The Assessment of Real Estate Initiatives to Be Included in the Socially-Responsible Funds

The acknowledgment of the ongoing economic and financial crisis involving real estate, creates the need to formulate proposals and scenarios (in real estate) with the characteristics of socially responsible investments. These kind of investments aim towards “sustainable” development both environmentally (safeguarding the shortage of resources such as land, energy, and natural elements), and socially (protecting the population and raising its level of well-being) according to so-called “ethical finance”, instead of a mere “speculative” investment. Effectively, real estate is still an investment sector only marginally explored by the socially-responsible funds. Based on these premises, this paper will: (i) briefly analyze the nature of socially-responsible investments, setting their characteristics apart from “traditional investments”; and (ii) propose a possible procedure (of the multi-criteria type) which aims to assess socially-responsible investments in real estate. This will be applied to a case study regarding a social housing initiative in the municipality of Anguillara Sabazia (Rome, Italy)

A Methodology for the Selection of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methods in Real Estate and Land Management Processes

Real estate and land management are characterised by a complex, elaborate combination of technical, regulatory and governmental factors. In Europe, Public Administrators must address the complex decision-making problems that need to be resolved, while also acting in consideration of the expectations of the different stakeholders involved in settlement transformation. In complex situations (e.g., with different aspects to be considered and multilevel actors involved), decision-making processes are often used to solve multidisciplinary and multidimensional analyses, which support the choices of those who are making the decision. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods are included among the examination and evaluation techniques considered useful by the European Community. Such analyses and techniques are performed using methods, which aim to reach a synthesis of the various forms of input data needed to define decision-making problems of a similar complexity. Thus, one or more of the conclusions reached allow for informed, well thought-out, strategic decisions. According to the technical literature on MCDA, numerous methods are applicable in different decision-making situations, however, advice for selecting the most appropriate for the specific field of application and problem have not been thoroughly investigated. In land and real estate management, numerous queries regarding evaluations often arise. In brief, the objective of this paper is to outline a procedure with which to select the method best suited to the specific queries of evaluation, which commonly arise while addressing decision-making problems. In particular issues of land and real estate management, representing the so-called “settlement sector”. The procedure will follow a theoretical-methodological approach by formulating a taxonomy of the endogenous and exogenous variables of the multi-criteria analysis method

Public initiatives of settlement transformation. A theoretical-methodological approach to selecting tools of multi-criteria decision analysis

In Europe, the operating context in which initiatives of settlement transformation are currently initiated is characterized by a complex, elaborate combination of technical, regulatory and governance-related factors. A similar set of considerations makes it necessary to address the complex decision-making problems to be resolved through multidisciplinary, comparative approaches designed to rationalize the process and treat the elements to be considered in systematic fashion with respect to the range of alternatives available as solutions. Within a context defined in this manner, decision-making processes must often be used to obtain multidisciplinary and multidimensional analyses to support the choices made by the decision-makers. Such analyses are carried out using multi-criteria tools designed to arrive at syntheses of the numerous forms of input data needed to describe decision-making problems of similar complexity, so that one or more outcomes of the synthesis make possible informed, well thought-out, strategic decisions. The technical literature on the topic proposes numerous tools of multi-criteria analysis for application in different decision-making contexts. Still, no specific contributions have been drawn up to date on the approach to take in selecting the tool best suited to providing adequate responses to the queries of evaluation that arise most frequently in the various fields of application, and especially in the settlement sector. The objective of this paper is to propose, by formulating a taxonomy of the endogenous and exogenous variables of tools of multi-criteria analysis, a methodology capable of selecting the tool best suited to the queries of evaluation which arise regarding the chief categories of decision-making problems, and particularly in the settlement sector

The Role of Attractive Employers and Perceived Organizational Support on Employee Motivation and Engagement

