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1 – 10 of 118
Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Carlos César de Oliveira Lacerda, Ana Sílvia Rocha Ipiranga and Ulf Thoene

The city of Fortaleza, capital of the state of Ceará in the north-east of Brazil, presents a paradox as a present-day tourist destination, while also marked by features and…

Abstract

Purpose

The city of Fortaleza, capital of the state of Ceará in the north-east of Brazil, presents a paradox as a present-day tourist destination, while also marked by features and processes characteristic of cities in the Global South, such as high levels of social inequality with fragmented urban margins and vulnerabilities. This research problematizes the idea of “historical ruins” proposed by Walter Benjamin as a viable way to understand how the organization process of today's city margins can be “denaturalized” by the past. The objective of this research is to assess how the urban margins of the city were organized as a history of resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

In theoretical terms, this research links critical urban studies with critical approaches to organizational history (COH) based on Walter Benjamin's philosophical concepts of “ruins” and “progress”. The historical and archival methodology, consisting of 193 documents, suggests the existence of a philosophical–historical nexus that helps explain the spatial fragmentation of the city, and especially the urban margins in the western region of Fortaleza.

Findings

The Benjaminian notion of “historical ruins” has been exemplified by the Brazilian government practices confining migrants fleeing drought in internment camps on the margins of the city of Fortaleza in three waves beginning in 1877, 1915 and 1932 respectively. The effects of such confinement policies put into practice in the name of “progress” influenced the organization of large urban spaces on the city's margins, whereas on the other hand, the analyses advanced in this research reflect on alternatives to re-frame the history of the organization of the margins of Fortaleza through a set of practices of resistance.

Originality/value

Based on the concept of “denaturalization”, and through re-activation of the memory of a circumstantial past, the gaze of the “ruins”, as represented by the belief in “progress” addressed in official reports of government confinement policies, spaces of resistance have emerged where new possibilities for the future of the city can be imagined.

Details

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5648

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 December 2020

Luís Sanhudo, João Poças Martins, Nuno M.M. Ramos, Ricardo M.S.F. Almeida, Ana Rocha, Débora Pinto, Eva Barreira and M. Lurdes Simões

This paper aims to further the discussion on Building Information Modelling (BIM) legal requirements, providing a framework with key energy parameters capable of supporting the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to further the discussion on Building Information Modelling (BIM) legal requirements, providing a framework with key energy parameters capable of supporting the Appointing Party in the definition of the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) for a BIM project appointment. The EIR is described in ISO-19650–1:2018 as a fundamental step in the information delivery cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review on the topic of BIM energy analysis was completed to identify current knowledge gaps and support the need for the proposed framework. Afterwards, the framework was established based on the review findings and the authors’ domain knowledge. The applicability of the proposed framework was assessed through a case study, where several energy simulations were performed in three different design stages of the same BIM model.

Findings

This study identified a lack of standards and legislation capable of supporting the Appointing Party in the definition of energy-related BIM requirements. To this end, a new framework is proposed to mediate existing practices, linking prior knowledge with BIM’s new reality. The study showcases the applicability of the framework, identifying that the performance of different energy studies involves distinct Level of Development (LOD) requirements, which in turn have an impact on the modelling time and cost.

Originality/value

A BIM framework for the specification of information requirements in energy-related projects was developed to support the Appointing Party. The framework presents appropriate parameters for energy analysis in each design stage, as well as the suitable LOD for the BIM model.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 28 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2012

Helder Carvalho, Luís F. Silva, Ana Rocha and João Monteiro

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test control methods for real‐time automatic presser‐foot force control in industrial sewing machines. In this work, a closed‐loop…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test control methods for real‐time automatic presser‐foot force control in industrial sewing machines. In this work, a closed‐loop controller that controls presser‐foot maximum vertical displacement is presented and compared to existing solutions that adjust force depending on sewing speed. Automatic force control can reduce problems such as stitch irregularity, stitch distortions and material damage, besides making material handling easier.

Design/methodology/approach

An electromagnetic force actuator was integrated in an industrial lockstitch machine. A computer‐based control system was designed implementing either speed‐variable force control, closed‐loop control, or emulating a traditional constant‐force system. Maximum presser‐foot displacement values were measured and analysed in relevant sewing situations, and seam quality was assessed.

Findings

Constant‐force control does not allow optimal force setting at all speeds. Speed‐variable force control is an improvement, but requires empirical setting of the speed‐force relation, not always assuring optimal operation. Closed‐loop control adapts force to the requirement of each sewing situation more precisely. Sewing quality is good and material handling is eased.

Research limitations/implications

The actuator has to be optimised regarding response time and maximum force. Some aspects in the behaviour of the control system and actuator have to be further studied.

Practical implications

The proposed control system enables the automatic setting and adaptation of force to all sewing situations, making material handling easier at low speeds without compromising feeding performance at high speed. The closed‐loop controller may be used as a teach‐in system for speed‐dependent control.

