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1 – 10 of 35Gustavo Alves de Melo, Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Samuel Borges Barbosa, Maria Cristina Angélico Mendonça, Thiago Henrique Nogueira, José Baltazar Salgueirinho Osório de Andrade Guerra, Luiz Gonzaga de Castro Júnior, André Luiz Marques Serrano and Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira
The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of fuel flow processes in a network of eight gas stations, located in the mesoregion of Alto Paranaíba and Triângulo Mineiro.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of fuel flow processes in a network of eight gas stations, located in the mesoregion of Alto Paranaíba and Triângulo Mineiro.
Design/methodology/approach
Two multi-criteria decision support methods were applied, respectively, of a statistical and mathematical nature, namely, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The research method used was quantitative, with a brief complement of qualitative research, and descriptive in purpose, supported by the inductive method. The data collection stage took place with the support of interviews, with the application of a structured questionnaire, and non-probabilistic sampling, for convenience.
Findings
It was possible to verify that the gas station that stood out the most was station 2 (GS2), which achieved maximum efficiency, a fact that can be justified by the analysis resulting from the application of PCA, as for the product purchase variable (PP), the GS2 is the one that buys the most fuel, and is also the one with the largest storage capacity (C), and the highest volume of product sales (PS), which suggests signs of balance between supply and demand for this station, justifying its prominence.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the study were related to the DEA technique, which requires a number of variables/indicators three times smaller than the number of DMUs considered, and the difficulty in obtaining financial data on the DMUs analyzed. Considering the security and anonymity of the gas station network, it was not possible to use this data.
Practical implications
The performance assessment of fuel flow processes carried out in this study promotes the efficient use of available resources as well as identifying efficient DMUs that represent benchmarks for improving management processes and performance of inefficient DMUs.
Social implications
From a social perspective, this study promotes the improvement of the quality of flow processes and effective management of the fuel supply chain, ensuring the safe storage and transportation of fuels to customer supply. Performance management in this sector moves other sectors of the economy, since an efficient unit represents a balance between supply and demand, and consequently, boosts the regional economy, promoting economic growth of the population. Hiring qualified labor for this purpose also represents one of the implications of the study. From an environmental perspective, optimizing flow processes generates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and encourages the formulation of public policies aimed at consolidating sustainable practices.
Originality/value
Performance management applied to the context of the fuel supply chain is a relevant topic that has been little explored in scientific research, with a low level of information detail. This study using the inductive method allows the generalization and replication of this management pattern in other organizations in the sector in order to increase the efficiency of the fuel distribution system, with the perspective of maximizing outputs and reducing input consumption. In this aspect, the study introduces possibilities for advancement in social and environmental perspectives based on the effective management of fuel logistics.
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Jhon James Mora and Andres David Espada Castro
This article analyzes the determinants of credit constraints and their effects on the productivity of micro-firms in Colombia.
Abstract
Purpose
This article analyzes the determinants of credit constraints and their effects on the productivity of micro-firms in Colombia.
Design/methodology/approach
An Endogenous Switching Regression Model (ESRM) is estimated to analyze credit constraint impact on economic performance.
Findings
The results show that owner characteristics such as age and gender decrease the likelihood of being constrained. Firms' characteristics, such as legal status, the formality of the employees, commercial property and savings, are important for reducing credit constraints.
Originality/value
This article discusses how formal credit restrictions harm the economic performance of Colombia's micro-firms. The results show that the productivity of the micro firms in Colombia could increase, on average, by U$ 825 USD when all types of restrictions are eliminated.
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Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez
The purpose of the article is to show the regime of truth in the institutional commissions that have the objective of restoring history by establishing a democratic, equitable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the article is to show the regime of truth in the institutional commissions that have the objective of restoring history by establishing a democratic, equitable, comprehensive, inclusive and fair criterion against the attempts of re-victimization and suppression of memory that Western political and cultural traditions have installed through their mechanisms of power.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the analysis of the cases of Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú, they establish the material conditions from which prejudices and hegemonic stereotypes are intertwined to reproduce serious violations of human rights in democratic political and epistemic frameworks. The colonial function of the truth commissions in Mexico is analyzed, which are presented as mechanisms for social development, political and colonial reproduction of liberal democracy.
