Small-scale variation of vegetation in a mixed forest understorey is partly controlled by the effect of overstory composition on litter accumulation

We investigated how richness and composition of vascular plant species in the understory of a mixed hardwood forest stand varied with respect to the abundance and composition of the overstory. The stand is in central Spain and represents the southernmost range of distribution of several tree and herbaceous species in Europe. Understory species were identified in 46 quadrats (0.25 m2) where variables litter depth and light availability were measured. In addition, we estimated tree density, basal area, and percent basal area by tree species within 6-m-radius areas around each plot. Species richness and composition were studied using path analysis and scale-dependent geostatistical methods, respectively. We found that the relative abundance of certain trees species in the overstory was more important than total overstory abundance in explaining understory species richness. Richness decreased as soil litter depth increased, and soil litter increased as the relative proportion of Fagus sylvatica in the overstory increased, which accounted for a negative, indirect effect of Fagus sylvatica on richness. Regarding understory species composition, we found that some species distributed preferentially below certain tree species. For example, Melica uniflora was most frequent below Fagus sylvatica and Quercus petraea while the increasing proportion of Q. pyrenaica in the overstory favored the presence of Cruciata glabra, Arenaria montana, Prunus avium, Conopodium bourgaei, Holcus mollis, Stellaria media and Galium aparine in the understory. Overall, these results emphasize the importance of individual tree species in controlling the assemblage and richness of understory species in mixed stands. We conclude that soil litter accumulation is one way through which overstory composition shapes the understory community.

The relevance of seed size in modulating leaf physiology and early plant performance in two tree species

he size of seeds and the microsite of seed dispersal may affect the early establishment of seedlings through different physiological processes. Here, we examined the effects of seed size and light availability on seedling growth and survival, and whether such effects were mediated by water use efficiency. Acorns of Quercus petraea and the more drought-tolerant Quercus pyrenaica were sowed within and around a tree canopy gap in a sub-Mediterranean forest stand. We monitored seedling emergence and measured predawn leaf water potential (Ψpd), leaf nitrogen per unit area (Na), leaf mass per area, leaf carbon isotope composition (δ13C) and plant growth at the end of the first summer. Survival was measured on the next year. Path analysis revealed a consistent pattern in both species of higher δ13C as Ψpd decreased and higher δ13C as seedlings emerged later in the season, indicating an increase in 13C as the growing season is shorter and drier. There was a direct positive effect of seed size on δ13C in Q. petraea that was absent in Q. pyrenaica. Leaf δ13C had no effect on growth but the probability of surviving until the second year was higher for those seedlings of Q. pyrenaica that had lower δ13C on the first year. In conclusion, leaf δ13C is affected by seed size, seedling emergence time and the availability of light and water, however, leaf δ13C is irrelevant for first year growth, which is directly dependent on the amount of seed reserves.

Diseño de un modelo de sistema inteligente como soporte de decisión para la gestión empresarial en las Pymes

La tesis contiene un modelo dirigido a servir de soporte a la toma de decisiones para la mejora de la gestión empresarial en las pymes. Para la construcción del modelo, se dividió la gestión empresarial en doce (12) subsistemas de gestión, a saber: Gestión Estratégica, Mercadeo, Gestión Productiva, Recursos Humanos, Gestión Financiera, Logística, Mantenimiento, Gestión de la Calidad, Seguridad y Salud Laboral, Gestión de la Información y la Comunicación, Innovación y Gestión Ambiental. El enfoque teórico utilizado es que en cada uno de estos subsistemas está contenido el ciclo formado por los procesos Planificar/Hacer/Verificar/Actuar (PHVA); la hipótesis de partida es que existe una correlación positiva significativa entre los procesos o variables exógenas Planificar, Hacer, Verificar, Actuar y el proceso o variable endógena Gestión. Cualquier mejora que se introduzca en los procesos del ciclo tendrá un efecto positivo en la gestión y por ende, en los resultados de la organización. Para la determinación de los factores o ítems que conforman cada uno de los procesos del ciclo PHVA, se llevó a cabo una revisión del estado del arte para cada subsistema de gestión; posteriormente, los ítems seleccionados (335 en total) fueron validados por un equipo de expertos en el tema. Para recopilar los datos necesarios que soportan estadísticamente al modelo, se llevó a cabo un estudio empírico, mediante la aplicación de cuestionarios y entrevistas no estructuradas al personal perteneciente a un grupo de ciento veinticinco (125) pymes del sector industrial, en el Estado Bolívar, Venezuela. El estudio empírico, de tipo transversal, abarcó un período de tres años, en el cual se entrevistaron a 4.500 individuos; la información obtenida se utilizó además, para caracterizar la gestión de las pymes industriales. El análisis de datos comprendió el análisis descriptivo de los mismos, estimación de fiabilidad, análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, análisis de coeficientes de correlación y de regresión, a través del software SPSS v.20. Para examinar las relaciones causales entre los procesos P/H/V/A y cada uno de los subsistemas de gestión, se utilizó la técnica del análisis de senderos (path analysis), con el uso de AMOS v.20. Los resultados del análisis estadístico señalan que los procesos de ejecución y planificación (y por ende las variables que contienen) tienen el mayor impacto significativo sobre la gestión, respecto a los procesos de verificación y mejora continua, en el sector industrial estudiado. El prototipo de modelo de sistema inteligente diseñado cuenta con una base de conocimientos, construida a partir de la experiencia de los expertos y la revisión del estado del arte; una base de hechos representada por los resultados de la evaluación aplicada a cada empresa, y un motor de inferencia, el cual identifica las áreas de mejora y propone las soluciones para resolver los problemas de mayor impacto. El aporte de esta investigación puede ser valorado de dos maneras: desde el punto de vista empresarial, en el sentido de proveer a las pymes de una herramienta para evaluar y mejorar su gestión, y académico, al proporcionar una guía para comprender mejor la interrelación de las variables envueltas en los diversos procesos de gestión de una empresa.

