http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/handle/1/1659 2026-04-08T09:09:06Z 2026-04-08T09:09:06Z Erta, Xhepi http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/handle/1/2661 2025-10-24T13:12:36Z 2025-09-12T00:00:00Z

Determinants of Ecological Sustainability in EU Countries Erta, Xhepi; This paper examines the determinants of ecological sustainability in the European Union (EU) by analyzing carbon intensity, defined as carbon footprint per capita relative to GDP - across 27 member states from 2000 to 2024. Using the Kaya identity and Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) as theoretical frameworks, a fixed-effects panel model with first differencing is applied. Results show that trade openness, energy intensity, economic abundance, and primary energy consumption all exert positive and significant effects on carbon intensity. Energy intensity emerges as the strongest driver, while GDP per capita reflects the upward stage of the EKC in several states. The findings highlight the need for reinforced EU climate policies, including the European Green Deal, the Emissions Trading System (ETS), and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), to support efficiency gains, renewable adoption, and carbon-conscious trade. Keywords: European Union; carbon intensity; energy intensity; trade openness; GDP per capita; Environmental Kuznets Curve; Kaya identity; European Green Deal; ETS; CBAM

2025-09-12T00:00:00Z Sadiku, Oresti http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/handle/1/2659 2025-10-02T13:10:14Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

An Empirical Analysis of Profitability Determinants of Commercial Banks in the Western Balkans Sadiku, Oresti Commercial banks have always been the backbone of a country`s economy, helping businesses and individuals alike, consequently, helping to boost the nation`s economy. This study aims to examine the factors that affect and impact the profitability of the commercial banks in the countries of the Western Balkans. The data and observations cover a period of 11 years, starting from 2010 until 2021, for all the sic countries: Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Return on assets(ROA) was chosen as the indicator of the commercial banks` profitability and as the dependent variable while our independent variables can be classified into two groups: the internal, bank specific, factors and the external, macroeconomic, factors. The internal factors include capital adequacy, liquidity, bank branches and non-performing loans while the external factors include GDP growth, inflation rates and unemployment rates. Initially a panel data regression model was applied, but after conducting the test of unit root a part of our variables resulted to be non-stationary, so they were transformed into first differences and a differenced fixed effects model was estimated as the definitive model of this study. Following the results of our model, the internal factors, specifically, nonperforming loans(NPL) and bank branches had a significant impact on profitability while out of the external factors, none of them was found to have a positive impact on the banks` profitability.

2025-06-01T00:00:00Z Parllaku, Keida http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/handle/1/2658 2025-10-02T13:02:43Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

The Impact of Income Inequality on Economic Development: Case of Balkans Countries Parllaku, Keida This thesis aims to discover the possible impact of Income Inequality in relation to other factors on Economic Development in nine Balkan countries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia during the period 2012 to 2023, with a particular focus on economies in transition and development. The data used in this thesis has been collected from reliable sources. Utilizing a balanced panel dataset and applying the Random Effects Model, the research assesses the impact of four explanatory variables: Income Inequality (measured by Gini Index), Human Development Index (HDI), Financial Development (FD) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The results indicate that Income Inequality, Human Development Index (HDI), Financial Development (FD) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are statistically significant variables that have a negative impact on economic development in the Balkan countries during the period from 2012 to 2023. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Specifically, they underscore the importance of reducing income inequality, enhancing financial systems, attracting productive FDI, and investing in human development as key strategies to foster economic development in the region.

2025-06-01T00:00:00Z Shahini, Denada http://dspace.epoka.edu.al/handle/1/2657 2025-10-02T12:55:28Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

The Determinants of Energy Consumption: The Case of The Western Balkans. Shahini, Denada This study investigates the key determinants of energy consumption in five Western Balkan countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—during the period 2007 to 2022. These countries, characterized by transitional economies and infrastructural limitations, face increasing pressure to meet rising energy demands. Utilizing an unbalanced panel dataset and applying a Fixed Effects Model, the research assesses the impact of four explanatory variables: foreign direct investment (FDI), gross domestic product (GDP) growth, urban population, and average winter temperatures. The empirical results indicate that both FDI and urbanization exert a significant positive influence on energy consumption, reflecting the role of industrial expansion and increased urban activity. Conversely, higher average winter temperatures are associated with decreased energy demand, likely due to reduced heating needs. Notably, GDP growth does not demonstrate a statistically significant effect, which may be attributed to structural changes in the region's economic composition. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to design effective, data-driven strategies for sustainable energy planning in the Western Balkans.

2025-06-01T00:00:00Z