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This chapter explores how the irruption of plastic materials in contemporary society, in the same way that it facilitated a wide range of human activities, eventually degenerated into a global danger through the contamination of rivers and seas, damaging the human food chain. In doing so, the historical background of this situation has been outlined. Moreover, the countries and areas at present that have polluting plastic substances and those that can be most easily recycled is highlighted. It should be noted that it is precisely in the area of recyclability where most hopes have been placed to counteract plastic contamination aimed at avoiding single-use plastic products. Subsequently, the different positions adopted by the members of society on this problem have been described and, by way of example, the state of the situation in a specific country, Spain, has been summarised.

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between inter-firm collaboration network and the type of innovation strategies that can be followed by firms: buy or make innovation. In particular, the authors seek to analyze which are the network topologies that facilitate firms following a buy innovation strategy compared to those network properties that encourage internal R&D activities.

The authors use data from a fieldwork with face-to-face interviews applied to managing directors of firms in the rubber and plastic cluster of Uruguay. Subsequently, they combine social network analysis with regression techniques to determine how inter-firm networks can influence different types of innovation activities.

The authors find that degree centrality facilitates a buy innovation strategy, while betweenness centrality is positively associated with making innovation. Thus, having many direct links with other firms and organizations is relevant to buy innovation. However, indirect links that allow the firm to occupy a strategic position in the network are crucial to develop in-house innovation strategies.

The results offer an advance in the explanation of the incidence of the cluster network structure on the firms innovation strategies; however, they should be contrasted with similar analysis in others clusters and complemented with in depth case studies on the mechanisms behind these phenomena.

These findings have practical implications for business innovation strategy. One factor that should be taken into account is the way in which firms interact with other actors in the cluster. On the one hand, firms can decide to establish and maintain many direct collaboration links, which may contribute to buy innovation. On the other hand, they can follow a more strategic and selective collaboration strategy to make innovation, a strategy that carefully studies not only its direct collaborations, but also what the potential indirect connections would be.

These findings have policy implications regarding industry support organizations. The findings show that such organizations contribute significantly to the overall connectivity and cohesion of networks. This fact allows some firms to register high levels of betweenness centrality, and therefore, organizations can be an interesting instrument to support firms aiming to follow a make innovation strategy.

This study contributes to the literature that analyzes how inter-firm collaboration networks can influence innovation. In line with previous research, results verify that centrality is positively associated with innovation. However, the main contribution of this research is to provide evidence on different ways in which inter-firm networks are related to different innovation strategies (make or buy). In addition, the authors contribute to the understanding of collaboration dynamics and innovation activities in inter-firm interactions within a typical case of a low-tech cluster created under the so-called state-led industrialization model in Latin America.

Este artículo busca estudiar la relación entre las redes de colaboración entre empresas y las diferentes estrategias de innovación. En concreto, se centra en la clásica distinción entre comprar la innovación o desarrollarla en el seno de la empresa.

El artículo estudia el clúster del caucho y plástico de Uruguay, situado en el área metropolitana de Montevideo y Canelones. Los datos se obtuvieron de un trabajo de campo, con 118 entrevistas cara a cara a gerentes de empresas del clúster. Se combinan técnicas de análisis de redes sociales con regresiones logísticas para estimar cómo la posición en la red influye sobre las estrategias de innovación.

Los resultados prueban que la red tiene efectos diferenciados en las estrategias de innovación: mientras que la centralidad de grado (tener muchas conexiones) facilita que las empresas compren innovación, la centralidad de intermediación (ocupar una posición estratégica en la red) está positivamente asociada con el desarrollo de innovación dentro de la empresa.

El artículo realiza una contribución relevante a la literatura sobre redes de innovación al aclarar la relación entre diferentes formas de colaboración en red y distintas estrategias de innovación. Además, resulta de especial interés su estudio de la innovación y las interacciones entre empresas en un caso típico de industria de baja tecnología, creada bajo el llamado modelo de industrialización dirigido por el estado.

Análisis de redes sociales, Innovación, Industrias de baja tecnología, Clúster industrial, Caucho y plástico, Uruguay

O objetivo deste artigo é estudar como as redes de colaboração entre empresas estão relacionadas a diferentes estratégias de inovação seguidas pelas empresas. Em particular, concentra-se na chamada distinção entre comprar e fazer inovação.

O artigo estuda o cluster industrial de borracha e plásticos do Uruguai, localizado nas regiões metropolitanas de Montevidéu e Canelones. Os dados foram obtidos a partir do trabalho de campo, através de 118 entrevistas face-a-face aplicadas a diretores executivos de empresas. Ele combina análise de redes sociais com técnicas de regressão logística para determinar como a posição nas redes de colaboração influencia as estratégias de inovação.

Os resultados provam que a rede tem efeitos diferentes pelo tipo de estratégia de inovação: a centralidade dos graus das firmas (isto é, ter muitos links diretos) facilita a compra de inovações externas, enquanto a centralidade entre as posições (estando localizada em uma posição estratégica na rede) é positivamente associado com a inovação dentro da empresa.

