scholarly journals Technological factors associated with oil palm yield gaps in the Central Region in Colombia

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-264
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Ruiz A. ◽  
Eloina Mesa F. ◽  
Mauricio Mosquera M. ◽  
Juan Carlos Barrientos F.
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Yield Gaps

This study builds on the results from a previous study (Ruiz, 2017), aimed to identify and quantify yield gaps in a sample of lots from small and medium scale producers, all suppliers of the same mill. The technical staff from the mill provides technical assistance to the aforementioned growers. This study was aimed at identifying what technological factors are associated with such gaps. Regarding the methodological approach, first, it was used the technology balance index (TBI) in order to quantify technology adoption. The TBI allows for rating technology adoption at oil palm crops by considering five processes (which comprehend 25 cropping practices). The processes evaluated are establishment, weeding and pruning, fertilizing, pests control and harvesting. The TBI assigns a category for each practice: high if it is fully adopted, intermediate if it is partially adopted and low if it is not adopted at all. Secondly, in order to determine those practices affecting yield gaps; we used a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). MCA allowed to synthesize data into two dimensions with 51% of the variability given by the data gathered (qualification of the adoption of 25 crop management practices). Thirdly, we used cluster analysis in order to group lots according to adoption of technology. Then we related the obtained groups with the yield records. MCA results indicated that proper establishment, harvest and nutrition practices are the ones causing most of the variability in terms of technology adoption. The groups resulting from CA, provided evidence that a greater adoption of technology, leads greater yields (i.e. smaller yield gaps).

scholarly journals Economic Assessment of Technology Adoption in Oil Palm Plantations from Colombia

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Mosquera-Montoya ◽  
Elizabeth Ruiz-Alvarez ◽  
Eloina Mesa-Fuquen
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Land Use Efficiency ◽  
Fresh Fruit Bunches ◽  
The One

Adopting technology regarding agricultural crops has traditionally been associated with high costs. Producers have thus often abstained from adopting better agronomical practices and have consequently lost the benefits they could otherwise have obtained by implementing better criteria for managing their crops.This research builds on results by Ruiz et al., (2017) who found three typologies of oil palm lots, regarding adoption of technology and yields on oil palm crops from Colombia. This work was aimed at evaluating the typologies found by Ruiz et al. (2017) from an economic standpoint by using different economic assessment methods, in order to determine the benefits of technology adoption at the Colombian oil palm agroindustry. The methods used were aimed at estimating: unit cost, net present value (NPV), net income, land use efficiency, generation of income and competitiveness.Results indicate that the cost of producing a ton of fresh fruit bunches from oil palms (FFB) on lots having high adoption of technology was 2.5% to 8% lower when compared to lots having lower adoption of technology (Typologies 2 and 3. respectively). Technology adoption enables greater yearly net income to be obtained in mature oil palm crops in typology 1, than the one obtained at typology 2 and typology 3. The adoption of technology allows the grower to obtain net income equivalent to a legally-established yearly minimum wage (LEYMW), using less land. Finally, it was concluded that at average CPO prices for the period 2005-2015, the Colombian growers that participated in this study, may be competitive at the European market, which is the main destination of Colombian exports of crude palm oil (CPO).

scholarly journals Closing oil palm yield gaps among Indonesian smallholders through industry schemes, pruning, weeding and improved seeds

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 160292 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Soliman ◽  
F. K. S. Lim ◽  
J. S. H. Lee ◽  
L. R. Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Average Yield ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Tropical Biodiversity ◽  
Potential Capacity ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Herbicide Use

Oil palm production has led to large losses of valuable habitats for tropical biodiversity. Sparing of land for nature could in theory be attained if oil palm yields increased. The efficiency of oil palm smallholders is below its potential capacity, but the factors determining efficiency are poorly understood. We employed a two-stage data envelopment analysis approach to assess the influence of agronomic, supply chain and management factors on oil palm production efficiency in 190 smallholders in six villages in Indonesia. The results show that, on average, yield increases of 65% were possible and that fertilizer and herbicide use was excessive and inefficient. Adopting industry-supported scheme management practices, use of high-quality seeds and higher pruning and weeding rates were found to improve efficiency. Smallholder oil palm production intensification in Indonesia has the capacity to increase production by 26%, an equivalent of 1.75 million hectares of land.

