Leandro Lima dos Santos, Felipe Mendes Borini and Rafael Morais Pereira
Companies need guidance on how to operate in turbulent environments to improve their innovative performance. However, few studies have been done specifically about how to market…
Abstract
Purpose
Companies need guidance on how to operate in turbulent environments to improve their innovative performance. However, few studies have been done specifically about how to market and technological turbulence affects the innovative performance in emerging markets. This paper aims to propose model with market turbulence, technological turbulence and firm’s bricolage behavior as antecedents of organizational innovativeness.
Design/methodology/approach
Two conceptualizations of the role of environmental turbulence are examined as follows: that market turbulence and technological turbulence are established as direct antecedents to organizational innovativeness performance; and the model has a mediating effect through the bricolage behavior. In this sense, the strengths of the paths differ depending on the presence of bricolage. Data were collected from 215 firms operating in Brazil, analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS)-structural equation modeling (SEM) technique as a quantitative method to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results indicate that the mediating effect evidenced by the bricolage behavior was supported. In other words, the path from market and technological turbulence to organizational innovativeness is significantly better when permeated by bricolage behavior in the organization.
Research limitations/implications
It can be suggested to conduct similar research with larger sample size and applying control variables such as the size of the company, as smaller companies have less access to resources and maybe the engagement in bricolage can be even more substantial for them to keep innovating and to remain competitive in times of turbulence.
Practical implications
Some managerial recommendations and implications are provided. Managers should recognize the possible improvements in the organizational innovativeness development by actively including the bricolage behavior among their companies’ activities.
Originality/value
The theoretical contribution to the academic knowledge lies in corroborating with previous studies, which pointed out that bricolage has an influence on a firm’s innovativeness and some studies, which address perspectives in the organizational learning field.
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Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…
Abstract
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.
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Rui M. Lima, Erik Teixeira Lopes, Derek Chaves Lopes, Bruno S. Gonçalves and Pedro G. Cunha
This work aims to integrate the concepts generated by a systematic literature review on patient flows in emergency departments (ED) to serve as a basis for developing a generic…
Abstract
Purpose
This work aims to integrate the concepts generated by a systematic literature review on patient flows in emergency departments (ED) to serve as a basis for developing a generic process model for ED.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines, considering Lean Healthcare interventions describing ED patients’ flows. The initial search found 141 articles and 18 were included in the systematic analysis. The literature analysis served as the basis for developing a generic process model for ED.
Findings
ED processes have been represented using different notations, such as value stream mapping and workflows. The main alternatives for starting events are arrival by ambulance or walk-in. The Manchester Triage Scale (MTS) was the most common protocol referred to in the literature. The most common end events are admission to a hospital, transfer to other facilities or admission to an ambulatory care system. The literature analysis allowed the development of a generic process model for emergency departments. Nevertheless, considering that several factors influence the process of an emergency department, such as pathologies, infrastructure, available teams and local regulations, modelling alternatives and challenges in each step of the process should be analysed according to the local context.
Originality/value
A generic business process model was developed using BPMN that can be used by practitioners and researchers to reduce the effort in the initial stages of design or improvement projects. Moreover, it’s a first step toward the development of generalizable and replicable solutions for emergency departments.
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Miguel Afonso Sellitto, Maria Soares de Lima, Leandro Tomasin da Silva, Nelson Kadel Jr and Maria Angela Butturi
The purpose of the article is to identify relevant criteria for decision support in the implementation of waste-to-energy (WtE)-based systems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the article is to identify relevant criteria for decision support in the implementation of waste-to-energy (WtE)-based systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is a simple case study with a qualitative approach. Five experts involved in the project of a thermoelectric power plant qualitatively evaluated, on a Likert scale, a decision model with 15 indicators derived from recent studies. The research object was the first stage of a project to implement a thermoelectric plant employing municipal solid waste (MSW) in southern Brazil.
Findings
The study identified 15 criteria supporting the decision-making process regarding WtE implementation for MSW in a mid-sized city in southern Brazil. The study identified that compliance with MSW legislation, compliance with energy legislation, initial investment and public health impact are the most influential criteria. The study offered two models for decision processes: a simplified one and a complete one, with ten and fifteen indicators, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The study concerns mid-sized municipalities in southern Brazil.
Practical implications
Municipal public managers have now a methodology based on qualitative evaluation that admits multiple perspectives, such as technical, economic, environmental and social, to support decision-making processes on WtE technologies for MSW.
Social implications
MSW management initiatives can yield jobs and revenues for vulnerable populations and provide a correct destination for MSW, mainly in developing countries.
Originality/value
The main originality is that now municipal public decision-makers have a structured model based on four constructs (technical, economic, environmental and social) deployed in 15 indicators to support decision-making processes involving WtE and MSW management.
