The effects of uncertainty avoidance on brand performance: Marketing creativity, product innovation and the brand duration

This paper investigates the link between brand performance and cultural primes in high-risk,innovation-based sectors. In theory section, we propose that the level of cultural uncertaintyavoidance embedded in a firm determine its marketing creativity by increasing the complexityand the broadness of a brand. It determines also the rate of firm product innovations.Marketing creativity and product innovation influence finally the firm marketingperformance. Empirically, we study trademarked promotion in the Software Security Industry(SSI). Our sample consists of 87 firms that are active in SSI from 11 countries in the period1993-2000. We use the data coming from SSI-related trademarks registered by these firms,ending up with 2,911 SSI-related trademarks and a panel of 18,213 observations. We estimatea two stage model in which first we predict the complexity and the broadness of a trademarkas a measure of marketing creativity and the rate of product innovations. Among severalcontrol variables, our variable of theoretical interest is the Hofstede s uncertainty avoidancecultural index. Then, we estimate the trademark duration with a hazard model using thepredicted complexity and broadness as well as the rate of product innovations, along with thesame control variables. Our evidence confirms that the cultural avoidance affects the durationof the trademarks through the firm marketing creativity and product innovation.

A total order in [0,1] defined through a 'next' operator

A `next' operator, s, is built on the set R1=(0,1]-{ 1-1/e} defining a partial order that, with the help of the axiom of choice, can be extended to a total order in R1. Besides, the orbits {sn(a)}nare all dense in R1 and are constituted by elements of the samearithmetical character: if a is an algebraic irrational of degreek all the elements in a's orbit are algebraic of degree k; if a istranscendental, all are transcendental. Moreover, the asymptoticdistribution function of the sequence formed by the elements in anyof the half-orbits is a continuous, strictly increasing, singularfunction very similar to the well-known Minkowski's ?(×) function.

Relatório de Estágio Profissional Departamento de Alojamentos

Para a conclusão do Curso de Gestão Hoteleira e Turismo na Universidade de Mindelo é apresentado ao formando duas opções de escolha: um estágio profissional de três (3) meses ou então a elaboração de uma monografia. Diante dessas duas opções, decidi por fazer o estágio de três (3) meses no Resort Hotel Foya Branca, no Departamento de Alojamento com uma carga horária semanal de 40 horas, perfazendo um total de 480 horas. O estágio decorreu em perfeitas condições, tendo sido abrangida as secções de andares e recepção, permitiu igualmente conhecer as práticas de planeamento e gestão de eventos, gestão e administração dos recursos humanos e as políticas comerciais/ marketing. Começou-se por conhecer o espaço físico, o staff, os equipamentos e a sua organização, e de seguida a participar na coordenação das práticas operacionais, que baseiam praticamente na realização contínua das tarefas que integram as actividades de cada secção. Durante o estágio teve-se acesso aos softwares do hotel, arquivos, pastas de procedimentos de serviços, relatórios e documentos informativos o que serviu de complemento das aulas teóricas, bem como no desenvolvimento da capacidade prática para uma maior compreensão da política empresarial adotado pelo hotel.

Using composite estimators to improve both domain and total area estimation

In this article we propose using small area estimators to improve the estimatesof both the small and large area parameters. When the objective is to estimateparameters at both levels accurately, optimality is achieved by a mixed sampledesign of fixed and proportional allocations. In the mixed sample design, oncea sample size has been determined, one fraction of it is distributedproportionally among the different small areas while the rest is evenlydistributed among them. We use Monte Carlo simulations to assess theperformance of the direct estimator and two composite covariant-freesmall area estimators, for different sample sizes and different sampledistributions. Performance is measured in terms of Mean Squared Errors(MSE) of both small and large area parameters. It is found that the adoptionof small area composite estimators open the possibility of 1) reducingsample size when precision is given, or 2) improving precision for a givensample size.

Composición y consumo de alimento dela merluza peruana merluccius gayi peruanus (Guitchenot) con especial énfasis en la ración diaria total

Analiza la composición del contenido estomacal de 693 ejemplares de una especie de pez merluza Merluccius gayi peruanus (Guitchenot) que se distribuye desde los 03°15 'S hasta 10°04 'S. Se determina el Índice de Importancia Relativa (IIR) para cada una de sus presas, mostrando que las más importantes para esta especie pertenecen al taxón Crustácea seguido por Teleostei, en términos de número.

La pesca de la anchoveta estadística de pesca y esfuerzo en los meses de julio diciembre de 1962 y resumen de los resultados de la pesca total durante el año 1962

Estudio que contiene datos mensuales de junio 1962 hasta fines del año y presenta un resumen de la pesca para todo el año.

Les douze points-clés de la rééducation après une prothèse totale de genou [The 12 keypoints for rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty].

The rehabilitation process after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) relies more and more on the family doctor. Many factors contribute to this development: the constantly increasing number of TKA performed, the reduced length of stay at the hospital and the rehabilitation process after TKA requiring care for 3 to 4 months. After this time, it is also of major importance to encourage patients to take up physical activities in order to limit the negative effects of sedentarity. The goal of this paper is to give family doctors an overview of the current knowledge in the area of rehabilitation after TKA for physicians.

