Employability and the psychological contract in European ICT sector SMEs

This article explores the employability of information and communication technology (ICT) professionals from the perspective of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first stage of analysis, based on over 100 interviews with managers of ICT supplier companies in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the UK), showed most SMEs to have a generally ad hoc approach to managing the employability of their ICT professionals. Assessment and development plans were used primarily to keep skills current to business needs; however, the more developed northern European markets showed greater awareness of the ‘high commitment’ benefits of a more sophisticated approach towards career management (e.g. through mentoring or career planning). A second stage of analysis based only on UK interviews builds on this to propose a model of positive employer influence on psychological contracts through career and employability management practices.

Data envelopment analysis model for the appraisal and relative performance evaluation of nurses at an intensive care unit

The appraisal and relative performance evaluation of nurses are very important and beneficial for both nurses and employers in an era of clinical governance, increased accountability and high standards of health care services. They enhance and consolidate the knowledge and practical skills of nurses by identification of training and career development plans as well as improvement in health care quality services, increase in job satisfaction and use of cost-effective resources. In this paper, a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is proposed for the appraisal and relative performance evaluation of nurses. The model is validated on thirty-two nurses working at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at one of the most recognized hospitals in Lebanon. The DEA was able to classify nurses into efficient and inefficient ones. The set of efficient nurses was used to establish an internal best practice benchmark to project career development plans for improving the performance of other inefficient nurses. The DEA result confirmed the ranking of some nurses and highlighted injustice in other cases that were produced by the currently practiced appraisal system. Further, the DEA model is shown to be an effective talent management and motivational tool as it can provide clear managerial plans related to promoting, training and development activities from the perspective of nurses, hence increasing their satisfaction, motivation and acceptance of appraisal results. Due to such features, the model is currently being considered for implementation at ICU. Finally, the ratio of the number DEA units to the number of input/output measures is revisited with new suggested values on its upper and lower limits depending on the type of DEA models and the desired number of efficient units from a managerial perspective.

Education, earnings, and rates of return: The case of Taiwan

Educational planners and economists have long recognized the importance of education as a form of productive investment in both advanced countries and developing countries. In the case of Taiwan, along with impressive economic growth, there was an even faster rate of growth of the government's investment in education. This leads some to question whether education has any role in economic development. ^ The purpose of this study is to provide a broad overview of the role of education, in terms of private rates of return to education, in Taiwan. In the process, a variety of hypotheses about human capital theory are examined and an empirical study of Taiwan's earnings functions are tested to show that education can be an important instrument to increase private rate of return, even under conditions of scarcity of natural and physical resources. Data was collected using the Manpower Survey and Manpower Utilization Survey, conducted by the government. Research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, and regression analysis. ^ Results indicated that the Manpower Development Plans have been the decisive influence in allowing Taiwan to develop its human resources and achieve success in meeting the needs of Taiwan's economy. The structure of age-earnings profiles showed a strong relationship between earnings and education, and the profiles that successively shift upward are associated with higher levels of education. In the cross-sectional results of the rate of return in 1997, each additional year of schooling leads to a 6.2% increase in income. As to the private rates of return to different levels of education, the results found that the private rates of return are 2.88%, 4.85% and 10.05% for primary, secondary and higher education respectively. In an intertemporal comparison for 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1997, the results showed no significant trend except the private rates of return for primary education have been falling from 3.9% to 2.88%. ^ On the basis of this study, for individual student or family in Taiwan, there is likely to be a strong demand for education, particularly at the higher level. Therefore, a well-developed higher educational level becomes essential and the content of curriculum in higher education becomes another crucial question facing planners in Taiwan if they are going to use education as a means to foster economic development. ^

Landscape and planning: strengthening discussions in the decision-making process

Since the emergence of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) in 2000, the important link between landscape and planning has greatly intensified. Now, more than ever, the fundamental role of the planning system in delivering the ELC’s requirements is recognised. This has been further substantiated within Ireland’s recently published National Landscape Strategy. However it has continually been suggested that decision-making processes need to adapt better to the holistic, valueladen and multidimensional approaches underpinning the ELC. In light of these milestones for the preservation, management and planning of landscape, this research sets out to establish synergies and disparities in the existing relationship between landscape and planning. It investigates detailed evidence of the presence and manifestations of landscape in key processes of day-to-day planning practice in Ireland, from individual planning appeals and ‘special’ cases, to the major strategic instruments that inform the making of landscape policies within development plans. This is set within wider theoretical and policy contexts where the compatibility of landscape and planning is subjected to critical scrutiny and then explored through these practical case studies. Driving this research is the intention to make a case for the planning domain to be an ideal ‘home’ for landscape – in all its deep, multidimensional meaning – and for enhancing landscape arguments and objectives in the face of conflict, competing values and power-plays in the real world. Emerging out of this research is a set of recommendations for how, at a national level, new approaches for decision making for and about landscape can be more effective and meaningful.

