Innovation and Performance in Peruvian Manufacturing Firms: Does R&D Play a Role?

Purpose: The paper aims to study whether Peruvian manufacturing firms that implement innovation have positive performance and whether R&D activities moderate these relationships. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using a dataset of Peruvian manufacturing firms from the 2018 National Survey of Innovation, a LOGIT model analysis was applied to 774 companies. Additionally, we fitted different models into subsamples to explore the moderating effects of R&D on manufacturing firms. Finally, the regression models were computed using R software. Findings: The results indicate that product, service, and marketing innovation are associated positively with an increase in market share, while process and organizational innovations are associated positively with productivity. Moreover, companies with R&D are more productivity-oriented than companies without R&D.   Research Implications: This study contributes to the literature on innovation management by supporting the assumption that innovation results in increased productivity and expands market demand. In addition, findings highlight that R&D is essential for boosting firms' productivity. Practical Implications: Managers should consider an appropriate combination of the innovation portfolio and R&D investments in order to make progress and increase performance in the company. In addition, policy makers should consider that investments to promote the development of R&D activities in manufacturing companies will likely lead to medium or long-term returns. Originality/Value: These results provide a deeper understanding of how the effects of innovations implemented by manufacturing firms - especially service and process innovation - improve their performance

Innovation and performance in Peruvian manufacturing firms: does R&D play a role?

Support from the Program for High Performance in Research of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.Purpose - This paper aims to study whether Peruvian manufacturing firms that implement innovation have positive performance and whether R&D activities moderate these relationships.Design/methodology/approach - Using a data set of Peruvian manufacturing firms from the 2018 National Survey of Innovation, a LOGIT model analysis was applied to 774 companies. In addition, the authors fitted different models into subsamples to explore the moderating effects of R&D on manufacturing firms. Finally, the regression models were computed using R software.Findings - The results indicate that product, service and marketing innovation are associated positively with an increase in market share, while process and organizational innovations are associated positively with productivity. Moreover, companies with R&D are more productivity-oriented than companies without R&D.Research limitations/implications - This study contributes to the literature on innovation management by supporting the assumption that innovation results in increased productivity and expands market demand. In addition, findings highlight that R&D is essential for boosting firms' productivity.Practical implications - Managers should consider an appropriate combination of the innovation portfolio and R&D investments to make progress and increase performance in the company. In addition, policymakers should consider that investments to promote the development of R&D activities in manufacturing companies will likely lead to me?dium-or long-term returns.Social implications - The correct use of indicators to measure these relationships could help the policymaker to design and measure policy instruments more efficiently. Originality/value - These results provide a deeper understanding of how the effects of innovations implemented by manufacturing firms, especially service and process innovation, improve their performance.Pontifical Catholic University of Per

In Situ X-ray Raman Scattering Spectroscopy of the Formation of Cobalt Carbides in a Co/TiO2 Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst

We present in situ experiments to study the possible formation of cobalt carbides during Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) in a Co/TiO2 catalyst at relevant conditions of pressure and temperature. The experiments were performed by a combination of X-ray Raman scattering (XRS) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Two different experiments were performed: (1) a Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) reaction of an ∼14 wt % Co/TiO2 catalyst at 523 K and 5 bar under H2 lean conditions (i.e., a H2:CO ratio of 0.5) and (2) carburization of pure cobalt (as reference experiment). In both experiments, the Co L3-edge XRS spectra reveal a change in the oxidation state of the cobalt nanoparticles, which we assign to the formation of cobalt carbide (Co2C). The C K edge XRS spectra were used to quantify the formation of different carbon species in both experiments.Peer reviewe

Fine-grain population structure and transmission patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in southern Mozambique, a high TB/HIV burden area

