scholarly journals Ecosystem services and energy crops – spatial differentiation of risks

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf Bastian ◽  
Gerd Lupp ◽  
Ralf-Uwe Syrbe ◽  
Reimund Steinhäußer
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Crop Cultivation ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
The One

AbstractThe increased cultivation of energy crops has a variety of economic, social and environmental effects, which can be assessed using the concept of ecosystem services (ES). Among the various instruments for regulating energy crop cultivation, reducing the impacts on ecosystems and landscapes, and moving sustainable land management forward, the ES concept is a useful tool since it includes economic, ecological and social aspects. The methodological approach is exemplified by a case study in the district of Gorlitz, Germany. It started with an indicator-based analysis of the present state of landscape functions or services, focusing on the “supply” part of ES assessments. The results were interpreted in light of an ecological risk assessment concerning intensified agriculture in general and the increased cultivation of energy crops in particular: on the one hand for the present situation, and on the other, for three different future scenarios. It was possible to project the results onto reference units (biophysical units), and to reveal spatial differences in carrying capacity or sensibility as a result of increased energy crop cultivation. The demand side of ESs was assessed on the basis of semi-structured interviews and standardized questionnaires.

scholarly journals Balanced Scorecard: estudo sobre sua utilização como instrumento de gestão na empresa Novo Nordisk no Brasil

ForScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmar Souza Moreira ◽  
Wagner de Paulo Santiago ◽  
Igor Veloso Colares Batista
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Agency Conflict ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Pharmaceutical Production

Difundido entre empresas de todo o mundo, o Balanced Scorecard, três décadas após a sua criação, continua sendo um instrumento utilizado pelas empresas para gestão do  Planejamento Estratégico. Este estudo tem o objetivo de analisar a utilização prática do Balanced Scorecard como instrumento de gestão do Planejamento Estratégico na empresa Novo Nordisk Produção Farmacêutica do Brasil Ltda., identificando pontos de divergência em relação à teoria criada por Kaplan e Norton nos anos 90. Para a realização da pesquisa, foi adotada a abordagem metodológica empírico analítica, com a condução de estudo de caso em uma unidade fabril da empresa localizada em Montes Claros – MG. Foram feitas 19 entrevistas semiestruturadas com diretores e gerentes e aplicados 207 questionários aos demais funcionários. Os resultados mostraram que entre os gestores da empresa existe um conhecimento comum em relação às premissas para definição do Planejamento Estratégico e  um alinhamento sobre o Balanced Scorecard.  Contrariamente ao exposto por Kaplan e Norton sobre as etapas de criação do Balanced Scorecard, verificou-se que o processo na Novo Nordisk em Montes Claros é desenvolvido de forma inversa, primeiro são recebidas as metas advindas da matriz, para então ser desenvolvido o Planejamento Estratégico que levará ao atingimento destas metas. A pesquisa mostrou ainda as adaptações feitas pela empresa em estudo ao modelo proposto por Kaplan e Norton, de forma a minimizar as barreiras oriundas do conflito de agência que podem levar ao insucesso na obtenção dos resultados esperados para as metas definidas no Planejamento Estratégico das organizações.Palavras-chave: Balanced scorecard. Metas. Planejamento Estratégico.Balanced Scorecard: study on its use as a management instrument in Novo Nordisk company in BrazilAbstractDiffused among companies around the world, the Balanced Scorecard continues to be an instrument used by the companies to manage the Strategic Planning, even three decades after its creation. This study aims to analyze the practical use of the Balanced Scorecard as an instrument for the management of Strategic Planning in Novo Nordisk Produção Farmacêutica do Brasil Ltda (Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Production of Brazil Ltda), identifying points of divergence from the theory created by Kaplan and Norton in the 1990s. To develop the research, the analytical empirical methodological approach was adopted, with the conduction of a case study at a company unit located in Montes Claros - MG. There were 19 semi-structured interviews with directors and managers and 207 questionnaires were applied to the other employees. The results showed that among the managers of the company there is a common knowledge regarding the premises for the definition of Strategic Planning and also an alignment on the Balanced Scorecard. Contrary to what Kaplan and Norton presented about the stages of the creation of the Balanced Scorecard, it was verified that the process at Novo Nordisk in Montes Claros is developed in an inverse way: first, the goals coming from the head quarter are received. Then the Strategic Planning, which will lead to the attainment of these goals, is developed. The research also showed the adaptations made by the company under study to the model proposed by Kaplan and Norton, in order to minimize the barriers from the agency conflict that can lead to the failure to obtain the expected results for the goals defined in the Strategic Planning of the organizations.Keywords: Balanced Scorecard. Goals. Strategic Planning.  

