How can strategic philanthropy contribute to innovation for companies

This investigation proposes to explore the existing link between a strategic conception of philanthropy and innovation. Indeed, the nature of the research question relies on an unexplored field in the CSR and Innovation management academic literature. It starts with the interest to know which the benefits are for a firm encouraged to invest strategically in philanthropy. In this regard, the analysis contributes in fitting this gap by following different objectives in an exploratory perspective. Throughout the research it will be analyzed the concept and the current and past contributions on the different branches of innovation (product innovation, managerial innovation, technological innovation), to accentuate the relation between an accurate strategic approach to philanthropy and the impact on the organizational value. Indeed, analyzing philanthropic innovation may provide insights about business opportunities and notions related to social investments and profit. That aspect includes the link between those strategic decisions that a firm can use to maximize those investments as it was part of their core business. It also proves the existing link between CSR and innovation, and the possibilities that the enterprises have towards this subject.

Social businesses in large companies: a case study in Brazil

O ambiente econômico global tem registrado um conjunto de mutações poderosos durante a última década. A liderança dos países ocidentais tem sido contestada pelo crescimento de novos atores no interior da arena global, determinando uma mudança dos interesses das nações bem estabelecidas, para realidades que antes eram considerados subdesenvolvidos ou incapaz de desempenhar um papel de liderança dentro do contexto da economia global. Assim, os países emergentes ganharam a atenção dos teóricos e gerentes internacionais, que começaram a olhar para estes assuntos, não só pelo seu potencial econômico, mas também para a identificação de novas soluções para a criação de um mundo mais sustentável. A tese em questão, estruturada como um case study, precisamente tenta compreender e retratar os dois temas mencionados acima. Por um lado, a pesquisa irá investigar as dimensões do mercado da BoP, com um foco no mercado brasileiro, pelo outro lado, o trabalho irá descrever uma soluções possíveis para explorar os mercados em desenvolvimento por grandes empresas privadas: o modelo de negócio social. Este novo paradigma, que combina o desempenho financeiro com a realização de impactos sociais entre a comunidade selecionada, será aprofundar através de um caso concreto implementado pela Coca-Cola Company no Brasil, o Projeto Coletivo. De acordo com as observações preliminares, o estudo de caso terá como objetivo compreender os desafios, as oportunidades, os obstáculos organizacionais e os métodos que podem subir a partir da implementação de um negócio social em um país em desenvolvimento seguindo a perspectiva anteriormente. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, embora o paradigma pode representam uma solução viável, muitas questões organizacionais e culturais precisam ser levados em consideração para a sua implementação bem sucedida.

A three-pronged approach to social business: a Brazilian multi-case analysis

Social businesses present a new paradigm to capitalism, in which private companies, non-profit organizations and civil society create a new type of business with the main objective of solving social problems with financial sustainability and efficiency through market mechanisms. As any new phenomenon, different authors conceptualize social businesses with distinct views. This article aims to present and characterize three different perspectives of social business definitions: the European, the American and that of the emerging countries. Each one of these views was illustrated by a different Brazilian case. We conclude with the idea that all the cases have similar characteristics, but also relevant differences that are more than merely geographical. The perspectives analyzed in this paper provide an analytical framework for understanding the field of social businesses. Moreover, the cases demonstrate that in the Brazilian context the field of social business is under construction and that as such it draws on different conceptual influences to deal with a complex and challenging reality.

