Suchergebnisse

No entorno do bairro Alto Floresta, na cidade norte-mineira de Montes Claros, ocorrem inúmeras atividades industriais, além de haver uma Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto, o que, conforme os moradores da região, estaria associado a um quadro de poluição do ar. Isso se manifesta, por exemplo, num notável mau cheiro presente no bairro e em suas redondezas. O objetivo deste artigo é compreender como os sujeitos atingidos por essa situação produzem, através de suas experiências cotidianas, conhecimentos e processos de mobilização em torno da poluição do ar. Para tanto, utilizamos métodos qualitativos de análise em Ciências Sociais, como observação participante e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Em diálogo com a literatura dos Estudos Sociais em Ciência e Tecnologia, nossos resultados apontam para a necessidade de que sejam levadas em consideração conhecimentos situados nos processos de identificação e avaliação de riscos tecnológicos e industriais.

In Trás-os-Montes region (Portugal), the small shrub (Pterospartum tridentatum), the narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), and the apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) are vegetable species used in the preparation of infusions for medicinal purposes, such as protection against diabetes, hypertension, high levels of cholesterol and uric acid [1]. These infusions contain several types of polysaccharides, such as pectic polysaccharides and galactomannans (GM´s), often reported as immunomodulators [2, 3]. Pectic polysaccharides are structurally complex polymers, exhibiting different polymeric building blocks: homogalacturonans (HG), type I rhamnogalacturonans (RG-I), type II rhamnogalacturonans (RG-II) and xylogalacturonans (XG) [4]. The backbone of RG-I can be partly substituted with, among others, type-II arabinogalactans (AG-I ) that form ramified regions responsible for the modulation of the immune response [2]. For GM´s, factors like chain length, degree of branching and degree of acetylation seem to influence their immunomodulating activity [3]. ; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), European Union, QREN, FEDER, and COMPETE for funding the QOPNA (project PEst-C/QUI/UI0062/2013; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037296) and CIMO research units

Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk. decoctions of dried inflorescences are used in Portugal due to their claimed beneficial properties for various health disorders. To disclose the potential contribution of its polysaccharides to health benefits, in this work, hot water extracts from P. tridentatum inflorescences were prepared and fractionated by ethanol precipitation and anion exchange chromatography. The fraction rich in acetylated galactomannans evidenced an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production by macrophages. This activity decreased 60–75% after saponification, confirming that acetylation is an important structural feature for this biological property. In addition, the treatment of pectic polysaccharides with endo-polygalacturonase showed that type-I and type-II arabinogalactans, as well as low molecular weight galacturonans and xyloglucans, may also contribute to macrophage NO production. Thus, the polysaccharides present in P. tridentatum dried inflorescences may contribute to the health beneficial properties frequently attributed to the decoctions of this plant. ; Thanks are due to Fundac¸ ão para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(FCT, Portugal), European Union, QREN, FEDER, and COMPETEfor funding the QOPNA (Project PEst-C/QUI/UI0062/2013; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037296), CNC (Project UID/NEU/04539/2013), andCIMO Research Units, and RNEM (REDE/1504/REM/2005 thatconcerns the Portuguese Mass Spectrometry Network). Thanksare also due to FCT for the PhD Grant of Vitor Martins(SFRH/PROTEC/49249/2008) and to Dr. Ana Maria Carvalho, fromCIMO, for the identification of the plant material. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the adoption of sustainable procurement practices adopted by Brazilian manufacturing companies in supplier selection; additionally, it is aimed to understand which of these practices enable a better differentiation of the analysed companies.


Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was performed to compose the theoretical base of this research. In addition, a detailed study of ISO 20400 standard was conducted. The guidelines of ISO 20400 were used as a base to structure a questionnaire used in a survey with professionals working in procurement sphere of manufacturing companies in Brazil. The data were analysed via frequency and CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) method.


Findings
A moderate dispersion in the adoption level of sustainable procurement practices in supplier selection process of the manufacturing companies was observed; in practices associated with social aspects, the dispersion is greater. A negative issue to be highlighted is that almost 20% of analysed companies did not even considered in their supplier selection process if their candidates accomplish philanthropic activities, generate jobs in local community and fulfill the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of United Nations (UN). Those two last practices are the ones with the best capacity to differ the companies in the sample.


Originality/value
There are few studies that focuses on understanding the adoption of sustainable procurement practices in manufacturing companies' supplier selection process. The main contribution of this study to the literature is to evidence that social requirements in supplier selection process are considered in a clear and well-structured form only by few Brazilian manufacturing companies. Despite the sample size, companies analysed in this research are prominent organisations in manufacturing sector. Thus, if this situation occurs in these companies, a more critical scenario will be evidenced in other organisations. This study has implication for practice and academy. For companies' managers, information present here can be used to debate the theme in the organisational context and the nine practices and scale can be used to perform a critical analysis of company's practices. For researchers, the information present here can be used as starting point for futures studies.

