Organizational Memory: an Approach from Knowledge Management and Quality Management of Organizational Learning Perspectives

The recognition of the fact that, as of late, knowledge represents one of the most important assets of an organization, decisively influencing its competitiveness, has led to some comprehensive approaches of organizational memory. The organizational memory and the organizational learning capacity are the main sources for a competitive edge, so the main challenge is to effectively manage knowledge while maintaining the quality of formation services. The scientific investigation of literature (Crosby, 1979; Deming, 1982; Juran, 1990; Barcet and Bonamy, 1994; Barnabé, 1997; Bouchard and Plante, 2002; Demeuse and Strauven, 2006) specific to the area of management of services related to organizational learning, reveals the orientation of research, based on: (a) conformity between delivered services and the demanded characteristics or specifications; (b) meeting client’s needs; (c) studying the existing adequacy between result and what had been announced, foreseen or promised; (d) improving overall functioning of the organization by defining and implementing of a quality project, one that will involve the whole necessary staff for satisfying the needs of the learners. This paper will present: (1) contributions to a coherent point of view regarding the organizational memory from the perspective of the principles of quality management of services associated to organizational learning and based upon Knowledge Management; (2) the analysis of the main quality models that may be employed in organizational learning related services; (3) a study regarding the perception of successful organizational factors in the field of Knowledge Management-based training services amongst Romanian companies and institutions.organizational learning services quality management, organizational learning success model, cognitive acquis, organizational memory, knowledge management methods

Considerations Regarding the Security and Protection of E-Banking Services Consumers’ Interests

A significant number of breaches in the security of electronic banking (e-Banking) system is reported each year, drawing attention to the need to protect and inform customers about the risk of exposure to malicious actions initiated by cyber-criminals. Financial institutions and consumers recognize the fact that attacks and financial frauds are becoming more complex and are perpetrated by a different class of criminal. This class is increasingly sophisticated and uses technology as part of their strategy. Furthermore, the specialists forecast that the current global recession is likely to increase the frequency of internal fraud and security breaches. The present research tries: (1) to analyze the potential dangers threatening the security of e- Banking services through a comprehensive investigation of the relevant literature; (2) to identify the tools and methods that can ensure the consumers’ protection in E-Banking, (3) to present the results of a pilot study regarding the Romanian consumer perception on the protection and security related to E-Banking servicesE-Banking services, security, consumer protection, cyber-attack

A Systemic Description of Sustainable Progress

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to shed light from a systemic perspective on the question: ‘How can the sustainable progress of the real systems SR(t,c,g) in any space-time-resources domain Dstr(t,c,g) of Universe/Multiverse be defined?’. In the first part of the paper, within a traditional, limited, non-integrative and non-systemic approach, the manner of the concept and determinants of sustainable progress is established. In the second part, a systemic approach is applied to the elaboration of new principled models for defining and achieving the integrative sustainable progress PsS(t,c,g), through c, c+1, ….. behavioural cycles and g, g+1, …. successive - parallel generations of entities SR(t,c,g). The principled model emphasizes the determinants categories of the progress PsS(t,c,g) in a domain Dstr(t,c,g): (1) Sustainable resources and environments RMs(t,c,g); (2) Sustainable competitive power CKs(t,c,g); (3) Sustainable/self-sustainable stability Sas(t,c,g); (4) Sustainable integrative innovation Iis(t,c,g); (5) Competitiveness and sustainable competitiveness program/culture Kcs(t,c,g); (6) Sustainable periodic welfare Bps(t,c,g); (7) Sustainable activation/entrepreneurship and mobility Ams(t,c,g) in the domain Dstr(t,c,g) or/and in other domains Dstr(t,c,g), more favourable for the future progress. The determinants categories of the progress PsS(t,c,g) are detailed in a model of the sustainable progress cycle with more space-time-resources domains {Dstr(t,c,g)}

The effect of mineral fertilization on heavy metals content in tomato fruit

The goal of our study was to investigate the effect of different mineral fertilization doses on the heavy metals content (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb and Cd) in tomato fruit grown in uncontaminated area. The heavy metals bioaccumulation rates have also been investigated. The experience was done in a cambric cernosium soil, with low acidity reaction, very good content in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and the high natural fertility potential favorable vegetables cultivation in Romanian Western Plain area. Also, this soil is very rich in iron, zinc, cooper and cobalt but fall below acceptable parameters under the laws of our country. The study was performed on control soil samples (without fertilizers) and soil samples after differentiated NPK fertilization in variable dozes: N30P30K30, N45P45K45 , N^P«,!^, and N12oP6oK6oAlthough the soil analyses showed the presence of cobalt, chromium and lead in certain concentrations, except for cadmium which is not detectable, in tomatoes grown in the investigated area these heavy metals not found. Other micronutrients were very low values, well below the legal maximum allowed in vegetables cultivated in Romania. These results suggest that this area is favorable to ecological vegetables crops

