Undermined climate policies : a study on the impact of regulatory and financial discrimination across heterogeneous firms in China

Firms in China within the same industry but with different ownership and size have very different production functions and can face very different emission regulations and financial conditions. This fact has largely been ignored in most of the existing literature on climate change. Using a newly augmented Chinese input–output table in which information about firm size and ownership are explicitly reported, this paper employs a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to analyze the impact of alternative climate policy designs with respect to regulation and financial conditions on heterogeneous firms. The simulation results indicate that with a business-as-usual regulatory structure, the effectiveness and economic efficiency of climate policies is significantly undermined. Expanding regulation to cover additional firms has a first-order effect of improving efficiency. However, over-investment in energy technologies in certain firms may decrease the overall efficiency of investments and dampen long-term economic growth by competing with other fixed-capital investments for financial resources. Therefore, a market-oriented arrangement for sharing emission reduction burden and a mechanism for allocating green investment is crucial for China to achieve a more ambitious emission target in the long run.

Resource endowment and opportunity cost effects along the stages of entrepreneurship

In this paper, the start-up process is split conceptually into four stages: considering entrepreneurship, intending to start a new business in the next 3 years, nascent entrepreneurship and owning-managing a newly established business. We investigate the determinants of all of these jointly, using a multinomial logit model; it allows for the effects of resources and capabilities to vary across these stages. We employ the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor database for the years 2006–2009, containing 8269 usable observations from respondents drawn from the Lower Layer Super Output Areas in the East Midlands (UK) so that individual observations are linked to space. Our results show that the role of education, experience, and availability of ‘entrepreneurial capital’ in the local neighbourhood varies along the different stages of the entrepreneurial process. In the early stages, the negative (opportunity cost) effect of resources endowment dominates, yet it tends to reverse in the advanced stages, where the positive effect of resources becomes stronger.

Big data, smart homes and ambient assisted living

Objectives: To discuss how current research in the area of smart homes and ambient assisted living will be influenced by the use of big data. Methods: A scoping review of literature published in scientific journals and conference proceedings was performed, focusing on smart homes, ambient assisted living and big data over the years 2011-2014. Results: The health and social care market has lagged behind other markets when it comes to the introduction of innovative IT solutions and the market faces a number of challenges as the use of big data will increase. First, there is a need for a sustainable and trustful information chain where the needed information can be transferred from all producers to all consumers in a structured way. Second, there is a need for big data strategies and policies to manage the new situation where information is handled and transferred independently of the place of the expertise. Finally, there is a possibility to develop new and innovative business models for a market that supports cloud computing, social media, crowdsourcing etc. Conclusions: The interdisciplinary area of big data, smart homes and ambient assisted living is no longer only of interest for IT developers, it is also of interest for decision makers as customers make more informed choices among today's services. In the future it will be of importance to make information usable for managers and improve decision making, tailor smart home services based on big data, develop new business models, increase competition and identify policies to ensure privacy, security and liability.

Estrategias de logística inversa que permitan la reutilización de llantas usadas

Esta investigación busca desde la logística inversa, mostrar como un producto tan implementado y desechado por la sociedad, puede generar un nuevo uso, e incluso la reintegración total de sus materias primas a la cadena de suministro, mostrando la estrecha relación que existe entre la logística inversa y la reutilización de productos fuera de uso. Para esto se analizara el manejo actual que tienen las llantas en Bogotá, planteando su flujo y dando a conocer el principal punto de falencia, que es la recolección y los diferentes sitios de acopio de estas. Los neumáticos o llantas son desechados anualmente en Bogotá sin medir las consecuencias ambientales que esto trae consigo, pues las quemas a cielo abierto de estos materiales y su almacenamiento inadecuado generan altos riesgos para su entorno y el medio ambiente. Además, el manejo inapropiado de llantas es una de las principales razones por la cual pasan a ser obsoletas al poco tiempo de uso. El proceso de fabricación de llantas es muy similar al proceso de cualquier producto, pues en resumen este cuenta con la implementación de sus materias primas, proceso de manufactura, una inspección final y como resultado un producto terminado, que al ser vendido muchas compañías se libran de la disposición final de las llantas. Pero ahí radica un punto a favor para la logística inversa, donde esta buscara la manera de darle un nuevo ciclo de vida a este producto, a través del reciclaje y la reutilización. Mediante esta investigación, se busca captar los principales lugares de acopio de llantas usadas en Bogotá, de manera que estos serán nuestros principales puntos de información para el proyecto, que permita plantear y definir de manera clara estrategias y conclusiones cualitativas.

