Search results

This paper examines how the Camburi Quilombo community in Ubatuba, Brazil, can be empowered to develop cultural resilience and conserve its Afro-Brazilian heritage in the face of challenges posed by climate change, urbanization and cultural erosion with the adverse consequences of tourism and inadequate infrastructure.

Emphasizing traditional knowledge, the project consisted of data collection, climate risk assessments and the development of an action plan in collaboration with academic institutions, governmental bodies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs), the project contributes to zero hunger, quality education, sustainable cities, climate action and life on land. Seed exchange fairs, decentralized seed banks and education initiatives foster environmental awareness and sustainable agriculture, impacting the community directly and over 1,000 individuals indirectly. While demonstrating short-term changes and mid-term viability, the project faced some challenges due to local communication complexities and overlapping jurisdiction.

Serving as a bridge between scientific research and local knowledge, the project aims to promote a paradigm shifts toward recognizing, respecting and incorporating indigenous practices, so that a more environmentally aware future can be envisioned for these communities amidst climate challenges. Reflecting on achievements, the project underscores integrating diverse cultural knowledge for community resilience.

The purpose of this paper is to map the process of opening an innovation network in the context of the Brazilian agroforestry sector.

Qualitative case study of the open innovation network Embrapa Florestas (17 semi-structured interviews, observation and documentary data). Social network analysis (SNA) of the open innovation network from primary data is available at Embrapa Florestas’ system.

Three primary triggers to the opening process of Embrapa Florestas’ innovation network were identified. The process starts with an innovation network with closed network characteristics. The process of opening the innovation network is motivated by a restructuring in its source of fundraising (trigger 1), by the change in strategic orientation toward the internationalization of its network activities (trigger 2) and by opening the black box of its innovation with greater proximity to the productive sector and partner universities (trigger 3). Comparing the pre-opening and post-opening networks (open innovation network), sociometric data allows us to verify that the opening of the innovation network presents better density, clustering and centrality indexes for the network as a whole and for the Embrapa Florestas specifically.

This is one of the first studies that aims to investigate the transition from a closed innovation network to an open innovation network by a public research institute. It may also be considered innovative because it presents practical and managerial relevance – in addition to contributions to public policy makers – which allows for improvements in the development of innovation and technology in the country's strategic sectors.

Investigate distinctive skills, encompassing Building Information Modeling (BIM skills, project management (PM) skills (PMSs), as well as strategic and operational skills (OSs) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

The research design adopts a quantitative survey-based approach, utilizing a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The findings underscore a significant relationship between OSs and both BIM and PMSs, while also illuminating the relationship of strategic skills with both BIM and PMSs. However, intriguingly, the study reveals that although BIM skills and PMSs are indispensable, they lack a statistically significant relationship. Despite this, we have identified a pathway from BIM skills to operational and strategic skills that traverses through PMSs, exhibiting significant indirect effects.

Our study employs cross-sectional data rather than longitudinal data, which hinders temporal interpretations of the associations between competence building for AEC professionals especially given that BIM skills are still in the early stages within AEC projects, particularly in Latin America. Therefore, a longitudinal study would offer deeper insights into potential causation, allowing for a more robust establishment of underlying associations. Additionally, future research endeavors should focus on capturing longitudinal data through case studies that explore perceptions and observations of the roles of BIM managers and project managers in project-based organizations.

Our model guides organizations to recognize the importance of BIM management skills as a pivotal role in the AEC industry, bridging operational and strategic levels. While project managers focus on tools that facilitate team and project integration, BIM managers enhance collaboration and communication across different disciplines within construction projects. This synthesis highlights the complementary roles of project managers and BIM managers in driving successful project outcomes, showcasing the synergy between their skill sets in achieving strategic objectives within the AEC industry. Furthermore, it underscores the critical role of indirect and cascading flows of influence among skill domains through multiple interconnected pathways.

Our study demonstrates that different types of skills are required to manage AEC projects. These skills are interconnected through direct and indirect pathways that warrant attention from academia. The theoretical contribution of the research model is clearly shown in the linking between PM and BIM in the AEC industry. Several scholars recognize BIM as innovative and that drives the success of civil construction projects; however, our study goes further in identifying the significant relationships among variables and the magnitude of their effects on strategic and OSs for BIM management and PM domain.

This study aims to enhance storage and distribution operations at a pharmaceutical supply center (PSC) in primary health care (PH) using lean health care (LH) tools. Supply centers for health products, medications and supplies have unique characteristics compared to centers for other goods due to complex processes, specific services, diverse stakeholders and multiple interactions. The authors adapt LH tools to address these complexities and meet industry-specific needs.

The investigation unit is a PSC in a large southern Brazilian city, and the processes analyzed are the storage and distribution of medications. The authors performed action research from June 2019 to February 2020. Data collection and problem diagnosis involved the development of a value stream mapping.

The authors adapted the overall equipment effectiveness calculation, efficiency analysis, and loss classification for PSC operations. Eighteen core issues were found: waiting, movement, transport, stock, inadequate processing, defects and human potential losses. The authors proposed waste reduction tools and practices. Inadequate storage conditions may compromise medicine quality, efficacy and safety. This can result from lacking physical structures or noncompliance with procedures. Next, the authors recommend simulating scenarios for validation before implementation.

The study explored ways to enhance layout and medicine distribution at the PSC, focusing on reducing loss and cost impact.

Originality lies in LH application in a PSC of PH, often applied in secondary or tertiary health levels like hospitals. The novelty necessitated adaptations of tools for future PSC applications.