QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN SMALL? AND MEDIUM?SIZED FIRMS IN THE BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Summary This article analyses the introduction of quality and productivity programmes in small? and medium?enterprises in the Brazilian motor sector. It pays particular attention to the training and problem?solving capacity. Five Brazilian?owned companies have been studied, all of them located in the São Paulo area. The aim of the study was to understand sources of pressure for change and the responses made by firms, in terms of changes in the planning, detailing and operationalization of production organization. It concludes that there are a number of different responses at enterprise level, varying from the more aggressive to the more conservative. But in all cases there is a lack of external support oriented to the specific needs of small and medium?sized enterprises. These needs centre on limited management capabilities and the financial restrictions facing small firms. Résumé Le présent article analyse l'introduction de programmes de qualité et de productivité dans les entreprises de petite et de moyenne envergure au sein du secteur automobile du Brésil. L'auteur considère en particulier la formation et les capacités de résolution des problèmes. Cinq compagnies, d'appartenance brésiliennes et toutes implantées dans la région de São Paulo, ont été étudiées. L'étude avait pour but d'obtenir une meilleure compréhension des sources de pression pour le changement, et de la réponse à cette pression offerte par ces entreprises en termes des modifications qu'elles ont apportées à la planification générale, la planification détaillée, et la mise en vigueur de la réorganisation des productions. L'article a pour conclusion que des réponses nombreuses et différentes se produisent au niveau des entreprise, et que ces réponses varient entre celles d'un ordre agressif d'une part, et celles qui seraient plus conservatrices de l'autre. Mais dans tous les cas il existe un manque d'appui externe qui soit orienté vers les besoins spécifiques des entreprises de petite et de moyenne envergure. Ces besoins sont axés sur le caractère restreint des capacités de gestion, et les limites financières auxquelles font face les entreprises de petite envergure. Resumen Este artículo analiza la introducción de programas de calidad y productividad en la pequeña y mediana empresa dentro de la industria brasileña del automóvil. Presta particular interés a la capacitación y la habilidad para resolver problemas. Para este análisis se han estudiado cinco compañías brasileñas, todas localizadas en el área de San Pablo. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido tratar de entender el origen de las presiones para efectuar cambios y las reacciones de las compañías, en lo que se refiere a alteraciones en el planeamiento, detallado y puesta en marcha del proceso organizativo de la producción. Se llega a la conclusión de que hay una serie de respuestas diferentes a nivel de empresa, desde las más agresivas a las más conservadoras. Pero en todos los casos existe una carencia de apoyo a las necesidades específicas de la pequeña y mediana empresa. Estas necesidades se centran en la limitada capacidad de liderazgo y las restricciones financieras que enfrentan las compañías pequeñas

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES TO SUPPORT INNOVATION: HOW DO COMPANIES DECIDE?

The purpose of this work is to discuss the issue of how companies aiming to increase their innovative capacity should decide about their organizational structure. To accomplish this goal, a bibliographic review about the theme was carried out, as well as an exploratory research, conducted by case study in a Brazilian petrochemical company that had recently re-organised its structure regarding innovative activities. The results suggest that the studied company decided upon its organisational structure without considering the whole process of innovation, focusing efforts only on the Research and Development area. Its organizational structure is still based on traditional forms, with centralized decisions and well demarcated functions. A more “adhocratic” structure, considering innovation as an integrated process would foster the company innovative capacity in the future.The purpose of this work is to discuss the issue of how companies aiming to increase their innovative capacity should decide about their organizational structure. To accomplish this goal, a bibliographic review about the theme was carried out, as well as an exploratory research, conducted by case study in a Brazilian petrochemical company that had recently re-organised its structure regarding innovative activities. The results suggest that the studied company decided upon its organisational structure without considering the whole process of innovation, focusing efforts only on the Research and Development area. Its organizational structure is still based on traditional forms, with centralized decisions and well demarcated functions. A more “adhocratic” structure, considering innovation as an integrated process would foster the company innovative capacity in the future

A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF INOVAR AUTO IMPACT ON THE BRAZILIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY R & D ACTIVITY

