Comparing the Productivity of the Latest Models of Li-Ion Battery and Petrol Chainsaws in a Conifer Clear-Cut Site

The recent technological development of batteries has allowed the production of powerful tools that are also used in forestry operations. For this reason, this study aimed to compare the performance of two latest chainsaw models in a conifer clear-cut. The examined chainsaws, the battery-powered Stihl MSA 300 and the petrol-powered MS 261 C-M, have comparable power and weight. The overall working times were recorded and then gross, net and felling/processing productivities were quantified. Our findings reported that in a working day (7.4 h gross time), each chainsaw felled and processed an average of 20 trees of 0.64 m3 with an average diameter at breast height of 28 cm. Considering the net productivity, no statistically significant differences were recorded between the two chainsaws. Investigating the productivities on operations conducted using the chainsaws, the battery chainsaw showed a lower average tree-processing productivity than that recorded for the petrol chainsaw. On average, the battery duration was 0.88 h, while the petrol tank duration was 0.97 h. Our study shows that battery chainsaws have great potential in forestry operations; however, considering the actual need for 8 charges per standard workday, optimizing battery management is an important objective for future work

“Big digital bank” vs “local bank”. What can be learnt from the managers’ actions to cope with these ostensible controversial situations?

The Italian banking system has profoundly changed during the last 20 years both due to the privatization of the major State banks and out of the greater use of market financing taken place on the stock exchange. Thanks to the M&A process, nowadays, banks are larger and more complex than in the past but, M&A is a dangerous process if it is not appropriately dealt. The major risks are related to the numerous different items that must be well managed during the transition period such as, e.g., employees and information systems. Concurrently, banks’ managers are being asked to incorporate the new features and changes deriving from the recent years’ digitization. These important changes, unavoidably, lead to the need to close branches reducing the number of employees which has repercussions on the relations that the bank has with the territory and this could compromise the economic local grow. The present work revolves around the idea of understanding which actions the managers could undertake to ensure that the relationship with the territory is not lost while facing exponential growth in size, caused by the M&A process, and the challenges brought about by digitalisation. The methodology used in the present paper is an ethnographic exploratory single case study where the information will be collected using semi-structured interviews. In this first part of a wider project, in addition to a literature review, the process required to elaborate the schemes of the semi-structured interviews is explained. The value of the work is interesting for scholars as well as for practitioners; in fact, from the analysis of the answers provided by managers it will be possible to learn a lesson regarding the actions that were carried out, but also about the activities that have not led to the desired results and therefore should be avoided. At the same time, this study could contribute to the academic debate as it allows us to add literature on management while selecting which prior author’s position to endorse, regarding the influence of managers’ behaviours on obtaining profitability in banking institutions

Women enterprises, relational capital and corporate strategy: a multiple case study

This paper aims at analysing how relational capital (RC) contributes to the born of women enterprises in Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this way, this research is supported by a qualitative research methodology using a multiple case study (Yin 2009) comparing a small female enterprise and a small man enterprise to point out their characteristics and differences. Thus, the paper applies the CAOS model of micro-entrepreneurship by Paoloni (2011). Using such model, we’re able to share some factors and to classify different types of connections, identifying several kinds of existing relations. Findings show a predominant use of networks characterized by informal and permanent relations, supporting the need to reconcile work and family and to involve relatives and friends in the network. As such results are confirmed in female and male enterprises, we assume that dimensions is a dominant factor instead of gender factor. Additionally, we emphasize the lack of a corporate strategy in the female enterprises. Lastly, given that female entrepreneurship is regarded as central to the development and welfare of economies, the deepening of knowledge of how women entrepreneurs manage the start-up of her business can contribute in improving the participation of female entrepreneurs in the economy

