STVARANJE NEOPIPLJIVE KOCKE: PROCJENA RELEVANTNIH ORGANIZACIJSKIH DIMENZIJA NEMATERIJALNE IMOVINE

In 2012 we live in the Era of the Intangible. Organizations have to rely more on Intangible Assets (IAs) than on tangible ones to prosper and even to survive. However, there is a big confusion among scholars and practitioners regarding the analysis of IAs. This confusion appears, we believe, because IAs are currently being analysed in too many different perspectives. And honestly, we think we all lack broad and background perspective on all those analyses. The “Intangible Cube” we present provides precisely the background. The research question of this paper is: How many perspectives can we currently use in order to analyse the IAs (part 1 of the question), and how we can check if one perspective is more important than the other (part 2)? In this context, we define six dimensions which we believe can address IAs. Knowledge Management refers to IA and its consequences in the Knowledge cycle; Intellectual Capital refers to IAs as mainly knowledge-based economic value, divided into Human Capital, Relational Capital and Structural Capital; Human Resource Development refers to IAs as organizational learning; Economics deals with the micro and macroeconomic consequences of IAs and with the market of IAs; Social Policy refers to IAs investment considered as a commodity which have social benefits and which are managed by social operators; and finally Management and Accountancy, in which we address the quite old fashioned view according to which IAs are strategic resources that must be accounted for and valued for money. The remaining question is: do organizations value them equally? We define and justify the six perspectives (addressing the fi rst part of the question). We also outline some examples of questions which will form a questionnaire we expect to conduct in 2012/13. The outcomes will provide an insight in the interest of organizations in each perspective. Finally, we will compare the obtained position with the expected one, to address some key questions about why intangibles are still not widespread. We believe this paper addresses a new and decisive area in the field of intangible analysis, and of course in KM.U 2012. godini, živimo u Eri neopipljivog. Kako bi se razvijale i opstale, organizacije se sve više moraju oslanjati na nematerijalnu imovinu (NI) a sve manje na materijalnu. Međutim, postoji puno neslaganja oko analize nematerijalne imovine između znanstvenika i praktičara. Mišljenja smo da je uzrok neslaganja postojanje previše različitih perspektiva kroz koje se proučava nematerijalna imovina. Mišljenja smo da nam svima nedostaje pozadina svih tih analiza. “Neopipljiva kocka” koju predstavljamo predstavlja upravo pozadinu koja nedostaje. Pitanje koje istražujemo u ovom radu je: Koliko perspektiva možemo koristiti kako bi analizirali nematerijalnu imovinu (1. dio pitanja), te kako možemo provjeriti je li jedna perspektiva važnija od druge (2. dio)? U ovom kontekstu definiramo šest dimenzija za koje vjerujemo da mogu koristiti u analiziranju nematerijalne imovine. Upravljanje znanjem odnosi se na NI i njezine posljedice u ciklusu znanja; intelektualni kapital se odnosi na NI kao na ekonomsku vrijednost temeljenu na znanju, podijeljenu na ljudski kapital, relacijski kapital i strukturni kapital; razvoj ljudskih potencijala odnosi se na NI kao na organizacijsko učenje; ekonomija se bavi mikro i makroekonomskim posljedicama nematerijalne imovine i tržištem NI; socijalna politika se odnosi na ulaganje u NI kao u proizvod sa socijalnim koristima kojim upravljaju socijalni subjekti; te na kraju upravljanje i računovodstvo, sa staromodnim pogledom na NI u kojem je nematerijalna imovina strateški resurs s mjerljivom vrijednosti za novac. Ostaje pitanje koje glasi: vrednuju li ih organizacije na jednak način? Definiramo i objašnjavamo ovih šest perspektiva (baveći se prvim dijelom pitanja). Također dajemo primjere pitanja koji će se pojaviti u upitniku iz ankete koju planiramo provesti 2012./2013. Odgovori će dati uvid u interes organizacija za svaku perspektivu. Na kraju, usporedit ćemo dobivene rezultate s očekivanim, kako bismo se pozabavili ključnim pitanjem – zašto nematerijalna imovina još uvijek nije široko prisutna. Vjerujemo da se ovaj rad bavi novim područjem u području analize nematerijalne imovine, kao i u području upravljanja znanjem

Supply chain management as the key to a firm’s strategy in the global marketplace

