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Distributed systems usually contain objects with heterogeneous security requirements that pose important challenges for the underlying security mechanisms and especially in access control systems. Access control in distributed systems often relies on centralised security administration. Existing solutions for distributed access control do not provide the flexibility and manageability required. This paper presents the XML‐based secure content distribution (XSCD) infrastructure, which is based on the production of protected software objects that convey contents (software or data) and can be distributed without further security measures because they embed the access control enforcement mechanism. It also provides means for integrating privilege management infrastructures (PMIs). Semantic information is used in the dynamic instantiation and semantic validation of policies. XSCD is scalable, facilitates the administration of the access control system, guarantees the secure distribution of the contents, enables semantic integration and interoperability of heterogeneous sources, provides persistent protection and allows actions (such as payment) to be bound to the access to objects.

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.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the advantages of semantics‐aware representation formalisms in the integration of digital rights management (DRM) infrastructures grounded on heterogeneous formats.

After discussing the notion of semantics‐aware IPR and its relationship with Semantic Web‐style metadata, we exemplify the advantages of adopting it by providing two different use cases. XML‐based DRMLs are mapped with a shared ontology‐based representation in such a way that dependencies between elements can be drawn.

Individual formalisms may take advantage of a semantics‐aware infrastructure to check consistency of DRM policies according to dependencies not explicit in the specification language. On the other hand, distinct formalisms can be integrated with each other according to fine‐grained translation mechanisms.

Inference procedures can pre‐process this knowledge base and derive implicit knowledge that can be used by programming logic in the actual enforcement of DRM policies.

Cassava production surged noticeably in Southeastern Africa beginning in the 1990s. The purpose of this paper is to examine the commercial responses and food security consequences of cassava production growth in the region.

The paper incorporates a mix of quantitative analysis, based primarily on original analysis of national farm household survey data, together with key informant interviews with value chain participants in the three neighboring countries of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

In the cassava production zones, cassava's high productivity translates into per kilogram carbohydrate costs 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the cost of cereals such as maize and wheat, thereby opening up a range of profitable opportunities for commercialization of cassava‐based foods, feeds and industrial products. Despite this potential, cassava commercialization in Southeastern Africa remains in its formative stages, with only 10 per cent to 30 per cent of production currently marketed. Unlike West Africa, where cassava commercialization has centered on marketing prepared cassava‐based convenience foods, the emerging cassava markets in Southeastern Africa have centered on fresh cassava, low value‐added cassava flour, and experiments in industrial processing of cassava‐based starches, biofuels and feeds. Strategic investment in a set of key public goods (breeding, training in food sciences and food safety, and research on in‐ground cassava storage) can help to shape this transition in ways that benefit both commercial interests and the food security of vulnerable households.

The paper compares cassava commercialization across differing agro‐climatic zones, policy environments and food staple zones.

This paper aims to explore if employee engagement (EE) influences the relationship quality of long-term partnerships between non-profit organisations (NPO) and for-profit organisations (FPO) and offer a theoretical framework for NPO and FPO long-term partnerships’ success based on the literature.

The study resorts to qualitative research, and through 45 in-depth structured interviews with NPO and FPO employees, this paper intends to investigate the theoretical framework using a hypothetico-deductive method.

The findings support the authors’ theoretical framework, where EE influences satisfaction, trust and commitment to the partnership. The results highlight that organisations creating high levels of satisfaction, trust and commitment may have a higher propensity for long-term partnerships.

This study offers a novel theoretical framework for developing long-term partnerships between NPO and FPO. However, each variable’s extent of influence still needs to be further explored, creating a fertile ground for future research in this area.

Este estudio explora si el compromiso de los empleados influye en la calidad de la relación a largo plazo entre organizaciones sin fines de lucro (NPO) y organizaciones con fines de lucro (FPO) e propone un sistema teorico para el éxito de las asociaciones a largo plazo de NPO y FPO baseado en la literatura.

El estudio recurre a la investigación cualitativa, y a través de 45 entrevistas estructuradas en profundidad con empleados de NPO y FPO, este artículo tiene la intención de examinar el sistema teorico empleando un método hipotético-deductivo.

Los resultados apoyan la afirmación de que el compromiso de los empleados influye en la satisfacción, la confianza y el compromiso con la asociación. Los resultados muestran que las organizaciones que crean altos niveles de satisfacción, confianza y compromiso pueden presentar una mayor propensión a las asociaciones a largo plazo.

Este artículo ofrece un nuevo sistema teorico para el desarrollo de asociaciones a largo plazo entre NPO y FPO. Sin embargo, el alcance de la influencia de cada variable aún debe ser explorado, lo que crea un terreno fértil para futuras investigaciones en esta área.

Este artigo explora se o envolvimento dos colaboradores influência a qualidade da relação de parcerias de longo prazo entre organizações sem fins lucrativos (NPO) e organizações com fins lucrativos (FPO) e propõe um quadro conceptual para o sucesso das parcerias de longo prazo entre NPO e FPO baseado na literatura.

Este estudo recorre à investigação qualitativa e, através de 45 entrevistas em profundidade com funcionários de NPO e FPO, este artigo pretende examinar o quadro teórico utilizando um método hipotetico-dedutivo.

As conclusões apoiam a afirmação de que o envolvimento dos colaboradores influencia a satisfação, a confiança e o compromisso com a parceria. Os resultados mostram que as organizações que criam elevados níveis de satisfação, confiança e compromisso podem apresentar maior propensão a parcerias de longo prazo.

Este artigo oferece um novo quadro teorico para o desenvolvimento de parcerias de longo prazo entre NPO e FPO. No entanto, a extensão de influência de cada variável necessita de análise adicional, o que cria um terreno fértil para futuras investigações nesta área.