Can we trust ESG Ratings? Some insights based on a bibliometric analysis of ESG data quality and rating reliability

The aim of this research is to investigate the quality and reliability of ESG data provided by companies, as well as the accuracy and objectivity of ESG ratings produced by sus- tainability rating agencies (SRAs). Since SRAs use companies’ non-financial information as input data when formulating their ESG ratings, these two topics appear to be strictly interconnected. Drawing on the Shanon and Weaver (1949) model of communication, we have addressed these issues by means of a systematic literature review combined with a bibliometric anal- ysis. In our investigation we run: i) the co-citation analysis to detect the seminal papers; ii) a keyword co-occurrence analysis to explore how the main features of the academic debate have unfolded in the last five years; iii) a keyword co-occurrence analysis to obtain a network visualisation map to explore how the research broad scope was articulated in different clusters (i.e., themes of research). Among the clusters that emerged from the mapping, we have decided to delve into the streams of research we consider most relevant and deal with: the relationships between ESG and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Namely, we deem that AI may allow us to process massive amounts of data that contain crucial infor- mation for ESG investing. However, even if computer algorithms are able to analyse all information available efficiently, and in a timely manner, managers and investors should be aware of their opportunities and criticisms, while scholars should list propositions for advancing the research on these topics

A Design Methodology for MPEG-21 based Digital Policy Management Systems

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A Novel Methodology for Manufacturing Firms Value Modeling and Mapping to Improve Operational Performance in the Industry 4.0 Era

Abstract In recent years there has been appreciable academic activity in manufacturing value creation resulting in that the ability to create value is based on the competence to make decisions and implement strategies; even though this evidence it is still difficult to understand where the company's weak points are located so value modeling approaching is arising. In this study Authors first report a qualitative review on value creation and modeling based on the identification, selection and analysis of about 100 papers, then specify the value concept within manufacturing companies. Within this context the Authors describe a novel methodology for manufacturing value modeling from strategic level down to operational improvements. The methodology and the related mapping and analysis tools have been co-developed with Siemens MES division within Industry 4.0 context. The Manufacturing Value Modeling Methodology (MVMM) is based on 5 steps: Value Map, Maturity Model, Gap and Process Analysis, Validation and Improvement Areas Definition. Through this methodological approach, a series of structured interviews allowing to construct the value map accordingly to the current company maturity model and the relationships between the strategic objectives and operational practices, capabilities, and methods. Combining the assessments interview with the Company' resources, infrastructure and IT structures, it is possible to establish a current level of the company. The mapping step is followed by a gap and process analysis, assessing most relevant areas for the creation of value aiming at constructing an interventions roadmap, setting out priorities and activities to be improved. The selection of the improvement areas defines process initiatives, KPIs and interventions to improve business alignment. To provide a practical view of the methodology a sample of the Value Modeler tool is presented and discussed

Food industry digitalization: from challenges and trends to opportunities and solutions

Over the last years, manufacturing companies have to face several challenges, mainly related to the volatility of the demand and to the continuously changing requirements, both from the customers and suppliers. In the meantime, new technological roadmaps and suggested interventions in manufacturing systems have been implemented. These solutions aim to exploit the high innovation and economic potential resulting from the continuing impact of rapidly advancing information and communication technology (ICT) in industry. This paper explores these topics focusing on the food sector. Indeed, companies belonging to this industry are facing global challenges, which can be met with the support of the information technologies (IT). The overall goal of this study is to help food companies toward digitalization, with a particular focus on the design and manufacturing processes. From the methodological point of view, Case Study has been used as research method. Furthermore, a questionnaire characterized by the different elements of the Manufacturing Value Modelling Methodology (MVMM) has been developed and used to gather information from companies. A framework for the digitalization process in the food industry has been developed basing on the results of a preliminary literature review and of different focus groups. On completion of the aforementioned framework, a list of enabling technologies has been discussed. These represent the technological solutions for the specific food issues highlighted by the framework. Finally, a case study has been accomplished in order to test and validate the contents\u2019 framework

Food industry digitalization: from challenges and trends to opportunities and solutions

