Problem loans have generated considerable academic and policy attention in recent years, fueled in part by the aftermath of the 2008-2009 economic crisis and subsequent credit crunch. Problem loans, referred to as non-performing loans (NPL), are loans which are not paid in the structured time period as set in the contract between the borrower and the bank. The goal of this study is to show the influence, in transition countries, of macroeconomic factors on the level of these loans. Specifically, factors such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP growth), inflation, unemployment and export growth shall be considered, using a variety of econometric models and specifications to ensure robustness, including Fixed and Random Effects Models and Arellano-Bond Dynamic Panel estimation. We use data from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund for a sample of transition countries over the period 2006 and 2016. Findings show that GDP growth and inflation are both negatively and significantly correlated with the level of NPLs, while unemployment is positively-related to NPLs. These results have important implications for banking stability within transition countries, and the role of macroeconomic policies in this regard.

Liquidity as a field of study has received considerable attention from various researchers over the last few years. We have conducted this research in order to identify the factors affecting the liquidity of the banking system of nine Balkan countries, specifically Albania,

In this paper authors are aiming to explore the level of perception on the topic of trainings from employees’ perspective, as well as learning and development of employees after they reached the labor market and their impact in human capital. To stay competitive and survive in job market it is suggested to acquire higher and broader skills and competencies. To achieve this, it is necessary to use training and development as a function of Human Resources Management. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of training and development and the concept of lifelong learning. For this research 450 questionnaires were used with the public and private institutions regarding the level of trainings they have participated. The importance of trainings increases with technological changes and information technology, globalization and a lot of other factors have their impact in importance of continuing adult education and lifelong learning. In this paper will be explored also what training practices represent as a key component in human resource management. Where from our findings we can say that most of the trainings in Kosovo are on job trainings, with highest level of participants in the age from 21- 35, this age group uses trainings for learning, age group of 36 -50 years use trainings mostly for sharing information’s, while age group 51-65 years, use mostly trainings for learning and sharing information, they also have the highest level of using trainings for development. Most of the employees find trainings as compulsory for achieving better skills, compulsory trainings are positively correlated with on job training Pearson Correlation 0.83 which is significant .000 at the 0.01 level (2-tailed) from the descriptive data we can find that depending on the age group and education level Information technology trainings have different results. Employees with higher education have less interest in Information Technology trainings compared to employees with lower levels of education. So, in general, this research aims to give a clear description of employees’ perspective regarding trainings as on job trainings, IT trainings, and their transfer of trainings to the job market some of employees use it for learning, some employees for sharing information and some for further professional development.

Purpose: This paper aims to analyze working capital and its impact on the profitability of commercial banks. The other objectives of this study are to analyze the factors that influence the profitability of commercial banks, to find out the relationship between profitability and working capital management. To achieve these research objectives, several research questions have been posited: How much does working capital affect the profitability of commercial banks? What are the relationships between bank profitability and bank size, debt ratio and current ratio? What are the other factors affecting the profitability of commercial banks? Methodology: The empirical data to be used in this research are secondary data and will be based on annual reports of commercial banks and reports of the Central Bank of Kosovo. From these data, some indicators such as return on assets, current ratio, debt ratio and banks’ size will be calculated. This research covers a period of 5 years and the data will be analyzed and interpreted through econometric models. In addition, to analyze the impact of working capital on the profitability of commercial banks in Kosovo, trend analysis will also be applied through the comparative method. Findings: Based on the empirical results, we can conclude that bank size and the current ratio have positively affected the performance of commercial banks in Kosovo, whereas the debt ratio has had a negative effect. All the independent variables in relation to the dependent variable (ROA) are at the standard level of significance P-value = 0.05. Practical implications: Through this study we can recommend all commercial banks in Kosovo to invest much more in working capital, since financial investments in working capital affect the bank's profitability. This means that a high investment in the elements of working capital can lead to increased bank profitability, whereas its profitability decreases when investment in working capital is low. Originality: This paper presents real and sustainable results with respect to the conclusions. The period analyzed (2013-2017) is a persuasive period for drawing competent conclusions and recommendations.  Keywords: working capital, debt ratio, current ratio, bank size, return on assets JEL Classification: G2, G20, G21, G3, G32, D24

The paper aims to determine and lay out the effect of unemployment on non-performing loans (NPLS) through a comparative analysis between the Western Balkans countries and some selected OECD countries. The size of NPLs plays is key in a country's banking sector stability. Macroeconomic factors that explain the NPLs contain important information for a country and their banks and studies in this regard, which compare developing countries and already developed ones have received little attention. To carry out this study, panel data and quantitative econometric models have been applied, specifically Linear Regression, Random Effect, Fixed Effect, Huasman -Taylor Regression and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE Model)on secondary data from official reports of the World Bank, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, during the period from 2010 to 2019. Based on economic theory and our findings, we can say that the relationship between the unemployment rate and nonperforming loans is directly proportional: an increase in the unemployment rate will lead to an increase in the non-performing loan rate. Moreover, Findings show that controlling the rate of unemployment helps in controlling the level of non-performing loans