Producir para el agro en un entorno turbulento. El caso de una fábrica de cosechadoras en la Argentina

La producción de maquinaria agrícola en la Argentina se inicia muy tempranamente, estimulada por las amplias posibilidades que brindaba la producción de cereales. Un rasgo destacable del sector se refiere a la importante tradición en innovación tecnológica, sin duda alentada por la naturaleza específica de la producción agrícola en nuestro país y por los altos costos de las maquinas importadas. Esta tradición en innovación y el entramado territorial resultarán claves para entender el desarrollo de una firma fabricante de cosechadoras en el sur de Santa Fe a partir de la década del cincuenta. Pueden identificarse cuatro grandes etapas en la trayectoria de Roque Vassalli SA; cada una de estas etapas presentadas en el trabajo de manera cronológica enfatiza algún aspecto de la dinámica empresarial que explica el desempeño productivo y la evolución económico-financiera de la firma en ese período. De este modo, en una primera etapa se destacan la disposición innovadora del empresario fundador, su ensamblaje con las políticas públicas de promoción del sector y la fuerte apuesta a la conformación de una red de distribuidores como factores claves para la consolidación de la empresa en el mercado interno. En cambio, en una segunda etapa se enfatiza en los problemas que presentó el mercado de maquinarias agrícolas en la segunda mitad de los años sesenta que terminaron por afectar su situación productiva y financiera. En el tercer apartado el trabajo enfoca las variables que permiten explicar la recuperación de la empresa, principalmente en la importante dinámica del mercado interno pero también en las estrategias de comercialización y la captura de amplios mercados externos. Finalmente, el análisis en la cuarta etapa destaca los límites estrechos que la coyuntura macroeconómica impuso a la gestión empresarial y que terminó con la venta de la empresa.

PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO, PRODUÇÃO ACADÊMICA, INTERDISCIPLINARIDADE E SOCIALIZAÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO: A PRODUÇÃO CIENTÍFICA DO GRANDE ABC À LUZ DO PNPG 2011-2020

O objetivo desta investigação foi verificar se, diante da autonomia e vocação que possuem, bem como da possibilidade de receber amparo e incentivos governamentais, as universidades pertencentes à região do Grande ABC atenderam as recomendações feitas pelo PNPG vigente. Para tanto, foram analisadas cinquenta e sete dissertações e duas teses da área de ciências sociais aplicadas, publicadas no período entre 2011 e 2014, pelas seguintes instituições: Universidade Metodista de São Paulo (UMESP); Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul (USCS); Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC) e Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial (FEI). Essa averiguação se deu ao redor de dois eixos organizadores do PNPG 2011-2014: o terceiro eixo – o aperfeiçoamento da avaliação e sua expansão para outros segmentos do sistema de CT&I (formação de pós-graduados voltados para atividades extra-acadêmicas/setor empresarial) e o quarto eixo – a multi e a interdisciplinaridade entre as principais características da pós-graduação e importantes temas da pesquisa (promover, por meio de programas, áreas de concentração e linhas de pesquisa, a convergência de temas e compartilhamento de problemas em oposição à sua mera associação ou sobreposição). Este estudo – qualitativo, bibliográfico, documental, exploratório, descritivo, tipo estado do conhecimento – se desenvolveu por meio de pesquisa documental e de análise de conteúdo temático categorial. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio dos repositórios digitais de teses e dissertações mantidos na internet pelas Universidades, cuja produção científica foi investigada. Após a análise dos dados ficou demonstrado que aproximadamente 68,96% da produção científica da área de ciências sociais aplicadas, publicada pelas universidades do Grande ABC, no período entre 2011 e 2014, corresponde às expectativas do PNPG atual no que diz respeito às recomendações constantes no terceiro eixo. Em relação às recomendações feitas no texto do quarto eixo, vemos que aproximadamente 31,03% dos trabalhos selecionados atendem às expectativas do Plano, apresentando em sua estrutura, segundo a fundamentação teórica utilizada neste trabalho, características de interdisciplinaridade.

PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO, PRODUÇÃO ACADÊMICA, INTERDISCIPLINARIDADE E SOCIALIZAÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO: A PRODUÇÃO CIENTÍFICA DO GRANDE ABC À LUZ DO PNPG 2011-2020

O objetivo desta investigação foi verificar se, diante da autonomia e vocação que possuem, bem como da possibilidade de receber amparo e incentivos governamentais, as universidades pertencentes à região do Grande ABC atenderam as recomendações feitas pelo PNPG vigente. Para tanto, foram analisadas cinquenta e sete dissertações e duas teses da área de ciências sociais aplicadas, publicadas no período entre 2011 e 2014, pelas seguintes instituições: Universidade Metodista de São Paulo (UMESP); Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul (USCS); Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC) e Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial (FEI). Essa averiguação se deu ao redor de dois eixos organizadores do PNPG 2011-2014: o terceiro eixo – o aperfeiçoamento da avaliação e sua expansão para outros segmentos do sistema de CT&I (formação de pós-graduados voltados para atividades extra-acadêmicas/setor empresarial) e o quarto eixo – a multi e a interdisciplinaridade entre as principais características da pós-graduação e importantes temas da pesquisa (promover, por meio de programas, áreas de concentração e linhas de pesquisa, a convergência de temas e compartilhamento de problemas em oposição à sua mera associação ou sobreposição). Este estudo – qualitativo, bibliográfico, documental, exploratório, descritivo, tipo estado do conhecimento – se desenvolveu por meio de pesquisa documental e de análise de conteúdo temático categorial. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio dos repositórios digitais de teses e dissertações mantidos na internet pelas Universidades, cuja produção científica foi investigada. Após a análise dos dados ficou demonstrado que aproximadamente 68,96% da produção científica da área de ciências sociais aplicadas, publicada pelas universidades do Grande ABC, no período entre 2011 e 2014, corresponde às expectativas do PNPG atual no que diz respeito às recomendações constantes no terceiro eixo. Em relação às recomendações feitas no texto do quarto eixo, vemos que aproximadamente 31,03% dos trabalhos selecionados atendem às expectativas do Plano, apresentando em sua estrutura, segundo a fundamentação teórica utilizada neste trabalho, características de interdisciplinaridade.

Hd6, a rice quantitative trait locus involved in photoperiod sensitivity, encodes the α subunit of protein kinase CK2

Hd6 is a quantitative trait locus involved in rice photoperiod sensitivity. It was detected in backcross progeny derived from a cross between the japonica variety Nipponbare and the indica variety Kasalath. To isolate a gene at Hd6, we used a large segregating population for the high-resolution and fine-scale mapping of Hd6 and constructed genomic clone contigs around the Hd6 region. Linkage analysis with P1-derived artificial chromosome clone-derived DNA markers delimited Hd6 to a 26.4-kb genomic region. We identified a gene encoding the α subunit of protein kinase CK2 (CK2α) in this region. The Nipponbare allele of CK2α contains a premature stop codon, and the resulting truncated product is undoubtedly nonfunctional. Genetic complementation analysis revealed that the Kasalath allele of CK2α increases days-to-heading. Map-based cloning with advanced backcross progeny enabled us to identify a gene underlying a quantitative trait locus even though it exhibited a relatively small effect on the phenotype.

Flexibility versus Stability: A difficult trade-off in the eurozone. CEPS Working Document No. 422, 29 April 2016

Optimal currency area (OCA) theory has been influential in pushing eurozone countries towards structural reforms to make product and labour markets more flexible. The underlying assumption of the OCA prescription for structural reform is that asymmetric shocks are permanent. However, when shocks are temporary it does not follow that more flexibility is the answer. When shocks are the result of business-cycle movements, the way to deal with them is by stabilisation efforts. This paper provides empirical evidence that suggests that the biggest shocks in the eurozone were the result of business-cycle movements. These were relatively well synchronised, except for their amplitude. We argue that efforts to stabilise business cycles should be strengthened relative to the efforts that have been made to impose structural reforms, with consideration given to the implications for the governance of the eurozone.

QST.

A magazine devoted entirely to amateur radio.