Over the last years, manufacturing companies have to face several challenges, mainly related to the volatility of the demand and to the continuously changing requirements, both from the customers and suppliers. In the meantime, new technological roadmaps and suggested interventions in manufacturing systems have been implemented. These solutions aim to exploit the high innovation and economic potential resulting from the continuing impact of rapidly advancing information and communication technology (ICT) in industry. This paper explores these topics focusing on the food sector. Indeed, companies belonging to this industry are facing global challenges, which can be met with the support of the information technologies (IT). The overall goal of this study is to help food companies toward digitalization, with a particular focus on the design and manufacturing processes. From the methodological point of view, Case Study has been used as research method. Furthermore, a questionnaire characterized by the different elements of the Manufacturing Value Modelling Methodology (MVMM) has been developed and used to gather information from companies. A framework for the digitalization process in the food industry has been developed basing on the results of a preliminary literature review and of different focus groups. On completion of the aforementioned framework, a list of enabling technologies has been discussed. These represent the technological solutions for the specific food issues highlighted by the framework. Finally, a case study has been accomplished in order to test and validate the contents' framework. (C) 2018, IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control) Hosting by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Consórcio de girassol e Brachiaria ruziziensis utilizando subdoses de herbicidas graminicidas.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a supressão do capim-braquiária (Brachiaria ruziziensis) em consórcio com o girassol (Helianthus annuus) e submetida a doses reduzidas de herbicidas inibidores da acetil coenzima A carboxilase (ACCase). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram i) testemunha capinada; ii) testemunha sem capina; iii) tepraloxydim 10 g i.a./ha; iv) tepraloxydim 20 g i.a./ha; v) tepraloxydim 40 g i.a./ha; vi) fluazifop-p-butyl 12,5 g i.a./ha; vii) fluazifop-p-butyl 25,0 g i.a./ha; viii) fluazifop-p-butyl 50,0 g i.a./ha. É viável a utilização de doses reduzidas de graminicidas como reguladores de crescimento da B. ruzizizensis. Todos os herbicidas e doses aplicadas foram seletivos para a cultura do girassol. O herbicida tepraloxydim na menor dose (10 g i.a./ha) reduziu o crescimento da forrageira e as duas maiores doses 20 e 40 g i.a./ha causaram alto grau de fitotoxicidade às plantas de B. ruzizizensis e redução total da produção de forragem. As doses do fluazifop-p-butyl suprimiram o crescimento do capim-braquiária, havendo redução de produção de forragem com o aumento das doses desse herbicida

Girassol Clearfield consorciado com Brachiaria ruziziensis utilizando herbicidas inibidores da enzima aceto-lactato sintase (ALS).

O objetivo desse experimento foi avaliar a tolerância do girassol (Helianthus annuus) e a supressão do capim-braquiária (Brachiaria ruziziensis) a herbicidas inibidores da enzima aceto-lactato sintase (ALS). O delineamento experimental foi blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram i) imazethapyr 30 g i.a./ha; ii) imazethapyr 70 g i.a./ha; iii) imazapyr 75 g e.a./ha; iv) imazapyr 125 g e.a./ha; v) chlorimuron-ethyl 7,5 g i.a./ha; vi) chlorimuron-ethyl 12,5 g i.a./ha; vii) nicosulfuron 8 g i.a./ha; viii) nicosulfuron 20 g i.a./ha; ix) testemunha sem capina e x) testemunha capinada. Os tratamentos com imazethapyr (30 e 70 g i.a./ha), imazapyr (75 e 125 g e.a./ha) e nicosulfuron (8 e 20 g i.a./ha) não causaram injúrias às plantas de girassol. O chlorimuron-ethyl nas doses de 7,5 e 12,5 g i.a./ha resultou em alto grau de fitointoxicação às plantas de girassol. O imazethapyr (30 e 70 g i.a./ha) e o nicosulfuron (8 g i.a./ha) causaram supressão do crescimento das plantas de B. ruziziensis. Entretanto, o imazapyr (75 e 125 g e.a./ha) e a maior dose de nicosulfuron (20 g i.a./ha) afetaram drasticamente a produção de fitomassa da forrageira, com morte das plantas