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Fernando Luiz Abrucio, Eduardo Grin and Catarina Ianni Segatto
Brazilian federalism was important in the political game of combating the pandemic for three reasons. First, Brazil's public health system depends heavily on intergovernmental…
Abstract
Brazilian federalism was important in the political game of combating the pandemic for three reasons. First, Brazil's public health system depends heavily on intergovernmental relations between Union, states, and municipalities because there is a policy portfolio based on federative cooperation. Second, the subnational governments' autonomy to act against COVID-19 was constantly questioned by the Federal Government – the conflict between the President and governors was a key piece in all health policy. Finally, states and local governments were primarily responsible for policies to fight against pandemic, but the absence and/or wrong measures taken by the Federal Government (such as the delay in purchasing vaccines) generated intergovernmental incoordination, increased territorial inequality, and reduced the effectiveness of subnational public policies, especially those linked to social isolation. In this context, Brazilian federalism played a dual role in the pandemic. On the one hand, the federative structure partially succeeded in averting an even worse scenario, mitigating the impact of mistaken presidential decisions. The role of subnational governments, especially of the states, was critical as a counterweight to federal decisions. On the other hand, the President actively acted against governors and mayors and, above all, sought to weaken intergovernmental articulations within the Unified Health System (SUS), the federative model designed three decades ago. One could say that the federative actors, such as the Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal – STF) and subnational governments, were the main obstacles for the Bolsonarist antiscientific agenda. The success of this reaction to President Bolsonaro's negationist populism was partial, but the results of the fight against COVID-19 would have been much worse without these federalist barriers.
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Donato Morea, Simona Fortunati, Francesco Cappa and Raffaele Oriani
This study aims to analyze how, under the stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) might favor the emergence of circular economy (CE) in the Agri-food sector…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze how, under the stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) might favor the emergence of circular economy (CE) in the Agri-food sector, which is a relevant context, as it is technologically dynamic and requires paying attention to all the stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory, qualitative research design has been adopted to study the phenomenon in detail, as it facilitates the understanding of complex phenomena such those under investigation and helps enrich existing theory with new insights from real-world cases to add theoretical generalizations to the existing body of research in the field.
Findings
The results of this study highlight that companies adopting CSR models are oriented toward circularity.
Practical implications
This study provides useful indications to managers and policymakers as to how to favor the two approaches (CSR and CE) and benefit all the stakeholders.
Originality/value
While there is wide scholarly and managerial interest toward CSR and CE, previous research has mainly analyzed CE and CSR as two independent phenomena. Therefore, there is a lack of understanding about how the two areas are linked. Following previous studies that have started to theoretically argue an interconnection between CSR and CE, in this research, it has been empirically investigated, and further explored theoretically, whether CSR can implicitly encourage the emergence of CE approaches.
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Leandro da Silva Nascimento, Júlio César da Costa Júnior, Viviane Santos Salazar and Adriana Fumi Chim-Miki
Coopetition is a well-studied phenomenon in traditional enterprises. However, it lacks deepening in the social sphere, specifically on hybrid organizations (social and commercial…
Abstract
Purpose
Coopetition is a well-studied phenomenon in traditional enterprises. However, it lacks deepening in the social sphere, specifically on hybrid organizations (social and commercial goals). This paper analyzes the configuration of coopetition strategies in social enterprises and how these strategies can improve social value devolution.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a multicase study with Brazilian social enterprises and a social incubator. Semistructured interviews with founders of the social enterprises and the president of the incubator were the primary sources of evidence, supported by observations and secondary data.
Findings
The authors identified four main findings: (1) the social incubator induces coopetition among social enterprises; (2) coopetition is necessary to improve market performance; (3) coopetition is a natural strategy resulting from the activity of the social enterprise; (4) the behavior and context of social enterprises generate a new framework for coopetition formation. This framework comprises three stages of value: a social cooperation level to co-creation of value; second, a social competition level to the appropriation of value; and the third coopetition-balanced level to social value devolution.
Originality/value
The authors advance knowledge on coopetition in an exciting, underexplored context, social entrepreneurship. The authors highlight that the coopetition nature and outcome in social enterprises have specificities compared to traditional businesses. The authors also improve the understanding of social value devolution based on simultaneous cooperation and competition among small social enterprises, allowing theoretical and practical implications. Thus, they advance the recurring discussion in coopetition literature beyond the generation and appropriation of value.
