scholarly journals Good practice in the digital SMEs

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
J. Millard ◽  
J. Havlíček ◽  
I. Tichá

The article summarizes findings drawn form the research carried on within the European project “Best e-European Practices” with a focus on digital SMEs only. Case studies are used to describe good practices. Cases studies are coded structurally using a set of indicators for each success factor and thus provide for learning of the potential users. Synthesis and generalization has been done on factors explaining motivations for introducing e-practices, the results firms seek to achieve and the benefits from the adoption of digital technologies.

Author(s):  
Stephen J. Wallace

The United States Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) was conceived by Congress following a series of catastrophic industrial accidents in the mid to late 1980s. This federal agency is charged with investigating incidents at chemical and manufacturing facilities, determining the causes, and making recommendations to prevent future accidents. This paper focuses on the findings from several CSB investigations related to equipment failure. Numerous codes, standards, and good practice guidelines are in place to govern the design, maintenance, and operation of vessels. However, the CSB has found that serious accidents continue to occur because of poor implementation of established guidance. This paper uses actual case studies to illustrate problems with equipment that ultimately led to catastrophes. Lessons learned from these incidents include designing equipment with adequate overpressure protection, adjusting inspection frequencies based on actual observations, and requiring written procedures for critical phases such as startup. Additional good practices and recommendations from the CSB are discussed with each of the case studies.


Information ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Ewa Stawicka ◽  
Joanna Paliszkiewicz

The main purpose of this article is to analyze the dissemination of social reports among entrepreneurs in order to determine the number of reporting organizations and examples in which Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) areas enterprises report. We analyze the dissemination of social reports among entrepreneurs in Poland and determine the number of reporting organizations and examples in which CSR companies report. This work is a guide for entrepreneurs in Poland to build strategies and activities for transparency and communicating good practice. One of the research goals was to identify and evaluate communication activities with stakeholders in terms of responsible activities, social and environmental. The data analysis comes from a detailed literature review and the Responsible Business Forum (FOB) Reports database for 2008–2019 in Poland. The results of the survey show that many entrepreneurs in Poland, representing small, medium-sized (SME), and even large enterprises underestimate the importance of socially responsible activities. Entrepreneurs communicate with stakeholders to a limited extent and are not informed about good practices. The vast majority of the surveyed enterprises, especially large ones, prepare social reports, which result from obligation: requirements of Directive 2014/95/EU. The SME sector shows a lack of knowledge and uses individual marketing communication tools to a limited extent, limiting itself to advertising activities (very few companies prepare social reports). The article is a practical tip for enterprises showing the impact of business on changes towards sustainable development. Originality/value lies in the fact that the article presents selected research results on various aspects related to social reporting and communicating social and environmental activities to stakeholders.


Author(s):  
Inmaculada Martín Portugués

Los arquitectos históricamente hemos estado vinculados a los procesos de conservación del Patrimonio Cultural. Con motivo de la realización de la Tesis Doctoral, sobre la Difusión del Patrimonio y debido al reconocido prestigio internacional del modelo de gestión Vila Museu en Mértola (Portugal), como ejemplo de buenas prácticas en la puesta en valor, fue seleccionado como uno de los casos de estudio. Este caso es el que se incluye en la presente publicación.El proyecto Vila Museu, surge en los años 80, fruto de una iniciativa del Campo Arqueológico de Mértola, en colaboración con su Asociación en Defensa del Patrimonio y apoyado por la Câmara Municipal. Un proyecto con origen en la investigación arqueológica, que pretendía desarrollar cultural y económicamente una de las regiones más deprimidas de Portugal. Nuestro objetivo era crear un sistema analítico y de evaluación de las acciones de difusión existentes, así como del modelo de gestión desarrollado. Se propusieron una serie de indicadores clasificados en tres fases, según aspectos relacionados con su gestión, con sus contenidos difundidos, y/o con parámetros relacionados con temporalidad y accesibilidad. Abstract:Historically, architects have been related to the processes of Cultural Heritage conservation. Because of the Doctoral Thesis execution about Heritage Dissemination, and due to the recognized international prestige of the management model Vila Museu in Mértola (Portugal), was selected as one of the case studies as an example of good practice in the enhancement. This case will be covered in this edition.The Vila Museu project arose in the 80s, as result of an initiative of the Campo Arqueológico de Mértola, in collaboration with the Asociación en defensa del Patrimonio and helped by Câmara Municipal. A project originating in archaeological research that was aimed to develop culturally and economically one of the most depressed regions of Portugal. The objective was to create an analytical and evaluative system for existing dissemination actions, as well as the management model developed. A series of indicators classified in three phases were proposed, according to aspects related to their management, their disseminated contents, and / or parameters related to temporality and accessibility.


