THE EUROPEAN AIRLINES TRANSFORMATION: HYPERCOMPETITIVE AND LONG TAIL EFFECTS

This paper focuses on technological and organizational levers as strategic determinants of innovation and transformation of airlines, considering the high rate of technological and organizational change (Barrett S., 2000) occurred in airlines market since 2004. The European airlines evolution will be especially examined on the basis of the hyper-competition phenomenon. European airlines industry appears as a paradox both from an organizational and a technological point of view. By an organizational perspective, classical competition theory (Porter 1979, 1980, 1985) opposes low cost and differentiation as two mutually exclusive “generic strategies”. Not choosing between these strategies dooms firms to “stuck in the middle”. However, this static model does not seem to explain the behaviour of firms in hyper-competitive (Volberda, 1999) and turbulence environments characterized by high and frequent changes. In airlines industry the coexistence of “low-cost” and “networks” airlines seems to be an illustration of Porter’s dualist model. If low cost and differentiation can coexist, does it mean that Porter’s duality is still valid in hyper-competition? We argue here that a close analysis shows that both types of companies practice cost reduction and differentiation. Moreover, there are some “hybrid airlines”, like Meridiana, that operate in the same time as low cost and network airlines. On technological standpoint, the main effect of the Internet channel is supposed to deliver more consumer surplus than cost reduction, according to the Long tail theory. An inclusive analysis of Internet performance into European airlines is usually perceived to be cost reduction and differentiation. Therefore, this paper suggests moving beyond the “airline paradox” in Europe

Gender mainstreaming active inclusion policies

The aim of this report therefore is to inform and help develop gender mainstreaming in active inclusion policies. In order to do this, the report at first reviews gender differences and inequalities in the risks of poverty and social exclusion and it provides a close look at the connections between active inclusion policies and gender equality strategies (Chapters 2 and 3). It then analyses examples of concrete gender mainstreaming in each of the three pillars of active inclusion, i.e. income support (Chapter 4), labour inclusion (Chapter 5) and access to services (Chapter 6). Under each heading, the report summarises available information on the actual policy developments and looks at the results of the policies in terms of gender equality. Finally, Chapter 7 draws some conclusions. The information in this report is mainly provided by the national experts of the EGGSI network of experts in gender equality, social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care and covers 30 European countries (the EU-27 Member States) and the three EEA–EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway)

IT Spin-Offs into the European Research Framework: An Innovative Configuration

In the current context, characterized by a sort of ‘open innovation’, spin-offs phenomenon represents an innovative approach to support technological knowledge transfer and innovation processes from research organizations to industrial world. Furthermore, spin-offs could be considered an innovative strategy to follow up the results obtained within collaborative R&D (Research and Development) projects. In view of these phenomena, this paper analyzes IT spin-offs created by European cooperative research projects, as an innovative strategy to follow up research outcomes. After providing a classification of the different spin-off configurations, the paper designs an innovative inter-organizational configuration of spin-offs coming from research activities. The LD-CAST case study, concerning an European research co-operative project in the fields of egovernment and transnational knowledge, close the work showing how the spin-off strategy may be used to exploit innovative interoperable e-business services

Age-associated modifications of intestinal permeability and innate immunity in human small intestine

The physical and immunological properties of the human intestinal epithelial barrier in aging are largely unknown. Ileal biopsies from young (7–12 years), adult (20–40 years) and aging (67–77 years) individuals not showing symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies were used to assess levels of inflammatory cytokines, barrier integrity and cytokine production in response to microbial challenges. Increased expression of interleukin (IL)-6, but not interferon (IFN)γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β was observed during aging; further analysis showed that cluster of differentiation (CD)11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) are one of the major sources of IL-6 in the aging gut and expressed higher levels of CD40. Up-regulated production of IL-6 was accompanied by increased expression of claudin-2 leading to reduced transepithelial electric resistance (TEER); TEER could be restored in in vitro and ex vivo cultures by neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody. In contrast, expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and junctional-adhesion molecule-A1 did not vary with age and overall permeability to macromolecules was not affected. Finally, cytokine production in response to different microbial stimuli was assessed in a polarized in vitro organ culture (IVOC). IL-8 production in response to flagellin declined progressively with age although the expression and distribution of toll-like receptor (TLR)-5 on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) remained unchanged. Also, flagellin-induced production of IL-6 was less pronounced in aging individuals. In contrast, TNF-α production in response to probiotics (VSL#3) did not decline with age; however, in our experimental model probiotics did not down-regulate the production of IL-6 and expression of claudin-2. These data suggested that aging affects properties of the intestinal barrier likely to impact on age-associated disturbances, both locally and systemically

The SNX-PX-BAR Family in Macropinocytosis: The Regulation of Macropinosome Formation by SNX-PX-BAR Proteins

Background: Macropinocytosis is an actin-driven endocytic process, whereby membrane ruffles fold back onto the plasma membrane to form large (> 0.2 mu m in diameter) endocytic organelles called macropinosomes. Relative to other endocytic pathways, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in macropinocytosis. Recently, members of the Sorting Nexin (SNX) family have been localized to the cell surface and early macropinosomes, and implicated in macropinosome formation. SNX-PX-BAR proteins form a subset of the SNX family and their lipid-binding (PX) and membrane-curvature sensing (BAR) domain architecture further implicates their functional involvement in macropinosome formation

Financing spin-off in open innovation contexts: a comparison between European and North American framework

Theoretical framework. The knowledge Transfer System in Europe and US. The Spin-off phenomenon. Innovative forms to finance innovation

Financing spin-off in open innovation contexts: a comparison between European and North American framework

Theoretical framework. The knowledge Transfer System in Europe and US. The Spin-off phenomenon. Innovative forms to finance innovation.Theoretical framework. The knowledge Transfer System in Europe and US. The Spin-off phenomenon. Innovative forms to finance innovation.LUISS PhD Thesi

Empowerment of Romani Women within the European Framework of National Roma Inclusion Strategies

This study focuses on the concept of empowerment of Romani women to analyse the existing living conditions of Romani women, interpret the national Roma inclusion strategy and to scrutinise good practices. The analysis shows that the present living conditions of Romani women in European Member States call for intervention. Romani women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming approaches have to be fostered in National Roma Inclusion Strategies

Country Report on Croatia. Empowerment of Romani Women within the European Framework of National Roma Inclusion Strategies

This study focuses on the concept of empowerment of Romani women to analyse the existing living conditions of Romani women, interpret the national Roma inclusion strategy, and to scrutinise good practices. The analysis shows that the present living conditions of Romani women in Croatia call for intervention and that the national Roma inclusion strategy has the potential to impact positively on the empowerment of Romani women. This is also confirmed by the discussion of some successfully implemented empowering measures