Modelagem do desempenho ambiental dos projetos de explora����o e produ����o aplicando equa����es estruturais

A legisla����o ambiental e os principais agentes que se relacionam com a empresa se constituem em fatores ex��genos que n��o podem ser negligenciados ao formular-se e avaliar-se a pol��tica ambiental corporativa. As influ��ncias ex��genas e seus efeitos sobre a gest��o ambiental e o gerenciamento de projetos de explora����o e produ����o (E&P) e, por essa via, sobre o desempenho ambiental, foram objetos de estudo desta tese. Embora o desempenho ambiental seja um assunto relevante, a pesquisa sobre esse tema ainda �� escassa. Tal car��ncia desponta ainda mais acentuada quando se aborda o desempenho ambiental de projetos na ind��stria de petr��leo e g��s. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a rela����o entre a legisla����o ambiental vigente, as a����es de ��rg��os reguladores, fornecedores, empresas terceirizadas e comunidades locais e o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P na ind��stria de petr��leo e g��s e, tamb��m, analisar os efeitos do sistema de gest��o ambiental e o gerenciamento dos projetos sobre tal desempenho. Na fase abdutiva, foi conduzido um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa em uma grande empresa brasileira do setor de petr��leo e g��s, na fase dedutiva, foi realizada uma pesquisa survey explanat��ria de corte transversal com abordagem quantitativa, incluindo 113 projetos de E&P de cinco unidades executoras da empresa. Foi formulado um modelo conceitual, com cinco construtos e sete hip��teses de pesquisa, representativo dos efeitos de fatores externos sobre o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P. Os dados foram tratados aplicando a An��lise Fatorial Explorat��ria e a Modelagem de Equa����es Estruturais com aplica����o dos softwares IBM�� SPSS�� Statistics 20.0 e IBM�� SPSS�� Amos 18.0. O modelo de equa����es estruturais foi reespecificado e estimado utilizando o m��todo de M��xima Verossimilhan��a e o procedimento bootstrap com 2000 reamostragens, at�� alcan��ar adequados valores dos ��ndices de ajustamento. O modelo mostrou boa ader��ncia ��s evid��ncias emp��ricas, representando uma teoria explicativa dos fatores que influenciam o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P na empresa estudada. As estat��sticas descritivas apontaram adequado desempenho dos projetos de E&P com rela����o aos efluentes descartados, volume de ��gua reutilizada, redu����o de res��duos e pr��ticas de reciclagem. Identificou-se que projetos de maior porte alcan��am melhor desempenho ambiental em rela����o aos de menor tamanho. N��o foram achadas diferen��as significativas entre os desempenhos de projetos executados por unidades operacionais distintas. Os resultados da modelagem indicaram que nem a legisla����o ambiental, nem os agentes externos exercem influ��ncia significativa sobre a sistem��tica da gest��o dos projetos de E&P. Os agentes externos atuam sobre a gest��o ambiental da empresa exercitando capacidades colaborativas, obstrutivas e propositivas. A legisla����o ambiental �� percebida como entrave ao desenvolvimento dos projetos ao longo de seu ciclo de vida, principalmente, pelas defici��ncias dos ��rg��os ambientais. Identificou-se que o sistema de gest��o ambiental influencia diretamente o Programa de Desenvolvimento e Execu����o de Projetos de E&P, que, por sua vez, provoca efeitos diretos e indiretos sobre o desempenho ambiental. Finalmente, comprovou-se que o Sistema de Gest��o Ambiental da empresa �� determinante para o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P, tanto pelos seus efeitos diretos, como pelos indiretos, estes ��ltimos mediados pela sistem��tica de gest��o dos projetos de E&P

Modelagem do desempenho ambiental dos projetos de explora����o e produ����o aplicando equa����es estruturais

