Estudio y análisis de los modelos de gestión aplicados en las pymes de cuenca en el sector comercial de venta al por mayor de artículos de bazar. Propuesta de un modelo de gestión integral para la empresa Distribuidora Bravo Abad en el periodo 2013- 2014

El objetivo de la presente investigación es realizar el estudio y análisis de los modelos de gestión aplicados en las pymes de Cuenca, en el sector comercial de venta al por mayor de artículos de bazar, a través de este capítulo se conoce aspectos generales del sector comercial, las Pymes a nivel nacional, la provincia, y la ciudad, en la que muestra su importancia y contribución en la economía de la ciudad. Posteriormente se desarrolla la propuesta de un modelo de gestión integral para la empresa Distribuidora Bravo Abad; la tesis se desarrolla en 5 capítulos, el segundo capítulo se realiza el análisis de la situación actual de la empresa, antecedentes generales, análisis del entorno, análisis de la industria, análisis interno. En el tercer capítulo se realiza el direccionamiento estratégico, organigrama, filosofía corporativa, desarrollando la misión, visión, valores, objetivo general, objetivos específicos, objetivos estratégicos, estrategias y el mapa estratégico. En el cuarto capítulo se construye el cuadro de mando integral o balance score card utilizando los indicadores y las perspectivas; se propone un plan operativo, para luego sugerir la evaluación y el monitoreo del cuadro de mando integral. Se finaliza con las conclusiones y recomendaciones de la propuesta del modelo de gestión, y su importancia para el funcionamiento de la empresa.

Políticas sociais no Município de Mafra: desafios e possibilidades de implementação sob o olhar da sociologia

No quadro de uma sociologia da ação, procurámos conhecer as políticas públicas do setor social em preparação ou implementadas pela autarquia de Mafra e, simultaneamente, perceber a influência que a interação e o grau de concordância dos diferentes atores sociais envolvidos no desenvolvimento do projeto social do município, exercem no processo de concretização das mesmas, contribuindo, deste modo, para o sucesso do plano de ação social programado para o território, ou, pelo contrário, dificultando a sua implementação. Neste sentido, procurámos encontrar os desafios e, ao mesmo tempo, os obstáculos que se apresentam à Câmara Municipal de Mafra na implementação de um projeto social adequado à realidade da comunidade local, enquanto ator privilegiado no campo da proteção social à população, ação que vem assumindo ao longo das últimas décadas, evidenciando um papel prioritário e determinante na programação das políticas públicas desenvolvidas no território, considerando, igualmente, a influência que a regularidade da representação política dos órgãos autárquicos deste município vem exercendo também na concretização deste processo de intervenção social. Através de uma estratégia metodológica orientada para a realização de um diagnóstico prospetivo, propusemo-nos estudar os elementos principais do sistema de implementação de políticas sociais no Município de Mafra e, neste sentido: a) delimitámos o sistema e estudámos os seus elementos mais pertinentes, nomeadamente, a posição estratégica da autarquia no desenvolvimento de um projeto de intervenção social adequado ao território; b) assinalámos os objetivos estratégicos do plano de intervenção social elaborado pela autarquia em coordenação com outros atores com responsabilidade social no município e posicionámos os atores relativamente a estes objetivos estratégicos; e por fim, c) avaliámos as convergências e as divergências possíveis e a implicação dos atores na concretização dos objetivos deste plano estratégico de intervenção social. As principais conclusões deste estudo referem a existência de uma grande convergência dos atores perante os objetivos do plano de intervenção social programado pela autarquia para o município, tendo em conta a sua participação e intervenção na elaboração e execução deste projeto de âmbito social, sendo identificado como principal obstáculo de implementação, a escassez de recursos financeiros, e, como desafio de execução com maior importância, a cooperação entre a autarquia e os demais parceiros sociais do município reveladora da congregação de esforços conducentes ao desenvolvimento da estratégia de intervenção social mais adequada às necessidades do território; ABSTRACT: In the context of an action sociology sought to know the public policies in the social sector in preparation or implemented by the municipality of Mafra and simultaneously realize the influence that interaction and the degree of agreement of the different social actors involved in the development of the social project city, play in the process of implementation of the same, thus contributing to the success of social action plan scheduled for the territory, or, conversely, hindering its implementation. In this sense, we tried to meet the challenges and at the same time, the obstacles that are presented to the Municipality of Mafra in the implementation of an adequate social project the reality of the local community, as a privileged actor in the field of social protection of the population, action is taking over the past decades, showing a priority and decisive role in the planning of public policies developed in the territory, considering also the influence that the regularity of political representation of local government bodies in this municipality has exercised also in the realization of this process of social intervention. Through targeted methodological strategy for the realization of a prospective diagnosis, we proposed to study the main elements of the system of implementation of social policies in the city of Mafra and in this regard: a) delimit the system and studied the relevant elements, namely, the strategic position of authority in the development of a social intervention project suitable to the territory; b) have pointed out the strategic objectives of social intervention plan drawn up by the municipality in coordination with other actors with social responsibility in the city and we positioned the actors for these strategic objectives; and finally, c) we evaluated the convergences and divergences and the possible involvement of actors in achieving the objectives of this strategic plan of social intervention. The main findings of this study relate to the existence of a large convergence of actors towards the objectives of social intervention plan set by the local authority for the city, taking into account their participation and assistance in the preparation and implementation of the social context of the project, being identified as main obstacle to implementing the scarcity of financial resources, and the challenge of implementing more importantly, cooperation between the municipality and the other social partners in revealing municipality of congregation of efforts leading to the development of more appropriate social intervention strategy to the needs of territory.

