bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adoption of Agricultural Water Conservation Practices – A Question of Individual or Collective Behaviour?
Authors: Bluemling Bettina , Yang Hong , Mosler Hans-Joachim
Published: September 2010

This article compares two approaches to identifying the factors that motivate farmers' application of agricultural water saving measures. On the one hand, it is assumed that farmers respond individually to falls in the groundwater table. Cognitive and socio-demographic parameters are employed to explain the individual conditions under which farmers may change their behaviour in response to groundwater table decline. Farmers' decisions to adopt water saving measures also appear to be triggered by the social environment. The authors tested and compared the assumptions of both approaches using a survey from the Hai River basin on the North China Plain. They found that, although farmers applied water saving measures, this was not as a response to a decline in water resources. The village societal structures appeared to be pivotal in motivating agricultural water saving to the advantage of farmers and the water reserves.
Beyond Discipline and Technical Knowledge: Industry Perspectives on the Business Curriculum
Authors: Papadopoulos Theo
Published: September 2010

A survey of business people, Victoria University business studies alumni and business academics revealed a strong preference for curricula, learning activities and assessments that develop professional skills and personal attributes, adding value to the student learning experience and developing graduate capabilities beyond discipline and technical knowledge. This research underscores evidence on the importance of both the cognitive and dispositional dimensions of critical thinking and the skills and attributes of effective problem solvers. Employers are increasingly looking for balanced graduates: capable, motivated, self-aware, effective communicators with a sense of a future in which work and business will be dynamic and ever-changing.
The Strategic Development of Learner Autonomy through Enquiry-Based Learning
Authors: Bramhall Mike D. , Lewis Justin , Norcliffe Allan , Radley Keith , Waldock Jeff
Published: September 2010

This paper reports on strategic developments to enhance student learner autonomy skills through the use of enquiry-based learning (EBL) in the design of higher education programmes. The UK's Sheffield Hallam University is a recognized Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) in the field of developing learner autonomy. Central to the university's learning, teaching and assessment strategy is the conviction that students must become autonomous learners to acquire the skills and knowledge needed for employment, research and continuing professional development. In this context it is imperative that students are increasingly able to manage their own learning, formulate their own lines of enquiry and develop flexible approaches to their studies – the essence of acquiring learner autonomy. It is also important that they can work across discipline boundaries, often in teams, tackling problems that are essentially multidisciplinary. The central theme of this paper is the strategic use of EBL in areas that involve students working together in small groups.
Creativity and Collaborative Learning and Teaching Strategies in the Design Disciplines
Authors: Turnbull Morag , Littlejohn Allison , Allan Malcolm
Published: September 2010

Creativity can be described as the ability to generate new ideas and combine existing ideas in new ways to find novel solutions to problems. Creativity is enhanced by a free flow of knowledge and through social contact. On this basis, the authors argue that knowledge sharing is central to creativity in design and present preliminary evidence to support that view. Design education should therefore include learning and teaching approaches that encourage knowledge sharing. The authors suggest that these approaches should be based on the patterns of knowledge sharing of designers from the creative industries so that students are appropriately prepared for future employment. The paper presents an analysis of the practices of designers in the creative industries in Scotland. The data were gathered through a structured questionnaire distributed to a wide range of companies and from final-year students in design programmes, and the two data sets compared. In practice, employees in the creative industries consume and create knowledge by making use of a variety of distributed resources. Creativity is an important aspect of their practice and all the respondents believed that creativity was enhanced by knowledge sharing collaborative practices. Differences in the practices of students and employees are identified, and the findings are now being used to inform the development of innovative approaches to learning and teaching at Glasgow Caledonian University.
An Empirical Analysis of Differences in GDP per Capita and the Role of Human Capital
Authors: Sfakianakis George , Magoutas Anastasios I. , Georgopoulos Demosthenes
Published: September 2010

