The Legal Obligations of Albania in the Stabilization and Association Agreement Between Albania and EU

The purpose of this article is to discuss the legal effects of the preliminary agreement between Albania and EU （European Union） on the EU and on the Albanian national legal system. The topic is ＂The Legal Obligations of Albania in the SAA （Stabilization and Association Agreement） With EU＂, and the purpose is to address the issue of harmonization and application of the obligation in the most effective way regarding the EU legislation. The method used is systematic, comparative and teleological analysis of the European and national legal systems and inherent principles and reflection on the ways of integration and coordination between them. At first the sources and features of the EU legal system will be presented. Then the application of these principles in preliminary and pre-accession agreement and through them their influence over the EU and over the national legal system of the pre-accession states will be presented. The contribution will be to argue that the preliminary agreement between EU and Albania creates legal effects both on the EU and on the national legal system of the pre-accessions countries. Their lull and effective application will be the duty of national court and legislators.     

The Implementation of Diagnosis Consultant （Sindanshi） Method in the Cluster of Food SMEs

This study is carried out to identify the main problem dealing with cluster of food SMEs （small and medium enterprises） in Kota Batu, the Province of East Java, and to determine the alternative of solution. This study uses the eight-step method （of eight steps） in the quality improvement （also called the PDCA--Plan-Do-Check-Action cycle） and the method of diagnosis consultant （shindanshi）. The diagnosis scope of analysis covers（ed）： the SWOT （Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threats） analysis, the 5S＇s analysis, marketing management, operational analysis, production process analysis, layout, quality of product, material and purchasing control, finance analysis, problem solution and recommendation. The cluster of food SMEs in Kota Batu has the following problems： equipment, layout, marketing, raw material, production process, capitalization, quality, distribution, human resources, and packaging. Therefore, the suggestions for the improvement are： Helping the SMEs makes the financial report monthly; socializing the standard quality of process and product based on SNI （Standar Nasional Indonesia）; socializing the management of barcode; evaluating the condition of available layout regarding waste that happened and improving it.     

Dimensions of American SHRM＂ Human Capital, HR Systems and Firm Performance

American scholars identify strategic human resource management （SHRM） with human resources （HR） system and firm performance. Major definition of SHRM is human resource management （HRM）-firm performance relation. HR system is important to set HRM-performance link, because HR system includes interrelated HRM practices. Most prominent set of SHRM is interrelated HRM practices, because it establishes the link between individual performance and firm performance. There is a debate in SHRM theory what factors set relationship between HRM and performance. This study argues that individual performance is a moderator between HR and performance. Interrelated HRM practices are important to enhance individual performance. Therefore, interrelated HRM practices are crucial to SHRM. Finally, American scholars view that HR system is important in SHRM, because it establishes high performance work system （HPWS）, and HPWS is expected to increase individual performance and then firm performance. Therefore, American model of SHRM might be HPWS, individual performance, and firm performance. HR systems establish HPWS. Therefore, scholars tend to system approach in SHRM, because it includes interrelated HRM practices in SHRM.     

Designing deploying competency building-up of in-house lifelong learning： Communication-culture convergence requirements

This paper discusses ways to build up in-house lifelong learning （ILL） competency with reference to the principles of communication-culture convergence （CCC）. Successful CCC, in general, requires meeting three conditions： Securing diverse but appropriate learning technologies, enhancing the value of effectiveness and coordinating interests among stake holders. It, to be specific, necessitates theory-workplace-balanced implementation of five elements： Diagnosing lifelong learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying appropriate human material resources, choosing goal strategies, and evaluating learning outputs. Lastly, CCC-driven ILL-focused figure and tables are shown to exemplify a successful interconnection between ILL convergence principles and competency requirements. Then, five South Korean cases are briefly summarized to show a discrepancy between the ILL competency guide and a real world of ILL practice. Significance and suggestions are drawn.     

