Shared Resources in Industrial Districts: Information, know-how and institutions in the Spanish tile industry

The aim of this paper is to measure the effect of shared resources on individual firm performance. Using the Industrial District as a definition of the interorganizational context, we propose a model that includes a set of factors that are associated with the endowment of external resources, that is, collective information and know-how, and involvement in local institutions. In order to illustrate the theoretical argumentation, we develop an empirical study using a one hundred-firm sample from the Spanish Ceramic Tile industry in order to search for a statistical association between resource variables and performance of the firms. Finally, findings of the paper suggest that in order to increase performance firms must develop a distinct capacity so as to be able to shape and exploit shared or collective resource

Development and psychometric assessment of the basic resuscitation skills self-efficacy scale

Background: Nurses are usually the first responders to an in-hospital cardiac arrest. As bystanders, nurses are expected to master some basic resuscitation skills. Self-efficacy levels are a key component in the acquisition of basic resuscitation skills. Aim: To develop, test and validate a self-efficacy scale that accurately measures nursing students’ confidence levels in their capabilities when responding to a cardiac arrest. Methods: This study enrolled a conveniently recruited sample of 768 nursing students from two different universities in Europe. The Basic Resuscitation Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (BRS-SES) was developed and its psychometrics established. Content validity, criterion validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency were assessed. Performing item-analysis, principal component analysis and known group analysis evaluated construct validity. Results: Principal component analysis revealed the three-subscale structure of the final 18-item BRS-SES. A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.96 for the overall measure demonstrated the internal consistency of the BRS-SES. Data also evidenced discriminant ability of the BRS-SES and known-group analysis showed its high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: The BRS-SES showed good psychometric properties for measuring self-efficacy in basic resuscitation skills that nursing students, as future first responders to an in-hospital cardiac arrest, will be expected to master. Implications for practice: The BRS-SES is a validated tool that could have a positive impact on the training of basic resuscitation skills and, therefore, on patients’ outcomes

Duración de la gestación en el ganado vacuno de raza Retinta

Este trabajo ha sido extraído de la tesina de licenciatura "Duración de la gestación en el ganado vacuno Retinto: Aplicación práctica en el plan de mejora", realizada por J. M. Pastor y dirigida por A. Molina. Esta fue delendida en la Universidad de Córdoba en 1996, obteniendo la calificación de Sobresaliente

Efficiency and Innovation in Sub-Networks of Companies. A Study of the Spanish Ceramics District

La homogeneidad dentro del distrito industrial frente a las empresas externas se ha asumido tradicionalmente en la literatura. Sin embargo, nuestro trabajo sugiere que los distritos muestran un cierto grado de heterogeneidad. Así puede, atendiendo a variables relacionales, hablarse de la existencia de una core network y de una periphery network. A partir de un método cuantitativo se pretende investigar, para el caso del distrito industrial de la cerámica de Castellón (españa), la existencia de diferencias significativas en eficiencia técnica e innovación entre estos dos grupos de empresas. La confirmación de la heterogeneidad interna concita nuevas líneas de trabajo en el campo de los distritos industriales.Homogeneity in the industrial district with respect to outside companies has traditionally been an assumption in the literature. However, this paper suggests that districts show a certain degree of heterogeneity. Thus, based on relational variables, two different networks can be referred to: Core and Periphery. These groups of firms vary in terms of behavior and performance. Using quantitative methods, this research explores the existence of significant differences in technical efficiency and innovation between the two groups of firms in the spanish ceramic tile industrial district. Findings confirming internal heterogeneity suggest new lines of research in this field.L'homogénéité à l'intérieur du district industriel face aux entreprises externes a traditionnellement été assumée dans la littérature. Cependant, notre travail suggère que les districts montrent un certain degré d'hétérogénéité. Il est donc possible, tenant compte de variables relationnelles, de considérer l'existence de core network et de periphery network. À partir d'une méthode quantitative, on prétend faire une recherche, pour le cas du district industriel de céramique de Castellón (espagne), sur l'existence de différences significatives en efficacité technique et en innovation entre ces deux groupes d'entreprises. La confirmation de l'hétérogénéité interne incite à ouvrir de nouvelles lignes de travail dans le champ des districts industriels.A homogeneidade dentro do setor industrial ante as empresas externas vem sendo assumido tradicionalmente na literatura. Contudo, nosso trabalho sugere que os setores mostram um grau de heterogeneidade. Assim, atendendo a variáveis relacionais, pode-se falar da existência de uma core network e de uma periphery network. A partir de um método quantitativo, pretende-se pesquisar, para o caso do setor industrial da cerâmica de Castellón (espanha), a existência de diferenças significativas em eficiência técnica e inovação entre estes dois grupos de empresas. A confirmação da heterogeneidade interna concita novas linhas de trabalhos no campo dos setores industriais.Esta investigación ha sido financiada por el Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Plan Nacional de I+D+i (2007-2010), proyecto “El Distrito Industrial: el impacto del Capital Social sobre la Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro” (SEJ2007-62876/ECON