O artigo fornece uma contribuição relevante para a literatura sobre redes de inovação, elucidando a relação entre diferentes formas de colaboração e diferentes estratégias de inovação. Além disso, faz uma contribuição especial, concentrando-se em inovações e interações entre firmas dentro de um caso típico de uma indústria de baixa tecnologia criada sob o chamado modelo de industrialização liderado pelo Estado.

Análise de redes sociais, Inovação, Indústrias de baixa tecnologia, Cluster industrial, Borracha e plásticos, Uruguai

This paper reports on research investigating the process of formation of manufacturing strategy in six UK manufacturing small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Realised manufacturing strategy can be considered to be the pattern formed in the stream of actions taken within a firm’s manufacturing function. The research aims to locate the source of that stream by identifying the causal origins of strategic manufacturing actions using a strategy charting method. The findings indicate that, for these companies, realised manufacturing strategy is predominantly formed through a bottom‐up emergent process, arising from the preferences of personnel within the manufacturing function. For most strategic manufacturing actions, there is no demonstrable link to business strategy. As such, these firms are not following best‐practice manufacturing strategy literature, which advises that manufacturing strategy be derived from business strategy in a top‐down deliberate process. This is the case despite differences in the size, products, customers, ownership structures and histories of the companies. The paper speculates that, in UK SMEs, more widely, manufacturing strategy may similarly not arise from the pursuit of business objectives. This may be because the concept of manufacturing as a potential strategic weapon is absent in the SME community, or because the formalised top‐down deliberate process of developing manufacturing strategy associated with this concept is inappropriate in the dynamic environments in which most SMEs operate.

The purpose of this paper is to present the formulation of the first exhaustive price index for Argentinian (and other Latin American countries) visual artists using 5,069 works sold in auctions by 71 Argentinian artists during the years 1980-2014.

The authors estimated a regression of hedonic prices using the ordinary least squares method. When the regression was run and the results were analysed, the authors then estimated the annual price index of Argentinian artists’ work to then compare them with different financial and economic variables.

The average annual nominal arithmetic rate of return in dollars for Argentinian art during this period was 6.81 per cent, with a 29.11 per cent standard deviation. Argentinian art shows a low correlation with Argentinian and US companies’ shares and a slightly negative correlation with US bonds. This is the reason for artworks to be included in investors’ portfolios despite the relatively high volatility.

Valuating works of art in Argentina can be explained by a series of their attributes. The benefits of art as an investment should be contrasted with factors including illiquidity and high transaction costs that are inherent when investing in works of art.

Argentinian artists’ works have higher prices when, ceteris paribus, they are dated; they are auctioned in either Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Galería Arroyo, Roldan & Cia, Meeting Art, or Naon & Cia; they are oil or acrylic paintings; they are larger in size – although the price increase is decreasing when the size of the painting increases; and when the artist dies before their work is auctioned.

This work presents the first rigorous price index of Argentinian artists’ works. Additionally, and as far as the authors have been able to observe, the time-period in this article is the longest that has been used in studies on art as an investment in emerging markets.

Este trabajo presenta la elaboración del primer índice exhaustivo de precios de artistas plásticos de Argentina (y de cualquier otro país de Latino América) a partir de 5.069 ventas de obras de 71 artistas argentinos realizadas en subastas durante el período 1980-2014.

Se estimó una regresión de precios hedónica por el Método de Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios. Una vez corrida la regresión y analizados sus resultados, se procedió a estimar el índice anual de precios de obras de artistas argentinos, para posteriormente relacionarlos con diversas variables financieras y económicas.

El rendimiento promedio aritmético nominal anual en dólares del arte argentino durante ese período fue de 6,81% con una desviación estándar de 29,11%. El arte argentino exhibe una baja correlación con las acciones de empresas argentinas y de EEUU y ligeramente negativa con bonos de EEUU, lo cual le confiere atributos para ser incluido en las carteras de los inversionistas, a pesar de la elevada volatilidad.

Se consigue que la valoración de arte en Argentina puede ser explicada por una serie de atributos de las obras de arte. Los beneficios del arte como inversión deben ser evaluados con la iliquidez y los elevados costos de transacción, entre otros costos, inherentes a la inversión en obras de arte.

Las obras de artistas argentinos tienen precios más altos cuando, ceteris paribus: están fechadas, se subastan en Christie's, en Sotheby's o en Galería Arroyo, son ejecutadas en óleo o en acrílico, tienen un mayor área, aunque el aumento de precio es decreciente al aumentar el área, y cuando el artista ya había fallecido al momento de celebrase la subasta.

Este trabajo propone el primer índice riguroso de precios de obras de artistas de Argentina. Además, y hasta donde hemos podido comprobar, el período utilizado en este trabajo es el más largo que se haya empleado en estudios del arte como inversión en mercados emergentes.