International Law,European Union,and Case of Kosovo in 1991 and 2008

As the extraordinary session of Kosovo＇s parliament held on February 17, 2008, the declaration for independence of Kosovo was enacted. From the aspect of European Union （EU） which consists of 28 member states, Kosovo was recognized by 23 member states of the union until the present. This means that the process of the international recognition of Kosovo by the member states of the EU is carried out in satisfactory direction for the Kosovo＇s authorities, unlike the first attempt in 1991 when Kosovo also demanded international recognition from the union during the process of the dissolution of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia （SFRY）, however, this application of Kosovo＇s recognition was not reviewed at all. Hence, in conditions of the same legal status of Kosovo in Serbia as well as the same legal foundation in 1991 and 2008, we can notice the double criteria in application of the international law by the EU. Therefore, the issue that we would like to raise is whether the international law for the EU is a true law or moral/law of choice. In other words, the author would like to present the idea whether the international recognition of Kosovo meets the international law.     

The European Union Faced With the Challenges of Food Safety： Solutions Proposed in the Framework of the Common Agricultural Policy （CAP） and Strategies of the Actors Concerned

Within the framework of Common Agricultural Policy （CAP）, how has the European Union （EU） responded to new challenges emerging at the end of the last century？ The overall picture shows that the process of improving health conditions includes various players. The overall objectives of the CAP are specified in Article 39 of the Treaty of Rome： to increase agricultural productivity and ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community. The word ＂security＂ here refers to the stability of supply. The first major reform came in 1992, linked to the Uruguay Round Cycle of initial responses to consumes expectations regarding food safety and the prevention of health risks. The centrepiece of EU food policy, European Food Safety Authority （EFSA） is consumed with all maters effecting food safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare, and plant health. The controversy around the need for reforms and their implementation has featured prominently in the public debate. The paper analyzes these debates by drawing on scientific studies carried out by multidisciplinary laboratories.     

The Essential Factors of TQM Principles Implementation in Small Industries in Indonesia

The research aims to describe and identify Management） principles in small industries in the essential factors in implementation of TQM （Total Quality Indonesia. It was conducted by explorative and qualitative methods. Assessment of the implementation of TQM principles is done using the EFQM （European Foundation for Quality Management） Excellence Model. The result shows that the principles of TQM have been implemented in small industries in Indonesia especially in small industries which have QCC （Quality Control Circle）. This implementation is supported by evidences in each principle. The implementation of TQM in small industry should be done through a process of adaptation, which is important because each organization is tailored, so each organization will differ in implementing TQM.     

Parallel Paths A Comparison of CSR Firms and Social Enterprises

Corporate social responsibility （CSR） is the incorporation of environmental and social responsibilities into the business activity, in line with the economic responsibility that firms have traditionally focused on. The social entrepreneur is a type of entrepreneur who seeks to resolve a social or environmental problem through the application of a business model, motivated by the aim of helping others and pursuing positive social change. A key aspect of social entrepreneurship （SE） is therefore the creation of social wealth. Both concepts pursue positive social change, but unlike social entrepreneurs, the objective of a responsible firm is not to solve social issues created by others, rather to understand and limit the social and environmental impacts of their profit-generating activities. In recent decades, research on CSR has grown considerably, whereas SE has only begun to receive serious academic attention quite recently. Crucially, few studies have tried to link and differentiate the two areas. Due to the increasing interest in both concepts nowadays, the need to clarify the similarities and differences between them is greater than ever, and is the principal aim of this work.     

Recent Development in the South China Sea and Vietnam＇ s Approaches

This paper examines the new developments in the South China Sea （SCS） disputes between Vietnam and China and their causes. A substantial part investigates the approaches Hanoi has adopted to deal with China＇s potential aggression in the SCS. The first is the ＂multilateral＂ approach, which aims to make full use of Association of Southeast Asian Nations （ASEAN） and ASEAN-centric multilateral security dialogues as useful leverage for the creation of a regional Code of Conduct （COC）. The second approach involves the strengthening of ＂self-help＂ option by forging new developments in defense capabilities, especially naval power, to deter its northern giant from using force in the SCS. The third approach is the combination of two methods--pursuing engagement alongside a stronger defense and using what might therefore be called ＂defense diplomacy＂. These three approaches are not exclusive, but mutually reinforcing, and any shift in priority in each of the three options depends on China＇s revised policy in the SCS.     

Sustainable Design and Social Entrepreneurship A Common Path Toward Social Innovation？

The purpose of this article is to introduce the connection of social entrepreneurship （SE） and sustainable design （SD） as a successful strategy for social innovation. Design is increasingly recognized by different stakeholders as an important contribution to social innovation. However, research linking SD and SE as a tool to sustain these social ventures is limited. This article takes an international approach to viewing SE. It presents concepts and main characteristics of both SE and SD, and discusses its similarities and differences of these concepts, based on a literature review and the analysis of two case studies addressing SE. The case studies presented in Norway and the United States are evaluated based on the role that SD strategies played in their establishment and implementation phase. Finally, this article seeks to contribute to the discussion of SE challenges and benefits, in addition to furthering research on the connection of SE and SD. Analyzing this connection means exploring uncharted paths toward sustainability and socially responsible growth.     

