Is Sustainability Compatible with Profitability? An Empirical Analysis on Family Farming Activity

Sustainability is a social concern and a new strategic factor for productive and economic viability. Nevertheless, research on this subject in a holistic approach is limited, and even to a lesser extent when dealing with family farms. This paper analyzes the impact of different aspects of sustainability (socio-economic characteristics, environmentally respectful practices, and innovation) on profitability. The data collection instruments include a survey questionnaire on farming in Almería, a province in Southeast Spain, and the methodology followed involves a two-step regression model. The main results show how several socio-economic and environmental-innovation features of family farms have positive effects on their economic performance. Among others, profitability increases when there are better educated and younger family farm decision-makers; the farm is specialized and supported by more efficient cooperatives: and, particularly, when the family farm displays greater concern for environmental practices and better disposition towards agroecological innovation

ECODISEÑO PARA CONSUMIDORES SOCIALMENTE RESPONSABLES

Los millennial son una generación que ha causado revuelo debido a su capacidad para romper paradigmas sociales, laborales y familiares. Han sido objeto de múltiples estudios a nivel mundial, éstos los perilan como consumidores responsables y protectores del medio ambiente. Sin embargo, un grupo tan amplio de la población presenta características particulares debido a la cultura. Es entonces importante analizarlos como consumidores de productos de diseño. El objetivo es identiicar el estilo de vida de los hombres millennial de Medellín y su relación con la moda y los productos ecológicos.La moda es la segunda industria más contaminante, es imperativo analizar las opciones y entender el sentir del consumidor para proyectarse en el mercado. La metodología es cualitativa: 15 entrevistas a profundidad y un posterior análisis de frases clave (verbátims). De acuerdo con los hallazgos, se realizó un producto de moda pensado para los millennials de la ciudad de Medellín

Millennials en Medellín, en búsqueda de la diferenciación empresarial en el sector moda

Los millennials han roto paradigmas de la sociedad tradicional y serán el 75% de la fuerza laboral mundial (Deloitte 2017), es decir, tendrán el poder adquisitivo para los bienes y servicios del mercado y es necesario analizarlos como clientes potenciales de múltiples industrias. Objetivo: caracterizar a los hombres millennial de la ciudad de Medellín como base para la diferenciación empresarial y el aprovechamiento de las oportunidades de mercado del sector moda. Metodología: 1. Búsqueda de información. 2. Realización de 15 entrevistas a profundidad a hombres millennial de Medellín. 3. Identificación de comportamientos e intereses. Resultado: Este público siente el llamado a proteger el medio ambiente a través del consumo responsable, pero traiciona esta visión por factores como precio y diseño. Su red social favorita es Instagram. No les importa en qué país fue hecha su ropa

Millennials en Medellín, en búsqueda de la diferenciación empresarial en el sector moda

Los millennials han roto paradigmas de la sociedad tradicional y serán el 75% de la fuerza laboral mundial (Deloitte 2017), es decir, tendrán el poder adquisitivo para los bienes y servicios del mercado y es necesario analizarlos como clientes potenciales de múltiples industrias. Objetivo: caracterizar a los hombres millennial de la ciudad de Medellín como base para la diferenciación empresarial y el aprovechamiento de las oportunidades de mercado del sector moda. Metodología: 1. Búsqueda de información. 2. Realización de 15 entrevistas a profundidad a hombres millennial de Medellín. 3. Identificación de comportamientos e intereses. Resultado: Este público siente el llamado a proteger el medio ambiente a través del consumo responsable, pero traiciona esta visión por factores como precio y diseño. Su red social favorita es Instagram. No les importa en qué país fue hecha su ropa

Determinants of Food Safety Level in Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers’ Supply Chain: Evidence from Spain and France

