COMPETITIVENESS OF NATIONS IN THE GLOBALIZATION ERA: IS THE (IN)EXISTENCE OF A COLLECTIVE STRATEGY RELEVANT?

Economic globalization puts businesses and countries facing new opportunities and challenges and engenders a high degree of uncertainty/risk. Portugal, facing this new global environment, has been experiencing poor economic performance, growing in the last decade at a rate lower than the European Union’s average. How to seize opportunities and overcome challenges, while at the same time ensuring the desired convergence? This challenge is put in terms of the relations between the regulatory and economic policies of States and the competitiveness of nation-States. Using concrete examples, in particular the Portuguese case, we will attempt to answer the question: does the existence (or absence) of a collective strategy, understood as a concerted strategy between the State and companies, their associations and other institutions, produce significant impact on the competitiveness of Nations? To answer this question, the analysis will focus on the following topics: challenges posed by globalization in terms of competitiveness of countries; evolution of the Portuguese economy, between 1975 and 2007, compared to those of Finland, Ireland and South Korea, countries of recognized success in the context of globalization; lessons that can be drawn concerning the presence or absence of a collective strategy and its impact on the competitiveness of these countries.globalization; competitiveness; institutions; total factor productivity; collective strategy; Portugal

Gold surface with gold nitride–a surface enhanced Raman scattering active substrate

The nitration of gold surfaces is a nonpolluting method, which can lead to large scale production of substrates with remarkable properties and applications. We present a topographical study of the nanoscale structure of the gold nitride surfaces produced by radio frequency (rf) nitrogen plasma etching of thin gold films. Atomic force microscopy images taken after rf etching reveal the striking appearance of the cluster assembly with large clusters surrounded by small clusters (7.9±1.4 and 2.3±0.9 nm, respectively) appearing to exhibit an attractive interaction. We discuss the possible mechanism for this attraction based on a colloid model by Messina et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 872 (2000) ]. This surface exhibits a notable surface enhanced Raman scattering effect demonstrated with L-alanine and rhodamine-6G. The significance of this work is that we found that this SERS active gold nitride surface can be prepared in just one step: by nitrogen plasma etching a thin gold film. Until now most SERS active gold cluster covered surfaces have been prepared in several steps very often requiring complex lithography

Suscetibilidade de Gyropsylla spegazziniana (Lizer & Trelles) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) a Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill

Gyropsylla spegazziniana is one of the most prominent pest insects of yerba mate culture in all production regions in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Natural enemies have been recorded on G. spegazziniana nymphs and adults, including the Zoophthora radicans entomopathogenic fungus. Since there are no reports of Beauveria bassiana, the aim of this study was to register its pathogenicity with respect to this insect in a laboratory setting. Yerba mate branches were kept in glass flasks with water and we infested each leaf with 20 newly-emerged nymphs. We prepared three replicates per treatment. We sprayed conidia suspensions (1 × 109 conidia/mL) onto the branches, which we transferred to cages and kept in an acclimatized room (26 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% of relative humidity (R.H.) with a photophase of 14 hours). We evaluated insect mortality daily, and after five days we observed a high level of pathogenicity due to the presence of the fungus, that could be visually observed on the cadaver. The total mortality varied from 25 to 70% (respectively for Unioeste 4 and CG 716) and the confirmed mortality was 30% for Unioeste 52, revealing the fungus’ potential. However, more studies are necessary in order to evaluate the strains of this fungus, as well as other species.Gyropsylla spegazziniana é uma das principais pragas da cultura de erva-mate em todas as regiões produtoras do Brasil, da Argentina e do Paraguai. Inimigos naturais têm sido registrados sobre ninfas e adultos de G. spegazziniana, incluindo o fungo entomopatogênico Zoophthora radicans. Como não há relatos sobre Beauveria bassiana, o objetivo deste estudo foi registrar sua patogenicidade sobre esse inseto em condições de laboratório. Ramos de erva-mate foram infestados com insetos e mantidos em frascos de vidro com água. Cada um dos ramos tinha cerca de 20 ninfas recém-emergidas/ folha, sendo preparadas 3 repetições/tratamento. As suspensões dos isolados do fungo (1 × 109 conídios/mL) foram pulverizadas sobre os ramos, que foram transferidos para gaiolas e mantidos em sala climatizada (26 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% de Umidade Relativa (U.R.) e 14 horas de fotofase). Diariamente, realizou-se a avaliação da mortalidade do inseto, observando-se, após cinco dias da aplicação, alto nível de patogenicidade devido à presença do fungo, constatada visualmente sobre os cadáveres. A mortalidade total variou entre 25 e 70% (respectivamente para Unioeste 4 e CG 716) e a mortalidade confirmada foi de 30% para o isolado Unioeste 52, revelando o potencial do fungo. No entanto, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar novos isolados do fungo, bem como outras espécies.Fil: Alves, Luis Francisco. Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná; BrasilFil: Formentini, Marina Andresa. Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná; BrasilFil: Fanti, André Luis. Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná; BrasilFil: Schapovaloff, María Elena. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barzotto, Ionete. Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná; Brasi