Modelo de gestión de la responsabilidad social para las empresas del sector petrolero venezolano

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo diseñar un modelo de gestión de responsabilidad social sustentado en estándares internacionales para las empresas del sector petrolero venezolano. Esta investigación no se suscribe a un modelo epistémico en particular, como forma parcializada de ver la realidad. Por el contrario, se realizó un abordaje holístico de la investigación, entendiendo el evento de estudio, la gestión de la responsabilidad social, como un evento integrado por distintas visiones de la relación empresa – sociedad. La holística se refiere a una tendencia que permite entender la realidad desde el punto de vista de las múltiples interacciones que la caracterizan. Corresponde a una actitud integradora como también a una teoría explicativa que se orienta hacia una comprensión contextual de los procesos, de los protagonistas y de los eventos. Desde la concepción holística se determinó que la investigación es de tipo proyectiva. Este tipo de investigación propone soluciones a una situación determinada a partir de un proceso de indagación. Implica describir, comparar, explicar y proponer alternativas de cambios, lo que da lugar a los estadios de investigación. En cuanto al diseño de la investigación, aplicando el ciclo holístico, se tiene un diseño que es univariable, transeccional contemporáneo y de fuente mixta. Univariable, porque se enfoca en la gestión de responsabilidad social. Transeccional contemporáneo, porque el evento se estudia en la actualidad y se realiza una sola medición de los datos. De fuente mixta, porque en los estadios descriptivo y explicativo se aplica un diseño de campo, al recolectar los datos directamente en las empresas objeto de estudio, mientras que para los estadios analítico y comparativo se aplica un diseño documental. Las técnicas de recolección de la información estuvieron constituidas por fuentes primarias provenientes de la observación directa, la revisión documental y la aplicación de un cuestionario estructurado tipo escala Likert. El análisis de los datos comprendió el análisis estadístico descriptivo, la estimación de la fiabilidad y el análisis de coeficientes de correlación y análisis de ruta, a través del software estadístico SPSS v.19.0 y AMOS v.20. En los estadios descriptivo y explicativo se estudió la gestión de la responsabilidad social en las empresas del sector petrolero. Los resultados indicaron que las empresas del sector petrolero actúan bajo los lineamientos trazados en el Plan de Desarrollo Nacional y de acuerdo con las políticas, directrices, planes y estrategias para el sector de los hidrocarburos, dictadas por el Ministerio de Energía y Petróleo. También incluyen el compromiso social y la política ambiental en su filosofía de gestión. Tienen en su estructura organizacional una gerencia de desarrollo social que gestiona la responsabilidad social. Las actividades de inversión social se presentan poco estructuradas y en ocasiones se improvisan ya que atienden a los lineamientos políticos del Estado y no a una política interna de sostenibilidad del negocio petrolero. En cuanto a la integralidad de la gestión las empresas no consideran la responsabilidad social en todas las áreas, por lo que deben ampliar su concepción de una gestión responsable, redefiniendo estructuras, estrategias y procesos, con una orientación hacia una gestión sustentable. En cuanto a los estadios analítico y comparativo aplicados al estudio de las guías y estándares internacionales de responsabilidad social, se determinó que en términos de la integralidad de la gestión las iniciativas que destacan son: en cuanto a los principios, las directrices para empresas multinacionales según la OCDE y el Libro Verde de la Unión Europea. En relación con las guías de implementación y control, el Global Reporting Initiative y la norma ISO 26000. Y en cuanto a los sistemas de gestión el Sistema de Gestión Ética y Responsable (SGE 21) y el Sistema de Gestión de Responsabilidad Social IQNET SR10. Finalmente se diseñó una estructura para la gestión integral de responsabilidad social basada en los estándares internacionales y en el concepto de desarrollo sostenible. Por tanto abarca el desarrollo social, el equilibrio ecológico y el crecimiento económico, lo que permite un desarrollo sinérgico. La originalidad del enfoque consistió en la comprensión de la investigación desde una concepción holística, que permitió la integración de las teorías que tratan el tema de la responsabilidad social a través de un abordaje estructurado. ABSTRACT The present research aims to design a model of social responsibility management underpinned by international standards for companies in the Venezuelan oil sector. This research is not framed in a particular epistemic model as a biased way of looking at reality. Instead, a holistic approach to the research was conducted, understanding the event under study, the management of social responsibility as an event composed of different views of the relationship between corporation and society. The term holistic refers to a trend in understanding the reality from the point of view of the multiple interactions that characterize it. It corresponds to an integrative as well as an explanatory theory that is oriented towards a contextual understanding of the processes, of the participants and of the events. From the holistic conception it was determined that this research is of a projective type. The research proposes solutions to a given situation from a process of inquiry. It implies describing, comparing, explaining and proposing alternative changes, which results in the different research stages. Regarding the research design, applying the holistic cycle, an univariate, contemporary cross-sectional and mixed source design is obtained. It is univariate, because it focuses on the management of social responsibility. It is contemporary cross-sectional, because the event is studied in the present time and a single measurement of data is performed. It relies on mixed source, because in the descriptive and explanatory stages a field design is applied when collecting data directly from the companies under study, while for the analytical and comparative stages applies a documentary design is applied. The data collection techniques were constituted by primary sources from direct observation, document review and the implementation of a structured Likert scale questionnaire. The data analysis comprised descriptive statistical analysis, reliability estimates and analysis of correlation and the path analysis through the SPSS v.19.0 and AMOS V.20 statistical software. In the descriptive and explanatory stages social responsibility management in the oil sector companies was studied. The results indicated that the oil companies operate under the guidelines outlined in the National Development Plan and in accordance with the policies, guidelines, plans and strategies for the hydrocarbons sector, issued by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. They also include the social commitment and the environmental policy in their management philosophy. They have in their organizational structure a social development management which deals with social responsibility. Corporate social investment is presented poorly structured and is sometimes improvised since they follow the policy guidelines of the state and not the internal sustainability policy of the oil business. As for the integrity of management companies they do not consider social responsibility in all areas, so they need to expand their conception of responsible management, redefining structures, strategies and processes, with a focus on sustainable management. As for the analytical and comparative stages applied to the study of international guidelines and standards of social responsibility, it was determined that, in terms of the comprehensiveness of management, the initiatives that stand out are the following: With respect to principles, the guidelines for multinational enterprises as indicated by OECD and the Green Paper of the European Union. Regarding the implementation and control guides, the Global Reporting Initiative and the ISO 26000 standard are relevant. And as for management systems the Ethics and Responsible Management System (SGE 21) and the IQNet SR10 Social responsibility management system have to be considered. Finally a framework for the comprehensive management of social responsibility based on international standards and the concept of sustainable development was designed. Hence, social development, ecological balance and economic growth are included allowing therefore a synergistic development. The originality of this approach is the understanding of research in a holistic way, which allows the integration of theories that address the issue of social responsibility through a structured approximation.

