Composing for the Intercultural Orchestra

This commentary examines a collection of my orchestral works written for combinations of instruments from a variety of cultural origins and identities. The artistic aim of this endeavour is to create meaningful transcultural and cross-traditional work that reflects the fluidity of cultural-national identities stemming from 21st century realities of globalization, human migration, immigration, travel, and electronic communication. A new perspective will be explored by postulating a transnational musical identity that evolves without the loss of each component member’s cultural origins (including those of the West). The intention of this commentary is to reflect upon the creative process of composing a series of works that engage with large-scale intercultural performing forces. Chapter 1 provides a contextual rationale for this research by tracing the emergence of the intercultural orchestra from the turn of the current century, first in Vancouver, Canada, then around the world. Chapter 2 outlines my current compositional approach by surveying the structural choices in as the first spring blossoms awaken through the snow for intercultural ensemble. Chapter 3 is a comparative analysis of two works: Il Viaggio di Dante (for any Chinese instrument and Western chamber orchestra) and Fly Away Phoenix, Into the Sky (for any Chinese instrument and intercultural strings). Chapter 4 explores the emergence of the Chinese orchestra as an intercultural ensemble by studying the compositional choices in Hummingbird in Winter. Chapter 5 explores the application of the compositional strategies developed in the first three chapters by examining two concerti for intercultural instruments and symphony orchestra: Birds Calling… from the Canada in You (for sheng/suona, shō, and orchestra), and Bloom (for koto/bass koto/voice and orchestra). Chapter 6 concludes by contextualising the above works and projecting upon the future of the intercultural orchestra

Sustainable Business Models

The dynamically changing world economy, in an era of intensive development and globalization, creates new needs in both the theoretical models of management and in the practical discussion related to the perception of business. Because of new economic phenomena related to the crisis, there is a need for the design and operationalization of innovative business models for companies. Due to the fact that in times of crisis, the principles of strategic balance are particularly important; these business models can be sustainable business models. Moreover, it is essential to skillfully use different methods and concepts of management to ensure the continuity of business. It seems that sustainable business models, in their essence, can support companies' effectiveness and contribute to their stable, sustainable functioning in the difficult, ever-changing market. This Special Issue aims to discuss the key mechanisms concerning the design and operationalization of sustainable business models, from a strategic perspective. We invite you to contribute to this Issue by submitting comprehensive reviews, case studies, or research articles. Papers selected for this Special Issue are subject to a rigorous peer review procedure, with the aim of rapid and wide dissemination of research results, developments, and applications

Balance y análisis de la investigación sobre el libro de texto escolar y los medios digitales. Memorias

La generalización de denominadas nuevas tecnologías de información y de comunicación han abierto nuevas perspectivas de formación: educación a distancia, acceso a las informaciones, educación virtual, cursos en la red, educación con base en el diseño y uso de libros de texto escolar digital o electrónico, entre otras. El uso de estos instrumentos generan problemáticas y desafíos al sistema educativo, a los profesores como a los estudiantes. Si bien, no son la panacea que algunos dicen, se insertan con decisión en el diverso y complejo mundo de la pedagogía y la educación contemporáneas. Las denominadas “Tic” (Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación), la llamada “autopista” de la información como espacio de circulación de la información, hacen posible el intercambio de textos, imágenes sonoras animadas a distancia (por World Wide Web) y el encuentro a distancia en tiempo real, por videoconferencia, por ejemplo. Las Tics nos hacen pasar a una nueva dimensión: aquella de la relación planetaria de todos con todos y con todo. Integrando en un mismo formato digital todas las funciones de lo audiovisual, del computador y de la telemática, la red acaba de conmover nuestros modos de pensamiento y de trabajo y sin duda, a largo plazo, nuestras mismas estructuras de organización social y educación. De hecho, el asunto remite en primer lugar a varios aspectos del trabajo de aprendizaje humanos: la estructura de nuestras relaciones con el espacio y con el tiempo relacionada con el enraizamiento corporal de nuestras actividades, complejidad de la interdependencia social y diversidad irreductible de los individuos y sus papeles

INTRODUCTION TO THE VISEGRAD FUND PROJECT: HOW TO PREVENT SMEs FROM FAILURE (Actions based on comparative analysis in Visegrad countries and Serbia)

This issue of Serbian Journal of Management (SJM 14(2) 2019), is dedicated to one very important challenge of contemporary entrepreneurship, that is condensed in single question: How to prevent SMEs from failure ? The articles published in this issue are all addressing different aspects of entrepreneurial activities that can lead to successful and/or unsuccessful operations. Part of the articles pubished in this issue are directly presenting the results of the project: HOW TO PREVENT SMEs FROM FAILURE (Actions based on comparative analysis in Visegrad countries and Serbia), which was financially supported by the International Visegrad Fund. During the projects, researchers from all four Visegrad group countries, as well as researchers from Serbia, were analysing SMEs from their regions, which suffered from some degree of financial distress or have failed in the past. The main purpose of this investigation was to analyse and identify the most important business factors that can lead to failure of the SMEs businesses. Obtained results are presented in this issue. On the other hand, part of the manuscripts in this issue are invited from the authors who are also investigating the SMEs operation and are dealing the factors of success of the entrepreneurial activities, in the region outside Visegrad group or Serbia. The main motive of this issue is to address this highly important challenge - SMEs successful operations