Employee Perceptions About Participation in Decision-Making in the COVID Era and Its Impact on the Psychological Outcomes: A Case Study of a Cooperative in MONDRAGON (Basque Country, Spain)

This research aims to study possible effects or impacts of COVID-19 in the context of a democratic organizational system analyzing how COVID-19 has influenced employees’ perception of their participation in decision-making and its impact on some psychological outcomes and emotions. COVID-19 has accelerated the process of implementation of new frameworks at work (digitalization, teleworking, new skills, and abilities) that have generated the modification of culture and employee management practices. Our hypothesis are, on the one hand, that COVID-19 has generated changes in participation structures and internal communication mechanisms, having to make modifications not to deteriorate the perception of employees about their participation in decision making. On the other hand, COVID-19 has generated changes in the psychological outcomes and emotions of the employees. In the study, we analyze a cooperative belonging to the MONDRAGON cooperative group, where participation in decision-making and ownership is in its DNA. Through qualitative (5 focus groups) and quantitative (short questionnaire) methodologies, involving 42 employees, we investigate firstly, how COVID-19 has affected perceptions about participation in decision-making analyzing what role has played internal communication in these perceptions. Secondly, we investigate how COVID-19 has affected psychological outcomes and emotions. In this case, the perceptions arising from participation in decision-making focus on the assessment that participators make of the governance channels and the day-to-day meetings. Therefore, their appropriateness seems to be a key factor in the perception of participation in the COVID-19 era. Differences have been detected between the perceptions of blue and white collar employees. Such differences have also been founded in the psychological outcomes and emotions. Although this is a single case study, the analysis carried out provides elements of reflection to modify and restructure the decision-making and participation mechanisms, adapting them to the needs of blue and white collar employees in order to “guarantee” the expected outcomes

Residência médica na área de cancerologia no Brasil: distribuição dos programas e da oferta de vagas por região em 2003

A Residência Médica (RM) é um tipo de instrução baseado em treinamento em serviço, para formação de especialistas. Este trabalho objetiva analisar e comparar a oferta de vagas de Residência Médica na área de cancerologia, no Brasil, em 2003, observando alguns aspectos relativos à concentração de recursos e à capacidade instalada da formação em oncologia, segundo macro-regiões. Há programas de RM, em áreas da oncologia, em 38 instituições do país. Na região Sudeste, estão 22 das instituições com programa de residência em alguma área ligada à oncologia; São Paulo tem maior representação com 42,1% das instituições; a região Sudeste mantém 58,3% dos programas, concentrando mais de dois terços das vagas, 265 (73,4%). Existe, em algumas regiões, um desequilíbrio entre as vagas ofertadas e as realmente ocupadas, com um descompasso entre o número de vagas ofertadas e a população da região, especialmente a do Sul, onde o excesso chega a 42%, sendo o deficit de vagas, no Nordeste, igual a 74,4%. Observou-se desigualdade, confirmada pelo teste de Spearman, ao comparar o número de vagas ofertadas, em cada região, com o número de casos novos e óbitos esperados de câncer. Concluindo, percebeu-se um forte desequilíbrio na distribuição de vagas, com uma grande concentração na região Sudeste, alcançando determinadas instituições. Outra questão evidenciada diz respeito à falta de preenchimento de vagas, na maioria dos programas. Chama-se atenção para a necessidade de uma avaliação da necessidade de recursos humanos na área, levando em consideração as necessidades da população e a distribuição desses

Diferencia en las percepciones sobre las prácticas de gestión de personas entre mano de obra directa e indirecta. Estudio de caso de una cooperativa de MONDRAGON