The use of strategic visioning to enhance local tourism planning in periphery communities

Tourism has had a profound impact upon destinations worldwide, and although this impact has been positive for many destinations, there are numerous examples where tourism has adversely impacted upon the environment and social fabric of the destination community (Coccossis 1996; Murphy 1985). The negative impacts of tourism have been attributed, among other things, to inadequate or non-existent planning for development (Gunn 1994; Hall2000). This has led to increased calls for tourism planning to offset some of the negative impacts that tourism can have on the destination community. While a number of approaches have been advocated, a collaborative philosophy, based on the principles of sustainability, is more likely to result in acceptable and successful policies and programmes for tourism destinations (Farrell1986; Jamal & Getz 1995; Maitland 2002; Minca & Getz 1995). Such an approach focuses on cooperation and broader based participation in tourism planning and decision-making between stakeholders to lead to agreement on planning directions and goals, with one of the primary objectives of collaborative arrangements being to develop a strategic vision for a destination (Bramwell & Lane 2000). [Extract from introduction]

Strategic bidding in electricity markets: an agent-based simulator with game theory for scenario analysis

Electricity markets are complex environments, involving a large number of different entities, with specific characteristics and objectives, making their decisions and interacting in a dynamic scene. Game-theory has been widely used to support decisions in competitive environments; therefore its application in electricity markets can prove to be a high potential tool. This paper proposes a new scenario analysis algorithm, which includes the application of game-theory, to evaluate and preview different scenarios and provide players with the ability to strategically react in order to exhibit the behavior that better fits their objectives. This model includes forecasts of competitor players’ actions, to build models of their behavior, in order to define the most probable expected scenarios. Once the scenarios are defined, game theory is applied to support the choice of the action to be performed. Our use of game theory is intended for supporting one specific agent and not for achieving the equilibrium in the market. MASCEM (Multi-Agent System for Competitive Electricity Markets) is a multi-agent electricity market simulator that models market players and simulates their operation in the market. The scenario analysis algorithm has been tested within MASCEM and our experimental findings with a case study based on real data from the Iberian Electricity Market are presented and discussed.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Effectiveness in Social Service Organizations in Portugal

This study aims to understand the reality of social service organizations, the level of implementation of the strategic planning as well as the impact of its application on organizational effectiveness. At first, we will group organizations in clusters according to the level of strategic planning implementation and its degree of effectiveness. Secondly, we will analyse all the different groups. Given the growing number of social service organizations and the consequent complexity of their structures, it turns out the need for these organizations adopt formal management techniques. Strategic planning is a valuable strategic management tool and one of its main objectives is to make organizations more effective. Therefore, the research has been conducted in order to determine if strategic planning is implemented in social service organizations and which effects has its application on organizational effectiveness. The survey, applied to 220 social service organizations, allowed us to gather them into different clusters, showing that different levels of strategic planning determine distinct degrees of organizational efficiency. Finally, it should be noted that findings of this research may be essential to decision makers of these organizations, because it was shown that the adoption of strategic planning has a positive influence on organizational effectiveness of social service organizations.

