of this study is to determine the differences between anthropogenic sources and lithogenic sources of the content of certain potentially toxic elements in the region of Mitrovica, Republic of Kosovo. For that purpose, the results of a study on the spatial distribution and enrichment of cobalt, chromium and nickel in surface soil from Mitrovica and its environ, are reported. The average content of Co, Cr and Ni in soil amounts to 22 mg kg−1, 60 mg kg−1 and 96 mg kg−1, respectively. Spatial distribution maps of Co, Cr and Ni shows their predominance in the area of Triassic serpentinites on the North-eastern and Western parts of study area. The lowest contents are found on the outcropping of Miocene latites, quartz-latites and pyroclastites. It has been established that the increased content of Co, Cr and Ni in soils from this area is of lithogenic origin. It is shown that content of Co, Cr and Ni exceeds the target Dutch value in 173 km2, 82 km2 and 256 km2 (from 302 km2 of the study area), respectively, while the content of Cr and Ni exceeds the action Dutch value in 17 km2 and 63 km2, respectively.

Comparative Study of Heavy Metal Concentration in Eggs Originating from Industrial Poultry Farms and Free-Range Hens in Kosovo

The aim of the present study was to determine the most significant heavy metal concentration in hen eggs, in particular to compare the heavy metal concentration in eggs originating from industrial poultry farms versus free-range hens. The sampling process was carried out between October and December 2018, in the Republic of Kosovo. In total, 22 random egg samples were collected, with 54.5% and 45.5% of samples coming from poultry farms and free-range hens, respectively. The measurements of the heavy metals were taken by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using a wide range of elements, and only the most important elements were reported, such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb within the range of 0.48–8.45, 38.77–289, 4286.59–15383.74, 0.45–144.74, 61.68–550.59, 1078.04–11378.56, 0.29–35.42, 0.27–6.54, and 0.04–1.41 μg kg−1, respectively. This study revealed that the heavy metals in eggs from free-range hens are richer in essential elements such as Mn, Fe, and Zn, while poultry farm eggs contain a higher contribution of Cr, Cd, As, and Pb. However, the daily intake of heavy metals from egg consumption was lower than the WHO-FAO advised provisional daily intake. Therefore, egg consumption does not exceed the safety levels of toxic metals and does not pose any risk to human health.

An Approach to Education - Second Language Acquisition and Literature-Students’ Standpoint and Issues

Education, as a learning process which helps in the capacity building of an individual, a nation, a country, and finally a world, is one of the main subjects of studies. As a division of education, a considerable number of studies have been conducted on the issue of second language learning. Recently, second language acquisition through literature has ratcheted up, which instigated this study to explore the situation at the University of Prishtina as a main public university in the Republic of Kosovo. The study examines first-year students’ approach and motivation regarding second language acquisition through literary works. The questionnaires submitted to the students provided necessary data which was analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for the numeric data, as well as incorporated qualitative method with a descriptive approach for the analysis of open questions. The results identified that the respondents are opened to this method of second language learning even though not accustomed to it in their thus far education. Analysis likewise revealed their hesitance concerning the uncertainty that this new approach would bring and confusion on the path they should take when given literary material. The results are planned to be used as grounds in drafting new syllabuses for foreign language learning, precisely including literary works as language learning material either as primary or additional literature.
 
 Received: 26 December 2020 / Accepted: 27 January 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021

Between occupation, exile and unification: sequestered and ‘abandoned’ properties in Serbia and Yugoslavia during and after the First World War

ABSTRACT This article examines Serbia’s policies regarding the treatment of enemy subjects, and, in particular, enemy property during and after the Great War. It situates these policies in the context of the Balkan Wars of 1912–13, when tens of thousands of Muslims are estimated to have fled the Macedonia and Kosovo regions, leaving behind their property and belongings. After the subsequent world war, the newly created Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes struggled for international recognition, internal legal harmonization and the naturalization of former enemy subjects. These struggles often manifested themselves in Serbian policies towards issues of land redistribution, ownership rights and regional variations, as well as the legal status of the private and public property belonging to the former Habsburg and Ottoman Empires. These questions lingered right up until the late 1930s, when the Yugoslav state finally resolved these longstanding disputes with the successor states – Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey.

