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1 – 10 of 97Mauricio Pérez Giraldo, Mauricio Vasquez, Alejandro Toro, Robison Buitrago-Sierra and Juan Felipe Santa
This paper aims to develop a stable gel-type lubricant emulating commercial conditions. This encompassed rheological and tribological assessments, alongside field trials on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a stable gel-type lubricant emulating commercial conditions. This encompassed rheological and tribological assessments, alongside field trials on the Medellín tram system.
Design/methodology/approach
The gel-type lubricant with graphite and aluminum powder is synthesized. Rheological tests, viscosity measurements and linear viscoelastic regime assessments are conducted. Subsequently, tribological analyses encompassing four-ball and twin disc methods are executed. Finally, real-world testing is performed on the Medellín tram system.
Findings
An achieved lubricant met the stipulated criteria, yielding innovative insights into the interaction of graphite and aluminum powder additives under varying tests.
Originality/value
Novel findings are unveiled regarding the interaction of graphite and aluminum powder additives in tribological, rheological and real-world trials. In addition, the wear behavior of polymers is observed, along with the potential utilization of such additives in tramway systems.
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Paula M. Hernandez-Diaz, Jorge-Andrés Polanco, Sergio Andrés Osuna-Ramírez, Erika Jaillier-Castrillón, Tatiana Molina-Velasquez and Manuela Escobar-Sierra
This paper aims to find the incidence of university sustainability, as sustainability practices, in university performance at private universities.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to find the incidence of university sustainability, as sustainability practices, in university performance at private universities.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research using structural equation modelling. Data collection and analysis followed sustainability and performance scales from previous research. The scales were validated by surveying students, teachers and administrative staff of five private universities in Medellin, Colombia. The responses (i.e. 5,344 useful answers) were collected between April 2019 and December 2020 and analysed using the Smart partial least square (PLS) software and the PLS calculation methodology.
Findings
The results confirmed the reliability and validity of the sustainability and performance university measurement models and validated the dimensions proposed to determine sustainability and performance holistically in private universities. The results confirmed that universities implementing sustainability holistically in their system positively impact their performance as higher education institutions. The university sustainability is forecasting the University Performance in about 60% of the universities analysed, with a considerable contribution from sustainability in outreach and strategic management.
Research limitations/implications
This study was cross-sectional and empirically validated the model of sustainability and performance at five private universities in a single period and territory. A broader validation from longitudinal studies considering other universities in Colombia and Latin America is suggested to understand local and regional trends better.
Practical implications
Results provided a model for better understanding the incidence of sustainability in performance holistically at private universities in developing countries such as Colombia. In addition, the proposed dimensions and model could help regional decision-making on higher education.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first attempts relating a structural equation model and inter-university research on the incidence of sustainability in private university performance. This work contributes to a local consensus on sustainability and performance models at private universities. Furthermore, from this research emerged a joint policy framework for incorporating sustainability holistically and regionally as an effective strategy for universities and their commitment to sustainable development.
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The government’s low approval ratings nationally, and especially in some major cities, notably Bogota, Medellin and Cali, suggest that candidates belonging to or endorsed by the…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB282374
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Voting was largely peaceful, with only a few isolated security incidents reported. Parties unaffiliated with the national government did well in urban areas, winning control of…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB283049
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Juan Felipe Parra, Alejandro Valencia-Arias and Jonathan Bermúdez-Hernández
Entrepreneurial intention is one of the main predictors of venture creation. However, the approaches used to analyze the entrepreneurial intention and venture creation are mostly…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurial intention is one of the main predictors of venture creation. However, the approaches used to analyze the entrepreneurial intention and venture creation are mostly linear approaches, leaving aside the fact that new ventures arise in a context characterized by fluctuations and instability, especially in emerging economies where economic and social factors are highly variables. Nevertheless, a dynamic approach could best represent its behavior. This study aims to propose an alternative approach and a starting point for more complex dynamic models in the entrepreneurship process that surpass the limitation of the current linear methodologies and allow gathering isolated studies' contributions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposes a method to shed light on the processes related to the venture creation process and entrepreneurial intention by designing a system dynamics simulation model.