Entrepreneurship: a long way to go

Entrepreneurship education has emerged as one popular research domain in academic fields given its aim at enhancing and developing certain entrepreneurial qualities of undergraduates that change their state of behavior, even their entrepreneurial inclination and finally may result in the formation of new businesses as well as new job opportunities. This study attempts to investigate the Colombian student´s entrepreneurial qualities and the influence of entrepreneurial education during their studies.

Humor político audiovisual en Colombia: de los gloriosos años noventa en televisión a internet como alternativa

El humor político alrededor del mundo ha sido un recurso para criticar el poder y la esfera política con la mordacidad que otros escenarios no permiten y con lenguajes que generan empatía con el público. En la capacidad de criticar a todos los poderes –y poderosos- por igual, sin condescendencias, recae la credibilidad de esa crítica, la cual se debe poder hacer sin censura en una sociedad pluralista y democrática. En Colombia, el humor político en televisión emergió y vivió su época dorada en la década de los noventa, hasta que su principal exponente, Jaime Garzón, fue asesinado. Este trabajo de grado buscó indagar por qué, a pesar de que nuevos productos de crítica política con humor surgieron en el país, hoy no hay ese tipo de oferta en la televisión abierta nacional. La respuesta a ese interrogante se pudo encontrar en múltiples factores, como un nuevo modelo económico en la industria de la televisión, un ambiente político polarizado y la ausencia o falta de promoción de talentos detrás de los libretos. Asimismo, en medio de esta coyuntura, se plantea que internet ha sido un vehículo para expresar, incluso de manera anónima, lo que miembros de la sociedad creen que anda mal con el poder y la política.

Plan estratégico para la empresa A.L Telecomunicaciones S.A.S

El presente trabajo está constituido por cinco capítulos en los que se desarrolla el plan estratégico para la empresa A.L Telecomunicaciones S.A.S. El primer capítulo expone los antecedentes de la compañía y por qué se hace necesaria la elaboración del plan estratégico para el nuevo negocio de la empresa. En el segundo capítulo se elabora la fundamentación teórica, donde se describe la importancia de la planeación estratégica y el direccionamiento estratégico y los conceptos fundamentales para realizar la evaluación interna y externa de la compañía. En el tercer capítulo se realiza la aplicación práctica del plan estratégico, el desarrollo de la fundamentación teórica, la elaboración de las diferentes matrices de las evaluaciones tanto internas como externas. En el capítulo cuarto se desarrolla el plan de acción para la empresa. El quinto capítulo contiene las conclusiones del trabajo. El sexto capítulo contiene las referencias bibliográficas.

Intención de emprendimiento y liderazgo en Colombia

La relación entre el liderazgo y emprendimiento es un tema de estudio y análisis relativamente nuevo. El término de liderazgo ha sido estudiado y enfocado a otras áreas de estudio, pero en cuanto a la relación existente con emprendimiento se presentan aún carencias conceptuales. A lo largo del presente estudio, se hace una revisión de la literatura la cual permite identificar y analizar estos conceptos y su relación en la última década en Colombia, consultando literatura comprendida en bases de datos en línea tales como, Redalyc, Scielo y Dialnet. En este documento, se destacan los atributos de un emprendedor y de un líder, igualmente se recogen los modelos de emprendimiento, las teorías de liderazgo, y los elementos que caracterizan cada concepto. Finalmente, se evidencia una dicotomía entre el líder y el emprendedor y se concluye que el liderazgo es una característica intrínseca del emprendimiento; sin embargo, el liderazgo no es por regla utilizado para emprender.

Desarrollo de idea de negocio "TecniHogar"

La asistencia y reparación del hogar es un servicio fundamental que cualquier persona puede a llegar a necesitar ante cualquier emergencia o necesidad. En Colombia la presentación de estos servicios ha venido presentando inconvenientes, debido a que las personas no encuentran fácil la manera de contactar y contratar a un técnico que les ofrezca confianza y seguridad. Igualmente los precios varían mucho, ya que juegan con la necesidad y cara del cliente y por lo tanto cada día se evidencian más inconformidades por parte de las personas. En el sector se evidencia claramente un problema, el cual debe ser atendido y es por ese motivo que se desarrollara una nueva idea de negocio que consiste en la implementación de una aplicación móvil que brinda a usuarios una alternativa innovadora para solicitar y contratar servicios técnicos para la asistencia del hogar, y así mismo a los técnicos se les ofrece una oportunidad diferente para incrementar sus servicios diarios y beneficios. TecniHogar es la aplicación móvil más fácil y amigable de manejar para los usuarios y prestadores de servicios, conecta a los clientes con los técnicos de una manera rápida y fácil. El proyecto se llevó a cabo por medio de una investigación cuantitativa, complementada a nivel analítico y comprensivo con cada una de las respuestas encontradas en las encuestas que se realizaron tanto a personas como a técnicos. De esta manera se pudo concluir que con la aplicación de TecniHogar usuarios y técnicos obtendrán un servicio más fácil, rápido, confiable y seguro que finalmente cambiara la forma de consumo y prestación de estos servicios

Product/Brand co-creation methodology crossing marketing, design thinking, creativity and management: ideas(r)evolution

This thesis introduce a new innovation methodology called IDEAS(R)EVOLUTION that was developed according to an on-going experimental research project started in 2007. This new approach to innovation has initial based on Design thinking for innovation theory and practice. The concept of design thinking for innovation has received much attention in recent years. This innovation approach has climbed from the design and designers knowledge field towards other knowledge areas, mainly business management and marketing. Human centered approach, radical collaboration, creativity and breakthrough thinking are the main founding principles of Design thinking that were adapted by those knowledge areas due to their assertively and fitness to the business context and market complexity evolution. Also Open innovation, User-centered innovation and later on Living Labs models emerge as answers to the market and consumers pressure and desire for new products, new services or new business models. Innovation became the principal business management focus and strategic orientation. All this changes had an impact also in the marketing theory. It is possible now to have better strategies, communications plans and continuous dialogue systems with the target audience, incorporating their insights and promoting them to the main dissemination ambassadors of our innovations in the market. Drawing upon data from five case studies, the empirical findings in this dissertation suggest that companies need to shift from Design thinking for innovation approach to an holistic, multidimensional and integrated innovation system. The innovation context it is complex, companies need deeper systems then the success formulas that “commercial “Design thinking for innovation “preaches”. They need to learn how to change their organization culture, how to empower their workforce and collaborators, how to incorporate external stakeholders in their innovation processes, hoe to measure and create key performance indicators throughout the innovation process to give them better decision making data, how to integrate meaning and purpose in their innovation philosophy. Finally they need to understand that the strategic innovation effort it is not a “one shot” story it is about creating a continuous flow of interaction and dialogue with their clients within a “value creation chain“ mindset; RESUMO: Metodologia de co-criação de um produto/marca cruzando Marketing, Design Thinking, Criativity and Management - IDEAS(R)EVOLUTION. Esta dissertação apresenta uma nova metodologia de inovação chamada IDEAS(R)EVOLUTION, que foi desenvolvida segundo um projecto de investigação experimental contínuo que teve o seu início em 2007. Esta nova abordagem baseou-se, inicialmente, na teoria e na práctica do Design thinking para a inovação. Actualmente o conceito do Design Thinking para a inovação “saiu” do dominio da area de conhecimento do Design e dos Designers, tendo despertado muito interesse noutras áreas como a Gestão e o Marketing. Uma abordagem centrada na Pessoa, a colaboração radical, a criatividade e o pensamento disruptivo são principios fundadores do movimento do Design thinking que têm sido adaptados por essas novas áreas de conhecimento devido assertividade e adaptabilidade ao contexto dos negócios e à evolução e complexidade do Mercado. Também os modelos de Inovação Aberta, a inovação centrada no utilizador e mais tarde os Living Labs, emergem como possiveis soluções para o Mercado e para a pressão e desejo dos consumidores para novos productos, serviços ou modelos de negócio. A inovação passou a ser o principal foco e orientação estratégica na Gestão. Todas estas mudanças também tiveram impacto na teoria do Marketing. Hoje é possivel criar melhores estratégias, planos de comunicação e sistemas continuos de diálogo com o público alvo, incorporando os seus insights e promovendo os consumidores como embaixadores na disseminação da inovação das empresas no Mercado Os resultados empiricos desta tese, construídos com a informação obtida nos cinco casos realizados, sugerem que as empresas precisam de se re-orientar do paradigma do Design thinking para a inovação, para um sistema de inovação mais holistico, multidimensional e integrado. O contexto da Inovação é complexo, por isso as empresas precisam de sistemas mais profundos e não apenas de “fórmulas comerciais” como o Design thinking para a inovação advoga. As Empresas precisam de aprender como mudar a sua cultura organizacional, como capacitar sua força de trabalho e colaboradores, como incorporar os públicos externos no processo de inovação, como medir o processo de inovação criando indicadores chave de performance e obter dados para um tomada de decisão mais informada, como integrar significado e propósito na sua filosofia de inovação. Por fim, precisam de perceber que uma estratégia de inovação não passa por ter “sucesso uma vez”, mas sim por criar um fluxo contínuo de interação e diálogo com os seus clientes com uma mentalidade de “cadeia de criação de valor”