The Great Book of Ireland - Leabhar Mór na hÉireann

The Great Book of Ireland, Leabhar Mór na hÉireann, is an extraordinary modern vellum manuscript in a single volume which comprises the original work of 120 artists, 140 poets and nine composers. Produced in Dublin between 1989 and 1991, it has been acquired by University College Cork to be preserved in posterity on behalf of the Irish people. Conceived originally as a venture to create a saleable artefact which would help to fund the development plans of two arts organizations in Ireland, the original architects of the idea and editors of the end product were Theo Dorgan of Poetry Ireland and Gene Lambert of Clashganna Mills, with Eamonn Martin as business manager. Out of their initial meeting in March 1989 came the first tentative idea of producing an original artefact that would raise substantial funds for their charitable-status arts organizations, while at the same time being a venture worthwhile in itself. What was to emerge was a project of breath-taking ambition and scale – The Great Book of Ireland, Leabhar Mór na hÉireann, completed in 1991. Artists, poets, and composers were asked to contribute in their own medium what they believed represented their hopes, fears, dreams, or imaginings in the Ireland of that particular time, and which would have resonance in a thousand years - as the longevity of vellum allows. Each page of The Great Book is a unique artefact in itself, often multi-layered or palimpsestial in nature. The whole “united” in design by the work of the scribe, Denis Brown. This paper will describes the creation process of the book, its subsequent history, and future plans for the book at University College Cork.

La innovación administrativa en la Gerencia de Municipios del Departamento de Antioquia. Un análisis desde la gobernanza, la institucionalidad y la eficiencia

En el presente trabajo investigativo de estudio de caso se documentó y analizó la gestión de la Gerencia de Municipios de la Gobernación de Antioquia propuesta en el Plan de Desarrollo “Antioquia la más Educada” durante el periodo comprendido entre el 2012 y 2015 como un modelo de innovación administrativa basado en la identificación de la institucionalidad y en la evaluación de la eficiencia en el marco de la gobernanza territorial -- Todo esto propiciado por la construcción de redes con actores claves como son los alcaldes y alcaldesas que articularon las diferentes acciones y procesos dentro una estructura departamental y municipal -- Para ello se implementaron los denominados Acuerdos Públicos Municipales, se fortaleció la presencia activa del Gobernador y de los coordinadores zonales en el territorio, se estableció una bitácora de actuación, dentro del marco de estrategias y mecanismos novedosos para generar gobernanza territorial, fortaleciendo así los conceptos de eficiencia e institucionalidad -- Lo anterior permite recomendar que dicha experiencia de innovación administrativa sea inicialmente propuesta como una política pública, donde posteriormente se institucionalice y transcienda la voluntad política del gobernante electo en la administración departamental y municipal -- De igual manera que se considere como un modelo de impacto estratégico replicable, adaptable y de continua retroalimentación en sus instrumentos y procesos a las características de los entes territoriales a nivel nacional

Proceso de construcción de la Agenda del Proyecto Clínica de la Mujer en la ciudad de Medellín

En Medellín, durante los años 2007 y 2008, diversos indicadores, estudios realizados por académicos y expertos, junto a la presión de las organizaciones de mujeres, le dieron reconocimiento social a las problemáticas de salud que afectaban al género femenino y que no eran debidamente atendidas por los establecimientos encargados -- En este contexto surge la propuesta de crear en la ciudad la Clínica de la Mujer, que proponía un modelo de cuidado integral para la salud de las mujeres con un enfoque de género -- En ese orden de ideas, el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar a través del enfoque de las corrientes múltiples de John Kingdon el proceso de inscripción en la agenda del proyecto Clínica de la Mujer, el cual fue acogido como alternativa de solución por el Alcalde Alonso Salazar, durante su periodo de gobierno 2008-2011 -- Sin embargo, debido a la presión de diferentes participantes dentro y fuera del gobierno que se opusieron a la realización del proyecto con argumentos políticos e ideológicos, la Clínica de la Mujer no se implementó -- Para analizar este caso se realizó un análisis documental, un rastreo de prensa, de actas y videos que contenían información de los participantes y; finalmente, la investigación se apoya en tres entrevistas semiestructuradas para contrastar la información encontrada