Purpose: This research aims to analyze the intersection of two literature streams: that of strategy and supply chain management (SCM). This review should create a better understanding of “strategic SCM” by focusing on relevant theories in the strategic management field and their intersection with SCM to develop a joint research agenda. Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted a correspondence analysis on the content of 3,402 articles from the top SCM journals. This analysis provides a map of the intellectual structure of content in this field to date. The key trends and changes were identified in strategic SCM research from 1990-2014 as well as the intersection with the key schools of strategic management. Findings: The results suggest that SCM is key to a successful deployment of strategy for competing in the global marketplace. The main theoretical foundations for research in this field were identified and discussed. Gaps were detected and combinations of theoretical foundations of strategic management and SCM suggest four poles for future research: agents and focal firm; distributions and logistics strategic models; SCM competitive requirements; SCM relational governance. Research limitations/implications: Scholars in both the strategy and the SCM fields continue to search for competitive advantages. Much recent research indicates that strategic SCM can be a critical source for that advantage. One of the limitations of our research is that the analysis does not include every journal that published an article mentioning SCM. However, the 34 journals selected are reputed to be the most influential on SCM and focused primarily on SCM. Practical implications: The map of the intellectual structure of research to strategic SCM highlights the need to combine different theoretical approaches to the complex phenomenon of SCM. Practitioners should consider the supply chain as an informal organization and should devote time and resources to build a shared advantage across the supply chain. They should also consider the inherent benefits and risks that sharing Originality/value: The paper demonstrates that strategic SCM needs a balanced and rigorous combination of theoretical approaches to deliver more theory-driven evidences. Our research combines both a qualitative analysis and a quantitative methodology that summarizes gaps and then outlines future research from a large sample of articles. This methodology is an original contribution to this field and offers some assistance for enlarging the sample of future literature reviews

STVARANJE NEOPIPLJIVE KOCKE: PROCJENA RELEVANTNIH ORGANIZACIJSKIH DIMENZIJA NEMATERIJALNE IMOVINE

In 2012 we live in the Era of the Intangible. Organizations have to rely more on Intangible Assets (IAs) than on tangible ones to prosper and even to survive. However, there is a big confusion among scholars and practitioners regarding the analysis of IAs. This confusion appears, we believe, because IAs are currently being analysed in too many different perspectives. And honestly, we think we all lack broad and background perspective on all those analyses. The “Intangible Cube” we present provides precisely the background. The research question of this paper is: How many perspectives can we currently use in order to analyse the IAs (part 1 of the question), and how we can check if one perspective is more important than the other (part 2)? In this context, we define six dimensions which we believe can address IAs. Knowledge Management refers to IA and its consequences in the Knowledge cycle; Intellectual Capital refers to IAs as mainly knowledge-based economic value, divided into Human Capital, Relational Capital and Structural Capital; Human Resource Development refers to IAs as organizational learning; Economics deals with the micro and macroeconomic consequences of IAs and with the market of IAs; Social Policy refers to IAs investment considered as a commodity which have social benefits and which are managed by social operators; and finally Management and Accountancy, in which we address the quite old fashioned view according to which IAs are strategic resources that must be accounted for and valued for money. The remaining question is: do organizations value them equally? We define and justify the six perspectives (addressing the fi rst part of the question). We also outline some examples of questions which will form a questionnaire we expect to conduct in 2012/13. The outcomes will provide an insight in the interest of organizations in each perspective. Finally, we will compare the obtained position with the expected one, to address some key questions about why intangibles are still not widespread. We believe this paper addresses a new and decisive area in the field of intangible analysis, and of course in KM.U 2012. godini, živimo u Eri neopipljivog. Kako bi se razvijale i opstale, organizacije se sve više moraju oslanjati na nematerijalnu imovinu (NI) a sve manje na materijalnu. Međutim, postoji puno neslaganja oko analize nematerijalne imovine između znanstvenika i praktičara. Mišljenja smo da je uzrok neslaganja postojanje previše različitih perspektiva kroz koje se proučava nematerijalna imovina. Mišljenja smo da nam svima nedostaje pozadina svih tih analiza. “Neopipljiva kocka” koju predstavljamo predstavlja upravo pozadinu koja nedostaje. Pitanje koje istražujemo u ovom radu je: Koliko perspektiva možemo koristiti kako bi analizirali nematerijalnu imovinu (1. dio pitanja), te kako možemo provjeriti je li jedna perspektiva važnija od druge (2. dio)? U ovom kontekstu definiramo šest dimenzija za koje vjerujemo da mogu koristiti u analiziranju nematerijalne imovine. Upravljanje znanjem odnosi se na NI i njezine posljedice u ciklusu znanja; intelektualni kapital se odnosi na NI kao na ekonomsku vrijednost temeljenu na znanju, podijeljenu na ljudski kapital, relacijski kapital i strukturni kapital; razvoj ljudskih potencijala odnosi se na NI kao na organizacijsko učenje; ekonomija se bavi mikro i makroekonomskim posljedicama nematerijalne imovine i tržištem NI; socijalna politika se odnosi na ulaganje u NI kao u proizvod sa socijalnim koristima kojim upravljaju socijalni subjekti; te na kraju upravljanje i računovodstvo, sa staromodnim pogledom na NI u kojem je nematerijalna imovina strateški resurs s mjerljivom vrijednosti za novac. Ostaje pitanje koje glasi: vrednuju li ih organizacije na jednak način? Definiramo i objašnjavamo ovih šest perspektiva (baveći se prvim dijelom pitanja). Također dajemo primjere pitanja koji će se pojaviti u upitniku iz ankete koju planiramo provesti 2012./2013. Odgovori će dati uvid u interes organizacija za svaku perspektivu. Na kraju, usporedit ćemo dobivene rezultate s očekivanim, kako bismo se pozabavili ključnim pitanjem – zašto nematerijalna imovina još uvijek nije široko prisutna. Vjerujemo da se ovaj rad bavi novim područjem u području analize nematerijalne imovine, kao i u području upravljanja znanjem