Food safety management in short supply chains of fruit and vegetables, controlled by large retailers, has been widely studied in the literature. However, when it comes to traditional long supply chains, which include a greater number of intermediaries and wholesalers who, in some cases, play a dual role as resellers and producers, the mechanisms which promote the use of safety certifications have yet to be clearly defined. The present study intended to fill this gap in the literature and shed light on the food safety level that exists in this channel. In addition, this work attempted to identify the existence of differences between both sales systems. For this purpose, the empirical research studied the most important variables that influence the food safety level of some of the main European fruit and vegetable wholesalers. A survey was thus designed and later applied to Spanish and French intermediaries working in key wholesale markets and in the southeast of Spain, which is the leading commercialization area of these products in Europe. The results revealed the positive influence of specific customers (big retailers) on establishing stricter safety controls within wholesale companies. It was also observed that specific wholesalers also play an important role in the system, namely those dedicated to importing, but which are also responsible for quality and safety inspection of agri-food products exported from third countries into the European Union

Caracterización y análisis de las variables locativas, ambientales y de salud ocupacional en joyería

Jewelry processes are of contaminating nature because of their raw materials and supplies between other factors which do people are exposed to several risks. That is why, it is necessary to characterize the working conditions of jewelrier from Valle de Aburrá. It will allow to assess the problem’s magnitude and take relevant corrective decisions. Doing the searching of the information, an environment observation form and a survey were designed, which were fulfilled by the researching team in each visited workshop. In general, the workshops found in Valle de Aburrá do not obey the rules that indicate and regulate the proper construction material, the ventilation, and the waste manage (liquid and solid ones), and the use of personal protection elements. In order to divulge results and make public the rules, the reserching team did two actions: 1. A good practices manual applied to complex jewelry processes like refining valuable metals was done. 2. A symposium in which the jewelry industry, instructors, and apprentices were invited. In this symposium were public the results of the Project, there were some specialized lectures and the good practices manual in its digital and paper version, was given to each participant.Los procesos de joyería son de naturaleza contaminante debido a sus materias primas, insumos, entre otros factores que hacen que las personas se vean expuestas a diversos riesgos. Por esto, es necesario caracterizar las condiciones de trabajo de los joyeros del Valle de Aburrá, lo cual permitirá evaluar la magnitud del problema y tomar las acciones correctivas pertinentes. Para hacer el levantamiento de esta información, se diseñó un formato de observación de entorno y otro de encuesta, los cuales fueron diligenciados por el equipo investigador en cada uno de los talleres visitados. En términos generales se encontró que los talleres del Valle de Aburrá no cumplen con las normas que indican y regulan los materiales de construcción adecuados, la ventilación, la disposición de los residuos (sólidos y líquidos) y el uso de los elementos de protección personal. Con el fin de divulgar estos resultados y dar a conocer la norma el equipo investigador realizó dos acciones: 1. Se diseñó un manual de buenas prácticas aplicables a joyería, donde se incluyeron las normas y la correcta realización de procesos complejos como el de refinación de metales preciosos. 2. Se realizó un Simposio al que se invitó a la industria joyera, a instructores y a aprendices, en él se divulgaron los resultados del proyecto, se realizó un ciclo de conferencias especializadas y se entregó, a cada uno de los asistentes, el manual de buenas prácticas en su versión digital e impresa

Circularidad: una nueva forma de pensar, una nueva forma de diseñar. Estudio de caso en el sector moda

Como respuesta a los desafíos de la producción sostenible y eficiente, muchas empresas han adoptado la práctica del ecodiseño como una innovación tecnológic

Involvement of astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease from a neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress perspective

