Proceedings ISTI2017 perBOTIM mungonCM - IJSINTconference.ijsint.org/sites/default/files/Proceedings_ISTI2017.pdf · Loreta NAKUÇI, Enxhi JAUPI, Aida SPAHIU 34. Conference Proceedings

Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana

8th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “Information Systems

and Technology Innovations: Fostering the As-A-Service Economy”

Proceedings Book

Tirana, June 23 - 24, 2017

Conference Proceedings Book ISTI-2017


“Information Systems and Technology Innovations: Fostering the As-A-Service Economy”

Proceedings Book Editor Kozeta Sevrani (Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana)

Scientific Board Andrea ALBERICI, Studio Synthesis, Italy Andreas KOERNER, Vienna University of Technology, Austria Anita MIRIJAMDOTTER, Linnaeus University, Sweden Areti STRINGA, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Bashkim RUSETI, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Bekim GASHI, University for Business and Technology, Kosovo Berislav ANDRLIC, Polytechnic of Pozega, Croatia Besa SHAHINI, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Betim ÇIÇO, SEEU, Macedonia Bukurie DUMANI, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Dhimitri TOLE, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Dhori KULE, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Edmond HAJRIZI, University for Business and Technology, Kosovo Ermelinda MEKSI, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Eugenio BRENTARI, University of Brescia, Italy Fatmir HOXHA, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana Fatmir MEMAJ, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Felix BRETENECKER, Vienna University of Technology, Austria Gratiela BOCA, Technical University Cluj Napoca, Romania Gudar BEQIRAJ, Academy of Sciences, Albania Kozeta SEVRANI, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Kurt MATYAS, Vienna University of Technology, Austria Larry STAPLETON, Waterford Institute of Technology, Austria Mary SOMERVILLE, University of Colorado, USA Neki FRASHËRI, Polytechnic University, Tirana, Albania Norbert JESSE, TU Dortmund University, Germany Peter KOPACEK, Vienna University of Technology, Austria Salvador BUSHATI, Academy of Sciences, Albania Silvana TRIMI, University of Nebraska, USA Sule YILDIRIM-YAYILGAN, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway Sulo HADERI, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana Valentina SINAJ, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana ISBN: 978-9928-148-67-4


ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Kozeta SEVRANI Elda KUKA Erjon ZOTO Ezmolda BAROLLI Romina MUKA Tea TAVANXHIU

STUDENT COMMITTEE Daniel KALEMI Floralba SULÇE Jona BOJDANI Kristi THEMELI Lea ÇELIKU Ledia MALEQKA Perla GJOKA Selina DEMI

Website www.conference.ijsint.org


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To the reader... The Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana will organize the 8th International Conference “Information Systems and Technology Innovations: Fostering the As-A-Service Economy”, as part of the continuous efforts to improve its status in the national and international research community. This activity aims to bring together representatives from the research community, public institutions and private sector of IT, academics, students, and other professionals. Sharing and discussing ideas in this environment will surely help identify recent trends in information technology, as well as their application in different sectors of economy, while consistently analyzing their impact to the actual situation in Albania. In this context, our main topic of ISTI 2017 is As-A-Service Economy, which represents the emerging business model where the whole is more powerful than the sum of its parts. The primary goal of ISTI 2017 is mainly oriented to how the community can exploit the power of integrating software, infrastructure and business processes on demand, thus enabling business services and operations to become more intelligent, agile and robust, while supporting innovation that disrupts existing business processes. The main topics include Information Systems, Networking and Information Security, Business Process Engineering, Cloud and Mobile Technologies, Big data, Digital Economy and other related topics. As part of its commitment, The Department has established a long and fruitful partnership with a range of academic, public and private institutions, including NTNU University (Norway), Linnaeus and Lund University (Sweden), Technical University of Vienna (Austria), University of Torino (Italy), The Ministry of Innovation and Public Administration, INSTAT (National Institute of Statistics), AKSHI (National Agency of Information Society), AITA (Albanian IT Association), Deloitte Albania etc. The consistent devotion shown from the Department members, from the Conference participants and especially from our guests of honor have certainly given an added value to this Conference. I am also thankful to the Albanian Academy of Sciences and the University for Business and Technology in Kosovo for their unconditional support. I feel highly appreciated and would also like to express my deepest gratitude to our Conference sponsors that have supported this event. Among them, allow me to thank especially Spike associates, InTech+, BNT Electronics, LocalWeb, Deloitte, Metropolitan Incubator, KreatX, DominuSoft, Communication Progress, Global Expert Manager, and Duapune.com for their collaboration and the support offered to us. Finally, the special credits go to the organizing team and to the students of Economic Informatics for their continuous help and commitment shown during the Conference. Thank you to everyone! Prof. Dr. Kozeta SEVRANI

Head of the Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics


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Table of Content Session 1: DIGITAL ECONOMY

RemitforWhat?InformationAsymmetriesinTransnationalHouseholdsGiuseppeDeARCANGELIS,MajlindaJOXHE 1

UsingOnlineSoftwareforDigitalTeamManagement–CaseStudyAsanaBesnikAVDIAJ 1AssessingGovernanceImpactThroughoutTransitionErmelindaGjikaXHAJA,ErmelindaMEKSI 2

Non-PerformingLoansIncreaseInTheAlbanianBankingSectorDuringTheLastGlobalEconomicCrisis-AnAnalysisAccordingToTheClientGroupsTuranŞAN,SuloHADERI 3

DigitalMarketing,AnIncentiveForTheEmergingDemandInB2BMarketInAlbaniaKozetaSEVRANI,ErmelindaKORDHA,KlodianaGORICA 4

CustomerAttitudeTowardPrivateLabelsRozanaHAXHIALUSHI,VjollcaHysiPANAJOTI 6SomeSpecificsontheEstimationofShadowEconomyinAlbaniaandothersimilarsocio-economicalenvironments. SanderKOVACI,DashmirASANI,DodePRENGA 6

MoneydemandinSEEcountries GledjanaZENELI,ElvaURUÇI,GaniZENELI 7PublicDebtAndEconomicGrowth,CaseOfAlbania EneidaPERMETI 8ElectronicServices:TheCaseOfE-CommerceAndE-HealthInAlbania AdelaDATJA,BesaSHAHINI 9TheroleoftourismdevelopmentstrategyineconomyofAlbaniaOltaPRODA/KAPLLANI 10

LENDINGINFOREIGNMARKETS LiridaCAKU 11


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ICTinurbanmanagementontheexampleofPolishurbancrowdsourcingpractices JustynaPRZYWOJSKA,AldonaPODGÓRNIAK-KRZYKACZ 12

HowtechnologyisshapingthefutureofHigherEducation BrunaPAPA(Niçka),ErvinDEMO 13

Footballandthedigitalsponsorshipage:overviewonAlbaniamarket JulianBUNDO 13

Session 2: CLOUD AND MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES

AProposedhybridfuzzyclusteringmodelonWebDocuments EneaMANÇELLARI,ErsejdaDEMIRXHIU 14AndroidOSstackpowermanagementcapabilities LuanRUÇI,OlimpjonSHURDI 15

AMulticriteriaDecisionAidingapproachtoevaluateandselectthemostsuitablelandfillsiteformunicipalitywastemanagement. RobertKOSOVA,ValentinaSINAJ 16Mobilephonedatausedinbenchmarkingmodelsofurbantransportation BlendiPUSTINA,KozetaSEVRANI,BetimCICO 17“ScratchnëShqip”:TheFirstProgrammingLanguageinAlbanian,asaNewGuidetoAlbania’sPrimarySchoolComputingCurriculum KlodjanLULA 17

CloudComputingAndEconomicAnalysis GoranBJELOBABA,AnaSAVIC 18InternetuseforlearningbytheundergraduatestudentsofUniversityofTiranainAlbania AlmaBRAIMLLARI(SPAHO),EnxhiaSALA 19InformationSystemsbasedoncloudvs.dedicatedservers–AsurveyforAlbania,Kosovo,Macedonia,MonteNegro OrgesÇIÇO,ZamirDIKA 21

Marketreadinessmodelsforhostedservices:Aliteraturesurvey.EzmoldaBAROLLI 21TrafficEngineering(TE)InterdomainTechnique LedinaKarteriHOXHA,RomelaQYTYKU,VasilXHAJA 22


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TheimprovementsoftheperformanceinopticaltransmissionsystemsbyusingRamanOpticalAmplifiers SanieÇELA,RozetaMIHO 23

Co-existenceofLTEsystemswithDigitalTerrestrialTelevision AlbanKARAPICI,VilmaTOMCO 23

TheimportanceofPaymentAs-A-ServiceintheAlbanianeconomy RominaSHIMA,ElsonMEÇO 24Theimplementationofadigitalfilter-basedalgorithmforRMSvaluemeasurementinanARMmicroprocessor AjakidaESKI,DenaldKOMICI,MarjolaPUKA 25Session 3: BUSINESS PROCESS ENGINEERING

JobMarketInTheFourthIndustrialRevolution:AlbanianCaseStudy MilenaSHEHU,EvaPRIFTI 26IT-ACulturemodelformanagementchange GratielaDanaBOCA 27RangeExtendedHybridSeriesVehicleswithGasTurbinesforUrbanTransportationSystems RobertoCAPATA,KlitonBYLYKBASHI 28DevelopmentofelectronicmarketingchannelsintheAlbanianretailindustry SokolLUZI,KlodianaGORICA 29

Latency MimozaAHMETI 30KnowledgeTransferinManufacturingPlantsandtheroleofInformationSystems(IS):CasestudyonMacedoniamanufacturingplants AdrianBESIMI,BetimÇIÇO,ZamirDIKA 31

OrganizationalChangeManagement AlbiZYLFO,GjergjROBO,IraQORI,KreshnikSKËNDERI 32

TheEfficiencyofCalculationsofPowerLinesParameters MarjolaPUKA,AjakidaESKI 33TheImportanceOfUsingBLDCMotorInTheVariableSpeedDrives LoretaNAKUÇI,EnxhiJAUPI,AidaSPAHIU 34


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ExternalEnvironmentandStrategicManagementPracticesCommercialBanksinAlbania AltinSHOLLA,ElonaNAZARI 35

ComparingMonetaryandNon-monetarypovertyinAlbaniabasedonfamilycharacteristics ElenaMYFTARAJ(TOMORI),EglantinaZYKA,FatmirMEMAJ 36

OneStopShop(OSSH)asanintegratedmodelofpublicservice.MunicipalityofShkodra,acaseofsuccess. AdisaBALA 37

Session 4: NETWORKING AND INFORMATION SECURITY

Acomparativeanalysisonhowincreasingawarenessaboutinformationsecurityaffectsusersattitudeincreatingandusingtextualpasswords EldaKUKA,JorgoÇIPA,ErjonZOTO 38Wirelesssensornetworksfore-healthapplications:Securityissuesandcountermeasures. PerlaGJOKA,SelinaDEMI,RominaMUKA,KozetaSEVRANI,SuleYAYILGAN 39

CyberSecurityAsASharedResponsibility:StrategiesForBuildingTrustworthyNetworks JonidaOSMANLLIU,LeaÇELIKU,MajlindaZHEGU 40AnalysisofsomeparametersinanetworkbuiltwiththeCSalgorithm EzmerinaKOTOBELLI,JetmirLUMI,AnitaXHEMALI 41CyberProtectionStrategyForKosovo NaimBAFTIU,SamedinKRRABAJ 42

InvestigationofCommonToolsforNetworkSecurityEvaluation SilvesterHASANI,EliorVILA 43

Pentesting:discoveringvulnerabilitiesbeforeattackersdo FloralbaSULCE,EdliraMARTIRI 44

AreviewofinformationsecuritystandardISO27001:2013 EnrikoCEKO 45AnalyzingandpreventingCrossSiteScriptinginWebSecurityApplications ArianaBEJLERI,MarkoÇUKA 46


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RansomwareofThings:ASecurityAnalysis LediaMALEQKA,RominaMUKA 47InformationSecurityIssues:BewareoftheNextCyberattack NevilaBACI,ErjonZOTO,AlbanaGORISHTI 47ElectronicsignatureaspartofpublicadministrationinAlbania AnilaGJONAJ,ErmelindaSHEHAJ 48

ThetechniquesandchallengesforimplementingIOTinasecure&connectedworld AlmaSTANA,SilvesterHASANI 49

IoTSecurityBestPractices DajanaMULAJ,UadaMEMA 50

Session 5: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

FuzzyLogicintheIssueofConsumerCreditScoring EldaMARAJ,ZhifkaMUKA,ShkelqimKUKA 50OpenScienceInThePlatformEconomy MajlindaZHEGU,AdaKERTUSHA 51UniversityforBusinessandTechnologyUniversityLibrariesandKnowledgeCenter:AConceptPaper EdmondHAJRIZI,AnitaMIRIJAMDOTTER,SadafSALAVATI,MaryMSOMERVILLE 52

OnlinesystemproposalforinternalmanagementofpaymentsintheIstogMunicipality–R.ofKosovo GaniHAXHIJAJ,AgonMEMETI,FlorindaIMERI 54

AnalysingArticulateStudio’13SoftwareFeaturesinEfficientContentDevelopingofE-learningCourses FridaGJERMENI,FionaTELI,GezimMUCA 55

Aframeworkforintegrationofthefunctionalandnon-functionalrequirements LinditaNebiuHYSENI,ZamirDIKA 56TheimpactofthetechnologyconvergenceandICTdevelopmentsinthelegislation,theEUregulatoryframeworkandthecaseofAlbania IrenaMALOLLI,KozetaSEVRANI 57

ASurveyofProjectManagementInformationSystemsStudies,TheImportanceandNecessityofTheseSystemsfromDifferent


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Perspectives ValmaPRIFTI 58ProjectVI-SEEM-aRegionalVirtualResearchEnvironment NekiFRASHERI,DorianMINAROLLI 58TheRoleofICTinBanking EljonaZANAJ,FjoralbaJANKU 60

UsingSoftSystemMethodologyasawaytoenhancethecreationofUBTKnowledgeCenter AlbertALIU,AdonisBLLACAKU,VullnetSHKODRA 60

e-Healthcareaspartofe-GovernmentinAlbania TeutaMYFTIU,AdrianNAÇO,EndriRAÇO 61

HealthInformationSystems AlketaSELIMAJ 61

HCISinAlbania:Areview KuenkaPAVLI,TomiTHOMO 62SoftwareEngineeringinWellbeing-DesigningSoftwareApplicationstoSupportHealthManagement EvaCIPI,AltinMAHILAJ 63Session 6: BIG DATA

LocalFractionalα–integralVariatonialIterationMethodforsolvingDif-fusionandwaveEquationsonCantorSets MatildaKREKU,AkliFUNDO 64

Technicalandlogicaldesignofasustainableurbantransportnetworkforthe3rdMunicipalDistrictofRome KlitonBYLYKBASHI,RobertoCAPATA,LorenzoMarioPASTORE 65

ApplyingFormalMethodsinBigData DrilonaFATUSHA,AnaKTONA 66BigDatainBanking GoranBJELOBABA,AnaSAVIC 67ETLandtheELTparadigmshift AndreaALBERICI 67

SemanticWikifortheBiorefiningCommunity EdliraKALEMI,LinseyKOO,FranjoCECELJA 68


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DetectingBiasinMedia-aDataMiningApproach VisarSHEHU,AdrianBESIMI,NuhiBESIMI 69TheimpactofMachineLearningonEcommercePlatforms TeaTAVANXHIU,MirlindaKARÇANAJ 70TheRoleofInflationExpectationsintheInflationTargetingRegime:RevisitingtheCaseofAlbania. EvelinaÇELIKU 71NumericalMethodsusedtominimizethevolatilitiesinfinancialderivatives.Someexamplesandtests. MirjetaPASHA,EdliraKALEMI,MeremeLLESHI,DenisaPASHA 72TowardsGuidelinesforAssemblingImageDatasetsforTransferLearningTechniques ElindaKAJOMEÇE,SiboraTHEODHOR,EvisTRANDAFILI 72

Exchangeratetimevolatility LisnajaKELMENDI,AretiSTRINGA 73NoSQLdatabasesversuspre-relationaldatabasetechnologies OgertaELEZAJ,GjergjiMULLA 73

KnowledgeDiscoverythroughDataMiningintheUniversityofTiranaAdmissionsProcess EliraHOXHA,KreshnikVUKATANA,DesantilaHOXHA,HelenaIBRO 74

AnEfficientAnalysistoCategorizeBankClientsusingRtool BrunelaKARAMANI,EsterianaHASKASA,TheodhoraMAZELLI,EmirandaLOKA 75


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Remit for What? Information Asymmetries in Transnational Households

Giuseppe De ARCANGELIS, Majlinda JOXHE

1Sapienza University of Rome, 2University of Luxembourg [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract This paper investigates whether information asymmetries in transnational households may affect the allocation of a given budget between in-kind consumption-type and in-kind investment-type choices. We use the results of a lab-in-the-field experiment where migrants are asked to earmark a given budget between consumption and investment goods to be delivered to the most closely connected household (MCCH). Three different scenarios of information sharing with the MCCH are considered: private information (MCCH is not informed), full information sharing (MCCH knows all the choices made by the migrant) and information sharing with a social excuse for investment goods (same as full information sharing, but there is a social justification to commit to buy investment goods later in the experiment). Under full information sharing we observe a significant bias towards consumption goods of 7-8.6% (70-86 euros more out of 1000 euros). When inserting measures of altruism and of revealed trust as obtained by a dictator game in the lab-in-the-field experiment, empirical results do not support the altruistic motive in remitting, but the significant effect of revealed trust under private information with respect to the case of full information is indirect evidence of demand for control in the household budget decision. Keywords: In-kind Allocation, Giving, Dictator Game, Remittance Motives, Philippines. JEL Codes: F24, O15, D19, C92, D01 Using Online Software for Digital Team Management – Case

Study Asana

Besnik AVDIAJ Management and Informatics, Faculty of Economy, University of Prishtina

[email protected] Abstract In contemporary era of developments, many elements related to economy are


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already digitized, especially management, which has a wide impact especially in internal environment of company. In this line, organizations are working in transformation the management processes from traditional to digital ones. Among the most modern ways of managing different projects, people and performance is by using online software applications. Through such apps, manager deals easier with people and processes, with reports and measuring performance, etc.; companies increase productivity; employees do not need to report physically, etc. One of these apps is Asana, an online application designed to help teams track their work. It is a very useful program which enables you to assign tasks, create structure, put deadlines, give instructions, get periodical reports on processes, reassign, and measure performance and many other options to make it easier to implement a project, an idea or keep a program on track. Keywords: Digital Team Management, Online Software, Asana, projects, performance. Besnik AVDIAJ is a Bachelor student at University of Prishtina, Faculty of Economy, Department of Management and Informatics. He is expected to be graduated in July 2017. Besnik is an active student, who has attended more than six international student conferences so far and has published several papers on different topics, mainly related to management issues. He has also held the position of President in the Organizing Committee of University of Prishtina International Student Conference for two first editions. Moreover, Besnik is also actively engaged in civil society, where he is founder and CEO of UPRIA NGO, has also worked with YMCA Kosovo, UNICEF Innovations Lab Kosovo, Prosperity Initiative in Kosovo and Forum for Civic Initiatives. His efforts are towards establishing a sustainable system where younger generations would have more opportunities for personal and professional development. He aims to continue Master studies in the field of entrepreneurship, innovation and management.