AbstractIn the last decades, several indicators are showing the inadequacy of countries' economic models. Changes in these models are necessary to contemplate the concept of sustainable development. In this sense, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were published by United Nations to guide companies, countries and people. Volunteer actions are important initiatives for this. This kind of initiative can be described as the act of helping someone, aiming to contribute to a fairer society in which charity and citizenship are present. The main objective of this study is to analyze the main aspects that influence Brazilian companies' employees to participate in volunteer programs and, to identify how these aspects may be grouped into factors. Initially, a bibliographic study was carried out to identify the main aspects that influence the participation of companies' employees in volunteer programs. With this information, a questionnaire was structured and used in a survey. Data analysis was performed via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and five from seven aspects analyzed were validated. They are grouped into two factors named "personal aspects" and "institutional aspects". The first factor better explains the aspects mentioned. The results presented here may be useful for managers of volunteer programs and researchers interested in the theme.

Purpose
This study aims to analyse the essential characteristics for the success of social projects developed with undergraduate students of higher education institutions (HEIs).


Design/methodology/approach
A case study was conducted to verify the main characteristics of projects in a social entrepreneurship initiative. These features were used to perform a survey with experts to understand which of these items are essential for social projects success, through Lawshe's method.


Findings
Of the ten items evaluated, two were considered essential by the experts: "Proper alignment between project scope and actual local community needs" and "Good level of interaction between students participating in the project and the local community".


Practical implications
These findings can be useful for professors and coordinators to prepare future projects in HEIs. They may also be advantageous for researchers who may use them as a starting point for future studies.


Originality/value
The novelty of this study is the methodological approach used: a case study of projects in a social entrepreneurship initiative in a relevant Brazilian university; and a Lawshe's method analysis of responses of experts in social projects developed in HEIs. The findings can greatly contribute to the debates in this field. No similar research was found in the literature.

Purpose
This paper aims to critically analyze the engineering education focused on sustainability in supply chain management, in courses offered by Brazilian higher education institutions.


Design/methodology/approach
Topics related to sustainable supply chain management were listed from the literature and used as a framework to gather professors' opinions on how well these topics are covered in engineering courses offered in Brazil. Data analysis was performed via frequency analysis and comparative ordering using the Fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution technique.


Findings
It was possible to evidence that most of the topics are superficially presented within other subjects and that there are few associated practical activities that enable greater learning. Comparatively, issues related to ISO standards (related to quality and environmental management systems) and compliance with environmental laws, regulations and standards were highlighted. Additionally, it was possible to verify that there is a need for further study on issues related to energy efficiency, worker training and corporate governance.


Originality/value
No similar study was found in the literature. The findings presented in this paper can contribute to the improvement of engineering education in Brazil and other countries.

Purpose
Product development process (PDP) in the context of Industry 4.0 may present several marketing implications. To understand these implications, the purpose of this study is to identify the benefits and difficulties of Industry 4.0 related to the PDP and its impact in marketing strategies and operations.


Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used to perform this research was a systematic literature review. For this, five steps were followed, namely, research question formulation; studies location; studies selection and evaluation; analysis and synthesis; and reporting and use research results.


Findings
The systematic literature review considering PDP in Industry 4.0 context resulted in 28 benefits and 14 difficulties, in a total of 53 articles. From the analysis of these benefits and difficulties, several implications for marketing were identified, namely, better understand customer preferences; greater agility in marketing decision-making; better align marketing, product development and operations processes issues; better understand product/service lifecycle; analyze possibilities of new ways of distribution and communication channels; better define the value of products and services and location requirements.


Originality/value
The findings presented here can be used both by market professionals, interested in the subject and by researchers for future studies. The better understanding of PDP in the context of Industry 4.0 can enhance marketing strategies for market professionals and provide insights for researchers. No similar studies were found in the literature.

This paper presents an innovative experience involving students and professors from diverse backgrounds and regions that was designed to integrate corporate sustainability (CS) knowledge into undergraduate programs. An action research approach was adopted, with the course running over one semester. The course involved 146 students with diverse academic backgrounds from universities across Brazil along with eight professors from Brazil, Chile, and South Africa. The proposed approach provides actionable insights into the integration of sustainability concepts in the higher educational setting, thereby contributing to the development of a more environmentally and socially conscious generation of professionals. The learning outcomes are discussed in the light of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Agenda, particularly SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG 13 (climate action). In addition, it is important to highlight that the dissemination of the course's key features can be useful for universities, professors, and researchers engaged in training future professionals capable of addressing real-world problems of innovation and sustainability. By employing an action research methodology and fostering collaboration among students and professors with diverse academic backgrounds and from different countries, including Brazil, Chile, and South Africa, this paper presents a multiregional and interdisciplinary perspective that sets it apart from conventional practices. The emphasis on providing actionable insights and its potential applicability for universities, professors, and researchers involved in training future professionals further underscore its distinctive contribution to education for sustainable development.