Dynamic capabilities, a source of competitive advantage

El estudio de las capacidades dinámicas se ha ido posicionando en el campo de la dirección estratégica dada su importancia en la generación de ventajas competitivas temporales y en la generación de desempeños superiores. En este artículo revisamos el origen del concepto en el management, resaltamos su importancia en el enfrentamiento de la turbulencia del entorno, y presentamos una aplicación práctica. Se recurre a la metodología cualitativa del estudio de caso, identificando los cambios realizados por la comercializadora Británica ASOS desde sus orígenes. Se describe el proceso llevado a cabo en su interior para crear y gestionar capacidades dinámicas generadoras de ventaja competitiva.The study of dynamic abilities has been positioning in the field of strategic direction given its importance in the generation of temporary competitive advantages and in the generation of superior performance. In this article the origin of the management concept is reviewed highlighting its importance facing the environment’s turbulence and showing a practical application

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Capacidades dinámicas; la fuente de sostenibilidad ante el cambio

Las capacidades dinámicas constituyen un aporte importante a la estrategia empresarial. De acuerdo con esta premisa se desarrolla el siguiente documento, al reconocer que la generación de competencias se consolida como la base teórica para el logro de sostenibilidad ante eventos de cambio que puedan afectar la estabilidad y la toma de decisiones de las organizaciones. Dada la falta de aplicación empírica del concepto se ha elaborado este paper, en el que se demuestran e identifican las herramientas que la aplicación empiríca puede dar a las organizaciones y los instrumentos que proveen para la generación de valor. \ud A través del caso de estudio ASOS.COM se ejemplifica la necesidad de detección y aprovechamiento de oportunidades y amenazas, así como la reconfiguración, renovación y generación de competencias de segundo orden para enfrentar el cambio. De esta manera por medio de las habilidades creadas al interior de las empresas con enfoque en el aprendizaje e innovación se logra la comprensión del negocio y el afianzamiento de mejores escenarios futuros.Centro de Estudios Empresariales para la PerdurabilidadThe Dynamic capabilities framework is an important contribution to business strategy. Based on this premise, this paper recognizes those competences as the consolidated theoretical basis for the achievement of sustainability when facing change that may affect the stability and decision making process in organizations. Given the lack of empirical application of such concept, this document demonstrates and identifies the tools application that this kind of skills can provide to organizations and the instruments for value creation.\ud The ASOS.COM case study illustrates how to sense and seize opportunities and threats, as well as the implication of reconfiguration, renewal and creation of second-order competences to deal with dynamic environments. So the capabilities created inside the companies regarding learning and innovation, generate business understanding and best future scenarios

CAPACIDADES DINÂMICAS, UMA FONTE DE VANTAGEM COMPETITIVA

The study of dynamic abilities has been positioning in the field of strategic direction given its importance in the generation of temporary competitive advantages and in the generation of superior performance. In this article the origin of the management concept is reviewed highlighting its importance facing the environment’s turbulence and showing a practical application. The case study uses a qualitative methodology, identifying the changes made by the British Commercial Company ASOS since its origins. The internal process is described to create and manage the dynamic abilities that generate competitive advantages.El estudio de las capacidades dinámicas se ha ido posicionando en el campo de la dirección estratégica dada su importancia en la generación de ventajas competitivas temporales y en la generación de desempeños superiores. En este artículo revisamos el origen del concepto en el management, resaltamos su importancia en el enfrentamiento de la turbulencia del entorno, y presentamos una aplicación práctica. Se recurre a la metodología cualitativa del estudio de caso, identificando los cambios realizados por la comercializadora Británica ASOS desde sus orígenes. Se describe el proceso llevado a cabo en su interior para crear y gestionar capacidades dinámicas generadoras de ventaja competitiva.L’étude des capacités dynamiques se positionne dans le domaine de la gestion stratégique compte tenu de son importance dans la génération d’avantages concurrentiels temporaires et dans la génération d’une performance supérieure. Dans cet article, nous examinons l’origine du concept «gestion», nous mettons en évidence son importance dans la lutte contre la turbulence de l’environnement, et présentons une application pratique. Il utilise une méthodologie qualitative de l’étude de cas, identifiant les modifications apportées par l’entreprise britannique ASOS depuis ses origines. Il décrit le processus entrepris à l’intérieur pour créer et gérer des capacités dynamiques génératrices d’avantage concurrentiel.O estudo das capacidades dinâmicas tem sido posicionado no campo da direção estratégica, dada a sua importância na geração de vantagens competitivas temporais e na geração de desempenhos superiores. Neste artigo, revisamos a origem do conceito Gestão(management), destacando a sua importância no emfrentamento da turbulência do ambiente, e apresentamos uma aplicação prática. Recorre-se a metodologia qualitativa de estudo de caso, identificando as mudanças feitas pela Comercializadora Britânica ASOS desde as suas origens. Descreve-se o processo realizado no seu interior para criar e gerenciar capacidades dinâmicas geradoras de vantagem competitiva