scholarly journals Closing yield gaps in oil palm production systems in Ghana through Best Management Practices

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 126011
Author(s):  
Tiemen Rhebergen ◽  
Shamie Zingore ◽  
Ken E. Giller ◽  
Charles Adu Frimpong ◽  
Kwame Acheampong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Yield Gaps

scholarly journals Leveraging human factors in cybersecurity: an integrated methodological approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Pollini ◽  
Tiziana C. Callari ◽  
Alessandra Tedeschi ◽  
Daniele Ruscio ◽  
Luca Save ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Cyber Security ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Security Culture ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Technical Solutions

AbstractComputer and Information Security (CIS) is usually approached adopting a technology-centric viewpoint, where the human components of sociotechnical systems are generally considered as their weakest part, with little consideration for the end users’ cognitive characteristics, needs and motivations. This paper presents a holistic/Human Factors (HF) approach, where the individual, organisational and technological factors are investigated in pilot healthcare organisations to show how HF vulnerabilities may impact on cybersecurity risks. An overview of current challenges in relation to cybersecurity is first provided, followed by the presentation of an integrated top–down and bottom–up methodology using qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess the level of maturity of the pilot organisations with respect to their capability to face and tackle cyber threats and attacks. This approach adopts a user-centred perspective, involving both the organisations’ management and employees, The results show that a better cyber-security culture does not always correspond with more rule compliant behaviour. In addition, conflicts among cybersecurity rules and procedures may trigger human vulnerabilities. In conclusion, the integration of traditional technical solutions with guidelines to enhance CIS systems by leveraging HF in cybersecurity may lead to the adoption of non-technical countermeasures (such as user awareness) for a comprehensive and holistic way to manage cyber security in organisations.

Technological Change and the International System

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen V. Milner ◽  
Sondre Ulvund Solstad
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Technological Change ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Causal Effect ◽  
International System ◽  
New Technology ◽  
World Politics ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Adoption Of New Technology

ABSTRACTDo world politics affect the adoption of new technology? States overwhelmingly rely on technology invented abroad, and their differential intensity of technology use accounts for many of their differences in economic development. Much of the literature on technology adoption focuses on domestic conditions. The authors argue instead that the structure of the international system is critical because it affects the level of competition among states, which in turn affects leaders’ willingness to enact policies that speed technology adoption. Countries adopt new technology as they seek to avoid being vulnerable to attack or coercion by other countries. By systematically examining states’ adoption of technology over the past two hundred years, the authors find that countries adopt new technologies faster when the international system is less concentrated, that changes in systemic concentration have a temporally causal effect on technology adoption, and that government policies to promote technology adoption are related to concerns about rising international competition. A competitive international system is an important incentive for technological change and may underlie global technology waves.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of mass treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection in socially vulnerable areas of a state in northeastern Brazil, 2011–2014

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Silvestre Outtes Wanderley ◽  
Ulisses Montarroyos ◽  
Cristine Bonfim ◽  
Carolina Cunha-Correia
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Social Vulnerability ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Mass Treatment ◽  
Social Vulnerability Index ◽  
Treatment Information

Abstract Background To assess the effectiveness of mass treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection in socially vulnerable endemic areas in northeastern Brazil. Method An ecological study was conducted, in which 118 localities in 30 municipalities in the state of Pernambuco were screened before 2011 and in 2014 (after mass treatment). Information on the endemic baseline index, mass treatment coverage, socio-environmental conditions and social vulnerability index were used in the multiple correspondence analysis. One hundred fourteen thousand nine hundred eighty-seven people in 118 locations were examined. Results The first two dimensions of the multiple correspondence analysis represented 55.3% of the variability between locations. The human capital component of the social vulnerability index showed an association with the baseline endemicity index. There was a significant reduction in positivity for schistosomes. For two rounds, for every extra 1% of initial endemicity index, the fixed effect of 13.62% increased by 0.0003%, achieving at most 15.94%. Conclusions The mass treatment intervention helped to reduce transmission of schistosomiasis in areas of high endemicity. Thus, it can be recommended that application of mass treatment should be accompanied by other control actions, such as basic sanitation, monitoring of intermediate vectors and case surveillance.