Author(s):  
Olanrewaju D. Eniade ◽  
Dolapo E. Agbana ◽  
Bridget O. Afam

Introduction: To assess knowledge, attitude and prevention practice of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Southwest, Nigeria. This was an online cross-sectional study among dwellers of southwest Nigeria. Methods: Data were collected online with kobo toolbox and analyzed using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, 2018) and the descriptive statistics, test of independence and binary logistic regression were presented. Results: Of the 286 study participants, 96.1% had good knowledge, 99.3% had positive attitude towards control of COVID-19, while 77.3% had good practices for prevention of the virus. Majority of the participants (86.9%) had tertiary education, 11.3% were 40 years or older. Age and education were independently associated with COVID-19 prevention practice. After adjustment for some selected socio-demographic factors, only age of 10 – 19 years (OR: 3.83, CI: 1.05, 14), age 20-29 years (OR: 2.99, CI: 1.18 -7.55), and 30 -39 years (OR: 4.35, CI: 1.49-12.67) were more likely to have good practice of COVID-19 prevention compared to age >=40 years. Conclusion: The result revealed a high prevalence of good practices, and the majority had good knowledge of COVID-19 and positive attitude towards control of COVID-19. Age and education were identified to be associated with practice of COVID-19 prevention. Further exploration revealed that elders (>=40years) were not likely to have good practice of COVID-19 prevention. We deduced that good practice of COVID-19 prevention was high in southwest Nigeria but notably low among elders and those who attained below tertiary education in southwest Nigeria. However, people of older age and poor education should be given much attention for proper enlightening and prevention strategies in this pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3–4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen Robbins Schug ◽  
Kristina Killgrove ◽  
Alison Atkin ◽  
Krista Baron

Humans have interacted with the remains of our dead for aesthetic and ritual purposes for millennia, and we have utilized them for medical, educational, and scholarly pursuits for several centuries. Recently, it has become possible to use digital technologies such as 3D scanners and printers for reconstructing, representing, and disseminating bodies. At the same time, there is growing interest among academics and curators in taking a more reflexive approach to the ethical and social dimensions of conservation. This paper considers theoretical and practical aspects of ethics as they apply to the 3D scanning and printing of human skeletal remains for curation or dissemination, provides case studies from our work in the United States, and suggests guidelines for best practices.   Los seres humanos hemos interactuado con los restos humanos de nuestros muertos por razones estéticas y rituales por milenios. Asimismo, estos restos han sido utilizados para conducir investigaciones médicas, educativas, y académicas por varios siglos. Recientemente, con la ayuda de la tecnología digital de los escáneres e impresoras 3D ha sido posible reconstruir, representar, y difundir estos cuerpos. Al mismo tiempo, los académicos y los conservadores proponen ser más reflexivos al lidiar con las dimension eséticas y sociales del campo de la conservación. Este artículo considera los aspectos teóricos y prácticos de la ética de los escaneos e impresiones 3D de restos óseos humanos para su conservación y diseminación, aporta casos prácticos de nuestros trabajos investigativos en los Estados Unidos como ejemplos, y sugiere normas para una práctica adecuada. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
Daniel Maxwell ◽  
Peter Hailey

Famine means destitution, increased severe malnutrition, disease, excess death and the breakdown of institutions and social norms. Politically, it means a failure of governance – a failure to provide the most basic of protections. Because of both its human and political meanings, ‘famine’ can be a shocking term. This is turn makes the analysis – and especially declaration – of famine a very sensitive subject. This paper synthesises the findings from six case studies of the analysis of extreme food insecurity and famine to identify the political constraints to data collection and analysis, the ways in which these are manifested, and emergent good practice to manage these influences. The politics of information and analysis are the most fraught where technical capacity and data quality are the weakest. Politics will not be eradicated from analysis but can and must be better managed.


Author(s):  
Jennifer Howell ◽  
Susan McDonald

This chapter showcases a new framework (Technology and Play Framework) for teachers to consider when planning the use of digital technologies in the Early Years of formal schooling. It also presents the findings from a pilot study conducted with an F-1 (Foundation year and year 1) class in an Australian primary school that demonstrated how this framework could direct the effective use of a specific digital technology in terms of student learning outcomes with particular focus on literacy and numeracy. While play is recognised as an essential component of good practice in early childhood settings, it needs to be reconsidered and aligned to incorporate emerging digital technologies and complementary pedagogical practices in order to support authentic learning.


Author(s):  
Andrew G. Pearson ◽  
Brooke E. Harris-Reeves ◽  
Lana J. Mitchell ◽  
Jessica J. Vanderlelie

In light of the changing landscape of workforce demand, digital technologies are becoming increasingly important to support students with their studies and professional preparation. As such, tertiary institutions are embedding curriculum approaches focused on the development of employability skills and drawing upon technology in order to prepare students for the real world of work in a manner that is scalable and transferable. Digital technologies such as ePortfolios have become an increasingly utilized platform for reflection, evidencing professional competencies and professional branding. Within this chapter, the authors discuss the benefits and limitations of these platforms from the perspectives of students, staff, professional, and institutional contexts. Case studies are utilzsed to demonstrate ePortfolios in practice across the allied health disciplines and key research questions and solutions for the future are discussed.


Author(s):  
Alicia Guerra Guerra ◽  
Lyda Sánchez de Gómez ◽  
Carlos Jurado Rivas

The fusion of the social economy with the digital economy, together with the essential need for social organizations to innovate in order to face challenges not satisfied by using traditional methods, led to what is known as digital social innovation: the use of digital technologies to allow or help to carry out social innovations. We are facing a developing field of study, in full evolution and with a high and recent level of global activity, which makes it a true global movement. This, together with the fact that DSI practices still lack unanimous and systematized criteria, calls for identifying what DSI is and what should be understood by it. Therefore, this chapter aims to configure and illustrate the conceptual framework of DSI, detail the barriers that are limiting its momentum, and formulate a general scheme of action for good practices in DSI.


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