A legisla����o ambiental e os principais agentes que se relacionam com a empresa se constituem em fatores ex��genos que n��o podem ser negligenciados ao formular-se e avaliar-se a pol��tica ambiental corporativa. As influ��ncias ex��genas e seus efeitos sobre a gest��o ambiental e o gerenciamento de projetos de explora����o e produ����o (E&P) e, por essa via, sobre o desempenho ambiental, foram objetos de estudo desta tese. Embora o desempenho ambiental seja um assunto relevante, a pesquisa sobre esse tema ainda �� escassa. Tal car��ncia desponta ainda mais acentuada quando se aborda o desempenho ambiental de projetos na ind��stria de petr��leo e g��s. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a rela����o entre a legisla����o ambiental vigente, as a����es de ��rg��os reguladores, fornecedores, empresas terceirizadas e comunidades locais e o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P na ind��stria de petr��leo e g��s e, tamb��m, analisar os efeitos do sistema de gest��o ambiental e o gerenciamento dos projetos sobre tal desempenho. Na fase abdutiva, foi conduzido um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa em uma grande empresa brasileira do setor de petr��leo e g��s, na fase dedutiva, foi realizada uma pesquisa survey explanat��ria de corte transversal com abordagem quantitativa, incluindo 113 projetos de E&P de cinco unidades executoras da empresa. Foi formulado um modelo conceitual, com cinco construtos e sete hip��teses de pesquisa, representativo dos efeitos de fatores externos sobre o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P. Os dados foram tratados aplicando a An��lise Fatorial Explorat��ria e a Modelagem de Equa����es Estruturais com aplica����o dos softwares IBM�� SPSS�� Statistics 20.0 e IBM�� SPSS�� Amos 18.0. O modelo de equa����es estruturais foi reespecificado e estimado utilizando o m��todo de M��xima Verossimilhan��a e o procedimento bootstrap com 2000 reamostragens, at�� alcan��ar adequados valores dos ��ndices de ajustamento. O modelo mostrou boa ader��ncia ��s evid��ncias emp��ricas, representando uma teoria explicativa dos fatores que influenciam o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P na empresa estudada. As estat��sticas descritivas apontaram adequado desempenho dos projetos de E&P com rela����o aos efluentes descartados, volume de ��gua reutilizada, redu����o de res��duos e pr��ticas de reciclagem. Identificou-se que projetos de maior porte alcan��am melhor desempenho ambiental em rela����o aos de menor tamanho. N��o foram achadas diferen��as significativas entre os desempenhos de projetos executados por unidades operacionais distintas. Os resultados da modelagem indicaram que nem a legisla����o ambiental, nem os agentes externos exercem influ��ncia significativa sobre a sistem��tica da gest��o dos projetos de E&P. Os agentes externos atuam sobre a gest��o ambiental da empresa exercitando capacidades colaborativas, obstrutivas e propositivas. A legisla����o ambiental �� percebida como entrave ao desenvolvimento dos projetos ao longo de seu ciclo de vida, principalmente, pelas defici��ncias dos ��rg��os ambientais. Identificou-se que o sistema de gest��o ambiental influencia diretamente o Programa de Desenvolvimento e Execu����o de Projetos de E&P, que, por sua vez, provoca efeitos diretos e indiretos sobre o desempenho ambiental. Finalmente, comprovou-se que o Sistema de Gest��o Ambiental da empresa �� determinante para o desempenho ambiental dos projetos de E&P, tanto pelos seus efeitos diretos, como pelos indiretos, estes ��ltimos mediados pela sistem��tica de gest��o dos projetos de E&P

Developing and implementing an environmental performance index for the Portuguese military

Business Strategy and the Environment n�� 15, p. 71���86

Factores Cr��ticos del Desarrollo Local y Regional Integrado zona serrana y Norte de la Provincia de C��rdoba-. Validaci��n causal estad��stica de Modelos de Ecuaciones Estructurales. Identificaci��n de problemas normativos de las OSC.Critical Factors of Local and Regional Development in north of the Province of C��rdoba. Causal validation with Structural Equation Modeling. Legal regulations of civil society.