Tolerância diferencial de genótipos Clearfield e convencional aos herbicidas inibidores da enzima ALS.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar a sensibilidade de dois genótipos de girassol, um resistente (Paraiso 102 CL- Clearfield) e outro suscetível (Embrapa 122 V2000) aos herbicidas inibidores da enzima acetolactato sintase (ALS). O delineamento experimental foi blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, foram avaliados dois cultivares de girassol, um resistente (Paraiso 102 CL) e outro suscetível (Embrapa 122 V2000) aos herbicidas inibidores da enzima acetolactato sintase. Nas subparcelas, foram aplicados sete tratamentos (i) testemunha capinada, (ii) testemunha sem capina, (iii) imazethapyr 100 g i.a./ha, (iv) imazapyr 250 g i.a./ha, (v) imazapyr 25 g i.a./ha, (vi) nicosulfuron 60 g i.a./ha e (vii) nicosulfuron 4 g i.a./ha. O imazethapyr 100 g i.a./ha, o imazapyr 25 g i.a./ha e o nicosulfuron 4 g i.a./ha proporcionaram valores baixos de fitotoxicidade ao girassol Paraíso 102 CL. Todos os tratamentos herbicidas e respectivas doses causaram alto grau de fitotoxicidade às plantas de girassol Embrapa 122 V2000

Girassol Clearfield consorciado com Brachiaria ruziziensis utilizando doses reduzidas de herbicidas inibidores de ACCase.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a tolerância do girassol (Helianthus annuus) e o estabelecimento do capim-braquiária (Brachiaria ruziziensis) submetidos a doses reduzidas de herbicidas em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária. O delineamento experimental foi blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram i) tepraloxydim 10 g i.a./ha; ii) tepraloxydim 20 g i.a./ha; iii) fluazifop-p-butyl 12,5 g i.a./ha; iv) fluazifop-p-butyl 25,0 g i.a./ha; v) clethodim 12,0 g i.a./ha; vi) clethodim 24,0 g i.a./ha; vii) haloxyfop-methyl 6,0 g i.a./ha; viii) haloxyfop-methyl 12,0 g i.a./ha; ix) testemunha sem capina e x) testemunha capinada. É viável a utilização de doses reduzidas de graminicidas como reguladores de crescimento da B. ruzizizensis, reduzindo sua capacidade competitiva com a cultura do girassol. Todas as doses aplicadas causaram supressão do crescimento da B. ruzizizensis, a exceção da maior dose de clethodim e da maior dose de haloxyfop methyl, havendo morte total das plantas da forrageira. No tratamento onde foi aplicada a dose de 12,5 g i.a./ha de fluazifop-p-butyl houve a maior produtividade de fitomassa da forrageira. Todos os tratamentos herbicidas foram seletivos para a cultura do girassol

An efficient numerical approach to modeling the effects of particle shape on rubble-pile dynamics

We present an approach for the inclusion of non-spherical constituents in high-resolution N-body discrete element method (DEM) simulations. We use aggregates composed of bonded spheres to model non-spherical components. Though the method may be applied more generally, we detail our implementation in the existing N-body code pkdgrav. It has long been acknowledged that non-spherical grains confer additional shear strength and resistance to flow when compared with spheres. As a result, we expect that rubble-pile asteroids will also exhibit these properties and may behave differently than comparable rubble piles composed of idealized spheres. Since spherical particles avoid some significant technical challenges, most DEM gravity codes have used only spherical particles, or have been confined to relatively low resolutions. We also discuss the work that has gone into improving performance with non-spherical grains, building on pkdgrav's existing leading-edge computational efficiency among DEM gravity codes. This allows for the addition of non-spherical shapes while maintaining the efficiencies afforded by pkdgrav's tree implementation and parallelization. As a test, we simulated the gravitational collapse of 25,000 non-spherical bodies in parallel. In this case, the efficiency improvements allowed for an increase in speed by nearly a factor of three when compared with the naive implementation. Without these enhancements, large runs with non-spherical components would remain prohibitively expensive. Finally, we present the results of several small-scale tests: spinup due to the YORP effect, tidal encounters, and the Brazil-nut Effect. In all cases, we find that the inclusion of non-spherical constituents has a measurable impact on simulation outcomes.Comment: 35 pages, 8 figure