As destinations emerge from the crisis, a sustainability-focused recovery approach is necessary; thus, there is need to design action plans that are capable of managing the environmental impacts caused by cruise tourism and identify citical issues and priorities for sustainable tourism management in the post-COVID-19 era. This article presents a detailed overview of key issues facing cruise tourism in Mahahual – Costa Maya, the second most important port of entry/cruise destination in Mexico and areas of opportunity to cope with or manage change, both positive and negative. Areas of discussion include: local attitudes towards cruise tourism, government policies currently in place or in consideration that may impact cruise tourism, social or environmental projects that cruise companies should support in or around the host destination to foster sustainability after the pandemic. The analysis is based on desk-research, local stakeholder feedback/input, site visits and an evaluation of the destination's policies and practices against a selected number of indicators from Global Sustainable Tourism Council – GSTC's Criteria for Destinations (GSTC-D). Issues identified include: fear of rapid and uncontrolled growth of tourism before the pandemic (both cruise tourism and stay-over tourism), pollution and the loss of ecosystems/environmental degradation, disappointment due to low economic spill – lack of benefits from cruise tourism and limited public services and infrastructure (water and electricity, sewage treatment, garbage etc.). The researcher recommends regular and timely collection, recording, monitoring and public reporting of data about residents' aspirations, issues and satisfaction with destination management.

The aim of the present work is to describe a numerical approach to the analysis of three‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures subject to prestressing. The finite element approach developed is described, with particular regard to the configuration of finite elements in relation to numerical model generation. An elasto‐viscoplastic material law is adopted. The non‐linear formulation is discussed, pointing out theoretical and numerical aspects. The computational examples, carried out using a specially developed code, aim at illustrating the characteristic aspects of the proposed approach.

Formular un análisis externo de INAPOL. Desarrollar un análisis estratégico para identificar alternativas estratégicas.

INAPOL es una empresa manufacturera dedicada a la fabricación de mangas de polietileno y confección de bolsas plásticas, que enfrentó una crisis por la nueva normativa medioambiental en Chile. Esta norma prohíbe la entrega de bolsas plásticas en el comercio, lo que conlleva directamente a una disminución en la demanda de bolsas por parte de sus principales clientes. Es por esto que es necesario realizar un análisis estratégico y reformular un plan de desarrollo. El presente caso de estudio presenta una baja complejidad y podrá ser aplicado en cursos introductorios de estrategia o gestión de empresas para estudiantes de pregrado en ingeniería, administración y negocios. Se espera que el lector sea capaz de identificar los factores externos que limitan a la empresa, y los factores internos que afectan a la empresa. Además, se espera que el lector desarrolle herramientas de análisis estratégico tales como PESTAL (PESTEL) y FODA (SWOT) e identificar antecedentes necesarios para proponer alternativas estratégicas.

El presente caso de estudio presenta una baja complejidad y podrá ser aplicado en cursos introductorios de estrategia o gestión de empresas para estudiantes de pregrado en administración y negocios.

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CSS 11: Strategy.

Learning outcomes of this study are as follows: formulate an external analysis of INAPOL; and develop a strategic analysis to identify strategic alternatives.

INAPOL is a manufacturing company dedicated to the production of polyethylene sleeves and the manufacture of plastic bags, which faced a crisis because of the new environmental regulations in Chile. This rule prohibits the delivery of plastic bags in commerce, which leads directly to a decrease in the demand for bags by its main customers. This is why it is necessary to conduct a strategic analysis and reformulate a development plan. The reader is expected to be able to identify the external factors that limit the company and the internal factors that affect the company. In addition, the reader is expected to develop strategic analysis tools such as PESTEL and SWOT and identify background information to propose strategic alternatives.

The present case study presents a low complexity and can be applied in introductory courses of strategy or management for undergraduate students in administration.

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

CSS 11: Strategy.

It has been suggested that much of the potential inefficiencies associated with supply chain management (SCM) costs can be traced to wasteful practices such as inefficient, unnecessary, or redundant stocking practices, or inefficient transportation. The purpose of this paper is to develop a model which reconciles many of these inefficiencies by integrating production factors, purchasing, inventory, and trucking decisions for optimizing supply chain costs between first‐, and second‐tier suppliers and subsequent OEM customers.

The modeling technique is mathematical programming tested in a simulation model. In an effort to determine the significance of the transportation component of the proffered model, the fully developed model is differentially tested, including standard production variables varying transportation costs, paired with similar instances of the model in which the transportation costs are fixed.

Significant differences are found in the predictive abilities of the respective models, and this supplies pragmatic evidence of the important role that transportation issues play in the consideration of integrated SCM costs.

The key limitation to this finding lies in the validation process. As suggested by Sargent, Monte‐Carlo studies are useful for validation purposes, and the supply chain optimization model (MHSCM) is certainly confirmed through this particular simulation.

The managerial focus on transportation management and cost control in SCM can be highlighted as a critical implication of the study.

The structure of the MHSCM is robust, and may be useful for cost‐control planning purposes in a dynamic environment, subject to certain limitations accruing to the methodology.