Using a generalized production function approach and insights from empirical research on the determinants of growth, this paper assesses the relative importance of specific factors in explaining differences in the levels of per capita GDP. Emphasis is placed on education, physical capital accumulation, the share of the public sector in economic activity and the outward orientation of economies. Education, among other things, is connected with the ability of countries to take advantage of technology transfer channels. Panel data estimation techniques are used to obtain empirical results for the EU-15 countries, and economic policy recommendations are evaluated accordingly.
Coping with Externalities in Tourism: A Dynamic Optimal Taxation Approach
Authors: Schubert Stefan F.
Published: September 2010

The paper studies optimal taxation (subvention) when tourism is associated with ‘multiple externalities’, using a simple dynamic model of a small open economy specializing completely in the production of tourism services and populated by a large number of intertemporally optimizing agents. Depending on the volume of tourism production, the externality can be either positive or negative. The study shows that the first best optimum, achieved by a central planner recognizing the externality, can be replicated in a decentralized economy by using a time-varying tax rate. This ensures (i) that the steady state of the first best optimum is reached and (ii) that the speed of convergence to steady state is socially optimal.
Hotel Quality Appraisal on the Internet: A Market for Lemons?
Authors: Fernández-Barcala Marta , González-Díaz Manuel , Prieto-Rodríguez Juan
Published: September 2010

Potential guests have difficulties in obtaining reliable ex ante assessments of hotels because of the adverse selection problem. Consumers now have a new source of information about hotel quality: information providers on the Internet. The key issue is the degree of reliability of this information. Two types of Internet information providers can be distinguished: those that also sell the assessed services (‘sale Websites’) and those that do not sell services (‘advice Websites’). The former obtain their income via fees, while the latter obtain theirs via advertising (number of hits). It is argued that the information on advice Websites is more reliable than that on sale Websites because the latter suffer from a misalignment of incentives arising from the inverse relationship between income/reward and the quality of the report. Our results show that sale Websites (fee financed) provide an assessment of the quality of their hotels which is on average 7% higher than the equivalent assessment of advice Websites (advertising financed). This difference increases significantly with the hotel category, with up to a 9% increase for five-star hotels. It is also shown that there are systematic differences in the quality appraisal between these two types of information providers. The main implications for tourists and hotel managers are outlined.
Tourism Development in Madeira: An Analysis Based on the Life Cycle Approach
Authors: Almeida António , Correia Antónia
Published: September 2010

This paper identifies Madeira Island's growth stage in accordance with Butler's life cycle model. Life cycle analysis is pursued using an econometric approach over an extended period, from 1976 to 2006. The results suggest that Madeira is about to enter the stagnation phase. The industry's development since the 1970s was found to conform to Butler's model, but in its own way. In the case of Madeira, the island's positive image and the time span within each of the life cycle stages challenge the traditional life cycle model, suggesting rather that the maturity stage may persist indefinitely.
Key Knowledge Providers as Sources of Business Innovation
Authors: Fernández-Esquinas Manuel , Merchán-Hernández Carmen , Ramos-Vielba Irene , Martínez-Fernández Cristina
Published: September 2010

Studies of innovation are giving increasing attention to the relationships that businesses maintain with different participants in the innovation process. It is generally assumed that interaction with other businesses, universities and government organizations can generate knowledge that will improve the ability to innovate. However, there is little evidence of the specific roles that businesses assign to partners with regard to the provision of knowledge for innovation activities. This paper presents results from research on the dynamics of Triple Helix networks, where such networks provide the basis for building innovation capacity for businesses in catch-up geographical regions. The principal assumption is that businesses adopting an open collaboration strategy have a greater capacity to combine knowledge from different sources and adapt the knowledge to suit their innovation processes. A large set of key indicators is used to identify which regional sources are considered by businesses to be important for acquiring knowledge. The study is based on a survey of 737 businesses in the Andalusia region of Southern Spain and analysis of the results provides a typology of businesses characterized by the extent to which they focus their interest on specific groups of participants in the innovation process. The conclusions highlight and compare the role of universities with that of business networks, service providers, government and other sources.
Multi-Level Evaluation of Cooperative Research Centers
Authors: Gray Denis O. , Sundstrom Eric
Published: September 2010