Assessing Governance Impact Throughout Transition

Ermelinda Gjika XHAJA, Ermelinda MEKSI

1,2University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Economic development in Albania has experienced its ups and downs from the post communism period. The transition from a planned economy to the market economy has been more difficult from expected. Albania as a country striving toward European Union (EU) membership is still stuck in transition. Although the country has made reforms toward free markets still there are


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concerns to governance and corruption that impact the investment climate, competitiveness of the economy and thus economic development. The aim of this paper is to look into the governance and corruption indicators and potential impact to economic growth and transition path of the country. The methodology of the paper makes use of time series data for a set of indicators such as government effectiveness, corruption control and transition indicators and economic growth. Comparisons are made also with other Western Balkans countries in some indicators. The Albanian economy model seems still at early transition stages and efforts are needed to improve the enabling environment for attracting more innovative and capital intensive investments to make the country more competitive toward the region and EU. Good governance is also an important element to the growth equation that through less red tape, and corruption and more efficiency, transparency and service approach can play be also a determined factor to overcome transition. Keywords: Governance, economic growth, transition economies. JEL: H8, O10, P20

Non-Performing Loans Increase In The Albanian Banking

Sector During The Last Global Economic Crisis - An Analysis According To The Client Groups

Turan ŞAN, Sulo HADERI

1,2University of Tirana, Institute of European Studies [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Non - performing loans (NPLs) ratio in the Albanian banking sector started to have considerable increases when the last global economic crisis showed its first effects in Albania in 2008 and then has reached very high levels during this period. Moreover, the rise in NPLs ratio has been much more than the deterioration in the country’s economy which is due to the general and country specific effects of the crisis. In this study, it was aimed to understand the specific reasons of and resolutions for this crucial problem by analyzing the bank loans according to the borrower groups. When NPLs ratio was rising hugely, the portion of the business loans in the total loans augmented and more importantly the share of the loans to large enterprises in the business loans increased considerably too. For this reason, the focus of the study is on the loans to large enterprises. A survey was done through the questionnaire by getting response from 35 bankers at managerial positions


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and as for them, the main factors which cause bad loans are: financing unrealistic projects, lack of corporate structure in borrowers, wrong lending decisions due to external influences/corruption, negative effects of some government applications, unfair competition in some sectors, decrease in primary commodities’ prices and false external audit. According to 86 percent of them; deeper analysis of potential clients, elimination of external factors’ effects and corruption in lending decisions, government measures to prevent unfair competition, establishment of corporate structure in borrowers and more reliable external audit are the most effective remedies for NPLs problem while 71 percent of them consider this situation as normal for Albania under the existing conditions. It is suggested that more comprehensive and objective client analysis by the banks, institutionalization in and more reliable external audit of business entities as well as precise and timely government decisions to prevent unfair competition will cause considerable improvement in NPLs ratio of the loans to large enterprises and of the total credits as well. Keywords: Non - performing loans, Albania, banks, economic crisis, business loans, loans to large enterprises. Digital Marketing, An Incentive For The Emerging Demand

In B2B Market In Albania

Kozeta SEVRANI, Ermelinda KORDHA, Klodiana GORICA 1,2,3University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Digital economy is becoming today a reality for people and enterprises in every aspect of their lives. Enter-prises functions are quickly integrated with the use of ICT and digital tools. They have changed everything about how enterprises market their products/services. Customers are more connected, more informed, and more empowered to engage – on their terms – than ever before. Marketing is one of the most related func-tions with ICT since dealing with communication, product/service value, brand identity as well as distribu-tion. Successful marketing organizations must reinvent their role in their customers’ digital world, create memorable, engaging experiences and use modern digital marketing platforms to scale and respond quickly, to lead the marketplace. The aim of this paper is to identify the digital marketing practices that are mostly inciting the demand for certain types of services in


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the Albanian ICT market, with a focus on companies that are offering digital marketing services. As a result of literature review , secondary data analyses and interviewing 20 managers or owners of digital companies this paper finalizes with the identification of Digital services offered by companies to fulfill en-terprises needs in this market, and a possible clustering of services with types of clients. Further research opportunities arise for segmentation and profiles of clients in this new emerging B2B market. Keywords: Digital Marketing, B2B ICT market, Digital services, Internet, Web, Albania Prof. Dr. Kozeta SEVRANI is a full Professor of CS and MIS and Head of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Informatics at Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, Albania. Her research interests include: digital divide; issues and solutions in building infor-mation infrastructure, e-business, e-learning, e-services and e-government in developing countries, particularly in Albania. She does an extended work in consulting private compa-nies and government agencies in Albania. Prof. Sevrani is involved in various international projects, and has presented her work at numerous local and international conferences. She is on the editorial board of several international journals and her work has been published in several magazines. He is co-author of a monograph, as well as of four books. There are some teaching experiences at foreign universities, such as Sweden, Austria, Norway, Kosovo, etc. Prof. Asoc. Ermelinda KORDHA, currently teaching at Marketing and Tourism Department, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. She has completed doctoral studies at this De-partment in 2010 with the thesis” Information technology services in Albanian market”, while having an academic experience of 15 years. Teaching courses focus have been “Mar-keting research”, “e-Marketing”, “Database marketing”,”Marketing Strategy”, “Information systems in tourism. She has participated in over 25 International and National conferences and has published articles in International journals. She is also the first author of the mono-graph “Information society development through ICT market strategies, Albania versus other developing countries”; published by Springer.Her contribution is present also in many pro-jects as an expert and collaborator with several NGOs for the economic development of the community. Prof. Dr. Klodiana GORICA, actually a professor in University of Tirana, Faculty of Econo-my, Department of Marketing and Tourism. From 2011 to 2016 Vice Dean in Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. Graduated in Faculty of Economy, UT, in 1994, Master in 1998, PhD in 2002 in the field of marketing of tourism, Docent in 2009, 2011-Associated Professor and 2015 Full Professor. Her fields of research are Sustainable Tourism Manage-ment, Entrepreneurial Marketing, and Tourism Marketing, Digital Marketing. She has men-torship of undergraduate, master and doctoral studies (Sustainable Development, Tourism, and Social Media Marketing). Author and coauthor in different scientific books, one


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mono-graph in Albanian language and 2 monographs in English language published from Springer (Germany) and Bled School of Management (Slovenia) with ISSN/ISBN. She has also an ex-perience in research activities abroad in international universities in countries like: UK, USA, Slovenia (Ljubljana, Bled), Italy, France (Anger, Paris, and Bordeaux), Israel, Croatia (Du-brovnik, Split), Austria, Serbia (Beograd, Zagreb), Montenegro, Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgar-ia, Rumania, etc.

Customer Attitude Toward Private Labels

Rozana HAXHIALUSHI, Vjollca Hysi PANAJOTI


Abstract Being a smart shopper in today’s economy is very important. To consumer’s help come the private labels as they represent the choice and opportunity to regularly purchase quality food and non-food products at savings compared to manufacturer brands, without waiting for promotional pricing. As the growth of private labels in North America and Europe has had a remarkable success, different studies deal with different factors contributing to choice, attitude and loyalty. Yet little research has been done on the acceptance or success of private labels in emerging markets. In this paper we aim to present the advantages offered by private labels to customers and retailers compared to national brands. This paper adopts a theoretical approach and brings a summary of empirical findings that reveal the evolution of private label’s image and customer attitude toward them. We also provide with a framework to explain consumer attitude and susceptibility to buying PLBs. Keywords: private label, national brand, brand attitude, brand image.

Some Specifics on the Estimation of Shadow Economy in Albania and other similar socio - economical environments.

Sander KOVACI, Dashmir ASANI, Dode PRENGA

1,3University of Tirana, 2Polytechnic University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Shadow economy (SE) in Albania has been considered recently in the framework of many general studies or some more dedicated researches. Here we discuss the Currency Demand Approach (CDA) method in the framework


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of money velocity assumption. We propose that in the case of increased illegal economic activities as those related to the corruption and trafficking, the velocities of currency circulation in formal and informal sector should be taken different. The equal velocity assumption leads to considerable difference of informality estimation using different methods. Next, by calculating the size of informal economy under the assumption of the same currency velocity, we hope to be able to estimate the size of black economy itself. The results will help to better estimate the informality using other methods. Keywords: shadow economy, informal sector, money velocity, CDA method.

Money demand in SEE countries

Gledjana ZENELI, Elva URUÇI, Gani ZENELI 1University of Tirana, 2University of Elbasan, 3General Police Directorate of

Albania [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract This paper will focus on the characteristics of money demand in SEE countries. Understanding the money demand is a key point for assessing monetary policy, for a lot of reasons, especially for the states that we have been considering. First, SEE countries have similar legal arrangements with the Euro zone countries. This is related to the respective legislation recognizing the existence and independence of the central bank, the need for price stability, employability and financial stability. Second, secondary banks operating in these countries are often part of international groups. Thirdly, the economies of these countries are under the supervision of trusted international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and not least under the European Union monitoring, as most of them aspire to join it. As we see these countries have similar features to developed countries. The lack of direct financial markets and the bottlenecks of the capital movement are already overwhelmed by the model. Keywords: Money demand; Monetary Policy; Fisher Effect Gledjana ZENELI (FOTO) Received the University degree in Mathematics from University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Science in 2005.She holds an MBA diploma from Faculty of Economics University of Tirana since 2010 and PhD diploma in Operations Research from 2015.From 2008 to 2014 she has been part of the staff at the Department of Applied Mathe-matics, Statistics and Informatics at


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faculty of Economics. From 2014 she is part of the staff of the department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Science UT. Elva URUÇI has a Scientific Master degree in Accounting and Auditing and a bachelor degree in Business Administration from University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy. She has been teaching at the Department of Finance & Accounting, at Faculty of Economy, University of Elbasan ‘Aleksander Xhuvani’ since 2013. Actually she is a financier at the Regional Directorate of State Social Service, Elbasan. Gani ZENELI was graduated from The Security Academy in Tirana & have a Master de-gree at Faculty of Justice, University of Tirana. Actually he works as Head of Complaints Department, at the directorate of Standards, General Police State of Albania.

Public Debt And Economic Growth, Case Of Albania

Eneida PERMETI University of Tirana

[email protected] Abstract The global recession and the sovereign debt of European countries have triggered an intense debate over the effectiveness of fiscal policy and over the consequences of rising public debt. The relation between public debt and economic growth is a very studied and discussed debate. The purpose of this paper is to determine if there exist a correlation between the public debt and the economic growth, where the economic growth will be considered as the increase of GDP. The literature identifies some lines: the Classical and the Neoclassical economics and Ricardian view which consider the public debt as detrimental to the economy, the conventional view, according to which the government debt stimulates aggregate demand and growth in the short term and promotes the reduction of capital and national income in the long term and the Modern economics which considers the debt as a driver of economic growth if funds are used for productive purposes. What about the empirical data? The results and the methodologies are different in different countries and periods. What is the situation in Albania at about the last 25 years? Analyzing the macroeconomic situation and the main causes of a positive growth and a macroeconomic stability, but a high public debt, we can conclude over the expectations and the trend of the future. Keywords: Economic Growth, Public Debt, GDP, Albania Eneida PERMETI graduated the Faculty of Economic of Perugia, Italy in 2011, Bachelor Degree is in Economics of Markets and Financial Intermediaries and


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Master Degree in Finance and Statistics. She joined the staff of Fan S. Noli University, in 2012 as teaching assistant. Actually, she is a PhD candidate at University of Tirana, Faculty Economic, Branch Statistics and Informatics. From March 2012 she is employed at Treasury Department Korca Branch as expenditure specialist. Electronic Services: The Case Of E-Commerce And E-Health

In Albania

Adela DATJA, Besa SHAHINI 1,2University of Tirana, Albania

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract E-Services, in the context of technological development, are vital necessity despite the action field or the profile of each of us. Increasingly, the economic development is channeled in the direction of electronic services; also in the social development, present at any age or individual, e-services also finds application in the field of health. An important part of this topic is a study how are those two services developed in Albania. In the first part of the paper is described shortly the case of electronic business, called as E-commerce, which consists of buying and selling products or services using an electronic system such as Internet. In the industry of telecommunication, E-commerce can be defined as applications community dedicated to commercial transactions. Creating E-commerce websites by a company is a project arises from the need to open as many benefit channels and newer forms for economic entries. In the second part of the paper is paid an important attention to Electronic Health, known as E-health, which is used in health care and is supported by electronic and communication processes. Inequalities in health and health care are a major concern today in the public health arena. Nowadays, no doubt that the use of technology in health care can improve health outcomes. More important is the fact that anyone, wherever he is, has the right to receive the information related to health care. The third part of this paper is focused in the development of those to electronic services in Albania, focusing on explaining the real situation and the challenges of the future. In this study is also included a questionary for people of any age to understand how popular are these two services and if we can improve them, which helps in reaching conclusions. Keywords: E-Commerce, E-health, Web-page, Questionnaire, Data Architecture


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Adela DATJA has graduated Bachelor Degree for Business Informatics in 2015 and Master Professional for IT and Management of Business Processes in 2017 in the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. She has done one month internship in October 2015 in Bank of Albania, Department of IT. Then from October 2016 until January 2017 she has completed 4 month of Internship in the same Department, in Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At this time she has worked 3 month in a foreign business, "Evolvia", as a programmer. On May 2015, she has participated in a Workshop organizated from Epoka University, where there were organizated many group discussions and she was the winner of one of the groups. Actually she is employed in Local Web sh.p.k company as Webmaster or Web Developer. Besa SHAHINI has graduated the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana in 1999. Actually she holds the academic title “Professor” since October 2016. She holds a PhD diploma in Enonomy from 2005, and academic title “Associate Professor” from 2011, and “Professor” title since October 2016. She had gone through all didactic positions since 1999 when she joined the staff of the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. Currently she is Proffesor of Applied Statistics within the Department of Applied Statistics and Informatics. She is the author of more than 40 scientific papers in proceedings of International Conferences, over 20 journal articles and 2 books, in the field of economy, social – political relations, with the main focus of understanding and giving recommendations of the phenomenon within the scope of empiric quantitative methods application.

The role of tourism development strategy in economy of Albania

Olta PRODA/KAPLLANI

University of Tirana, Saranda Branch, Albania [email protected]

Abstract During the last years, the management of the tourist facilities, in Albania, has not been left in the hands of tourist operators, but instead are planed under a pure developmental strategy. Through the partnership development of the public and private sector and also in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, the Albanian Government has worked to build and form consecutive strategies for a sustainable tourism development. Its application has brought an increase of the de-velopment of the tourism sector. The above strategies included the strategic concept to tourism devel-opment giving a strategic direction and a development of tourism products for leading Albania to achieve being a future attractive tourism destination in the international touristic market. The main purpose of this study is to show the importance of the tourism development strategy in the economic


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development in the case of Albania. In addition, it has been tried to give a clear picture of the importance of the tourism strategy in the different economic factors during the recent years. The study will contain a theoretical part and also a part of the Albanian development tourism strategy and its impact in the different macroeconomic factors. The data include the years 2011-2016 and are been collected from the Ministry of the Tourism of Albania, from the Albanian Statistical Institute IN-STAT, and from the rapports of World Travel and Tourism Council, WTTC. Keywords: strategic management, development strategy, tourism sector, GDP Olta KAPLLANI/PRODA received the DIND Degree in Business & Tourism Administra-tion from the University of Tirana, Saranda Branch, in 2011, and M.P degree in Tourism Management in 2013. After completing her studies she started as assistant lecturer in Saranda branch. Currently she is PhD candidate in Tirana University and continues like lecturer in Saranda branch. Her work focuses on strategic management in tourism industry.

LENDING IN FOREIGN MARKETS

Lirida CAKU American Bank of Investments S.a

[email protected]

Abstract This paper intends to present a proper study of lending in first foreign markets in the view of banks as well as in multinational companies. We will see the reasons why multinationals consider foreign financing more than domestic. We will also analyze the banking sector’s position in Albania against non-residents. What is seen is that banking sector’s relationship with non-resident entitles appears to be stable and its credit position has increased. The measures taken by the Bank of Albania during the recent years have contributed to the reduction of the growth rate of banking sector investments with non-resident entitles. In general, non-resident credit is oriented to long-term maturity, with the main weight in the medium term (52%). In the other aspect, it is noticed that the Albanian Investors, mainly businesses, are increasingly interested in investing abroad. At the end of the paper some concrete examples are provided by funding sources across countries. Keywords: investment, loans, the banking sector, non-resident, the multinational society


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Lirida CAKU has graduated the Faculty of Economic in finance economics, finance profile in 2009. In 2011-2013 she attends a master's degree in finance-banking profile. Since she graduated, she works at the bank, the only US bank in Albania, the US Investment Bank as an individual Sales Advisor. She is very happy with the work she does and feels very much appreciated.

ICT in urban management on the example of Polish urban crowdsourcing practices

Justyna PRZYWOJSKA, Aldona PODGÓRNIAK-KRZYKACZ

1,2University of Lodz, Poland [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The following paper deals with issues of the use of civic technology, i.e. socially sensitive technology in city management. Recently gaining popularity, this notion describes the application of information and communication technologies in citizens’ co-creating the city, reaching public decisions and addressing ver-satile problems that occur in local communities. Drawing upon collective knowledge (Citizensourcing) is conducive to the generation of innovative solutions in the public sphere. Thus, the aim of the article is to review the theoretical concepts that explain public management mechanisms on the grounds of the coopera-tion with citizens, to systematise social participation tools conducted by means of the internet and social media in local communities as well as to identify the benefits brought by ICT in the commune management on the basis of good practices. Instances of Polish initiatives to involve citizens in co-creation of the city through the new media have also been analysed. Keywords: Crowdsourcing, Participation 2.0, smart city, urban management, Poland Justyna PRZYWOJSKA - PhD in economic sciences; a Senior Lecturer in the Depart-ment of Labour and Social Policy at the University of Łódź. Her scientific interests focus on issues connected with revitalization and local development policy, public management in local governments units and local and regional social policy. Author or co-author of about 50 publications. Participant of national and international pro-jects on issues related to social policy and functioning of local self-government and it’s administration. Aldona PODGÓRNIAK-KRZYKACZ - PhD in economic sciences; a Senior Lecturer in the DEpartment of Local Government Economy at the University of Łódź. Her scientific interests focus on issues connected with management in local government units and in organisational units subordinate to them, in particular the


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issues of new public management and governance, inter-sectoral and cross-sectoral cooperation. Author or co-author of about 50 publications. Participant of national and international projects on issues related to functioning of local self-government and self-government administration.