El principal objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar, basándose en la teoría AMO, las diferencias en las percepciones de las personas trabajadoras de mano de obra directa e indirecta con respecto a las prácticas de gestión de personas implantadas en una cooperativa de MONDRAGON. La literatura académica ha prestado poca atención a cómo perciben las personas trabajadoras las prácticas de gestión de personas en las cooperativas teniendo en cuenta la variable del tipo de mano de obra (directa e indirecta). El análisis se ha realizado mediante un estudio de caso, combinando el enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo. Los resultados de la investigación muestran que, en el seno de una misma cooperativa y en lo que a las prácticas de gestión de personas se refiere, existen diferencias significativas en las percepciones de las personas trabajadoras de mano de obra directa e indirecta. Ello se debe a las diferentes características, trabajos y/o tareas que desarrollan ambos colectivos, lo que se traduce en comportamientos y percepciones diferentes. El presente estudio pretende servir a las organizaciones, y sobre todo a los departamentos de gestión de personas de las mismas, como input de reflexión sobre cómo se aproximan a las personas trabajadoras y cómo tienen diseñados sus procesos de gestión de personas, animándolas a personalizar las mismas según el tipo de mano de obra

Difference in perceptions of human resources practices between blue collar and white collar workers. Case study of a cooperative belonging to MONDRAGON

El principal objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar, basándose en la teoría AMO, las diferencias en las percepciones de las personas trabajadoras de mano de obra directa e indirecta con respecto a las prácticas de gestión de personas implantadas en una cooperativa de MONDRAGON. La literatura académica ha prestado poca atención a cómo perciben las personas trabajadoras las prácticas de gestión de personas en las cooperativas teniendo en cuenta la variable del tipo de mano de obra (directa e indirecta). El análisis se ha realizado mediante un estudio de caso, combinando el enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo. Los resultados de la investigación muestran que, en el seno de una misma cooperativa y en lo que a las prácticas de gestión de personas se refiere, existen diferencias significativas en las percepciones de las personas trabajadoras de mano de obra directa e indirecta. Ello se debe a las diferentes características, trabajos y/o tareas que desarrollan ambos colectivos, lo que se traduce en comportamientos y percepciones diferentes. El presente estudio pretende servir a las organizaciones, y sobre todo a los departamentos de gestión de personas de las mismas, como input de reflexión sobre cómo se aproximan a las personas trabajadoras y cómo tienen diseñados sus procesos de gestión de personas, animándolas a personalizar las mismas según el tipo de mano de obra.The main objective of this research is to analyze, based on the AMO theory, the differences in the perceptions of blue and white collar workers with respect to the human resources practices implemented in a cooperative belonging to MONDRAGON. The academic literature has paid little attention to how workers perceive such practices in cooperatives considering the variable of the type of workforce (blue collar or white collar). The analysis has been carried out by means of a case study where the quantitative and qualitative approach has been combined. The results of the research show that, within the same cooperative and in terms of human resources practices, there are significant differences in the perceptions of blue collar and white collar workers. This is due to the different characteristics and jobs and/or tasks performed by both groups, which therefore results in different behaviors and perceptions. This study aims to help organizations and, above all, their human resources departments, to reflect on how to approach workers and on the importance of considering the type of workforce when designing and implementinghuman resources practices.Escuela de Estudios CooperativosFac. de Ciencias Económicas y EmpresarialesTRUEDiputación Foral de Gipuzkoapu

Waste Plastics Valorization by Fast Pyrolysis and in Line Catalytic Steam Reforming for Hydrogen Production

This chapter summarizes the most recent results obtained in the plastic waste pyrolysis-reforming strategy for hydrogen production. An original two-reactor configuration consisting of a conical spouted bed reactor for the pyrolysis step and a fluidized bed reactor for the pyrolysis volatile reforming is proposed. The fundamental aspects and challenges of this joint process are discussed in detail, and the prospects for the full-scale implementation of this valorization route are assessed. Thus, the influence the main reforming parameters (temperature, space time and steam/plastic ratio) have in the pyrolysis-reforming of HDPE on product yields and catalyst stability are reported. Moreover, the role played by plastic composition on process performance is also described by studying the influence of following polymers: high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS). The operating conditions used for the valorization of different plastics have been as follows: pyrolysis temperature of 500°C, reforming temperature of 700°C, space time of 16.7 gcatalyst min gplastic−1and steam/plastic ratio of 4