XX Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists

XXth Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists The location and the date of the conference virtual event – online conference, Poland, October 14-16, 2020 XXth Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists “Interdisciplinary topics in mining and geology” continues a series of events that started in 2000 at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. Scientific programme of the Conference focuses on three thematic panels:1. Mining Engineering: problems of securing, protecting and using remnants of old mining works, underground mining, opencast minig, processing of minerals and waste, mining machinery, mine transport, economics in mining, mining aeronautics, ventilation and air conditioning in mines,2. Earth and Space Science: geology, hydrogeology, environmental protection, extraterrestrial resources, groundwater and medicinal waters, engineering and environmental protection, geotourism,3. Geoinformation: mining geodesy, GIS, photogrammetry and remote sensing, geodata modeling and analysis.The XX Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists was held as a virtual event, that is as a virtual, on-line conference in real-time. The reason why the Organizing Committee decided to change the traditional formula of the event to online formula was related to the concern for the health of the participants due to the COVID-19 epidemic and the internal regulations of the Rector of Wrocław University of Science and Technology regarding security measures for the organization of such events - only virtual conferences are allowed until further notice.The Organizing Committee decided to make an online conference instead of postponing the event because 2020 was the 20th anniversary year of the Conference and to maintain the tradition of annual meetings.The XX Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists took place from 14th to 16th of October 2020 in Wroclaw, Poland. That is the organisers worked and managed the event from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology Geocentre building.The Conference was divided into 6 oral sessions (with 18 presentations) and 1 poster session (with 28 posters). The amount of time provided to one presentation was 15 minutes, after presentation there was 5 minutes available for discussion. The poster session was available throughout the event, and the posters were available for online viewing on the Conference’s website with the possibility of writing comments. Every day of the Conference one „virtual coffee break” was devoted for discussion between participants and question and answer session for the Organizers. It is also important to note that each day of the Conference begins with the presentation of Keynote Speaker: Professor Sergey A. Zhironkin (Russian Federation), Current problems and perspectives of open pit mining development in Kuzbass; Professor Isabel Fernandes (Portugal), Alkali-silica reactions in concrete: the role of engineering geosciences; Professor Jurand Wojewoda (Poland), Real curve geological surfaces: examples and implications.There were 75 registered participants: the largest number 43 from Poland; 16 from the Russian Federation; 4 from Spain; 2 from Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia (each); as well as 1 from Austria, Portugal, Kazakhstan, USA, England and Republic of Kosovo (each).The online XX Conference of PhD Students and Young Scientists was conducted using the Zoom meeting platform with commemorative screen shots taken. By tradition two competitions, for the best oral presentation and for the best poster were held. The award for the best oral presentation was given to the team od authors C. L. Garrido, I. Morilla, R. A. Galindo (Spain), New methodology of simplified rock tests to determine bearing capacity in embankments and excavation bottoms, whereas the best poster was awarded to M. Chojwa (Poland), Influence of green areas on air temperature. The Conference was held via Zoom platform.

The Impact of Tourism on the Economic Development of Kosovo

The Tourism sector of Kosovo’s Economy is dominated by small and medium economic agents(operators), meanwhile large economic agents(operators) are still under privatisation processes, for this reason there is a necessity for a more favorable sectorial strategy which will provide long term stability to tourism operators, oferring a diverse tourism product portfolio. Based on the methods and models of stabile developments in tourism presented in this paper, tourism operators will find it easier to coordinate with their respective communities and the public sector to promote the clear message to the tourist regarding the tourism products offered of specific tourist destinations. The analysis shows opportunities for the application of, and potential for integration of those operators in the planning of tourism on a significant scale. Following a theoretical review, a model is proposed in the planning of tourism based on their respective communities. To analyse the differences between the theoretical model and practical application, we examine the Tourism Region of the Albanian Alps of Kosovo.The findings in this study highlight the challenges of institutions in seeking to identify appropriate responsibilities and coordination strategies of all agents involved in the processes of the planning and development of a stabile tourism sector. The Tourism Region taken for example in this paper offers critical evaluation on how to help tourism strategists on their approach in the composition of tourism policy with the aim of helping agents (operators) improve their planning and development methods of tourism, in full cooperation of their respective communities, while also giving aid in guiding organizational direction in seeking new tourism regions in Kosovo.