14 paginas, 5 figuras, 2 tablas.Genomic studies of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) might shed light on the dynamics of its transmission, especially in high-burden settings, where recent outbreaks are embedded in the complex natural history of the disease. To this end, we conducted a 1 year prospective surveillance-based study in Mozambique. We applied whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to 295 positive cultures. We fully characterized MTBC isolates by phylogenetics and dating evaluation, and carried out a molecular epidemiology analysis to investigate further associations with pre-defined transmission risk factors. The majority of strains (49.5%, 136/275) belonged to lineage (L) 4; 57.8 % of them (159/275) were in genomic transmission clusters (cut-off 5 SNPs), and a strikingly high proportion (45.5%) shared an identical genotype (0 SNP pairwise distance). We found two 'likely endemic' clades, comprising 67 strains, belonging to L1.2, which dated back to the late 19th century and were associated with recent spread among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). We describe for the first time the population structure of MTBC in our region, a high tuberculosis (TB)/HIV burden area. Clustering analysis revealed an unforeseen pattern of spread and high rates of progression to active TB, suggesting weaknesses in TB control activities. The long-term presence of local strains in Mozambique, which were responsible for large transmission among HIV/TB-coinfected patients, calls into question the role of HIV in TB transmission.This project received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programmes 101001038 (TB-RECONNECT), PID2019-104477RB-I00 from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Spanish Government) (to I.C.). We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the ‘Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019–2023’.Programme (CEX2018-000806-S), and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Programme. B.S receives a pre-doctoral fellowship from the Secretariat of Universities and Research, Ministry of Enterprise and Knowledge of the Government of Catalonia and co-funded by European Social Fund (AGAUR).Peer reviewe

Unravelling the population structure and transmission patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mozambique, a high TB/HIV burden country

Genomic studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) might shed light on the dynamics of its transmission, especially in high-burden settings, where recent outbreaks are embedded in the complex natural history of the disease. We applied Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize the local population of MTBC, unravel potential transmission links and evaluate associations with host and pathogen factors. Methods A one-year prospective study was conducted in Mozambique, a high HIV/TB burden country. WGS was applied to 295 positive cultures. We combined phylogenetic, geographical and clustering analysis, and investigated associations between risk factors of transmission. Findings A significant high proportion of strains were in recent transmission (45.5%). We fully characterized MTBC isolates by using phylogenetic approaches and dating evaluation. We found two likely endemic clades, comprised of 67 strains, belonging to L1.2, dating from the late XIX century and associated with recent spread among PLHIV. Interpretation Our results unveil the population structure of MTBC in our setting. The clustering analysis revealed an unexpected pattern of spread and high rates of progression, suggesting the failure of control measures. The long-term presence of local strains in Mozambique, which were responsible for large transmission among HIV/TB coinfected patients, hint at possible coevolution with sympatric host populations and challenge the role of HIV in TB transmission.Ministry of Enterprise and Knowledge (Government of Catalonia & European Social Fund, AGAUR fellowship); European Research Council (ERC) European Union’s Horizon 2020.N

Miradas desde la historia social y la historia intelectual: América Latina en sus culturas: de los procesos independistas a la globalización

Fil: Benito Moya, Silvano G. A. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades; Argentina.Fil: Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades; Argentina

New Insights in the Activation and Deactivation of Cobalt-Titania Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalysts

The ever-increasing demand for transportation fuels, the higher environmental awareness as well as the depletion of easily accessible crude oil reserves have turned the attention towards the development of new catalytic technologies that can produce ultra-clean synthetic fuels from more sustainable feedstocks, including municipal waste, biomass as well as natural gas. Cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) represents a viable option to produce transportation fuels with low concentration of sulphur, nitrogen, aromatics and naphthenes. However, one of the main issues in Co-based FTS is the deactivation of the solid catalyst with increasing time-on-stream, which has evidently a large impact on its industrial use. Despite decades of research on Co-based FTS catalysts, our fundamental understanding regarding the different deactivation routes has remained elusive. This is partly due to the difficulty of performing long-term in situ and/or operando spectroscopic measurements at relevant industrial conditions (i.e., elevated temperatures and pressures) that can provide physicochemical insights about the deactivation process. In this PhD thesis, the development of powerful characterization methods has led to new physicochemical insights about not only catalyst deactivation, but also on the activation process of the catalyst material. In what follows, I will highlight the main findings of this PhD thesis work and also present some new ideas for potential future research

New Insights in the Activation and Deactivation of Cobalt-Titania Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalysts

The ever-increasing demand for transportation fuels, the higher environmental awareness as well as the depletion of easily accessible crude oil reserves have turned the attention towards the development of new catalytic technologies that can produce ultra-clean synthetic fuels from more sustainable feedstocks, including municipal waste, biomass as well as natural gas. Cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) represents a viable option to produce transportation fuels with low concentration of sulphur, nitrogen, aromatics and naphthenes. However, one of the main issues in Co-based FTS is the deactivation of the solid catalyst with increasing time-on-stream, which has evidently a large impact on its industrial use. Despite decades of research on Co-based FTS catalysts, our fundamental understanding regarding the different deactivation routes has remained elusive. This is partly due to the difficulty of performing long-term in situ and/or operando spectroscopic measurements at relevant industrial conditions (i.e., elevated temperatures and pressures) that can provide physicochemical insights about the deactivation process. In this PhD thesis, the development of powerful characterization methods has led to new physicochemical insights about not only catalyst deactivation, but also on the activation process of the catalyst material. In what follows, I will highlight the main findings of this PhD thesis work and also present some new ideas for potential future research

Aplicación de un sistema de gestión estratégica basado en el cuadro de mando integral en la Escuela Particular Subvencionada San Felipe Neri para el mejoramiento continuo de su calidad educacional

Tesis (Magíster en Gestión Educacional mención Dirección de Establecimientos Educacionales)El Cuadro de Mando Integral es un sistema de gestión que recoge la información relevante sobre la gestión estratégica de una organización, información vital para la toma de decisiones a nivel directivo o de cargos de responsabilidad. Está compuesto por un conjunto de inductores causales de tipo cuantitativo que son los que van orientando el curso de la organización hacia la toma de decisiones que conducirán al éxito y crecimiento de nuestro establecimiento en cualquiera de sus formas. Aplicaremos el Cuadro de Mando Integral en la Escuela Particular-Subvencionada San Felipe Neri, de la Comuna de Recoleta, porque el éxito de este establecimiento depende de su adaptabilidad a los cambios, de su integración a entornos globales y dinámicos. El aporte de este sistema radica básicamente en su flexibilidad y su adecuación a la realidad de cada organización, que es o que actualmente se necesita para hacer frente a la demanda, los cambios socioculturales y la intensidad de la competencia. En este trabajo, desarrollamos cada una de las cuatro perspectivas como un todo interrelacionado, aunque nos parece relevante enfatizar en la perspectiva de aprendizaje y crecimiento como parte de la innovación y desarrollo, y como punto de partida de una cadena causa-efecto que nos permitirá obtener los resultados esperados en cuanto al mejoramiento de la fundamental gestión que realizan los profesores dentro de la comunidad escolar, y veremos la relación directa que poseen con el mejoramiento de los índices en la calidad en la educación. En el Capítulo I, abordaremos los aspectos más relevantes del macroentorno, que nos proporcionarán la base de nuestro análisis, para ir profundizando en el Capítulo II en los aspectos de la industria de la educación, en especial la educación particular subvencionada en la comuna de Recoleta, y finalmente introducirnos en el Capítulo III en los aspectos internos de la Escuela. Con la información recopilada en los capítulos I, II y III, y las conclusiones que podamos obtener, presentaremos en el capítulo IV y V, el sustento teórico y práctico que necesitamos para aplicar la estrategia diseñada para este establecimiento y que estará reflejada en un mapa estratégico diseñado especialmente para la Escuela San Felipe Neri

Sweet, Sugar-Coated Hierarchical Platinum Nanostructures for Easy Support, Heterogenization and Separation

Metal nanoparticles are increasingly gaining interest in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we present a novel strategy for synthesizing sugar-coated platinum nanostructures (SC-Pt-NS) from the carbohydrates sucrose and D(-)-fructose. In the synthesis from a mixture of H2PtCl6 center dot 6H(2)O, the carbohydrate in an ionic liquid (IL) yielded primary particles of a homogeneous average size of similar to 10 nm, which were aggregated to hierarchical Pt nanostructures of similar to 40-65 nm and surrounded or supported by the carbohydrate. These sugar-coated platinum nanostructures present a facile way to support and heterogenize nanoparticles, avoid leaching and enable easier separation and handling. The catalytic activity of the SC-Pt-NS was shown in the hydrosilylation test reaction of phenylacetylene with triethylsilane, where very high turnover frequency (TOF) values of up to 87,200 h(-1) could be achieved, while the platinum metal leaching into the product was very low