How technology is shaping the future of Higher Education

Bruna PAPA(Niçka), Ervin DEMO 1,2University of Tirana,

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Higher education institutions are facing various challenges due to the complexity of the world we are leaving and are being judged on the way they are responding to the social and economical needs of society. The way they are enhancing graduate employability, fa-cilitating social mobility and providing wider access to the so called “no-traditional stu-dents” and disadvantaged groups, contributing to short/long term of national/ local eco-nomic growth is requiring from universities a “rethinking of the education mode” in or-der to respond to such challenges. Technological advances of the 21-st century have been foreseen to be one of the most important future change drivers in higher education. The way universities are teaching and students are learning is changing due to techno-logical innovation. MOOCs have come to symbolise the integration of technology in higher education and focused attention on a range of issues that have to do with learning pedagogies and the use of technology-based learning. New technologies are also affect-ing other areas of campus administration. Social-networking tools are helping to build connections with alumni and support career service activities. E-marketing campaigns expand the reach and success of recruiting and fundraising efforts, and drive down the cost of direct-mail campaigns. This paper will aim at identifying the key trend, challenges and developments in educational technology in higher education. Keywords: Technology, Higher Education Institutions, MOOCs, Educational Technology. Football and the digital sponsorship age: overview on Albania

market

Julian BUNDO University of Tirana


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[email protected] Abstract Motivated by the globalization and rapid development of the sport industry, this paper examined the relationship between a football and sponsorship techniques. This paper aims to highlight the football sponsorship benefits, extend the academics knowledge of sports digital sponsorships and explain the dynamics why companies are investing more and more money into football. Due to the evolution of industry, clubs and national teams depends nowadays direct or indirect from digital sponsorship, including Albania too. Since passion and enthusiasm has not changed but constantly increase among children, we will understand how football has been overlooked in the last two decades in Albania; results of the study will provide evidence that digital sponsorship age in football announces positives result for market, although the impact is different from regions and countries. Keywords: football, digital sponsorship age, Albania market A Proposed hybrid fuzzy clustering model on Web Documents

Enea MANÇELLARI, Ersejda DEMIRXHIU

1Istanbul Technical University, 2University of Mannheim [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Clustering is an important tool in the analysis of large collections of data providing insights of the underlying structures of the web documents and enhancing the similarity capabilities. The fuzzy approach to the clustering problem increases the flexibility involving the concept of partial memberships (some value in the continuous interval [0, 1]) of the instances in the clusters. Several fuzzy clustering algorithms have been devised like FCM, Gustafson-Kessel, Gath-Geva, kernel-based FCM, PCM etc. Each of these algorithms has its own advantages and drawbacks, so none of these algorithms would be able to perform superiorly in all datasets. In this paper we will present a two-stage fuzzy clustering model combining the FCM and Gath-Geva algorithms. Firstly, we will theoretically discuss the advantages and drawbacks for each of these algorithms and we will describe the hybrid clustering model exploiting the advantages and diminishing the drawbacks of each algorithm. Secondly we will experimentally compare the accuracy of the hybrid model by applying it on several benchmark. Keywords: Unsupervised learning, fuzzy clustering, fuzzy c-means algorithm (FCM), Gath-Geva algorithm, hybrid clustering model


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Enea MANÇELLARI is a Phd student at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey and a part-time lecturer in the Department of Informatics at University of Elbasan, where he has been since 2012. He has received his B.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering from EPOKA University, Tirane, and his M.Sc. degree in Computer Engineering from EPOKA University, Tirane. His research experience and interests are mainly in the areas of: Fuzzy Logic, Data Mining, Web Mining, Artificial Intelligence, Expert Systems and Data Compression. Ersejda DEMIRXHIU is a M.Sc in Business Informatics student at University of Mannheim, Germany. She has received her B.Sc. degree in Business Informatics from EPOKA University, Tirane. Her research experience and interests are mainly in the areas of: Data Mining, Web Mining, Text analysing, Information Retrieval.

Android OS stack power management capabilities

Luan RUÇI, Olimpjon SHURDI 1,2Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract During the last decade, mobile communications and smartphones increasingly became part of people's daily routine. Such usage raises new challenges regarding devices' battery lifetime management when using most popular wireless access technologies. For mobile device and embedded system device, PM it’s much more important because the battery power is very limited. Nowadays, android phone and iPhone are more and more pervasive. There are more and more sensors and I/O in mobile device that can be used to improve the effectiveness of PM. The PM needs to be tuned for new mobile device’s need. In this survey, we want to not only know the Android smartphones standard power management system used, but also want to compare them with the design of Android PM and possibilities that OS / kernel stack offers to reduce it. So, our aim in this paper is to show and compare standard PM usage of Android and OS / kernel networking space modifications of any smart scheduling methods or algorithm to increase power efficiency. Keywords: Application, Smartphone, power management, Android OS, Kernel, Luan RUÇI has graduated the University Polytechnic of Tirana in 2001. He holds a MsC diploma in Telecommunications. He is an invated pedagogue from 2004 near the University. He is the author and co-author of more than 6 conferences and


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journal articles in the field smartphones and energy save. His work focuses on the analysis of power save mechanism on Smartphone systems.

A Multicriteria Decision Aiding approach to evaluate and select the most suitable land fill site for municipality waste

management.

Robert KOSOVA, Valentina SINAJ Abstract The waste city management is one of the biggest modern problems of today. To reduce this serious problem waste management specialist start by reducing the amount of city waste by recycling, separating and, in case of hazard and dangerous waste, such as hospital, biological waste by cremation or chemical treatment. That is not enough, because the percentage of recycling in Albania is very low. Albania is producing higher amount of waste each year, due to economical production, public consumption, and making the waste management a very serious and urgent problem to deal with. Albania does not have yet full and clear data of waste production and there is no clear and serious policy on waste treatment. Waste disposal in public areas, in rivers, in the sea is not an unusual phenomena for our country, creating other serious problems, environmental pollution and public health risks. The most popular and approach of waste city management is that of land fill, which means that after the initial separation of the city's waste, there is a special place to get ready outside the city to fill the waste in. Finding and preparing this site is not an easy task because there are important criteria to respect such as, social, human, ecological, geological and economic, in order to preserve and protect the lives of residents from the impacts of the land fill site. In this article we have studied the waste production and management of Berat city and, by evaluating the criteria and alternatives, we have concluded to the most suitable site. In this study, the landfill selection is performed by using MCDA (multicriteria decision aiding) and GIS (geographic information system) method. The methods for determining the most suitable site, we have compared some candidate sites to finish with the most suitable site for the waste disposal of the city.


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Mobile phone data used in benchmarking models of urban transportation

Blendi PUSTINA, Kozeta SEVRANI, Betim CICO

1,3SEE University, Macedonia, 2University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected] Abstract Mobile phone subscribers throughout their interactions on mobility leave traces, which are stored in records of mobile operators and can be used for analyzing mobility flow of citizens. Transportation and traffic con-gestion are considered as one of the key challenges for cities around the world and significant effort of re-search and investment is done to improve situation of road traffic. In this research, we focus on analyzing the possibilities that this precious information from mobile operators can give to better design and deploy the smart city solutions for urban transportation. Several benchmarking models have been proposed by pre-vious literature defining the indicators that must be taken into consideration when benchmarking transporta-tion in cities. However, we consider that the input data for these benchmarking models and the methods of survey leave space to inaccurate results. The objective of this study is to review these benchmarking models from previous research and identify the indicators which could be estimated by extracting insights from da-tasets of telecom operators using techniques and methods of this field. We consider that this research will be useful reference point for research on benchmarking transportation systems and analyzing the mobility flow of population. Keywords: benchmarking transport model, big data, mobility analysis, mobile phone data, CDR Dataset

“Scratch në Shqip”: The First Programming Language in

Albanian, as a New Guide to Albania’s Primary School Computing Curriculum

Klodjan LULA

Department of Business Informatics, Mediterranean University of Albania [email protected]

Abstract


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This year, almost every country on earth except on the continent of Antarctica [1], celebrated the 10th anniversary of one of the most successful and impactful projects dedicated to children. Scratch, the visual programming language designed exclusively for kids, was founded ten years ago, and today counts more than 18 million users worldwide, in more than 70 countries. One may ask if Albania is one of those countries, and I would prefer to say that it’s not the answer the most important thing, but the question itself. The century we live in demands a whole lot of skills and adaptabilities that derive inherently from technological advancements, which at the core of their existence and growth require continuance and refinement of the knowledge acquired and accumulated, first of all by enabling the youth to empower themselves as early as possible and then harvesting the investment for the country itself. Programming is one of those magic wands to be placed in the hand of the mage, in all relevant books of our primary schools, and the new axiom should be to read to write to code. Keywords: Education, Programming Languages, Coding in Primary Schools Klodjan LULA has an MSc Degree in Computer Science from the University of Greenwich in London, UK, in collaboration with the University of New York in Tirana. Has more than ten years of experience as lecturer in many universities, and also as a programmer in many banks, non-profit organizations and IT companies. Currently is a full time lecturer at the Mediterranean University of Albania where his interests are centered on Programming Languages and on the educational methodologies relevant to their implementation in primary schools. In 2016 has been ranked the No.1 programmer at Sololearn.com with over 10 million coders worldwide, and since then has contributed to the young coding community by translating and adapting Scratch in Albanian. He is the author of the book “Scratch në SHQIP: the first programming language in Albanian for kids 8 - 16 years old”. (https://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Translators)

Cloud Computing And Economic Analysis

Goran BJELOBABA, Ana SAVIC 1National Bank of Serbia, 2School of Electrical Engineering and Computer

Science Belgrade [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The paper explains the basics, advantages and disadvantages of cloud technology according to needs of en-terprises to increase market competitiveness. The paper provides an analysis of the possibilities of imple-menting project of migration of banking business from its own computing


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infrastructure to the cloud. The paper also offers economic analysis that enables the management, using input parameters that influence consumption, to decide on the viability of the migration project from business to cloud, as well as a specific analysis of real choice of the quantifier value for deciding whether or not to migrate business to the cloud and what kind of model and service to take in case the project is feasible. Keywords: Cloud Computing, infrastructure, real choice analysis, bank, migration Goran BJELOBABA was born on February 16, 1975. in Bihać. He graduated from the Fac-ulty of Organizational Sciences in Belgrade in 2006, with the topic "The influence and sup-port of internet and web technology in traditional education process." He later graduated with Master's thesis "Comparative Analysis of software solutions in e-education" in 2009. Started PhD studies at the same Faculty in 2015, Information systems and quantitative management, study field: Electronic business. He is currently employed at the National Bank of Serbia, as Head of Security Division. The areas of his scientific interests are: Electronic business, Inter-net technology and Internet marketing, databases. Ana SAVIC was born on March 25, 1974. in Belgrade, where she finished elementary school "Braća Ribar" and the Mathematical High School "Veljko Vlahović". She graduated in 1998. from the Faculty of Mathematics in Belgrade, majoring in theoretical mathematics and its ap-plication. She graduate with Master's degree in 2003, and PhD in 2007. She has been working as assistant professor at the Higher School of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade since the school year 2007/08, the major subject: Engineering Mathematics. He scientific interest in-clude: E-learning, Internet technology and applied mathematics. She has published over 20 papers in national and international journals and conferences.

Internet use for learning by the undergraduate students of University of Tirana in Albania

Alma BRAIMLLARI (SPAHO), Enxhia SALA


Abstract The development of information technology has reduced the information processing costs and the internet has facilitated the communication. Internet has become an incredible valuable infor-mation resource. The goal of this study is to analyze the use of Internet by undergraduate students of University of Tirana in Albania. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire during the period December 2016-February 2017 from the


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second-year and third-year enrolled students at Faculty of Economy and Faculty of Natural Sciences of University of Tirana. The results indi-cate that 28.8% of the students use Internet for academic learning for five or more hours weekly and 84.5% of them use social networks every day. The results of chi-square test of independence indicated significant relations between year of study, Faculty, study program, number of hours spent daily on Internet, computer use skills and the number of hours spent weekly on the Internet for learning. The results of Tobit regression model indicated that gender, program of study and Faculty where the respondents were attending their studies, influence the number of hours spent weekly on Internet for learning. The results of this study are useful for students, lecturers and ad-ministration of University. Keywords: academic learning, chi-square test, Tobit regression, Albania. Prof. Assoc. Dr. Alma BRAIMLLARI (SPAHO) has graduated in Mathematics at the Fac-ulty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana in 2003. She holds a Master diploma in Busi-ness Administration from 2006 and since year 2010 a PhD diploma in Applied Mathematics from the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. In February 2004, she joined the staff of the Department of Applied Mathematics, Informatics and Informatics at Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana and in February 2014 she joined the staff of the Department of Applied Mathematics, at Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana. From February 2015, she holds the academic title Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics. She has participated as a researcher in several research projects and is the author of more over 30 journal articles and conference papers in the field of applied mathematics. Her research work focuses on applica-tion of quantitative methods in business and finance. Enxhia SALA has graduated with honours in Mathematics and Computer Engineering at Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana in 2014. She holds a Master of Science di-ploma in Mathematics and Computer Engineering from 2016 and has working experience in Prime Minister’s Office of Albania and in Bank of Albania. She has also been part of organizing staff in Tirana Programming Competition (TPC2015) and in 33-rd Balkan Mathematical Olympiad (BMO2016). She is the author of 3 conference papers and 1 journal article in the field of statistics and applied mathematics. Currently she is working as assistant professor at Faculty of Economy, Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics and at Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Tirana.


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Information Systems based on cloud vs. dedicated servers – A survey for Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, MonteNegro

Orges ÇIÇO, Zamir DIKA

1Canadian Institute Of Technology, Engineering Faculty, 2South East European University

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Cloud based system and dedicated servers have been on a constant struggle in terms of adoption for companies relying on Information Systems to deliver their services. They constantly have an ever growing demand in storage, computational power as well as lower deployment and setup times and higher security. Mostly cloud servers have proved better in most of the solutions how ever their adoption at corporate level is not yet clear. However, what is clear that cloud based information systems could drastically decrease the IT budget and be more flexible. Most of the comparisons have been based on qualitative interviews and filling in questionnaires form companies executives from corresponding states of Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. The paper aims to provide the current state of cloud system penetration for corporates within the Balkan regions. Keywords: Cloud Computing, Information Systems, Dedicated Servers

Market readiness models for hosted services: A literature survey.

Ezmolda BAROLLI University of Tirana

[email protected]

Abstract Application service providers (ASP), which host and maintain information technology (IT) applications, offer an alternative to traditional models of IT service for user firms. Hosted services are technology services offered to you or your company by a provider that hosts the physical servers running that service somewhere else. Access to the service is usually provided through a direct network connection that may or may not run via the Internet. This new paradigm in offering IT services has shifted the focus of attention from how a service is implemented or hosted to what the service is offered, a shift from


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buying tools that enable functionality to contracting third-party services that deliver this functionality on demand in a pay-per-use model. The research presented in this paper is characterized in three ways: Firstly, it focuses on hosted applications since this mode of provision is growing and is potentially of significant interest. Secondly, it includes a market perspective of the emerging service offerings. And finally, the research incorporates an explicit user perspective. The results highlight the opportunity for gaining competitive advantage by using hosted applications to reduce costs. Keywords: Application service, hosted service, cloud service.

Traffic Engineering (TE) Interdomain Technique

Ledina Karteri HOXHA, Romela QYTYKU, Vasil XHAJA 1,2,3Universiteti Europian i Tiranes

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Abstract Internet traffic engineering is defined as that aspect of of Internet network engineering dealing with the issue of performance evaluation and performance optimization of operational IP networks. Traffic engineering encompasses the application of technology and scientific principles to the measurement, characterization, modeling, and control of Internet traffic.Enhancing the performance of an operational network, at both traffic and resource levels, are major objectives of Internet engineering. This is accomplished by addressing traffic performance requirements, while utilizing network economically and reliably. Traffic oriented performance includes packet transfer delay, packet delay variation, packet loss, and throughput. An important objective of Internet traffic engineering is to facilitate reliable network operations. This can be done by providing mechanisms that network integrity and by embracing policies emphasizing survivability. This results in a minimization of the network to service outages arising from errors, faults and failures occurring within the infrastructure. Ultimately, it is the performance of the network as seen by network services that is truly paramount. This crucial function should be considered throughout the development of engineering mechanisms and policies. A goal of the service provider, therefore, is to enhance the properties of the network while taking economic considerations into account.The importance of the above observation regarding the properties of networks is that special care must be taken when choosing network performance metrics to optimize. Optimizing the wrong metrics may achieve certain local objectives, but may have repercussions elsewhere.


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Keywords: Intradomain Engineering Traffic, ISP, IGP, BGP, MPLS, AS path/path prepending, evaluation of community The improvements of the performance in optical transmission

systems by using Raman Optical Amplifiers

Sanie ÇELA, Rozeta MIHO 1,2Polytechnic University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract A fiber transmission system is characterized by its bandwidth-distance product. The transmission distance of a fiber-optic communication system is increased by using optical amplifier. Therefore, the modelling of the Ra-man gain amplification must be integrated into the propagation of modulated optical signals over the models of multispan transmission link. The Raman amplification gain and the noises into the transmission system are de-scribed. In this paper we analyse the improvements in transmission link distance and noise performance in opti-cal systems. Keywords: optical systems, dispersion, fiber nonlinearities, optical amplification, Raman Optical Amplifier (ROA), forward pumping, backward pumping, gain, noise figure (NF), bit error rate (BER).

