OOPS! (OntOlogy Pitfall Scanner!): a web-based tool for ontology evaluation

Presentación en Workshop EUON 2014

A web-based application for the management and evaluation of tutoring requests in PBL-based massive laboratories

One important steps in a successful project-based-learning methodology (PBL) is the process of providing the students with a convenient feedback that allows them to keep on developing their projects or to improve them. However, this task is more difficult in massive courses, especially when the project deadline is close. Besides, the continuous evaluation methodology makes necessary to find ways to objectively and continuously measure students' performance without increasing excessively instructors' work load. In order to alleviate these problems, we have developed a web service that allows students to request personal tutoring assistance during the laboratory sessions by specifying the kind of problem they have and the person who could help them to solve it. This service provides tools for the staff to manage the laboratory, for performing continuous evaluation for all students and for the student collaborators, and to prioritize tutoring according to the progress of the student's project. Additionally, the application provides objective metrics which can be used at the end of the subject during the evaluation process in order to support some students' final scores. Different usability statistics and the results of a subjective evaluation with more than 330 students confirm the success of the proposed application.

Fashion in Actions on Social Media – Spanish SME Fashion Brands Case Studies

Fashion is one of the most vibrant sectors in Europe and important contributors to the European Union (EU) economy. In particular, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a major part in European fashion industry (EU 2012). Just like fashion, where people¿s style has inherently meant to be shared as it is foremost a representation of one¿s self-image, social media allow the reflection of ones' personality and emotions. Although fashion practitioners have embraced social media in their marketing activities, it is still relatively few known at an academic level about the specificities of fashion industry when approaching social media marketing (SMM) strategies. This study sets out to explore fashion companies' SMM strategy and its activities. From an exploratory approach, we present case studies of two Spanish SME fashion companies, anonymously named hereafter as Company A and Company B, to deepen our understanding on how fashion brands implement their SMM strategy. Company A offers high-end fashion products while Company B produces medium fashion products. We analyzed the case studies using qualitative (interviews to companies' executives) and a mix of qualitative and quantitative (content analysis of companies' social media platform) methods. Public posts data of both companies' Facebook brand pages were used to perform the content analysis. Our findings through case studies of the two companies reveal that branding-oriented strategic objectives are the main drivers of their SMM implementations. There are significant differences between both companies. The main strategic action employed by Company A is engaging customers to participate into brand's offline social gathering events by inviting them through social media platform, while Company B focuses its effort on posting product promotion related contents and engaging influencers such as fashion bloggers. Our results are expected to serve as a basis of further investigations on how SMM strategy and strategic actions implemented by fashion brands may influence marketing outcomes.

La confianza como instrumento de análisis en la cadena de valor alimentaria

El nuevo escenario al que se enfrenta el sector agroalimentario, caracterizado por una mayor complejidad y tecnificación del mismo, hace que la confianza sea un activo importante para su rendimiento y buen funcionamiento. El objetivo de la siguiente investigación es mejorar el sector agroalimentario mediante la confianza. Para ello, se pretende conocer qué elementos se usan para que la confianza aparezca en el sector agroalimentario, tomando el sector desde una perspectiva holística. Para lograr este objetivo se han seguido varias etapas. En primer lugar, se analizaron los conceptos confianza y sector agroalimentario para, posteriormente, mostrar qué aspectos de la confianza habían sido objeto de investigación en dicho sector. Tomando algunas premisas basadas en la economía neoinstitucional se definieron una serie de elementos en los que descansa la confianza. Tomando los estudios de caso como herramienta de metodología cualitativa para validar esos componentes de la confianza se concluye con una definición o marco teórico aplicable a la confianza en el sector agroalimentario. Los componentes más importantes son las personas, las instituciones y los procesos que entre ellos se producen dando lugar a las relaciones. Estas relaciones de confianza se ven condicionadas por el comportamiento y conducta de estos agentes, la satisfacción percibida, la dependencia de otros agentes y el riesgo. Además, para regular y hacer visible estos elementos, la confianza se sirve de instrumentos como los precios, los contratos y los sistemas de calidad, así como de la especificación del producto que es intercambiado Debido a su carácter cualitativo y exploratorio la investigación deja espacio para futuras investigaciones en las que se puedan medir y cuantificar la importancia de estos los elementos. Agrifood sector faces a new scenario featured by a great complexity. The aim of this work is the improvement of agricultural and food sector analyzing trust as a key asset. This work tries to answer on what items, tools or concepts rely trust in agricultural and food sector taking agrifood sector from a holistic perspective. To achieve this goal, qualitative methodology based on case studies analysis is carried out following several stages. First, a deep literature review about the food and agricultural environment and the concept of trust is analyzed. Secondly, a state of the art about how trust in food an agricultural sector has been researched is presented. Next, a scenario which takes some premises derived from neo-institutional economics is depicted. This scenario helps to define a framework for understanding how trust emerges in agrifood sector. Finally using the case studies as a tool to validate the framework the definition for trust is developed as result. Trust in food sector relays on persons, institutions and processes and the resulting relationships between them. Trust relationships are conditioned by the behavior and conduct of these agents, their perceived satisfaction, the dependence on other agents and risk. To regulate and make visible these elements, trust uses tools like prices, contracts and quality systems. The research presents some limitations due its qualitative nature. Further research lines are opened in order to evaluate and measure the relevance of different components of the framework.