En la investigaci��n anterior -en la zona pampeana de la Provincia de C��rdoba- se demostr�� te��rica y emp��ricamente, que el desarrollo de la Sociedad Civil muchas veces libradas a su suerte y con limitaciones legales apoyan decididamente el desarrollo local, sin embargo han logrado solo parcialmente sus objetivos, por lo que es necesario comenzar un camino de fortalecimiento en los nuevos roles que deben asumir. Los gobiernos locales, a la vez, intentan trabajosamente con contados ��xitos detener el procesos de descapitalizaci��n social -financiera y humana- de sus comunidades locales y regionales, peregrinando con escaso ��xito a los centros concentrados del poder pol��tico y econ��mico, para procurar los recursos financieros y humanos necesarios que no alcanzan a reponer los que se fugan desde hace d��cadas de sus localidades. Las empresas, con ciclos recurrentes de crecimiento y decrecimiento vinculados a los mercados en que colocan sus productos, tambi��n se debaten en la b��squeda de los escasos recursos, financieros y humanos, que les permitan consolidar un desarrollo a mediano y largo plazo. El desarrollo alcanzado en Sistemas de informaci��n, instrumentos de relevamiento, an��lisis y elaboraci��n de propuestas para el Desarrollo Local, nos permite avanzar en: 1. La confirmaci��n emp��rica de las hip��tesis iniciales - factores ex��genos y end��genos - en la zona Norte y Serrana de la provincia 2. La validaci��n cient��fica -mediante el An��lisis de ecuaciones estructurales. de tales supuestos, para el conjunto de las poblaciones analizadas en ambas etapas. 3. La identificaci��n de los problemas normativos que afectan el desarrollo de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC). METODOLOG��A Respecto la validaci��n emp��rica en la zona norte y serrana 1. Selecci��n de las 4 localidades a relevar de acuerdo a las categor��as definidas 2. Elaboraci��n de acuerdos con autoridades e instituciones locales. 3. Relevamiento cualitativo con l��deres locales y fuentes de datos secundarias. 4. Adaptaci��n de instrumentos de relevamiento a las realidades locales y estudios previos 5. Relevamiento cuantitativo de campo, capacitaci��n de encuestadores y supervisores. 6. Procesamiento y elaboraci��n de informes finales locales. Respecto de la construcci��n de modelos de desarrollo 1. Desarrollar las dimensiones especificas y las variables (items) de cada factor cr��tico. 2. Revisar el instrumento con expertos de cada una de las dimensiones. 3. Validar a nivel exploratorio por medio de un An��lisis de Componentes Principales 4. Someter a los expertos la evaluaci��n de una serie de localidades que representan cada uno. Respecto de la identificaci��n de las normas legales que afectan a la Sociedad Civil 1.Relevamiento documental de normas 2. Relevamiento con l��deres de instituciones de la Sociedad Civil 3. An��lisis de las normas vigentes 4. Elaboraci��n de Informes Finales y Transferencia a l��deres e instituciones

Social cognition as a mediator variable between neurocognition and functional outcome in schizophrenia: empirical review and new results by structural equation modeling

Cognitive impairments are currently regarded as important determinants of functional domains and are promising treatment goals in schizophrenia. Nevertheless, the exact nature of the interdependent relationship between neurocognition and social cognition as well as the relative contribution of each of these factors to adequate functioning remains unclear. The purpose of this article is to systematically review the findings and methodology of studies that have investigated social cognition as a mediator variable between neurocognitive performance and functional outcome in schizophrenia. Moreover, we carried out a study to evaluate this mediation hypothesis by the means of structural equation modeling in a large sample of 148 schizophrenia patients. The review comprised 15 studies. All but one study provided evidence for the mediating role of social cognition both in cross-sectional and in longitudinal designs. Other variables like motivation and social competence additionally mediated the relationship between social cognition and functional outcome. The mean effect size of the indirect effect was 0.20. However, social cognitive domains were differentially effective mediators. On average, 25% of the variance in functional outcome could be explained in the mediation model. The results of our own statistical analysis are in line with these conclusions: Social cognition mediated a significant indirect relationship between neurocognition and functional outcome. These results suggest that research should focus on differential mediation pathways. Future studies should also consider the interaction with other prognostic factors, additional mediators, and moderators in order to increase the predictive power and to target those factors relevant for optimizing therapy effects.