scholarly journals An Eco-GAME Meta-Evaluation of Existing Methods for the Appreciation of Ecosystem Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7805
Author(s):  
Maurizio Sajeva ◽  
Marjo Maidell ◽  
Jonne Kotta ◽  
Anneliis Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Dimensional System ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The One

The isolation of science disciplines and the weak integration between science, policy and society represent main challenges for sustainable human development. If, on the one hand, the specialization of science has produced higher levels of knowledge, on the other hand, the whole picture of the complex interactions between systems has suffered. Economic and natural sciences are, on matters of sustainable development, strongly divergent, and the interface informing decision-making is weak. This downplays uncertainty and creates room for entrenched political positions, compromising evidence-based decision-making and putting the urgent need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030 at risk. This article presents the heterodox Eco-GAME framework for interconnecting science through trans-disciplinary social-learning and meta-evaluation of scientific knowledge in pursuit of SDGs. The framework is tested and refined in the BONUS MARES project by systematic literature analysis, participatory workshops, and semi-structured interviews, in relation to the specific habitats of Baltic Sea mussel reefs, seagrass beds and macroalgae ecosystem services produced and methods applied. The results, acknowledging the urgency of interfacing science, policy and society, validate the Eco-GAME as a framework for this purpose and present a multi-dimensional system of indicators as a further development.

Effects of earthworm communities on water infiltration in wet soils with energy crops

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Wöhl ◽  
Stefan Schrader
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Allyl Isothiocyanate ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Infiltration Rates

<p>Maize (<em>Zea mays</em>) is the most commonly cultivated energy crop throughout Europe. However, its cultivation has severe negative effects such as loss of biodiversity and its delivery of ecosystem services, soil compaction and enhanced greenhouse gas emissions. These negative effects tend to be even more pronounced in wet soils such as pseudogleys. As an alternative to annual maize, the perennial cup plant (<em>Silphium perfoliatum</em>) is known to produce a similar yield, especially under waterlogging conditions, while management impacts of its cultivation are assumed to be less harmful to soil biota. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to quantify the provision of ecosystem services (here: control of the soil water balance) delivered by earthworm communities in wet soils under cultivation of cup plant compared with maize and to assess the ecological impact of both energy crops.</p><p>Fieldwork was conducted cup plant and maize fields (n = 4) in South Western Germany in spring and autumn 2019. The overall soil type was pseudo gleyic luvisol. All fields are managed for commercial purposes by farmers in the area. Sampling included earthworm extraction with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) while the infiltration rate was measured simultaneously. Afterwards, hand sorting completed the earthworm sampling. Earthworm species, their abundance and biomass (live weight) were determined.</p><p>On average, earthworm abundance and biomass were higher in cup plant fields than in maize fields. In addition, variations in earthworm communities were found. While endogeic earthworms, especially of the genus <em>Aporrectodea</em>, were present in all fields, anecic earthworms were more abundant in cup plant fields. Higher infiltration rates were measured in maize fields. Hints to a correlation between the infiltration rates and the functional earthworm groups were found.</p><p>Our results suggest that cup plant fields host overall more diverse earthworm communities. These communities are able to produce a wider range of ecosystem services, even though the link between the infiltration and the crops studied in this stud is not yet validated.</p>

