A Multi-Methodological Analysis of Jabuticaba’s Supply Chain in an Agricultural Cooperative Production

Background: In the late 1990s, the idea of fighting drought gave way to the concept of how to live with drought in the Brazilian semi-arid region. From this perspective, the Brazilian Federal Government’s investment in social technology and education encouraged local agricultural production and subsistence agriculture began to have a surplus for commercialization and income generation. However, there are still difficulties in the development of the productive chain, as perceived in Alagoas, Brazil, with the jabuticaba fruit and its derivatives. In this locus, problems related to the creation of value and distributions of the product were identified. Methods: This study proposed a participant observation in a rural producers’ association and a multimethodological approach based on VFT (Value-Focused Thinking) and SWOT analysis aiming to structure the problem, identify communities’ objectives and develop alternatives to solve these problems so that they can get more out of their production. Results: showed that the product has marketing potential due to its differential, but the producers are limited in the process of distributing the goods. Conclusions: So, this study was able to analyze the problems of this productive system in a structured way, generating suggestions for actions to achieve the strategic objectives of the cooperative.

The Effect of Landscape Features Implemented in Egyptian Parks on Satisfying the Human Needs and Well-being

Recently, parks have been recognized as one of the main contributors in the strategic objectives of urban projects, since they provide job opportunities, place attractiveness, increase the real estate market and property values, tourist development, increase the since of social belonging between the residents, improving the public health and the quality of the residents’ life. The presented research is aiming to investigate the effect of Landscape features on the quality of life (QOL) inside Egyptian parks. This study has been inspired by early theorists like “Maslow” and other theorists who have followed Maslow’s footsteps. They analysed and measured the concept of quality of life (QOL)into two well-known terms “human needs” and “well-being”. The study explores the impact of landscape features towards “human needs and well-being”. Lately, Egypt is suffering from inflation and economic crisis which affect the Egyptians life style. Most of the Egyptian society is living a stressful life; this study will examine whether the Egyptian parks help Egyptians as an escape way where all the negative vibes are going to meet with nature resulting in a positive outcome. This research used qualitative investigation method to measure the impact of implementing landscape features in Egyptian parks on enhancing the quality of the Egyptian life by measuring the (QOL) with regards to “human needs and well-being”. The presented research investigated the impact of landscape elements implemented in Al-Azhar Park and Family Park on “human needs and well-being”. That shall pave the way to investors, policymakers, architecture and civil practitioners to realize the potentials of designing and constructing parks in Egyptian urban environment, as an efficient tool to improve the quality of Egyptian life.

Sustainability Performance Management Framework for Circular Economy Implementation in State-Owned Plantation Enterprises

The circular economy concept needs to be part of the performance management system so that it is in line with a company’s vision and mission. Thus, the circular economy will play an important role at the operational level of companies. The circular economy needs to be internalized, starting by formulating the company’s vision and mission, establishing strategic objectives and performance indicators, and creating resource allocation policies. This research aims to design a sustainable performance management system in the context of a circular economy for state-owned plantation enterprises (SOPEs). This study used a qualitative research coding method that was validated in three SOPEs in Indonesia. Validation was performed by comparing the framework based on the conceptual formulation with the data and information obtained during field assessment. Primary data came from interviews with 15 managers, while secondary data came from official company documents. The research results show that the initial framework that was built is in accordance with the results of the exploration of the circular economy strategic objectives in the three SOPEs. The results of the 100 percent validation and perception test of managers on the range of values are important. Therefore, the proposed framework can be used in SOPE.

THEIA

THEIA provides technical solutions for the construction industry, specializing in materials for thermal insulation. It is positioned in the middle of the distribution channel, between manufacturers and construction companies, and the profound changes that occurred in the sector had repercussions on the company's activity, forcing it to rethink its business strategy. THEIA repositioning was studied according to a specific methodology, combining analysis techniques to assess organizations' internal capacity and the exploration of external conditioning factors. The strategic plan used financial and commercial information from THEIA and from the sector where it operates, according to the following steps: analysis of THEIA's internal situation, external positioning of THEIA in the national market, definition of strategic objectives, elaboration of scenarios and recommendations.

