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Research on networks and innovation has experienced a rapid growth in social sciences since the beginning of the century. The large production of papers on networks and innovation impedes making single statements, and a simple state-of-the-art would probably overlook a great number of publications. The present study conducts a meta-analysis of the scientific production on networks and innovation published in social science journals indexed by Web of Science. We identity hot topics, influential authors and theories, main disciplines, contributing institutions, and through bibliographic coupling (papers using similar references) and network analysis, we present insights from the intellectual structure of this field of research. Findings reveal (1) while management studies keep this field alive, it is in sociology that the bases of knowledge arise; and (2) a structural perspective dominates the field where network properties and relational resources influence innovative behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One means of examining the structure of a scientific discipline consists of analyzing the editorial boards of its most influential journals. This work analyzes the networks among the top 100 sociology journals, formed by multiple memberships of editors to distinct boards (interlocking editorship). The results suggest that a small number of editors having similar profiles simultaneously serve on a variety of journal boards; top journals form a large and united community, with Anglo-Saxon universities dominating the same; universities from countries located in the Southern Hemisphere hold a marginal position; and general sociology journals are more connected than specialized sociology journals. These findings contribute to debates on disciplinary segmentation, degrees of internationalization, openness to nonacademic sectors and trajectories of the scientific "elite". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Context: This paper explores the relationship between corporate networks and business influence to figure out the conditions of state capture. Methodology: We analyze corporate networks through interlocking directorates in three Central American countries - Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador - using network analysis, and we pinpoint the relationship between the structure of the corporate network and two corporate political actions: contributions to presidential campaigns and revolving doors. Conclusions: Results show corporate networks were fragmented in the three Central American countries, except for a well-connected business cluster in Panama. The organization of business elites based on a single cohesive business cluster could facilitate coordination to finance political parties, which gives them more strength to demand government posts. On the other side, the absence of connections between business elites makes it difficult to reach agreements and weaken business influence. Findings suggest that networking among some (not all) business elites can be a source that precedes state capture, as it organizes access to the state through collective mobilization of resources and coordinated action planning. Originality: This paper is the first study on networks of interlocking directorates in Central American economies and combines original data on contributions to electoral campaigns and revolving doors. Therefore, it can be a benchmark for future studies on business power. In addition, this study introduces the analysis of interlocking directorates in the literature on state capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of who owns large companies and how they are organised is overdue in the study of Latin American elites, especially at transnational level. It is a limitation that has hampered debates on the emergence of transnational business elites in the region. This paper identifies the owners of the largest companies in Latin America and analyses the networks they form. The results reveal the formation of an interlocking ownership network between a small number of transnational owners, most of whom are financial corporations in the United States and Europe. These findings allow us to discuss regional integration and the dominance of economic models imported from those territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research maps the business and political elite networks in Mexico to understand the social organization and influence capacity of Mexican elites, and to open up avenues of research on power elites in Mexico. First, a study of the internal cohesion of the business elites is carried out through an analysis of networks of interlocking directorates and ownership ties. Secondly, we examine several cases of revolving doors through a prosopographic analysis of biographies and trajectories. The results reveal that the Mexican business elites are cohesive and that a group of individuals fluctuate between the public and private sectors. In addition, the combination of both analyses shows that corporations or business groups with access to the State via revolving doors are well-connected firms in the network of interlocking directorates. Findings suggest the emergence of a public-private ruling class in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research examines the formation of flashbulb memories in a sample of Colombians. Flashbulb Memories (FBM) are autobiographical memories related to the context of receiving shocking public news. A sample of 380 respondents (171 men and 209 women) aged from 20 to 89 years old (M = 37.05; SD = 13.36) conducted a test between 4-19 days after worldwide breaking news. Factor analysis, descriptive analysis and structural equation models were applied. Four models described by the literature on flashbulb memories were tested. Results show that models proposed by Finkenauer et al. (1998) and Er (2003) predict the formation of flashbulb memories through an indirect path. The models proposed by Brown and Kulik (1977) and Conway et al. (1994) do not predict the formation of flashbulb memories in news related to international terrorism. However, goodness of fit indexes were better for Brown and Kulik's model than for the other three models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable active films were prepared by casting, using corn starch, with differing oxidation degree, bovine gelatin, glycerol, as