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The current global freshwater crisis threatens the present and future supply of water as a resource for humans. The scarcity of drinking water and the dependence of the food indus- try on water-intensive supply chains require the urgent development of strategies to analyze and guarantee the water sustainability of countries. This study proposes a fuzzy-data envel- opment analysis composite index that measures, from a benchmarking approach, water sus- tainability by simultaneously considering capacity and resilience, and captures the uncer- tainty associated with time series variations in three scenarios: pessimistic, indifferent and optimistic. We present and apply an index based on five indicators of capacity and five indicators of resilience in ten European Union countries water risk hotspots. The results in terms of capacity presented a higher variability due to the strong growth in the exploita- tion of water resources in Greece, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. The most sustainable countries in terms of capacity were Bulgaria and Estonia in a pessimistic and an indifferent scenario and France and Bulgaria in an optimistic scenario. In terms of resilience, Belgium and Portugal were the most sustainable countries. When considering capacity and resil- ience together, some countries such as Bulgaria and Estonia lost positions in the ranking, with Belgium occupying the first position. Some countries, such as Bulgaria, could see the sustainability of their water resources compromised in a scenario of economic develop- ment if they do not improve their governance and water productivity constraints., Universidad de Granada/CBUA more...

The energy transition aims, among other things, to reduce the impacts on climate change, and in particular the CO2 emissions linked to the very high consumption of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). The solution lies firstly in energy sobriety, secondly in improving efficiency and finally, in the development of carbon-free energies with, in particular, renewable energies (EnR). On this last point, the deployment of renewable energy processes requires the mobilization of materials in relatively large quantities due to the low concentration of the energy resource (Vidal, 2018). We highlight here the quantities of materials necessary for the implementation of the various energy production systems by focusing on the main materials which are concrete, steel, copper, aluminum, glass and polymers. We will only discuss these materials here. However, we must not forget the so-called critical materials which are also used, albeit in smaller quantities, but which can pose a problem in terms of resources due to their scarcity (IEA 2021). Attention is paid to the recycling of materials which significantly changes the point of view. It is shown the interest of, of course, maximizing this recycling. more...

[EN] In this paper, the resource-based view is used to analyze the implementation of crowdsourcing as an IT-based practice. The study examines strategic positioning regarding market orientation and the role of two capabilities: transformational leadership and organizational learning capability, in the implementation of crowdsourcing. An empirical study of Spanish telecommunications and biotechnology companies confirms the moderating effect of these capabilities on the relationship between market orientation and crowdsourcing. more...

International audience; The analysis of radiative transfer in photoreactors is often crucial for operating efficient photoreactions. This article aims to present a complete experimental and theoretical coupled approach allowing radiative transfer analysis of photoreactors containing particulate media. TiO 2 powder, widely used in photocatalysis, was selected as a case study material for this work. First, Mie theory was used and adapted to assess the effective properties of heterogenous powders. A home-made experimental bench allowing normal-hemispheric transmittance measurement was settled. Theoretical and experimental evaluations of the radiative properties were compared and appear to match each other. The second part of the work consisted in both transmittance and local radiant energy modeling through Monte Carlo and Two Flux models using the previously defined radiative properties as entry parameters. The comparison of experimental and modeled transmittance highlighted the consistence of these models which were then used to describe the radiant energy evolution inside a parallelplane photoreactor. more...

International audience; Activated-Carbon/Titania composites (AC/TiO2) is a relevant option to gather the dual adsorption/photodegradation property within a single material. This work aimed to investigate the composition influence on the adsorption and photodegradation properties of AC/TiO2 composites against caffeine. TiO2 grafted AC powders covering the whole composition scale were synthesized by a one-step mechanical milling process. This original simple elaboration route led to the obtention of powders which particles size and composition were homogeneous and well controlled. When the adsorbent mass ratio varied in the range 0.01−0.75, the adsorption properties, i.e. apparent kinetic and maximum adsorption capacity of the composites increased respectively by 1 and 2-log. At the opposite, the photo-oxidation rate decreased significantly when the adsorbent ratio increased. The simple elaboration route explored produces flexible AC/TiO2 composites with adjustable properties that can easily be managed to meet the requirements of different target applications. more...