Whey Protein Films for Sustainable Food Packaging: Effect of Incorporated Ascorbic Acid and Environmental Assessment

The management of food waste and by-products has become a challenge for the agri-food sector and an example are whey by-products produced in dairy industries. Seeking other whey valorisation alternatives and applications, whey protein films for food packaging applications were developed in this study. Films containing different amounts (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt%) of ascorbic acid were manufactured via compression-moulding and their physicochemical, thermal, barrier, optical, and mechanical properties were analysed and related to the film structure. Additionally, the environmental assessment of the films was carried out to analyse the impact of film manufacture. Regarding physicochemical properties, both FTIR and water uptake analyses showed the presence of non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, between whey protein and ascorbic acid as band shifts at the 1500–1700 cm−1 region as well as a water absorption decrease from 380% down to 240% were observed. The addition of ascorbic acid notably improved the UV-Vis light absorbance capacity of whey protein films up to 500 nm, a relevant enhancement for protecting foods susceptible to UV-Vis light-induced lipid oxidation. In relation to the environmental assessment, it was concluded that scaling up film manufacture could lead to a reduction in the environmental impacts, mainly electricity consumption.The authors would like to thank Basque Government (KK-2021/00131 and IT1658-22) for its financial support

Esne-gazuratik eratorritako film biodegradagarriak

Cheese factories in Euskadi produce a significant amount of whey and its discharge can cause important environmental damages. Therefore, the objective of this study was to prepare biodegradable films using whey protein. In this way, the films prepared with proteins obtained from agroindustrial bio-waste not only will reduce the amount of food waste, but also may help increase the shelf life of foodstuffs. Among different film manufacturing techniques, compression moulding was selected to produce films based on whey protein with the aim of reducing production time and promoting more sustainable processes. After optimising the film manufacturing process, the physical, chemical, barrier, optical and mechanical properties of the films were assessed. In addition to the properties of the films, an environmental impact study of the samples was conducted as well.; Euskadiko gaztandegietan esne-gazur ugari sortzen da eta haren isurketak kalteak eragin ditzake ingurumenean. Horregatik, ikerketa honen helburua film biodegradagarriak ekoiztea da, esne-gazuraren proteina erabiliz. Elikagaien industriako bio-hondakinetatik datorren proteinan oinarritutako elikadura-ontzien bidezko irtenbide honek, hondakinen kopurua murrizteaz gain, elikagaien bizitza erabilgarria handitzea du helburu. Esne-gazuraren proteinan oinarritutako filmak sortzeko, hainbat prozesatze-metodo erabil daitezke eta, lan honetan, konpresioa aukeratu da, ekoizpen-denborak murrizteko eta prozesu iraunkorragoak sustatzeko. Filmen eraketa-prozesua optimizatu ondoren, lortutako filmen propietate fisiko-kimikoak, optikoak, mekanikoak eta hesi-propietateak aztertu dira. Horretaz gain, filmen ingurumen-inpaktuaren azterketa egin da

Appraisal of agroforestry biomass wastes for hydrogen production by an integrated process of fast pyrolysis and in line steam reforming