Skyscrapers in Santiago: 300 meters of globalization agenda

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 439-454
Author(s):  
Nestor Garza
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Main Determinant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Latin American Region ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
The One

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess alternative economic explanations of buildings’ height in Latin America and Chile, inductively producing a theory about skyscrapers’ height in emerging countries. In the quest for height, global exposure as advertising guides developers located in emerging economies, while ego-building for investors. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses mixed methods triangulation (MMT). Findings with small sample econometrics for 38 cities from 13 different countries are re-interpreted by linguistically analyzing 11 semi-structured interviews with local experts in Santiago. Findings Globalization is the main determinant of skyscrapers height in the Latin American region, its interaction with the need to portray management and technical skills of developer firms, determines a process toward over-construction. Research limitations/implications Because of small sample bias, the quantitative results are not fully reliable, but this is precisely why it makes sense to use MMT. Practical implications Santiago offers a valuable case study because, on the one hand, Chile was the first Latin American country to undertake neoliberal type reforms, as early as 1973. On the other, the tallest Latin American skyscraper is to be completed in this city by 2015. The theory developed, derived from the evidence and the perceptions, has a Global South reach and can open-up an empirical research agenda. Originality/value This paper innovates in real estate research by using MMT, not just to confirm quantitative findings, but as an inductive theory building tool. It also analyses Latin America, a region with scarce presence in the literature.

scholarly journals Different Stakeholder’s Perspectives on Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of the Anzali Wetland, Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Sakineh Ghorbanzadeh ◽  
Kaj Björkqvist
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Environmental Conflict ◽  
Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽  
Anzali Wetland ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Northern Iran

The study investigates local level environmental conflict between two groups of stakeholders, by analysing their opinions about the importance and use of the cultural ecosystem services of the Anzali Wetland in northern Iran. Data were analysed statistically on the basis of semi-structured interviews with 193 respondents from (a) administrators within the areas of forestry, agriculture, environment, and harbour, and (b) non-administrators, i.e. local people such as fishermen, hunters, and visitors. The results showed that there was a difference between the two groups of stakeholders regarding use of, and attitudes towards cultural services in the wetland. The sense of belonging to the place, and the importance of the cultural heritage were cited as more important among the non-administrators. They also used the wetland more for activities such as sports, social activities, fishing and hunting, while the administrators appreciated the wetland more for the enjoyment of its beautiful natural scenery. The locals used the wetland practically, while the administrators saw the importance of the wetland in more abstract terms. The study highlights the importance of assessing viewpoints of a variety of stakeholders, and including also cultural values in decision-making about ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Representaciones sociales, conciliación en equidad y justicia comunitaria: un estudio de caso / Social Representations, Equitiy Conciliation and Community Justice: A Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Alfonso Torregrosa Jiménez ◽  
Norhys Torregrosa Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Justice ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Masses ◽  
The City

