Burocracia e comércio exterior: os desafios à exportação sob a ótica das micro e pequenas empresas exportadoras do Rio Grande do Norte

As micro e pequenas empresas, ao mesmo tempo em que exercem um papel extremamente relevante na estrutura produtiva da economia brasileira pelo grande número de empreendedores existentes e expressivo volume de pessoal ocupado, perdem competitividade ao se deparar com entraves ao seu desenvolvimento, sejam eles em âmbito gerencial, financeiro, burocrático ou estrutural. Com base nesse contexto, o estudo procura identificar em que medida, na percepção das MPEs exportadoras do Rio Grande do Norte, as exigências burocráticas do processo exportador afetam o seu desempenho no comércio exterior. Como exigências burocráticas compreende-se o conjunto de normas, regras e procedimentos e documentos que disciplinam o processo exportador, enquanto desempenho é entendido como os resultados da atividade econômica medido através do crescimento das vendas para o mercado externo; das demandas de produtos exportados não atendidas e da ampliação do mercado internacional. A pesquisa realizada é de caráter censitário, desenvolvida junto a quatorze MPEs do estado, atuantes regularmente no comércio exterior nos últimos três anos (2009-2011), utilizando aplicação de questionário, assim como uma consulta a dados secundários disponíveis. A análise dos dados levantados revelou que, efetivamente, na percepção dos respondentes, fatores externos como o custo do processo de exportação, falta de incentivo do governo, excesso de controle dos órgãos públicos e a infraestrutura logística do estado exercem influência na pequena participação das MPEs nas exportações do Brasil e do Nordeste, enquanto o bom desempenho exportador destas relaciona-se a fatores gerenciais, com destaque para investimentos na estrutura organizacional da empresa, conhecimento do mercado internacional e bom relacionamento com clientes e mercados

The past, present and projected scenarios in the Lake Albert and Albert Nile fisheries: implications for sustainable management

Lake Albert is one of the largest lakes in Uganda that still supports a multi-species fishery which as a result of variable adult sizes of the species, causes management challenges especially in relation to gear mesh size enforcement. Prior to the 1980s, commercial species were 17 large sized fishes especially Citharinus citharinus, Distichodus niloticus and Lates spp. that were confimed to inshore habitats of the lake and were thus rapidly over fished. Frame and catch assessment surveys conducted in this study revealed a >80% dominance of small size fish species (Neobola bredoi and Brycinus nurse) and a 40 -60% decrease in the contribution of the large commercial species. Sustainability of small size fish species is uncertain due to seasonal fluctuations and low beach value. At about 150,000 tons of fish recorded from Lake Albert and Albert Nile, the beach value was estimated at 55.3 million USD. Despite the noted decline in catches of the large sized fishes their contribution was more than 50% of total beach value. Therefore, management measures should couple value addition for the small sized species and maintain effort regulation targeting recovery of the large previously important commercial species.

Burocracia e comércio exterior: os desafios à exportação sob a ótica das micro e pequenas empresas exportadoras do Rio Grande do Norte

As micro e pequenas empresas, ao mesmo tempo em que exercem um papel extremamente relevante na estrutura produtiva da economia brasileira pelo grande número de empreendedores existentes e expressivo volume de pessoal ocupado, perdem competitividade ao se deparar com entraves ao seu desenvolvimento, sejam eles em âmbito gerencial, financeiro, burocrático ou estrutural. Com base nesse contexto, o estudo procura identificar em que medida, na percepção das MPEs exportadoras do Rio Grande do Norte, as exigências burocráticas do processo exportador afetam o seu desempenho no comércio exterior. Como exigências burocráticas compreende-se o conjunto de normas, regras e procedimentos e documentos que disciplinam o processo exportador, enquanto desempenho é entendido como os resultados da atividade econômica medido através do crescimento das vendas para o mercado externo; das demandas de produtos exportados não atendidas e da ampliação do mercado internacional. A pesquisa realizada é de caráter censitário, desenvolvida junto a quatorze MPEs do estado, atuantes regularmente no comércio exterior nos últimos três anos (2009-2011), utilizando aplicação de questionário, assim como uma consulta a dados secundários disponíveis. A análise dos dados levantados revelou que, efetivamente, na percepção dos respondentes, fatores externos como o custo do processo de exportação, falta de incentivo do governo, excesso de controle dos órgãos públicos e a infraestrutura logística do estado exercem influência na pequena participação das MPEs nas exportações do Brasil e do Nordeste, enquanto o bom desempenho exportador destas relaciona-se a fatores gerenciais, com destaque para investimentos na estrutura organizacional da empresa, conhecimento do mercado internacional e bom relacionamento com clientes e mercados

Role of financial and other information in trade credit decisions in SMEs: An international study

Trade credit is an important source of finance for SMEs and this study investigates the use of the financial statements and other information in making trade credit decisions in smaller entities in Finland, the UK, USA and South Africa. The study adds to the literature by examining the information needs of unincorporated entities as a basis for making comparisons with small, unlisted companies. In-depth, semi-structured interviews in each country were used to collect data from the owner-managers of SMEs and from credit rating agencies and credit insurers. The findings provide insights into similarities and differences between countries and between developed and developing economies. The evidence suggests that there are three main influences on the trade credit decision: formal and report-based information, soft information relating to social capital and contingency factors. The latter dictate the extent to which hard/formal information versus soft/informal information is used.