a plasticizer, and ethyl lauroyl arginate (LAE) as antimicrobial compound. The films were characterized as to their microstructure, physical properties and water affinity. Starch oxidation with sodium periodate (SP) greatly improved polymer compatibility and crosslinking, especially at 1:1 glucose:SP molar ratio, which promoted the films’ strength (40–92%) and barrier capacity (33 and 40% reduction in water vapour and oxygen permeability, respectively in LAE-free films), while Maillard reactions promoted the film browning. LAE, with amino and carbonyl groups, participated in the condensation reactions, interfering in the network crosslinking. All films with LAE showed bactericidal effect against Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli and LAE free films with oxidized starch inhibited the growth of both bacteria by 1–2 log CFU, due to the antimicrobial properties of Maillard compounds. Blend films with the most oxidized starch and gelatin containing LAE are promising materials for food packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes, compares, and explains the corporate elite networks formed by interlocking directorates across five Latin American economies in order to comprehend why corporate elites are interconnected by cohesive networks in some countries and not in others. Results show cohesive elite networks in Mexico, Chile, and to some extent in Peru, but not in Brazil and Colombia. After testing and rejecting the hypotheses from existing theories, the author identifies complementarities among cohesive corporate elite networks, state–business relations through strong encompassing business associations, and market openness. In economies where state–business relations are mediated by strong encompassing business associations and open up to free trade with developed economies, corporate elites form cohesive networks, whereas in economies with weak encompassing business associations and low trade openness, corporate elites do not form cohesive networks. These novel explanations are useful to understand corporate elite networks in emerging economies, and a benchmark for future studies on corporate elites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the C-400-98 decision, the Colombian Constitutional Court adopted for the first time the thesis of moderate monism, as a theory to orientate the relationship between international law and domestic law. This judicial decision supported its theory on Alfred Verdross' doctrine, who according to the Court is the leading author of moderate monism. This article will analyze the theoretical and doctrinal support of the theory advocated by the Court, based on the original theory of Verdross. To do this, the article will analyze the proposal of the Constitutional Court; then, it will present a summary of the theories that explain the relationship between International and domestic law, chiefly the genuine moderate monism. Next, after comparing the Constitutional Court's and the original theory of Verdross, it will be demonstrated that the Colombian Tribunal distorted moderate monism, which casts a shadow of doubt on the soundness of the theoretical foundation assumed by the Court. This will lead to conclude that Colombia has never accepted the moderate monism theory and therefore it is necessary to abandon such doctrinal reference and modify the existing precedent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflicting perspectives appear when thinking about the emergence of a cohesive transnational corporate network in Latin America. On the one hand, regional political integration, foreign investment growth, increased cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and cultural and linguistic homogeneity may have fostered transnational networks among Latin America's corporate elites. On the other hand, domestic-based business groups, family control and trade orientation to the USA may have hindered the emergence of a cohesive transnational corporate network in Latin America. Based on a network analysis of interlocking directorates among the 300 largest corporations in Latin America, I ask whether the region's corporate elites interconnect at the transnational level and form a cohesive transnational corporate network. I found few transnational interlocks, a lack of cohesion in the transnational corporate network and no regional leaders. Corporate elites in Latin America are not transnationally interconnected and so a cohesive transnational corporate network has not emerged. I discuss implications and avenues of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research analyzes national corporate interlock networks and their causal conditions. The objective is two-fold: 1) to specify types of corporate networks, and 2) to pinpoint the causal configurations that give rise to each type of corporate network. First, corporate networks on basis of interlocking directorates are analyzed and compared using social network analysis to empirically derive a typology. The results show two types of corporate networks: cohesive corporate networks which are based on unification, centralization and strength ties; and dispersed corporate networks which are characterized by fragmentation, decentralization and single ties. Second, combinations of causal conditions that explain the emergence of each type of corporate networks are identified using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Finally, avenues of research on corporate interlock networks are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Flashbulb memories are autobiographical memories of specific moments of high emotional impact. This study tested the psychometric properties of a test that aims to measure flashbulb memories and factors associated with their formation. Flashbulb memory questionnaires need to be adapt rapidly to be useful shortly after the index event has occurred. The study involved 380 adults of both sexes. Inclusion and exclusion criteria and fully described. Exploratory factor analysis were conducted using polychoric correlations, confirming the unidimensionality of each part of the test. Reliability coefficients were calculated and fell within the range for acceptable reliability although the lower limits of the confidence intervals were low for two dimensions of the test. Overall, we consider a test of this type to be useful in the investigation of shared memories in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]