Local public-private partnerships to promote innovation in agricultural value chains: the case of cocoa in Colombia

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of developing more viable local public-private partnerships (LPPP) which may result in innovation in the cocoa value chain, through the agricultural innovation system functions approach. Research was conducted in two rural municipalities in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia. A focus group with stakeholders as well as directed surveys were implemented. 15 experts in the municipality of Necoclí, and 18 experts in the municipality of Caucasia participated. The data were analyzed quantitatively and the MACTOR method was used in order to determine the relationship between actors and the strategic objectives for innovation. Case studies revealed different dynamics, both from the perspective of the interests at play when actors prioritized key variables in each region, as well as their vision regarding strategic objectives to promote innovation in the cocoa value chain. Different degrees of convergence and correspondence between actors and strategic objectives in each region provided the grounds to determine the possible partnerships in the cocoa chain. Key actors with different capabilities and resources were also identified, as they could contribute to leveraging local innovation should a partnership come to be developed.

Municipality Strategic Prospects in the Post-COVID Time

The municipalities development planning consists of two main streams—the spacial planning and the strategic planning—intents, objectives, and tactics of which are coordinated with various successes and outputs. The strategic planning has been implemented into the East European municipalities' management since the end of the 1990s. It had to respond to many oncoming circumstances. Economic, security, environmental, and other crises, both national and global, occurred. But the COVID-19 disease pandemic has brought wholly new challenges in the life management in the societies all over the world. The chapter intends to investigate how the value priorities within the municipalities strategic objectives changed during the pandemic, taking the Czech Republic (one of the European COVID-19 most affected countries) as an example.

Live Long and Educate

Using the lenses of Vygotskian constructivism, situated cognition, the antecedents of flow, and a pedagogy interwoven with the multiliteracy framework, the authors present a COVID-19 simulation game. The game has multiple levels, challenges, disrupters, and allows for student player groups to work together (i.e., collaborate within and across player groups) to achieve the strategic objectives of the game. The player groups have an overall goal to minimize loss of life, while other parameters need to be optimized, depending on the stakeholder group that the player group is role-playing. While the game can be digitized, it is presented in a manner that allows instructors to implement the game simulation right away in their classrooms. Assessment rubrics, decision matrix templates, and debriefing notes are provided to allow for student learners to reflect on their decisions (based on course concepts) both individually and as a player group.

How Can Human Resource Management Help the Theory of Constraints

Now, more companies consider human resource management (HRM) as part of strategic business management. A critical analysis of The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Goldratt as it relates to HRM allows for discussion and evaluation of HRM implications. However, does HRM implementation support achieving a companies' strategic objectives? If so, how is it related to The Goal? This report seeks answering these questions by evaluating HRM in the book's context. This article discusses the role of HRM in companies, HRM principals that impact operations, roles of stakeholders and their value in the Theory of Constraints (TOC), HRM and its impact on the TOC, roles of HRM management and leadership, and the relationship between technology and human resources. Discussing these topics, this article provides an overview of HRM's impact on organizations. The main findings indicate that HRM implementation is a strategic management resource to be implemented by any businesses.

Dimensions of learning organization: Implications for human resources effectiveness in commercial banks

This study examines the dimensions of learning organization essential in enhancing Human Resources (HR) effectiveness towards the attainment of the strategic objectives of commercial banks operating in Nigeria. This study adopted a survey research design following a quantitative approach for data collection and analysis procedure. The respondents (professional bankers) were selected using a convenience sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 305 respondents in the participating commercial banks. The data was analysed using a variance-based structural equation modelling via SmartPLS, version 3.2.9. The results showcased specific learning dimensions to consider in designing learning and development interventions for HR effectiveness in commercial banks. There is a dearth of literature on the specific learning dimensions that play a prominent role in ensuring HR effectiveness in the banking industry in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria. The outcomes of this study contribute to the extant literature and assist HR business partners in adding value to commercial banks through HR effectiveness.