Originality/value

This is the first prototype of a closed‐loop control system for presser‐foot force on a lockstitch sewing machine and the first comparative study of control methods for presser‐foot force control.

Book part
Publication date: 1 January 2004

Francis Musa Boakari

Though poverty is one of the consequences of the lack of education, this latter can be the solution to poverty, particularly when children and youngsters are prioritized in…

Abstract

Though poverty is one of the consequences of the lack of education, this latter can be the solution to poverty, particularly when children and youngsters are prioritized in school. And in the fight against inequality, education for the development of human beings is the key, especially if we want to save children and adolescents in order to guarantee the future.

Details

Suffer The Little Children
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-76230-831-6

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 September 2022

Christian Kazuo Fuzyama, Ana Heloisa Lemos and Marcelo Almeida de Carvalho Silva

This study aims to understand the production of consent to precarious working conditions in administration students' internship experiences.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the production of consent to precarious working conditions in administration students' internship experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 13 students of an undergraduate program in Business Administration in a private university were interviewed. The students' perceptions about the dynamics of the internship and their engagement in this experience were explored through thematic analysis.

Findings

Internships became more than spaces to learn about the world of work. They are also the locus of professional socialization toward precarious work. The detachment of internships from their educational scope is mediated by neonormative control mechanisms that subjectively mobilize the interns, producing the institutionalization and appreciation of the precarious experience, resignified as something that leads to autonomy, learning and a job position.

Practical implications

The article can help students, universities and companies to assess the role of internships in training future professionals.

Social implications

The research problematizes the internship as a form of professional socialization toward precarious work and its detachment from the original educational purpose. The article critically contributes to the debate about the current professional socialization process of young students.

Originality/value

The article highlights the subjective dimension that supports students' consent to dysfunctional internships, discussing both the experience of work precariousness and exploitation, and the terms of the students' engagement in such dynamics, bridging consent to neonormative controls.

Details

Revista de Gestão, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1809-2276

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2022

Ana Flávia Ramos, Gabriela da Rocha Lemos Mendes, Renato Souza Cruz, Fabiane Neves Silva, Geany Peruch Camilloto, Handray Fernandes de Souza, Juliana Pinto de Lima, Caroline Liboreiro Paiva and Igor VIana Brandi

Baru is a fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, important to the local economy and social culture. The use in food formulation is due to it being highly available and its nutritional…

Abstract

Purpose

Baru is a fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, important to the local economy and social culture. The use in food formulation is due to it being highly available and its nutritional profile; however, the changes in the texture of products are still unclear. In this study, an experimental design was conducted to develop cakes by replacing different levels of wheat flour with baru nut flour, and comparing them.

Design/methodology/approach

Cakes were developed with 20, 40, 60, and 80 replacement of wheat flour by baru nut flour and compared with standard formulation (100% wheat flour). The physical-chemistry composition of the flour, nutritional composition of the cakes and texture profile analysis were evaluated.

Findings

Baru nut flour showed greater protein, lipids, and ash than wheat flour, and this result was also observed in the cakes developed. The cake with 80% of almond baru flour showed an increase of 60.3% in protein. The texture profile analysis showed that the addition of baru nut flour affected the texture of products. The cakes showed more hardness and chewiness; however, the springiness and cohesiveness were decreased.

Originality/value

The findings of this study demonstrate that baru nut flour is a great option as a new ingredient for bakery products, due the increase of protein. This is the first study analyzing the effect of baru nut flour addition on the texture profile of bakery products. These results can orientate future studies, especially sensory assays.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 October 2021

Andréa Fernanda De Santana Costa, Maria Alice Vasconcelos Rocha, Laura Maria Abdon Fenrnandes, Julia Atroch Queiroz, Ana Carolina Monteiro Gonçalves Agra, Julia Didier Pedrosa Amorim, Leonie Asfora Sarubbo and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo

This study aims to evaluate two bacterial cellulose (BC) films as an alternative textile surface suitable for use in the manufacture of clothing prototypes.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate two bacterial cellulose (BC) films as an alternative textile surface suitable for use in the manufacture of clothing prototypes.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of experiments for the production and characterization of BC films with traditional techniques for sewing fabrics was carried out. BC films were produced from the bacterum Gluconacetobacter hansenii UCP1619 and from Kombucha, a consortium of microorganisms grown on sugared tea. The BC films were then purified, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and evaluated for mechanical strength. Two clothing prototypes were developed by combining BC films with a flat fabric composed of 70% linen and 30% polyester to assess the viability of the garment for future clothing making using biomaterials.

Findings

The results showed that the combination of flat fabric with BC-based biomaterials is a viable alternative for the innovative use of BC films in the manufacture of apparel products, especially after optimizing the mechanical properties of the artefact.