Innovation and internationalization of Latin American services

Innovation and internationalization in services are key drivers of structural transformation, productivity growth and overall economic performance in Latin America. The services sector accounts for two thirds of the region’s GDP and provides over 60% of its employment. These shares are higher than in other developing regions, but still lower than in countries with higher levels of per capita income. The spread of information and communication technologies in Latin America over the past three decades has vastly enhanced both the tradability of services and the sector’s propensity to innovate. Long considered unrelated processes, both internationalization and innovation are today widely recognized as key and complementary sources of firm-level competitiveness and human capital enhancement. The advent of many novel types of business and consumer services is furthermore a key factor in the rising insertion of Latin American firms in regional and global value chains and transnational production networks, which are now the predominant form of organization of international production and trade. This volume explores three different levels of interaction between internationalization and innovation in the services sector in Latin America. Part I analyses the role of services in manufacturing and other sectors’ global value chains from a theoretical perspective, drawing on the experiences of Brazil and Mexico. Part II reviews innovation and internationalization policies and their effects on the performance of the services sector. Part III presents a series of case studies on innovation and internationalization linkages in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico. The book concludes that, in order for Latin American countries and firms to upgrade into services value chains, public and private initiatives must generate a host of regional public goods —enhanced investment climates, supply of skills, greater access to finance, improved protection of intellectual property, better value appropriation, enhanced efforts at standardization and quality certification— to strengthen the links between innovation and internationalization.

Sequential pyrolysis of willow SRC at low and high heating rates:implications for selective pyrolysis

The main aim of the work is to investigate sequential pyrolysis of willow SRC using two different heating rates (25 and 1500 °C/min) between 320 and 520 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis - gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy (Py-GC-MS) have been used for this analysis. In addition, laboratory scale processing has been undertaken to compare product distribution from fast and slow pyrolysis at 500 °C. Fast pyrolysis was carried out using a 1 kg/h continuous bubbling fluidized bed reactor, and slow pyrolysis using a 100 g batch reactor. Findings from this study show that heating rate and pyrolysis temperatures have a significant influence on the chemical content of decomposition products. From the analytical sequential pyrolysis, an inverse relationship was seen between the total yield of furfural (at high heating rates) and 2-furanmethanol (at low heating rates). The total yield of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) was found to be significant higher at low heating rates. The intermediates of catechol, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol (eugenol); 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol); 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (syringaldehyde) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin), were found to be highest at high heating rates. It was also found that laboratory scale processing alters the pyrolysis bio-oil chemical composition, and the proportions of pyrolysis product yields. The GC-MS/FID analysis of fast and slow pyrolysis bio-oils reveals significant differences. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Securing business-to-business relationships:the impact of switching costs

While the relationship marketing literature acknowledges the importance of switching costs for increasing customer retention, little is known about its relevance in industrial markets. In particular, it is unclear whether switching costs, and associated dimensions, impact on behavioral outcomes of buyer–seller relationships in business-to-business (B2B) markets. In order to contribute to theory development in this important area, our research first explores the dimensions of switching costs for the B2B domain and also tests the relative impact of these dimensions on business customers' actual purchase behavior. Results suggest that switching costs in B2B settings are a multi-faceted construct, including (i) procedural, (ii) financial, and (iii) relational switching costs. Moreover, we find relational switching costs to be most important for securing B2B buyer–seller relationships since they impact a customer's (a) share-of-wallet, (b) cross-buying behavior, and (c) actual switching behavior. While procedural switching costs only influence share-of-wallet, financial switching costs solely impact customer's cross-buying behavior. These findings contribute to a better understanding on how to secure B2B buyer–seller relationships.

Solar stills:a comprehensive review of designs, performance and material advances

The demand for fresh water production is growing day by day with the increase in world population and with industrial growth. Use of desalination technology is increasing to meet this demand. Among desalination technologies, solar stills require low maintenance and are readily affordable; however their productivity is limited. This paper aims to give a detailed review about the various types of solar stills, covering passive and active designs, single- and multi-effect types, and the various modifications for improved productivity including reflectors, heat storage, fins, collectors, condensers, and mechanisms for enhancing heat and mass transfer. Photovoltaic-thermal and greenhouse type solar stills are also covered. Material advances in the area of phase change materials and nanocomposites are very promising to enhance further performance; future research should be carried out in these and other areas for the greater uptake of solar still technology.