Optimal bidding strategies of an electric vehicle aggregator in an electricity market

In recent years Electric Vehicles (EVs) are getting more importance as future transport systems, due to the increase of the concerns relevant to the greenhouse gases emission and the use fossil fuel. The management of the charging and discharging process of EVs could provide new business model for participating in the electricity markets. Moreover, vehicle to grid systems have the potential of increasing utility system flexibility. This thesis develops some models for the optimal integration of the EVs in the electricity market. In particular, the thesis focuses on the optimal bidding strategy of an EV aggregator participating to both the day ahead market and the secondary reserve market. The aggregator profit is maximized taking into account the energy balance equation, as well as the technical constraints of energy settlement, power supply and state of charge of the EVs. The results obtained by using the GAMS (General Algebraic Modelling System) environment are presented and discussed.

Technological trampolines for new venture creation in Catalonia: the case of the University of Girona

Recent trends in technology transfer show an intensification of spin-off creation as a modality of university research commercialisation, complementary to the conventional ones, contract research and licensing. In this paper we analyse the evolution, objectives, resources and activities of a specialised unit –Technological Trampoline (TT) - in charge of new venture creation at the University of Girona (Catalonia-Spain). Based on two theoretical frameworks, Resource-based-view and Institutional Theory, we adopt a multi-dimensional approach to study the strategy of spinning-off new ventures at the University of Girona in terms of resources and activities, how this process is organised and if the outputs fit with this UdG’s objectives and the local environment. Our main contribution is an in-depth analysis of the spin-off creation unit with special emphasis on its variety of resources and activities. The results have a series of implications and recommendations at both university and TT level.

New Shop Floor Control Approaches for Virtual Enterprises

The virtual enterprise paradigm seems a fit response to face market instability and the volatile nature of business opportunities increasing enterprise’s interest in similar forms of networked organisations. The dynamic environment of a virtual enterprise requires that partners in the consortium own reconfigurable shop floors. This paper presents new approaches to shop floor control that meet the requirements of the new industrial paradigms and argues on work re-organization at shop floor level.

Productivity and human capital: a business-level analysis

This paper aims to analyse the impact of human capital on business productivity, focusing the analysis on the possible effect of the complementarity that exists between human capital and new production technologies, particularly advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) for the specific case of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Catalonia. Additionally, following the theory of skill-biased technological change, the paper analyses whether technological change produces bias exclusively in the skills required for managers, or whether the bias extends to the skills required of production staff. With this objective, we have compared the possible existence of complementarity between AMTs and the level of human capital for different occupational groups. The results confirm the complementary relationship between human capital and new production technologies. The results by occupational group confirm that to maximise the productivity of new technologies, skilled staff are needed both in management and production, with managers and professionals as well as skilled operatives playing a vital role. Keywords: human capital, process technologies, complementarity, business productivity. (JEL D24, J24, O30).

Population-based incidence of myeloid malignancies: fifteen years of epidemiological data in the province of Girona, Spain

Myeloid malignancies (MMs) are a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies presenting different incidence, prognosis and survival.1–3 Changing classifications (FAB 1994, WHO 2001 and WHO 2008) and few available epidemiological data complicate incidence comparisons.4,5 Taking this into account, the aims of the present study were: a) to calculate the incidence rates and trends of MMs in the Province of Girona, northeastern Spain, between 1994 and 2008 according to the WHO 2001 classification; and b) to predict the number of MMs cases in Spain during 2013. Data were extracted from the population-based Girona Cancer Registry (GCR) located in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain, and covering a population of 731,864 inhabitants (2008 census). Cases were registered according to the rules of the European Network for Cancer Registries and the Manual for Coding and Reporting Haematological Malignancies (HAEMACARE project). To ensure the complete coverage of MMs in the GCR, and especially myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a retrospective search was performed. The ICD-O-2 (1990) codes were converted into their corresponding ICD-O-3 (2000) codes, including MDS, polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) as malignant diseases. Results of crude rate (CR) and European standardized incidence rate (ASRE) were expressed per 100,000 inhabitants/year