Findings
The qualitative results allow considering the way in which the different truth commissions in Mexico have been strongly linked to epistemic mechanisms in which truth and justice favor the reproduction of established relationships based on race, social class and gender. Especially in the so-called democratic transition, violence, truth and justice come together to highlight power relations in situations that have been disavowed by the intelligentsia.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of the research are found in the historical configuration of the truth commissions in Mexico. The data, references and assessments are crossed by the initial function of the truth commissions and the establishment of apparatuses and mechanisms based on transitional justice. Based on this, it can be considered a methodological oversight to shift the analysis of truth commissions toward a critical assessment of the truth as a regime of government and hegemonic and colonization criteria from two very specific cases.
Originality/value
The originality of the work is found in the critical discernment of truth as a political category and the coloniality of power.
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Kwadwo Asante, Petr Novak and Michael Adu Kwarteng
Environmental sustainability orientation has emerged to drive firms into eco-friendly production. Yet, the consequence of this new strategic thinking on firms’ green innovations…
Abstract
Environmental sustainability orientation has emerged to drive firms into eco-friendly production. Yet, the consequence of this new strategic thinking on firms’ green innovations, especially small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), remains unresolved. Recognizing that the connection between environmental sustainability orientation and green innovation may not always be direct, the study theorizes that dynamic capability and entrepreneurial orientation may form part of the boundary conditions that strengthen its effect on small enterprises’ green innovation. The study adjoins the dynamic capability theory with the entrepreneurial orientation theory to test this relationship among small businesses within a developing economy. Results from the partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) suggest that environmental sustainability orientation will result in green innovation when the SME’s dynamic capability can develop a creative reconfiguration of knowledge and new distinctive resources to support this new strategic direction. Similarly, findings from the study suggest that environmental sustainability orientation will translate into better green innovation outcomes when the SME entrepreneurial orientation has a solid attraction to protect the ecosystem and does not perceive green innovation as a risky enterprise.
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Maria Gabriela Mendonça Peixoto, Gustavo Alves de Melo, Maria Cristina Angélico Mendonça, Marcel Andreotti Musetti, André Luiz Marques Serrano, Lucas Oliveira Gomes Ferreira and Clovis Neumann
This paper aims to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contextualize the process of public hospital providing services, based on the measurement of the performance of Federal University Hospitals (HUFs) of Brazil, using the technique of multivariate statistics of principal component analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This research presented a descriptive and quantitative character, as well as exploratory purpose and followed the inductive logic, being empirically structured in two stages, that is, the application of principal component analysis (PCA) in four healthcare performance dimensions; subsequently, the full reapplication of principal component analysis in the most highly correlated variables, in module, with the first three main components (PC1, PC2 and PC3).
Findings
From the principal component analysis, considering mainly the component I, with twice the explanatory power of the second (PC2) and third components (PC3), it was possible to evidence the efficient or inefficient behavior of the HUFs evaluated, through the production of medical residency, by specialty area. Finally, it was observed the formation of two groups composed of seven and eight hospitals, that is, Groups II and IV, which shows that these groups reflect similarities, with respect to the scores and importance of the variables for both hospitals’ groups.
Research limitations/implications
Among the main limitations, it was observed incomplete data for some HUFs, which made it impossible to search for information to explain and better contextualize certain aspects. More specifically, a limited number of hospitals with complete information was dealt with for 60% of SIMEC/REHUF performance indicators.
Practical implications
The use of PCA multivariate technique was of great contribution to the contextualization of the performance and productivity of homogeneous and autonomous units, represented by the hospitals. It was possible to generate a high quantity of information, to contribute with assumptions to complement the decision-making processes in these organizations.
Social implications
Development of public policies, with emphasis on hospitals linked to teaching centers represented by university hospitals. The projection of improvements in the reach of the efficiency of the services of assistance to the public health, from the qualified formation of professionals, both to academy, as to clinical practice.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper for the scenarios, Brazilian public health sector and academic area involved the application of a consolidated performance analysis technique, that is, PCA, obtaining a rich work in relation to the extensive exploitation of techniques to support decision-making processes. In addition, the sequence and the way in which the content, formed by object of study and techniques, has been organized, generating a particular scenario for the measurement of performance in hospital organizations.
