El impacto del offshoring en las exportaciones de las empresas

Offshoring is a strategy that has been widely used as a mean to reduce costs, increase firms’ productivity and flexibility. Consequently, it is aimed to improve the competitive situation of the firm in its markets. But beyond this effect, we depart from international business literature, the resource-based view and transaction cost economics to argue that offshore helps firms to export, not only because it increases its productivity and flexibility but because it provides some knowledge and expertise to develop themselves in international markets. Departing from this framework, we present an empirical study over Spanish manufacturers that confirms that firms that offshore export more, and that this extra effect is larger in small firms than in large ones.El offshoring es una estrategia que se utiliza ampliamente para reducir costes, aumentar la productividad y flexibilidad de las empresas. En consecuencia, busca mejorar la posición competitiva de la empresa en sus mercados. Partiendo de la literatura de la economía internacional, la visión de la empresa basada en los recursos y la teoría de los costes de transacción, se plantea que el offshoring ayuda a las empresas a exportar, no sólo por el aumento en su productividad y flexibilidad sino por proporcionar conocimiento y experiencia sobre los mercados extranjeros. Desde este marco se presenta un estudio empírico sobre empresas manufactureras españolas que confirma que las empresas que hacen offshoring exportan más y que este efecto es mayor en las empresas pequeñas que en las grandes

Cómo la deslocalización ha influido en el impacto del COVID-19 en las empresas españolas de calzado

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption to the operations of firms in terms of both their supply chains and their demand. This paper studies how the configuration of the supply chains, resulting from previous offshoring and reshoring decisions, has affected the responsiveness and resilience of firms in this situation. The analysis is applied to the Spanish footwear sector and allows us to develop possible future scenarios in which the reconfiguration of value chains and the use of advanced technologies play an essential role. To do this, we use the “scenario planning methodology” combined with analytical models for the offshoring question. We conclude that the reshoring process motivated by the 2008 crisis has been fundamental for strengthening the resilience of firms to the COVID-19 crisis, as has the incorporation of new technologies.La pandemia de COVID-19 ha causado importantes alteraciones en las operaciones de las empresas, tanto en sus cadenas de suministro como en su demanda. En este trabajo se estudia cómo la configuración de las cadenas de suministro, resultado de anteriores decisiones de deslocalización y relocalización, ha afectado a la capacidad de respuesta y resiliencia de las empresas en esta situación. El análisis se aplica al sector español del calzado y nos permite desarrollar posibles escenarios futuros en los que la reconfiguración de las cadenas de valor y el uso de tecnologías avanzadas juegan un papel esencial. Para ello, utilizamos la "metodología de planificación de escenarios" combinada con modelos analíticos para la deslocalización. Concluimos que el proceso de relocalización motivado por la crisis de 2008 ha sido fundamental para reforzar la resiliencia de las empresas ante la crisis COVID-19, al igual que la incorporación de nuevas tecnologías

Extrapolation : Experience gained from original biologics

Altres ajuts: Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICBiologicals undergo modifications throughout their commercial lifecycle. Major changes can unintentionally magnify their inherent physicochemical variability. Although trials comparing the pre- and the post-change versions have been requested occasionally, analytical comparison is the most sensitive approach to anticipating clinical equivalence. Therefore, it may be concluded, by means of 'extrapolation', that non-identical versions of a given biologic will behave equally in all indications. Despite the lessons learned with original biologics, there are still controversies around the approval of biosimilars through extrapolation. Here, a comprehensive analysis of scattered information allows for an account of cases of original biologic versions approved in some indications with no patient trials involved. Healthcare professionals can be reassured that inasmuch as extrapolation has proven valid for new versions of original biologics, the same holds for biosimilars

Factores clave y rendimiento en empresas españolas con sistemas de gestión de la calidad

El trabajo trata de dar respuesta a dos importantes interrogantes que se plantean las empresas a la hora de diseñar, implantar, desarrollar y mejorar un sistema de gestión de la calidad (SGC). Estos interrogantes hacen referencia a cuáles son los aspectos críticos o claves del sistema de gestión y qué resultados podemos esperar de estos. La principal novedad del trabajo es que para dar respuesta a estas cuestiones se propone la construcción de un indicador al que denominamos “predictor de excelencia reformado”. Este indicador se obtiene tomando como referencia una muestra de más de un centenar de empresas españolas. Una vez construido el indicador, para el que se han empleado técnicas estadísticas multivariantes, se analizan los perfiles de implantación, así como los resultados de las empresas que han alcanzado los niveles de excelencia más altos para el indicador diseñado

Quality evaluation of health services using the Kano model in two hospitals in Peru

Public–private partnerships (PPP) represent an alternative model of health management focused on improving the quality of health services, particularly in emerging countries. To date, a systematic method to improve the perceived quality of health services by healthcare users in Peru has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of health services in two PPP hospitals in Peru using the Kano model. A prospective cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out through a health service satisfaction survey using the Kano model methodology, measuring six categories of attributes. A total of 250 users of the health services were surveyed in the two PPP hospitals, located in Lima and Callao, using non-probability convenience sampling. Of the 31 attributes evaluated by the patients, 27 (81%) were classified as having a one-dimensional-type attribute, 3 (10%) were reported as mandatory, and 1 (3%) was considered as inverse. These results suggest that the presence of most of the attributes evaluated was relevant to maintaining the level of user satisfaction and that the absence of these attributes generated dissatisfaction in the users. The results showed that the users’ evaluation of health services was multidimensional—namely, their evaluation was focused not only on the interaction space between the patient and medical personnel but also addressed other interaction services