Dynamic capabilities, a source of competitive advantage

El estudio de las capacidades dinámicas se ha ido posicionando en el campo de la dirección estratégica dada su importancia en la generación de ventajas competitivas temporales y en la generación de desempeños superiores. En este artículo revisamos el origen del concepto en el management, resaltamos su importancia en el enfrentamiento de la turbulencia del entorno, y presentamos una aplicación práctica. Se recurre a la metodología cualitativa del estudio de caso, identificando los cambios realizados por la comercializadora Británica ASOS desde sus orígenes. Se describe el proceso llevado a cabo en su interior para crear y gestionar capacidades dinámicas generadoras de ventaja competitiva.The study of dynamic abilities has been positioning in the field of strategic direction given its importance in the generation of temporary competitive advantages and in the generation of superior performance. In this article the origin of the management concept is reviewed highlighting its importance facing the environment’s turbulence and showing a practical application

Capacidades dinámicas, una fuente de ventaja competitiva

The study of dynamic abilities has been positioning in the field of strategic direction given its importance in the generation of temporary competitive advantages and in the generation of superior performance. In this article the origin of the management concept is reviewed highlighting its importance facing the environment’s turbulence and showing a practical application. The case study uses a qualitative methodology, identifying the changes made by the British Commercial Company ASOS since its origins. The internal process is described to create and manage the dynamic abilities that generate competitive advantages.L’étude des capacités dynamiques se positionne dans le domaine de la gestion stratégique compte tenu de son importance dans la génération d’avantages concurrentiels temporaires et dans la génération d’une performance supérieure. Dans cet article, nous examinons l’origine du concept «gestion», nous mettons en évidence son importance dans la lutte contre la turbulence de l’environnement, et présentons une application pratique. Il utilise une méthodologie qualitative de l’étude de cas, identifiant les modifications apportées par l’entreprise britannique ASOS depuis ses origines. Il décrit le processus entrepris à l’intérieur pour créer et gérer des capacités dynamiques génératrices d’avantage concurrentiel.O estudo das capacidades dinâmicas tem sido posicionado no campo da direção estratégica, dada a sua importância na geração de vantagens competitivas temporais e na geração de desempenhos superiores. Neste artigo, revisamos a origem do conceito Gestão(management), destacando a sua importância no emfrentamento da turbulência do ambiente, e apresentamos uma aplicação prática. Recorre-se a metodologia qualitativa de estudo de caso, identificando as mudanças feitas pela Comercializadora Britânica ASOS desde as suas origens. Descreve-se o processo realizado no seu interior para criar e gerenciar capacidades dinâmicas geradoras de vantagem competitiva.El estudio de las capacidades dinámicas se ha ido posicionando en el campo de la dirección estratégica dada su importancia en la generación de ventajas competitivas temporales y en la generación de desempeños superiores. En este artículo revisamos el origen del concepto en el management, resaltamos su importancia en el enfrentamiento de la turbulencia del entorno, y presentamos una aplicación práctica. Se recurre a la metodología cualitativa del estudio de caso, identificando los cambios realizados por la comercializadora Británica ASOS desde sus orígenes. Se describe el proceso llevado a cabo en su interior para crear y gestionar capacidades dinámicas generadoras de ventaja competitiva

Dermatologist-like explainable AI enhances trust and confidence in diagnosing melanoma

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have been shown to help dermatologists diagnose melanoma more accurately, however they lack transparency, hindering user acceptance. Explainable AI (XAI) methods can help to increase transparency, yet often lack precise, domain-specific explanations. Moreover, the impact of XAI methods on dermatologists’ decisions has not yet been evaluated. Building upon previous research, we introduce an XAI system that provides precise and domain-specific explanations alongside its differential diagnoses of melanomas and nevi. Through a three-phase study, we assess its impact on dermatologists’ diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic confidence, and trust in the XAI-support. Our results show strong alignment between XAI and dermatologist explanations. We also show that dermatologists’ confidence in their diagnoses, and their trust in the support system significantly increase with XAI compared to conventional AI. This study highlights dermatologists’ willingness to adopt such XAI systems, promoting future use in the clinic

Reproducibility of fluorescent expression from engineered biological constructs in E. coli

We present results of the first large-scale interlaboratory study carried out in synthetic biology, as part of the 2014 and 2015 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competitions. Participants at 88 institutions around the world measured fluorescence from three engineered constitutive constructs in E. coli. Few participants were able to measure absolute fluorescence, so data was analyzed in terms of ratios. Precision was strongly related to fluorescent strength, ranging from 1.54-fold standard deviation for the ratio between strong promoters to 5.75-fold for the ratio between the strongest and weakest promoter, and while host strain did not affect expression ratios, choice of instrument did. This result shows that high quantitative precision and reproducibility of results is possible, while at the same time indicating areas needing improved laboratory practices.Peer reviewe

Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care. We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care