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Abstract
This chapter discusses the control of women's bodies and minds through the daily practices of menstrual control apps. Based on Michel Foucault's concepts (2003, 2006, 2013), the research is based on women's relationship with their own bodies. Still, it is wider than the body per se since the central theme is the construction of subjectivities. This paper embraces power modalities and explores disciplinary and discursive practices and regimes of truth, biopower, biopolitics and governance. The paper frames the fundamental points of Michel Foucault's analysis of power and how they are associated with strategies used for menstrual tracking apps. It looks at how apps act on the subjectivity of being a woman, shaping ways of thinking and acting. It looks at how disciplinary practices, knowledge–power and surveillance, as Foucault tells us, relate to themselves and medicine. The text highlights that monitoring data and corporate surveillance by menstrual apps poses unprecedented challenges to feminist politics. Therefore, we argue that the technology of menstrual tracking apps acts subtly and uninterruptedly to docilise female bodies and make them useful. Trying to find new paths and solutions from a feminist and critical perspective, we offer suggestions for further research on the topic, disregarding liberal approaches which rely on media literacy exclusively rather than a holistic comprehension of technology and women's rights.
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Andrés Felipe Astaíza Martínez and Gina Alexandra Rojas León
Researchers from different disciplines have advocated for the incorporation of Systems Thinking in higher education in various fields such as environmental studies, engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
Researchers from different disciplines have advocated for the incorporation of Systems Thinking in higher education in various fields such as environmental studies, engineering, economics and management. Nevertheless, educational experiences that seek to integrate the systems approach and citizenship education are not numerous and have not been sufficiently documented. This research paper presents classroom research aimed at understanding how Systems Thinking and citizenship education are articulated within a general education course.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was designed using Grounded Theory within an exploratory-descriptive approach. To collect data, the following techniques were used: participant observation, focus group and documentary analysis. The data analysis was carried out through the constant comparative method in its open, axial, selective and theoretical contrast coding phases.
Findings
The data analysis highlights the potential of Systems Thinking within the context of Citizenship Education as a comprehensive set of cognitive, affective and methodological tools. Moreover, it sheds light on the pedagogical practices, the teaching strategies and the type of socioemotional interactions in the classroom that are key elements in promoting citizenship attitudes, ideas and behaviors.
Originality/value
The research underscores the importance of a systemic vision of education that explicitly incorporates social-emotional learning and experiences of citizen participation beyond the classroom where students can build new knowledge from first-hand interactions with processes of social transformation.
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André Pedrosa, Filomena Martins, Zélia Breda, Rubén Lois González and António Pedro Costa
This study aims to identify Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for tourism route development and proposes a tailored conceptual model. It addresses a comprehensive range of tourism…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for tourism route development and proposes a tailored conceptual model. It addresses a comprehensive range of tourism routes, considering their respective goals and performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors applied a qualitative approach to investigate five tourism routes, interviewing 31 current and former members and examining secondary data from organisational documents. A conceptual model was developed through content analysis of transcripts and secondary data.
Findings
Based on the identified CSFs, the model is organised into six components: Product, Goals, Resources, Governance, Activities and Performance assessment.
Research limitations/implications
The study analyses various tourism routes concerning their products, implementation levels, goals, performance and perceived success.
Practical implications
Most respondents are public authorities from European countries. Besides, consideration should be given to developing quantitative research to validate the derived theory.
Social implications
The model may facilitate participants in enhancing and developing tourism routes, thereby contributing to achieving sustainable development goals related to rural-urban connections and tourism partnerships.
Originality/value
The development of tourism routes is expected to impact socio-economic development in rural/peripheral areas positively.
目的
本研究旨在确定旅游线路开发的关键成功因素 (CSFs), 并提出量身定制的概念模型。本文提出了一系列旅游线路, 考虑了各自的目标和绩效。
设计/方法论/方法
我们采用定性方法探究了五条旅游线路, 采访了 31 名现任和前任成员, 并检查了组织文件中的二手数据。通过对记录和二手数据的内容分析, 开发了一个概念模型。
发现
根据识别的关键成功要素, 该模型分为六个部分:产品、目标、资源、治理、活动和绩效评估。
研究局限性/影响
本研究分析了各种旅游线路的产品、实施水平、目标、绩效和感知成功。
实际影响
大多数受访者是来自欧洲国家的公共当局。此外, 还应考虑开展定量研究来验证所得出的理论。
社会启示
该模型可帮助参与者改善和发展旅游路线, 从而有助于实现与城乡联系和旅游伙伴关系相关的可持续发展目标。
原创性/价值
旅游路线的发展预计将对农村/边缘地区的社会经济发展产生积极影响。
Propósito
Esta investigación se centra en diversas tipologías de rutas turísticas, buscando identificar Factores Críticos de Éxito (FCE) y proporcionar un modelo conceptual adaptado.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Aplicamos un enfoque cualitativo para investigar cinco rutas turísticas. Entrevistamos a 31 miembros y examinamos datos secundarios de documentos organizativos. Se desarrolló un modelo conceptual mediante el análisis de contenido de transcripciones y datos secundarios.
Resultados
Basado en los FCE identificados, el modelo está organizado en seis componentes: Producto, Objetivos, Recursos, Gobernanza, Actividades y Evaluación del desempeño.
Originalidad
El estudio analiza diversas rutas turísticas en relación con sus productos, ubicaciones y nivel de implementación, así como los objetivos, rendimiento y éxitos percibidos de los involucrados.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
La mayoría de los encuestados son autoridades públicas de países europeos. Se debe considerar el desarrollo de investigaciones cuantitativas para validar la teoría derivada de este estudio.
Implicaciones prácticas
El modelo puede potencialmente ayudar a los participantes a mejorar y desarrollar rutas turísticas, contribuyendo así a lograr los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible relacionados con las conexiones rural-urbanas y las asociaciones turísticas.
Implicaciones sociales
Se espera que el desarrollo de rutas turísticas tenga un impacto positivo en el desarrollo socioeconómico en áreas rurales/periféricas.
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Rosse Marie Esparza-Huamanchumo, Alessandra Valentina Quiroz-Celis and Andrés Alejandro Camacho-Sanz
eWOM is a very useful tool that is widely used nowadays to make a purchase decision. One of the sectors where this tool is very present is the gastronomic sector and Peru is no…
Abstract
Purpose
eWOM is a very useful tool that is widely used nowadays to make a purchase decision. One of the sectors where this tool is very present is the gastronomic sector and Peru is no stranger to this gastronomic take-off. As a part of this take-off, Nikkei or Peruvian-Japanese cuisine have gained plenty of attention through digital social platforms, with a significant number of users relying on eWOM to determine which is their best purchase option; nevertheless, there is a lack of local investigations that addresses a correlation between eWOM and purchase intention in this type of restaurants. With the last statement, this study aims to determine the influence of eWOM on the purchase intention of consumers of Nikkei restaurants in Lima, Peru.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative descriptive and causal explanatory research was conducted, using the Information Acceptance Model (IACM) to test the purpose of the study. A total of 385 surveys were obtained and processed in SmartPLS.
Findings
The results show that consumers of Nikkei restaurants in Metropolitan Lima are mostly guided by the eWOM that is on social media to make a purchase decision. In addition, information usefulness is the eWOM dimension that most influences purchase intention. Finally, it was found that the credibility of the eWOM does not influence the information usefulness, which could be due to the distrust of the sources and the anonymity of the eWOM.
Research limitations/implications
The present investigation identified that certain dimensions of the IACM does not influence their hypothesized counterparts, such as credibility and attitude towards information over information usefulness; circumstances that may conduct to other local studies based on the IACM applied to other type of restaurants to observe if there is some type of variation in the results obtained of both hypotheses.
Practical implications
From a practical point of view, the results obtained are valuable for social media marketers and generally digital marketing professionals, which by themselves provide a framework that assures a better understanding about the impact of eWOM in the purchase intention of Nikkei Restaurant consumers.
Social implications
As the potential for this research to impact society in visible ways, it identifies how current individuals in a certain time and location, tend to act towards information obtained in social media or specialised forums; as well as how the characteristics of this information could affect their final purchase decision.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first articles to study the influence of eWOM on purchase intention in the gastronomic sector in Peru, a country famous for its gastronomy. In this way, experts and professionals in this field will be able to generate knowledge of this tool, as well as generate strategies to improve sales of Nikkei restaurants and in general within the gastronomy industry in Peru.
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