Manufacturing reshoring and sustainable development goals: A home versus host country perspective

After decades of offshoring their manufacturing activities, an increasing number of companies are revising their location strategies and implementing reshoring decisions, including backshoring (relocation in the home country) and nearshoring (relocation in the home region) alternatives. It has been recognized that reshoring strategies are consistent with the sustainable production approach, since they allow companies to produce goods in a manner that is socially beneficial, economically viable, and environmentally less harmful over the whole life cycle of those goods. Additionally, there are early indications that reshoring can also promote and support sustainable consumption approaches. Consequently, reshoring has a wide range of impacts in both the home and the host countries, also in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, this topic has received little attention in the extant reshoring literature. This paper seeks to contribute to the discussion by adopting a two-step approach. Initially, we analyze the very few contributions available on this topic; then, we identify and discuss which of the 17 SDGs are impacted by reshoring decisions at both the home and the host country level. It emerges that reshoring decisions have several and differentiated impacts in terms of SDGs. In general, these impacts are positive for home countries and negative for host ones. For this reason, a trade-off emerges when a single relocation decision is taken and implemented. Based on this evidence, implications for scholars, managers and policy makers are presented and discussed

Knowledge management issues in the EFQM excellence model framework

Purpose–The purpose of this paper is to identify knowledge as a key strategic resource within the EFQMexcellence model. The study also analyses whether the EFQM model helps to create an adequate context forsuccessful knowledge management (KM). A description is given of the synergies between both managementapproaches, with the purpose of reaching sustainable competitive advantages within organizations.Design/methodology/approach–A literature review and a content analysis are carried out which showhow the current version of the EFQM model includes the key aspects of the knowledge management systems(KMS) and its process. Also, the relationships and synergies between both considered managementapproaches are analyzed: quality management and KM.Findings–After a detailed analysis of KM issues in the EFQM model, important synergies andcomplementary elements are appreciated between both management frameworks. Evidence is given of howthe integration of both frameworks constitutes a dynamic capability that can lead organizations to attainsustainable competitive advantages.Practical implications–An exhaustive review is given of the elements related to KM present in the EFQMmodel. In addition, companies are offered guidelines to be able to manage their knowledge through a modelthat is recognized and widespread in the business sphere.Originality/value–The research develops the firstcontent analysis of the process elements and KMS present inthe whole structure of the EFQM model. Furthermore,it is shown how the integration of excellence and KMconstitutes a dynamic capability for organizations basedon continuous improvement, innovation and learning

In Vitro and In Vivo Validation of EP2-Receptor Agonism to Selectively Achieve Inhibition of Mast Cell Activity

Agonism of the prostaglandin E2 receptor, E-prostanoid receptor 2 (EP2), may represent an alternative protective mechanism in mast cell (MC)-mediated diseases. Previous studies have suggested that activation of the MC EP2 receptor prevents pathological changes in the murine models of allergic asthma. This work aimed to analytically validate the EP2 receptor on MCs as a therapeutic target. Murine MC lines and primary cultures, and MCs bearing the human immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor were subjected to IgE-mediated activation subsequent to incubation with selective EP2 agonists. Two molecularly unrelated agonists, butaprost and CP-533536, were tested either in vitro or in 2 in vivo models of allergy. The diverse range of MC populations was consistently inhibited through selective EP2 agonism in spite of exhibiting a heterogeneous phenotype. Such inhibition occurred in both mouse and human IgE (hIgE)-mediated activation. The use of molecularly unrelated selective EP2 agonists allowed for the confirmation of the specificity of this protective mechanism. This effect was further demonstrated in 2 in vivo murine models of allergy where MCs are a key to pathological changes: cutaneous anaphylaxis in a transgenic mouse model expressing the hIgE receptor and aeroallergen-induced murine model of asthma. Selective EP2 agonism is a powerful pharmacological strategy to prevent MCs from being activated through IgE-mediated mechanisms and from causing deleterious effects. The MC EP2 receptor may be an effective pharmacological target in allergic and other MC-mediated conditions

Synthesis of Bicyclic Hemiacetals Catalyzed by Unnatural Densely Substituted γ-Dipeptides

The asymmetric synthesis of bicyclic highly substituted tetrahydropyrans is described. The reaction is catalyzed by unnatural γ-dipeptides based on densely substituted l- and d-proline derivatives. This organocatalytic one-pot reaction takes place among a ketone, a nitroalkene, and an aldehyde to yield an octahydro-2H-chromene scaffold. Monomeric species, from which the corresponding γ-dipeptides are synthesized, cannot catalyze the reaction, thus confirming the emergent nature of the catalytic behavior of these dimeric species.Financial support for this work was provided by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICINNFEDER, Grants PID2019-104772GB-I00 and RED2018-102387-T) and the Gobierno Vasco/Eusko Jaurlaritza (GV/EJ, Grant IT-1553-22). M.d.G.R. thanks the DIPC and UPV/EHU for her postdoctoral contract. M.A. thanks the Gobierno Vasco/Eusko Jaurlaritza for her Ph.D. grant. J.Z. thanks the China Scholarship Council for his Ph.D. grant (CSC 201908390051). The authors also thank the SGI/IZO-SGIker of the UPV/EHU and the DIPC for the generous allocation of analytical and computational resources