Competitividade na indústria do vestuário: uma avaliaçao a partir da perspectiva das redes de empresas aglomeradas territorialmente

O campo da organização industrial envolve o estudo de como a indústria está organizada e por quê. Essa organização se dá dentro de um continuum, onde de um lado existe a possibilidade de verticalizar o processo, através de uma organização hierárquica e, de outro, de adquirir os insumos no mercado, em uma relação de demanda e oferta. Formas alternativas a essas configurações têm sido discutidas na literatura, como é o caso das redes de empresas. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a competitividade a partir da disponibilidade de recursos por parte de redes de empresas aglomeradas territorialmente. Foram tomados como recursos estratégicos, presentes em uma rede do tipo distrito industrial, a transferência de conhecimento entre as empresas, o papel das instituições de suporte industrial e a existência de relações sociais. Foram aplicados questionários aos dirigentes de empresas da indústria do vestuário e os dados foram tratados com estatística descritiva, testes de correlação e de comparação entre médias. Os resultados do estudo empírico apontam que se pode afirmar apenas parcialmente que as empresas aglomeradas territorialmente em uma rede do tipo distrito industrial têm disponibilidade de recursos estratégicos que geram competitividade superior àquelas dispersas geograficamente e que esses recursos se reportam às instituições de suporte industrial e ao relacionamento socioculturalThe field of industrial organization involves the study of as the industry is organized and the reason. This organization takes place inside of a continuum, where on the one hand, there is possibility to turn vertical the process, through a hierarchic organization and, on the other one, to acquire the inputs in the market, in a demand and offer relationship. Alternative forms to this configuration have been discussed in literature, as it is the case of the firm networks. This article presents a work inside of this context that explores the idea that in a firm network there are strategic resources which make possible the creation of competitive advantage for its members. The knowledge transfer among the firms, the role of the institutions of industrial support and the existence of social relationships was taken as present strategic resources in a firm network of industrial district kind. The results of the empiric research carried with clothes manufacturer companies point to the hypotheses concerning the resources could be partially accepted, since the most present resource in the studied firm network is the institutions of industrial support and its service

Efficiency of the ceramic industrial district firms in Castellón: a comparative analysis through non-radial measures

La homogeneidad de las empresas pertenecientes al distrito industrial ha sido asumida tradicionalmente en la literatura sobre el tema. Sin embargo, diversos autores han señalado la posibilidad de identificar subredes de relaciones diferentes dentro del mismo. Así, atendiendo a variables relacionales, puede hablarse de la existencia de una core network y de una periphery network (Morrison y Rabellotti, 2005), con diferencias en su comportamiento y resultados. En este trabajo se pretende investigar, para el caso del distrito industrial de la cerámica de Castellón (España), la existencia de diferencias significativas en eficiencia entre estos dos grupos de empresas. Para ello se recurre a una metodología que permite estimar medidas no radiales de eficiencia, obteniéndose para cada una de las empresas un índice de eficiencia de cada uno de los inputs considerados al caracterizar el proceso de transformación, y a partir de estos una medida de eficiencia global. La confirmación de la heterogeneidad interna concita nuevas líneas de trabajo en el campo de los distritos industrialesScholars and practitioners have been led to rethink the principles of territorial systems, such as industrial district. Some authors have pointed the possibility to identified diverse networks of relations inside one district. For instance, and based on relational variables, can be found two different networks: Core and Periphery (Morrison and Rabellotti, 2005). These groups of firms vary in terms of behavior and performance. This research explores for the case of the Spanish ceramic tile industrial district the existence of significant differences in efficiency between the two groups of firms. Findings confirming internal heterogeneity suggest new lines of research in this fieldEsta investigación ha sido financiada por el Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Plan Nacional de I+D+i (2007-2010), proyecto “El Distrito Industrial: el impacto del Capital Social sobre la Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro” (SEJ2007-62876/ECON