Potencial de integração de energia solar térmica de concentração em processos de secagem de resíduos

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMO: A consciencialização dos problemas resultantes das atividades económicas relacionadas com a gestão de resíduos nas regiões transfronteiriças da Andaluzia-Algarve-Alentejo (AAA), conduziu ao desenvolvimento do projeto SECASOL. Este projeto de cooperação visa a integração de energia solar térmica de concentração (ESTC) nos processos de secagem de lamas de depuração de águas residuais (ETAR) e de resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU). Foi avaliada a integração da energia solar de concentração em processos de secagem, através da identificação das principais soluções técnicas e tipologias de secagem de resíduos e caracterização dos processos tecnológicos com influência nos requisitos de valorização do produto final. Através da estimativa dos valores anuais para GHI e DNI nas principais instalações de tratamento de RSU e águas residuais do Algarve e Andaluzia, utilizou-se um modelo simplificado para estimativa do potencial de utilização da energia solar em dois processos de secagem de interesse – materiais CDR de RSU e lamas de depuração de ETAR- em termos de quantidade de matéria processada por unidade de área de captação de energia solar.ABSTRACT: Awareness of the problems resulting from economic activities related to waste management in the cross-border regions of Andalusia-Algarve-Alentejo (AAA) led to the development of the SECASOL project. This AAA cooperation project pointing to the integration of concentration solar thermal (CST) in the sludge drying processes for wastewater treatment (WWT) and RDF of solid urban waste (MSW). CST integration in the drying processes was evaluated through the identification of the main technical solutions and types of waste drying and related technological processes on the requirements for by-product valorization. Acknowledgment of the annual values for GHI and DNI at the main MSW and WWT facilities in the Algarve and Andalusia region´s had led to a simplified model used to estimate the potential use of solar energy in two drying processes of interest – RDF materials from MSW and sewage sludge from WWT - in terms of the amount of processed product per unit of solar energy capture area.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Landscape - wildfire interactions in southern Europe: implications for landscape management

ReviewEvery year approximately half a million hectares of land are burned by wildfires in southern Europe, causing large ecological and socio-economic impacts. Climate and land use changes in the last decades have increased fire risk and danger. In this paper we review the available scientific knowledge on the relationships between landscape and wildfires in the Mediterranean region, with a focus on its application for defining landscape management guidelines and policies that could be adopted in order to promote landscapes with lower fire hazard. The main findings are that (1) socio-economic drivers have favoured land cover changes contributing to increasing fire hazard in the last decades, (2) large wildfires are becoming more frequent, (3) increased fire frequency is promoting homogeneous landscapes covered by fire-prone shrublands; (4) landscape planning to reduce fuel loads may be successful only if fire weather conditions are not extreme. The challenges to address these problems and the policy and landscape management responses that should be adopted are discussed, along with major knowledge gapsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Culture and innovation in SMEs: the intellectual structure of research for further inquiry

Regional and organizational cultures are commonly considered key enablers to innovation dynamics in organizations, in particular to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Although this intersection is a crucial topic of research, studies addressing this issue remain limited in number and scope in the case of SMEs. In this article, a systematic literature review of that intersection is presented by gathering articles from ISI-WoS and Scopus databases. It combines a qualitative approach (content analysis) and a statistical procedure (HOMALS) to analyse the information from 1947 articles found. As a result, the contribution is twofold: a map of the intellectual structure of research and a codebook of descriptors. The study helps identify relevant gaps for future research, specifically the need for mixed approaches from a variety of social sciences with a particular focus on regional science. Future research should shift from a static to a dynamic perspective of culture in groups, organizations and territories. In the case of SMEs, this can be labelled as transformational culture: the study of how organizational and regional cultures may co-evolve along with the changes in the environment by seizing on the SMEs' flexibility and flattened organizational structure.FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) [UID/SOC/04020/2013]FCT - POCH [SFRH/BPD/84038/2012]European Social FundMinistry of Science, Technology and Higher Educationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio