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Most barriers and enablers of sustainable projects are related to procurement. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for evaluating green procurement practices throughout the lifecycle of road construction projects and demonstrates its application through an Australian case study.

The study is based on linking the phases of road construction with incentive mechanisms for proactively motivating behavioural change. A holistic view on utilised and potential incentives is attempted with a literature review and a state-of-practice review. The latter is based on interviews and 90 policy and procurement documents across five Australian states.

An evaluation framework with seven procurement stages is suggested to describe current state green procurement incentives throughout the delivery lifecycle of road construction projects. The Australian case study was found to provide useful data to identify gaps and strong points of the different states regarding their level of integration of sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction elements in their procurement practices. This understanding was used to draw recommendations on future advancement of green procurement.

Government entities across the globe can impact considerably the achievement of sustainability and GHG targets, by using their procurement practices and requirements to create incentives for contractors and suppliers to engage in more GHG conscious practices. The present study provides a systematic account of how green procurement practices can be underpinned using the Australian road construction industry as a case study, and distinguish between strong and weak links in the green procurement chain to draw recommendations for future initiatives.

The growing displacement of theory and other forms of wide-ranging knowledge of social phenomena by empirical research methods in economics is widely noted by economists and historians of economic knowledge. Less attention has been devoted, however, to understand the materialization of such changes in the scientific practices. This article studies the recent transformations in the epistemological practices at CEDE, a research center in Colombia. I use a machine learning technique called Topic Modeling, interviews to CEDE researchers, and exegesis of papers to characterize a shift in the production of knowledge in microeconometrics at CEDE during the years 2000 and 2018. I explain this shift by characterizing two sets of epistemological practices that implies a recent tendency to disdain research that cannot make a “strong” causal inference.

Most systems have a non-linear (NL) behavior and measured signals reflect this non-linearity such that in general they are composed with more than one sinusoidal component. NL analysis methods represent an option for analyzing such signals, however these methods have been developed for single frequency signals, this forces to implement a components separation procedure before performing the signal analysis. The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for analyzing multi-component signals that allows calculating amplitude, frequency and damping constants of the contained sinusoidal components. The method is able to simultaneously identify the different components within a detection bandwidth without previous separation of mono-components, as needed for most methods in used today.

The method proposed in this work characterizes sinusoidal signals determining their amplitude, frequency and damping constant. This method is based on transforming from the time domain to the z-domain an oscillatory signal that may or may not possess damping. Since frequency and damping of a signal can be determined knowing its z-domain poles, using the signal in z-transform domain an equations system to find the signal poles can be written.

From the results it can be concluded that the proposed method is reliable and consistent. One quality of the method is its short delay, when the procedure starts there is a delay equal to the time needed to accumulate four samples for each detectable frequency in order to perform the first calculation, after this, the algorithm can deliver a result at each sampling instant. This short delay and the low complexity of the algorithm can permit using the method in real time applications.

The proposed method is able to determine frequencies, damping constants and amplitudes of the components of a signal without a previous separation of mono-components, in contrast with other methods that require filter banks tuned using a previous knowledge of the signal. Moreover unlike techniques such as the Hilbert-Huang Transform the proposed method can be applied to signals with components having very close frequencies.

This chapter aims to identify differences in the perception of transformational leadership (TL) of three generations – Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y or Millennials – for an in-depth understanding of the immediate role and challenges facing leaders in organizations. Current days is an excellent time to question what is known and what should be known about leadership and leaders. Latin American leadership characteristics can have a direct effect on the success of business ventures in the region. Leadership can be understood in diverse ways: as an attribute of a position in the organization; as a trait, according to the characteristic of the person; as a behavior, according to the way in which the person acts (Mallma-Vivanco & Córdova-Marcelo, 2015). Several studies carried out in Mexico, Colombia, and Chile show that the Latin American leaders believe that having good working relationships with low conflict is essential to their satisfaction and high performance, and they are usually authoritarian and prefer aggressiveness and assertiveness (Romero, 2004). This study reviews the literature across different generations and related best organizational practices to identify key definitions and empirical results. We compared and contrasted the data from different generations. The findings show that Baby Boomers have a better perception of TL of their leaders than Millennials and even those from Generation X. Thus, the empirical results allow business leaders to understand the differences in perceptions and the unique characteristics of the three generations of workforce in organizations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials.

Entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the creation of a resilient, green economy are intricately linked, particularly as conventional economic models grapple with existential challenges. However, empirical research addressing the connection between entrepreneurship and sustainability for a more balanced and resilient future is notably scarce. This chapter aims to bridge this gap by investigating the role of entrepreneurship in advancing sustainability and establishing a resilient, green economy. Through comprehensive research utilizing critical discourse analysis (CDA), three research questions were explored to draw insightful managerial and practical implications. In the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and a green, resilient economy, opportunities are seized by entrepreneurship amid limitations, while sustainability presupposes responsible management of resources for current needs without compromising the future. A green economy ensures adaptability, growth, and ecological stability even in resource-scarce conditions. The CDA affirms the influential role of entrepreneurship in pursuing sustainability and a green, resilient economy, drawing from 18 cases across public, private, and social sectors to highlight environmental, social, and economic impacts. Furthermore, the CDA uncovers power dynamics, ideologies, and social structures affecting entrepreneurship’s role in fostering sustainable and resilient, green economies. Collaborations between governments, corporations, and social ventures in diverse countries promote sustainability within existing social structures, fostering comprehensive development. However, imbalanced power dynamics pose challenges, risking potential social exclusion. This chapter concludes by addressing practical implications and limitations, aiming to contribute to an ecologically balanced and socially equitable future by understanding entrepreneurship’s role in promoting sustainability and green resilience within the context of power dynamics, ideologies, and social structures.

A relevant literature review suggests that today’s children are increasingly immersing themselves in ubiquitous technologies, including interactive media and digital games. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the primary school students’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations toward learning via gameplay through their mobile devices, at home and at school.

This study was carried out among primary school students in a small European state. It used valid and reliable measures that comprised the technology acceptance model’s key constructs. However, the empirical investigation also explored the students’ perceived enjoyment and social influences, as plausible antecedents for their behavioral intention to engage with the educational applications (apps).

The findings reported that there were strong correlations between the students’ perceived usefulness of the mobile technologies and their behavioral intention to use them for their learning. The results also indicated that there was no significant relationship between the perceived ease of use and the children’s enjoyment in engaging with the educational apps that were used at school.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no other study in academia that has explored the children’s technology acceptance, normative pressures and their intrinsic motivations to use mobile learning technologies in the context of primary education. Therefore, this contribution opens future research directions, as this study can be replicated in other contexts.

This study aims to propose the reuse of PA12 (powder) in another AM process, binder jettiinng, which is less sensitive to the chemical and mechanical degradation of the powder after multiple cycles in the laser system.

The experimental process for evaluating the reuse of SLS powders in a subsequent binder jetting process consists of four phases: powder characterization, bonding analysis, mixture testing and mixture characteristics. Analyses were carried out using techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and stress–strain tests for tension and compression. The surface roughness, color, hardness and density of the new mixture were also determined to find physical characteristics. A Taguchi design L8 was used to search for a mixture with the best mechanical strength.

The results indicated that the integration of waste powder PA12 with calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CSH) generates appropriate particle distribution with rounded particles of PA12 that improve powder flowability. The micropores observed with less than 60 µm, facilitated binder and infiltrant penetration on 3D parts. The 60/40 (CSH-PA12) mixture with epoxy resin postprocessing was found to be the best-bonded mixture in mechanical testing, rugosity and hardness results. The new CSH-PA12 mixture resulted lighter and stronger than the CSH powder commonly used in binder jetting technology.

This study adds value to the polymer powder bed fusion process by using its waste in a circular process. The novel reuse of PA12 waste in an established process was achieved in an accessible and economical manner.