Co-existence of LTE systems with Digital Terrestrial

Television

Alban KARAPICI, Vilma TOMCO 1AKEP, 2DAETIK

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Digital Video Broadcasting - 2nd Generation Terrestrial (DVB-T2) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) systems are definitely the most significant results. In many countries around the globe, spectrum that was previously reserved for TV broadcasting is being freed up for use under the new Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile radio standard (keyword: "digital dividend"). Moreover, LTE will operate alongside broadcast applications in the future in this frequency range. As a result, numerous coexistence scenarios are possible. So network operators and manufacturers from both the mobile radio and the broadcast sector have a vital interest in avoiding any


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interference and performing in-depth testing of their products. The receiver of a (digital TV or LTE) system always receives the wanted signal as well as unwanted parts such as noise, or unwanted signals of other radio systems. Based on the spectrum situation as outlined before, various coexistence scenarios exist, where the signal of one system may act as an unwanted (interfering) signal to the respective other system. -Influence of Digital TV on Mobile Radio In this coexistence scenario, the digital TV transmitter may act as interferer on the cellular system LTE. Depending on the spectrum situation, the LTE base station receiver or the LTE terminal receiver could be impacted. As the LTE system and the digital TV system are operated in different frequency bands, this coexistence scenario will never be a co-channel scenario. -Influence of LTE on Digital TV In this coexistence scenario, an LTE transmitter acts as interferer on the digital TV receiver, e.g. a set-top box. The LTE transmitter can be either an LTE terminal (user equipment) transmitting an uplink signal, or an LTE base station transmitting a downlink signal. In case of a terrestrial TV signal, adjacent channel scenarios may occur.

The importance of Payment As-A-Service in the Albanian economy

Romina SHIMA, Elson MEÇO

1Vodafone Albania, 2Societe Generale Albania [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Latest technology innovations, increased use of smart phones and the need of individuals to easily conduct transactions have driven banks and non-bank financial institutions toward alternative channels of payments. Albania, like the rest of the world, is embracing this global momentum. Already, some of the largest banks and not only have taken considerable steps transforming the traditional ways how people interact with money. This digitalization is reshaping institutions meanwhile altering at the same time customer’s behavior and expectations. The aim of this paper is to point out the impact of these digital channels like E-banking, mobile and web banking, and other mobile solutions in facilitating people’s life and business processes. From the institution’s perspective, these new opportunities are seen as a way of reducing costs, attracting new customers, satisfying the existing ones and strengthening the relationship bank-client. But, was the Albanian society


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ready for this digital transformation? In addition to the literature review, our research is based on a survey that shows the gap between the intended purpose and the reality. The main focus is on how this phenomenon is perceived and what are the challenges being faced. Keywords: Payments, Albania, channels, digital, transformation, financial, technology. Romina SHIMA has graduated the Faculty of Economic in 2014. She holds the Master of Science diploma in Information Systems in Economy. She has an experience as a .NET programmer for more than 2 years at Logical working with different clients being oriented mostly toward desktop applications, web applications and web services which explains even her interest in cloud computing, big data analyses and business intelligence. Since November 2014, she is part of the Marketing Department at Vodafone Albania under the title Youth Segment Manager. Her work focuses on managing and analyzing products and services having accountability and responsibility of the Youth segment. Since March 2016, she has also started working as a part time lecturer in the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. Elson MEÇO has graduated the Faculty of Economic in 2014 and holds the Master of Science diploma in Information Systems in Economy. He joined Societe Generale Albania in October 2014 and has a very good knowledge of core banking systems and processes. His work in the Department of Projects and Organization as a Business Analyst has involved him in different banking projects, independently and as a part of a team. His main duties consist of preparation of instructions and manuals regarding new system tools and processes, contribution to IT systems architecture in collaboration with IT department and testing corrections of issues, mainly related to the Back Office Sector, which explains his strong interest in the subject represented in this paper.

The implementation of a digital filter-based algorithm for RMS value measurement in an ARM microprocessor

Ajakida ESKI , Denald KOMICI, Marjola PUKA

1,2,3Polytechnic University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract The goal of this paper is to present the implementation in an ARM Cortex MO, PSoC4, CY8C4245AXI-483 architecture of a digital filter-based algorithm for RMS value estimating. The idea of effective value arises from the need to measure the power or the standart deviation of a waveform. This paper briefly covers the mathematics of rms and offers an algorithm of RMS


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measurements based in FIR digital filter. Digital filters can achieve thousands of times better performance than analog filters. Digital filters are more versatile when compared to the analog filters in their characteristics such as programming flexibility, ability to handle both low as well as high frequency signals accurately. This paper presents a comparison of RMS value measurements betwen the two way, the implementation of the digital filter-based algorithm and the use of an analog meter. Keywords: RMS value, digital filter, algorithm Ajakida ESKI has graduated the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the Polytechnic Uni-versity of Tirana in 1991. From 1991 she had gone through different positions of electrical engineering in public and private companies, lecturer in the University of Durrës from 2011 to 2016, and since 2016 as a lecturer in the Electrotechnical Department of the Electrical En-gineering Faculty in Polytechnic University of Tirana. She is the author of several scientific publications in the field of engineering, in scientific journals and international conferences. Denald KOMICI BACHELOR in Mechatronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the Polytechnic Universi-ty of Tirana. Master of Science Industry Automation Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the Polytechnic University of Tirana. Experience/Qualification in the use of microcontroller, FPGA/CPLD, ARM, Linux & PLC. Focus: Embedded System design hardware/software Instrumentation and Methodology, Digital Communication & Signal Processing System De-sign, Microcontroller programming Marjola PUKA has graduated the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the Polytechnic Uni-versity of Tirana in 1995. He holds a Doctor Degree in Electrical Engineering with topics in modelling of power transmission lines and their insulation coordination. From 1995 she had gone through different positions of electrical engineering in public and private companies, lecturer in the University of Vlora from 1999 to 2004, and since 2011 as a lecturer in the Electrotechnical Department of the Electrical Engineering Faculty in Polytechnic University of Tirana. She is the author of many journal articles and conference papers in the field of electrotechnic and power transmission lines.

Job Market In The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Albanian Case Study

Milena SHEHU, Eva PRIFTI


Abstract


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The extended application of information and communication technologies to almost any possible economic activity is bringing profound changes in the labor markets. To many employees all over the world, the words “digital economy” may evoke one simple image: a human-like robot- sitting at their desk, automatically performing a task they are supposed to do! However, digitalization of a work place stands for more than just automatization; it represents a higher level of performance, increased efficiency and effectivity, low and middle level jobs cut and an increased demand for highly-skilled employees. Albania, following the world trends, has marked considerable progress in its way of economic digitalization. E-government is already a reality in Albania and the government is financing a lot of R&D projects in this area. In additions, big companies (especially branches of international ones) are investing huge amount of money in the implementation of most advanced technologies in their sector. Those technological advances in the macroeconomic and sectorial levels are transforming for completely job market in the country. Highly skilled employees are more and more on demand. This paper is organized in four main parts: world economy in the digital era, job market in four industrial revolutions, Albanian job market in the fourth industrial revolution and the future of job creation and skills in demand in the new era of digital economy. Keywords: Digital economy, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Labor Market, Skills Creation.

IT - A Culture model for management change

Gratiela Dana BOCA Technical University of Cluj Napoca

[email protected] Abstract The culture it is present in many business all over the world and IT departments are very com-mon in a transition economy from a traditional to a global economy. The culture of IT is in a dy-namic movement and transform the modern organization environment. Culture it critical for busi-ness success. This paper present the results of an survey applied in three different universities from three countries. The number of respondents were between students or peoples involve in ac-ademic life, 419 respondents from business and administration universities. The topic of research was to identify and create a model for a future vision and re-orientation in education capable to redesign the curricula and new fields for future students. The key factors taken in consideration to establish the model were internal


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environment (age, education), external environment and also the each country culture influence. The results present a new re-orientation of young generation to IT, as a tool for a sustainable development for a smart economy and smart organization in a global competition, a led culture it is necessary. Keywords: cluster, model culture, smart organization, key factors, management change, Gratiela Dana BOCA has graduated the Faculty of Management in 2000. She holds a PhD diploma in Quality from 2009, IMW. Clausthal, Germany. Currently she working on Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Roma-nia, Department of Economics. She is the author of more than 14 books and over 78 journal articles in the field of quality management, change management, manufacturing process and quality audit. She work focuses on the analysis of quality in different applications fields and cross cultural management.

Range Extended Hybrid Series Vehicles with Gas Turbines for Urban Transportation Systems

Roberto CAPATA, Kliton BYLYKBASHI

1,2University of Roma “Sapienza”, Italy [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Environmental pollution in large cities is approximately 20% due to the transportation system. At same time the “vehicle operating life” are most often overcome and the vehicles emissions do not comply the European anti-pollution standards. It becomes mandatory to find a solution that respects the environment and can provide the appropriate service to its customers. New technologies related to hybrid-electric engines are making great strides in reducing emissions. In addition, the implementation of new technologies is convenient also from the econom-ic point of view. In fact, implementing hybrid vehicles, the fuel consumption can be reduced. The hybrid con-figuration studied in this paper developed at the University of Rome Sapienza, consisting in a Gas Turbine set (GT), powered by natural gas/LPG. The energy produced can be supplied or to the battery package (battery re-charging, RANGE EXTENDED operating mode) or directly to the electric motor. The simulations have provid-ed guidance on the optimal configuration. Finally, a preliminary feasibility analysis has been carried out. Keywords: Series Hybrid, Gas Turbine, Feasibility Analysis, Vehicle Implementation, Components Pack-aging, Proposed Solution


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Roberto CAPATA born in Rome, November 1968. M. Eng. In Mechanical Engineering, 1994, University of Roma “Sapienza.” Ph.D. in Energy Engineering, University of Rome 1, May 2000. Presently Assistant Adjoint Professor of Turbo machinery at University of Rome, Professor of Ma-chine diagnosis at Department of Electric and Energetic Engineering, Professor of Machine design at Department of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Editorial Member of Thermal Energy and Power Engineering Journal, reviewer for several ASME transactions (JERT, EGY), for Energies. Guest editor for Energies journal. Owner of two pa-tent on innovative micro chamber for gas turbine, and for on board ORC (Organic Rankine cycle) systems. Author of several paper on international journal on turbomachinary, compo-nents design and realization, experimental tests on ORC systems, Advanced energy systems. Eng. Kliton BYLYKBASHI (born Tirana 28/05/1984, M. Eng. 2010, First Level Master Degree 2012: Industrial Production Engineering; Second Level Master Degree 2014: Energy Effi-ciency and Renewvable Energy ), is Ph.D. Student a Sapienza University of Rome, at Astro-nautics, Electrical and Energy Engineering Department (DIAEE), where is a lecture of Ener-gy System 1 and 2. He is a scientific collaborator at CREA Ing. His currently active research topics are modeling of low environmental impact systems for farming industry and exergy valutation of complex system. From 2012 he carries out a tech-nical consultant in Mechanics and Enegrgetic engineering, developing PV, Wind, Bigas and CHP system and design diagnostic and energy saving of the energy systems.

Development of electronic marketing channels in the Albanian retail industry

Sokol LUZI, Klodiana GORICA


Abstract The article aims to study the development of the electronic marketing channels in retail industry in Albania, taking a closer look to the development of e-commerce platforms. The tremendous growth of the online world in the recent years created the proper structure for the development of the online business concept in the Albanian retail market. A great help at this regard, is strongly related with the power of the customer to easily adapt to the online social networks and platform. As well the increase of the smartphone technology led to the evolution and time of using the online world and social media. E-commerce development can be considered one of the biggest opportunities for the retailers, which from the other side includes also big challenges. Perhaps the greatest impact is in the area of channel


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manage-ment. This paper, aims to study the possible effect of the introduction of an e-commerce platforms, consid-ered as an electronic marketing channel, into an already developed structure of retail chain in the Albanian marketing. The study provides, information how to proactively manage the conflict within the different subunits of the retail chain. Keywords: Electronic Marketing Channel, Retail Industry, Retail Industry, Channel Conflict Sokol LUZI has graduated at the Faculty of Economy of the University of Tirana, in 2009. He holds a Master Degree for European Economic Studies, from the Faculty of Economy of the University of Tirana, in 2011, and a Master Degree for European Union Business Law, from the Faculty of Law from the University of Tirana, in 2013. Currently he is attending the Ph.D. School at the Marketing Department, at the Faculty of Economy, of the University of Tirana. Since 2013, he is a part-time lecturer at the Marketing Department, of the Faculty of Economy, of the University of Tirana. Klodiana GORICA has graduated at the Faculty of Economy of the University of Tirana, in 1994. She holds grade “Doctor” in 2002, and title “Professor Associated” in 2011 and “Pro-fessor” in 2016, from the Faculty of Economy of the University of Tirana. She is editorial and board member in many International Scientific Journals and Conferences has participated in many national and international projects, is author and co-author of many articles published in international journals and conferences and text books too. She has published 2 monographs in English language (published by Springer and IEDC, Bled School of Management) and one in national language.

Latency

Mimoza AHMETI Abstract All the communication is based on latency. Latency is the core of every self- referential system, in individual or social level. Latency means beliefs- structured via expectations, the internalizing form and externalizing form of the world in functionality. Latency can considerate as the level of ignorance and knowledge of the conditions of the world, which based on latency itself, with difference in different systems. Latency is the base of communication, but communication is not latency in itself. Usually latency is not exposed to communication, but this does not mean that there is not synthesized latency in social system level which determines the behavior- orientation, and decision making of the system in complete, based on its own latent disposition. Latency of a system is not latency of one´s individuality of


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psychic system. Latency is called otherwise delay. This delay is a condition of systems´ continuity and its variability and variety. If the response is late from source of information to the other side of connectivity, which delay occur impact in all inter system's communication, we call it latency. The knowing of latency of a group of people and being incrementally calculated as a potentially behavior of them, can succeed in predicting the situations of the future, or provoking a situation to them, in regard with other latency. This happens for continuity of systemicity. So it deepens from the position, if latency is a delay, is a determinant element of structure-making or is simply a unit in variation of unit’s system maintenance. The absence of a universal metaphysics system about communication brought in view that all knowledge is based in latency. So every conclusion is in delay in regard with some problem exposed elsewhere, and every item is in tardiness function with something which is called communication. The delay out function is death for latency. Keywords: Latency, self reference, closure, openness, communication Knowledge Transfer in Manufacturing Plants and the role of

Information Systems (IS): Case study on Macedonia manufacturing plants

Adrian BESIMI, Betim ÇIÇO, Zamir DIKA

1,2,3South East European University, Macedonia {b.cico, a.besimi, z.dika}@seeu.edu.mk

Abstract This paper focuses on the importance of Information Systems (IS) in absorptive capacity and knowledge transfer with specific accent on manufacturing plants in Macedonia vis-a-vis the Switzerland plants. The paper will start by presenting details in regard to IS and importance of IS as knowledge enablers for manu-facturing network. Further on, the paper will be focused on the research findings related to knowledge shar-ing, knowledge absorption and assimilation by using the means of Information Systems. The case study will cover companies’ interviews from Macedonia and Switzerland and the primary findings in relation to the status of Information Systems (IS) infrastructure for absorbing and transferring knowledge in companies of emerging countries will be elaborated. Keywords: Information Systems, Knowledge transfer, Macedonia, Knowledge management systems, man-ufacturing plants


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Adrian BESIMI, PhD, is an assistant professor at the South East European University. His research focuses on Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce using Electronic Data Interchange, Open Data, Data Visualization and Software Oriented Architecture. During his experience as a lecturer in SEEU, he was engaged in courses and research in Data Mining, Information Systems, Mobile Development etc. Meanwhile he was engaged in many commercial projects related to Web development and web programming as well as mobile application de-velopment. Betim ÇIÇO, PhD, is a professor at the South East European University. His research focuses on Digital Systems, Computer Architecture, Cloud Computing. During his experience as a lecturer in SEEU, he was engaged in courses in Digital Systems, Computer Architecture, Advance topics in Software Engineering, Research Methodology. Meanwhile he was engaged in European Projects, FETCH, DAAD project related to Software Engineering and Reverse Engineering. Zamir DIKA, PhD, is a professor at the South East European University. His research focuses on Electronic Commerce and Information Systems. During his experience as a lecturer in SEEU, he was engaged in courses and research in System Analysis and Design, E-commerce, Information Systems Design, Advanced Topics in Information Systems, etc. Meanwhile he was engaged in many commercial projects related to Information Systems design and development, both for companies as well as Academia.

Organizational Change Management

Albi ZYLFO, Gjergj ROBO, Ira QORI, Kreshnik SKËNDERI 1,2,3,4Deloitte Albana & Kosova

Abstract This study involves a theoretical and practical approach to the activities needed to manage a radical change that comes with an IT project. Today’s dynamic business environment usually has the effect of requiring many organizations to change their IT systems. The focus will mainly be on change management process and fundamental issues in managing organizational change, including critical success factors such as communication, motivation and users’ awareness, readiness, willingness and expectations. The main conclusions and recommendations drawn from this research were that a change management process should include attention to human factors. In this regard, communication, motivation, participation, training, leadership and management commitment were determined to be the key success factors in change management.


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The Efficiency of Calculations of Power Lines Parameters

Marjola PUKA, Ajakida ESKI 1,2Polytechnic University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Parameter determination of transmission power lines is very important for the study of their behavior during transient phenomena, which are developed at a specific frequency or in a particular band of frequencies. Based on Maxwell`s equations, electrical lines are considered as man-agement structure of electromagnetic waves. Modeling with electrical circuits, a power transmission line can be presented through serial and shunt impedances, which are summarized in matrices of parameters R,L,C,G. This paper describes the most common methods used for the calculation of overhead lines parameters: Carson`s or classical method and Line Constants method used at ATP software. As the case-study is chosen the overhead line 400kV “Tirana-Podgorica”, which is one of the most important ones for Albanian Power System. Its parameters are calculated in two ways: manually based on classical theoretical method and through ATP (Alternative Transients Program) using two different models: Pi and J.Marti. The first model (Pi) treats power lines as two-ports electrical circuits with distributed parameters calculated in a specific frequency. The second model (J.Marti) studies the calculation of line parameters at frequency domain or in Laplace domain, considering so their values for a band of frequencies. This model gives the best results of calculations, which is evident by comparing the values of line parameters for each case. So it is very important to evaluate not only the most exact values of line parameters, but to choose the appropri-ate model to analyze a specific transient situation. Keywords: Parameter, Power Transmission Line, Model, Software, Determination Marjola PUKA has graduated the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the Polytechnic Uni-versity of Tirana in 1995. He holds a Doctor Degree in Electrical Engineering with topics in modeling of power transmission lines and their insulation coordination. From 1995 she had gone through different positions of electrical engineering in public and private companies, lecturer in the University of Vlora from 1999 to 2004, and since 2011 as a lecturer in the Electrotechnical Department of the Electrical Engineering Faculty in Polytechnic University of Tirana. She is the author of many journal articles and conference papers in the field of electrotechnic and power transmission lines.


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Ajakida ESKI has graduated the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in the Polytechnic Uni-versity of Tirana in 1991. From 1991 she had gone through different positions of electrical engineering in public and private companies, lecturer in the University of Durrës from 2011 to 2016, and since 2016 as a lecturer in the Electrotechnical Department of the Electrical En-gineering Faculty in Polytechnic University of Tirana. She is the author of several scientific publications in the field of engineering, in scientific journals and international conferences.