Aiming to increase the competitiveness, technology and security of vehicles produced and sold by the Brazilian Automotive Industry, in 2012 the Brazilian Federal Government established the “Inovar Auto” by executive law. Given the relevance and scope of the Inovar Auto Law, this paper aims to conduct a review of the preliminary results already obtained by different companies that joined the program. Therefore, through interviews with governmental agents, R & D managers, as well as R & D public and private centers representatives, we intend to analyze the quantity and quality of R&D projects developed by the Brazilian automotive industry, with or without an external partnership, analyzing how Inovar Auto Law has influenced this result. The interviews and data presented herein suggest that the program is very promising as regards the increase in number and in quality of the R&D activities developed by assemblers, systemists and ISTs connected to the automotive chain and particularly to the energy efficiency aspects highlighted in the program

Low-cost bus business models and the case of Brazil

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify low-costbus business models from different parts of the world and check their applicability in the Brazilian market. It also identifies crucial factors for the development of that kind of business and investigates the relationship between low-cost buses and other modes of transport. This research analyzes every relevant aspect to the applicability of low-cost business models in Brazil, driving to discussions and conclusions. The gains on the development of low-cost bus systems in Brazil may have a wide reach, from personal to general public benefits. Design/methodology/approach – Business models for low-cost bus systems are used to analyze in a qualitative approach. The data are collected through semi-structured interviews, direct observations and documental basis. In addition, innovations over the previous five years are evaluated in order to establish a comparative pattern between companies. Findings – There is a great potential in the Brazilian passenger market for the entrance of low-cost bus companies. The only question is just when it is the right time to enter that market. Most of the negative points presented for the implementation of a low-cost company are related to the current economical and political crisis in Brazil. It was identified as a potential cause for the overall decrease of the passengers market in recent years, and specifically of the bus passengers market. Originality/value – The recent regulation changes, the high demand for passengers and even the similarity of possible routes in Brazil to the ones in Europe and in the USA make Brazil a fertile soil for the development of that kind of business. A similar price mechanism to the ones applied worldwide was also identified as doable in Brazil

O Marketing Verde Recompensa?

Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida por meio de uma abordagem exploratória com entrevistas em profundidade, cujo objetivo básico foi de analisar as ações adotadas pela Natura em relação ao meio ambiente. Enfatiza o desenvolvimento sustentável e seus meios para envolver a cadeia produtiva, desde as comunidades extrativistas de matéria-prima florestal até o consumidor final. Identifica o princípio de uma mudança de padrão nas organizações e nos consumidores, em direção a uma melhor aceitação e incentivo das organizações que praticam a gestão ambientalmente responsável. O estudo de caso enfoca as principais ações ambientais da Natura que a fizeram tornar-se uma empresa de destaque. Finaliza demonstrando que tais ações resultam em um círculo virtuoso que agrega valor à marca e identifica uma oportunidade disponível às empresas que desejam esverdear seus processos organizacionais adotando os princípios do desenvolvimento sustentável

INNOVATIVE CAPACITY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: A CASE STUDY OF BRAZILIAN FIRMS

O propósito deste artigo é contribuir para o debate sobre como empresas criam ambientes organizacionais compatíveis com o desenvolvimento de inovações, por meio de sua cultura, recursos, competências e do uso de redes interorganizacionais. Estes fatores, no seu conjunto, são conhecidos como capacitação inovadora. Para atingir este objetivo, uma revisão bibliográfica é desenvolvida para dar suporte a uma pesquisa exploratória, conduzida na forma de estudos de caso sobre gestão da inovação em duas empresas inovadoras, cada qual em um setor industrial. Uma análise dos resultados dos estudos exploratórios sugere que a construção de uma capacidade inovadora pode ter diferentes significados em diferentes empresas que atuam em mercados com padrões tecnológicos diferenciados. Um melhor entendimento sobre a construção de capacitação inovadora verificada entre diferentes setores industriais ajuda as empresas a melhor alocar seus recursos visando ampliar a capacidade inovadora e, consequentemente, desenvolver uma vantegem competitiva sustentável.The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate on how companies create organizational environments conducive to innovation development, through its culture, resources, competencies, and the use of interorganizational networks. These factors, as a set, are known as innovative capacity. To accomplish this goal, a bibliographic review theme is carried out, as well as an exploratory research, conducted by case study about the innovation management process in two companies, both considered innovative, and each belonging to a different industrial sector. An analysis of the results of the empirical study suggests that the building of innovative capacity can have different meanings in different types of companies that act in market segments featuring different levels of technology. A greater understanding of how the building of innovative capacity occurs across different industry sectors could assist companies in better allocation of their resources to leverage their innovative capacity, and therefore building sustainable competitive advantages

Composição dos óleos essenciais de variedades de coloração de frutos de Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.