A THEORETICAL STUDY OF INTERACTION OF NANOPARTICLES WITH BIOMOLECULE

Many types of materials at nanoscale are currently being used in everyday life. The production and use of such products based on engineered nanomaterials have raised concerns of the possible risks and hazards associated with these nanomaterials. In order to evaluate and gain a better understanding of their effects on living organisms, we have performed first-principles quantum mechanical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Specifically, we will investigate the interaction of nanomaterials including semiconducting quantum dots and metallic nanoparticles with various biological molecules, such as dopamine, DNA nucleobases and lipid membranes. Firstly, interactions of semiconducting CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) with the dopamine and the DNA nucleobase molecules are investigated using similar quantum mechanical approach to the one used for the metallic nanoparticles. A variety of interaction sites are explored. Our results show that small-sized Cd4Se4 and Cd4S4 QDs interact strongly with the DNA nucleobase if a DNA nucleobase has the amide or hydroxyl chemical group. These results indicate that these QDs are suitable for detecting subcellular structures, as also reported by experiments. The next two chapters describe a preparation required for the simulation of nanoparticles interacting with membranes leading to accurate structure models for the membranes. We develop a method for the molecular crystalline structure prediction of 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC), 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamine (DMPE) and cyclic di-amino acid peptide using first-principles methods. Since an accurate determination of the structure of an organic crystal is usually an extremely difficult task due to availability of the large number of its conformers, we propose a new computational scheme by applying knowledge of symmetry, structural chemistry and chemical bonding to reduce the sampling size of the conformation space. The interaction of metal nanoparticles with cell membranes is finally carried out by molecular dynamics simulations, and the results are reported in the last chapter. A new force field is developed which accurately describes the interaction forces between the clusters representing small-sized metal nanoparticles and the lipid bilayer molecules. The permeation of nanoparticles into the cell membrane is analyzed together with the RMSD values of the membrane modeled by a lipid bilayer. The simulation results suggest that the AgNPs could cause the same amount of deformation as the AuNPs for the dysfunction of the membrane.

Identification of Hotspots in the European Union for the Introduction of Four Zoonotic Arboviroses by Live Animal Trade

Live animal trade is considered a major mode of introduction of viruses from enzootic foci into disease-free areas. Due to societal and behavioural changes, some wild animal species may nowadays be considered as pet species. The species diversity of animals involved in international trade is thus increasing. This could benefit pathogens that have a broad host range such as arboviruses. The objective of this study was to analyze the risk posed by live animal imports for the introduction, in the European Union (EU), of four arboviruses that affect human and horses: Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis. Importation data for a five-years period (2005-2009, extracted from the EU TRACES database), environmental data (used as a proxy for the presence of vectors) and horses and human population density data (impacting the occurrence of clinical cases) were combined to derive spatially explicit risk indicators for virus introduction and for the potential consequences of such introductions. Results showed the existence of hotspots where the introduction risk was the highest in Belgium, in the Netherlands and in the north of Italy. This risk was higher for Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) than for the three other diseases. It was mainly attributed to exotic pet species such as rodents, reptiles or cage birds, imported in small-sized containments from a wide variety of geographic origins. The increasing species and origin diversity of these animals may have in the future a strong impact on the risk of introduction of arboviruses in the EU.

Comparing Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of the velvet belly lanternshark, Etmopterus spinax, with comments on the efficiency of density-dependent compensatory mechanisms

Etmopterus spinax is a small-sized deep-water lantern shark that occurs in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Differences in depth distribution, densities, size at maturity and fecundity were compared between a population that has suffered high levels of fishing mortality during the last decades (Southern Portugal in the northeast Atlantic) and a population where low fishing pressure below 500 m occurs at present or has occurred in the last decades (Northern Alboran Sea in the western Mediterranean). The density of this species, as derived by experimental bottom trawl survey, off the coast of Southern Portugal, is substantially lower than in the Northern Alboran Sea throughout the entire depth range. The Atlantic population is maturing at smaller sizes than the Mediterranean population and has a lower mean fecundity. Specifically, sizes at maturity for Southern Portugal and the Northern Alboran Sea were, respectively, 25.39 and 28.31 cm TL for males and 30.86 and 34.18 cm TL for females, while mean fecundities for Southern Portugal and the Northern Alboran Sea were, respectively, 9.94 and 11.06 oocytes per mature female. This work demonstrated the possible presence of density-dependent mechanisms in the Southern Portuguese population of E. spinax that has lowered the size at maturity as a possible result of excessive fishing mortality. However, given that this is an aplacentary viviparous shark, where fecundity is dependent on female size, this compensatory mechanism seems to have a limited efficiency.