The Importance Of Using BLDC Motor In The Variable Speed Drives

Loreta NAKUÇI, Enxhi JAUPI, Aida SPAHIU

1,2Instituti Harry Fultz 3Polytechnic University of Albania,

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The paper presents the importance of using Brushless direct current motor (BLDC) instead of induction motor especially in the variable speed drives. Despite the advantages the induction motor has like simplicity, reliability, it doesn’t need maintenances, it causes vibrations, stroke, it has the higher volume, and lower efficiency than other motors. All these problems can be solved if we replace the induction motor with a BLDC motor. The aim of this paper is to compare the induction motor with BLDC motor in terms of dynamic respond, accuracy, flexibility for different tasks. The analysis is based on selecting a cyclic speed chart that we can find in many applications and showing that the BLDC motor is the most suitable for this task compared with induction motor. Dynamic respond is faster, but not only this, BLDC motor has higher efficiency, lower noise, lower waiting time etc. Keywords: BLDC motor, Induction motor, dynamic respond, technical advanced control Loreta NAKUÇI graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Polytechnic University of Tirana in 1984. She has worked as a teacher of professional subjects at the Harry Fultz Institute, as a head of electrical- electronic departments at the Harry Fultz Institute, and since 2004 until now as Vice director at Harry Fultz Institute. In the 2012 she begun the doctoral school at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. Since 2013 until now she has worked part time seminars lecture for the subject of "Introduction in the circuits analyses". Her focus now is the study of BLDC motors drives.


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Aida SPAHIU graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Polytechnic University of Tirana in 1989. She holds a PhD diploma in Electrical Engineering from 2004 and she had gone through all didactic positions since 1989 when she joined the staff of Faculty of Electrical Engineering, teaching assistant in 1989, senior lecturer in 1997, associate professor in 2012 and full professor in 2016.Currently she is full Professor of Electrical Drives in the Department of Automation, head of research group of “Electrical Machines and Drives” and head of Department of Automation. She is the author of 1 book and over 25 papers in the field of control of variable speed drives. Her work focuses on the energy efficiency of electrical drives, fuzzy logic based and sliding mode control, sensorless control of electric drives. Enxhi JAUPI graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering Polytechnic University of Tiran in 2014. He is working as a Researcher and an Educator. For more than two years, he has been working as a Teacher and a Laboratory Instructor for Electronics and Computer Science at the professional high school, Harry Fultz Institute. Since 2015, he has been a guest Lecturer at the Faculty of Electric Engineering, in the department of Electrotechnics, teaching Theory of Circuit. External Environment and Strategic Management Practices

Commercial Banks in Albania

Altin SHOLLA, Elona NAZARI 1American Bank of Investments, 2University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract The development of the field of strategic management within the last two decades has been dramatic and it grows larger every day. Strategic management generally addresses the question of why some organizations succeed or fail, and it covers the causes for company’s success or failure (Porter 1991). One of the most important pillar in the field of strategic management is the analysis of the internal and external environment. The external environment plays a critical role in shaping the future of entire industries and those of individual businesses. To keep the business ahead of the competition, managers must continually adjust their strategies to reflect the environment in which their businesses operate. The search aims to identify what are the external environmental factors which influence the strategic management practices of Albanian commercial banks? Banking sector in Albania its quite new compared with other EU countries, mostly expanded during years 2000. Licensed commercial banks dominate the financial sector in Albania and as at 31st December 2016 there are 16


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commercial banks operating in Albania. The Banking sector has shown a significant expansion during the last decade facing and for the first time also facing the financial and economic crisis. The external factors will include factors such as demand environment, suppliers, political, economic, social, and technological environments etc. The research questionnaire consisted of both quantitative and qualitative research questions and therefore, to analyze the primary data both the quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods were adopted. The impact of Albanian economy on banks operations remained relatively high during last five years and is expected to increase slightly in the next five years. Profitability, low investment opportunities due to political and economic uncertainty were the most reported impacts of Albanian banking industry. The impacts of technology on banks operations were relatively low during last five years but, relatively high at present and expected to further increase in the next five years. Most reported impacts of technology on banks operations were new products, customer service, and network banking. Impacts of social cultural environments on banks operations were less over the last five years, then at present and also in the next five years. Keywords: banking industry, strategic management, external environment Altin SHOLLA. PhD Candidate in Management, Business Administration in Economic Faculty, Tirana University. From 2007 and on he is also involved also as an external lecture in Strategic Management also in the Economic Faculty. Since 2005 he is full time employed in Banking sector and has held several position as specialist and manager. Currently he works in American Bank of Investment holding the position of Corporate Director. Comparing Monetary and Non-monetary poverty in Albania

based on family characteristics

Elena MYFTARAJ (TOMORI), Eglantina ZYKA, Fatmir MEMAJ 1,2,3University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Estimation of Poverty is based on a multi-dimensional definition, where besides deprivation of income or consumption, poverty is estimated also in non monetary context. Non-monetary poverty is defined in relation to the inadequacy of a range of social care measures, such as education, health, access to basic services and infrastructure. In this paper are used Cross-


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sectional data from Living Standards Measurement Survey 2012 to measure monetary and non-monetary poverty. Two concepts of poverty (monetary and non monetary) are used in analyze, to compare the percentage of poverty for different social-economic characteristics of family. Using statistical techniques it aims to show how different factors affect monetary and non-monetary poverty. Keywords: Monetary Poverty, Non-Monetary Poverty Elena MYFTARAJ (TOMORI) got her Bachelor degree at the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana in Economics and Applied Statistics (2001), the MCS degree in Economics (2006) and the PhD degree in Statistics (2011). From 2015 she is Associated Professor in the department of Statistics and applied Informatics. She has been assistant lecturer (2002-2006) and lecturer of statistics since 2006, since 2012 she is lecturer of Statistics for Journalists at Faculty of History-Philology, University of Tirana. Eglantina ZYKA has graduated from the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, bachelor degree in finance (1999), MCS degree in finance (2006) and Phd degree in statistics (2011). From 2002 wor-king as assistant professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Economy, from 2006 as lecturer of Statistics, from 2011 as Doctor, from 2015 as Associated Professor, at the department of Statistics and Applied Informatics, University of Tirana. Since 2004 she is lecturer of Social statistic at Faculty of Social Science, University of Tirana.

One Stop Shop (OSSH) as an integrated model of public service. Municipality of Shkodra, a case of success.

Adisa BALA

Ministry of Internal Affairs [email protected]

Abstract After the implementation of the Administrative-Territorial Reform (TAR) in Albania, the new 61 ex-panded municipalities had to develop new systems of delivering services in order to be more efficient towards their citizens. Regarding this, One Stop Shop is designed as a service delivery model, which offers qualitative services as close as possible to the public. The aim was to connect the information from the internal directorates of the municipality with the service desk structures. On the other side, these serving desks are responsible for accepting applications for administrative services and provid-ing the final response to the citizen. This system implemented in few local units, among which is Mu-nicipality of Shkoder and its Administrative Units, enables citizens to deposit their requests for more than


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90 digitized services configured and active. The overall impact and perception is the quality and quantity of information and access is improved due to this establishment. This paper is a brief presen-tation of a positive practice case by demonstrating the way of organizational functioning of an OSSH and how it has modernized the management of local government. Keywords: One Stop Shop, Municipality, Territorial Administrative Reform, Public Service, Local Government Adisa BALA has graduated in the Faculty of Economy, University of Shkodra in 2007. She holds a Master in Public Administration from 2012 and actually is a PhD candidate in Man-agement in Tirana University. After a 6 years of experience in the Municipality of Shkodra, in 2015 moved to Ministry of Interior of Albania, where currently is working. Her studies are focused in local government sector and economic internal affairs. She is also a lecturer in the University of Shkodra on the subject of Public Administration.

A comparative analysis on how increasing awareness about information security affects users attitude in creating and

using textual passwords

Elda KUKA, Jorgo ÇIPA, Erjon ZOTO 1,2,3University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract The simplicity or convenience of entering a textual password in real time for just a few seconds, in different applications, especially when a fast transaction is needed, is the main advantage that textual password based authentication method has against other authentication methods. But on the other hand, textual passwords are considered as the least secure authentication method in contrast with possession and biometric based authentication method. We have prepared a questionnaire that will help us to identify the practices, characteristics and problems of creation and usage of passwords in computer systems, online applications, services and social networks. The target population are two groups of students. The first group of students don’t have any training regarding information security, and the second group have succesfully finished the course on information security. We will make a comparative analysis of the results of these two groups of students and we aim to analyze how security awareness affects users attitude in creating and using textual password.


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Keywords: password security, textual password, questionnaire, security awareness Wireless sensor networks for e-health applications: Security

issues and countermeasures.

Perla GJOKA, Selina DEMI, Romina MUKA, Kozeta SEVRANI, Sule YAYILGAN

1,2,3University of Tirana, 4Norwegian University of Science and Technology [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Technology developments, innovations and improvements of existing mechanism share a common, quite important focus, which is: being beneficial to humans. Taking this into consideration, e-health appears to be a highly interesting field expanding nowadays, as an indispensable utility for facilitating the process of tracing personal medical records. E-health, obviously, is a broader concept, including more features and health applications. A main concern regarding e-health is related to security issues, dedicated to the sensi-tiveness and criticism of medical data, tending to become even more serious as wireless networks are in-volved. There exist a considerable number of devices and applications, which are created in order to give the appropriate support to e-health, including m-health as an integrating part of it. The majority of these devices and applications rely on the use of wireless sensor networks, interacting with a database, transfer-ring the data collected from patients in distributed locations. The distributive nature of these systems pre-sents a greater challenge in securing data, by making the individuation of security solutions a field of inter-est and further research. In this paper will be given an insight about security solutions proposed regarding e-health, along with drawbacks detected in the process, attending for near future effective proposals to be-come their permanent solutions. Keywords: e-health, m-health, security issues, security solutions, wireless sensor networks. Selina DEMI is currently a Business Informatics student, third and final year, at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Economics. During her Bachelor, in 2016, she won a scholarship offered by Erasmus + Mobility, which consisted in a whole year of studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Gjøvik. She continued then, her studies there by doing the very best with remarkable


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results. Being involved in a lot of projects related to Information Security and Networking made her focus her interest in these fields and motivated her to develop further research. Perla GJOKA is currently a third year Business Informatics student, at the University of Tirana, Faculty of Economics. During her Bachelor, in 2016, she was offered a scholarship provided by Erasmus + Mobility. By accepting this possibility she became a Computer Science student for a whole year at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Gjøvik, Norway. Her motivation helped her to achieve great results in all the subjects. Being involved in a lot of projects related to Information Security and Networking, turned them into fields of interests and further research.

Cyber Security As A Shared Responsibility: Strategies For

Building Trustworthy Networks

Jonida OSMANLLIU, Lea ÇELIKU, Majlinda ZHEGU 1InfoSoft Systems, 2University of Tirana, 3UQAM, Canada

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract This paper investigates the cyber security ecosystem of Albania. It proposes the mapping of the main national cyber security entities and their characteristics, functionalities, relationships. The aim is to understand the factors that affect the security of digital space. These factors are related to the security of digital systems and to the level of end users cyber security awareness as well. Therefore, we develop an index of cyber security awareness. Results from an exploratory study on e-government related actors are discussed. Primary data are collected through an open-ended questionnaire. In conclusion, public policies for building trustworthy networks are considered. Keywords: Cyber security, E-government, Mapping, Awareness index, Ecosystem Jonida OSMANLLIU works as an IT Project Management at InfoSoft Systems. She graduated in Business Informatics from the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. From 2013 to 2015, Jonida was Head of ICT Standards and Project Coordination Sector for National Agency for Information Society. Then she was appointed as Director of e-Gov Research & Development Department of the same Agency. From her previous job positions, she has also gained a strong experience in the field of project management in the banking system. Lea CELIKU is studying BSc. Business Informatics, final year, in the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana. In 2016, she was part of Erasmus+ Exchange


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Program by winning a scholarship from University of Tirana, so she continued her studies for one year in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Gjøvik, Norway. While she was there, she engaged in a lot of projects and papers related to Cyber Security and Digital Forensics which also became her main areas of research and interest. She is also interested in learning foreign languages and she owns three language certificates in English, Greek and German. Majlinda ZHEGU is a Professor of Management at the Ecole des Science de la Gestion, University of Quebec in Montreal and member of Interuniversity Centre for Science and Society Studies. She holds a PhD in International Economics from Université de Pau et des Pays d’Adour, France and a second PhD in management from the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada. Her area of research interests concerns the management of innovation. She has published several papers in scholarly journals as well as several books. Professor Zhegu investigates, among other, the evolution of innovation systems, the open innovation and the digital transformation of our economies and societies.

Analysis of some parameters in a network built with the CS algorithm

Ezmerina KOTOBELLI, Jetmir LUMI, Anita XHEMALI

1,2,3Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Nowadays, many applications use Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) to fulfill the purpose of collecting data from particular phenomena. Their data-driven behavior and severe energy constraints as well, make WSN different from other nets. During this work, energy management problem was studied in a WSN where nodes are organized into clusters. We used a network that was set up based on the CS (Cluster Static) algorithm. This algorithm is compared to the LEACH algorithm because it has served as a base model for its construction. The objective of the paper is to build a simple cluster network model that starts with the same initial level of total network energy distributed over the node as LEACH, but to deliver better results for its spending. We have derived a better performance of the CS algorithm for two parameters of the network based on Mat lab simulation. Keywords: CS algorithm, LEACH, WSN, cluster, leader node, member node, energy, network lifetime, packet delivery. Ezmerina KOTOBELLI has graduated in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in 2005. She holds a Master degree in "Computer Engineering" in 2010. She holds a PhD degree in Technology of Information and Communication in 2015. Currently


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she is full time lector of “Elements and Technologies of Electronics” and “Electronic Measurements”, Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Faculty of Information Technology. Her research area focuses on the wireless sensor networks and routing algorithms for them. Jetmir LUMI has graduated the Faculty of Electronic Engineering in 2015. His work focuses on programming. Currently he is working with his MSC diploma in Master’s Degree with subject INFORMATION SECURITY and also he is working as a Web Developer. Anita XHEMALI has graduated the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in 2005. She holds a MSC diploma in Computer Sciences. Currently she is full time lector at Electrotechnics Department of Electrical Engineering. Her work focuses on the analysis of electrical circuits and systems.

Cyber Protection Strategy For Kosovo

Naim BAFTIU, Samedin KRRABAJ 1,2University “Ukshin HOTI” Prizren, Kosovo

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract In the National Security Strategy stated that: "Kosovo is ranked among countries where the development of telecommunications, Internet and computerization of society progresses very quickly. Cyber-attacks have the potential to severely damage the exchange of information in public institutions, telecommunications and financial and banking system, causing the disruption of vital services. A variety of factors such as the speed of technological developments, the dynamics and complexity of the use of cyberspace, placing the Ministry of Defense to the KSF and Kosovo Police before real challenges for capacity building for cyber security, accompanied by policies, guidelines, procedures coordination and monitoring. The main advantage of cyber defense in Kosovo will be treating cyberspace as a domain (domain) operational in order to be organized, trained and equipped with tools, so that MM / FA may act on the potential of cyberspace protection of communications systems and information. The main purpose of this paper is to provide guidance, coher-ence and focus for a comprehensive approach to develop military capabilities in cyberspace in the coming years Keywords: Protection, cybernetics, KSF and Police department. Naim BAFTIU - Graduated from the Technical Faculty at the University of Pristina in 1994, in 1995 he graduated post-graduate studies at the University of Pristina at the Technical Faculty, the production technology leadership. After completing his post-graduate studies in 2008, he enrolled in doctoral studies at the


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University of Pristina and in 2012 received his Ph.D. in Computer Science. Since 2014, he has been awarded the Academic Degree Assistant Professor at the University of Prizren, where he is still working. He has participated in many regional and international conferences, has over 25 scientific papers in the field of computer science-Internet Security, and has participated in many energy projects.

Investigation of Common Tools for Network Security Evaluation

Silvester HASANI, Elior VILA

1University of New York Tirana – Albania 2University “Aleksandër Xhuvani”, Elbasan – Albania [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract In this paper are investigated the common tools which are used to evaluate the security of various networks. Nowadays a lot of companies need to take security measures through auditing or similar inspection tech-niques. While there are many tools available to provide network security inspection, some of them are not very efficient or even useless for specific tasks. Therefore it is very important to evaluate and differentiate those tools from each other in order to present the most appropriate ones for given tasks. Such tools exist in form of packages whereas the Kali Linux package is the utmost comprehensive. This work aims to perform a careful examination of the best tools currently available to the market and summarize their functionalities with regards to the tasks which they are most efficient and suitable for. Keywords: network security, security evaluation, information gathering, vulnerability assessment, pass-word attack. Silvester HASANI has graduated in Computer Science from University of New York Tirana. Currently he is looking forwards to pursue a PhD. At the same time he is a part-time lecturer at University of New York Tirana and University “Aleksander Moisiu” in Durres. He is the author of 3 journal articles in the field of computer science and his main research interests are in the area of information security. Elior VILA has graduated in Electronic and Computer Engineering from Faculty of Electri-cal Engineering at Polytechnic University of Tirana. He received a dual Master degree in In-dustrial Management from Technical University of Sofia and Technische Universität Braun-schweig respectively. Since 2010 he holds a doctor degree (Ph.D.) in Computer Science and Engineering from Faculty of German Engineering Education and Industrial Management and Faculty of Computer Systems and Control of Technical University Sofia. After the Ph.D. he spent one


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year as postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Advanced Security Research Darmstadt - CASED of Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany, working in the field of Hardware-based Security and Cryptography. Currently he is head of Department of Informatics at the University of Elbasan “A Xhuvani”. He has an extensive academic experience in teaching and research both in Albania and abroad, in various subjects including Computer Organization and Architectures and System & Network Security which are also his main research areas of interest.

