International Journal of Innovative Technology and Interdisciplinary Sciences

A Market Competition Index for the Western Balkans

Ilir Ciko — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This paper provides a data-driven evaluation of market competition across the six Western Balkan countries by comparing retail prices for identical consumer products sold by the same European operator in its European Union (EU) home market and the local markets in the region. After normalizing for Value Added Tax (VAT) differences, a Market Competition Index (MCI) is constructed to capture the average relative price deviation from EU benchmarks in Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a reflection of the degree of market competition in the consumer goods retailing sector of these countries. The 2025 results reveal pronounced variations in competitive intensity across the Western Balkans: Albania tops the ranking with the largest average price deviation from EU benchmark (89 points), followed by Montenegro (60 points) and North Macedonia (46 points); Kosovo occupies a middle position (37 points), while Bosnia and Herzegovina (25 points) and Serbia (23 points) record the smallest deviations, indicating the strongest alignment with EU pricing and, by extension, the most competitive local markets. A complementary Burden Index, which adjusts each country’s Market Competition Index by its Purchasing Power Index (PPI) using 2023 Eurostat data, confirms that low-income markets face the greatest consumer strain. This dual-metric framework offers a precise monitoring tool for policymakers. As the Western Balkans progress toward EU accession, the MCI provides a clear benchmark for measuring reform progress, safeguarding consumer welfare, and supporting interventions to enhance market competition.

Spatiotemporal Assessment of Physicochemical Properties and Anthropogenic Impacts on Seawater Quality in the Gulf of Durrës, Albania

Milidin Bakalli, Osman Metalla, Stela Sefa, Shpetim Pupa, Altin Gjeka — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The coastal zone of Durrës, Albania, represents one of the most anthropogenically influenced marine areas along the eastern Adriatic Sea, where intensive tourism, industrial activities, and agricultural runoff exert increasing pressure on coastal ecosystems. This study presents a year-long assessment of seawater quality based on physicochemical parameters measured across seven sampling stations in the Gulf of Durrës from January to December 2024. In situ analyses were conducted using a Horiba “U-50” multiparameter analyzer to evaluate temperature, pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, and specific gravity. Overall, the recorded parameters indicated stable water quality within acceptable ecological limits, with limited spatial and temporal variation among most sites. However, localized deviations in ORP and turbidity were observed near the Pista Koka, Fishing Port, and Old Port stations during the summer months, corresponding to periods of intensified human activity and wastewater discharge. These findings emphasize the influence of seasonal anthropogenic inputs on nearshore water quality and underscore the need for continuous monitoring and targeted management strategies to mitigate human-induced degradation and ensure sustainable marine and tourism development in the Durrës coastal region.

The Role of Educators in Promoting Social-Emotional Learning Across Albania’s K-12 Education System

Gezim Bara, Sara Pupe, Sara Bomi — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a critical educational framework that stresses the development of skills necessary for emotional intelligence, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. It fosters a holistic approach to education, addressing both cognitive and emotional aspects of learning. This study aims to explore how educators facilitate SEL in the K-12 framework, emphasizing their understanding and application of SEL competencies in the Albanian educational context. A random sample of 367 educators from various K-12 institutions across Albania were surveyed using structured questionnaires to assess their perceptions and practices regarding SEL. The evaluation of the data was done using inferential as well as descriptive statistics. Educators’ roles in promoting SEL involve creating supportive classroom environments, integrating SEL into the curriculum, and employing active teaching strategies. This includes training sessions, and collaborative learning experiences that empower educators to nurture students’ emotional and social competencies effectively. The analysis incorporates independent sample t-tests and ANOVA to compare results across different educational contexts and levels. Findings are expected to reveal significant correlations between educators’ SEL competencies and students’ emotional well-being, highlighting the significance of continuous professional growth in SEL. Strengthening the role of educators in SEL implementation is vital for fostering resilient in Albania’s K-12 education system.