Behind innovation clusters: Individual, cultural, and strategic linkages

As observed by Porter [1] and Enright [2], clusters occupy a key position in the economy of developed countries, most notably because they bring several benefits resulting from economic and social factors. Although these authors alert us to the importance of social capital mechanisms in clustering processes, they fail to fully explore the psychological and social basis that underlay clusters and clustering processes. In the same vein, while Porter and Sölvell [3] mention that a cluster allows a shared language, social ties, and a set of standards and values to develop, they do not fully expand on how such phenomena develops. Addressing these gaps in the literature, the aim of this study is to investigate the dimensions (i.e. individual and social) which sustain and nurture the existence of macro structures (i.e. clusters). In particular, the current research looked at convergence and divergence mechanisms within a cluster. The exploratory nature of the research required a case study strategy; for this reason a cluster in the Portuguese textile sector was chosen. Data from three companies in the same cluster were gathered using several instruments, namely: a questionnaire, interviews, observation and documentary analysis. The results show that although the three companies operate in the same cluster, they are considerably different in terms of commercial orientations as well as cultural and strategic profiles, which is matched by a low presence of isomorphic mechanisms [4]; this result contradicts that of the Pouder and St. John [5] study. It was also observed that informal relations in the heart of the cluster are commonplace and that managers’ differences play a role. In this way, they strengthen and motivate the aspects of the business that unite the cluster.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HR practices, knowledge sharing and protection activities, and performance - a moderation model

Innovation and HRM practices are connected, but the nature of these linkages may not be completely understood. Practical examples where knowledge securing practices limit efficiency of creative work, and where rewarding established ways of work prevent new approaches from being tried, suggest that there are challenges. In this study, we examine the relationships between different forms of HRM practices, knowledge sharing and protection (i.e., knowledge activities), and performance outcomes. Our findings from empirical analysis among 150 firms suggest that HRM practices are positively related to subjective overall performance and innovation performance, and that knowledge sharing likewise has such a relationship with performance outcomes. Furthermore, when knowledge sharing is accompanied with HR practices targeted to securing knowledge, innovation performance can be improved. Knowledge securing also comes in play when it is combined with HR practices of personnel compensation and appraisal; in this case subjective performance is diminished. This leads us to suggest that companies might benefit from smart HRM systemsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CUNEO LED WINDOW PROJECT

This is our freshman design project

Exploring the potential of the living lab as an addition to the open innovation ecosystem of the the firm: a case study for EDP open innovation

The firm of 2018 must not only remain agile in its innovative offerings, but must also recognise trends of peer-to-peer sharing, which begs the question: where do utility providers envision their business models amidst new demands to remain innovative in the new wave of collaborative consumption? If providing consumers with products via innovative services is the new currency upon which a firm is to be valued, then the extent of potential streams of innovation research available to a firm ought never be underestimated. Through a comprehensive analysis of the firm and the DNA of its open innovation ecosystem as well as a thorough investigation into the objectives driving Living Labs, we begin to discuss the feasibility of the Living Lab as a potential addition to the ecosystem of the firm in context

Managing relationships of the republic of science and the kingdom of industry

Purpose – This article investigates the reasons for collaboration and the barriers to cooperation between universities and industry organizations. In an increasingly integrated world, cooperation between universities and companies is likely to grow in forthcoming years. Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken in this article differs from previous works in the sense that it reveals the psychological frameworks that academics and managers hold about collaborating with each other. Data come from a survey of academic and managerial staff working in several universities and companies in Portugal and Finland. Findings – Overall results show that academics still see companies as information sources for their researches, but they are also willing to participate in joint projects in which academic knowledge is not the sole output. Originality/value – Provides information for companies and universities with regard to how to embark on such cooperative endeavors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O ciclo basico nas concepções de professores potiguares

Orientadores : Orly Zucatto Mantovani de Assis, Maria do Rosario de Fatima de CarvalhoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de EducaçãoMestrad

Special Issue on Recent Advances in Petri Nets, Automata, and Discrete-Event Hybrid Systems

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UTILIZING BIOREACTORS TO REMOVE​ DISSOLVED NUTRIENTS IN WASTEWAT

An abundance of nutrients wastewater, including nitrogen and phosphorus, has led to algae covering the walls and floors of three pools within one water treatment system for the sponsor. Although algae growth within water systems poses no severe health risk, the amount of growth (up to 10,000 square feet) is an aesthetic issue. The goal is to design and implement a bioreactor to remove the dissolved nutrients attributed to algae growth in the water. After researching different types of biological filters, the solution that fits within constraints best is an attached growth biological filter with plastic media

Efeito da doxiciclina e da minociclina em células osteoblásticas humanas: estudos in vitro

A doxiciclina e a minociclina são antibióticos utilizados para eliminar infecções que surgem após o processo cirúrgico e que parecem exercer uma acção benéfica sobre o metabolismo ósseo. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo mostraram que baixas concentrações destes fármacos(1-5 μg.ml-1) estimularam a proliferação das células de medula óssea humana. A exposição das células a 10 μg.ml-1 de minociclina pareceu estimular o aparecimento de uma população celular mais proliferativa mas menos diferenciada. As concentrações de 10 μg.ml-1 de doxiciclina e 25 μg.ml-1 de minociclina atrasaram a mineralização e concentrações mais elevadas destes antibióticos (25 μg.ml-1 de doxiciclina e 50 μg.ml-1 de minociclina) foram citotóxicas. Doxycycline and minocycline are antibiotics used to eliminate infections that arise after the surgical procedure that seem to have a beneficial action in bone metabolism. Results showed that low concentrations of these drugs (1-5 μg.ml-1) stimulated human bone marrow cell proliferation. The exposure of cells to 10 μg.ml-1 minocycline stimulated the emergence of a more proliferative population but less differentiated. Concentrations of 10 μg.ml-1 doxycycline and 25 μg.ml-1 minocycline delayed the mineralization and higher concentrations of these antibiotics (25 μg.ml-1 doxycycline and 50 μg.ml-1 minocycline) were cytotoxic

The effects of tigecycline on human osteoblasts in vitro

A osteomielite, infecção no tecido ósseo, é uma doença que afecta gravemente os pacientes, uma vez que destrói grandes quantidades de tecido ósseo. A tigeciclina é um antibiótico recentemente disponível, que pode proporcionar melhores resultados no combate a infecções ósseas por organismos resistentes a outros antibióticos. Não existem na bibliografia dados disponíveis sobre a interacção da tigeciclina com as células ósseas. Neste trabalho foi demonstrado que a tigeciclina em elevadas concentrações tem efeitos nocivos para o tecido ósseo nomeadamente na proliferação dos osteoblastos. Esta informação deve ser ponderada na aplicação de dispositivos de aplicação local do antibiótico. Em baixas concentrações este fenómeno não foi verificado. Osteomyelitis (bone tissue infection), is a very serious disease affecting many patients by destroying large portions of bone tissue. Tigecycline is a recently available antibiotic to overcome bacteria resistance phenomena in bone tissue infections. No information is available regarding its direct effects on bone cells. We have demonstrated deleterious effects of high tigecycline concentrations on viability and proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro. This finding should be carefully taken into account when a local antibiotic application is used. However, at lower concentrations tigecycline this effect was not observed