Findings
The results reveal that the delayed effect of expectations produces a growing tendency in project creation, venture establishment and venture creation. Likewise, the entrepreneurial intention is not a static variable; it changes by the system’s dynamics and disturbs the venture creation process, which produces an increase in oscillations in the model and, therefore, reduces the project’s growth and venture creation.
Research limitations/implications
This model is a generic approach for the study of venture creation and entrepreneurial intention. The model can analyze entrepreneurial intention and venture creation in different contexts, adjusting the different model parameters. The authors run a sensitivity analysis to encompass deviation from the parameter established and the uncertainty about them. However, the empirical data used for the model’s testing, in this case, correspond to an approximation to the behavior of venture creation in Colombia, which is considered an emerging economy. The model proposed does not pretend to incorporate all the variables and phenomena about entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
The approach suggested in this work aims to conceptualize venture creation as a complex process that emerges from the occurrence and combination of simpler states, instead of activities that represent building blocks. In addition, the term “entrepreneurial process” is defined as a composite of different perspectives that use a series of multidisciplinary theories to address the topic.
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Philipp Ulbrich, André Vinicius Leal Sobral, Luis Alejandro Rivera-Flórez, Edna Margarita Rodríguez-Gaviria, Jon Coaffee, Victor Marchezini and João Porto de Albuquerque
Disasters continue to be most prevalent and severe for marginalised communities. To reach those furthest behind first, as the global community pledges in the 2030 Agenda, a…
Abstract
Purpose
Disasters continue to be most prevalent and severe for marginalised communities. To reach those furthest behind first, as the global community pledges in the 2030 Agenda, a critical assessment of equity in disaster risk governance is necessary. Yet, the understanding of factors that mediate the capacity of the governance processes to achieve equity ambitions is limited. This paper addresses this gap by proposing and testing a conceptual framework to assess equity in disaster risk governance.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework analyses the extent to which institutional relationships and data in risk governance support inclusion and diversity of voice and enable the equitable engagement of communities. The study applied the framework to key risk policies across governance levels in Brazil and Colombia.
Findings
The study finds that institutional awareness of cross-sectoral and -scalar coordination clearly exists. Yet, the engagement of actors further down the governance scale is framed reactively at all scales in both countries. The analysis of the risk data practices indicates that although data integration and sharing are key policy priorities, the policies frame the relations of disaster risk data actors as hierarchical, with data needs determined from the top down.
Originality/value
A key contribution of this framework is that its equity view results in a nuanced analysis, thus pointing to the differences between the two countries concerning the factors that mediate these challenges and providing specific entry points for strengthening equity in risk governance policies.
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Ana-Maria Parente-Laverde, Izaias Martins and Laura Isabel Rojas de Francisco
This study aims to analyze the effect of institutional dimensions and corporate reputation (CR) on the performance of Latin American companies using a study framework built on…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the effect of institutional dimensions and corporate reputation (CR) on the performance of Latin American companies using a study framework built on institutional theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a panel data analysis of 45 companies from the 6 biggest economies in Latin America for 5 years.
Findings
The authors found a positive effect between institutional independence and transparency perception, certifications, social norms, chief executive officer (CEO) international experience, board of directors' networks and CR with international performance (IP) and a negative effect between property rights protection and the perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) with performance.
Originality/value
The uniqueness of this paper is based on the analysis of institutional and reputational variables on the IP of firms from emerging markets.
Propósito
Este estudio busca analizar el efecto de las dimensiones institucionales y la reputación corporativa en el desempeño internacional de las compañías latinoamericanas, desde una perspectiva de la teoría institucional.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Los autores usan un análisis de datos de panel de cuarenta y cinco compañías provenientes de las seis economías más grandes de Latinoamérica, durante cinco años.
Resultados
Se encontró un efecto positivo entre la interdependencia y la transparencia institucional, certificaciones internacionales, normas sociales, experiencia internacional del gerente, las redes de la junta directiva y la reputación corporativa con el desempeño internacional. Así mismo, se encontró un efecto negative entre la protección a la propiedad intelectual y la percepción de responsabilidad social con el desempeño.
Originalidad
La excepcionalidad de este artículo se basa en el análisis de variables institucional y reputacionales en el desempeño de compañías provenientes de mercados emergentes.