Two emergent conceptual models for fostering the development of innovative technology through applied science at Cooperative Research Centers (CRCs) – the Triple Helix and the science of team science – have proved highly productive in stimulating research into how the innovation process works. Although the two arenas for fostering innovation have much in common, there has been relatively little synergy, or even interaction, between the researchers who study them. In this paper the authors discuss a programme of research that has attempted to blend the two, by shedding light on team processes within Triple Helix CRCs. They report findings from CRCs in relation to the comparative characteristics of single-scientist and multi-scientist, team-based partnerships; collaborative processes among CRC scientists, sometimes involving ‘serial’ collaboration; and the role of spatial factors in team-based processes. The paper also explores the possibilities for exploiting the synergies between Triple Helix and science of team science for public policy, innovative practices and future research.
A Triple Helix Strategy for Promoting SME Development
Authors: Yuwawutto Sauwapa , Smitinont Thitapha , Charoenanong Numtip , Yokakul Nattaka , Chatratana Somchai , Zawdie Girma
Published: September 2010

This paper examines the university–industry–government relationship as a mechanism for enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The case of a community enterprise producing dried banana products in the north of Thailand is used to demonstrate the significance of the Triple Helix model for business and technology development in SMEs. Government initiatives designed to promote innovation leading to price and quality competitiveness of the products of SMEs and community enterprises are explored and their effectiveness is discussed. In developing countries, where there are weak links and limited interactions between the institutional sectors of government, academia and industry, intermediaries play a crucial role in building networks to facilitate the transfer and exchange of knowledge. Effective network links would enable SMEs to have access to various sources of financial, knowledge, technology and market support. In Thailand, the Industrial Technology Assistance Programme (ITAP) plays an important intermediary role in identifying the needs of SMEs, accessing relevant knowledge and technology from universities and other sources of knowledge, and matching the demand of SMEs for knowledge/technology with the supply available from universities and research and development laboratories. The experience of the dried banana community enterprise discussed in this paper gives credence to the view that SMEs in developing countries such as Thailand would benefit significantly from technology policy based on the Triple Helix model and the proactive role of intermediary agencies such as ITAP.
Surface Run-Off Water Quality from Agricultural Lands and Residential Areas
Authors: Poudel D.D. , Jeong C.Y. , DeRamus A.
Published: September 2010

This study was conducted to characterize surface run-off water quality from sugar cane fields, pasturelands and residential areas, and to assess the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) in controlling non-point source pollution. From October 2002 to September 2005, the five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate/nitrite-N (NO3/NO2-N), soluble reactive phosphate (SRP), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and pH were determined in surface run-off water from two sugar cane fields, two pasturelands and two residential areas in south-western Louisiana. Faecal coliform counts were carried out on run-off samples from the two pasturelands. The BMPs implemented in one of the sugar cane fields included drop-pipe structures, nutrient management, reduced tillage and the application of herbicides to eliminate summer cultivations, while those implemented in one of the pasturelands included drop-pipe structures, cross-fencing, water points, nutrient management, improved forage planting and managed rotational grazing. Average TSS concentration in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields was significantly higher than the average TSS concentration in the surface run-off from the pastureland and residential areas. Average BOD5 concentrations in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields and pasturelands were significantly higher than the average BOD5 concentration in surface run-off from the residential site. Average TN and NO3/NO2-N concentrations in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields were significantly higher than the average concentration for the pasturelands and residential areas surface run-off. Average TP and SRP concentrations in surface run-off from the pasturelands were significantly higher than the average TP and SRP concentrations in surface run-off from the sugar cane fields and residential areas. The BOD5 was significantly positively correlated with TSS, TN, TP, SRP and NO3/NO2-N. Surface run-off from the sugar cane field with BMPs showed relatively lower median values of TN, TP, NO3/NO2-N and SRP and a slightly higher BOD5 value than the surface run-off from the sugar cane field without BMPs. Similarly, the surface run-off from pastureland with BMPs showed lower median values for TSS, TN and NO3/NO2-N than the surface run-off from pastureland without BMPs.
Strategic Capabilities for Product Innovation in SMEs
Authors: Raymond Louis , St-Pierre Josée
Published: September 2010