The functions of an employer brand are to attract and retain employees. Previous research on incumbent employees has typically focused on commitment related variables; therefore, it remains unclear whether working for an attractive employer motivates incumbent employees to engage in their work. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the process in which organizational attractiveness leads to employee engagement. Drawing from both signaling and self-determination theory, this study proposes that organizational attractiveness will lead to employee engagement through autonomous motivation. It is also proposed that this relationship would be dependent upon whether the incumbent employee experiences perceived organizational support. Employees (n = 220) from various firms across North America were recruited and surveyed online at two time points. Organizational attractiveness and its dimensions positively predicted employee engagement and autonomous motivation. It was also found that autonomous motivation mediates the influence of organizational attractiveness on employee engagement; whereas the effect appears to be moderated by perceived organizational support. Results showed support for the mediation-moderation model. However, different patterns emerged for the moderating effect of perceived organizational support. It is concluded that brand value dimensions along with organizational support interact to motivate incumbent employees to engage in their work. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed

Evolutionary genetic studies of forest trees : genetic structure of the boreal forest tree Pinus banksiana, and the molecular phylogeny of the tropical tree family Dipterocarpaceae

In order to contribute to our understanding of the evolution of forest trees, the major structural life form of some of the most diverse ecosystems of the world, I conducted studies on (a) the genetic structure of Jack Pine ( Pious banksiana ) and (b) the phylogeny of the tropical tree family Dipterocarpaceae. Jack pine is one of the most widely distributed pine species in Canada and a valuable natural resource. The purpose of the present study was to examine the range-wide genetic diversity, population differentiation, inter-population migration, and genetic distances within Canada. The maritime populations were genetically distinct from the mainland populations. Genetic distance values for maritime populations ranged from 0.0504 to 0.0812 as compared to 0.0386 across all populations. The overall range-wide genetic structure of this species likely resulted from multiple refugia events. The members of the pantropical tree family Dipterocarpaceae dominate Asian rainforests, and are considered an excellent model to study the evolution of high tree species diversity characteristic of tropical rainforests. The objective of my study was to decipher the evolutionary relationships among dipterocarps using the partial sequences from the gene that codes nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA (N18S) sequence to determine the phylogenetic relationships within the Dipterocarpaceae. Although the level of polymorphism detected was relatively low, the overall phylogenetic relationships inferred from the N18S data were congruent with chromosome number of each group, where chromosome 7 is the derived state, and consistent with historical biogeographical event

SOCIALIZATION AND CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION

A depressão infantil e a depressão em adultos tendem a se manifestar de maneiras semelhantes. Além dos problemas emocionais e fisicos que a depressão causa, esta pode também interferir na competência social das crianças deprimidas. Por sua vez, estes problemas sociais podem exacerbar os sintomas depressivos além de causar problemas adicionais.Assim sendo, é importante que profissionais da saúde e educação estejam preparados para intervir junto às crianças deprimidas com as quais entrem em contato. Este artigo não somente discute as repercussões que a depressão pode ter na vida e desenvolvimento social normal da criança, como também sugere intervenções práticas que educadores e terapeutas podem implementar para amenizar os efeitos desta psicopatologia e prevenir uma socialização inadequada.The depression in adults and in children usually have similar manifestations. However, in addition to causing physical and emotional distress, childhood depression can also interferewith both children’s norrnal social development and their ability to perform in social situations. This, as education and mental health professionals enter in contact with depressed children, it is important for them to be prepared to address these children’s specific needs. This article discusses the impact that depression might have in the healthy social development of children. Furthemore, it presents and discusses several social skills training programs that are used to help depressed children to develop better social skills and to avoid the problems of a faulty socialization

IL SISTEMA AEROPORTUALE ITALIANO DI SECONDO LIVELLO: UN APPROCCIO MULTICRITERIALE SPAZIALE PER LA RAZIONALIZZAZIONE DEL NETWORK

General Aviation or second-level flights all over the world and in Italy are increasing in parallel with the main-level air traffic growth. They represent a valid opportunity of transport for short-medium-distance journeys for different type of business and tourist demand instead of rail and road transports. According to the national and international airport forecasts of growth, the paper illustrates a multi-criterial spatial evaluation approach (full-integrated type) for the streamlining of the second-level airport network. The methodology is geared towards formulating strategies for the development of the system based on geographical/spatial analysis. Different evaluation levels aim to verify: the suitability of air-port services and infrastructure and the attractiveness of airport hubs given the territorial facilities. Through the application of the procedure, the existing hubs can be classified considering intrinsic resources and territorial services and the new hubs, possibly required for the construction of an efficient second-level network can be located considering the concentration and localization of existing ones. DOI: http://dx.medra.org/10.19254/LaborEst.16.1