A espécie Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. apresenta a coloração dos frutos variável, sendo reconhecidas três variedades. Entretanto, a definição de variedades não é fácil para espécies de Myrtaceae e também não é amplamente aceita. Duas variedades de Eugenia brasiliensis, baseado na cor dos frutos (roxos e amarelos), tiveram a composição de seus óleos essenciais analisadas com a finalidade de obter indícios de variedade botânica para esta espécie. Embora, os componentes principais nos óleos das folhas fossem os mesmos monoterpenos para ambas as variedades, alfa-pineno, beta-pineno e 1,8-cineol, a variedade com frutos roxos acumulou maior quantidade de sesquiterpenos oxigenados (33,9%) do que aquela com frutos amarelos (3,8%). As diferenças principais ocorreram nos frutos roxos que apresentaram como componente principal o óxido de cariofileno (22,2%) e o alfa-cadinol (10,4%), não detectados no óleo das folhas, e o óleo dos frutos amarelos apresentou uma composição similar àquela observada para as folhas. Estas variedades de coloração dos frutos de E. brasilensis podem ser considerados como dois quimiotipos distintos, uma vez que na variedade com frutos roxos a rota biossintética para sesquiterpenos encontra-se mais operante do que naquela com frutos amarelos, onde são acumulados principalmente os monoterpenos.Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. is a variable species concerning fruit colour, with three recognized varieties. However, the definition of varieties is not easy for Myrtaceae species and not widely accepted. Two fruit colour varieties (purple and yellow) of E. brasiliensis had their essential oil composition analysed in order to give support to the existence of varieties for this species. Although, the major components in the leaf oil are the same monoterpenes for both varieties, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and 1,8-cineol, the purple fruit variety accumulates more oxygenated sesquiterpenes (33.9%) than the one with yellow fruits (3.8%). The major differences occurred in purple fruits that present as major components caryophyllene oxide (22.2%) and alpha-cadinol (10.4%), not found in the leaf oil, and the yellow fruit oil presented a similar composition as observed for the leaves. These fruit colour varieties of E. brasilensis can be considered as two distinct chemotypes, since the sesquiterpene pathway is more operant in the purple variety than in the yellow one, in which monoterpenes are mainly accumulated

Anticholinesterase activity evaluation of alkaloids and coumarin from stems of Conchocarpus fontanesianus

Conchocarpus fontanesianus (A. St.-Hill.) Kallunki & Pirani, Rutaceae, popularly known as pitaguará, is a native and endemic tree from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro States, Brazil. Based in the information that anticholinesterasic derivatives could act as new prototypes to treatment of Alzheimer disease, this work describes the fractionation guided by evaluation of the anticholinesterase activity of the ethanolic stems extract from C. fontanesianus. This procedure afforded the alkaloids dictamnine (1), γ-fagarine (2), skimianine (3), and 2-phenyl-1-methyl-4-quinolone (4), as well as the coumarin marmesin (5).Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Instituto de Botânica de São Paulo Núcleo de Pesquisa em Fisiologia e BioquímicaInstituto de Botânica de São Paulo Núcleo de Pesquisa Curadoria do Herbário São PauloUniversidade Estadual de Campinas Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e AgrícolasUniversidade Estadual de Campinas Laboratório Thomson Espectrometria de MassaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da TerraUniversidade de São Paulo Instituto de QuímicaUNIFESP, Depto. de Ciências Exatas e da TerraSciEL

Uma oficina de novidades : a implantação de núcleos urbanos na capitania de São Paulo, 1765-1775