Pflegebedürftigkeit unterscheiden

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Michael Bergmann
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Theoretical Discussion ◽  
Need For Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Measurement And Analysis

In Germany, a new assessment system (the NBA) is being applied to assess the need for long-term care. The degree of care that is calculated defines the extent of welfare state benefits. Measuring and analysing the need for care in a statistically appropriate way is subject to certain preconditions. This book presents multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) in combination with cluster analysis (HCA) as an innovative methodological approach to dealing with this challenge. The first part provides a theoretical discussion of the need for care; the second part describes MCA and HCA in detail using an example. The book is aimed at all those involved in the measurement and analysis of the need for care.

Development of a Conceptual Framework for Effective Quality Management Practices in Construction Organisations

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
E Odiba ◽  
P Demian ◽  
K Ruikar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Quality Management Systems ◽  
Building Collapse ◽  
Quality Management Practices ◽  
Quality Management Model ◽  
Regulatory Bodies

Effective quality management practices are critical to successful project delivery. However, the quality challenges in developing countries such as Nigeria, which is the focus of this research, have been a concern to construction practitioners and other interested parties such as clients and regulatory bodies. Some scholars suggest that part of these challenges can be attributed to ineffective quality management systems; thus, leading to consequences such as building collapse, poor organisational/industry reputation, poor/lack of traceability, poor documentation process, and lack of planned audit. This research aims to develop a contextual model that is intended to improve the culture of quality that can facilitate effective quality management practices in construction organisations in Nigeria. A mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methodological approach was deployed based on a pragmatic research philosophy paradigm. A questionnaire (quantitative) survey was adopted to gather data and results from the data analysis and reviewed literature were discussed, and the findings supported the development of a conceptual quality management model in construction as the outcome of this research. The designed model comprises eight integrated components. The model is a quality system that construction organisations can use: to identify some typical barriers hindering effective QMSs implementation; to assist them to develop cultural values that can drive effective QMSs implementation; to undertake effective QMSs practices as they relate to construction, and to recognise the potential results and longer-term benefits obtainable from implementing effective QMSs. The model was evaluated and validated by professional construction practitioners and academic experts for its usefulness and applicability. Future study should focus on the practical validation of the model. Keywords: ISO 9001; Quality Management Practices; Quality Management System.

scholarly journals Ethical paradigms in business and society

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Janez Drobnic ◽  
Jani Toros ◽  
Lidija Weis
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Ethical Conduct ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Business And Society

Introduction. Ethical conduct emerges as a topic of discussion especially when conflicts arise between people, which cannot be resolved by regulation because of new circumstances and situations, or when legal norms prove insufficient or are disregarded, therefore leading to ethically unacceptable practices. Ethical issues of this kind are now at the forefront of social treatment, mainly because modern management practices have become increasingly problematic, areas of activity are expanding, and businesses and other forms of activity are increasingly under ethical pressures from multiple stakeholders. According, ethical behaviour is becoming a global issue and a pressing topic both in general and professional discussions; scientific analysis is therefore extremely relevant. Aim and tasks. This article’s aim is to study the ethical principles and morally ethical problems that arise in various business environments, such as medical, technical, legal, and commercial, as well as in sectors, including state, non-governmental, and private markets. It also explores ethical bases change over time and depending on social flows. Undoubtedly, stakeholders are interested in such ethics-based governance, which means that ethical issues should be effectively put into practice. The study identifies the key paradigms of how different sectors operate and what issues arise. Results. The diachronic study finds that there was almost no interest in studying business ethics over the last century. The beginning of the 21st century saw strong increase in interest regarding these issues, as evidenced by the number of studies and analyses, the introduction of ethical business courses, and other ethical issues. Hyperconnected modern society is increasingly globally interdependent, wherefore interest in the appropriate culture and ethics of action is increasing with the aim of reducing risks and conflicts. Nongovernmental organizations increasingly involved in these processes, develop their business practices of responsibility and care for vulnerable groups and the environment. They have indirectly become a strong factor in leveraging for the ethical conduct of free market operators as well as state/public institutions. Conclusions. The existing studies identified seven key ethical paradigms that emerge in the operation of non-governmental, state, and market sectors, differing in key two dimensions: the first extends from emphasizing community (communitarianism) to exposing individuality, and the second from self-orientation (egocentricity) to a focus on the other (sociocentricity). On this basis, an array of various approaches to ethics can emerge, providing for useful tools for the professional analysis of business practices, as well as to assist stakeholders in introducing better business at all levels.

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