Diseño para el Desarrollo

Resumen El Diseño, que apenas está considerado en las políticas de desarrollo, por su parte tampoco ha prestado la adecuada atención a los aspectos de justicia y de desarrollo global. Encontramos los antecedentes del Diseño para el Desarrollo en la “transferencia de tecnología y en la imitación”; en las “tecnologías apropiadas” de los años 70; en la moda de hacer negocios para la “base de la pirámide (BoP)”; más recientemente en el concepto de “innovación apropiada”; y últimamente en el “enfoque de las capacidades”, que engloba cuestiones sobre justicia, igualdad y desarrollo. En este artículo de revisión se realiza una aproximación a la situación actual del Diseño para el Desarrollo, incluyendo productos e iniciativas empresariales, académicas e investigadoras. Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión en buscadores generalistas y en publicaciones especializadas, accesibles desde la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Los resultados obtenidos abarcan desde productos comerciales, repositorios en línea de tecnologías de desarrollo, documentación abierta para el diseño/adaptación de productos para el desarrollo, conferencias, revistas, grupos de investigación, iniciativas emprendedoras, etc. Se trata de un tema que no tiene una univoca expresión y que está siendo tratado en muchas áreas, tanto de las ciencias sociales, como técnicas y sanitarias. Abstract The design, which is hardly considered in development policies, has not paid adequate attention to justice and global development issues. The antecedents of Design for Development are found in the "technology transfer and imitation"; in "appropriate technologies" of the 70s; in the fashion of doing business for the "base of the pyramid (BoP)"; more recently in the concept of "appropriate innovation"; and lately in the "capabilities approach" which includes questions about justice, equality and development. In this article review is performed an approach to the current situation of Design for Development including: products, business models and academic and research perspectives. In order to achieve it, the review has been conducted through search engines in generic and specialized publications, accessible from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The results obtained include from commercial products, online repository development technologies, open documentation for design / adaptation of products for development, to conferences, journals, research groups, entrepreneurial initiatives, etc. This is a topic that has no unambiguous expression and that is being addressed in many areas, as in the social sciences and technical and health sciences. Resumo O projeto, que dificilmente pode ser considerada nas políticas de desenvolvimento, enquanto isso não prestou a atenção suficiente às questões da justiça e do desenvolvimento global. Encontramos a história do Projeto para o Desenvolvimento na "transferência de tecnologia e na imitação"; em "tecnologias apropriadas" dos anos 70; na forma de fazer negócios para a "base da pirâmide (BoP)"; mais recentemente, o conceito de "inovação apropriado"; e, ultimamente, a "abordagem de capacidades", que inclui perguntas sobre justiça, igualdade e desenvolvimento. Neste artigo de revisão existe uma abordagem para a situação atual do projeto de desenvolvimento, incluindo produtos e iniciativas empresariais, acadêmicos e investigadoras. Para isso, realizamos uma revisão nos motores de busca gerais e publicações especializadas, acessível a partir da Universidade Politécnica de Madrid. Os resultados variam de produtos comerciais tecnologias de desenvolvimento repositório on-line, documentação aberta para o projeto / adaptação de produtos para o desenvolvimento, conferências, revistas, grupos de pesquisa, iniciativas empresariais, etc. Este é um tema que não tem um só significado e que esta sendo tratado em muitas áreas, tanto nas ciências sociais, como técnicas e sanitarias.

A COMUNICAÇÃO MERCADOLÓGICA NA OFERTA DE MICROCRÉDITO: UM ESTUDO DE CASO DO BANCO ITAÚ NA PERIFERIA DE SÃO PAULO.

Por um lado, o mundo do Século XXI com ferramentas que possibilitam cada vez mais estarmos conectados e dependentes das tecnologias de comunicação, em que a internet prevalece como meio principal para as pessoas se relacionarem, interagirem, consumirem, se divertirem e se informarem. Do outro lado, quase que uma ilha à parte dessa tendência tecnológica, um espaço em que a comunicação oral, a confiança, o valor da palavra, o conhecer o vizinho do bairro e a comunidade são o que prevalece. Trata-se de mais um fenômeno decorrente do crescimento da Classe C no Brasil, posterior ao lançamento do Plano Real, por Fernando Henrique Cardoso no governo do ex-presidente Itamar Franco, e da implantação de medidas sociais nos anos seguintes, durante o governo de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. O segmento que representa 54% da população brasileira e desperta a atenção das empresas como uma nova frente de geração de riquezas e negócios. Por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica e análise documental para análise de conteúdo, este estudo de caso único investigará como o Banco Itaú se comunica com esse público para oferecer o microcrédito na periferia da cidade de São Paulo. Num mundo em que se pensa quanto mais rápidas e sensoriais serão as tecnologias de informação no futuro, o bom e velho bate-papo pode levar a conhecimentos importantes quando queremos nos comunicar com as camadas populares da população.

An examination of the base rates of post-concussion symptoms : the influence of demographics and depression

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a controversial constellation of cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms that some patients experience following a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. PCS-like symptoms are commonly found in individuals with depression, pain, and stress, as well as healthy individuals. This study investigated the base rate of PCS symptoms in a healthy sample of 96 participants and examined the relationship between these symptoms, depression, and sample demographics. PCS symptoms were assessed using the British-Columbia Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory II. Results demonstrated that: The base rate of PCS was very high; there was a strong positive relationship between depression and PCS; and demographic characteristics were not related to PCS in this sample. These findings are broadly consistent with literature suggesting a significant role for non-neurological factors in the expression of PCS symptomatology. This study adds to the growing body of literature that calls for caution in the clinical interpretation of results from PCS symptom inventories.

Valuing the impact of the teacher librarian from an evidence base

Evidence-based practice as it applies to the Library and Information (LIS) sector and in particular teacher librarians is the focus of this research investigation. The context for this research is Australian school libraries and teacher librarians. This is a research in progress and the report here will include some very early findings and lessons learned from the initial pilot study. The contributions of this research will be in developing a framework for the library and information sector with a particular application for teacher librarians. Providing meaningful evidence of work practices that demonstrate contributions to the schools goals and mission statements in conjunction with contributions to student academic, social and cultural achievements are crucial for the future of the teacher librarian.

The role of the built environment in the creation, cultivation and acquisition of a knowledge-base

This chapter explores the role of the built environment in the creation, cultivation and acquisition of a knowledge base by people populating the urban landscape. It examines McDonald’s restaurants as a way to comprehend the relevance of the physical design in the diffusion of codified and tacit knowledge at an everyday level. Through an examination of space at a localised level, this chapter describes the synergies of space and the significance of this relationship in navigating the global landscape.