Este trabalho apresenta parte dos resultados da tese de doutorado Método e Arte: criação urbana e organização territorial na capitania de São Paulo, 1765-1811, desenvolvida na Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade de São Paulo, com apoio de bolsa da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.Este artigo acompanha algumas dinâmicas de implantação de núcleos urbanos na capitania de São Paulo durante a administração do governador e capitão-general Morgado de Mateus (1765-1775). Destacam-se momentos significativos do processo de formação de paisagens urbanas, desde o recrutamento de povoadores e a busca de sítios até a definição dos traçados. A intenção é mostrar que a Coroa portuguesa foi tentando organizar determinados modos de conduzir a expansão urbana, ao passo que experiências e circunstâncias locais constantemente exigiram arranjos novos e específicos. A análise fundamenta-se numa seleção da documentação oficial já publicada e também em correspondência, em boa parte inédita, proveniente de agentes locais encarregados de tarefas ligadas ao povoamento. Procura-se tratar da política urbanizadora daquele período como um processo desenvolvido num contexto de conflitos mais do que como produto de um projeto pré-delineado por autoridades metropolitanas ou alheio a realidades do lugar. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis article investigates some of the dynamics associated with the establishment of urban nuclei in the captaincy of São Paulo during the administration of the Morgado de Mateus, governor and captain-general of the captaincy from 1765 to 1775. Several significant aspects about the formation process of urban landscapes stand out, from the recruitment of settlers and the search for suitable sites to the definition of urban layouts. The intention of this study is to show that the Portuguese crown made efforts to organize certain processes for conducting urban expansion, whilst local experience and circumstances continually demanded new and specific arrangements. The analysis is based on a selection of previously-published official documents, as well as mostly unpublished correspondence from local agents in charge of settlement-related tasks. The urbanization policy of the period is dealt with as a process that was executed in the context of conflicts, rather than as the product of a project pre-planned by metropolitan authorities or detached from the realities of the place at that time

Effect of ionic strength of the equilibrium solution upon cadmium adsorption in Brazilian Oxisols

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da força iônica na adsorção de Cd em amostras de 17 Latossolos (horizonte A) de diversas regiões geográficas do Brasil. A reação dos solos com 0,167 mmol L-1 de Cd(NO3)2 foi avaliada por 72 horas em soluções de Ca(NO3)2 a 5, 50 e 150 mmol L-1 (pH 6,5; relação solo:solução 1:100) com forças iônicas de 15, 150 e 450 mmol L-1, respectivamente. A adsorção de Cd decresceu com o aumento da força iônica em todos os solos, com valores médios adsorvidos iguais a 12,17, 6,92 e 5,70 mmol kg-1 para as forças iônicas de 15, 150 e 450 mmol L-1, respectivamente. Na menor força iônica, a fração de Cd adsorvida foi positivamente correlacionada com argila, matéria orgânica, área superficial específica, caulinita, hematita e Fe2O3 extraído pelo ataque sulfúrico, ditionito-citrato-bicarbonato de sódio e pelo oxalato ácido de amônio, além do Al2O3 do ataque sulfúrico. Para a força iônica de 150 mmol L-1, não houve correlação entre a fração de Cd adsorvida e os atributos dos solos, enquanto em 450 mmol L-1 houve correlação com a matéria orgânica e área superficial específica. O Cd não é retido por sítios de adsorção específica, sendo potencialmente biodisponível nesses Latossolos.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of ionic strength upon Cd adsorption in samples of 17 Brazilian Oxisols. The reaction of the soil samples with 0.167 mmol L-1 Cd(NO3)2 at pH 6.5, using 5, 50 and 150 mmol L-1 Ca(NO3)2 as background solutions for ionic strength of 15, 150 and 450 mmol L-1, respectively (1:100 soil:solution ratio) was evaluated during 72 hours. Increasing ionic strength caused Cd adsorbed to decrease in all soils, with average adsorption values of 12.17, 6.92 and 5.70 mmol kg-1 for ionic strength of 15, 150, and 450 mmol L-1, respectively. In the lowest ionic strength, the adsorbed Cd fraction correlated positively with soil properties such as specific surface area, clay, organic matter, kaolinite and hematite content, ammonium oxalate-, DCB-, and sulfuric acid digestion-Fe, as well as sulfuric acid digestion-Al. For the ionic strength of 150 mmol L-1, there was not correlation between the adsorbed Cd fraction and the attributes of the soils, while in 450 mmol L-1 there was correlation with the organic matter and specific surface area. The Cd is not adsorbed by outer-sphere complex, and is potentiality bioavailable in those Oxisols