Strategic Bidding in Electricity Markets: An agent-based simulator with game theory for scenario analysis

Electricity markets are complex environments, involving a large number of different entities, with specific characteristics and objectives, making their decisions and interacting in a dynamic scene. Game-theory has been widely used to support decisions in competitive environments; therefore its application in electricity markets can prove to be a high potential tool. This paper proposes a new scenario analysis algorithm, which includes the application of game-theory, to evaluate and preview different scenarios and provide players with the ability to strategically react in order to exhibit the behavior that better fits their objectives. This model includes forecasts of competitor players’ actions, to build models of their behavior, in order to define the most probable expected scenarios. Once the scenarios are defined, game theory is applied to support the choice of the action to be performed. Our use of game theory is intended for supporting one specific agent and not for achieving the equilibrium in the market. MASCEM (Multi-Agent System for Competitive Electricity Markets) is a multi-agent electricity market simulator that models market players and simulates their operation in the market. The scenario analysis algorithm has been tested within MASCEM and our experimental findings with a case study based on real data from the Iberian Electricity Market are presented and discussed.

From Strategic Planning to Development Initiatives: a first reflection on the situation of Lisbon and Barcelona

MARQUES, B.P. (2014) From Strategic Planning to Development Initiatives: a first reflection on the situation of Lisbon and Barcelona, in 20th APDR Congress Proceddings, APDR and UÉvora, Évora, pp. 850-857, ISBN 978-989-8780-01-0.

Contribution to a strategic plan for the implementation of continuous improvement process in an MRO

This Work Project studies the Continuous Improvement and Processes (CIP) department at TAP Maintenance & Engineering. The project has the objective to provide insights to align the activities of the department with the strategy of the organization. For such, two focuses were taken: (i) an internal analysis which highlighted a need for transversal change to ensure the adoption of Continuous Improvement at TAP, and (ii) a process which outlined objectives and projects to be pursued to prioritize CIP’s activities in accordance with the organization’s goals. The outcome includes (a) important recommendations concerning strategic planning and competition evaluation and (b) a process’ output that reflects a balance among factors influencing the priority of projects.

Primera Reservoir Ltd. strategic position analysis

The purpose of this work is to understand the internal and external structure in which the company operates to provide an idea of the strategic actions needed to accomplish their organizational objectives. A strategic software was employed to build up phase one and phase two, phase one involved analysing internal and external factors that influence the company, comprehending their core competences, factors that influence the market and identification of strengths and weaknesses. Phase two consisted on providing an idea of their real competitive position and the suggestion of a development strategy, given the possible limitations in the external factors, the company should carefully analyse some of the opportunities present in the industry overseas to continue to develop their business and increase its profitability. Furthermore, a source of competitive advantage was found in their outbound logistics which could serve a differentiator between their competitors.

Withdrawal, "serosorting" and "strategic positioning": use of risk reduction strategies with casual sex partners in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Switzerland, 2007

Introduction: 1) Withdrawal before ejaculation, "serosorting" (to choose a partner of same serostatus) and "strategic positioning" (only insertive vs. only receptive role in anal sex according to serostatus) are known to be used by MSM as alternatives to condom use. 2) Despite their questionable levels of effectiveness they are collectively labelled as "risk reduction strategies" (RRS). Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and factors related to RRS in men who report unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with occasional partners in the last 12 months. Methods: 1) In 2007, a module on RRS was included in a repeated national survey conducted among readers of gay newspapers, members of gay organizations and visitors of gay websites (N=2953). 2) Using an anonymous self-completed questionnaire, participants were asked whether, with the aim of avoiding HIV infection, RRS were used with occasional partners. Analysis: 1) Prevalences were calculated in participants who reported UAI with occasional partners in the last 12 months (n=416). 2) A logistic regression was performed, using "at least one RRS" as dependent variable. Number of partners in the last 12 months, HIV-status and usual socio-demographic characteristics were used as independent factors. Result : 1) 70% (292/416) of the participants reporting UAI used at least one RRS when they had unprotected sex with casual partners in the last 12 months (Table 1). 2) Withrawal before ejaculation was the most frequently reported strategy, followed by serosorting and strategic positioning (Table 1). 3) Participants who reported at least one RRS were more likely to be over 30 years and to belong to a gay organisation. HIV-positive and non-tested participants were less likely to report RRS than HIV-negative participants (Table 2). Conclusions: 1) The majority of MSM who reported UAI in the last 12 months tried to reduce risk of HIV transmission by using specific strategies (withdrawal, serosorting, strategic positioning). It is not known, however, to what extent the use of these strategies was systematic. 2) It is necessary to provide MSM with balanced information on these strategies and their respective level of effectiveness. 3) It is important to monitor the use of RRS in HIV behavioural surveillance surveys in MSM.

Strategic ambiguity in electoral competition

Many have observed that political candidates running for election areoften purposefully expressing themselves in vague and ambiguous terms. In thispaper we provide a simple formal model of this phenomenon. We model theelectoral competition between two candidates as a two--stage game. In thefirst stage of the game two candidates simultaneously choose their ideologies,and in the second stage they simultaneously choose their level of ambiguity.Our results show that ambiguity, although disliked by voters, may be sustainedin equilibrium. The introduction of ambiguity as a strategic choice variablefor the candidates can also serve to explain why candidates with the sameelectoral objectives end up ``separating'', that is, assuming different ideological positions.