Checklist of macrofungi from oak forests in the Republic of Kosovo.

Checklist of macrofungi from oak forests in the Republic of Kosovo.

Illegal migration as a factor of security threat in Kosovo

In this paper it is analyzed the illegal migration which in the modern societies in recent decades is characterized with a great expansion, dynamic, organization and transnational connection. The research objects of this scientific paper are security challenges, risks and threats from illegal migration as well as the perception of the citizens of Pristina regarding the phenomenon and presence of illegal migration in Kosovo. In order to understand the opinion and perception of the citizens in the Republic of Kosovo regarding the presence of the illegal migration in Kosovo, a survey was conducted of 160 citizens of Pristina who answered 6 questions submitted through random method. Through this research it is intended to be understood first how much ordinary citizens have knowledge about the purpose of exploitation of victims by smugglers, what they may face during their journey, the factors that affect the occurrence of this phenomenon. Furthermore, raising the awareness of the citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in cases of occurrence and investigation of migrants smuggling and also their awareness of the risk of possible terrorist attacks and the increasing crime rate that may carry the presence of these illegal migrants. The paper uses the survey method, the method of processing, analysis and interpretation of the obtained data as well as the comparative method.

Mükelleflerin, Vergi Aflarının Nedenleri ve Vergi Afları ile İlgili Görüşlere Katılma Düzeyleri: Kosova Örneği

This research presents the reasons for tax amnesty, and the positive and negative opinions towards tax amnesty from the perspective of taxpayers based on a comprehensive survey conducted with participants in the Republic of Kosovo. Significant differences among survey results are evaluated by gender, age, education, and duration as taxpayer. Hypotheses are tested with the IndependentSample t-test, One Way ANOVA, and Tukey Post Hock LSD tests. According to results from hypothesis testing, the main reasons for tax amnesty includes (i) reducing the workload of tax administration and judiciary, (ii) short-term public revenue growth, (iii) a new beginning for taxpayers who have shown discrepancies in tax compliance, and (iv) the use of tax amnesty as a tool for the programs political programs.

The Albanian Uprisings in Kosovo as an Alternative for Liberation from Serbo-Montenegrin Rule (1913-1914)

The Albanian armed uprisings against the Serbian and Montenegrin occupation and annexation of Kosovo, present a realistic tableau of a historical period (September 1913 - April 1914) until the Albanians were confronting with three alternatives for their future: organizing the armed uprising for liberation, emigration and assimilation. This study article explicates the attitude of the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Montenegro towards Albanians, primarily to those Muslims, the causes of the organization of armed uprisings for liberation and their results. Through archival sources, the press of that time, published documents and historiographical literature, presented new information and interpretations whom enlighten and construct events, occurrences and personalities, which have characterized Kosovo during that time. Increasingly, relying on the source data, reached in ascertainment that the Serbo-Montenegrin kingdoms in Kosovo intended to implementation the state policies whom lead towards national, demographic, cultural and radical changes to the detriment of the Albanian population.

The association between gender and occupation in a gamified purchasing environment: perspective from Kosovo and Albania

The association between gender and occupation in a gamified purchasing environment: perspective from Kosovo and Albania

THE FIRST RENAL ARTERY THROMBOSIS TREATMENT WITH PERCUTANEOUS ANGIOPLASTY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO: CASE REPORT

Renal artery thrombosis is organ-threatening condition, which is not easy to be recognized. We present the first case of acute renal thrombosis treated with percutaneous angioplasty in the Republic of Kosovo, diagnosed in a public and successfully treated in a private institution as a result of integrated healthcare system. Keywords: renal artery thrombosis, percutaneous angoplastu, sten, thrombus aspiration.  