Modelo multidimensional de los factores que afectan la interacción entre marketing y ventas en el lanzamiento de nuevos productos en Latino América

Esta tesis se centra en la identificación y análisis de los factores que pueden favorecer o actuar como barreras del éxito de la implementación de la innovación y las relaciones entre sí, desde el enfoque de la interface marketing-ventas. El trabajo empírico se enmarca en el vacío de investigación existente en el campo del proceso de lanzamiento de nuevos productos en los mercados donde operan subsidiarias de empresas multinacionales de consumo masivo (FMCG). Las empresas FMCG son altamente dependientes de la innovación como proceso clave determinante del crecimiento competitivo de mediano y largo plazo. En un contexto de acortamiento del ciclo de vida de los productos, como resultado del desarrollo tecnológico y científico que impactan en el comportamiento de los consumidores, las empresas invierten un mayor nivel de recursos en el desarrollo de nuevos productos, reingeniería y programas de innovación (Mundra, Gulati y Gupta, 2013). Sin embargo, a pesar del aumento en la inversión, las tasas de éxito de la innovación reportadas son inferiores al 25% (Evanschitzky, Eisend, Calantone y Jiang, 2012). Aumentar las tasas de éxito de los proyectos de innovación es reconocida en la literatura como un elemento clave para la supervivencia y competitividad de las empresas, para ser superiores a su competencia y desarrollar nuevos modelos de negocios. A pesar de la existencia de estudios que intentan comprender el proceso de lanzamiento de nuevos productos, no se ha identificado un claro prototipo de gestión de la innovación (Gupta et al, 2007). Profundizando en los factores de éxito, los autores Keupp, Palmié y Gassman (2012) reconocen que la innovación exitosa no depende solamente de la estrategia de selección de los proyectos de innovación, sino también la forma en que los mismos son implementados (Klein and Sorra, 1996; Repenning, 2002; Keupp, Palmié y Gassmann, 2012). Al analizar la implementación de los proyectos de lanzamiento de nuevos productos al mercado, en empresas FMCG, dicho proceso es responsabilidad principalmente de las funciones de marketing y ventas a través de la comunicación con los consumidores y los clientes respectivamente (Ernst, Hoyer y Rubsaamen, 2010). Es decir que el éxito en la implementación de la innovación requiere la gestión efectiva de la relación inter-funcional entre marketing y ventas (Ernst, Hoyer y Rubsaamen, 2010; Hughes, Le Bon y Malshe, 2012). A pesar de la importancia de la integración entre marketing y ventas en la conceptualización e implementación de la innovación, este tema no ha sido estudiado en profundidad (Hughes, Le Bon y Malshe, 2012; Keupp, Palmié y Gassmann, 2012). En las empresas multinacionales, está demostrado que el desempeño de las subsidiarias determinan el éxito competitivo de la empresa a nivel global. El desafío de dichas subsidiarias es conjugar el desarrollo global de innovación y comunicación con las características locales de comportamiento del consumidor y el mercado. Por lo tanto, esta investigación empírica responde a la pregunta académica y de gestión acerca de cómo mejorar las tasas de éxito de lanzamiento de nuevos productos al mercado en subsidiarias de empresas de consumo masivo, desde la perspectiva de la relación entre marketing y ventas. En particular analiza cómo afectan la formalización de los procesos y los mecanismos de comunicación a la confianza interpersonal y a la efectividad de la interface marketing-ventas y dichos factores a su vez sobre la planificación integrada de la implementación de la innovación. La determinación de los factores o ítems que conforman cada uno de los constructos del proceso de ejecución de la innovación, se llevó a cabo a partir de una revisión exhaustiva del estado del arte de la literatura sobre las interfaces funcionales y el proceso de innovación. Posteriormente, los ítems seleccionados (más de 50 en total) fueron validados por referentes de marketing y ventas de Argentina y Uruguay a través de entrevistas en profundidad. A partir de los factores identificados se construyeron dos modelos teóricos: • (1) relativo a la influencia de las dimensiones de confianza interpersonal sobre la efectividad de las uniones inter-funcionales y como los mecanismos organizacionales, tales como la frecuencia y la calidad de la comunicación entre las áreas, afectan la confianza y la relación entre ellas; • (2) relativo a la dimensión planificación integrada de la implementación de la innovación, ya que durante el lanzamiento de nuevos productos al mercado, marketing y ventas utilizan procesos formales que facilitan la comunicación frecuente y efectiva, desarrollando confianza inter-personal que no solamente afecta la efectividad de su relación sino también el desarrollo de planes integrados entre ambas áreas. El estudio fue llevado a cabo en una empresa multinacional de consumo masivo que integra la lista Global 500 (Fortune, 2015), presente en todo el mundo con más de 25 marcas participantes en más de 15 categorías, implementando 150 proyectos de innovación en el último año. El grupo de subsidiarias en estudio fue reconocido a nivel mundial por su desempeño en crecimiento competitivo y su alta contribución al crecimiento total. El modelo analizado en esta tesis fue expandido al resto de América Latina, tratándose entonces de un caso ejemplar que representa una práctica de excelencia en la implementación de la innovación en subsidiarias de una empresa multinacional. La recolección de los datos fue llevado a cabo a través de un cuestionario estructurado y confidencial, enviado a la base de datos de todo el