International audience; The aim of this work was to highlight feasibility of a new approach to synthesize Activated-Carbon (AC)/TiO2 composite materials. The main interest of these materials is for pollutants removal applications thanks to their multi-functionality. AC/TiO2 composites were prepared by one-step mechanosynthesis route. Morphological and structural properties were investigated through SEM, EDS, XRD, and BET techniques. It was found that the preparation process leads to the formation of an aggregate shape homogenously composed AC/TiO2 powder with a narrow particles size distribution, which mean diameter was 3.75 μm. Initial component structural properties were found to be strongly affected by the process, resulting in significant changes of TiO2 crystallinity and AC microtexture. The introduction of 5 min pauses during the process was enough to totally preserve TiO2 phases, crystallinity, and AC microporous network. Composites multi-functional properties were investigated using batch adsorption and photodegradation experiments. Adsorption studies revealed that AC/TiO2 aggregates exhibit good adsorption capacity with caffeine and a maximum adsorbed amount of 353 mg.g−1. Photocatalytic experiments highlighted that AC/TiO2 presents a photo-oxidation ability. Photodegradation apparent kinetic rate fitted with a first-order law gave a value of 1.04 × 10-5 s-1 for the composite and ten times higher for pure TiO2. These results allowed to conclude that mechanosynthesis is an effective route to produce bi-functional AC/TiO2 composites with efficient adsorption capacity for water treatment applications. It also suggests the need of further radiative transfer studies to understand light scattering and absorption inside these materials, which could lead to some improvement of these promising materials. more...

[EN] Since the end of the 1990s, the number of articles on coopetitiona relationship built on simultaneous competition and cooperationhas steadily increased in response to the growing prevalence of relationships of coopetition in many industries. The tension inherent in a relationship of coopetition with a direct competitor presents both a challenge for managers and, at the same time, an exciting and complex research area. Different researchers of coopetition have addressed the topic from vastly different perspectives, basing their research on different theoretical frameworks, types of analysis, methods, and aims. By classifying articles on coopetition published in the last 20years, this paper presents an application of cluster analysis to examine trends and tendencies in coopetition research. The paper also assesses whether this research field has followed a coherent progression during this period. The research reveals two independent research trends within the coopetition literature. The first research trend consists of studies that have mathematically modeled and simulated coopetition scenarios using game theory, whereas the second research stream consists of theoretical research describing the dynamics and tensions of coopetition based on evidence from case studies. Based on the cluster analysis, inter-firm alliances and their governance mechanisms emerge as the most promising theoretical and practical approach to improve cooperation between competitors. more...

International audience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify whether firms that correctly use crowdfunding tools perform significantly better than firms that do not. For that purpose the authors develop a model that relates crowdfunding, innovation distinctive competences and its potential to create value in the firm. The authors want to know if crowdsourcing has more impact on Schumpeterian distinctive competences or continuous distinctive competences. Another aim is to create a new scale to measure the degree of crowdsourcing introduction in a firm. Design/methodology/approach – Within the knowledge intensive industries, the universe selected was the Chinese population of biotechnology and telecommunications industries. The information on the three variables was collected in a primary study, carried out by mail questionnaire. The questionnaire respondent was the manager of the firm. The measuring instrument was pre-tested in 30 firms, 15 from the biotechnology and 15 from the telecommunications industries. The fieldwork was undertaken between January and May 2013. The questionnaire was sent to all the firms making up the population. The sample finally included 393 firms (201 from the biotechnology industry and 192 from the telecommunications industry). Findings – Although the potential of crowdsourcing systems and its indirect relationship with firm performance is complex, the authors have showed that those firms who use these technologies to capture the knowledge of the customers and transform it in innovation competences can obtain a better performance. This result has important managerial implications. Biotechnology and telecommunications companies should use information systems in an efficient way to immediately satisfy constantly changeable customer desires and needs, since firms that are not able to generate this added value across their information and technology systems, risk being relegated to price competition. Firm information systems should be used strategically to develop a deep understanding of preferences and behaviors of its customers in order to foster loyalty and retention. One way to improve innovation competences in a firm is to introduce information technology applications oriented to capture the needs of the customers. Originality/value – This work is an interesting contribution to the literature in that it exacts a knowledge of the causal relationship between crowdsourcing and innovation. The implantation of crowdsourcing techniques is not able to directly improve firm performance, but it exerts an indirect influence by developing innovation distinctive competences. A firm will successfully introduce crowdsourcing if it is able to imbue their principles and practices with processes, routines and individuals, in order to increase its organizational memory and its ability to improve or create new products. The authors have created a new scale to measure the degree of crowdsourcing introduction in a firm. It meets all the sociometric properties required to social sciences. more...

Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) are the main institutions responsible for the establishment of university–industry partnerships. R&D contracts exemplify the indirect mechanisms through which enterprises and universities collaborate on a win–win basis. This study addresses organizational and institutional aspects that act as drivers for the establishment of successful university–industry partnerships. First, a series of regression models explain the determinants of R&D contracts. These models include two main dimensions: the university and the technology transfer office. Second, further analysis empirically explores whether universities in regions with a favorable environment enjoy greater active involvement in this particular knowledge transfer mechanism. The empirical study analyzes 2010 data for Spanish public universities. Results indicate that successful R&D contracts depend on university and TTO characteristics, and the university's location. The paper also presents a set of managerial implications for improving the establishment of university–industry partnerships. more...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of university ranking systems as instruments of university quality assessment. Some controversy surrounds the methodology used to compile such instruments. Accordingly, different compilers have adopted different methods to produce these rankings. This study examines to what extent this diversity in methodology is now converging in the context of Spanish university rankings. Design/methodology/approach – To conduct this research, a two-step approach was adopted. First, the indicators used in four Spanish rankings were examined. Second, empirical analysis was used to identify differences between university rankings. Findings – Results reveal that, despite the vast number and variety of indicators, there is a positive, significant relationship between rankings. Spanish university rankings thus show some degree of convergence. Social implications – Because rankings influence behavior and shape institutional decision making, a better understanding of how these assessment tools are devised is essential. Research on these ranking systems therefore offers an important contribution to improving the quality of higher education institutions. Originality/value – This paper presents the results of a comprehensive survey of Spanish university rankings. It offers a new perspective of the state of the art of the Spanish university ranking system. The paper also presents a set of managerial implications for improving these benchmarking tools. more...

Submitted by Edileide Reis (leyde-landy@hotmail.com) on 2014-10-21T14:11:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Estênio Enrique Ribeiro de Oliveira.pdf: 31721073 bytes, checksum: 2aaa317781a00c897ea337267c45e1fe (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Jose Neves (neves@ufba.br) on 2016-07-22T19:57:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Estênio Enrique Ribeiro de Oliveira.pdf: 31721073 bytes, checksum: 2aaa317781a00c897ea337267c45e1fe (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-22T19:57:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Estênio Enrique Ribeiro de Oliveira.pdf: 31721073 bytes, checksum: 2aaa317781a00c897ea337267c45e1fe (MD5) Esta dissertação visou refletir o processo de transformação da Paisagem do Dique do Toróro, espaço de valor significativo para a história da cidade. O olhar se voltou, principalmente, para o tratamento dispensado à vegetação ao longo do processo histórico. O recorte temporal da pesquisa compreendeu o início do século XIX até o ano de 1998, ocasião em que foi realizado o último projeto de requalificação da área. Para o entendimento dessas transformações, utilizou-se o conceito de paisagem da Geografia Cultural, bem como as categorias de análise do espaço propostas pelo prof. Milton Santos – estrutura, processo, função e forma. As pesquisas teóricas foram realizadas, na maioria das vezes, em A Tarde, um dos maiores e mais antigo jornal do país. Ao longo do trabalho buscou-se explicitar como se realizou o processo de inserção da vegetação no espaço público brasileiro, bem como todo o potencial ecológico e biológico inerentes a vegetação a ser utilizada no espaço público das cidades contemporâneas. A pesquisa buscou também, identificar a problemática da arborização urbana. Outro ponto abordado voltou-se para o caso específico do uso da vegetação no espaço público da Cidade do Salvador. Por último, algumas considerações foram abordadas visando chamar atenção para o uso racional e/ou a inserção e manutenção do verde nas cidades contemporâneas. O trabalho de campo foi realizado através de visitas sistemáticas ao espaço recortado da cidade no período de junho a dezembro de 2006. Tal trabalho consistiu na aplicação de questionários, realização de entrevistas, bem como leitura direta da paisagem. ABSTRACT This paper intends to show the transformation process of the “Dique do Tororó” Landscape, a space of great significance as far as the history of the city is concerned. The bigger focus is on how the vegetation around has been treated along the historical process of this particular location. The temporal mark of the research is from the beginning of the nineteenth century until the year 1998, when the last project of re-qualification of the area was performed. In order to understand these transformations, the concept of Cultural Geography Landscape was used, as well as the categories of space analysis proposed by Professor Milton Santos: structure, process, function and shape. The theoretical researches were carried out especially in the “A Tarde” newspaper, one of the most important and oldest newspapers in the country. All through the paper, one tries to explain how the insertion process of vegetation in Brazilian public spaces took place, as well as the ecological and biological potential inherent to vegetation for use in the public spaces of contemporary cities. It also aims at identifying the problematic aspect of urban tree planting and the utilization of vegetation in the public spaces of the city of Salvador. Last but not least, some considerations regarding awareness for the rational use and/or insertion and maintenance of the green in today’s cities are addressed. The field work was carried out by means of systematic visits to the cut-out space of the city, during the period from June to December 2006. It consisted in the application of questionnaires, realization of interviews and some direct reading of the landscape. more...