Compilation of somatic mutations of the CDKN2 gene in human cancers : non-random distribution of base substitutions

The CDKN2 gene, encoding the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16, is a tumour suppressor gene that maps to chromosome band 9p21-p22. The most common mechanism of inactivation of this gene in human cancers is through homozygous deletion; however, in a smaller proportion of tumours and tumour cell lines intragenic mutations occur. In this study we have compiled a database of over 120 published point mutations in the CDKN2 gene from a wide variety of tumour types. A further 50 deletions, insertions, and splice mutations in CDKN2 have also been compiled. Furthermore, we have standardised the numbering of all mutations according to the full-length 156 amino acid form of p16. From this study we are able to define several hot spots, some of which occur at conserved residues within the ankyrin domains of p16. While many of the hotspots are shared by a number of cancers, the relative importance of each position varies, possibly reflecting the role of different carcinogens in the development of certain tumours. As reported previously, the mutational spectrum of CDKN2 in melanomas differs from that of internal malignancies and supports the involvement of UV in melanoma tumorigenesis. Notably, 52% of all substitutions in melanoma-derived samples occurred at just six nucleotide positions. Nonsense mutations comprise a comparatively high proportion of mutations present in the CDKN2 gene, and possible explanations for this are discussed.

Internet-enabled international entrepreneurship : a conceptual exploration of the link between a firm’s resource base, dynamic capabilities and international market performance

It has been suggested that the accumulation of valuable resources and capabilities, such as Internet application, is not enough to support a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage, especially for high technology-mediated firms; which often operate in fast changing dynamic environments. While the idea of ‘Internet-enabled resources and capabilities’ has been recognised by RBV theorists, the notion has largely been ignored in conceptual and empirical studies. Given this finding, a conceptual framework is constructed and research issues are then developed in order to focus attention on the relationship between, the Internet and a firm’s resource base, dynamic capabilities and international market performance. We postulate that successful Internet-enabled market performance arises from those international entrepreneurial-oriented firms which encompass: international vision, international business experience, Internet-international marketing capabilities and international networking capabilities. Recommendations for future theory development are presented, along with the implications for international entrepreneurial managers in Australian small and medium sized firms

Large amplitude Fourier transformed AC voltammetric investigation of the active state electrochemistry of a copper/aqueous base interface and implications for electrocatalysis

The higher harmonic components available from large-amplitude Fourier-transformed alternating current (FT-ac) voltammetry enable the surface active state of a copper electrode in basic media to be probed in much more detail than possible with previously used dc methods. In particular, the absence of capacitance background current allows low-level Faradaic current contributions of fast electron-transfer processes to be detected; these are usually completely undetectable under conditions of dc cyclic voltammetry. Under high harmonic FT-ac voltammetric conditions, copper electrodes exhibit well-defined and reversible premonolayer oxidation responses at potentials within the double layer region in basic 1.0 M NaOH media. This process is attributed to oxidation of copper adatoms (Cu*) of low bulk metal lattice coordination numbers to surface-bonded, reactive hydrated oxide species. Of further interest is the observation that cathodic polarization in 1.0 M NaOH significantly enhances the current detected in each of the fundamental to sixth FT-ac harmonic components in the Cu*/Cu hydrous oxide electron-transfer process which enables the underlying electron transfer processes in the higher harmonics to be studied under conditions where the dc capacitance response is suppressed; the results support the incipient hydrous oxide adatom mediator (IHOAM) model of electrocatalysis. The underlying quasi-reversible interfacial Cu*/Cu hydrous oxide process present under these conditions is shown to mediate the reduction of nitrate at a copper electrode, while the mediator for the hydrazine oxidation reaction appears to involve a different mediator or active state redox couple. Use of FT-ac voltammetry offers prospects for new insights into the nature of active sites and electrocatalysis at the electrode/solution interface of Group 11 metals in aqueous media.

The knowledge base of subject-matter experts in teaching : A case study of a professional scientist as a beginning teacher

One method of addressing the shortage of science and mathematics teachers is to train scientists and other science-related professionals to become teachers. Advocates argue that as discipline experts these career changers can relate the subject matter knowledge to various contexts and applications in teaching. In this paper, through interviews and classroom observations with a former scientist and her students, we examine how one career changer used her expertise in microbiology to teach microscopy. These data provided the basis for a description of the teacher’s instruction which was then analysed for components of domain knowledge for teaching. Consistent with the literature, the findings revealed that this career changer needed to develop her pedagogical knowledge. However, an interesting finding was that the teacher’s subject matter as a science teacher differed substantively from her knowledge as a scientist. This finding challenges the assumption that subject matter is readily transferable across professions and provides insight into how to better prepare and support career changers to transition from scientist to science teacher.