universo de directores y gerentes de marketing y ventas. El nivel de respuesta fue muy elevado (70%), logrando 152 casos válidos. El análisis de datos comprendió el análisis descriptivo de los mismos, estimación de fiabilidad y análisis factorial exploratorio a través del software SPSS v.20. El análisis factorial confirmatorio y el análisis de senderos para examinar las relaciones entre los factores se estudiaron mediante el software R (Package 2.15.1., R Core Team, 2012) (Fox, 2006). Finalmente se llevaron a cabo entrevistas en profundidad a gerentes de marketing y ventas de cada uno de los seis países con el fin de profundizar en los constructos y sus relaciones. Los resultados de los modelos demuestran que la frecuencia de comunicación impacta positivamente en la calidad de la misma, que a su vez afecta directamente la relación entre marketing y ventas. Adicionalmente, la calidad de la comunicación impacta sobre la confianza cognitiva, que a su vez se relaciona no solamente con la confianza afectiva sino también con la relación entre ambas áreas. Esto significa que para mejorar la implementación de la innovación, los gerentes deberían orientarse a reforzar la relación entre marketing y ventas facilitando la construcción de confianza interpersonal primero cognitiva y luego afectiva, incrementando la frecuencia de la comunicación que alimenta la calidad de la comunicación entre ambas áreas. A través del segundo modelo se demuestra que durante el lanzamiento de nuevos productos al mercado, marketing y ventas necesitan emplear procesos formales que faciliten la comunicación frecuente y efectiva. De esta forma se contrarresta el efecto negativo de la formalización sobre la planificación integrada entre ambas áreas. Adicionalmente, los gerentes de ambos departamentos deberían promover la construcción de confianza interpersonal, no solamente para mejorar la efectividad de la relación, sino también para desarrollar planes integrados de implementación de nuevos productos. Finalmente, se valida que la frecuencia de la comunicación, la confianza afectiva y la relación marketing-ventas, se relacionan positivamente con la planificación integrada en la implementación de la innovación. El estudio contribuye a la comprensión de los factores que las empresas pueden emplear para mejorar la relación inter-funcional entre marketing y ventas y la implementación de la innovación en empresas de consumo masivo. El aporte de esta investigación puede ser valorado de dos maneras, los aportes a la gestión y a la academia. Desde el punto de vista empresarial, provee a los líderes al frente de empresas de consumo masivo, del conocimiento sobre los factores que afectan la implementación de la innovación y en definitiva el éxito del negocio a mediano y largo plazo. Desde el punto de vista académico aporta al conocimiento del proceso de implementación de la innovación y en la efectividad de la interface marketing y ventas en un caso de buenas prácticas en el mercado de consumo masivo. A su vez incorpora por primera vez un estudio empírico en geografías emergentes capaces de recuperar el camino de crecimiento posterior a una profunda crisis económica a través de la exitosa implementación de la innovación en sus mercados. ABSTRACT This thesis is focused on the identification, analysis and relationship study of factors which may benefit or hinder the successful deployment of innovation, from a marketing-sales interface perspective. Considering the non-existent investigation dedicated to the study of new products launches into markets in which Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies’ subsidiaries operate, it is that this investigation has been carried out. FMCG companies rely on innovation as their key process for a competitive growth on a medium and long term basis. Nowadays, the life-cycle of products is getting shorter as a result of new technological and scientific development, having impact on consumer behavior, and therefore companies are forced to dedicating more resources to the development of new products, reengineering and innovation programs (Mundra, Gulati and Gupta, 2013). However, in spite of the investment increase, the innovation success rates have been reported to be lower than 25% (Evanschitzky, Eisend, Calantone y Jiang, 2012). Increasing success rates on innovation processes has been considered as a key element on the survival and competitiveness of companies, outperforming competitors and developing new business models. Despite new studies which try to comprehend the process of new products launch, a prototype of innovation management has not yet been identified (Gupta et al, 2007). Emphasizing on success factors, authors Keupp, Palmié and Gassman (2012) recognize that successful innovation does not solely depend on innovation processes’ selection strategy, but it is also based on the way in which these are implemented (Klein and Sorra, 1996; Repenning, 2002; Keupp, Palmié y Gassmann, 2012). While analyzing the implementation of projects for new products releases on massive consumption companies, the two departments in charge of taking this forward are marketing and sales, by focusing on communication strategies with consumers and clients respectively (Ernst, Hoyer y Rubsaamen, 2010). This means that having success on innovation implementation requires an effective management of inter-functional relationship among marketing and sales (Ernst, Hoyer y Rubsaamen, 2010; Hughes, Le Bon y Malshe, 2012). In spite of the importance on the integration between marketing and sales on the conceptualization and implementation of innovation, this subject has not been studied in depth (Hughes, Le Bon y Malshe, 2012; Keupp, Palmié y Gassmann, 2012). In