Electrochemical study on an activated carbon cloth modified by cyclic voltammetry with polypyrrole/anthraquinone sulfonate and reduced graphene oxide as electrode for energy storage

[EN] This work describes a two-step procedure for the electrochemical coating of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and polypyrrole anthraquinone sulfonate (PPyAQS) onto an activated carbon cloth (ACC) by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The textile samples were characterized by CV, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements using a sandwich-type (electrode/separator/electrode) cell designed to operate in three or two-electrode configurations. The presence of RGO onto the ACC surface optimized the electrosynthesis of PPyAQS and reinforced the stability of the polymer with the number of charge/discharge cycles. A retention capacity of 90% after 100 charge-discharge cycles together with an energy density of 7.8¿×¿10¿4¿W¿h¿cm¿2 at a power density of 1.8¿×¿10¿3¿W¿cm¿2 were obtained for the ACC/RGO/PPyAQS sample. The analyses by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed the RGO veils-like and PPyAQS glomerular structures covering the ACC-fibers. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses not only detected the presence of PPy and AQS, but also, the changes in the molecular structure of PPyAQS, depending on its oxidation state, as consequence of the redox reactions occurred in the charge/discharge processes in the two-electrode cell.The authors wish to acknowledge to Chemviron Carbon who kindly donated the ZORFLEX® activated carbon fabric. The authors wish to thank the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación de Economía (AEI) and European Union (FEDER funds) for the financial support (contract MAT2016-77742-C2-1-P). Tim Vickers is gratefully acknowledged for help with the English revision. Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV (Universitat Politècnica de València) is gratefully acknowledged for help with FESEM characterization.Fernández Sáez, J.; Bonastre Cano, JA.; Molina Puerto, J.; Cases, F. (2018). Electrochemical study on an activated carbon cloth modified by cyclic voltammetry with polypyrrole/anthraquinone sulfonate and reduced graphene oxide as electrode for energy storage. European Polymer Journal. 103:179-186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2018.04.018S17918610

Underlying illness severity and outcome of nosocomial pneumonia: prospective cohort study in intensive care unit

Background: Previous studies have suggested that the final outcome of a patient with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) may depend on the patient's illness severity upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Aim: To investigate the relationship between developing NP during hospitalization in an adult ICU and the risk of death with special focus on illness severity at admission in the unit. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed among all patients admitted for at least 24h to the ICU of a university reference hospital in Spain from 2006 to 2009. A stratified univariate study was performed according to the patients' illness severity at admission, estimated using the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II index. To determine whether the NP was independently associated with increased mortality in ICU, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: In all, 4427 patients were studied, of whom 233 acquired NP while admitted. Patients who developed NP had a 2.6 higher risk (95% confidence interval: 2.1-3.0) of dying compared with those who did not develop NP. When stratified by the APACHE II index, the significant association remained at each stratum, although the strength of the association decreased as the value of the index increased. In the multivariate analysis, NP was independently associated with death in the ICU. The interaction between NP and the APACHE II index, with a negative coefficient, was also significant. Conclusions: Developing NP while admitted to the ICU was independently associated with increased mortality. However, the strength of the association decreased as the severity of patient illness upon admission to the ICU increased, not influencing death of patients with severe APACHE II values