In this chapter, the authors describe the developments towards Roma inclusion in Spain through Successful Educational Actions. First, the authors describe the main characteristics of the Spanish Roma Minority with special regard to their cultural and linguistic diversity and deprivated social situation. After a brief overview of the Spanish education system, the authors give a detailed picture of the educational attainment of the Roma minority in Spain. After then the authors present and analyse the most important successful policies and support programmes for Roma education.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the current state of knowledge of family businesses in tourism through a systematic review of international academic literature with an emphasis on Latin America.

The paper opted for a systematic review involving analyzing international academic documents, articles, dissertations and papers that presented both theoretical and empirical research results. The search was conducted from January to April 2019 on online databases and search engines.

Studies are concentrated in strategic planning and competitiveness. Most of them are published since 2014 by Ibero-American countries. Some features are coincident among the varied geographical contexts, as the importance of generational succession planning; search for family welfare throughout the business; and the existence of own capacities and resources. Besides, the owner's objectives and gender involvement differ in the research results of developed countries and emerging economies; some implications for Latin America are analyzed.

The family business has international economic relevance, especially in tourism. Still, the studies in this field are few, even when tourism implies processes and interactions that can influence the development of the companies that integrate their industry. In this way, a compilation of the recent works is carried out, in order to identify how the complex family dynamics with tourism are integrated into the studies, main contributions to the field and knowledge gaps.

Analizar el estado actual del conocimiento de la empresa familiar en el turismo a través de una revisión sistemática de literatura académica internacional con énfasis en Latinoamérica.

El documento sigue una revisión sistemática de artículos académicos, disertaciones y capítulos internacionales, que presentan resultados de investigación tanto teóricos como empíricos. La búsqueda fue realizada de Enero a Abril de 2019 en bases de datos en línea y motores de búsqueda.

Los estudios se concentran en la planificación estratégica y competitividad. La mayoría de ellos son publicados desde 2014 por países Iberoamericanos. Algunos aspectos son coincidentes entre los variados contextos geográficos, como la importancia de la planificación de sucesión generacional; búsqueda del bienestar familiar a través del negocio; y existencia de capacidades propias. Por otra parte, los objetivos del propietario y el involucramiento de género difieren en los resultados de investigaciones de países desarrollados y economías emergentes; algunas implicaciones para América Latina son analizadas.

La empresa familiar tiene relevancia económica internacional, especialmente en el turismo. Aun así, los estudios en este campo son pocos, incluso cuando el turismo implica procesos e interacciones que puede influenciar el desarrollo de las compañías que integran su industria. En este sentido, se llevó a cabo una compilación de trabajos recientes, con la finalidad de identificar como se ha integrado a los estudios la complejidad de la dinámica familiar con el turismo, las principales contribuciones y vacíos de conocimiento.

This study explores the predictors of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among tourists by integrating psychological, demographic, situational, behavioral and contextual factors. It aims to address theoretical gaps in existing models of PEB within the tourism industry.

The research employs a stratified random sampling method, surveying 824 domestic and international tourists in Serbia. Data were collected via online surveys and analyzed using linear multiple regression and genetic algorithms to identify significant predictors of PEB.

The study identifies personal norms, travel companions and perceived effectiveness as the strongest predictors of PEB among tourists. Other influential factors include duration of stay, destination characteristics and demographic variables such as age and education. The results highlight the complex interplay of internal values, social influences and situational factors in shaping sustainable behaviors in tourism.

The findings suggest that tourism stakeholders, including policymakers and managers, should focus on strategies that enhance personal norms and leverage social influences to promote sustainable tourism practices. Emphasizing the perceived effectiveness of eco-friendly actions and providing robust environmental infrastructure can further encourage pro-environmental behavior among tourists.

This research offers a comprehensive model that integrates a diverse range of predictors, providing a holistic understanding of the drivers of PEB in tourism. It advances the literature by addressing the limitations of existing theoretical models and emphasizing the importance of considering broader contextual influences.