Internacionalização da educação superior: estratégias e ações da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

The present dissertation is inserted in the internationalization of the university-level education research field and aimed to analyze the strategies and internationalization actions of the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), locus of research. The study sought to establish the current context in which the internationalization is inserted and contextualize the research problematic presenting definitions, concepts, reasons and strategies linked to an international dimension. It also presents a historical context of the internationalization of Brazil and current public policies related to this topic. This research used content analysis to analyze institutional documents (Institutional Development Plans (2004-2017) and Management Reports (2000-2014)); semi-structured interviews (Director of International Relations, Coordinator of programs and actions related to the mobility of students, Head of the Department of Education and Dean of Research and Graduate Studies); information pertaining to the theme from the university’s website and events held in the Campus of the institution. Data were analyzed using the procedures prescribed for this type of analysis with the establishment of three categories: concepts, strategies and actions. Based on the foregoing, in terms of synthesis, could be understood that increasing the participation of UTFPR on the international scene has always been linked to the institution’s policies and goals, yet without an political institutional plan without objectives, strategies and goals established systematically. In the case of the conception of the internationalization of UTFPR it was realized that the theme currently gained more focus and greater coverage in the institution. In this context, Ciência Sem Fronteiras program contributed to, giving greater visibility to UTFPR on the world stage. From then on, specific strategies and actions are being developed in seeking internationalization under institutional perspective, of the servers, the expansion of mobility, and greater visibility of the institution in the international arena, regional integration and promotion of internationalization at the university. Overall, the management of internationalization in the institution does not have a formal project, but has specific strategies and actions seeking their expansion. Thus, the process of internationalization in UTFPR presents itself in an early stage, with strategies and actions seeking to expand the international dimension in the institution who takes singular importance to its expansion and consolidation.

Análise das metodologias de caracterização e delimitação da estrutura ecológica nos planos municipais de ordenamento do território do Alentejo

O estágio realizado teve como objetivo analisar as metodologias de caracterização utilizadas aquando da delimitação da estrutura ecológica municipal de cada concelho alentejano. Propõe-se que este trabalho reflita e sistematize as diferentes perspetivas levadas a cabo na execução dos planos de ordenamento do território (à escala municipal). Pretende-se sobretudo verificar se esta delimitação vai, ou não, ao encontro da perspetiva da Arquitetura Paisagista e de que forma deve esta ser transposta para os processos de planeamento e se cumpre as orientações de carácter geral constantes do PROTA. Hoje em dia, a preservação ambiental já vem sendo considerada uma questão de ordem social, pelo que devemos dirigir--nos para a adoção de um novo padrão de atuação que apreenda o elevado grau de degradação ambiental atual. Este padrão implica o reconhecimento das componentes ambiental, ecológica e paisagística nos processos de planeamento e gestão, fazendo com que a componente ecológica e ambiental seja tida em consideração a par dos elementos construídos e dos económicos e sociais; ABSTRACT: Analysis of Characterization and Delimitation Methodologies of the Ecological Structure in the Municipal Plans for the Alentejo Regional Planning The objective of this internship was to analyze the characterization methodologies during the delimitation of the municipal ecological structure of each county in the Alentejo region. It is proposed that this work reflects and systematizes different perspectives undertaken in the implementation of territory development plans territory (at the municipal level). It is primarily intended to determine if that definition will, or not, meet the perspective of Landscape Architecture and how this should be implemented in the planning processes, and also if that definition follows the general guidelines fixed by the Regional Plan for Spatial Planning of Alentejo. Nowadays, environmental protection has already been considered a matter of social order, thus we must guide ourselves to the adoption of a new standard of performance to seize the high level of current environmental degradation. This pattern implies the recognition of the environmental, ecological and landscape components in planning and management processes, causing ecological and environmental aspects to be taken into consideration alongside the built, economic and social elements.