Relational Capitai and Crowdfunding: An ltalian Woman Startup Case Study

Crowdfunding is a new channel of finance for companies, focusing on gender studies one of the main causes of the failure of ternale enterprise development are under-capitalization and the barrier to credit access. In this way, some intangible factors, as relational capitai, can play a relevant role to connect the woman entrepreneur by new stakeholders, like crowd-funders, and overcome the barriers. For these reasons, the aim of this paper is to analyse if relational capitai (RC) can help the woman start-up (WSU) to fundraise during the early stage. Following previous studies about start-ups as means of development for economie context and about the role of innovative financial tools (e.g., crowdfunding) in their financial structure, the study investigated whether RC and the success of crowdfunding operations were connected. The literature results confirm a gap between crowdfunding and ternale start-ups (Paoloni et al. 2019). In this way, this research is supported by a qualitative research methodology using a single case study (Yin, 2009). Thus, the paper applies the CAOS model of micro-entrepreneurship by Paoloni (2011). Using such model, we can share some factors and classify different types of connections, identifying severa! kinds of existing relations. The findings of this explorative research show a positive effect of relational capitai for ternale start-up into fundraising operations. Woman start-up is able to fundraise if establishes a permanent and formai relationship with the external environment. This paper contributes to expanding the scientific literature on gender studies, relational capitai and the use of alternative ways of finance fields. Managerial implication is to advance knowledge and practice in the area of woman in business and use -in start-up stage- of relational capitai to develop processes of fundraising across innovative financial tools, as crowdfunding. The limitation of our research concem the SMEs (start-up) dimension. Analysis of data has been available only through direct interviews with ternale entrepreneurship. Future research perspectives will be focused on the acquisition of more data on the topic of woman start-up and crowdfunding. In this way, we reply the analysis by multiple case study and we would try to understand which relational capital's factors recurring for the success of fundraising operation

Crowdfunding and SME’s: a gender analysis

The aim of this paper is to analyze the phenomenon of crowdfunding and specifically focus is the SME's dimension, typical in female entrepreneurship. The main questions research are: what are the main thematic areas in the scientific literature on the phenomenon of crowdfunding? (RQ1); how is crowdfunding treated in the SME's dimension? (RQ2); is there a specific treatment of crowdfunding in female entrepreneurship? (RQ3). To analyze the literature, we uses the SLR. For the development the (RQ1), the articles in the SCOPUS database on the theme of crowdfunding were surveyed. To develop the (RQ2) the analysis focused on the combined theme between the crowdfunding phenomenon and the SME's dimension. Finally, for the (RQ3) we have combined the research between what emerged from the results of the RQ2 and the specific focus on female businesses. The finding show that from the scientific point of view the treatment of the crowdfunding phenomenon is strongly developing in many research areas. The most recurrent are those that deal with context studies linked to socio-geographical, institutional, and those that analyze individual behavior of investors and crowdfunders. Residual area remains the one dedicated to SME's where our research has led to poor results. Totally non-existent is the treatment of the crowdfunding phenomenon in women's businesses. This work implements the studies on crowdfunding, a phenomenon that is rapidly expanding worldwide. Particular attention is paid to the gender context. Furthermore, the study of the business dimension for which it was initially conceived was further investigated: the SME's. Our next work will try, through a case study, to fill the gap in literature between the crowdfunding phenomenon and women's businesses, found in our current research

My name is bond, Pecorino Bond

Purpose The aim of this paper is to analyze how “mini-bonds,” an innovative financial tool for Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can contribute to the development and sustainability of the agri-food sector and its local products, such as Pecorino Cheese. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted as a qualitative case study applying the CAOS (“characteristics, ambience, organization, start-up”) model. This model makes it possible to describe all variables that affect a company in a given economic context. Findings In Sardinia, a small island to the southwest of Italy, there are more than 60,000 agricultural enterprises, 60 percent of which are shepherding operations. Obtaining financial resources is a constant challenge, often related to the uncertainties inherent in seasonal activities. This paper explores how a mini-bond was implemented to promote the development and sustainability of Pecorino Cheese. Research limitations/implications Limitations are chiefly related to the short observation period—the bond was first issued in 2018—and to the narrow geographical base of observation. Originality/value This research contributes to the expanding body of literature on innovative financial tools for the promotion and development of the local agri-food heritage. It may be useful to practitioners currently researching and developing growth strategies for companies. Existing barriers to credit access are among the most important causes of the lack of development of SMEs, especially in Italy where SMEs represent the principal type of new businesses in the agri-food sector, and their economic success is so dependent on seasonality. In February 2019, the Pecorino case played a role in the Italian government stepping in to avoid the collapse of the price of milk. Future research will focus on the analysis of specific economic results of the financial operations described herein, and will further focus on possibly similar cases of local products making use of innovative financial tools