Depth distribution of the velvet belly, Etmopterus spinax, in relation to growth and reproductive cycle: The case study of a deep-water lantern shark with a wide-ranging critical habitat

The velvet belly lantern shark, Etmopterus spinax (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae), is a small-sized squalid shark commonly found in deep waters off the Portuguese coast, mainly on soft bottoms. In this study, 67 research cruise bottom trawl tows (with 1-hour duration) were carried out at depths that ranged from 84 to 786 m. A total of 396 specimens (192 males and 204 females) were caught, with total lengths and ages ranging, respectively, from 10.2 to 32.9 cm and 0 to 7 years for males and from 9.8 to 41.1 cm and 0 to 10 years for females. Size, age, sex and maturity stages were found to be correlated with depth, with the larger, older and mostly mature specimens occurring predominantly at greater depths. There seems to be a depth-related migration, where the pregnant females migrate from deeper mating grounds to shallower nursery grounds. The sex ratios were relatively similar in the shallower strata, but females dominated at more than 600 m and were exclusive at more than 700 m. Fishing-related mortality may have complex and significant repercussions on this species, given that commercial fisheries are impacting different segments of this population differently.

Life history of a wide-ranging deepwater lantern shark in the north-east Atlantic, Etmopterus spinax (Chondrichthyes: Etmopteridae), with implications for conservation

In this paper, the population biology of the velvet belly lanternshark Etmopterus spinax was studied and life-history coefficients determined. Age was estimated from sections of the second dorsal spine and validated by marginal increment analysis. Males attained a maximum age of 8 years while 11 year-old females were found. Several growth models were fitted and compared for both size-at-age and mass-at-age data, showing that even though this is a small-sized species, it has a relatively slow growth rate. This species matures late, specifically at 49.6 and 42.5% of the maximum observed ages for males and females, respectively. It has a low fecundity, with a mean ovarian fecundity of 9.94 oocytes and a mean uterine fecundity of 7.59 embryos per reproductive cycle. This species seems to have a long reproductive cycle, and even though no conclusive data were obtained, a 2-3 year cycle is possible. The estimated coefficients indicate that this species has a vulnerable life cycle, typical of deepwater squalid sharks. Given the high fishing pressures that it is suffering in the north-east Atlantic, this fish may already be facing severe declines or in risk of facing them in the near future. (C) 2008 The Authors Journal compilation (C) 2008 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Population parameters of the smooth lantern shark, Etmopterus pusillus, in southern Portugal (NE Atlantic)

Etmopterus pusillus is a deep water lantern shark with a widespread global distribution that is caught in large quantities in some areas, but is usually discarded due to the low commercial value. In this work, the population biology was studied and life history parameters determined for the first time in this species. Age was estimated from sections of the second dorsal spine and validated by marginal increment analysis. Males attained a maximum age of 13 years, while 17-year-old females were found. Several growth models were fitted and compared for both size and weight at age data, showing that even though this is a small sized species, it has a relatively slow growth rate. This species matures late and at a relatively large size: at 86.81% and 79.40% of the maximum observed sizes and at 58.02% and 54.40% of the maximum observed ages for males and females, respectively. It has a low fecundity, with a mean ovarian fecundity of 10.44 oocytes per reproductive cycle. The estimated parameters indicate that this species has a vulnerable life cycle, typical of deep water squalid sharks. Given the high fishing pressures that it is suffering in the NE Atlantic, the smooth lantern shark may be in danger of severe declines in the near future. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Demography of a deep-sea lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) caught in trawl fisheries of the northeastern Atlantic: Application of Leslie matrices with incorporated uncertainties