Simulations of phytoplankton dynamics in El Gergal Reservoir, Southern Spain (PROTECH)

The Mediterranean region is characterised by a variable climate with most of the rain falling during the winter and frequent summer droughts. Such warm, dry periods are ideal for the growth of large algal blooms that often consist of potentially toxic Cyanobacteria. This makes the management of water for human use particularly challenging in such a climate and it is important to understand how such blooms can be avoided or at least be reduced in size. PROTECH (Phytoplankton RespOnses To Environmental CHange) is a model that simulates the dynamics of different species of phytoplankton populations in lakes and reservoirs. Its distinct advantage over similar models is its ability to simulate the relative composition of the algal flora, allowing both quantitative and qualitative conclusions to be drawn e.g. whether Cyanobacteria could be a potential problem. PROTECH has been applied primarily to lakes and reservoirs in northern Europe. Recently, however, the model has been applied to water bodies in lower latitudes, including Australia to a water supply reservoir in the south of Spain, El Gergal. El Gergal is the last in a chain of reservoirs that supply water to the city of Seville. It was brought into service in April 1979 and has a maximum storage volume of 35 000 000 m3. This article summarises the application of PROTECH in order to simulate the following problems: • the effect of a large influx of Ceratium biomass into El Gergal from another reservoir • the effect of using alternative water sources instead of the Guadalquivir River (used occasionally to raise water levels in El Gergal) • the effect of installing tertiary sewage treatment on the Cala River • the effect of simulated drought conditions on phytoplankton in the reservoir

Temporal and spatial variations in the quality of water in El Gergal Reservior, Seville, Spain

It is often difficult to define ‘water quality’ with any degree of precision. One approach is that suggested by Battarbee (1997) and is based on the extent to which individual lakes have changed compared with their natural ‘baseline’ status. Defining the base-line status of artificial lakes and reservoirs however, is, very difficult. In ecological terms, the definition of quality must include some consideration of their functional characteristics and the extent to which these characteristics are self-sustaining. The challenge of managing lakes in a sustainable way is particularly acute in semi-arid, Mediterranean countries. Here the quality of the water is strongly influenced by the unpredictability of the rainfall as well as year-to-year variations in the seasonal averages. Wise management requires profound knowledge of how these systems function. Thus a holistic approach must be adopted and the factors influencing the seasonal dynamics of the lakes quantified over a range of spatial and temporal scales. In this article, the authors describe some of the ways in which both long-term and short-term changes in the weather have influenced the seasonal and spatial dynamics of phytoplankton in El Gergal, a water supply reservoir situated in the south of Spain. The quality of the water stored in this reservoir is typically very good but surface blooms of algae commonly appear during warm, calm periods when the water level is low. El Gergal reservoir is managed by the Empresa Municipal de Abastecimiento y Saneamiento (EMASESA) and supplies water for domestic, commercial and industrial use to an area which includes the city of Seville and twelve of its surrounding towns (ca. 1.3 million inhabitants). El Gergal is the last of two reservoirs in a chain of four situated in the Rivera de Huelva basin, a tributary of the Guadalquivir river. It was commissioned by EMASESA in 1979 and since then the company has monitored its main limnological parameters on, at least, a monthly basis and used this information to improve the management of the reservoir. As a consequence of these intensive studies the physical, chemical and biological information acquired during this period makes the El Gergal database one of the most complete in Spain. In this article the authors focus on three ‘weather-related’ effects that have had a significant impact on the composition and distribution of phytoplankton in El Gergal: (i) the changes associated with severe droughts; (ii) the spatial variations produced by short-term changes in the weather; (iii) the impact of water transfers on the seasonal dynamics of the dinoflagellate Ceratium