multinational companies, previous research has confirmed that the performance of their subsidiaries determine the competitive success of the company on a global scale. The challenge of said subsidiaries is to conjugate the global innovation development and communication with the local consumer and market behavior. Therefore, this empirical study aims to respond to the academic and management question of how to improve the success rates of new product launches into MNE subsidiary’ markets, from a marketing-sales relationship perspective. Particularly, this investigation analyses how the formalization of products and communication mechanisms affect interpersonal trust and marketing-sales interface effectiveness and also on how these factors affect the overall planning of the implementation of innovation. The determination of which factors build the hypothesis of the innovation execution process was taken forward through an extensive research on the extant literature on functional interfaces and innovation processes. More than 50 items were selected which were in turn validated by marketing and sales referents on Uruguay and Argentina through in depth interviews. Based on the identified factors, two theoretical models were proposed: (1) Relative to the influence that interpersonal trust dimensions have on inter functional linkages effectiveness and how organizational mechanisms such as frequency and quality of communication between departments affect trust and their relationship. (2) Relative to the integrated planning and innovation implementation dimensions. Marketing and sales department use formal process thus allowing inter-personal trust, which affects positively their relationship and also enables the development of integrated planning between them. The study was performed within a massive consumption company which is part of the “Global 500” (Fortune, 2015), with subsidiaries all over the world and more than 25 participant brands in 15 categories, having implemented over 150 innovation projects in the year under study. The analyzed subsidiary group has been awarded worldwide for their performance in competitive growth and their high contribution to the total growth. The model being analyzed in this thesis was implemented throughout Latin America, representing a remarkable case of innovation implementation excellence for subsidiaries of multinational companies. Data recollection was carried out through a structured and confidential questionnaire, sent to the universe of marketing-sales directors and managers’ database available with a high level of responsiveness of 70%, resulting in 152 valid cases. Data exploration involved a descriptive analysis, followed by a reliability estimation and an exploratory factorial analysis carried out through SPSS v.20. Confirmatory factorial analysis and path analysis (to examine relations between the different study factors) were studied using “R” software (Package 2.15.1., R Core Team, 2012) (Fox, 2006). Finally, in depth interviews were carried out to several marketing and sales managers in each of the six countries so as to further confirm the hypothesis and their relations. The models results prove that communication frequency has a positive impact on the quality of the same, which in turn has direct effects on the marketing-sales relations. Additionally, communication quality has an impact on the cognitive trust, which also relates not only to affective trust, but also to the relation between both areas. This means that in order to improve the implementation of innovation, managers should strive to enforce marketing-sales relations, facilitating the interpersonal trust construction (firstly cognitive, followed by affective trust), increasing the communication frequency, and therefore nurturing the communication quality among both areas. Through the second model, the results confirm the importance of creating effective relationships between sales and marketing to facilitate planning integrated new product implementations. While formalized new product development processes provide opportunities for sales and marketing to communicate, this does not directly influence the planning of integrated new product implementations. By using these formal opportunities to communicate to create information quality, it is possible to improve sales and marketing’s ability to integrate information during the planning process. Further, communication quality creates inter-personal trust in the other party’s competences (cognitive-based trust), leading to affect-based trust. Affect-based inter-personal trust, not only to improve the overall effectiveness of the sales and marketing relationship, but also helps in planning integrated new product implementations. This study contributes to the understanding of factors which enterprises can use to improve the inter-functional relations between marketing and sales, and the implementation of innovation in FMCG companies. The contribution of this investigation can be measured in two ways: enrichment of management and contribution to the academic area. From a business perspective, it provides massive consumption businesses leaders with knowledge on which factors affect innovation implementation, which results on mid and long-term success for the company. From an academic point of view, it provides knowledge on a prototype of successful innovation implementation management based on the marketing-sales interface effectiveness through a case study in the FMCG consumption market. Last but not least, it incorporates for the first time an empiric study on emerging geographies capable of recovery post a deep economic crisis through successful innovation implementation on their markets.

