The effect of the internal side of social responsibility on firm competitive success in the business services industry

Este trabajo se centra en el lado interno de la responsabilidad social de las empresas en un contexto regional. Mediante una encuesta realizada a 590 directores de servicios empresariales (clásico-intensiva en capital humano) y representante de la economía productiva de la región de Extremadura (España), se realiza un análisis empírico. En primer lugar, se realizó un análisis factorial a explorar las principales dimensiones de la cara interna de la responsabilidad social y, en segundo lugar, un modelo estructural de ecuaciones se desarrollaron para buscar una relación con la competitividad de las empresas. El rendimiento de la empresa y la innovación también son considerados en el modelo. La principal contribución del artículo es el establecimiento de un conjunto de indicadores que ayudarán a construir un diálogo constante y sustancial con los empleados, mejorando su calidad de vida en el trabajo, que también servirá como una importante orientación para el incremento de la competitividad de la empresa a través de prácticas responsables de recursos humanos. Algunas sugerencias para un programa de investigación surgen de este primer intento de acercarse a la parte interna de la responsabilidad en los negocios.This work focuses on the internal side of social responsibility of organizations in a regional context. Through a survey of 590 managers in classical business services (human-capital intensive) and representative of the productive economy of the Region of Extremadura (Spain), an empirical analysis is conducted. First, a factor analysis is conducted to explore the main dimensions of the internal face of Social Responsibility and second, a structural equations model is developed to look for a relationship with business competitiveness. Business performance and innovation are also considered in the model. The main contribution of the article is the establishment of a set of indicators that will help to build an ongoing and meaningful dialogue with employees improving their quality of life at work that will also serve as important guidance for the increasing of the firm’s competitiveness through responsible human resources practices. Some suggestions for a research agenda emerge from this first attempt to approach the internal side of responsibility in business.peerReviewe

The impact of selected determinants on the perceived competitiveness and quality of processor manufacturers : a case study

Purpose: The aim of the research was to compare Advanced Micro Devices Inc., and Intel processors with regard to selected market and technological determinants that influenced development of AMD and contributed to the increase of its competitive advantage in the processors market. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was carried out using the analysis of company’s documentation and annual reports supported by statistical data from third party companies like, German retailer - Mindfactory.de or steam community. Additionally in this paper qualitative research was used among customers of AMD processors in order to evaluate the quality of products and operations. Conducted data analysis and empirical research has shown an increase of sales in volume of AMD products as well as an increase in the market share of processors in years 2016-2020. Findings: The results indicate that advanced, innovative solutions have significant impact on achieving a competitive advantage in the market of desktop processors. Further determinates which play important role in this respect are quality, price and building positive relationships through regular feedback. Research reveals that competition entails the need of higher innovation if consumers have higher preferences for quality and lower price. Practical Implications: Presented indicators may be useful for monitoring the performance of any company operating in technological competition to ensure appropriate conditions for the development and growth of its competitiveness. Originality/Value: The specificity of competition based on the model of dynamic oligopoly in desktop processors industry limits the possibility of using exactly same determinants in other competitive markets although some aspects are common and can be taken into consideration by other companies.peer-reviewe

Solvent extraction of Zn (II) by Cyanex 923 and its application to a solid supported liquid membrane system.

The extraction of zinc(II) by Cyanex 923 (phosphine oxides mixture) in Solvesso 100 from hydrochloric acid solution has been investigated. The extraction reaction is exothermic. The numerical analysis of metal distribution data suggests the formation of ZnCl2·L2,HZnCl3·2L and H2ZnCl4·2L(L = ligand) in the organic phase with formation constants Kext = 4.1,5.6 × 109 and 6.7 × 109, respectively. The results obtained for zinc(II) distribution have been implemented in a solid-supported liquid membrane system. The influence of source phase stirring speed, membrane composition and metal concentration on zinc transport have been investigated.This work has been carried out under CAM (Comunidad de Madrid, Spain) project 07/M/0053/1998.Peer reviewe