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a frequent and devastating neurodegenerative disease in humans, but still no curative treatment has been developed. Although many explicative theories have been proposed, precise pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. Due to the importance of astrocytes in brain homeostasis they have become interesting targets for the study of AD. Changes in astrocyte function have been observed in brains from individuals with AD, as well as in AD in vitro and in vivo animal models. The presence of amyloid beta (A?) has been shown to disrupt gliotransmission, neurotransmitter uptake, and alter calcium signaling in astrocytes. Furthermore, astrocytes express apolipoprotein E and are involved in the production, degradation and removal of A?. As well, changes in astrocytes that precede other pathological characteristics observed in AD, point to an early contribution of astroglia in this disease. Astrocytes participate in the inflammatory/immune responses of the central nervous system. The presence of A? activates different cell receptors and intracellular signaling pathways, mainly the advanced glycation end products receptor/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-?B) pathway, responsible for the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in astrocytes. The release of these pro-inflammatory agents may induce cellular damage or even stimulate the production of A? in astrocytes. Additionally, A? induces the appearance of oxidative stress (OS) and production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in astrocytes, affecting among others, intracellular calcium levels, NADPH oxidase (NOX), NF-?B signaling, glutamate uptake (increasing the risk of excitotoxicity) and mitochondrial function. Excessive neuroinflammation and OS are observed in AD, and astrocytes seem to be involved in both. The A?/NF-?B interaction in astrocytes may play a central role in these inflammatory and OS changes present in AD. In this paper, we also discuss therapeutic measures highlighting the importance of astrocytes in AD pathology. Several new therapeutic approaches involving phenols (curcumin), phytoestrogens (genistein), neuroesteroids and other natural phytochemicals have been explored in astrocytes, obtaining some promising results regarding cognitive improvements and attenuation of neuroinflammation. Novel strategies comprising astrocytes and aimed to reduce OS in AD have also been proposed. These include estrogen receptor agonists (pelargonidin), Bambusae concretio Salicea, Monascin, and various antioxidatives such as resveratrol, tocotrienol, anthocyanins, and epicatechin, showing beneficial effects in AD models. © 2017 González-Reyes, Nava-Mesa, Vargas-Sánchez, Ariza-Salamanca and Mora-Muñoz

Diseño de moda con integración digital

Con la implementación de tecnología en diversas industrias y la rápida apropiación por parte de los usuarios, más aún debido al Covid-19, el mundo de la producción y del consumo se está transformado. La industria de la moda no puede ser ajena a este fenómeno, hoy la demanda exige nuevos modelos de negocio y propuestas capaces de sorprender a los usuarios. El objetivo del proyecto es diseñar una metodología de cocreación con herramientas de prototipado digital para el desarrollo de una colección virtual

Response of Fresh Food Suppliers to Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Large European Retailers

This article analyses new supply chain management (SCM) strategies of the largest retail distribution chains in Europe within the context of differing sustainability concepts and approaches. An analysis is carried out of the strategic plans of such retailers, as well as recent developments in the sector. We begin by identifying the priority actions of retailers and then evaluating, by means of a survey, how small horticultural marketing firms (mainly cooperatives) in southeast Spain respond to the needs of these retailers. Subsequently, an analysis is carried out on these small marketing firm exporters to identify the relative weight which they assign to the variables assessed, while also considering the existing relationships between said weighted variables and business profits. Our results show that retailers tend to establish more simplified supply chains (that is, shorter and more vertical), essentially demonstrating their interpretation of a sustainable supply chain. In contrast, horticultural marketing firms have concentrated more on tactical and operational issues, thereby neglecting environmental, social and logistics management. Thus, their success rate in meeting the sustainability demands of their customers can be considered medium-low, requiring a more proactive attitude. Improved and collaborative relations, and the integration of sustainability concepts between suppliers (marketing firms) and their clients could contribute to successfully meeting sustainability demands. From the point of view of the consumer, close supplier–retail relationships have solved food safety issues, but the implementation of sustainability in other supply chain activities and processes is a pending issue. We propose strategic approximation and collaboration to bridge the gap between the varying sustainability demands in the supplier–retail relationship within perishable supply chains. Although this article specifically addresses fresh vegetable supply chains, the results may be extrapolated to other agri-food chains with a similar structure