POTENTIAL OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES FOR CONTROL OF THE ERVA-MATE PEST HEDYPATHES BETULINUS (KLUG, 1825) (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE)

The intensive exploitation of “erva mate” (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) (Aquifoliaceae) has favored the emergence of pests, including Hedypathes betulinus. We evaluated 18 isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes in the Steinernema and Heterorhabditis genera for control of H. betulinus adults, and tested nematode in-vivo replication capacity in Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae. We also evaluated the effect of adjuvants for foliar application, and the efficiency of nematode isolates selected in erva mate seedlings in the greenhouse via application to soil and plant shoots. The PI and CB40 isolates showed the hgh virulence (92.5% insect mortality by both). The PI isolate showed low productivity in G. mellonella larvae, thus only CB40 was used in subsequent tests. Only emulsified vegetable oil adjuvant was compatible with nematodes. Soil application of nematodes proved ineffective; however, shoot application on erva mate seedlings showed significant mortality (82.5%) after exposure to the CB40 isolate without adjuvant

Self-managed teams in the auto components industry: Construction of a theoretical model

The author would like to thank the human resource managers of the three manufacturing companies that were studied for their kind gestures and their supply of data concerning organizational structure and functioning.Purpose – The overall purpose of this paper is to explain theoretically the autonomy phenomenon of teams working within the auto manufacturing context and its implications for the technical and social aspects of group work. Design/methodology/approach – Three auto component companies were studied. The procedures of a qualitative methodology were followed, adopting naturalistic observation techniques of work teams, and unstructured and semi-structured interviews conducted with operators, supervisors and middle managers. To analyse and interpret the qualitative data obtained, the grounded theory technique was used. Findings – In this paper 33 concepts were obtained, which resulted from the constant comparative method applied to data. The relationships between those concepts allowed the construction of a theoretical model that is settled in the “bridge” concept. This “bridge” is a metaphor that translates the process which binds operational work group goals to the needs of external clients. This process is supported by social aspects – team decision making, participation, mutual helpfulness, and social and emotional relationships, and by technical aspects – operations and information. The bridge has four pillars that are critical to the effective functioning of self-directed teams: team facilitation, hierarchical relationships established within the teams, quality of manufactured components, and productivity achieved. Research limitations/implications – The present investigation was carried out in a specific industry, which does not allow for the generalization of the model to other industries. Furthermore, it may be questioned whether the same results be obtained if the operators of the teams observed were interviewed, not individually, but in a group situation. Other kinds of research design and other industries organized on the basis of autonomous work groups must be studied, applying the grounded theory technique, in order to compare diverse theoretical models. Practical implications – The organization of the industrial automotive production based on self-directed teams, which know the needs of external customers and to whom a high level of participation in operational decisions was given, can generate a substantial increase of working groups' efficiency and an increase in job satisfaction. Originality/value – The study of teams in the automotive components industry – in a southern country of Europe – and the consequent elaboration of a specific theoretical model draws attention to the need for social research that takes into account the fact that realities are constructed by the actors who interact in a certain context. No theoretical model can ever encompass the reality of all contexts

Growth, Inequality and Poverty: Some Empirical Evidence from Minas Gerais State, Brazil

This chapter is motivated by the fact that the Brazilian economy has one of the highest income inequality index in the world. According to Paes de Barros et al(2000), average income of the 10% richest people in Brazil is 28 times higher than the average income of the 40% poorest people. In Argentina, it is 10 times, 13 times in Costa Rica and 5 times in France. Brazilian growth did not benefit all classes and inequality is increasing since the 60´s. While the 10% richest people get 48% of total income, the 10% poorest people get 0,8% of total income. The inequality problem also arises in the Brazilian regional income analysis. Minas Gerais is a rich and dynamic state with 300.000 km2 divided into 10 different regions, 66 microregions and 853 towns. It is located in the Southeast developed part of the country and is responsible for 10% of Brazilian GDP. As the rest of Brazil, it has a dual economy with prosperity and poverty and social and economic heterogeneity. This chapter empirically analyses the economic growth and income inequality behavior in Minas Gerais towns and microregions from 1970 to 2000, using the income convergence hypothesis. Convergence tests such as Barro and Sala-i-Martin(1992), σ- convergence, Drennan & Lobo(1999) and Quah(1993) are performed. The role of human capital in growth is analysed for Minas Gerais 66 microregions. A comparison is also made between very rich regions and very poor regions of this state to see the relationship between regional inequality and poverty.