Main obstacles in the business environment affecting firm growth: a comparative analysis between Chinese and Brazilian SMEs

Usando dados do Banco Mundial, esta dissertação analisa as semelhanças e diferenças entre os obstáculos enfrentados pelas micro, pequenas e médias empresas (MSME) no Brasil e na China. Realizamos tanto uma análise comparativa entre os dos países como uma análise de clusters para confrontar os dados subjetivos e objetivos recolhidos, de modo a identificar o desempenho das empresas, levando em consideração as características dos países e o ambiente de negócios.

Do men and women use similar adaptive locomotion to clear static and dynamic obstacles?

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of gender on the adaptive locomotion in the clearance of obstacles. Specifically, it was evaluated if there are differences in the space-temporal parameters between male and female in the clearance of and dynamic obstacles moving at both slow and fast speeds. Basic procedures. Five young male adults and five young female adults took part in this study. The task was performed in three conditions: static obstacle and dynamic obstacle - clearance perpendicular to the participant's trajectory at slow speed (1.07 m/s) and at fast speed (1.71 m/s). The trials were recorded by two digital cameras and spatial-temporal information was obtained. Main findings. The dynamic obstacle conditions required more visual inspection. The results showed different adaptive locomotion between the sexes. The distinct gait patterns were evidenced for the spatial and temporal variables and cadence in the three conditions. Conclusions. The women presented a more conservative behavior, which was evidenced by the increase of the length in the penultimate step and in the toe clearance.

Women's formal education: achievements and obstacles

Includes bibliography

Latin American and Caribbean development: obstacles, requirements and options

Include bibliography

Agriculture, rural development, land, drought and desertification: obstacles, lessons and challenges for the sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe: escollos, requisitos y opciones = Latin American and Caribbean development: obstacles, requirements and options

Incluye Bibliografía

Border crossings in Mercosur countries: obstacles and their cost

In a recent ECLAC study of inefficiency at border crossings in Mercosur countries, it was found that the cost of delays in traffic between Argentina and Brazil amounted to a minimum of US$ 170 per truck for the most problematic border crossing. This is over 10 % higher than the typical price of freight between Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo or Porto Alegre. It was estimated that the extra-cost on this border crossing may amount to a maximum of US$ 273 per truck. These problems, which have to do more with organization than with infrastructure, cause serious losses to the sectors involved in international transport, and especially to end users of intermediate or consumer goods transported.This edition of the Bulletin includes a summary of a study entitled: Identificación de obstáculos al transporte terrestre internacional de cargas en el Mercosur: los casos de Argentina, Brasil y Uruguay.

Cellulosic Ethanol: The Benifits, Obstacles, and Implications for Nebraska

Abstract Ethanol is a biofuel that has unique capabilities to mitigate global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously supporting rural economies and decreasing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. Currently, the state of Nebraska depends on corn ethanol, which may be unsustainable. Cellulosic ethanol is a promising alternative but it is not without its problems, including high production costs and potential environmental damage. This thesis is an attempt to understand the benefits, downfalls, and processes of corn-based and cellulosic ethanol and the potential implications to Nebraska. This research should shed some light on the current obstacles and environmental problems involved with production, as well as evaluate the potential economic benefits to Nebraska, while pointing out issues that should be further researched before implementation.

Obstacles to Inter-Racial Understanding: Some Clinical Implications for Mental Health Practitioners in Predominantly White Institutions

in the context of predominantly white institutions. In this paper concepts such as projection, projective identification, splitting, scapegoating, superiority and denial will be employed to illustrate why racial prejudice is a deeply-rooted collective psychological disorder that affects even educated mental health practitioners. Clinicians have an ethical responsibility to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and empathy when working with minority clients, colleagues, staff and students, to examine and root out their own prejudices, and to encourage others to do the same.

Scientific concepts and public policies: Semiotic-cultural obstacles concerning intergroup and intercultural relationships

I attempt to articulate Jahoda's (2012) critical reflections regarding definitions of culture in recent cross-cultural studies and Moghaddam's (2012) claims of an omnicultural imperative to guide the elaboration of public policies for managing relationships among human groups from different cultural origins. For this, I will approach some aspects of the socio-historical and ontogenetic roots of the notion of culture. The notion of culture and the consequent public policies involving intercultural managing are being transformed as our global society develops. It has been proposed that some ways of dealing with the culture of the other are crucial to achieve awareness in respect of one's own cultural positioning when making science and attempting social interventions. Finally, the experience of Brazilian psychologists working on challenges faced by Amerindians dealing with the national society they live in will be presented as a pioneering work aiming to interfere in the development of public policies ethically concerned with the assurance of cultural integrity of currently marginalized social groups.

Implementing The Good Friday Agreement: Overcoming Challenges and Obstacles

On April 10, 1998, history was made in Northern Ireland. Years of sectarian violence would end as the Belfast Agreement, known more popularly (and perhaps more fittingly due to the religious identities defining the two sides) as the Good Friday Agreement, was signed bringing peace to Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Office, 2007). This paper will look at the Good Friday Agreement in detail. By analyzing the historical factors leading up to 1998, the Agreement itself, and the post-Agreement implementation stage,it is possible to pick out the relative successes and failures of the Agreement, and of its implementation.