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Tainara Leal de Sousa, Jessyca Pinheiro da Silva, Ariadne Ribeiro Lodete, Daniele Silva Lima, Abner Alves Mesquita, Adrielle Borges de Almeida, Geovana Rocha Placido and Mariana Buranelo Egea
This study aims to analyze the levels of vitamin C, phenolic compounds and antioxidants in baby food. Providing nutritious food to the infants is essential for their growth and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the levels of vitamin C, phenolic compounds and antioxidants in baby food. Providing nutritious food to the infants is essential for their growth and development. Baby foods are foods prepared from any suitable nutritive material and intended for feeding children after six months of age. The search for foods that meet the nutritional needs of children and that also promote aspects of health has increased on the part of parents.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 17 different types of baby foods (2 brands) were purchased and the vitamin C content, total phenolic compounds (TPC) and antioxidant activity were determined. The authors also assessed the adequacy of labeling in accordance with regulatory parameters. Data was submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Principal component analysis was performed to evaluate the results (phenolic compounds, vitamin C and antioxidant activity) from the multidimensional point of view.
Findings
In general, the labeling of baby foods proved to be within the legislation, but with confusing information for the consumer. BF7-AAPO (apple pulp and juice, papaya and orange juice), BF-BAO (banana, apple juice and oatmeal) and BF-AA (apple pulp and juice) showed the highest vitamin C content (20–28 mg/100 g; p < 0.001). BF-A (apple), BF-B (banana) and BF-AA showed the highest TPC (7–8.2 mg/100 g; p < 0.001). BF-CP (cassava-parsley), BF-PCBCP (potato, carrot, beef and cassava-parsley) and BF-PCBB (potato, carrot, beef and broccoli) showed the highest antioxidant activity (44–48%; p < 0.001). High value of TPC was related to high value of antioxidant activity in baby foods. In conclusion, vitamin C content in the baby foods was different from those reported on the labels and there was a direct relationship between the content of TPC and the antioxidant capability.
Originality/value
The objective of this work was to evaluate bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in baby foods. So far, few papers have reported on the subject as the authors seek to know about essential nutrients. However, this knowledge is important because these compounds can decrease and/or prevent inflammatory processes in the body.
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Marcia Cassitas Hino and Maria Alexandra Cunha
The purpose of this study is to investigate how women's individual differences influence urban mobility service technology-use behavior. The reduction in urban mobility is a major…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate how women's individual differences influence urban mobility service technology-use behavior. The reduction in urban mobility is a major problem in countries with emerging economies, thus affecting both the economy and quality of life.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical approach follows the individual differences theory of gender and information technology (IDTGIT). This research combines structured interviews to understand how the use of urban mobility service technology in daily routines is perceived, questionnaires to map individual differences and user demonstrations to capture how participants used mobility applications on their cell phones.
Findings
This study shows the influence of individual characteristics on the use of mobile apps and presents five behavioral profiles of women. This article goes beyond gender segregation to also show intragender differences.
Practical implications
This study explains women's behavior regarding urban mobility mobile applications through the generation of five profiles. These profiles can inform public policy managers on urban mobility and provide opportunities for improving the services of companies in the urban transport service chain.
Originality/value
With an intragender perspective, this study identifies the influence of individual characteristics on the use of technology and suggests that contextual identity, a novel dimension of characteristics that influence technology-use behavior, is relevant in the adoption of technology by its users.
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Florian Lüdeke‐Freund, David Walmsley, Mirco Plath, Jan Wreesmann and Alexandra‐Maria Klein
This article seeks to address aviation as an emerging biofuel consumer and to discuss sustainability issues and consequences for feedstock production concepts. Biojet fuels have…
Abstract
Purpose
This article seeks to address aviation as an emerging biofuel consumer and to discuss sustainability issues and consequences for feedstock production concepts. Biojet fuels have been identified as a promising, readily deployable alternative to fossil‐based aviation fuels. At the same time they are highly criticised as their production may have negative social and environmental impacts. Therefore, the paper aims to identify major sustainability issues and assessment challenges and relate these to the production of biojet fuel feedstock.
Design/methodology/approach
Two plant oil production concepts are presented that address the sustainability issues discussed. Both concepts are being investigated within the research project “Platform for Sustainable Aviation Fuels”. A literature‐based overview of sustainability issues and assessment challenges is provided. Additionally, conceptual insights into new plant oil production concepts are presented.
Findings
The use of biojet fuels is often hailed as a strategy for the aviation industry to become more sustainable. However, biofuels are not necessarily sustainable and their potential to reduce GHG emissions is highly debated. Several unresolved sustainability issues are identified highlighting the need for improved assessment methods. Moreover, the two concepts presented have the potential to provide sustainably grown feedstock, but further empirical research is needed.
Originality/value
This article addresses researchers and practitioners by providing an overview of sustainability issues and assessment challenges related to biojet fuels. Consequences are identified for two plant oil feedstock concepts: catch cropping in temperate regions and silvopastoral systems in tropical and subtropical regions.