The effect of mineral fertilization on heavy metals content in tomato fruit

The goal of our study was to investigate the effect of different mineral fertilization doses on the heavy metals content (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb and Cd) in tomato fruit grown in uncontaminated area. The heavy metals bioaccumulation rates have also been investigated. The experience was done in a cambric cernosium soil, with low acidity reaction, very good content in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and the high natural fertility potential favorable vegetables cultivation in Romanian Western Plain area. Also, this soil is very rich in iron, zinc, cooper and cobalt but fall below acceptable parameters under the laws of our country. The study was performed on control soil samples (without fertilizers) and soil samples after differentiated NPK fertilization in variable dozes: N30P30K30, N45P45K45 , N^P«,!^, and N12oP6oK6oAlthough the soil analyses showed the presence of cobalt, chromium and lead in certain concentrations, except for cadmium which is not detectable, in tomatoes grown in the investigated area these heavy metals not found. Other micronutrients were very low values, well below the legal maximum allowed in vegetables cultivated in Romania. These results suggest that this area is favorable to ecological vegetables crops

Evaluation of iron content in the grain of some winter wheat cultivars

The purpose of the research is to follow the influence of the biological factor on iron content of nine varieties of winter wheat: Alex, Potenzial, Soissons, Kalango, Apache, Kristina, Lovrin 34, Chevalier and Panonnikus. Two of these (Potenzial, Chevalier) are of German origin, three (Apache, Kalango, Soissons) of French origin, one (Kristina) of Yugoslavian origin, one of Austrian origin (Panonnikus) and two (Alex and Lovrin 34) were created at S.C.D.A Lovrin, Romania. The experimental field was placed on a cambic chernozem in Timisoara (west of Romania) in 2010, and the fertilization level was N120P60K60. Quality parameters monitored were: moisture, protein content, hectolitre mass and iron content. Variation in the iron content of different winter wheat cultivars was found in this study. Soissons winter wheat cultivar registered the highest value of iron content (54.3 mg/kg dry matter) followed by Kristina (52.07 mg/kg dry matter) and Kalango (50.45 mg/kg dry matter) winter wheat cultivar. Potenzial and Apache winter wheat cultivars registered the lowest values of iron content: 21.29 (mg/kg dry matter) and 20.5 (mg/kg dry matter), respectively

Evaluation microelements and vitamin C content of some spices

In this paper were studied by comparison microelements (Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Co, Cr) and vitamin C content of some commercial spices: ground black pepper (Piper nigrum), sweet paprika, cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) and powder cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). For this purpose, the mineral elements mentioned were quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), for their determination was used the atomic absorption spectrophotometer’s contr AA 300, Analytik Jena and the vitamin C content was analyzed by 2,6-diclorindofenol method using as standard ascorbic acid solution, 0.5 mg / ml. This work attempts to contribute to knowledge of the nutritional properties of these plants. These results may be useful for the evaluation of dietary information. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out for quantitative mineral concentration and vitamin C content. Among microelements, Cu, Zn and Mn were found in the highest concentration in whole investigated vegetable material

Evaluation of iron content in the grain of some winter wheat cultivars

The purpose of the research is to follow the influence of the biological factor on iron content of nine varieties of winter wheat: Alex, Potenzial, Soissons, Kalango, Apache, Kristina, Lovrin 34, Chevalier and Panonnikus. Two of these (Potenzial, Chevalier) are of German origin, three (Apache, Kalango, Soissons) of French origin, one (Kristina) of Yugoslavian origin, one of Austrian origin (Panonnikus) and two (Alex and Lovrin 34) were created at S.C.D.A Lovrin, Romania. The experimental field was placed on a cambic chernozem in Timisoara (west of Romania) in 2010, and the fertilization level was N120P60K60. Quality parameters monitored were: moisture, protein content, hectolitre mass and iron content. Variation in the iron content of different winter wheat cultivars was found in this study. Soissons winter wheat cultivar registered the highest value of iron content (54.3 mg/kg dry matter) followed by Kristina (52.07 mg/kg dry matter) and Kalango (50.45 mg/kg dry matter) winter wheat cultivar. Potenzial and Apache winter wheat cultivars registered the lowest values of iron content: 21.29 (mg/kg dry matter) and 20.5 (mg/kg dry matter), respectively

Evaluation microelements and Vitamin C of some spices

In this paper were studied by comparison microelements (Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Co, Cr) and vitamin C content of some commercial spices: ground black pepper (Piper nigrum), sweet paprika, cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) and powder cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). For this purpose, the mineral elements mentioned were quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), for their determination was used the atomic absorption spectrophotometer’s contr AA 300, Analytik Jena and the vitamin C content was analyzed by 2,6-diclorindofenol method using as standard ascorbic acid solution, 0.5 mg / ml. This work attempts to contribute to knowledge of the nutritional properties of these plants. These results may be useful for the evaluation of dietary information. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out for quantitative mineral concentration and vitamin C content. Among microelements, Cu, Zn and Mn were found in the highest concentration in whole investigated vegetable material

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London