EDUCATION

Ph.D.: Management and Tourism, University of Northern Iowa, USA (2007)

MSc   : Management and Tourism, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands (2000)

BA     : Finance and Accounting, University of Tirana, Albania (1999)

AREAS OF INTEREST

Research: International Management, Small Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Public Finance, Tourism Economics, Tourism Management

Teaching: Small Business Management, Strategic Management, International Management, Business Research Methods

EXPERIENCE

Academic Experience

University of New York Tirana (AL), Department of Business Administration, Assistant Professor (2013-current)

University of New York Tirana (AL), Department of Business Administration, part-time Assistant Professor (2006-2013)

Marin Barleti University (AL), Department of Finance, part-time Assistant Professor (2006-2012)

University of Northern Iowa (USA), Health Recreation and Community Services Department (2004-2006)

Administrative Experience

University of New York Tirana, Head of Department of Business Administration (2020-2021)

University of New York Tirana, Head of Economics and Business Research Center (2016-2019)

University of New York Tirana, Program Director of Master of Sciences on Business Administration (2013-current)

Professional Experience

Prime Minister’s Office, Economic Advisor, 2009-2013

Ministry of Finance, Budget Director, 2006-2009

Ministry of Economy and Trade, Competition Policy Specialist, 2000-2004

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

Refereed Journal Articles

Kasapi, I., & Cela, A. (2017). Destination branding: A review of the city branding literature. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8(4), 129.

Giakoumis K., Çela A., Meka E. (2016), “Building Audiences through Thematic Exhibitions and Internationalization of Heritage: A Case from Berat (Rritja e Audiencës nëpërmjet Ekspozitave Tematike dhe Ndërkombëtarizimit të Trashëgimisë. Rasti i Beratit)”, Monumentet, v. 54, pp. 55-71 (Albanian synopsis on pp. 72-73).

Cela, A., & Lankford S. (2009). Visitor Spending and Economic Impacts of Heritage Tourism: A Case Study of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 4 (3), 245-256.

Çela, A., Knowles-Lankford, J., & Lankford, S. (2007). Local food festivals in Northeast Iowa communities: A visitor and economic impact study. Managing Leisure, 12(2-3), 171-186.

Cela, A., Lankford, S., & Kowalski, C. (2006), Spectators’ Characteristics and Economic Impact of Local Sports Events: A Case Study of Cedar Valley Moonlight Classic Soccer Tournament. World Leisure Journal, 48, 3.

Grybovich, O., Cela. A., & Inui, Y., (2005). An Exploratory Study of Environmental Values and Beliefs of Japanese Adventure Tourists in Hawaii. E-Review of Tourism Research, 3 (2), 23-30.

Books and Book Chapters

Cela, A. (2008). Estimating the Economic Impact of Tourism: A Comparative Analysis of Albania, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Germany. ISBN-13: 978-3639100921 

Refereed Conference Presentations

Cela, A. & Giakoumis, K. (2019)  Culture Heritage Management: Museum Visitation Patterns of Schoolchildren in Berat, Albania, Third International Scientific Conference on Economics and Management- EMAN 2019, 28 March 2019, Ljubjana, Slovenia.

Dorda B., Shtembari E. & Cela, A. (2018) “Key Determinants for Successful SME-s. A  Review of SMEs Literature” International Academic Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Social Science, Business and Economics (MASE-18) 21-22 July 2018, Athens  – Greece.

Sinamati, A.& Çela, A. (2018) Financial Education as a Determinant of the Demand for Financial Services in Nonbanking Financial Markets; paper submitted for National Conference of Financial Supervisory Authority on Financial Education [Edukimi financiar si nxitës i kërkesës për shërbime financiare në tregjet financiare jobankare; Konferenca e Parë Edukimi Financiar, organizuar nga Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare], 24 May 2018, Tirana, Albania.

Cela, A. (2017). Roli i Universiteteve në Zhvillimin Ekonomik: Një Qasje Teorike rreth Edukimit mbi Sipërmarrjen- Unıversıtıes role in economic development: A theoretical approach on entrepreneurship education. Conference organized by Independent Forum of Rectors and UET, February 2017, Tirana, Albania.