The Caregiver–Child Relationship, Youth Mental Health, and Placement Stability in a Child Welfare Sample

Objective: Healthy relationships between adolescents and their caregivers have been robustly associated with better youth outcomes in a variety of domains. Youth in contact with the child welfare system are at higher risk for worse outcomes including mental health problems and home placement instability. A growing body of literature points to youth mental health problems as both a predictor and a consequence of home placement instability in this population; the present study aimed to expand our understanding of these phenomena by examining the interplay among the caregiver-child relationship, youth mental health symptoms, and placement change over time. Method: The sample consisted of 1,179 youths aged 11-16, from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a nationally representative sample of children in contact with the child welfare system. We used bivariate correlations and autoregressive cross-lagged path analysis to examine how youths’ reports of their externalizing and internalizing symptoms, their relationship with their caregivers, and placement changes reciprocally influenced one another over three time points. Results: In the overall models, early internalizing symptoms significantly negatively predicted the quality of the caregiver-child relationship at the next time point, and early externalizing symptoms predicted subsequent placement change. In addition, later externalizing symptoms negatively predicted subsequent reports of relationship quality, and later placement changes predicted subsequent externalizing problems; these relationships were significant only at the trend level (p < .10). The quality of the relationship was significantly negatively correlated with externalizing and internalizing problems at all time points, and all variables demonstrated autoregressive stability over time. Conclusions: Our findings support the importance of comprehensive interventions for youth in contact with the child welfare system, which target not only youth symptoms in isolation, but also the caregiver-child relationship, as a way to improve social-emotional outcomes in this high-risk population.

La conciliación del empleo y del hogar: respuesta y reflejo de una organización del trabajo construida desde la institución del género

A la luz del debate en torno a la relación entre la vida laboral y familiar, este artículo propone un modelo compuesto por las variables: sexo, edad, estudios, parentesco y dos índices nombrados por vsp y vsf. El primero (vsp) trata de situar a la población ocupada en una escala que refleje la situación en términos de modalidad de contrato, jornadas, ingresos y supervisión. El segundo refleja las cargas familiares. Se plantean dos versiones distintas del modelo: vsp como dependiente o vsf. El objetivo de este ejercicio es doble: 1) observar hasta qué punto las cargas domésticas influyen en la posición dentro del puesto de trabajo remunerado, y 2) averiguar qué variable sociodemográfica tiene mayor influencia sobre ellas. Los datos han sido extraídos de la Encuesta de Calidad de Vida en el Trabajo (ECVT 2001, 2002 y 2003). A la luz de los resultados, la distribución por sexo en «vsp» y «vsf» es significativamente distinta: los hombres asalariados ocupan las mejores posiciones. Además, el modelo sólo actúa para las mujeres asalariadas principales de familia (cabezas de familia y cónyuges). Esta última observación es completamente coherente con una organización de trabajo construida desde la institución del género.

Academic Achievement in Early Adolescence: The Influence of Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Variables

The present study examined the predictive effects of intellectual ability, self-concept, goal orientations, learning strategies, popularity and parent involvement on academic achievement. Hierarchical regression analysis and path analysis were performed among a sample of 1398 high school students (mean age = 12.5; SD =.67) from eight education centers from the province of Alicante (Spain). Cognitive and non-cognitive variables were measured using validated questionnaires, whereas academic achievement was assessed using end-of-term grades obtained by students in nine subjects. The results revealed significant predictive effects of all of the variables. The model proposed had a satisfactory fit, and all of the hypothesized relationships were significant. These findings support the importance of including non-cognitive variables along with cognitive variables when predicting a model of academic achievement.

Just Need Some Satisfaction: Examining the Relationship between Passion for Exercise and the Basic Psychological Needs

Individuals often pursue activities for which they are passionate about, and this passion is operationalized as being harmonious (an autonomous desireto engage in the activity) or obsessive (a controlled desire to engage in the activity) in nature (Vallerand et al., 2003). With regard to harmonious passion, Vallerand et al. (2003) suggests that it is fostered in environments that nurture innate needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The purpose of the present study was to explore the nature of the passion-basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy, relatedness) relationship. Kinesiology students (N = 917; Mage = 18.54 SD = 1.66) completed the Passion Scale (Vallerand et al., 2003) and the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (Wilson et al., 2006). Results from the SEM path analysis indicated that harmonious passion was positively related to competence (SPE = .43) and relatedness (SPE = .43) and obsessive passion was negatively related to autonomy (SPE = -.18)(CFI = .90, RMSEA = .07, SRMR = .07). Implications for exercise participation/enjoyment are discussed.