The deep-sea lantern shark Etmopterus spinax occurs in the northeast Atlantic on or near the bottoms of the outer continental shelves and slopes, and is regularly captured as bycatch in deep-water commercial fisheries. Given the lack of knowledge on the impacts of fisheries on this species, a demographic analysis using age-based Leslie matrices was carried out. Given the uncertainties in the mortality estimates and in the available life history parameters, several different scenarios, some incorporating stochasticity in the life history parameters (using Monte Carlo simulation), were analyzed. If only natural mortality were considered, even after introducing uncertainties in all parameters, the estimated population growth rate (A) suggested an increasing population. However, if fishing mortality from trawl fisheries is considered, the estimates of A either indicated increasing or declining populations. In these latter cases, the uncertainties in the species reproductive cycle seemed to be particularly relevant, as a 2-year reproductive cycle indicated a stable population, while a longer (3-year cycle) indicated a declining population. The estimated matrix elasticities were in general higher for the survivorship parameters of the younger age classes and tended to decrease for the older ages. This highlights the susceptibility of this deep-sea squaloid to increasing fishing mortality, emphasizing that even though this is a small-sized species, it shows population dynamics patterns more typical of the larger-sized and in general more vulnerable species. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Distribution pattern of Galeus atlanticus in the Alborán Sea (south western Mediterranean) and some sexual character comparison with Galeus melastomus

Galeus atlanticus is a small-sized deepwater catshark living on the slope bottom of the Alborán Sea. Given its external similarities with Galeus melastomus, both species are often confused, which makes G. atlanticus a very poorly understood species both in terms of catches and biological aspects. For this study, a total of 741 G. atlanticus specimens, caught during scientific surveys from 1997 to 2003, were analysed. The distributional patterns were described and the reproductive status estimated. Galeus atlanticus occurred throughout the Alborán Sea, between the Strait of Gibraltar and Cape Gata, including the slope of the Island of Alborán. Its bathymetric range extended from 330 to 790 m and no size depth trends have been observed. Mature specimens, both males and females, were caught in all seasons of the year. Size at first maturity was significantly different between sexes, with estimates of 32.9 cm for males and 36.9 cm for females. The differential growth of some secondary sexual characteristics, such as clasper length in males and oviducal gland diameter in females, were compared with those of G. melastomus.

Small, Medium, Large: Theatre Companies and Issues of Scale - A Case Study of a Medium-Sized Company

'Surviving but not thriving.' Tbat is the message about small to mediumsized companies that Ian McRae, Chair ofthe Theatre Board of the Australia Council, has been delivering since 2003. In the Theatre Board Assessment Meeting Report of 2007, McRae strongly urged renewed financial support for this most important sector given the significant decrease over the last 10 years and the consequent decrease in new Australian works being produced. Without such support his prediction is that'considerable damage could be done to the creative infrastructure across Australia resulting in a loss of artistic vibrancy down the track that could be very difficult to recover' (McRae, 2007:3).

Understanding absorptive capacity in Malaysian small and medium sized (SME) construction companies

Purpose – The construction industry is a very important part of the Malaysian economy. The government's aim is to make the industry more productive, efficient and safe. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the core of the Malaysian construction industry and account for about 90 per cent of companies undertaking construction work. One of the main challenges faced by the Malaysian construction industry is the ability to absorb new knowledge and technology and to implement it in the construction phase. The purpose of this paper is to consider absorptive capacity in Malaysian construction SMEs in rural areas. Design/methodology/approach – The research was conducted in three stages: first, understanding the Malaysian construction industry; second, a literature review on the issues related to absorptive capacity and discussions with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB); and third, multiple case studies in five construction SMEs operating in a rural area to validate the factors influencing absorptive capacity. Findings – Nine key factors were identified influencing absorptive capacity in Malaysian construction SMEs operating in rural areas. These factors involved: cost and affordability; availability and supply; demand; infrastructure; policies and regulations; labour readiness; workforce attitude and motivation; communication and sources of new knowledge and; culture. Originality/value – The key factors influencing absorptive capacity presented in this paper are based on validation from the case studies in five construction SMEs in Malaysia. The research focuses on how they operate in rural areas; however, the research results have wider application than just Malaysia. The key factors identified as influencing absorptive capacity can serve as a basis for considering knowledge absorption in the wider context by SMEs in other developing countries.

Technological and organisational change in small- to medium-sized manufacturing companies:a learning organisation perspective

This paper examines the extent to which a learning organisation perspective is attainable in small- to medium-sized manufacturing companies. An audit tool is developed from the literature on organisational learning and recognised processes that lead towards becoming a learning organisation. The paper focuses on the application of the audit tool in three UK automotive component suppliers which are all experiencing pressures for change imposed by the major vehicle manufacturers. The main changes are concerned with tiering of the supply chain and substantial delegation of responsibilities to component suppliers including an increasing emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement. The companies presented in the paper are taken from a research project into the impact of changes in supply chain relationships on the operation of small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms in the West Midlands region of the UK. The ways in which the companies are responding to change are presented together with the results of a self-assessment using the developed audit tool. These results suggest that companies of this type tend to focus on change in those areas that involve least challenge to the established power and authority of management.