Bioimpedance for oedema evaluation after total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) allows the evaluation of limb extracellular fluid (R0) and total fluid (Rinf). BIS could facilitate post-surgical oedema evaluation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as it is easily performed and is non-invasive. However, neither its applicability in this context nor the influence of metallic implants on measurement has been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of TKA implants on the BIS R0 and Rinf variables used for oedema evaluation. METHOD: This was a prospective non-randomized comparative clinical trial. One oedema-free group of patients with TKA was compared with a group presenting similar characteristics except for the arthroplasty, to assess the influence of the implant on BIS measurement in the absence of oedema. The TKA group included 15 patients who had undergone surgery more than a year previously, and the control group included 19 patients awaiting TKA surgery. Volume and perimeter measurements served as reference criterions. The lower limb percentage differences for BIS, knee perimeter and volume were calculated. The significance of differences between groups was calculated for all measurement methods, using the Mann-Whitney test. The setting was a Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology in a university hospital. RESULTS: The differences between groups were not significant for R0, Rinf, volume and perimeter. R0 showed the smallest mean difference in limb percentage difference between groups [means (SD): TKA 3.98 (8.09), controls 3.97 (5.16)]. CONCLUSIONS: The lower-leg percentage difference in the TKA group is comparable with that of healthy subjects. R0 can be used for oedema evaluation following TKA surgery, as there was no sign of alteration from the metallic implant. These findings indicate the potential for early oedema evaluation after TKA. More research is warranted to extensively validate the application of BIS for oedema evaluation after TKA. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Audit report on the Iowa Turkey Marketing Council for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

Audit report on the Iowa Turkey Marketing Council for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

Total shoulder arthroplasty: downward inclination of the glenoid component to balance supraspinatus deficiency.

HYPOTHESIS: Supraspinatus deficiency associated with total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) provokes eccentric loading and may induce loosening of the glenoid component. A downward inclination of the glenoid component has been proposed to balance supraspinatus deficiency. METHODS: This hypothesis was assessed by a numeric musculoskeletal model of the glenohumeral joint during active abduction. Three cases were compared: TSA with normal muscular function, TSA with supraspinatus deficiency, and TSA with supraspinatus deficiency and downward inclination of the glenoid. RESULTS: Supraspinatus deficiency increased humeral migration and eccentric loading. A downward inclination of the glenoid partly balanced the loss of stability, but this potential advantage was counterbalanced by an important stress increase within the glenoid cement. The additional subchondral bone reaming required to incline the glenoid component indeed reduced the bone support, increasing cement deformation and stress. CONCLUSION: Glenoid inclination should not be obtained at the expense of subchondral bone support.

Total curvature and total torsion of knotted polymers

Previous work on radius of gyration and average crossing number has demonstrated that polymers with fixed topology show a different scaling behavior with respect to these characteristics than polymers with unrestricted topology. Using numerical simulations, we show here that the difference in the scaling behavior between polymers with restricted and unrestricted topology also applies to the total curvature and total torsion. For each knot type, the equilibrium length with respect to a given spatial characteristic is the number of edges at which the value of the characteristic is the same as the average for all polygons. This number appears to be correlated to physical properties of macromolecules, for example gel mobility as measured by the separation between distinct knot types. We also find that, on average, closed polymers require slightly more total curvature and slightly less total torsion than open polymers with the corresponding number of monomers.

Impacto do marketing nas decisões de compras dos consumidores: caso São Vicente

A qualidade na prestação de serviços tem um papel fundamental no dia-a-dia das organizações, poisa competitividade instalada entre as mesmas é uma realidade cada vez mais presente. Produzir bens e serviços, que satisfaçam as necessidades e expectativas dos consumidores deve ser o foco das atenções de qualquer organização que se queira manter rentável e saudável perante a comunidade onde está inserida. O presente estudo, procura identificar e analisar a influência que o marketing tem sobre os consumidores e como é que estes reagem à esta influência. Também este trabalho apresenta vários temas que são tratados pelo marketing. Neste trabalho far-se-á pesquisa bibliográfica, consultas de sites e um estudo de campo onde será aplicado um questionário no mercado alvo do estudo, ilha de São Vicente. A formulação do problema tem como base as questões do questionário, das quais pretende-se averiguar o impacto que o marketing tem na hora da aquisição de produtos e serviços.

Marketing e Empreendedorismo na Promoção Turística de Cabo Verde – Estudo de Caso: Plano de Negócio de um Passaporte Turístico

O presente trabalho teve por objectivo principal a elaboração de um plano de negócios para a implementação de um projecto de passaporte turístico visando a promoção turística de Cabo Verde. A primeira etapa deste trabalho baseou-se na análise dos conceitos, evolução histórica e a importância dos três principais ramos ligados ao tema, neste caso o turismo, marketing e empreendedorismo enquadrados sempre no contexto cabo-verdiano, bem como a ligação que existe entre eles. Para o desenvolvimento deste plano foram feitos levantamentos e recolha de dados sobre a implementação e desenvolvimento do processo de Marketing e promoção turística de e em Cabo Verde. Nesta sequência debruçou-se também sobre o tema Empreendedorismo, que actualmente é uma das áreas em crescimento em Cabo verde, para que a ideia tivesse um enquadramento lógico, capaz de o tornar um projecto exequível, que futuramente poderá contribuir para melhorar as estratégias de Marketing e promoção turística bem como impulsionar o espírito empreendedor no país. A estrutura do plano baseou-se no modelo utilizado pela ADEI (Agência de Desenvolvimento Empresarial e Inovação) como instrumento de orientação e capacitação ao empreendedorismo em Cabo Verde.