LATAM and Spanish SME barriers to Industry 4.0

PurposeExisting studies are scarce, especially on the Industry 4.0 application to firms' innovation and competitiveness, and even more on the application to LATAM and Spanish SMEs. This paper tries to fill this gap by explaining the results of applying a systematic model, to understand which are the SMEs' strengths and weaknesses in relation to the Industry 4.0 transformation.Design/methodology/approachA systematic methodology involving documentation analysis, visits to the companies, interviews with employees and managers, making a preliminary diagnosis, crossing their needs with the enablers that can apply. The fieldwork was carried out during a two month period (2019), on a target sample of 22 SMEs operating under industrial productive activity already exporting or planning their internationalization toward LATAM regions.FindingsThere are relevant barriers that need to be overcome in order to enter Industry 4.0 and, in this specific analysis, the following major classification was obtained: (1) Technological barrier, (2) Training barrier, (3) Economic barrier and (4) Contextual barrier.Originality/valueThis paper provides new insights and sets a starting point regarding LATAM and Spanish’ Industry 4.0 situation, while contributing to the SMEs competitiveness by providing deeper understanding of the barriers and limitations in adopting Industry 4.0, pointing out some implications and suggestions for organizations to implement.

Reducing barriers and inequality by hosting conferences in developing countries.

The academic community can promote equality and reduce exclusionary forces by intentionally choosing to host conferences in less well developed and expensive venues. This has the double benefit that those from developing nations do not suffer (as much) from the currency exchange rates, and it actually makes that ‘currency tax’ into a ‘currency benefit’, such that the money’s power is multiplied, providing more for the same money. This simple practice lowers the economic barrier especially for students and scientists in developing nations, it injects stimuli into those developing economies, and it provides high quality foreign experience for everyone, reducing xenophobia and increasing the love of science in especially those places where it is needed most. A proposal that is better for everybody involved should be easily implemented.

Representation of Marginalization in Indian and Iranian Cinema

Cinema is a reproduction of reality, and it cannot separate from real life. Cinema as art can break social, cultural, and languages barriers. India is rich in cinema culture, accommodating several films in regional language. Marathi cinema, one among several local cinemas, has its own space and remains an attraction among the audiences. Starting its journey from Shree Pundalik directed by Dadasaheb Torne to Naal directed by Sudhakar Reddy, the cinema attempts to send social messages on varied subjects. However, a particular cinema depicting the issue of marginalization remains critical. It is the Marathi cinema that sincerely attempts to describe the problems of marginalization. The cinema Fandry (2014) directed by Nagraj Manjule tries to represent caste discrimination, Dalit, and marginalization. It is not the Indian cinema only, but rather cinema worldwide has been serving the issues of marginalization to break the social and economic barrier.

Robust, remeltable and remarkably simple to prepare biomass–sulfur composites

Lignocellulosic biomass holds a tremendous opportunity for transformation into carbon-negative materials, yet the expense of separating biomass into its cellulose and lignin components remains a primary economic barrier to biomass utilization.

Developer’s Perception on the Barriers of Green Rating System Implementation in Malaysia

This paper aimed to explore the developer’s perception on the implementation of Green Rating System in Malaysia. There had been a lot of negativity in the construction industry in Malaysia to achieved sustainable environment. 55 respondents from various developers were analysed to obtain the barriers of Green Rating system implementation varied from social barrier, financial barrier, economic barrier, knowledge barrier, technology barrier and political barrier accordingly. An in depth study on specific Green Rating System of Malaysia is highly suggested in the future.

The Frequency, Nature, and Effects of Coerced Debt Among a National Sample of Women Seeking Help for Intimate Partner Violence

This study examines the frequency, nature, and effects of coerced debt, defined as non-consensual, credit-related transactions that occur in intimate relationships where one partner uses coercive control to dominate the other. The sample includes 1,823 women who called the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Results suggest that coerced debt, from both coercive and fraudulent transactions, is a common problem and is significantly related to control over financial information, credit damage, and financial dependence on the abuser. This study supports the need for policy reform and victim services aimed at addressing coerced debt, thereby mitigating a potentially significant economic barrier to safety.