Reciprocal Prospective Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Relationship With Parents in Early Adolescence

Objective: Adolescent depressive symptoms are associated with difficult family relationships. Family systems and interpersonal theories of depression suggest that this association could reflect a circular process in which symptoms and family functioning affect each other over time. Few longitudinal studies have tested this hypothesis, and the results of these studies have been equivocal. In this study, we examine reciprocal prospective associations in early adolescence between depressive symptoms and 2 important aspects of parent–child relationships: communication and conflict. Methods: Participants were 3862 students who annually filled out self-reports. Path analysis was used to examine prospective associations between depressive symptoms and perceived communication and conflict with parents from the age of 12 to 13 and 14 to 15 years. Independence of these associations was assessed by controlling for family context (parental separation and family socioeconomic status) and adolescent behaviour problems (delinquent behaviours and substance use). Sex differences were evaluated with multiple group analysis. Results: Reciprocal prospective associations were found between depressive symptoms and perceived conflict with parents, but not between depressive symptoms and communication with parents. Depressive symptoms were found to predict poorer communication with parents over time, but communication was not predictive of lower depressive symptoms in subsequent years. All paths were sex-invariant and independent from family context and behaviour problems. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of considering the potential impact of adolescent symptomatology on parent–child relationships and suggests that reciprocity may characterize the association between depressive symptoms and negative aspects of parent–child relationships. The role of adolescent perceptions in the interplay between depressive symptoms and family relationships remains to be clarified.

Adolescent Illicit Drug Use and Subsequent Academic and Psychosocial Adjustment : an Examination of Socially-Mediated Pathways

Background: Questions remain regarding the consequences of illicit drug use on adolescent adjustment and the nature of mechanisms that may explain these consequences. In this study, we examined whether early-onset illicit drug use predicts subsequent academic and psychosocial adjustment and whether associations are socially-mediated by decreased school engagement and increased peer deviancy. Method: 4885 adolescents were followed throughout secondary school. We used regressions to determine whether illicit drug use in grade 7 predicted academic achievement, school dropout, depressive symptoms, and conduct problems in grades 10–11, adjusting for potential confounders. We used path analysis to test whether significant associations were mediated by school engagement and peer deviancy in grade 8. Results: Illicit drug use predicted conduct problems and school dropout, but not academic achievement and depressive symptoms. The association between illicit drug use and conduct problems was fully mediated by increased peer deviancy. The association between illicit drug use and school dropout was partially mediated by increased peer deviancy, but remained mostly direct. No indirect association via decreased school engagement was found. Examination of reverse pathways revealed that conduct problems and academic achievement in grade 7 predicted drug use in grades 10–11. These associations were mediated by peer deviancy and school engagement (conduct problems only). Conclusion: Adolescent illicit drug use influences the risk of school dropout and conduct problems in part by contributing to deviant peer affiliation. Reciprocal social mediation characterizes the association between drug use and conduct problems. A reverse mechanism best explains the association with academic achievement.

A importância da continuidade educativa e da articulação entre a educação pré-escolar o 1º ciclo do ensino básico

O presente relatório reflete o trabalho desenvolvido na Prática e Intervenção Supervisionada do Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e apresenta a descrição, reflexão e a análise do percurso vivenciado no Jardim de Infância de Avis. “A Importância da Continuidade Educativa e da Articulação entre a Educação Pré-Escolar e o 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico” é o título do relatório, no qual pretendemos investigar, refletir discursos e práticas de continuidade educativa e articulação entre a Educação Pré-Escolar e o 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico num Agrupamento de Escolas. O percurso foi vivido através da investigação-ação, tentando conhecer opiniões e expectativas e, baseada no conhecimento obtido, planear e desenvolver atividades que envolvessem as crianças num processo de continuidade preparando-se para a transição para o 1.º ciclo do Ensino Básico.

Le sentiment d'appartenance à l'école : un regard conceptuel, psychométrique et théorique