IL sistema aeroportuale italiano di secondo livello. Un approccio multicriteriale spaziale per la razionalizzazione del network

General Aviation or second-level flights all over the world and in Italy are increasing in parallel with the main-level air traffic growth. They represent a valid opportunity of transport for short-medium-distance journeys for different type of business and tourist demand instead of rail and road transports. According to the national and international airport forecasts of growth, the paper illustrates a multi-criterial spatial evaluation approach (full-integrated type) for the streamlining of the second-level airport network. The methodology is geared towards formulating strategies for the development of the system based on geographical/spatial analysis. Different evaluation levels aim to verify: the suitability of air-port services and infrastructure and the attractiveness of airport hubs given the territorial facilities. Through the application of the procedure, the existing hubs can be classified considering intrinsic resources and territorial services and the new hubs, possibly required for the construction of an efficient second-level network can be located considering the concentration and localization of existing ones

IL SISTEMA AEROPORTUALE ITALIANO DI SECONDO LIVELLO: UN APPROCCIO MULTICRITERIALE SPAZIALE PER LA RAZIONALIZZAZIONE DEL NETWORK

General Aviation or second-level flights all over the world and in Italy are increasing in parallel with the main-level air traffic growth. They represent a valid opportunity of transport for short-medium-distance journeys for different type of business and tourist demand instead of rail and road transports. According to the national and international airport forecasts of growth, the paper illustrates a multi-criterial spatial evaluation approach (full-integrated type) for the streamlining of the second-level airport network. The methodology is geared towards formulating strategies for the development of the system based on geographical/spatial analysis. Different evaluation levels aim to verify: the suitability of air-port services and infrastructure and the attractiveness of airport hubs given the territorial facilities. Through the application of the procedure, the existing hubs can be classified considering intrinsic resources and territorial services and the new hubs, possibly required for the construction of an efficient second-level network can be located considering the concentration and localization of existing ones

A multidisciplinary approach to urban fabrics analysis. The historical centre of Valencia

[EN] The themes of reduce, recycle, reuse are at the heart of the challenges that the global society of the XXI century is facing. At the same time, more than two-thirds of the world population lives in cities nominating the latters to play a central role in the near future. For this reason, the search for a methodology for the redevelopment of the historical urban fabrics appears today extremely interesting. Complexity, richness and stratification of the latters make them definitely the most convincing test to set a scientific strategy for the project of urban transformations. But stratification means complexity and complex are the phenomena that characterize the XXI century society. The only convincing way then for the analysis of these phenomena is that of the multi-disciplinarity. The proposed methodology is structured, thus, around a number of disciplines (Urban Morphology, Sustainability, Urban Regulation, Economic Evaluation and Urban Design) on which to set the reading of the urban fabric with special attention to the so called “urban voids” namely all those situations in which the tissue is interrupted due to slumping and demolitions. This aspect is very important because if, on the one hand, it is in these areas where key tissue analysis problems can be seen, on the other hand, it is always from these areas that the main urban, social and economical transformation opportunities can take boot. A Due Diligence of the “urban voids” organised in datasheets/base (for each area) concludes the analysis. The different disciplinary fields work then in a complementary way within a single methodological approach laying the scientific basis for the interventions of urban regeneration within the historic fabric of Valencia.Maretto, M.; Mas Llorens, V.; Alvarez, E.; Gherri, B.; Gomez, C.; Guarini, MR.; Chiovitti, A.... (2018). A multidisciplinary approach to urban fabrics analysis. The historical centre of Valencia. En 24th ISUF International Conference. Book of Papers. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1371-1378. https://doi.org/10.4995/ISUF2017.2017.5674OCS1371137