Analysis of the Optimum Currency Area for ASEAN and ASEAN＋3

This paper performs an analysis of the optimum currency area （OCA） for ASEAN （Association of Southeast Asian Nations） and ASEAN＋3 for the period of 2003-2012. The applied method is based on the model developed by Bayoumi and Eichengreen for the European countries. Regarding the two groups of study, the document contents the integration roots as well as some theories and empirical data about the currency areas. The obtained results based on the OCA indexes showed that nearly half of the country members have moved symmetrically, although the effect of the four independent variables was found different in each case. In conclusion, the monetary convergence is significantly influenced by the output disturbances and the trade linkages in both regions; while the size of the economy only becomes significant in ASEAN＋3 and the synchronic advantage is not contributing and even insignificant for ASEAN＋3.     

Effects of Assets Structure on the Financial Performance： Evidence From Sultanate of Oman

The main objective of this study is to examine the effects of assets structure （fixed assets and current assets） on the financial performance of some manufacturing companies listed on Muscat Securities Market （MSM）. The methodology of the study is content analysis of annual reports of a sample of 28 out of 70 （40%） companies for the period 2008-2012. The assets structure is measured by fixed assets turnover and current assets turnover while the financial performance is measured by return on assets （ROA） and return on equity （ROE）. The study examines two main hypotheses. The first one examines the effects of total assets turnover on ROA whereas the second one examines the effects of total assets turnover on ROE. The overall result for the study is that the structure of assets does not have a strong impact on profitability in terms of ROE. This result means that if the structure of assets is changing then the ROA will not change. Another result of the study indicates that only the fixed assets have impact on ROE unlike ROA. Another result of the study suggests that the effect of asset structure has an impact on ROE only in petro-chemical sector.     

The Challenges of Regional Integration in the Horn of Africa

This paper examines the challenges of regional integration （RI） in the Horn of Africa （HOA）. It examines constellations of possibilities and obstacles of RI in the HOA. The HOA is known for its prolific production of pathological situations. Four prime interlinked pathological situations ravage the HOA. These are rampant conflicts, state crisis, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment. There is growing realisation that these concerted pathologies could only be addressed by collective concerted capacity. The endeavour for this collective capacity presupposes a corresponding overarching supra-national organisation and structures.     

问责性与跨域治理之条件检视与体制建构——PAM与IAD观点

地方政府间为达到资源优势的共享和资源劣势的互补，应形成一水平的合作治理关系，然却因本位主义、政党立场及缺乏信任而成效有限。笔者参考欧美公共事务相关课题领域之区域分析、项目分析、政策分析及1991至1998年于台湾高雄推动都市营销之经验等，及对应个体（个人）认知本质的判断与决策理论等，从多元社会观点切入对于个体认知及群体行为之观察，并涵盖载体存量之影响而成的PAM（Public Affairs Management）整合架构，此与Ostrom教授等发展之IAD（Institutional Analysis and Development）架构应可人体对应，本研究结合二者探讨台湾的问责性与跨域治理之条件检视与体制建构。     

Developing a Vibrant Livestock Industry in East Africa Through Market-Driven Research

Global demand for livestock products is increasing faster than supply putting humanity at risk of hunger and starvation. Research can reverse this trend but inadequate stakeholder involvement in its design and implementation leads to minimal impact. This study sought to explain how East Africa can develop a vibrant livestock industry through market-driven research （MDR）, which has an inherent capacity for stakeholder involvement implying a better public-private partnership. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 25 randomly selected academics. Information was obtained from literature review and face-to-face interviews on the meaning of MDR, its importance, challenges, opportunities, focus areas and implications. The study shows strong support for MDR. Technologies and innovations developed through it are more likely to be adopted. The study concludes that MDR is suitable for solving societal problems and transforming East Africa from a net importer to a net exporter of livestock products. MDR should focus on improving productivity of the livestock industry through improved livestock breeding, animal husbandry, and marketing.