Parce qu’il est notamment lié à des facteurs de réussite scolaire et d’adaptation sociale (Eccles & Roeser, 2009; Finn, 1989; Janosz, Georges, & Parent, 1998), le sentiment d’appartenance des élèves est considéré comme étant un élément de première instance qui doit d’être développé et maintenu par les professionnels de l’éducation (MELS, 2012). L'objectif général visait à approfondir notre compréhension du sentiment d’appartenance à l’école. Pour répondre à cet objectif général, trois articles de recherche distincts ont été élaborés. Le premier article présente une analyse conceptuelle visant à clarifier la compréhension du concept de sentiment d’appartenance à l’école. La méthode conceptuelle privilégiée dans cet article est celle de Walker et Avant (2011). La recension des écrits et les référents empiriques répertoriés indiquent que ce concept est de nature multidimensionnelle. L’analyse des données indique quatre attributs définitionnels. L’élève doit : (1) ressentir une émotion positive à l’égard du milieu scolaire; (2) entretenir des relations sociales de qualité avec les membres du milieu scolaire; (3) s’impliquer activement dans les activités de la classe ou celles de l’école; (4) percevoir une certaine synergie (harmonisation), voir même une similarité, avec les membres de son groupe. À la suite de cette étude permettant de mieux comprendre le sentiment d’appartenance à l’école, le deuxième article visait à examiner la structure factorielle et l'invariance de l’instrument de mesure du sentiment d’appartenance Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM) au regard du sexe des élèves. Cette étude a été menée chez un échantillon composé de 766 filles et de 391 garçons de troisième secondaire. Les analyses factorielles confirmatoires ont indiqué une structure à trois facteurs : (1) la qualité des relations entre les élèves; (2) la qualité des relations entre les élèves et l’enseignant; ainsi que (3) le sentiment d’acceptation par le milieu. Les analyses factorielles multigroupes ont indiqué pour leur part que le PSSM est un instrument invariant chez les filles et les garçons de troisième secondaire. Finalement, le troisième article a été mené chez un échantillon de 4166 élèves de niveau secondaire afin d’examiner les processus psychologiques complexes s’opérant entre le sentiment d’appartenance et le rendement scolaire (Anderman & Freeman, 2004; Connell & et al., 1994; Roeser et al., 1996). Afin d’examiner ces processus psychologiques, quatre hypothèses issues du modèle de Freeman-Anderman ont été validées par le biais d’analyses acheminatoires : H1 Les affects positifs médiatisent partiellement et positivement l’effet du sentiment d’appartenance sur l’engagement comportemental; H2 Les affects positifs médiatisent partiellement et positivement l’effet du sentiment d’appartenance sur l’engagement affectif; H3 Les affects positifs médiatisent partiellement et positivement l’effet du sentiment d’appartenance sur l’engagement cognitif; H4 Les engagements affectif, cognitif et comportemental médiatisent partiellement et positivement l’effet du sentiment d’appartenance sur le rendement scolaire. Nos résultats appuient partiellement la première hypothèse de recherche tout en soutenant les hypothèses deux, trois et quatre. Spécifiquement, la relation entre le sentiment d’appartenance et l’engagement émotionnel montre davantage un effet direct qu’un effet indirect (H2). L’étude a produit des résultats similaires pour l’engagement cognitif (H3). Finalement, la relation entre le sentiment d’appartenance et le rendement scolaire indique un effet indirect plus grand qu’un effet direct (H4). À la lumière de ces résultats, des recommandations à l’intention des professionnels de l’éducation sont offertes en guise de conclusion.

Reciprocal Prospective Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Relationship With Parents in Early Adolescence

Objective: Adolescent depressive symptoms are associated with difficult family relationships. Family systems and interpersonal theories of depression suggest that this association could reflect a circular process in which symptoms and family functioning affect each other over time. Few longitudinal studies have tested this hypothesis, and the results of these studies have been equivocal. In this study, we examine reciprocal prospective associations in early adolescence between depressive symptoms and 2 important aspects of parent–child relationships: communication and conflict. Methods: Participants were 3862 students who annually filled out self-reports. Path analysis was used to examine prospective associations between depressive symptoms and perceived communication and conflict with parents from the age of 12 to 13 and 14 to 15 years. Independence of these associations was assessed by controlling for family context (parental separation and family socioeconomic status) and adolescent behaviour problems (delinquent behaviours and substance use). Sex differences were evaluated with multiple group analysis. Results: Reciprocal prospective associations were found between depressive symptoms and perceived conflict with parents, but not between depressive symptoms and communication with parents. Depressive symptoms were found to predict poorer communication with parents over time, but communication was not predictive of lower depressive symptoms in subsequent years. All paths were sex-invariant and independent from family context and behaviour problems. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of considering the potential impact of adolescent symptomatology on parent–child relationships and suggests that reciprocity may characterize the association between depressive symptoms and negative aspects of parent–child relationships. The role of adolescent perceptions in the interplay between depressive symptoms and family relationships remains to be clarified.

Adolescent Illicit Drug Use and Subsequent Academic and Psychosocial Adjustment : an Examination of Socially-Mediated Pathways

Background: Questions remain regarding the consequences of illicit drug use on adolescent adjustment and the nature of mechanisms that may explain these consequences. In this study, we examined whether early-onset illicit drug use predicts subsequent academic and psychosocial adjustment and whether associations are socially-mediated by decreased school engagement and increased peer deviancy. Method: 4885 adolescents were followed throughout secondary school. We used regressions to determine whether illicit drug use in grade 7 predicted academic achievement, school dropout, depressive symptoms, and conduct problems in grades 10–11, adjusting for potential confounders. We used path analysis to test whether significant associations were mediated by school engagement and peer deviancy in grade 8. Results: Illicit drug use predicted conduct problems and school dropout, but not academic achievement and depressive symptoms. The association between illicit drug use and conduct problems was fully mediated by increased peer deviancy. The association between illicit drug use and school dropout was partially mediated by increased peer deviancy, but remained mostly direct. No indirect association via decreased school engagement was found. Examination of reverse pathways revealed that conduct problems and academic achievement in grade 7 predicted drug use in grades 10–11. These associations were mediated by peer deviancy and school engagement (conduct problems only). Conclusion: Adolescent illicit drug use influences the risk of school dropout and conduct problems in part by contributing to deviant peer affiliation. Reciprocal social mediation characterizes the association between drug use and conduct problems. A reverse mechanism best explains the association with academic achievement.