Managing by values in the next milenium: Cultural redesign for strategic organizational change

The system of beliefs and values, that shaped the model for management and organizations during the 20th century, is just not good enough today. In order to keep a business functioning well and competing successfully in markets that are increasingly more global, complex, professionally demanding, constantly changing and oriented towards quality and customer satisfaction a new model is needed. In this paper, we will propose that both Management by Instructions (MBI) and Management by Objectives (MBO) today give notoriously inadequate results. By contrast, description of a new approach labeled: Management by Values (MBV), seem to be emerging as a strategic leadership tool. The paper outlines this approach and discusses the implementation of MBV as a tool to redesign culture in organizations and prepare them for the next millenium.

The Georgian adolescent health survey: methodological and strategic issues.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a national survey on adolescent health and lifestyles in Georgia and to thus set up a database on adolescent. METHODS: A two-stage cluster sample of around 8000-10000 in-school 15-18 years adolescents are being reached through a random selection of classes in Georgia. The sample has been stratified by age, region, type of school and language. A self-administered questionnaire of 87 questions has been developed and translated into the four main languages used in Georgia. RESULTS: Up to June 2004, the researchers have reached 511 classes (9306 pupils). In total, 8039 questionnaires have been considered valid. The main concerns encountered for this survey are linked with acceptance of the survey, cross-cultural issues, political and strategic problems as well as inadequate physical environmental support. CONCLUSION: Despite Georgia's unfavourable economical and political situation, it has been possible to run a national survey on the health of adolescents, according to the usual standards used in the field. This survey should allow for 1) the identification of priorities in the field of health care and health promotion 2) the monitoring of adolescent health in the future.

Iowa Two-Year Strategic Plan for Wagner-Peyser and Workforce Investment Act Programs, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009

The Governor and the State Workforce Development Board consider the development of this State Plan to be an on-going process. As such, the plan is not developed in a defined time frame, or with the initiation of a few planning efforts and exercises. Instead, the vision, goals, objectives, and processes defined in the plan represent the current culmination of a variety of strategic planning efforts that incorporate the Governor’s vision and goals for the State of Iowa, the Workforce Development Board’s goals and objectives, and the departmental goals of Iowa Workforce Development.

Strategic behaviours in healthcare : evidence from primary care and pharmaceutical markets

We analyse the strategic behaviours of agents in a market through the appropriate¬ness of their skills to the market. If agents' skills are well adapted to market and they can reach their target, they will not need to adopt strategic behaviours. The agents will behave as selfish individuals. However, if their skills are not well adapted and they cannot attain their target alone, they will adopt strategic behaviours to reach their objectives. These behaviours will have a different impact on the utilities of other agents, depending on the skills and the objectives of the agent. If these agents need other agents to reach their objectives, they will behave as altruistic individuals who internalise the utilities of other agents in reaching their objectives and will adopt cooperative behaviours. However, if these agents fear that other agents could prevent them from reaching their target because they can foresee that the skills of other agents are better adapted than their own skills, the agents will then behave as predator individuals and will adopt destructive behaviours to attain their objective. It is in the interests of these agents to manipulate information to increase disorder and dissimulate their lack of skills. They will reproduce the strategies of animals that modify their appearance to escape predators or simulate being bait to attract their prey. These agents will seek to induce chaos into the behaviours of other agents to amplify the impact of their strategies. The appropriateness of skills to the market allows an understanding of the emer-gence of networks and associated strategies. The members of a networks are inputs who are excluded when their costs are higher than their benefits. A network simul-taneously allows cooperation and selfish, predatory behaviours among its members. A network may adopt informational strategies when seeking to become the leader in a market or when it cannot survive. The creation of networks and the manipulation of information are two overlapping evolutionary strategies, with the first strategy favouring the second. In our model, an agent does not behave like a firm that aims only to maximise the profits of the firm but rather as a member of a network who adopts strategic behaviours as a function of the interests of this network. If his skills are well adapted to the market and he can innovate, he will not invest in erroneous input; in contrast, if his skills are not adapted, the agent will invest in the erroneous input of information into the market in order to survive. Therefore, when any informational asymmetries between the agents and their principals characterise the market, the price cannot be the main element that allows equilibrium to be reached in the market; instead, the appropriateness of skills to the market enables equilibrium. We will now apply these hypotheses to explain the strategic behaviours of physicians and pharmaceutical companies.