Pen testing: discovering vulnerabilities before attackers do

Floralba SULCE, Edlira MARTIRI 1,2University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Systems always have built-in vulnerabilities, and it is through them that attackers try to compromise these systems. Therefore, security officers must have a clear view of how systems are implemented, what applications are running, users, and other details regarding communication and hardware. One of the most important actions performed to check the vulnerabilities of a system, are penetration testing. From an attacker’s perspective, finding a hole in the system means first connecting with TCP and UDP ports on a system, to find the IP addresses of a target organization. Enumeration is the first attack on target network, and it means to identify the user account, system account and admin account. In this paper, we will perform penetration testing on a specific network and website. To discover any vulnerabilities in the network we will use Nessus, a remote vulnerability scanner. In the exploitation phase of the pen test, we will run exploits against the vulnerabilities to discover how attackers might gain access to the target system. Keywords: Pen-testing, Vulnerability, Security Floralba SULÇE is currently a third-year student in a Bachelor of Business Informatics program in the Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. She was an exchange student for two academic semesters in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Gjøvik, Norway, during 2016. While studying there the main area of interest was information security and she was engaged in projects related to this area. Edlira MARTIRI is an Associate Professor at University of Tirana, Albania. She holds a Doctor Degree in Information Systems with topic in Image Information Systems data protection, and is affiliated with the department of Statistics and Applied Informatics at the same university. She previously worked as a research


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fellow at NTNU, Norway (department of Information Security, IMT). Being part of the Norwegian Biometrics Laboratory, her work was focused in designing new and robust biometric template protection schemes. Mrs. Martiri has an intensive experience in the field of IT and Information Security in particular. She is member of the Research School of Computer and Information Security, Center for Cyber and Information Security, in Norway, and from January 2014 she serves as a National Contact Point for Albania at the European Association of Biometrics (www.eab.org).

A review of information security standard ISO 27001:2013

Enriko CEKO Kolegji Universitar Wisdom

[email protected] Abstract The aim of this paper research is to present to the scientific audience and other interested parties Standard ISO 27001:2013, one of the most three required international standards in the world, as well as some issues on application of this standard in Albania. The way followed to prepare the research was creating the idea of the paper, gathering materials, da-ta, information and statistics, reading all of them, selecting materials to realise the first draft of the paper. Later, the draft paper has been reviewed several times to write the final version. Later, abstract, introduction, conclusions and recommendations have been drawn. The main recommendation is that besides the fact there are a lot of problems related to the aplication of ISO standards, ISO 27001:2013 included, in Albania, there is an increasing demand to be certified with such standards, which have an indication on doing business climate and life quality improvement too. Keywords: ISO 27001:2013, International Standards Organization, information security, etc Enriko CEKO has graduated the Agronomy Faculty and Agr. Economy Faculty (Agriculture University of Ti-rana 1989, 1996), Faculty of Law (University of Tirana 2002), Faculty of Civil Engineering (USA 2007). He holds a PhD diploma in Management (Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana 2005) and PhD Diploma in Civil Engineering (Bedford University USA 2009). He has about 29 years working experience and about the same experience lecturing, specialized with about 45 training courses (Albania, USA, UK, Israel, Germany, Austria), etc. He is Dean of Economic and Social Sciences Faculty, Kolegji Universitar “WISDOM”. He is the author of around 4000 articles and over 40 scientific journal articles, participating in more than 50 international scientific conferences, author of “Quality


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Management Tools” Monographic, etc. His work focuses on public and private organizations consultancy, ISO Standards included.

Analyzing and preventing Cross Site Scripting in Web Security Applications

Ariana BEJLERI, Marko ÇUKA

1Polytechnic University of Tirana, 2 Albanian University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Web applications nowadays are becoming the standard platforms when it comes to representing data and information over the World Wide Web. Hence, different security vulnerabilities headed to various type of attacks in web applications. Some of those security flaws leads to Cross Site Scripting also known as XSS which can be considered as one of the most popular and dangerous type of threat in web security application. XSS can cause severe damage at the site or for the user if the malicious script gets injected into web application. This article highlights the issues in web application security specifically in regards to Cross Site Scripting, types of it and also the future direction of research within this topic is highlighted. Keywords: XSS, Web Application Security, Vulnerability, Code Injection, Cyber Security. Ariana BEJLERI: Is a lecturer at the Fundamentals of Computer Science Department, Faculty of Information Technology, in Polytechnic University of Tirana, teaching program-ming in C, C++, Pascal. She received Ph.D. degree in 1994, in Polytechnic University of Tirana. She received Associate Professor in 2004, Mathematic and Informatics Department, Polytechnic University of Tirana. Ariana has taken part in various projects and has completed qualifications in Universita degli studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Elettrotecnica, Elettronica e Informatica (DEEI). She has published several articles, as author or co-author, in several international scientific magazines.Her research focuses on:Algorithms, Programming Language, Data Mining. Marko ÇUKA is a professional PenTester, computer engineering student at “Albanian Uni-versity”. His passion for computer sciences and the Information Technology world sprung initially during the very early years of his adolescence. Following his call of childhood, since an early age, he has constantly and continuously developed a wide range of skill that engage and expand broadly from network forensics, reverse engineering to different programming languages, whereas Çuka's principal area of expertise focuses on web application security measures. He has spoted and reported different potential vulnerabilities in several


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big websi-tes. As a result, he has collaborated with Adobe in 2013 and was acknowledged on and by “Adobe Security Acknowledgments” page after figuring out and reporting two potentially damaging vulnerabilities on Adobe’s website.

Ransomware of Things: A Security Analysis

Ledia MALEQKA, Romina MUKA 1,2University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract In the recent years, the use of internet and computers has increased and, simultaneously cybercriminals have emerged to feed off by this thriving market. Adding to this the growth of Internet of Things industry, threats from new malware and infections will only increase in the future. One of the most laborious mal-ware categories that has emerged in the last year is ransomware. This paper emphasizes the transition from traditional ransomware threats to new and more complex attacks creating Jackware, which is a type of ran-somware designed to attack connected devices (Ransomware of Things). Combating ransomware is a major task and we all have a role to play in it. In this paper we give a brief history of ransomware, its evolution, and some recent statistics and methodologies of ransomware attacks. Next we highlight the importance of security in IoT devices from ransomware infection. Finally we discuss some future trends in terms of Ransomware of Things, and we conclude with some recommendations for ransomware preventions. Keywords: Ransomware, IoT, Security, Malware Information Security Issues: Beware of the Next Cyberattack

Nevila BACI, Erjon ZOTO, Albana GORISHTI

1,2,3University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected] Abstract The cyberthreat landscape continues to grow and evolve. Information security issues are being increasingly prevalent for more and more companies worldwide, including both large multinationals and SMEs on the other extreme. A recent research has predicted that cybersecurity will


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become a $1 trillion enterprise between 2017 and 2021, while the cost of cybercrime is projected to tally to over $6 trillion during the same timeframe. While this is what the future is going to represent for the security environment, what happened recently is certainly a proof of what we should really expect in the next months. The most severe malware attack has happened in May 2017, known as Wannacry, a typical ransomware attack, which also is expected to be the predominant type of malwares for the ongoing months of this year. Meanwhile, cyberattacks are being warned to other operating systems or enterprise systems as new ways to exploit computer or software bugs are being disclosed from different groups of organized cybercriminals. In this paper, the authors aim to dig deeper in the background of the recent Wannacry attack, giving full insights on its overall impact and how it propagated further. This part will also be associated with other cases of successful ransomware from 2016 and also potential threats to other systems in the near future. The cases will be analyzed in order to achieve important conclusions related to preventing future cyberattacks or improving data and system recovery after such attacks occur by using best practice tools and policies. Keywords: information security, ransomware, Wannacry, Samba, cyberattack prevention

Electronic signature as part of public administration in Albania

Anila GJONAJ, Ermelinda SHEHAJ


Abstract Electronic signatures provide authenticity and nonrepudiation. They are a standard cryptographic primitive with many applications in higher-level protocols. Groups featuring a computable bilinear map are particularly well suited for signature-related primitives. For some signature variants the only construction known uses bilinear maps. The natural progression today is to use electronic documentation instead of paper in order to streamline the business environment. For digitally signed electronic documentation to be incorporated in today’s market, people need to have at least as much faith in them as paper. The purpose of digital signatures is to authenticate digital documents and give them a purpose-e.g., “I approve this.” The Albanian government's priority for modernizing and enhancing the quality of public


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services has directed the attention of innovation agencies in the country to the development of information technology as a compelling mandatory direction in this regard. Providing public services in electronic format requires the use of secure tools to guarantee the electronic identity of citizens, one of which is also the electronic signature. Today in developed countries, many processes have been simplified with the use of electronic signature, which is attached to a document by giving legal value the same as the signed document manually. Keywords: electronic service, electronic signature, document, authenticate, faith.

The techniques and challenges for implementing IOT in a secure & connected world

Alma STANA, Silvester HASANI

1,2University “Aleksander Moisiu” Durres, Albania [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract Internet has changed a lot during its lifetime. World Wide Web has become a global driver in the infor-mation sharing from the users. The change is continuing with the rise of new technologies as well. The low cost wireless connections are making the information sharing even more persistent. Data collection has be-come more advanced with embedded devices connected with each other and RIFD technology used to transmit data in a continuous way. Exactly these technologies has led to the “Internet of Things” that is a way to display web as a medium of connected devices through the world and to communicate with each other. IoT has also faced a lot of challenges, especially when it comes to Enterprise IoT. Techniques for imple-menting IoT need to be developed especially in developing countries. The challenges and threats of the IoT are described in this paper. An initial security evaluation is also shown. Keywords: IoT, sensors, Middleware, IPv6, WSN. Alma STANA has graduated in Electronic Engineering at the University of Tirana. She is PhD in Information Systems and is a lecturer at University “Aleksander Moisiu” Durres. She is author of many journal articles in the field of Maritime Information Sys-tems. Now her interest is in the field of e-business & e-commerce. Silvester HASANI has graduated in computer science as a Valedictorian student at the University of New York Tirana. He now is looking forwards to start his PhD. Currently he is a lecturer at University of New York in Tirana and University


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“Aleksander Moisiu” Durres. He is the author of 3 journal articles in the field of computer science and his re-search interest is in Information Security.

IoT Security Best Practices

Dajana MULAJ, Uada MEMA 1,2University of Tirana, Albania

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices or objects that are connected to the Internet and are able to generate, consume and exchange data. The Internet of Things (IoT) has received a lot of attention during the recent years and it’s an emerging topic because it has a lot of significance for the economy, society and the way we live our lives. Its social and economical benefits are becoming more and more important and will revolutionize the economy and society as a whole. Despite all the benefits, IoT raises a lot of significant challenges regarding security. Addressing these challenges should be a priority due to emerging threats. Regarding that Internet of Things is becoming part of our lives, poorly secured IoT devices can cause serious damages and lead to cyber attacks. This paper aims to give an overview of the emerging IoT threats and how these threats can be faced by providing best security practices. Moreover, this paper will give an assessment of how Albania as a developing country will be affected by the revolution of the Internet of Things. Keywords: IoT, security, best practices, threats.

Fuzzy Logic in the Issue of Consumer Credit Scoring

Elda MARAJ, Zhifka MUKA , Shkelqim KUKA 1,2,3Polytechnic University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Nowadays many phenomena in finance and economics are fuzzy, but are treated as if they were crisp. In this paper is analyzed the issue of consumer credit scoring. Predicting of consumer bankruptcy, is imprecise and ambiguous. The failure process is affected by many internal and external factors that cannot be precisely and unambiguously defined. With the use of fuzzy logic vague and ambiguous concepts can be defined, such as “high risk


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of bankruptcy” or “low risk of bankruptcy”. Here fuzzy logic toolbox of MATLAB is used. In this paper, we used demographics variable, finance variable, and financial security variable. Based on these three evaluated inputs the model forecasts the final credit scoring output. Keywords: Fuzzy logic Toolbox, Consumer Credit Scoring, Demographical and Financial Variables. Elda MARAJ (PhD Candidate) is full-time lecturer at the Department of Mathematical Engineering, Mathematics Engineering and Physics Engineering Faculty, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania, since 2013. She received a MSc. from Polytechnic University of Tirana in 2012. Zhifka MUKA is full-time lecturer at the Department of Mathematical Engineering, Mathematics Engineering and Physics Engineering Faculty, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania, since January 2011. Prof.Asoc. Shkelqim KUKA is full-time lecturer at the Department of Mathematical Engineering, Mathematics Engineering and Physics Engineering Faculty, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania., Tirana, since 2007. He is the author of a book, many articles, many conference papers and a lot of other research materials and projects.

Open Science In The Platform Economy

Majlinda ZHEGU, Ada KERTUSHA 1,2UQAM, Canada

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Digital platforms are extensively being used in a large variety of crowd science projects. These new science-citizen intermediaries meet the need of scientists to communicate with the large public in ways that were not possible before (Franzoni & Sauermann, 2014). Our paper analyzes the data we collected from a large-scale observation of several crowd science platforms. We first map the typologies of crowdsourcing platforms. Then, we explore the scale and scope of transformations that platform-intermediated knowledge production models induce in the organization of science. Through a fine-grain analysis of the architecture and governance of crowd science platforms, we explore their effects on the crafting of emerging reputational mechanisms. The paper discusses the implication of these transformations on science policy especially with respect to resource allocation and institutional restructuring. Keywords: Citizen science, Knowledge production, Democratization of science, Active citizen


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Majlinda ZHEGU is a Professor of Management at the Ecole des Science de la Gestion, University of Quebec in Montreal and member of Interuniversity Centre for Science and Society Studies. She holds a PhD in International Economics from Université de Pau et des Pays d’Adour, France and a second PhD in management from the University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada. Her area of research interests concerns the management of innovation. She has published several papers in scholarly journals as well as several books. Professor Zhegu investigates, among other, the evolution of innovation systems, the open innovation and the digital transformation of our economies and societies. Ada KERTUSHA is currently PhD Student in Science Technology and Society at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in collaboration with Centre Interuniversitaire de Recherche sur la Science et la Technologie (CIRST). Her focus of research is about the Digital Transformations and their impacts in the Academic Research. With an academic background such as PhD in Marketing, Master in Marketing and Bachelor in Business Administration at University of Tirana, Faculty of Economics, she has lectured for almost 7 years at the Department of Marketing of this Faculty. University for Business and Technology University Libraries

and Knowledge Center: A Concept Paper

Edmond HAJRIZI, Anita MIRIJAMDOTTER, Sadaf SALAVATI, Mary M SOMERVILLE

1University of Business and Technology, 2,3Linnaeus University, 4University of the Pacific

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The most significant innovation enables the realization of far greater human potential. The catalyst of such creativity in higher education is the acquisition of new knowledge and the living of new experiences. Then, within innovation and incubation environments, new thinking enriches knowledge handed down from previous generations, enlivens contemporary lives and informs future growth. Emergent knowledge encourages recognition of the limitations of traditional academic disciplines, exploration of new interdisciplinary frontiers, and, from this, novel transdisciplinary insights that unlock human potential and improve human conditions. In response, the University for Business and Technology intends to build collaboration environments to enable discovery and access, interpretation and analysis, creation and sharing of knowledge. These aspirations recognize


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the synergies possible when individual discovery is reinforced by collective inquiry with the shared purpose of using information to learn to create knowledge together. Further, this UBT planning initiative acknowledges that societal progress, whether local or global, ultimately depends on catalyzing, fortifying, and affirming human inquiry. So enabling environments will place humans at the center of the knowledge creation spaces and places that aim to advance participant capabilities to meet the demands of working in a global marketplace and living in a global society. Keywords: Knowledge center, Systems Thinking, innovation, higher education, co-design Edmond HAJRIZI, Prof. Dr. is the President of the University of Business and Technology in Pristhina, Kosovo. He is also the founder of this university. Edmond’s interest and experience is in entrepreneurship, management, teaching and research. His specialization is, in particular, in the fields of: Complex Systems Design and Management, Intelligent Systems, Sustainable Development, Quality Management, Project Management, Leadership and Business Management, Knowledge Management, Information Systems, Mechatronics Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Anita MIRIJAMDOTTER, is Professor of Informatics at Linnaeus University, Sweden. She is also Head of Subject, which involves scientific responsibility for Informatics’ research and education. Anita’s research and teaching are focused in the field of Information Management, more specifically design and management of information, communication and decision systems in dynamic organizational settings; ICT impact on (or implications for) organizational processes; and interactive and human centric methods for inquiring, evaluating, valuing and learning. Her research approach is action oriented, based in systems thinking methodologies and models. Sadaf SALAVATI, holds a PhD in Computer and Information Systems from Linnaeus University and a Master Degree in Computer Science with orientation in Information Systems from Växjö University. Sadafs current research interest is mainly within the field of Technology Enhanced Education with a focus on teachers use of digital technology in their daily practice applying a Systems Thinking approach, which also is a major research interest of Sadaf. Currently Sadaf works as a senior lecturer in the undergraduate programs at the Department of Informatics at the Faculty of Technology. Mary M SOMERVILLE, serves as University Librarian for University of the Pacific Libraries, with campuses in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Stockton, California, USA. She also enjoys an appointment as Adjunct Professor in the School of Information Systems, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, in Brisbane, Australia. Mary’s research applies action research and participatory design to create workplace learning systems and professional information practices that support information sharing and knowledge creation for informed action.


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Online system proposal for internal management of payments

in the Istog Municipality – R. of Kosovo

Gani HAXHIJAJ, Agon MEMETI, Florinda IMERI 1,2,3University of Tetova - Tetova, Macedonia

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 3

Abstract Information Technology has become an indivisible part of our life for working, gaining information, entertaining, etc. A particular area of using Information Technology is also the e-Government, which is daily used in administration in order to provide quick, easy and correct services for those who work and for those who receive the information from the administration. The Istog Municipality in the last ten years has significantly advanced the use of the Information Technology and has attained the modernization of the services. One of the electronic services in this municipality is also the System for Internal Payments Management (Internal Management of Payments) of the Municipality. This paper gives explanations related to the software planning, in the before developing phase, particularly the specifications of the roles and actors, which will be a part of the system implementation, using Use Case Analysis. Keywords: Information Technology, e-Government, Software planning, Use case analysis. Gani HAXHIJAJ is a master student at University of Tetova – Macedonia, Faculty of Math and Natural Sciences in the Department of Informatics. Agon MEMETI is Assistant Professor at University of Tetova, Department of Informatics. He holds a PhD diploma in e-Technologies from March 2016. He is working as a full-time assistant professor in University of Tetova – Macedonia. He attended several International Conferences. His work focuses on the object oriented programming and web programming. Florinda IMERI is Assistant Professor at University of Tetova, Department of Informatics. She is working as a full-time assistant professor in University of Tetova – Macedonia. She attended several International Conferences. Her work focuses on the software engineering, software components and electronic learning.


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Analysing Articulate Studio ’13 Software Features in Efficient Content Developing of E-learning Courses

Frida GJERMENI, Fiona TELI, Gezim MUCA

1,2“Aleksander Moisiu” University of Durres 3Metropolitan University, Tirana

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract As the number of students deciding to benefit from e-learning courses grows every day, it is of vital importance to create e-learning courses that provide essential knowledge, anytime, anywhere in an interactive way. An in-teractive way of learning in the virtual student-teacher relationship means exploiting and efficient using of mul-timedia technologies in content developing of e-learning courses. Also the e-platforms for content developing, used in this process must offer new options on manipulating presentations, multimedia information and con-sistent updates on the working framework, so that content developers can develop high quality e-courses. In this paper we discuss the issues faced when using the Articulate Studio ’13 Software as developing environ-ment of e-learning courses. A very detailed panorama while working with the integration of text, voice over files, videos with the PowerPoint presentation of lectures is is provided step by step. The pros and cons of using multimedia and animations options in content improvement of the course are in the focus of the evaluation of the Articulate Software. The development of the ESL (English as a Second Language) e-course will serve as a background for our analysis. Further suggestions regarding improvements of the framework environment are also discussed here. Keywords: Articulate Studio ‘13, e-learning platform, multimedia technologies, e-learning content, e-learning framework Frida GJERMENI is a full time professor at the Faculty of Information Technology, “Ale-ksander Moisiu” University of Durres. She has been working as IT Specialist and Part-Time Lectuer at the University until October 2016. Since 2015 she is assistant professor at Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana teaching Computer Networks and Database. Frida has a MSc. Degree in Computer Engineering from Polytechnic University of Tirana and is following her doctoral studies at the International University of Struga, Macedonia. She works as a content developer for e-learning courses for OdyssiaLearning, USA.


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Fiona TELI is a professor in “Aleksander Moisiu” university. She has a master degree in In-formation Technology. She’s working as web designer and web marketing for an Italian company. She’s interested in web developing and design, digital marketing, E-learning and multimedia technologies. Gezim MUCA is following his master studies in Electrical Engineering at Metropolitan Uni-versity Tirana since October 2016. He has an IT Bachelor Degree from “Aleksander Moisiu” University of Durres. Actually he works as electrical engineer at OSHEE, but has a passion-ate interest in Information Technology, especially mobile learning and e-services.

A framework for integration of the functional and non-functional requirements

Lindita Nebiu HYSENI, Zamir DIKA

1,2South East European University [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The complexity of the contemporary information systems and still high failure rate of their imple-mentation were the challenges to research the new approaches and frameworks which integrate the functional and non-functional requirements (FRs & NFRs) during the system analysis and de-sign stage. The paper focus is in the nature of the FRs & NFRs and their integration through the Integrated Framework for Conceptual Modelling (IFCMod). This framework is validated by Mixed Method Case Study in the Higher Education Institution. The results of the study showed that the IFCMod usage from beginning of the system development lead to achievement of the ob-jective in increasing the system performance comparing with the traditional approaches. Keywords: Information Systems, Integrated Framework, Traditional Approach, System Development, Mixed Method Case Study Lindita NEBIU HYSENI has graduated the Faculty of Computer Science in 2008. She holds a Master diploma in Computer Science from 2011 and now she is a PhD Candidate. She had gone through all IT positions since 2008 when she joined the staff of ASSECO SEE who worked in all project stages in 17 projects for public sector. While since 2015, she joined the staff of the Central Bank of Kosova as Functional Analyst. Also, she was engaged as Teach-ing Assistant within the Faculty of Computer Science at the Kadri Zeka University. Currently she is Lecturer of Web Technology. She is the author of two journal articles. Her work focus-es on the quality of system requirements and the information systems.


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Zamir DIKA has graduated the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, in University of Prisht-ina in 1992. He holds a Doctor of Science diploma in Polytechnic University of Tirana from 1997. He has continued as Lecturer in the University of Tetova from 1998; was appointed as an Assistant Professor at the South East European University (SEEU) in Tetova, Then as As-sociate Professor and from year 2009 as Full Professor in the field of Information Systems and Computer Science at the Faculty of Contemporary Sciences and Technologies - SEEU. He is the author of over 30 journal and conference articles in the field of Information systems framework and construct, and the Quality of information systems.

The impact of the technology convergence and ICT developments in the legislation, the EU regulatory framework

and the case of Albania

Irena MALOLLI, Kozeta SEVRANI 1,2University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The ICT technology is one of the most dynamic developments in the world. Due to this rapid changes of ICT industry in a short time, many changes happened in the world for all sectors of economy and for the social aspects. A number of studies and articles have considered the impact of ICT technology, on the way how people communicate and how business world is functioning today. Another aspect related to ICT technology changes and ICT usage is about the legislation. The legislation on ICT is relatively new. The convergence of technology led to adoption of new regulations based on technology neutrality and net neutrality principle. New legislation for regulation of data economy and other related aspects is under adoption in the European Union. This article gives the results of research work on the regulation developments in ICT in Eu-ropean countries and in Albania due to technology changes. Also it identifies the main chal-lenges about the new trend in data communication and data economy related to legal and regulatory framework. In the conclusion are given recommendations for the future regulatory framework developments in Albania. Keywords: technology convergence, NGN, ICT technology, ICT legislation and regulation

A Survey of Project Management Information Systems Studies, The Importance and Necessity of These Systems from


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Different Perspectives

Valma PRIFTI Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania

[email protected] Abstract The globalization of markets has increased competitive pressures on business enterprises. Companies are engaged in projects that are vital to their performance. These projects need to be managed, so, they need to be planned, organized, staffed, monitored, controlled, and evaluated., Companies must deliver pro-jects on time, within budget, and meet objectives, in order to succeed. It remains of supreme importance that pro-jects be adequately managed in organizations in order to achieve their performance objectives. We live in the era of knowledge, information and unbelievable changes in technology and innovation. Organizations must run up more quickly to be better than competitors. Information is one of the most important factors in decision making process. An accurate, proper and well-timed information will speed up the process of deci-sion making and also prevent from making incorrect decisions. In recent years, the use of Project Manage-ment Information Systems (PMIS) is widely spread in many organizations. Designing, reviewing and im-plementation of PMIS in different organizations is a very important issue that needs further analyses. This study aims to investigate the importance and necessity of these systems from different perspectives. Keywords: Project management, Project Management Information Systems (PMIS), Information, Project Success, Information system Valma PRIFTI has graduated the Polytechnic University of Tirana with Bachelor (2005) and then Master (2007) degree in Telecommunications, Electronic Engineering. Than graduated the Economic Faculty, University of Tirana, with Master degree in Business Administration (MBA) (2011). Currently she is full Professor of Economic Engineering within the Depart-ment of Production and Management at Polytechnic University of Tirana. She holds a PhD diploma (2016) in Operations Research from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana. Project VI-SEEM - a Regional Virtual Research Environment

Neki FRASHERI, Dorian MINAROLLI 1,2Polytechnic University of Tirana


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[email protected], [email protected] Abstract The H2020 project VI-SEEM and wind simulation over rugged terrain in its framework of meteorology applications are discussed in the paper. The focus of the paper is twofold. First, the role of VI-SEE for creation of a regional virtual research environment offering high computing capacities to research communities is presented. Second, the spatial and temporal scalability of software OpenFOAM for resolving of NavierStokes equations in high performance computing systems in terms of memory and runtime; with low and medium digital elevation models are used in the process of spatial digitization to shape the relief. Keywords: VI-SEEM, Wind Simulation, OpenFOAM Scalability Neki FRASHERI graduated at Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana 1971-1976; Doctorate Thesis, University of Tirana 1984-85; received title "Old Scientific Collaborator (Docent)" from and title "Research Leader (Professor)" from High Council of Attestation, 1994. Studied on Operating Systems and Computer Networks at Training Centres of BULL HN, Paris France, during 1984-85 and in 1988; lecturer on applied mathematics (finite elements) and informatics (theory of languages and compilation) at the Chair of Informatics of University of Tirana, 1981-1996; system & network engineer at Institute of Informatics and Applied Mathematics (INIMA), 1985-1993; vice-director and head of Software department of INIMA, 1993-2007. Actually lecturer on distributed systems in Faculty of Information Technology of UPT, and on operating systems in Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana. From 2008 member of Academy of Sciences and with the creation of Faculty of Information Technology, Director of Centre for R&D in IT of this Faculty. From 2003 is technical leader of the local teams in EC framework projects SEEREN, SEE-GRID and HP-SEE. From 2016 is professor in Department of Fundamentals of Informatics. Working directions include application of mathematics, informatics and parallel systems in geosciences. Dorian MINAROLLI is teaching and research assistant at Department of Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Tirana. Graduated at Polytechnic University of Tirana; graduated as Electronic Engineer, Computer Direction in 1997-2002 in Polytechnic University of Tirana. Doctoral degree “Doctor of natural sciences” from Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Marburg, Germany, with thesis: “Utility-based Allocation of Resources to Virtual Machines in Cloud Computing” 2009-2014. Workshops and trainings: joint regional CE EGEE and SEEGRID-2 Summer School on Grid Applications, held in MTA SZTAKI, Budapest, Hungary July 2006; First DAAD Summer School on Current Trends in Distributed Systems (CTDS’09), Gammarth, Tunisia September 2009; Third International Spring School on Distributed Systems (METIS-


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CTDS’2010), Fez, Morocco May 2010. EU Research Collaboration and Bilateral Projects: infrastructure manager in SEEGRID 2 project; research in project: simulation and modelling of complex biological processes in small animals (S&T Cooperation Programme between the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Albania 2005–2007). Working Areas: Distributed Systems, Advanced Computer Architecture, Autonomic Computing, Resource Management in Cloud Computing.

The Role of ICT in Banking

Eljona ZANAJ, Fjoralba JANKU 1,2“Ismail Qemali” University

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Banks are the institutions that assist in managing financial system of a country. For many years, until 30 years ago , banks were the same; then came the internet. Very soon banks realized this was another way for customers to use their services without physically going to the bank. This paper focuses on the role and im-pact of ICT in banking, the advantages and disadvantages of using ICT. Using descriptive methods it gives the history of and the impact of ICT in the banking sector and also a quick look to the many options that by use of ICT have made transactions so easy, by simply using a computer or a smartphone Keywords: Banks, ICT, e-banking. Eljona ZANAJ is a Computer Science adjunct Professor at “Ismail Qemali” University of Vlora, where she has been lecturer since 2014. She received a MSc in Telecommuncation Engineering from Polytechnic University in 2013. Fjoralba JANKU is Computer Sciences adjunct Professor at “Ismail Qemali” University of Vlora, where she has been lecturer since 2012. She received a MSc in Telecommuncation Engineering from Polytechnic University in 2011.

Using Soft System Methodology as a way to enhance the creation of UBT Knowledge Center

Albert ALIU, Adonis BLLACAKU, Vullnet SHKODRA

1,2,3UBT College, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected] Abstract


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The progression of College “University for Business and Technology” – UBT lead to the creation of the new campus at the location of Lipjan in Kosovo(UBT) which enabled better infrastructure and conditions for the students as well as fulfilling the needs of academic and non-academic staff of UBT. Current research used the Soft Systems Methodology – SSM as an approach that was created by Checkland during his work, which is an organized process to deal with situations that are perceived by someone as problematic and which need actions to be improved in order to make them more acceptable which leaves full of tensions and unanswered questions(Chekland & Poulter, 2010). This paper aimed on creation of a draft solution for UBT Knowledge Center by using Rich Pictures, CATWOE, activities models, 3 E’s. Previous academic researchers were used in order to check for similar trends and as well as the articles for SSM in order to be able to draft our recommendations and conclusions. Keywords: SSM, Rich Pictures, CATWOE, UBT Knowledge Center

e - Healthcare as part of e-Government in Albania

Teuta MYFTIU, Adrian NAÇO, Endri RAÇO 1,2,3UPT, Tirana, Albania

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract The aim of this paper is to show the importance of management information system in health as part of e-Government for statistical studies are lacking today in Albania to continue to make the process of Decision. Reliability of the system, has a great importance for the decision makers and will help the latter in the development of health policies based on accurate evidence of chronic morbidity in Albania. Since this system as part of e-Government, will see a clearer picture of the impact of other fields in Healthcare Keywords: e-Government, e- health , data warehousing, decision-support systems,BI

Health Information Systems

Alketa SELIMAJ Natural Science Faculty, University of Tirana

[email protected] Abstract


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Today we see the technology deployed everywhere. We have not only embraced technology but we have got it all in our lives to make it easier and it's reflecked especially in the medical industry. What is Medical Informatics and the role of health information systems? In this article we will talk exactly about this, how technology has been implemented and how it has evolved into medicine. We will make a description of the characteristics by looking in the past, the role the technology plays in today's society and the impact it has had on each and every one of us. Also, the future of health information systems will be presented, giving some examples of the most popular mobile applications mostly used by doctors today. Alketa SELIMAJ has graduated the Faculty of Natural Science, Information and Communication Technology in 2013. She holds an MSc diploma in Information and Communication Technology from 2015 and she had gone through all didactic positions since 2014 when she joined the staff of Logical sh.p.k, programing in .NET language. Currently she is software developer in AT Consulting Albania. Her work focuses on programming different web application using mostly .net languages and doing full stack development of software applications.

HCIS in Albania: A review

Kuenka PAVLI, Tomi THOMO 1Nordic Invest Group, Albania, 2Ministry of Health of Albania

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract This paper reviews the literature on Healthcare Information Systems, HCIS definition and its main components. Health industry has seen a rapid improvement from ICT. The future intentions imply improvement of systems in place and expansion in the area where ICT is implemented, offering better analysis and support for decision makers. Albanian strategy of e-government gives importance to the modernization of health sector aiming an integrated digital health system. The expected results are cost savings by improving preventive health measures based on a complete statistical information and improvement of health care effectiveness by minimizing human errors. The article will give a brief overview of actual situation of HCIS in Albania, future projects concluding with assessment of strong and weak points. Keywords: Healthcare Information Systems (HCIS), Information and communication technologies (ICTs), Electronic Health Record (HER), Health Care Providers (HPOs), Hospital information system (HIS)


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Software Engineering in Wellbeing - Designing Software Applications to Support Health Management

Eva CIPI, Altin MAHILAJ

1,2University of Vlora Ismail Qemali [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract This work is focused on software engineering studies on designing software applications with special goals like wellbeing interest that people are trying to use in order to better control the health and problems related to its. We want to study the possibilities of SE to give the needed tools and methodologies in developing applications with a clear destination. The stated goal of this work is to give a guide how to create an idea of appication benefits, to measure the feasibility of the application and to be sure of the success of the final product making it, being accessible for providers and the healthcare community. The work has been fo-cused on discovering the health monitoring problem, extracting the needs of the field and proposing soft-ware solutions that converges on the same domain platform. From how it can be designed to what it can generates, there are a lot of actions and efforts that involved people can use this model to make easier the project development in this field. The main aim is to overlap the software applications with project results dissemination in order to take a better monitoring of the project impact and gathering continuosly data from a commun individuals. Keywords: Software Engineering, Health Management System,Weight Monitoring, Expert System, Data Analysis Eva CIPI has graduated the Faculty of Electrical Engineering Electronic engineering in 1987. She holds a PhD diploma in Informatics Engineering from 2013 and she is a lecturer of computer Science disciplines from 2003. She works also as researcher in european projects as coordinator and develop-er of software applications. Currently she is full lecturer of Software Engineering within the De-partment of Computer Science at Faculty of Technical Sciences She is the author of more than 35 journal and conference articles in the field of software engineering, artificial intelligence, agent soft-ware applications and educational issues. Her field of interest is agent and other smart software ap-plicactions. Altin MAHILAJ holds a bachelor diploma on Informatics. Currently finishing MSC on Computer Since. At the moment he is employed at University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali” as IT Specialist. Altin Mahilaj has proven software development experience on PHP, Code igniter, JavaScript, jQuery, MySQL, MSSQL. He works as Core Developer at ICT Store. He has been involved in many projects, at na-


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tionwide level where he developed an online application for University of Vlora providing services for more than 12000 users, also at European level he developed an e-procurement application which operates among 8 Mediterranean countries, providing services for more than 12 institutions. Fields of interests, developing powerful database driven applications based on web technologies. Local Fractional α – integral Variatonial Iteration Method for

solving Dif-fusion and wave Equations on Cantor Sets

Matilda KREKU, Akli FUNDO 1,2Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract The Local Fractional α – integral Variational iteration Method is employed to handle the diffusion and wave equation on cantor set . The operator are taken in a local sense. The nondifferentiable solu-tions are obtained by using the local Fractional α- integral Variational integr+al method , which is the coupling method of local fractional variational iteration method and a new α – integral transform . Ilustrative examples are included to demonstrate the fast convergence of this new algorithm. Keywords: Variational iteration method, α – integral transform, diffusion equation, wave equation, Cantor set Matilda KREKU graduated in Mathematics from the University of Tirana, Albania, in 2007. She recived academic qualification " Dottore Magistrale " from University of Studies of Modena e Reggio Emilia , Faculty of Mathematics and Phythics Scientes, Modena , Italy in 2009. She is a Lector from 2010 and PHD student from 2011 at Departament of mathemat-ics,Faculty of Engineering Mathematics and Engineering Phythics , The Polytechnic Univer-sity of Tirana,Albania. Her work focuses on integral transformer and differential equations . Akli FUNDO graduated in Mathematics from the University of Tirana, Albania, in 1991. He received the Master of Arts in Applied Economics from the Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, Austria in 1995 and the Ph.D. degree in Economics from the University of Tirana, Albania, in 2001. From 2007 he has been Associate Professor at Polytechnic University of Tirana. His research interests include operations research, differential equations and mathe-matics models in applied economics.


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Technical and logical design of a sustainable urban transport network for the 3rd Municipal District of Rome

Kliton BYLYKBASHI, Roberto CAPATA, Lorenzo Mario PASTORE

University of Roma “Sapienza”, Italy [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected] Abstract This work originates from the collaboration between the 3rd District of Rome and the University of Studies “Sapienza - University of Rome”. The aim of this project, is to reduce the number of circulating vehicles in Rome, thanks the use of an electric car sharing service, that facilitates the connection and access to a wider intermodal transport network, promoting the sustainable mobility. Thanks of the theory of graphs and the linear programming method, it was possible to define a series of nodal points, which minimize the tracks of the electrical vehicle transportation. The electrical vehicle was powered by a series of batteries, which in turn are powered and recharged by a photovoltaic system, that power is 78 kWp. In the end, the investments were evaluated through different economical models. Keywords: Sustainable Mobility, Renewable Energy, Photovoltaic System, Smart City, Electrical Vehicle. Eng. Kliton BYLYKBASHI (born Tirana 28/05/1984, M. Eng. 2010, First Level Master Degree 2012: Industrial Production Engineering; Second Level Master Degree 2014: Energy Effi-ciency and Renewvable Energy ), is Ph.D. Student a Sapienza University of Rome, at Astro-nautics, Electrical and Energy Engineering Department (DIAEE), where is a lecture of Ener-gy System 1 and 2. He is a scientific collaborator at CREA Ing.. His currently active research topics are modeling of low environmental impact systems for farming industry and exergy valutation of complex system. From 2012 he carries out a tech-nical consultant in Mechanics and Enegrgetic engineering, developing PV, Wind, Bigas and CHP system and design diagnostic and energy saving of the energy systems. Roberto CAPATA, born in Rome, November 1968. M. Eng. In Mechanical Engineering, 1994, University of Roma “Sapienza.” Ph.D. in Energy Engineering, University of Rome 1, May 2000. Presently Assistant Adjoint Professor of Turbo machinery at University of Rome, Professor of Ma-chine diagnosis at Department of Electric and Energetic Engineering, Professor of Machine design at Department of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Editorial Member of Thermal Energy and Power Engineering Journal, reviewer for several ASME transactions (JERT, EGY), for Energies. Guest editor for Energies journal. Owner


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of two pa-tent on innovative micro chamber for gas turbine, and for on board ORC (Organic Rankine cycle) systems. Author of several paper on international journal on turbomachinary, compo-nents design and realization, experimental tests on ORC systems, Advanced energy systems. Lorenzo Mario PASTORE, born in Rome, 25 December 1993. He is currently in his 1th year of study of the Energy En-gineering Master Course at “Sapienza – University of Rome”. Here he received the Bachelor Degree in Energy Engineering on April 2016, with the grade of 93/110.