The Relationship Between Sociosexuality and Aspects of Body Image in Men and Women: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

The present study investigated the association between individual differences in sociosexual orientation and four aspects of body image in 156 male and 136 female students. While men were characterized by a less restricted sociosexual orientation, higher self-perceived physical attractiveness, and more pronounced self-rated physical assertiveness, women placed more emphasis on accentuation of body presentation. Structural equation modeling revealed significant positive relationships between sociosexual attitudes and physical attractiveness and accentuation of body presentation as well as between sociosexual behavior and physical attractiveness for the total sample. When introducing sex as a grouping variable, the attitudinal and behavioral components of sociosexuality were reliably related to both physical attractiveness and accentuation of body presentation as two aspects of body image in men, but not in women. Furthermore, our findings suggest that accentuation of body presentation represents a goal-directed behavior in men to increase the likelihood of having uncommitted sex but serves additional functions widely unrelated to unrestrictive sociosexual behavior in women.

Use of structural equation modeling to examine the association between breast cancer risk perception and repeat screening mammography among United States women

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in United States women, estimated to be diagnosed in 1 out of 8 women in their lifetime. Screening mammography detects breast cancer in its pre-clinical stages when treatment strategies have the greatest chance of success, and is currently the only population-wide prevention method proven to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. Research has shown that the majority of women are not screened annually, with estimates ranging front 6% - 30% of eligible women receiving all available annual mammograms over a 5-year or greater time frame. Health behavior theorists believe that perception of risk/susceptibility to a disease influences preventive health behavior, in this case, screening mammography The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the association between breast cancer risk perception and repeat screening mammography using a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. A series of SEM multivariate regressions were conducted using self-reported, nationally representative data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey. Interaction contrasts were tested to measure the potential moderating effects of variables which have been shown to be predictive of mammography use (physician recommendation, economic barriers, structural barriers, race/ethnicity) on the association between breast cancer risk perception and repeat mammography, while controlling for the covariates of age, income, region, nativity, and educational level. Of the variables tested for moderation, results of the SEM analyses identify physician recommendation as the only moderator of the relationship between risk perception and repeat mammography, thus the potentially most effective point of intervention to increase mammography screening, and decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. These findings expand the role of the physician from recommendation to one of attenuating the effect of risk perception and increasing repeat screening. The long range application of the research is the use of the SEM methodology to identify specific points of intervention most likely to increase preventive behavior in population-wide research, allowing for the most effective use of intervention funds.^

Hospital Administrative Characteristics and Volunteer Resource Management Practices

Purpose ��� The purpose of this paper is to explore the links between various characteristics of hospital administration and the utilization of classes of volunteer resource management (VRM) practices. Design/methodology/approach ��� This paper uses original data collected via surveys of volunteer directors in 122 hospitals in five Northeastern and Southern US states. Findings ��� Structural equation modeling results suggest that number of paid volunteer management staff, scope of responsibility of the primary volunteer administrator, and hospital size are positively associated with increased usage of certain VRM practices. Research limitations/implications ��� First, the authors begin the exploration of VRM antecedents, and encourage others to continue this line of inquiry; and second, the authors assess dimensionality of practices, allowing future researchers to consider whether specific dimensions have a differential impact on key individual and organizational outcomes. Practical implications ��� Based on the findings of a relationship between administrative characteristics and the on-the-ground execution of VRM practice, a baseline audit comparing current practices to those VRM practices presented here might be useful in determining what next steps may be taken to focus investments in VRM that can ultimately drive practice utilization. Originality/value ��� The exploration of the dimensionality of volunteer management adds a novel perspective to both the academic study, and practice, of volunteer management. To the authors��� knowledge, this is the first empirical categorization of VRM practices.