Çela, A. & Xhabrahimi, K.(2016) Ease of doing business and FDIs inflows: An empirical analysis for South Eastern European Countries, paper presented in 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Development, 19-23 October 2016, Skopje, Macedonia.

Kasapi, I & Cela, A. (2016) A Review of the Branding Literature in the Destination Context: A City Branding emphasis. International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD), 19-23 October 2016, Skopje, Macedonia.

Çela, A., & Nurja, I. (2016) Economic Freedom and FDI Inflows: An empirical Analysis. Abstract accepted to 7th International Conference on Information Systems and Technology Innovations: the New Paradigm for a Smarter Economy, organized by Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana, 17-18  June2016, Tirana, Albania.

Çela, A., & Nurja, I. (2015) Size of the government and FDIs inflows: A comparative analysis of Albania with South Eastern European Countries, paper presented in 3rd Annual International Conference ‘Albanian Studies Days’ “Albania as a case study: Economy, Politics, Social Development and Future Perspective”; European University of Tirana, 28 -30 April 2015, Tirana, Albania.

Cami, D & Cela, A. (2015) Foreign Direct Investment: Entry Modes of FDIs in Albania; International Conference- Transition in Retrospect: 25 years After the Fall of Communism; 27-28 Nov 2015, Tirana, Albania.

Riska, S. & Cela, A. (2015) Corporate Social Responsibility in Albania; International Conference- Transition in Retrospect: 25 years After the Fall of Communism; 27-28 Nov 2015, Tirana, Albania.

Giakoumis, K. & Cela, A. (2015) Building Audiences through Thematic Exhibitions: Preliminary findings from Berat; International Conference: 50 Years of Study and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in Albania; 22-23 October 2015, Tirana, Albania.

Lankford, S., Cela A., & Lankford, J. (2006) Appraising Your Gem and Sell It. (2006). Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area Annual Conference, 21-22 March 2006, Waterloo, IA, USA.

Cela, A., Kowalski, C. (2006) Spectators Characteristics and Economic Impact of Local Sports Events: A Case Study of Moonlight Classic Cedar Valley Soccer Tournament. (2006). Abstract accepted for poster presentation in The First Annual COE Student Research Fair, University of Northern Iowa, 26 April 2006, Waterloo, IA, USA.

Lankford, S., Cela, A., Phister, B. & Scholl, K. (2006) Local Food Tourism in Northeast Iowa Communities: A Visitor and Economic Impact Study. Poster accepted by NERR- Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium, 9-11 April 2006, Bolton, NY.

Cela, A., & Lankford, S. (2015) Visitor Characteristics and Economic Impacts of Heritage Tourism: A Case Study of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (2005). Research paper presented in Annual Conference of Association of American Geographers, 7-11 March, 2005, Chicago, IL, USA.

Cela, A., & Lankford, S. (2005) Place-Based Food Tourism in Northeast Iowa Communities: A Visitor and Economic Impact Study, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Marketing and Food Systems Initiative Workshop, 8 December 2005, Ames, IA, USA.

Inui, Y., Lankford, S., Scholl, K. & Cela, A.(2004). The Effects of Actual Users on Perceived Crowding and Quality of Experiences in a Marine Park. Poster Accepted in International Symposium on Society and Resources Management, 2 – 6 June, 2004, Keystone, CO, USA.

Funded Research Projects

Meka, E., Cela, A., & Veshi, D. (2019). Jean Monnet Module Project: EU Center of Excellence (610495-EPP-1-2019-1-AL- EPPJMO-CoE)

AWARDS AND HONORS

Award on Leadership for direction during the institutional accreditation process on the field of Teaching, Project and Research, University of New York Tirana, July 2020.

Award for Outstanding Teaching and Research, University of New York Tirana, July 2017.

Kamerick Fellowship, Ed.D. studies, from Office of Dean, College of Education, University of Northern Iowa, April 2006.

Doctoral Research Award, Ed.D. studies from Division of Leisure, Youth and Human Services, University of Northern Iowa, April 2006.

Meritorious Leadership Award, Ed.D. studies, from Division of Leisure, Youth and Human Services, University of Northern Iowa, April 2006.