Applying Formal Methods in Big Data

Drilona FATUSHA, Ana KTONA 1Vodafone Albania, 2University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Big Data is a term which refers to large-scale information management and analysis technologies used to capture, process, analyze and visualize potentially large datasets. By extension, the platform, tools and software used for this purpose are called “Big Data technologies”. The application of the Big Data has evolved in the decision making processes, but they are still lacking the theoretical method that describes the behavior, that provides confidence and repeatability. This because it is crucial to have reliable results. Formal methods are necessary to capture the semantics and behavior of processes of various systems. They characterize and provide insight into the behavior of real systems and thus identify their deterministic and non-deterministic features. In this article we list and compare the various formal methods and techniques, aiming to find a generalized formal method for big data. Keywords: Big Data, formal model, information technology. Drilona FATUSHA is a Computer Science graduate of 2009. She holds a Master Degree (“Laurea Specialistica”) in Information Technology. She joined Vodafone Albania in 2010, covering various roles such as Customer Relations Management Engineer, Billing Evolution Specialist. Currently she works as Technical Offer Management Senior Specialist, mainly engaged in the design and implementation of new products, services and propositions. She is a PhD candidate in Computer Science in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Prof. Asoc. Dr. Ana KTONA has graduated from the Faculty of Natural Science. She is a Professor of Computer Science and Management Information System in the same university. Her research interests include: data analysis through data mining, predictive knowledge, artificial intelligence, use of data mining in decision making,


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etc. Her work has been published in several international journals and she has co-authored many scientific proceedings.

Big Data in Banking

Goran BJELOBABA, Ana SAVIC 1National Bank of Serbia, 2School of Electrical Engineering and Computer

Science Belgrade [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract The paper defines the concept, characteristics and use of Big Data in the banking system, with special emphasis on their use and the central banks. This paper also proposes methodology of exploring the possibility of introducing the concept of Big Data and the National Bank of Serbia in order to maintain competitiveness and redefining existing business strategy. Keywords: Big Data, Big Data Analytics, Central Bank, IFC. Goran BJELOBABA was born on February 16, 1975. in Bihać. He graduated from the Fac-ulty of Organizational Sciences in Belgrade in 2006, with the topic "The influence and sup-port of internet and web technology in traditional education process." He later graduated with Master's thesis "Comparative Analysis of software solutions in e-education" in 2009. Started PhD studies at the same Faculty in 2015, Information systems and quantitative management, study field: Electronic business. He is currently employed at the National Bank of Serbia, as Head of Security Division. The areas of his scientific interests are: Electronic business, Inter-net technology and Internet marketing, databases. Ana SAVIC was born on March 25, 1974. in Belgrade, where she finished elementary school "Braća Ribar" and the Mathematical High School "Veljko Vlahović". She graduated in 1998. from the Faculty of Mathematics in Belgrade, majoring in theoretical mathematics and its ap-plication. She graduate with Master's degree in 2003, and PhD in 2007. She has been working as assistant professor at the Higher School of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade since the school year 2007/08, the major subject: Engineering Mathematics. He scientific interest in-clude: E-learning, Internet technology and applied mathematics. She has published over 20 papers in national and international journals and conferences.

ETL and the ELT paradigm shift

Andrea ALBERICI CEO Studio Synthesis SRL

[email protected]


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Abstract ELT is a term increasingly used in Data Analysis context, referring to the possibility of transforming data locally after the process of loading into the data repository itself. Using this context meaning, it seems that the difference relies on using the data layer using the traditional Data Warehouse as opposed to the so called Data Lake. In this paper we will examine the various changes brought by ELT and Data Lake approach and the techno-logical enablers in the open source software landscape: a queue system created in Celery (using an AMQP framework) and Apache Spark tranformations launched using that same pipeline. Keywords: ELT, ETL, data lake, Apache Spark, Celery

Semantic Wiki for the Biorefining Community

Edlira KALEMI, Linsey KOO, Franjo CECELJA 1,2,3Process & Information Systems Engineering Research Centre

University of Surrey [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract This article describes the architecture and design principles of the Semantic Wiki developed to enable an efficient reuse and sharing of knowledge and resources in the domain of Biorefining. Biorefining is a relatively new field with ever growing number of heterogeneous computer models developed to serve functions at different scales and for different purposes. Reuse and integration of these models inherently saves developing time, but also enables solving ever more complex problems and addressing ever more complex functions. These, in turn, necessitates efficient publishing, discovery and integration facility. A Semantic Wiki is a Wiki extended by semantic technologies such as RDF, OWL, and has an underlying model of the knowledge described in its pages. The aim is to make accessible to machines i.e. agents or services, the content and structure given by the linked pages in a Wiki. Semantic Wikis has recently shown reasonable success as collaboration platforms in the context of social semantic applications which is demonstrated in the article through the Biorefining Semantic Wiki as well. Outstanding features of the Biorefining Semantic Wiki include the support to publish semantically annotated articles, semantic repository of biorefining models, different tools for performing operations in simple models or supply chain, forum for the community and an integration with active social media of the biorefining community. Domain ontologies developed in OWL,


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operated in the background of specific tools assure semantic publishing and sharing of the knowledge in the biorefining domain. Keywords: semantic wiki, semantic technologies, biorefining community, biorefining models

Detecting Bias in Media - a Data Mining Approach

Visar SHEHU, Adrian BESIMI, Nuhi BESIMI 1,2,3South East European University

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract It is clear nowadays that the role of journalists is increasingly changing, shifting towards new means of communication that utilizes the power of the internet. A major concern is the quality of published media, often suffering from incorrect or plagiarized content as well as a bias towards a party, idea or a person. Un-fortunately, for the general public as a consumer of such media, it is impossible to detect such issues and therefore often can be subjects of miss information or influences. In this paper, we propose an approach to quickly and correctly analyze textual information by using text mining techniques. Algorithms used in our approach show that the above anomalies can be detected. As a case study, we have analyzed published arti-cles in online media in Macedonia during the three months before the general elections in the country. Fur-thermore, we propose methods to present such information to the general audience through visual clues that will make mined information easier to understand for them. Keywords: text mining, bias detection, online media Visar SHEHU has a PhD in Computer Science and is currently employed at the Computer Science department of South East European University in Tetovo, Macedonia. His research interests focus on intelligent web and mobile technologies that aim to integrate statistical and data mining techniques into solving practical problems. Visar Shehu has been involved in multiple research projects and has authored and co-authored a number of re-search papers. Besides his academic work, he has also contributed in the development of various information systems ranging from mobile applications, custom-built content management, and learning management sys-tems. Adrian BESIMI, PhD, is an assistant professor at the South East European University. His research focuses on Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce using Electronic Data Interchange, Open Data, Data Visualization and Software Oriented Architecture. During his experience as a lecturer in SEEU, he was engaged in courses and research in Data Mining, Information Systems, Mobile


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Development etc. Meanwhile he was engaged in many commercial projects related to Web development and web programming as well as mobile application de-velopment. Nuhi BESIMI, MSc, is doctoral student at South East European University in Tetovo. His research focuses on Big Data analytics, with a special focus on SPARK, Hadoop and other similar technologies. Currently he is em-ployed as a teaching assistant at State University of Tetova.

The impact of Machine Learning on Ecommerce Platforms

Tea TAVANXHIU, Mirlinda KARÇANAJ 1University of Tirana, 2National Agency for Information Society

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Machine learning is the discipline that enables computers with the capability to discover trends, clusters, patterns over a data set without programming them directly to recognize the trend, cluster or pattern. The use of machine learning has risen drastically due to developments in microservices, serverless architectures and marketplaces from a vast number of cloud providers, making of its’ benefits a good accessible for the enterprises. The perfect environment for the machine learning to be applied is a big data platform usually generated from logs, data streaming reviews, clicks, likes, shares and ecommers are a source of logs on purchases, add-to-carts, wishlists, product shares, linked keywords used on searching and much more. Ecommerces are the gold mine to applying machine learning for several improvements on price adjustment, fraud detection, customer assistance, product recommendation and product search. This paper introduces methods in machine learning, main technologies in Big Data, some applications of machine learning on big data and how they are shaping Ecommerce. It goes through the challenges and opportunities that the sector of Ecommerce is facing and how machine learning helps them react accordingly to the smart consumers that are now aware of the service level to be expected. It also provides a prediction of the importance of ML over ecommerces as a differentiator of their future and market share.

Keywords: Machine Learning, Big Data, Ecommerce, patterns, trends, logs, data streaming, methods.

The Role of Inflation Expectations in the Inflation Targeting


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Regime: Revisiting the Case of Albania.

Evelina ÇELIKU Bank of Albania

[email protected] Abstract Inflation expectations represent an important factor, especially for economies that have adopted the Inflation Targeting regime. In Albanian case, they represent one the channels of the monetary policy transmission mechanism, to be continuously explored. This article tries to shed light on ac-curacy and the nature of quantitative inflation expectations in Albania up to the beginning of 2017. The results suggest that the accuracy of inflation expectations have been increased over time. The accuracy indicators are in favour of the information obtained through the inflation ex-pectations for the future short to medium term inflationary pressures. The tests’ results on the ra-tionality confirm the weak presence of the rationality and the dominance of adaptive behaviour in the formation of the inflation expectations. The medium-term inflation expectations are higher than the short-term ones remaining more in line with the BoA’s medium-term inflation target. Keywords: Inflation Targeting, Inflation expectations, Accuracy, Rationality JEL-Classification: E52, E31, C82, C52. Evelina ÇELIKU holds a University Degree in Statistics from Faculty of Economy, at Tirana Universi-ty (UT) in 1989. Since 1997, she holds a PhD in Applied Econometrics from UT. She started her aca-demic career, at the Statistics/ Statistics, Mathematics and Applied Informatics Department in Faculty of Economy (UT) as a full-time lecturer in Statistics, Econometrics and Data Analyses until 2000. She joined Bank of Albania (BoA) in 2000 and currently she is Head of Economic Analyses Sector at the Monetary Policy Department (BoA). She is currently a part-time lecturer at UT (since 2000). Since 1993 she completed: special courses in Econometrics and Applied Statistics (Toulouse-France and Greece–Thessaloniki) and several studies for Albania involved in EC projects at “IUT-Sceaux-Paris, Université Paris XIII. She is the author of Course Lectures and Exercises of: "Econometrics-1"; "Data Analyses"; “Statistics” for Bachelor Degree and of “Quantitative Methods in Economy (2011)” and “Special Seminar in Economy” (2016) for Master Degree. Her research interests include empirical studies on: macroeconomic analyses, modelling and forecasting, monetary policy and statistical is-sues, participating in various national and international workshops and conferences. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and studies published in international journals and in BoA publica-tion series.


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Numerical Methods used to minimize the volatilities in financial derivatives. Some examples and tests.

Mirjeta PASHA, Edlira KALEMI, Mereme LLESHI, Denisa PASHA

Abstract In this presentation we will talk about financial derivatives as financial instruments and some numerical methods applied to optimize those instruments to find the better “optimized” result. The world of financial derivatives is very large and sometimes it is not very easy deal with them. We review here some of the numerical methods such as genetic algorithms, Levenberg- Marquardt methods/ gradient descent methods and Black-Scholes model. The question is why do we need to use numerical methods, which is the motivation? The answer is that despite the well-known Black-Scholes and Merton equations used to model the behavior of financial derivatives as options or swaps contracts not all the time can have an exact analytical solution and even if the analytical solution exists, computing it is not an easy task. Real option pricing problems frequently rely on numerical techniques. Based in different criteria the numerical methods can be divided in different ways in groups. Only in the simplest cases, e.g., vanilla European put and call options, do analytical solutions exist. For most other option models, numerical techniques must be applied to compute solutions of the mathematical models. For exotic option contracts, computing the option prices numerically may be the only pricing mechanism available.

Towards Guidelines for Assembling Image Datasets for Transfer Learning Techniques

Elinda KAJO MEÇE, Sibora THEODHOR, Evis TRANDAFILI

1,2,3Faculty of Information Technology, Polytechnic University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract With the latest breakthroughs in deep learning, the field of machine learning for image recognition has been attracting increasing attention. Neural networks for image similarity and image classification problems have yielded impressive results. Another successful breakthrough on the field is the application of transfer learn-ing, to reduce training time. Collecting data and preprocessing datasets is the most expensive task of the process. Our


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work aims at observing the transferability of the dataset characteristics, and outlining guide-lines for the effort of image data collection on a transfer learning scenario. Keywords: Machine Learning, Transfer Learning, Image Recognition, Classification, CNTK, ImageNet

Exchange rate time volatility

Lisnaja KELMENDI, Areti STRINGA 1Raiffeisen Bank, 2University of Tirana

[email protected], [email protected] Abstract Volatility time varying analysis is linked to the forecast of variable volatility depending on many factors. What is of interest on economic analysis, is revealing the linkage this volatility has with statistical and financial parameters. Conditional variance is a measure of uncertainty for a random variable in a defined model of a given information. Arch models are used to study the dynamic of variables. Many economic and financial models are forms of Arch models which measure the serial time dynamic and volatility of variables, and predict the main indicators of economy. Arch and Garch models are expressed in lagged serial functions and lagged errors square. Exchange rate time varying volatility analyses the existence of shocks and asymmetry. Keywords: volatility, model, exchange rate, conditional variance Lisnaja KELMENDI has graduated in the Faculty of Economics in 2005. She holds a Second Level Master degree and is currently a PHD candidate in Statistics. She holds a certificate as Chartered Accountant. She has been teaching Financial and Banking Management during academic years 2009-2011 as a part-time lecturer. She currently works as SFE Team member in Sales and Distribution, Retail Area, Raiffeisen Bank Albania Prof. Dr. Areti STRINGA has graduated in the Faculty of Economics University of Tirana in 1983. She is a lecture since 1983 in the Department of Informatics and Applied Statistics, University of Tirana. She has been part of different academic developments and contributions. NoSQL databases versus pre-relational database technologies

Ogerta ELEZAJ, Gjergji MULLA

1Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Gjovik, Norway


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2University of Tirana [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract With the development of Big Data, cloud computing, web applications, social networking and Internet of Things, the technology of data management became more demanding. With the new technology trends, there has been addressed issues regarding scaling up the data when they are too big and also to use distrib-uted system with the focus on data stores that do not use SQL exclusively, called NoSQL movement. Some researchers consider NoSQL databases to be an extended version of the navigational data mode. This paper compares the navigational database model with the NoSQL database model. It briefly summarizes the data models’ generations and comparison among them. Also, we discuss the similarities and differences between the pre-relational database technologies and NoSQL databases with a focus on graph databases, emphasiz-ing the fact that the history is repeating itself. Keywords: hierarchical data model, network data model, NoSQL, graph database Knowledge Discovery through Data Mining in the University

of Tirana Admissions Process

Elira HOXHA, Kreshnik VUKATANA, Desantila HOXHA, Helena IBRO [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected] Abstract This paper is an attempt to use data mining techniques to find connections between the formula’s components taken in consideration in the admission phase at the Faculty of Economy and the fact if the applicant is a winner or not. Association rules are created by analyzing data for if/then patterns and using the confidence measure to identify the most important relationships. Data are collected from around 20.000 applications for the four specialties in the faculty: Business Administration, Finance, Mix Economy and Economic Informatics. The findings of this study show a lower impact of the high school grades average compared to the exit examinations grades average, related to the possibility of the students to be admitted at the Faculty in the first round of application. A similar result is obtained comparing the exit examinations grades average, to the average of the faculty-required courses.


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Keywords: Data mining, WEKA, Apriori algorithm, University admissions An Efficient Analysis to Categorize Bank Clients using R tool

Brunela KARAMANI, Esteriana HASKASA, Theodhora MAZELLI,

Emiranda LOKA 1Polytechnic University of Tirana, 2UBS Investment Bank, Poloni,

3Raiffeisen Bank, 4AKP Tirane [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

[email protected] Abstract The banking industry is rich with data, most of which become useless by time passing. The success of these data, which are gained usually from the daily operations, is defined by two factors: usability and knowledge. In this context, we can define data mining as the process of selecting, exploring and modeling large amounts of data to uncover previously unknown patterns. In the banking industry, data mining can help companies gain a competitive advantage in business. By applying data mining techniques, companies can fully exploit data in building models to maintain existing clients, acquire new clients, and develop new products, risk management and to reduce fraud. Modeling use through techniques of classification, clustering, association analysis, neural networks and genetic algorithms, provides a rapid and clear response to the main problems in the banking industry. This paper examines the scope of analyzing data to classify clients. This would help a lot the bank in deciding an adequate marketing strategy, improving client service and many other hidden profits. To achieve an efficient analysis, in this study we chose to work with R platform, which allowed us to find a single technology used to process big data. This platform is very effective and simple to code. K-Means is chosen as the clustering algorithm for classification. Keywords: data mining, classification, data analysis, R, k-means, competitive advantage in business


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CIP Katalogimi në botim BK Tiranë Universiteti i Tiranës. Fakulteti i Ekonomisë Information systems and technology innovations : fostering the As-A-Service economy : 8th international conference : Tirana, June 23-24, 2017 : proceedings book / Universiteti i Tiranës. Fakulteti i Ekonomisë ; ed. Kozeta Sevrani. – Tiranë : Redona, 2017 90 f. ; ... cm. Bibliogr. ISBN 978-9928-148-67-4 1.Teknologjia e informacionit 2.Ekonomia 3.Konferenca 004.7 :338(496.5) (062)