Country-of-Origin Effect in International Trade

Due to the globalization tendency, the companies are faced with the situation of responding to identical or increasingly similar needs that evolve in the same direction on different markets. However, at the same time, within the new markets, the companies are confronted with the situation of their products’ rejection due to the fact that the physical or economic access of the consumers to the product, the purchasing behaviour, the consume characteristics and the manner in which consumers can dispose of the product, greatly depend on the culture of each country. This article presents the basic elements of the country-of-origin effect. First, it presents the characteristic of this effect. Secondly, it analyzes the forms in which the country-of-origin effect can have for different specialists or different fields of research. This effect can be called the “prism effect” for the global management, “the made-in principle” for marketing management or “country’s brand” for marketers. Thirdly, the present study analyzes the causes which determine the appearance of this effect. There can be social, economic, environmental, development causes but the most important factor of the country-of-origin effect represents the cultural issues. The fourth part consists of a personal analysis of the causes of the problem, and the fifth presents some ways to overcome a negative effect. In conclusion, we suggest that international companies must pay special attention in analyzing the prism effect of their products on the new market in order to adjust certain perceptions by an adequate marketing.country-of-origin effect, stereotype, international management

Numerical prediction and characterization of shock-buffet in transport aircraft

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are frequently used in the aerospace industry to help reduce development times by cutting down on the need of extensive windtunnel campaigns. However, although design-point aerodynamics are well predicted, edge of the envelope scenarios dominated by non-linear fluid phenomena can lead to uncertainties in the accuracy of the results produced. This work addresses the use of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) based simulations in the prediction of unsteady shock-buffet phenomenon. Three studies are conducted: a 2D validation study, a 3D validation study, and the pinnacle of this work which presents a novel shock-buffet prediction on an industrially-relevant aircraft confguration. Two dimensional shock-buffet predictions are presented as a confrmation of previous available knowledge. The dependency on turbulence modelling approaches is evident, with new results showing that the full Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) is a more appropriate closure to the RANS equations than other typically used eddy-viscosity-based models. However, this implies additional computational costs (due to increased number of equations solved), and inherited challenges associated with solver stability. RANS-based simulations are then applied to a 3D confguration: the NASA Common Research Model (CRM) wing-body test case. Complementary results to the AIAA CFD Drag Prediction Workshop are produced. Novel results, outside the Drag Prediction Workshop envelope, investigate the development and expansion of the shock-induced boundary layer separation on the NASA CRM wing, however the steady RANS approach fails to accurately predict this due to unsteady effects which are not accounted for. Unsteady simulations in the shock-buffet regime of the wing-body NASA CRM are then presented as the main novel contribution of this work. The complexity of the phenomenon is revealed by unsteady shock oscillations coupled with shock-induced separation and vortex shedding. The presence of shock-buffet cells is detected and helps understand shock dynamics. A frequency analysis reveals the presence of multiple peak frequencies. A qualitative comparison with experimental observation show similarity in the physics produced. Finally, to further investigate the shock-buffet phenomenon, the effects of changing the Reynolds number are presented. Through industrial relevance, the current work can lead to decision making in the development of the future generation of aircraft

Long-term consequences of bullying in schools

Treball Final de Grau en Psicologia. Codi: PS1048. Curs: 2020/2021En los últimos años parece haber un incremento en los datos respecto al acoso y ciberacoso escolar y más concretamente, respecto a las consecuencias para las personas implicadas (acosador, víctima y testigos). De entre esos estudios, destacar el realizado por la UNESCO (2019) que reveló que 1 de cada 3 estudiantes de todo el mundo declaró haber sufrido acoso en los últimos meses. Comprender estas consecuencias físicas, psicológicas y sociales a largo plazo, resulta imprescindible para entender el verdadero impacto para las víctimas de acoso escolar. Por ello, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio con 78 participantes aleatorios ( 40 que han sufrido acoso escolar y 38 que no lo han sufrido) con edades comprendidas entre los 20 y los 40 años. Se les ha evaluado ciertas variables socio-emocionales junto con otras como son el rendimiento durante su etapa escolar, su salud, el sentimiento de felicidad, o trastornos asociados, con el objetivo de comprender las diferencias psicosociales que se dan actualmente entre los participantes que han sufrido acoso durante su etapa escolar y los que no. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos, corroborando la hipótesis de que el grupo de personas que ha sufrido acoso en la escuela ha tenido peor rendimiento durante su etapa escolar y tienen actualmente más dificultades a la hora de entablar relaciones sociales y peores respuestas emocionales, con un mayor riesgo de suicidio frente a las personas que no han sufrido acoso escolar, que aunque también presentan ciertas complicaciones en algunas de las variables, en todos los casos se da en menor medida que el grupo acosado.In recent years there seems to be an increase in data regarding bullying and cyberbullying at school and more specifically, regarding the consequences for the people involved (bully, victim and witnesses). Among these studies, the one conducted by UNESCO (2019) stands out, since it proves that 1 in 3 students worldwide reported having suffered bullying in the last few months. Understanding these long-term physical, psychological and social consequences is essential to understand the true impact on the victims of bullying. Therefore, a study was conducted with 78 randomized participants (40 who had been bullied and 38 who had not) between the ages of 20 and 40. Certain socio-emotional variables were evaluated along with others, such as performance during their school years, health, feelings of happiness, or associated disorders. The aim was to understand the psychosocial differences that currently exist between participants who have suffered bullying during their school years and those who have not. The results show significant differences between the two groups, corroborating the hypothesis that the group of people who have been bullied at school have had worse performance during their school years. Additionally, they are having more difficulties in establishing social relationships, worse emotional responses, and a higher risk of suicide in comparison to people who have not been bullied, who although they might experience complications in some of the variables, in all cases it occurs to a lesser extent than the bullied group

Carbon Paste Electrodes Made from Different Carbonaceous Materials: Application in the Study of Antioxidants

This work describes the sensing properties of carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) prepared from three different types of carbonaceous materials: graphite, carbon microspheres and carbon nanotubes. The electrochemical responses towards antioxidants including vanillic acid, catechol, gallic acid, l-ascorbic acid and l-glutathione have been analyzed and compared. It has been demonstrated that the electrodes based on carbon microspheres show the best performances in terms of kinetics and stability, whereas G-CPEs presented the smallest detection limit for all the antioxidants analyzed. An array of electrodes has been constructed using the three types of electrodes. As demonstrated by means of Principal Component Analysis, the system is able to discriminate among antioxidants as a function of their chemical structure and reactivity