Regional Science Inquiry

Iris SHAHINI

Economic University of Tirana, Accounting Department
irisshahini @gmail.com

Orfea DHUCI

Economic University of Tirana, Accounting Department
odhuci@alpha.gr

Abstract :

The current economic crisis has highlighted that a well-functioning financial system is significantly important for economic growth. This study investigated factors affecting housing finance supply in Albania.

Housing Finance is a major factor determining the quality and tenure of housing consumption, the overall financial portfolio of the public and the stability and effectiveness of the financial system (Diamond and Lea 1992a). Struyk and Turner (1986) and Stephens (2000 & 2002) argued that housing finance plays an important role in shaping each country’s wider housing system and the housing system takes important social and economic consequences. Then, it follows that the development of a viable housing finance system is of utmost importance in the developed economies.

For a typical house-owner, the house is a major asset in his portfolio and for many household, the purchase of a house represents the largest (and often only) life long investment and a store of wealth (Goodman 1989; Sheppard 1999; Malpezzi 1999; Bundick and Sellon Jr 2007; Dickerson 2009). In societies like Albania, where social housing is not on the priority list of government, the housing affordability would have to be looked at from the point of view of individual’s ability to raise money needed to meet the cost or price of their housing needs. The first source of funding for individual is their income. This is often the cheapest source because there is no payment of extra cost in form of interest. The problem that arises in case of individuals in the emerging economies is that income levels are generally low. The low income means low disposal income which prohibits the individuals to qualify for housing loans.

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Enkelejda AVDI

Department of Management, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana
National Health Insurance Institute, Tirana
enkelejdaavdiu@yahoo.com

Abstract

Albanian health care system is undergoing comprehensive changes. The paper focuses on the system of contributions for health insurance scheme. The paper will argue the need for immediate measures regarding this issue. Based on the primary and secondary data, through an economic analysis is studying the trend of contributor’s number for five years. Are identified the economic, social and political factors, that affect this process and whole health insurance scheme (HIS). In Albania, partly scheme function, an informal labor market, lack of incentives for participation in health scheme, weak administration capacity for contributions collecting and poor structure, regulatory and supervisor and all in all its funding challenges, are the main factors that accompanies for years the health care system and as the result the contributions system for health insurance. The main economic factor is a little economic growth and a problem with which Albania has already begun to face. As a result Albania faces a greater inequity in the ability to receive health care. In order to evasion of contributions expected path, immediate measures administrative, managerial, and financial monitoring are needed. Mechanisms for revenue collection should be strengthened. Health care reform has been and will remain one of the major challenges of politics in Albania. Full implementation of its efficiency requires a broad political consensus.

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Cristiano CECHELLA

University of Azores
ccechella2004@yahoo.it

Abstract:
Portugal is a strategic regional location for multinational companies (MNEs) from various countries. This article, through a model based on structural equations (Structural Equations Model), will address the motivations of Brazilian companies to invest in this country compared with firms of other nationalities, which are represented by German companies, Italian, Spanish, American and Japanese. The structural equations allow to infer the safety test results and theoretical constructs. From a theoretical model (known as “structural”) constructed from a measurement model (or measurement) is scanned a set of dependency relations, linking the constructs of the hypothesized model. The structural equation modeling is suggested by Hair Jr. et al. (2006) for three purposes: confirming models, evaluation of competing models and the development of new models. In this study, we opted for the development of models related to the first situation, namely the confirmation of a particular model from a theory of FDI. This article has the following structure: first, it will enter the Portuguese economy from the twentieth century. Soon after, it will analyze the internationalization of the Portuguese economy, particularly foreign investment in Portugal. Thirdly, it will put the analysis model, with its conclusions regarding the differences and similarities in the determinants of investments between Brazilian companies and other nationalities in the decision to settle in Portugal, for example, the influence of linguistic affinity and logistics, respectively.

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