Originality/value

BC application studies in the textile industry are still in their early stages, although they are attracting more and more the attention of researchers around the world. The experiments carried out in this research provide new information on the handling and application of this material in innovative products for the textile industry.

Details

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1560-6074

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 September 2023

Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa, Fernando Capelo Neto, Maximilian Espuny, Aglaé Baptista Torres da Rocha and Otávio José de Oliveira

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to the socioeconomic development of a country or region. They directly contribute to increasing employment generation and…

Abstract

Purpose

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to the socioeconomic development of a country or region. They directly contribute to increasing employment generation and improving income distribution. Despite the importance of SMEs, there are still opportunities for developing works that support and guide SMEs to use digital technologies, especially to digitalize their customer service. Therefore, this work aims to propose drivers containing recommendations for developing and improving the digitalization of customer service in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This work uses a qualitative approach to systematize the main SMEs' characteristics and identify the boosting elements of the digitalization of customer service in the scientific literature. To this end, the authors conducted a content analysis of the most influential empirical and theoretical articles on the theme published from 2016 to 2021 in the Scopus database.

Findings

This work identified 38 boosting elements of the digitalization of customer service based on the scientific literature. These elements were grouped into six drivers for developing and improving the digitalization of customer service. The drivers contain recommendations that were adapted for SMEs according to their characteristics and based on the experience of the authors of this work.

Originality/value

This work contributes to promoting socioeconomic development, providing important solutions for managers and owners of SMEs to improve their customer service. The proposed drivers support and encourage the use of digital technologies for developing and improving customer service, overcoming the challenges of digitalization in these companies. Thus, SMEs will be able to increase the satisfaction of their customers and improve their competitiveness.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 30 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 November 2021

Cláudia Viegas, João Lima, Cláudia Afonso, András Jozsef Toth, Csaba Bálint Illés, András Bittsánszky, Zvonimir Šatalić, Sanja Vidaček Filipec, Valeria Fabijanic, Samuel Duran, Jairo Alonso Torres, Monica Spinelli, Andrea Matias, Ana Maria Souza Pinto and Ada Rocha

The aim of this study is to identify and characterize kids' menu offer in fast-food and traditional restaurants located in shopping centres in five different countries.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to identify and characterize kids' menu offer in fast-food and traditional restaurants located in shopping centres in five different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

An observational cross-sectional study is carried out, though a study was performed in all restaurants located in shopping centres from main cities, in five countries: Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal. A tool for assessing the quality of menus is used for the analysis (Kids Menu Healthy Score (KIMEHS)). Menu prices between countries were compared.

Findings

A total of 192 kids' menus were collected, 44 in Portugal, 57 in Brazil, 66 in Chile, 15 in Hungary and 10 in Croatia. All the countries have average negative KIMEHS values for the menus, indicating that the offer is generally poor in terms of healthy options. The cost of children's menus in European countries is generally low. In Brazil, the price is significantly more expensive, which may limit the accessibility by social economically deprived populations. No significant differences were found in the average cost of meals from different restaurants typology. Traditional/Western restaurants present the highest price.

Practical implications

Globally, kids' menus are composed by unhealthy food items, pointing to the need of improvements in food availability, aiming to promote healthy food habits among children.

Originality/value

This study presents innovative data on children's menus, allowing for characterization of meals offered to children and comparison between different countries.

Key points

  1. Kids’ menus are composed by unhealthy food items.

  2. Improvement of kids' menus quality will promote children food habits.

  3. Healthier out-of-home food consumption will contribute to public health.

Kids’ menus are composed by unhealthy food items.

Improvement of kids' menus quality will promote children food habits.

Healthier out-of-home food consumption will contribute to public health.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 2 March 2023

Macarena Torroba Diaz, Anna Bajo-Sanjuan, Ángela María Callejón Gil, Ana Rosales-Pérez and Lidia López Marfil

This study aims to build a model for the analysis of the environmental behavior of university students.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to build a model for the analysis of the environmental behavior of university students.

Design/methodology/approach

A partial least square method was adopted, and a questionnaire on intelligence, knowledge, attitude and environmental behavior was performed on 480 Spanish university students.

Findings

The results indicate that environmental intelligence positively affects university students’ environmental behavior through environmental knowledge and attitude.

Research limitations/implications

The conclusions of the present study are based on a sample drawn from Spanish university students. Therefore, new studies are needed to cover other educational institutions and cultural contexts.

Practical implications

Many university students’ environmental behavior depends on implementing educational actions that improve their environmental intelligence and knowledge.

Social implications

The study suggests that educational programs should implement strategies that maintain a sense of responsibility toward the sustainable development of university students, ensuring that future generations can live a quality life in a sustainable and safe environment.

Originality/value

The present study identifies the mechanism through which the environmental behavior of university students is formed.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 24 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

1 – 10 of 118