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This paper aims to analyse how corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social innovation (CSI) are implemented in the integration of employees with disabilities (EWD…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse how corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social innovation (CSI) are implemented in the integration of employees with disabilities (EWD) and how they differ in practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This study implemented a qualitative approach through a comparative study of two representative cases in Colombia, using a cross-case analysis technique.
Findings
Four characteristics differentiate CSR and CSI in the labour integration of EWDs: altruistic vs goal-oriented, inclusive vs egalitarian, humanistic vs transformative and sympathetic vs synergetic, relating motivations, practices, impact and collaborations correspondingly.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore the conceptual (theoretical) and instrumental (practical) base of CSR and CSI, undertaking business strategies to integrate EWDs in the labour market in the context of a developing country, Colombia. Examining EWDs’ labour integration represents an original approach to understanding how CSI can be considered an evolution of CSR.
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Ana Elena Builes-Vélez, Juliana Restrepo and Juan Diego Diego Martínez
This paper aims to identify how the faculties of a Colombian University have understood the concept of sustainability and the way they have embedded it into their training.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify how the faculties of a Colombian University have understood the concept of sustainability and the way they have embedded it into their training.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research was done using documentary and content analysis which allowed researchers to recognize features correlated to sustainability which are needed to promote and act for social equity, ecological care and economic development.
Findings
It was found that most faculties at the university do not conceptualize it; ergo, courses are designed neither for promoting sustainability nor sustainable education. Besides this, almost no level of integration was identified among faculties on this topic.
Research limitations/implications
Many people agree education for sustainability is a key action to overcome the complex challenges the planet is facing; nevertheless, the prejudice that training to solve sustainability problems is an exclusive task of certain disciplines is common. This misunderstanding reduces the possibilities of pursuing a sustainable future, considering that these issues affect all humankind and that they can only be solved through interdisciplinary and collaborative work.
Practical implications
The paper also outlines some actions that Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) can take to consider sustainability issues, and they are as follows: identification of competencies to include in the curricula; recognition of the potential of integrating education for sustainable development (ESD) into the curricula by strengthening the competencies and capacities; strengthening the competencies and capacities of the academic staff through ESD training processes; articulation of research with the curricula in such a way that the results of research processes permeate the curricula.
Social implications
This study has some limitations. For instance, regarding the survey, the size of the sample may seem too small, a bigger sample will allow better information for the results. Regarding the case studies, a greater diversity of programs could have provided a wider range of results. Despite these limitations, for UPB, the study shows a snapshot of the literature review and the articulation of sustainable development and climate change education (CCE) in all programs the university has. The implications of this paper and research are the following. First, it reiterates the importance of having within the same institution a common language to talk about sustainability. Second, it recognizes the competencies and skills that should considered when implementing ESD and CCE in curricula.
Originality/value
This idea corresponds to a lack of debate about what the term signifies and means. It is believed that, as sustainability has been highly researched in the past two decades, it is a cross-cutting element in any faculty proposal; however, due to the complexity of the term, it is understood differently by each member of the same academic community, affecting their ability to design a systemic and systematic curriculum that enables to educate for sustainable goals.
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This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the urban outcomes of smart city projects, focusing on their primary objectives. The first objective is to facilitate…
Abstract
This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the urban outcomes of smart city projects, focusing on their primary objectives. The first objective is to facilitate the management and flow of information, data, and resources to enhance resource efficiency, sustainability, and the quality of life for citizens and stakeholders. This chapter offers insights into the urban objectives of smart city projects within the local ecosystem, with a specific emphasis on digital and key urban outcomes. It provides an overview of the digital outcomes, including the advancement of digital systems for safety and urban monitoring, the provision of customized digital services, and the promotion of citizen engagement through digital platforms. This chapter also evaluates the environmental outcomes of smart city projects, such as improved quality of life, increased urban efficiency, and contributions to a sustainable environment. To provide a well-rounded understanding, interviews with policymakers and city managers, as well as case studies from cities like London, Medellin, Helsinki, Singapore, Girona, and San Diego, are incorporated. Furthermore, this chapter incorporates data and findings from top-tier international journals to provide a clear understanding of the impact of smart cities on the local ecosystem.
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