Strategies in the energy’s field in Kosovo

This paper treats some problems connected to the strategies used in the energy’s field in the Republic of Kosovo. It shows how attempts have been made to conduct research, analytical and theoretical analysis in the field of management of various operations in the field of energy, based on innovations to provide a clear picture of the application of new technologies and innovations such as contemporary trends in the country, the region and beyond as a necessity of the future. After a detailed assessment of the current energy situation in Kosovo, taking into account energy and its resources with energy consumption in general, the application of innovations to increase energy management efficiency, is read respectively their impact on improving the quality of energy services. In this paper an assessment of the current energy situation has been made, taking into account energy and its sources as well as energy consumption in general. 20 The application of innovations, good energy management and the changes that follow after the application of the above measures, respectively, their impact on improving the quality of energy services, combined with the use of renewable resources significantly leads to reduced electricity costs and dust emissions.

Mapping Forest Cover Changes using Sentinel-2A Imagery in the Municipality of Zubin Potok, Republic of Kosovo

This research aimed to investigate the changes in forest cover, utilizing Sentinel-2A imagery data. Annual results of deforestation, non-forest, and forest area in the Municipality of Zubin Potok (Kosovo) between 2016 and 2017 were presented and analyzed by applying the image difference change detection method on a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) product derived for both years. The study reveals that forest coverage in this municipality has changed due to human activity (harvested and burnt forests). The footprint of changes was evidenced by using Sentinel 2A band combinations and very high resolution (VHR) images available in Google Earth (GE). From the overall forest-covered area of 24,873.61 hectares, the detected changes during the annual period are as follows: 24,423.57 ha or 98.19 % is mapped as forest, 113.75 hectares or 0.46 % as non-forest, and 336.77 or 1.35 % of the area forest is mapped as deforestation. These results can be used to identify human-made deforestation and to develop monitoring forest plans for the coming years.

ANALYZING THE VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE ACCESS TO BANK FINANCING FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN KOSOVO AND NORTH MACEDONIA

This study aims to analyze variables that influence access to bank loans by SMEs in Kosovo and North Macedonia. Research methodology is compound by primary and secondary data. We hypothesized that the age of the SMEs, business size, written business plan, collateral type, and business experience before starting as an owner, owner education, and owner gender influence access to bank loans for SMEs. Econometric model results revealed that age of the SMEs, business size, and written business plan has a significant influence on bank loans borrowed by SMEs, while, collateral type, business experience before starting as an owner, owner level of education, and owner gender have no significant influence on bank loans borrowed by SMEs in the Republic of Kosovo. Furthermore, from the results obtained we revealed that age of the SMEs, business size, written business plan, and owners’ level of education has a significant influence on bank loan borrowed by SMEs, whereas, collateral type, business experience before starting as owner and owners gender have no significant influence on bank loans borrowed by SMEs in the Republic of North Macedonia. The findings suggest some future lines of research at the end and provide recommendations for the main stakeholders of this field of study.

Formal experience of SME owners in the field of HRM: A case study in Kosovo as a country with an emerging economy

In this paper, an attempt has been made to identify the extent of formal experience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the field of human resource management (HRM). It also views the manifestations of SME owners’ experience in human resource management practices as well as in recruitment processes. On the other hand, it attempts to see if there is a connection between informality and the experience of the owners in the field of HRMs. Qualitative methods were used in this study. A random sample selection technique was used in the sample selection. Five small and medium enterprises were selected for this paper and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the owners of these enterprises. For the evaluation of the results, topics and categories were defined and afterwards interpreted based on the research questions of this paper. The results of this study have shown that there is a correlation between the formal experience of owners in relation to the implementation of human resource management practices and the informality of the enterprise. In this study, it is understood that owners of small and medium enterprises do not have formal experience in the field of HRMs and recruitment processes. The lack of experience of the owners in these fields has resulted in these SMEs not having formal practices in HRM and has influenced the increase of informality. The results of this paper can be considered as the first in this regard which is done in the Republic of Kosovo, known as a country with a developing economy. We also consider that this paper will open the possibility to conduct other researches in relevant areas which have not yet been addressed in Kosovo. Therefore, this paper can be considered as the first contribution in this area.