Professor Tomasz Mroczkowski

Professor Tomasz Mroczkowski's newest grant from the U.S. Department of State supports his study of Albania's potential economic value to the European Union (EU).

The new research project is entitled "Competitive Advantage of Firms in Albanian Industries" and focuses on the country's emerging industries, which include electric power, chemicals, and dairy products.

"It follows up on my previous experience with Central European countries that have successfully transferred to market economies and are members of the EU," he explained.

Mroczkowski began his research in May and will travel to Albania in August. Mroczkowski's previous research has included a focus on Eastern Europe.

Once there, he will work with faculty from the University of Tirana and ASET, an independent think tank also located in Albania's capital city, to explore the country’s export competitiveness.

"Albania would like to join the EU," Mroczkowski said. "The country has been growing rapidly in the past few years, trying to integrate itself with the European economy."

The team will look at how Albania could contribute to the EU by researching which Albanian industries can prosper in the competitive marketplace.

"Albania used to be very isolated," he said. "It is struggling as a poor country to pull itself up."

The formerly closed country is now exploring opportunities within the international community. Albania recently celebrated its first year of NATO membership in April.

Mroczkowski and the research team will create a proposal for government policies and incentives to support Albanian exports.

He plans finish his research by the end of the year and present findings at a symposium in spring 2011.

With his other scholarly energy, Mroczkowski is looking at countries even further east for his book, The Rise of Global R&D, currently under contract with Wharton School Press and the Financial Times. It will discuss the shift of pharmaceutical research and development to Asian markets.

"Research and development is no longer a West-West game," he said. "Emerging economies are going to play a role."

Professor Mroczkowski's previous grants sources include: the General Marshall Fund of the U.S., USAID, the Jackson Foundation, European Foundation for Entrepreneurial Research, and the Andrew Mellon Foundation.