Assessing the Role of Knowledge and Project Management in the Competitiveness of Manufacturing Firms in Baja California

This article analyses the Knowledge Management (KM) and Project Management (PM) practices of manufacturing firms based in Baja California to determine their level of importance in generating competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector in Baja California. Key questions researched in this paper are: 1) How is KM managed through information technologies and organisational systems, ensuring empirical and industrial success? and 2) How do PM strategies increase competitiveness in the Baja California manufacturing sector? The research analyses currently-implemented management systems used for improved KM and PM, based on knowledge and new advantage orientation. One of the limitations found in this research is that several firms do not adopt standardised policies relating to knowledge procurement and development. Although competitiveness is perceived as vital for organisations, the combination of KM and PM are not yet fully developed and integrated into organisational processes to increase competitiveness. It is found that KM and PM have influence and correlations with competitiveness

Knowledge Management and Collaboration Strategies for Technology-Based Firms in Baja California

Knowledge Management (KM) and Collaboration are viewed as a key strategy for achieving competitive advantage in companies around the world. Knowledge by itself is considered one of the most valuable assets owned by an organization. In technology-based firms, it is perceived as being of the upmost value. In Baja California, Mexico, several companies exist which develop products and services using knowledge creation as a core value. In this paper, we summarize the results of 14 interviews with general managers and directors of knowledge-oriented firms to further understand which KM strategies are employed in seeking to gain competitive advantage. Results indicate that all firms adopt different approaches to KM. A common opinion amongst those interviewed was that knowledge provides greater value to businesses, improving corporate performance. All confirmed a significant relationship exists between KM, collaboration and competitive advantage

Sequential star formation in IRAS 06084-0611 (GGD 12-15): From intermediate-mass to high-mass stars

Context. The formation and early evolution of high- and intermediate-mass stars towards the main sequence involves the interplay of stars in a clustered and highly complex environment. To obtain a full census of this interaction, the Formation and Early evolution of Massive Stars (FEMS) collaboration studies a well-selected sample of 10 high-mass star-forming regions. Aims. In this study we examine the stellar content of the high-mass star-forming region centered on IRAS 06084-0611 in the Monoceros R2 cloud. Methods. Using the near-infrared H- and K-band spectra from the VLT/SINFONI instrument on the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT)and photometric near-infrared NTT/SOFI, 2MASS and Spitzer/IRAC data, we were able to determine the spectral types for the most luminous stars in the cluster. Results. Two very young and reddened massive stars have been detected by SINFONI: a massive Young Stellar Object (YSO) con- sistent with an early-B spectral type and a Herbig Be star. Furthermore, stars of spectral type G and K are detected while still in the Pre-Main Sequence (PMS) phase. We derive additional properties such as temperatures, extinctions, radii and masses. We present a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and find most objects having intermediate masses between \sim1.5-2.5 M\odot. For these stars we derive a median cluster age of \sim4 Myr. Conclusions. Using Spitzer/IRAC data we confirm earlier studies that the younger class 0/I objects are centrally located while the class II objects are spread out over a larger area, with rough scale size radii of \sim0.5 pc and \sim1.25 pc respectively. Moreover, the presence of a massive YSO, an ultracompact H ii region and highly reddened objects in the center of the cluster suggest a much younger age of < 1 Myr. A possible scenario for this observation would be sequential star formation along the line of sight; from a cluster of intermediate-mass to high-mass stars.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables. Astronomy and Astrophysic

Quantum effects in spin dynamics of one dimensional systems

We present a review of recent results concerning dynamical spin correlation functions of quantum spin chains with nearest neighbor exchange interactions. Zero and finite temperature results, as well as the influence of a magnetic field are discussed for s = 1/2, with special emphasis on quantum effects which can be observed experimentally. We also investigate the dependence on spin quantum number between extreme quantum (s = 1/2) and classical (s = ∞) systems

A new approach to ultrasonic degassing to improve the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys

Ultrasonic degassing of liquid metals has been studied over the last years, but it has been limited to laboratorial scale experiments of low volumes of melt. In this work, the combined effect of acoustic cavitation with metal agitation induced by the mechanical vibration of the ultrasonic radiator itself was studied, using a specially designed low frequency mechanical vibrator coupled to the ultrasonic degassing unit. Liquid motion in water was characterized by high speed digital Photron-FastCam APX RS video camera and Laser Doppler Anemometry to select the most favorable US and mechanical vibrator frequencies to induce suitable water stirring. Selected parameters were used to degas 10 L of AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy. A suitable piezoelectric sensor was used to measure sound pressure at different distances from the sonotrode to identify the zone of higher acoustic activity. Results have shown that melt stirring significantly improves US degassing efficiency (since it is possible to achieve almost the aluminum alloy theoretical density after 3 min processing time) which contributed to increase the tensile properties of the alloy.This research was supported by FEDER/COMPETE funds and by national funds through FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and was developed on the aim of the research Project PTDC/EME-TME/119658/2010 and the Post-Doctoral Grant SFRH/BPD/76680/2011. Acknowledgements also to the University of Minho, for the provision of research facilities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Is it worth the risk? Grievances and street protest participation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile

The COVID-19 pandemic started in Chile as the country was experiencing massive protests and a deep political crisis. Sanitary measures restricting movement and gatherings were implemented while the process of constitutional change responding to this crisis developed. In this context of conflict, we study why people continued participating in street protests despite the restrictions and the health risks involved. Using two surveys, we test key factors addressed in extant scholarship: biographical availability, perceived risks, and grievances. We find that grievances related to the pandemic were the most important factor, while biographical availability was much less relevant in the pandemic context. There is no evidence that perceived health risks mattered when deciding whether to join a street protest or not. These results suggest that under conditions of political crisis, grievances related to the administration of the pandemic can motivate political participation even when the latter put people's health at risk

Physical modification of intermetallic phases in Al-Si-Cu alloys

The effect of applying ultrasonic vibration to the melt during cooling on grain structure, type and morphology of intermetallic compounds in AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy was studied, as well as their nucleation mechanism. Detailed intermetallics analysis was performed using a combination of SEM/EDS and XRD techniques in order to obtain the most possible reliable information. Results show that without ultrasonic treatment alpha-Al-17(Fe-3.2, Mn-0.8)Si-2, alpha-Al8Fe2Si, beta-Al9Fe2Si2 and Al2Cu are the intermetallic phases present in the as-cast samples. The application of ultrasonic vibration to the melt during cooling proved to be very effective in converting the alpha-intermetallics with Chinese script morphology to polyhedral crystals, suppressing at the same time the formation of the beta-phase. Moreover, the application of this treatment only changes the morphology of alpha-intermetallics since its stoichiometry remains the same (alpha-Al-17(Fe-3.2, Mn-0.8)Si-2). It was also verified that the application of acoustic energy to the melt promotes the change of alpha-Al grains from dendritic to a more globular structure. The ultrasonic treatment is also effective in promoting the fracture of polyhedral crystals of intermetallic phases, reducing their dimensions and causing their homogenous dispersion in the matrix.This research was supported by FEDER/COMPETE funds and by national funds through FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology on the aim of the research project PTDC/EME-TME/119658/2010 and the Post-Doctoral Grant SFRH/BPD/76680/2011.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of Sc additions on the microstructure and age hardening behaviour of as cast Al–Sc alloys

The grain refinement effect and the ageing behaviour of Al–0.5 wt.% Sc, Al–0.7 wt.% Sc, and Al–1 wt.% Sc alloys are studied on the basis of optic microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) observations and hardness measurements. In Al–Sc alloys the higher grain refinement is observed for Sc contents greater than 0.5 wt.% accompanied by a notorious morphology modification, from coarse columnar grains to a fine perfect equiaxed structure. The as cast structures are characterized by a rich supersaturated solid solution in Sc, that promotes a great age hardening response at 250 C and 300 C. The age hardening curves also demonstrate a low overageing kinetics for all the alloys. Although the higher Sc content in solid solution for the alloys with 0.7 and 1 wt.% Sc, the age hardening response of all the Al–Sc alloys remains similar. The direct age hardening response of the as cast Al–0.5 wt.% Sc is shown to be greater than the solutionised and age hardened alloy.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT

Análisis de las actividades del programa Clic en contextos de enseñanza-aprendizaje

En este trabajo, examinamos uno de los programas utilizados por el profesorado: el Clic. Una herramienta de creación de actividades educativas multimedia para alumnos. Además de describirlo, dando cuenta de sus características técnicas, potencialidades, posibles usos y su valor pedagógico con relación a otros recursos didácticos (en especial el libro de texto), nos centramos en un caso concreto: un centro educativo de primaria. En este estudio de caso, enmarcado en una investigación más amplia, analizamos los modos o las experiencias de utilización de las actividades del Clic. Experiencias en este caso desarrolladas tanto en aulas ordinarias como en aulas específicas (aulas de informática). La información de la que disponemos para el análisis de estas experiencias ha sido recogida mediante entrevistas formales e informales, observación participante y no participante, notas de campo, informes y diarios de campo, etc.En aquest treball examinem un dels programes utilitzats pel professorat: el Clic. Una eina de creació d'activitats educatives multimèdia per a alumnes. A més de descriure'l, oferint les seves característiques tècniques, potencialitats, possibles usos i el seu valor pedagògic en relació amb altres recursos didàctics (especialment el llibre de text), ens centrem en un cas concret: un centre educatiu de primària. En aquest estudi de cas, emmarcat en una investigació més àmplia, vam analitzar les maneres o experiències d'utilització de les activitats del Clic. Experiències en aquest cas desenvolupades tant en aules ordinàries com en aules específiques (aules d'informàtica). La informació de la qual disposem per a l'anàlisi d'aquestes experiències ha estat recollida mitjançant entrevistes formals i informals, observació participant i no participant, notes de camp, informes i diaris de camp, etc.Along this article, we examine one of the computer programmes used by teachers: Clic. This is a tool for creating multimedia educational activities for students. Apart from describing this programme -specifying its technical characteristics, potentialities, possible uses and its pedagogical value in relation to other didactic resources (particularly the text book)- we refer to a concrete case in a Primary School. In this case study, which is part of a broader research, we analyse the ways or experiences of use of the Clic activities. These experiences take place both in mainstream classrooms and specific classrooms (computer classrooms). The information we have for the analysis of these experiences was obtained out of formal and informal interviews, participant and non-participant information, field notes, reports and field diaries, etc