The pyrolysis and in line steam reforming of different types of representative agroforestry biomass wastes (pine wood, citrus wastes and rice husk) was performed in a two-reactor system made up of a conical spouted bed and a fluidized bed. The pyrolysis step was carried out at 500 °C, and the steam reforming at 600 °C with a space time of 20 gcatalyst min gvolatiles−1 and a steam/biomass ratio (S/B) of 4. A study was conducted on the effect that the pyrolysis volatiles composition obtained with several biomasses has on the reforming conversion, product yields and H2 production. The different composition of the pyrolysis volatiles obtained with the three biomasses studied led to differences in the initial activity and, especially, in the catalyst deactivation rate. Initial conversions higher than 99% were obtained in all cases and the H2 production obtained varied in the 6.7–11.2 wt% range, depending on the feedstock used. The stability of the catalysts decreased depending on the feedstock as follows: pine wood ≫ citrus waste > rice husk. A detailed assessment of the mechanisms of catalyst deactivation revealed that coke deposition is the main cause of catalyst decay in all the runs. However, the volatile composition derived from the pyrolysis of citrus waste and rice husk involved the formation of an encapsulating coke, which severely blocked the catalyst pores, leading to catalyst deactivation during the first minutes of reaction.his work was carried out with the financial support of the grants PID2022-140704OB-I00 and PID2022-139454OB-I00 funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF, a way of making Europe”, the grants TED 2021-132056B–I00 and PLEC 2021-008062 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR”, and the grants IT1645-22 and KK-2023/00060 funded by the Basque Government. Moreover, this project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 823745

CeO2 and La2O3 promoters in the steam reforming of polyolefinic waste plastic pyrolysis volatiles on Ni-based catalysts

[EN] Based on the promising results of La2O3 and CeO2 promoted Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in the reforming of biomass pyrolysis volatiles, the performance of these catalysts and the non-promoted one was 2 evaluated in the pyrolysis and in-line steam reforming of polypropylene (PP). The experiments were carried out in a continuous bench scale pyrolysis-reforming plant using two space times of 4.1 and 16.7 gcat min gplastic−1 and a steam/PP ratio of 4. The prepared catalysts and the deposited coke were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Ni/Al2O3 catalyst showed suitable performance regarding pyrolysis product conversion and hydrogen production, and led to moderate coke deposition. It is to note that La2O3 incorporation remarkably improved catalyst performance compared to the other two catalysts in terms of conversion (> 99 %), hydrogen production (34.9 %) and coke deposition (2.24 wt%).This work was carried out with the financial support from Spain’s ministries of Economy and Competitiveness (CTQ2016-75535-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), Science, Innovation and Universities (RTI2018-101678-B-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE)) and, Science and Innovation PID2019-107357RB-I00 (MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE)), the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 823745, and the Basque Government (IT1218-19 and KK-2020/00107)

Role of temperature in the biomass steam pyrolysis in a conical spouted bed reactor

[EN] The steam pyrolysis of pinewood sawdust has been conducted in a bench scale plant provided with a conical spouted bed reactor (CSBR). This process is of uttermost relevance for the in-line valorisation of pyrolysis volatiles, specifically for their catalytic steam reforming for hydrogen production. The influence of temperature on the product yields has been analyzed in the 500-800 degrees C range. A detailed analysis of the volatile stream (condensable and non-condensable components) has been carried out by chromatographic techniques, and the char samples have been characterized by ultimate and proximate analyses, N-2 adsorption-desorption, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. A high bio-oil yield was obtained at 500 degrees C (75.4 wt%), which is evidence of the suitable features of the conical spouted bed reactor for this process. As temperature was increased, higher gas and lower liquid and char yields were obtained. Steam was fully inert at low pyrolysis temperatures (500-600 degrees C), and only had a little influence at 700 degrees C due to the low gas residence time in the conical spouted bed reactor. At 800 degrees C, the reaction mechanism was controlled by gasification reactions. The composition of the liquid fraction was considerably influenced by pyrolysis temperature, with a less oxygenated stream as temperature was increased. Thus, phenolic compounds accounted for the major fraction at low pyrolysis temperatures, whereas hydrocarbons prevailed at 800 degrees C. The char obtained in the whole temperature range can be further used as active carbon or energy source.This work was carried out with the financial support from Spain's ministries of Science, Innovation and Universities (RTI2018-101678-B-I0 0 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) and RTI2018-098283-J-I0 0 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) ) and Science and Innovation (PID2019-107357RB-I0 0 (AEI/FEDER, UE) ) and the Basque Government (IT1218-19 and KK-2020/00107) . Moreover, this project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 823745