A technológiai fejlődés hatása a tartós eszközök gazdasági értékcsökkenésére (The effect of technological progress on economic depreciation of durable assets)

A cikk a tartós eszközök gazdasági értékcsökkenésének elméleti hátterét vizsgálja az eszközökben megtestesülő szolgálatok felemésztődése szempontjából. Ezt a felemésztődést az eszközök kimerülésén és elhasználódásán túl, a gazdasági környezetben megjelenő testet öltő és testet nem öltő technológiai fejlődés következtében fellépő avulás is befolyásolja, mely avulás hatását a cikk részletesen tárgyalja. A technológiai fejlődés következtében fellépő avulásnak igen fontos szerepe van az eszközökhöz, és azok használati módjához legjobban illeszkedő értékcsökkenési minta kirajzolásában, amely alapján meghatározott értékcsökkenés központi eleme a vállalkozások jövedelmének, valamint a vállalkozási output egységköltségének, ami az output árazásának fontos tényezője. Ezáltal az értékcsökkenés meghatározásánál figyelembe vett avulás hatással van a vállalkozás termék és tőkepiaci versenyképességére. ___________ The paper examines the theoretical background of durable asset’s economic depreciation, from the embodied services consumption point of view. This consumption is affected by the exhaustion and deterioration beyond obsolescence which is due to embodied and disembodied technological progress that appears in the economic environment. The effect of obsolescence on the economic depreciation is examined in this paper in detail. The obsolescence due to technological progress has an important role in determining the best fit depreciation pattern to the durable asset and its usage. The economic depreciation is a central component of the company’s income, as well as the unit cost of the company’s output, which is an important element of the output pricing process. Thereby the obsolescence recognised by determining economic depreciation influences the company’s competitiveness on the product and capital markets.

Nursing faculty intention to use service learning as pedagogy in higher education

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that motivate nursing faculty to use service learning. The study was based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), which implies that the target behavior of intention to use service learning in higher education is influenced by the predictor variables of behavior beliefs (attitude), normative beliefs (peer influence), and control beliefs (confidence and resources). External variables were also considered (years of teaching experience, tenure status, and the type of curriculum). ^ Group interviews and a pilot test were conducted to create the instrument for the study, and Cronbach alpha were calculated for survey item reliability. The participants were full time undergraduate nursing faculty members ( n = 160) in the Southeastern United States who taught in universities with accredited nurse education programs. Demographic data as well as scores on scaled survey responses were used to evaluate the intention of nursing faculty to use service learning in their classes. ^ Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and path analysis were applied to the data. The correlation findings indicated that there were statistically significant relationships between behavior beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs and nursing faculty intention to use service learning. The path analysis also indicated that behavior beliefs and normative beliefs were significant, while control beliefs were not a strong influence on intention to use service learning. Normative beliefs showed the strongest direct influence. The use of a community based curriculum also had a positive influence on intention, and faculty with tenure status were more likely to have positive behavior beliefs (attitude) towards service learning. Finally, as teaching experience increased, positive attitudes towards the intention to use service learning decreased. Seventy-nine percent of the variation in the intention to use service learning was explained by the theory of planned behavior, the type of curriculum, teaching experience, and tenure status. These results will assist nursing administration and faculty to design strategies to facilitate the implementation of service learning pedagogy, as well as a community based curriculum which will help meet the 21st century goals set forth from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. ^

How people resolve dilemmas: An elicitation method for subjective decision factors

In human society, people encounter various deontic conflicts every day. Deontic decisions are those that include moral, ethical, and normative aspects. Here, the concern is with deontic conflicts: decisions where all the alternatives lead to the violation of some norms. People think critically about these kinds of decisions. But, just ‘what’ they think about is not always clear. ^ People use certain estimating factors/criteria to balance the tradeoffs when they encounter deontic conflicts. It is unclear what subjective factors people use to make a deontic decision. An elicitation approach called the Open Factor Conjoint System is proposed, which applies an online elicitation methodology which is a combination of two well-know research methodologies: repertory grid and conjoint analysis. This new methodology is extended to be a web based application. It seeks to elicit additional relevant (subjective) factors from people, which affect deontic decisions. The relative importance and utility values are used for the development of a decision model to predict people’s decisions. ^ Fundamentally, this methodology was developed and intended to be applicable for a wide range of elicitation applications with minimal experimenter bias. Comparing with the traditional method, this online survey method reduces the limitation of time and space in data collection and this methodology can be applied in many fields. Two possible applications were addressed: robotic vehicles and the choice of medical treatment. In addition, this method can be applied to many research related disciplines in cross-cultural research due to its online ability with global capacity. ^

Measuring Brand Equity of Restaurant Chains

Little research has been done to measure brand equity of hospitality companies. It is important for food service organizations to measure accurately their brand equity in order to manage and leverage it properly. This study attempts to measure the brand equity of casual dining restaurant chains in monetary terms using conjoint analysis.