Personality factors and alcohol use: a mediator analysis of drinking motives.

Current evidence on the association between personality factors, drinking motives, and alcohol use comes exclusively from North America. The present study, however, is based on a sample of 2090 Swiss college students (mean age 23.5, SD = 2,9) and investigates by means of structural equation modeling whether drinking motives mediate the association between personality factors and alcohol use. The results revealed that extraversion was positively related to drinking for enhancement motives; conscientiousness was negatively related to both enhancement and coping motives; and neuroticism was positively related to drinking for coping motives. The association between extraversion and alcohol use was mediated by enhancement motives, while the negative association between conscientiousness and alcohol use was partially mediated by both enhancement and coping motives. This concurs with the findings of North American studies. However, in contrast to these findings, our study finds that coping motives attenuate the "protective" effect of neuroticism with regard to alcohol use. Taken together, the study indicates that alcohol use serves specific purposes depending on particular personality traits. The finding that personality-related effects are partially mediated by motives increases the likelihood that motive-based preventive efforts will help reduce alcohol use among young adults who display particular personality traits.

Education, Equity and Distributive Beliefs: Evidences from the Chilean Case

During the year 2011, Chile has been scenario of several student's demonstrations claiming for more equity in the access to the higher education. The high support to the protests by the side of the general population (nearly 89% of approval in public opinion polls) seems to suggest the existence of a large consensus about the weaknesses of the Chilean educative model, a model that would challenge the traditional ideals of meritocracy and social mobility that are at the core of the educational systems in modern societies. In this context, a question that remains open is to what extent these claims are mostly based on consensual equality ideals, or whether they are influenced by individual socio-economic determinants vis-��-vis rational motives. Using data of the social inequality module International Social Survey Program (ISSP) of 2009, this research analyzes perceptions and beliefs about education and the distributive system as well as the influence of income and educational variables, through a structural equation modeling framework. Preliminary results indicate the presence of socioeconomic cleavages in relation to the fairness of the educational system, questioning the assumption about a normative consensus.

Interrelationships between the structural and functional aspects of social relationships, comorbidity and health related quality of life in breast cancer survivors

It is widely acknowledged in theoretical and empirical literature that social relationships, comprising of structural measures (social networks) and functional measures (perceived social support) have an undeniable effect on health outcomes. However, the actual mechanism of this effect has yet to be clearly understood or explicated. In addition, comorbidity is found to adversely affect social relationships and health related quality of life (a valued outcome measure in cancer patients and survivors). ^ This cross sectional study uses selected baseline data (N=3088) from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Lisrel 8.72 was used for the latent variable structural equation modeling. Due to the ordinal nature of the data, Weighted Least Squares (WLS) method of estimation using Asymptotic Distribution Free covariance matrices was chosen for this analysis. The primary exogenous predictor variables are Social Networks and Comorbidity; Perceived Social Support is the endogenous predictor variable. Three dimensions of HRQoL, physical, mental and satisfaction with current quality of life were the outcome variables. ^ This study hypothesizes and tests the mechanism and pathways between comorbidity, social relationships and HRQoL using latent variable structural equation modeling. After testing the measurement models of social networks and perceived social support, a structural model hypothesizing associations between the latent exogenous and endogenous variables was tested. The results of the study after listwise deletion (N=2131) mostly confirmed the hypothesized relationships (TLI, CFI >0.95, RMSEA = 0.05, p=0.15). Comorbidity was adversely associated with all three HRQoL outcomes. Strong ties were negatively associated with perceived social support; social network had a strong positive association with perceived social support, which served as a mediator between social networks and HRQoL. Mental health quality of life was the most adversely affected by the predictor variables. ^ This study is a preliminary look at the integration of structural and functional measures of social relationships, comorbidity and three HRQoL indicators using LVSEM. Developing stronger social networks and forming supportive relationships is beneficial for health outcomes such as HRQoL of cancer survivors. Thus, the medical community treating cancer survivors as well as the survivor's social networks need to be informed and cognizant of these possible relationships. ^