Asociaciones Público Privadas, alternativa de solución al déficit de vivienda para entes territoriales: caso Sabaneta-Antioquia 2008-2015

El municipio de Sabaneta, Antioquia, es el territorio que presenta el menor índice de déficit cuantitativo de vivienda en el Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá, esto se ha logrado por el desarrollo estratégico de sinergias entre el sector público y privado para incentivar proyectos de vivienda de interés social -- Esta investigación, realizada bajo la metodología de estudio de caso, describe cómo las Asociaciones Público Privadas (APP) implementadas en ese municipio contribuyeron en dicha disminución, en el período 2012-2015 con respecto al período 2008-2011 -- El análisis se logra a partir del estudio de los planes de desarrollo municipales en los periodos mencionados, la revisión de la Ley 1508 de 2012 y la comparación de dichos esquemas de asociación con los planteamientos de la teoría de la Nueva Gobernanza -- Los hallazgos demostraron que las APP son una alternativa efectiva para la solución de necesidades y demandas de vivienda de interés social

La buena hora del desarrollo local: un diagnóstico sobre los factores que afectan el capital social, el desarrollo local y la participación en el barrio Juan XXIII en Medellín

Este trabajo de tesis pretende abordar en el primer capítulo el problema que se vive localmente en la periferia de la ciudad de Medellín en donde las políticas públicas que son implementadas desde la municipalidad en los territorios administrativos no siempre dejan capacidades instaladas en las comunidades territoriales, en especial las de generación de empleo y emprendimiento -- Se analiza también la dificultad de convocatoria de la ciudadanía, que no logra participar activamente tanto en los programas ofrecidos como en la generación de propuestas participativas -- En este capítulo se evidencia la necesidad de activar el capital social a través de iniciativas locales de fortalecimiento del voluntariado a través de transacciones no monetarizadas -- Se plantea la necesidad de detectar redes de confianza, de reconocer potencialidades y talentos para potenciar ese capital social, y se analiza la propuesta de implementación de una estrategia como herramienta para el diagnóstico y lectura de la realidad, a una comunidad de un territorio específico de la ciudad desde sus propias experiencias -- En el capítulo tres se revisan los conceptos de desarrollo humano, desarrollo a escala humana y desarrollo local, así como el de capital social como indicadores de bienestar social, y la relación de éstos con la participación ciudadana y la política pública -- En los siguientes capítulos se presentan los resultados y las conclusiones de la investigación y se hacen algunas recomendaciones para implementaciones futuras que podrían orientar perspectivas empíricas que sustenten programas y políticas públicas coherentes con las exigencias locales

El patrimonio cultural tangible e intangible articulado a la ordenación territorial aplicado al caso del cantón Paltas provincia de Loja