ABSTRACTaccess problems and dysfunctions of the judiciary, in all societies there are communal forms of conflict resolution. Community and institutional mechanisms for conflict resolution can provide the ability to handle conflict from the values, habits and customs of the communities and not from the mere formality of state justice inaccessible to the masses. Thus, the Settlement in Equity is one of the alternatives through which the popular sectors can get for themselves and through community leaders, a righteousness that is in accordance with the needs and responsibilities of the direct stakeholders of the community. Thus, the purpose of the research is to investigate the social representations (RS) of the concepts of fairness, justice and coexistence Community Ratings equity conciliation of a town in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. In addition, as we are interested in identifying the point of view of these users, ie, their opinions, attitudes and information, is that the theoretical and methodological approach used RS. So, be described by methods and with the support of the theoretical framework, the cognitive dimension of the RS user. Such representations are interpreted through formalization that conform segmenting in graphic forms (codes), the corpus of semi-structured interviews applied to users, considered as a continuation of separate occurrences among themselves, delimited by several characters. These occurrences are analyzed, both quantitatively and qualitatively.RESUMENPor problemas de acceso y disfunciones del aparato judicial, en todas las sociedades existen formas comunitarias de resolución de conflictos. Los mecanismos comunitarios e institucionales de solución de conflictos pueden brindar la posibilidad de tramitar los conflictos a partir de los valores, los usos y las costumbres de las comunidades y no desde la mera formalidad de la justicia estatal inaccesible para los sectores populares. Así, la Conciliación en Equidad es una de las alternativas a través de la cual los sectores populares pueden obtener por ellos mismos y a través de líderes comunitarios, una justicia que esté de acuerdo con las necesidades y responsabilidades de los actores directos de la comunidad. De este modo, el propósito de la investigación es indagar sobre las representaciones sociales (RS) de los conceptos de equidad, justicia comunitaria y convivencia de los usuarios de la conciliación en equidad de una Localidad en la ciudad de Bogotá-Colombia. Y como lo que interesa es identificar el punto de vista de estos usuarios, es decir, sus opiniones, actitudes e información, es que se usa el enfoque teórico-metodológico de las RS. Así, se describirá, a través de métodos y con el apoyo de los referentes teóricos, la dimensión cognitiva de las RS de los usuarios. Dichas representaciones son interpretadas a través de formalizaciones que se conforman segmentando en formas gráficas (códigos), el corpus de entrevistas semi-dirigidas aplicadas a los usuarios, considerado como una continuación de ocurrencias separadas, entre sí, mediante varios caracteres delimitados. Estas ocurrencias son analizadas, tanto desde el punto de vista cuantitativo como cualitativo.

scholarly journals The Benefits and Challenges of One New Zealand Nursing Undergraduate Clinical Education Model: a Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Deborah Sims
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Undergraduate Nursing ◽  
Education Model ◽  
Contractual Obligations ◽  
The One

<p>This research project has utilised a case study approach to give ward managers a voice in the literature, by exploring and describing from their perspective the benefits and challenges of one particular nursing undergraduate clinical education model. The Tertiary Education Provider contracts the Health Provider to provide Clinical Nurse Educators (CNEs) to support second and third year undergraduate nursing students during their clinical experiences. The CNEs are seconded from their respective wards to meet the organisation’s contractual obligations. Data were gathered from two ward manager’s using semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis using the ‘colour coding’ method as described by Roberts and Taylor (1999) was used to analyse the interview data. The findings elucidate the role of the undergraduate CNE, highlighting benefits such as the CNE being supernumerary to ward rosters and having time to teach, not only supervise students. CNEs are student-focused and easily accessible as they are based on site. The CNE was the one person who was ‘there’ for a student as a student’s preceptor can change shift-by-shift and day-by-day. One significant challenge which emerged was the replacement of ward staff, not only of senior nurses who can leave their wards for up to 12 weeks to undertake the CNE role but also that of the student’s preceptor if the student’s preceptor was on annual, sick or study leave. Other challenges such as the inability of ward managers to pre-book casual staff; preceptor work-loads; skill-mix issues and fluctuating fulltime equivalents (FTEs) are also discussed.</p>

scholarly journals An education approach for the Anthropocene epoch

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e448101119780
Author(s):  
Cristiane Mansur de Moraes Souza
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
The Social

It is now well established in the literature that there is a need to incorporate the concept of sustainability into education at all study levels. However, there is considerable uncertainty expressed concerning how it could best be achieved and how the resilience concept would enhance this idea. This article aims to address this gap. The objective is to explore aspects of socio-ecological resilience, that underlies a university case study. The methodology is exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory. Results demonstrate that civil engagement university activities are an education approach that provides students with experiences that build skills necessary for addressing the challenges of the Anthropocene Epoch. The conclusion of the article emphasizes that the education for the Anthropocene epoch should consider the enhancement of ecosystem services by demonstrating that humans are part of the social-ecological systems; considering interdisciplinarity as a methodological approach; demonstrating the variety of potentials on participation of stakeholders by civil engagement as developing autonomy both on students and stakeholders and developing the ability for proactive attitudes. Is also enhance learning and social learning by civil engagement and participation.

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