Search results

The purpose of this paper is to report a study of microbiological influenced corrosion (MIC) of copper due to bacteria strains isolated from potable water pipes and oxidation lagoons using electrochemical noise (EN) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Bacteria strains isolated from copper surfaces of potable water pipes and from oxidation lagoons were identified, based on the 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Corrosion studies were undertaken over a period of six weeks, placing copper electrodes inside an LB culture media with and without bacteria. The corrosion resistance was obtained using EN analysis. In all the cases, the corrosion type was identified. SEM images of the copper electrodes were taken to evaluate the surface condition.

The bacteria strains identified were: Pantoea agglomerans, Alcaligenes faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Brucellaceae bacterium, Enterobacter cloacae, Delftia tsuruhatensis, and Pseudochrobactrum asaccharolyticum. EN analysis gave noise resistance values in the range 1,036‐5,040 Ωcm² for the control samples and in the range of 2,336‐22,573 Ωcm² for samples that had been inoculated with bacteria. It was found that a decrease in the rate of corrosion took place due to the development of a biofilm by the microorganisms on the copper surface. SEM images corroborated the presence of the biofilm on the copper electrodes.

The isolated bacteria strain reduced the rate of corrosion on the copper electrodes, as shown by the SEM images and EN analysis results, due to the formation of a biofilm that can act as an anticorrosive coating.

Even though MIC is a known phenomenon, it has not been reported that isolated bacteria strains can reduce corrosion on the surface of copper potable water pipes and in oxidation lagoons.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of brand-related variables as congruence and brand trust on the traditional model formed by perceived quality, perceived value (PV) and satisfaction, in order to compare predictive models for the variables of PV, satisfaction and future intentions of 683 users of sports services.

The analysis has been carried out using two different methodologies. First, three models have been proposed to be analyzed by hierarchical regression models, in order to subsequently propose a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to verify the existence or not of necessary and sufficient conditions.

The results indicate that both the classic service variables and the elements related to the brand significantly predict PV, satisfaction and future intentions, in some cases with greater predictive weight being given to congruence and trust than the classic service variables. In addition, linear models have been shown to improve their predictive capability by including brand-related variables, especially the future intentions model. After the fsQCA, congruence and trust have proved to be sufficient combinations to achieve high levels of PV and future intentions, while this is not the case for satisfaction.

The importance of the aspects related to the brand, either on their own or in combination with the classic service variables, is demonstrated, contributing to the literature on brand image in sports services, which is practically non-existent.

El objetivo es analizar el papel de las variables relacionadas con la marca como la congruencia y la confianza en la marca en el modelo tradicional formado por la calidad percibida, el valor percibido y la satisfacción, con el fin de comparar modelos predictivos para las variables de valor percibido, satisfacción e intenciones futuras de 683 usuarios de servicios deportivos.

El análisis se ha llevado a cabo utilizando dos metodologías diferentes. En primer lugar, se han propuesto 3 modelos para ser analizados mediante modelos de regresión jerárquica, con el fin de proponer posteriormente un análisis comparativo cualitativo de conjuntos difusos para verificar la existencia o no de condiciones necesarias y suficientes.

Los resultados indican que tanto las variables clásicas del servicio como los elementos relacionados con la marca predicen significativamente el valor percibido, la satisfacción y las intenciones futuras, en algunos casos con un mayor peso predictivo de la congruencia y la confianza que las variables clásicas de servicio. Además, se ha demostrado que los modelos lineales mejoran su capacidad predictiva al incluir las variables relacionadas con la marca, especialmente en el modelo de intenciones futuras. Después del análisis cualitativo comparativo, la congruencia y la confianza han demostrado ser combinaciones suficientes para lograr altos niveles de valor percibido e intenciones futuras, mientras que no ha sido así en el caso de la satisfacción.

Queda demostrada la importancia de los aspectos relacionados con la marca, por sí solos o en combinación con las variables clásicas del servicio, contribuyendo a la literatura sobre la imagen de marca en los servicios deportivos, que es prácticamente inexistente.

This paper aims to describe relationships between constructs adapted to the pharmaceutical field with respect to the measurement of the supply chains strategic and operational performance in private pharmacies, relating it to the quality of service perceived by users.

Relationships among the indicated constructs were validated through the use of structural equation models. This study includes the use of questionnaires adapted and applied to suppliers (pharmaceutical chemists and supply staff), operational managers (pharmacy assistants) and users (patients and clients) who visit different segments of pharmacies, such as chain businesses and independents located in the region of Valparaíso, Chile. The sample collected information from 128 establishments and 601 people, through which different relationships between segments were compared.

A structural model was validated on the basis of statistical principles. Furthermore, positive relationships were observed in the constructs studied where pharmacy chains had a statistical significance of less than 5 per cent between the responsibility of the supply process and the experience of the users, whereas independent pharmacies had a very significant causal relationship between operational managers and users.

The proposal can help predict the quality of service perceived by the user based on the behavior of sales and supply staff, which may be similar in other markets with similar characteristics.

The structural model proposed is original and adapts measurement scales validated from previous studies to be able to apply them in the pharmaceutical retail market.

We analyze how entry order in a new field influences the stock market reaction to strategic alliances and acquisitions aimed at expanding firm boundaries. We argue that alliances would be more valued by investors at the early stages of a process of convergence between two markets, whereas acquisitions would be more valued in the later stages. Using a sample of alliances and acquisitions carried out by European telecom firms, our hypotheses have been confirmed.

Institutional voids – the lack of institutions that can facilitate the functioning of markets – are ubiquitous in emerging markets. Because of their newness, entrepreneurial ventures are especially susceptible to institutional vacuums. This research seeks to shed light on the role that business groups can play in the development of entrepreneurial ventures in emerging markets.

Based on detailed fieldwork, the study describes and analyzes the creation and evolution of two biotechnology start-ups that were affiliated to a major Latin American business group. The research cov ers the period between their foundation and later acquisition by a multinational company.

The article discusses the role that the business group affiliation had in terms of helping the start-ups to interact with multiple institutional voids. The analysis shows that the start-ups benefited from the group's reputation and connections, experience and know-how in managing different types of businesses in the country, strong resource base, long-term vision, and strong organizational culture.

The main contribution of this work is to show that business group affiliation can be an interesting solution that facilitates the development of entrepreneurial ventures in emerging markets.

La presencia de vacíos institucionales – la carencia de instituciones que facilitan el funcionamiento de los mercados – es muy común en las economías emergentes. Debido a su novedad, los nuevos emprendimientos son especialmente susceptibles a los vacíos institucionales. Esta investigación trata de entender el papel que pueden desempeñar los grupos económicos en el desarrollo de nuevas empresas en economías emergentes.

Basado en trabajo de campo, el estudio describe y analiza la creación y evolución de dos start-ups biotecnológicos que estuvieron afiliados a un importante grupo económico latinoamericano. La investigación cubre el período comprendido entre la fundación de las dos empresas y su posterior adquisición por parte de una empresa multinacional.

El artículo analiza cómo la afiliación a un grupo económico ayudó a las start-ups a lidiar con múltiples vacíos institucionales. El análisis muestra que las empresas se beneficiaron de la reputación y conexiones del grupo, su experiencia y conocimiento en la gestión de diferentes tipos de negocios en el país, su sólida base de recursos, su visión de largo plazo y su fuerte cultura organizacional.

La contribución más importante de este artículo es mostrar que la afiliación a un grupo económico puede ser una solución interesante que facilita el desarrollo de nuevos emprendimientos en economías emergentes.