En el Ecuador la base legal como la Constitución del 2008 y el Código Orgánico de Organización Territorial, Autonomía y descentralización (COOTAD), establecen la organización político administrativa del territorio en diferentes niveles de gobierno, sean estos regiones, provincias, cantones, parroquias rurales y también de régimen especial, para ello estos niveles adquieren funciones de integridad para realizar legislación, ejecución, fiscalización y de participación ciudadana, en donde se alcanzará y se promoverá el desarrollo sustentable en el marco del plan nacional del buen vivir. Para lograr este legado, los diferentes Gobiernos Autónomos Descentralizados deben elaborar y ejecutar el Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial (POT) y el Plan de Desarrollo y Ordenamiento Territorial (PDOT), de acuerdo a sus competencias de circunscripción territorial. Por competencia exclusiva les corresponde a los gobiernos municipales " formular, aprobar y evaluar los planes, programas y proyectos destinados a la preservación, mantenimiento y difusión del patrimonio arquitectónico, cultural y natural de su circunscripción..... Para el efecto, el patrimonio en referencia será considerado en todas sus expresiones tangibles e intangible...” (COOTAD Art. 144). Lamentablemente la mayoría de estos gobiernos municipales poco o nada han incorporado el patrimonio cultural tangible e intangible en sus fases de análisis de, diagnóstico, propuesta y modelo gestión. Como base fundamental tomaremos la guía metodológica para la elaboración de planes de desarrollo y ordenamiento que presenta la SENPLADES en el año 2014y la propuesta que realiza el Dr. Domingo Gómez Orea en su libro Ordenación Territorial 2da edición, de ahí se propone una alternativa metodológica de articulación del patrimonio cultural y ordenamiento territorial. Y para lograr este objetivo, utilizaremos la información disponible que cuenta el Instituto nacional de Patrimonio Cultural (INPC) en su sistema informatizado que se encuentra en la página Web www.inpc.gob.ec, denominado Sistema de Información Patrimonial Cultural del Ecuador (SIPCE), esta base de información que contiene fichas de inventario en sus diferentes ámbitos culturales como inmuebles, muebles, documentos. Arqueológicos y manifestaciones inmateriales, previamente analizadas y georreferenciadas nos permitirán territorializar en el espacio cantonal y con ello poder realizar un análisis integrado con los otros componentes como es el medio físico, poblacional, económico, núcleos de población etc. Esta nueva metodología permitirá visualizar, conocer, aprender y empodéranos del patrimonio cultural material e inmaterial, con aquellas manifestaciones culturales y tradicionales que existen y se encuentran en vigencia. También poder recuperar y rescatar aquellas que están en peligro de desaparecer, este potencial cultural será una gran posibilidad de generar emprendimientos y desarrollo sustentable. La manera más idónea de concretar y fomentar este desarrollo sustentable en territorio será a través de la formulación de programas, planes y proyectos que deberán plantearse en los planes de ordenamiento territorial y los planes de desarrollo territorial. Finalmente para comprobar esta nueva propuesta metodológica de articulación entre el patrimonio cultural y el ordenamiento territorial, la aplicaremos al cantón Paltas de la provincia de Loja.

Formulación de estrategias para incentivar el turismo sostenible en Colombia, con énfasis en regiones con un alto nivel de desarrollo económico.

Actualmente el sector turismo se ha ido posicionando como una de las principales fuentes de prosperidad (en términos de empleo, bienestar y riqueza) por encima de grandes industrias como la automotriz y la petrolera, lo cual, es considerado por las Naciones Unidas como una gran oportunidad de desarrollo para los países emergentes. Colombia, es un ejemplo de esta situación por su gran potencial en turismo naturaleza, el cual está comenzando a incluirse en planes de desarrollo turístico como en Villavicencio, actual epicentro comercial de los llanos orientales y líder en el desarrollo turístico del Meta. El trabajo pretende ser un estudio de caso que evidencie los factores que han impedido que el desarrollo sostenible progrese de forma paralela al crecimiento turístico que se está dando en la región, enfocado en los alojamientos urbanos y rurales de la capital del Meta. A partir de esto, se realiza una encuesta a 42 hoteles, una vez vistos los resultados está, se analiza la manera en que es asimilada la sostenibilidad desde un punto de vista práctico. La información recopilada revela que los agentes turísticos presentan carencia de concientización, respecto al movimiento “verde” que se está dando a nivel mundial, no tienen como prioridad los temas sostenibles, desconocen las normas ambientales y no tienen claridad sobre los procesos de certificación

Fishery management plans and the development of artisanal fisheries in Nigeria: a review

Management of natural resources all over the world is of paramount importance to their sustainability in developing countries like Nigeria, there is less emphasis on proper management especially of fishery and other aquatic resources due to lack of sensitization and enlightenment of the rural dwellers who are closer to such natural resources. The main thrust of this review is to examine the management plans for Nigerian freshwater bodies (rivers and lakes) and the impact of such plans on the artisanal fisheries development in Nigeria. From the on-shelf information gathered there is scarcity of information on the management of Nigerian freshwater body's information available indicates that there is the traditional fisheries management and the government legal approach in form of fisheries Laws and Regulations. However, these management techniques are poorly carried out since there is a poor follow-up. Appreciable impact of fisheries management introduced on Kanji Lake by the Nigerian-German Kanji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project (NGKLFPP) between 1993 and 2001 proves worthwhile as this introduced some management measures such as implementation of fisheries Laws and Regulations, the ban of obnoxious fishing methods, introduction of fishing license, constitution of a management unit and appointment of liaison fishermen. Within the operative years of the project a lot of success was achieved and it is recommended that the approach in Kainji should be replicated in other freshwater bodies in Nigeria to alleviate poverty in the rural poor fishing communities