With the advent of globalization and the knowledge economy, an important issue has arisen concerning the relationship between the strategic capabilities of SMEs and their capacity to innovate. From a contingency perspective, one would argue that the firm's strategic capabilities can be leveraged for the purposes of innovation to the extent that these capabilities are in strategic co-alignment. This gives rise to the following empirical research questions: (a) are the networking, R&D and technological capabilities of SMEs co-aligned such that one can observe different organizational gestalts, and (b) does co-alignment of these capabilities lead to a successful outcome in terms of innovation? In answer to these questions, the authors present the results of a study of 205 Canadian manufacturing firms. Through cluster analysis, three gestalts are identified – entrepreneurial SMEs, engineering SMEs and administrative SMEs. Analysis of these gestalts indicates that entrepreneurial SMEs clearly lead the other two in R&D capability and product innovation.
Entrepreneurial Success: Differing Perceptions of Entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalists
Authors: Black Ervin L. , Burton F. Greg , Wood David A. , Zimbelman Aaron F.
Published: September 2010

The recent credit crisis has made it more difficult for entrepreneurs to find funding. It is increasingly important for entrepreneurs to know what is important to venture capitalists (VCs) when they make their funding decisions. The authors interviewed entrepreneurs and VCs to determine the traits these groups perceive as necessary for entrepreneurial success. They find that entrepreneurs cite traits inherent in their nature significantly more than VCs. Additionally, entrepreneurs who do not have previous VC funding experience differ significantly from VCs in identifying important factors for VC funding. In contrast, entrepreneurs with previous VC funding experience do not differ from VCs in identifying important funding decision factors.
The Development of Absorptive Capacity-Based Innovation in a Construction SME
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Miller Kristel , McMacken Nora , Davies John
Published: September 2010

Traditionally, construction has been a transaction-oriented industry. However, it is changing from the design–bid–build process into a business based on innovation capability and performance management, in which contracts are awarded on the basis of factors such as knowledge, intellectual capital and skills. This change presents a challenge to construction-sector SMEs with scarce resources, which must find ways to innovate based on those attributes to ensure their future competitiveness. This paper explores how dynamic capability, using an absorptive capacity framework in response to these challenges, has been developed in a construction-based SME. The paper also contributes to the literature on absorptive capacity and innovation by showing how the construct can be operationalized within an organization. The company studied formed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership using action research over a two-year period with a local university. The aim was to increase its absorptive capacity and hence its ability to meet the changing market challenges. The findings show that absorptive capacity can be operationalized into a change management approach for improving capability-based competitiveness. Moreover, it is important for absorptive capacity constructs and language to be contextualized within a given organizational setting (as in the case of the construction-based SME in the present study).
The Competitiveness of Hong Kong's Travel Industry: A Dynamic Shift–Share Analysis
Authors: Li Hongyi , Huang Liang
Published: September 2010

The authors use dynamic shift–share analysis (DSSA) to analyse Hong Kong's travel services export industry. They seek answers to three questions. Is the travel sector becoming more competitive than other service sectors? Has Hong Kong gained any advantage in attracting visitors over its neighbours with a similar number of visitor arrivals? What kind of visitor is Hong Kong best equipped to attract? By conducting three DSSA studies, the authors demonstrate the relatively disadvantaged status of Hong Kong's travel services exports and offer suggestions on how to improve this unsatisfactory situation.
An Application of Hedonic Pricing Analysis to the Case of Hotel Rooms in Taipei
Authors: Chen Ching-Fu , Rothschild R.
Published: September 2010

This study investigates the impact of a variety of attributes or ‘characteristics’ on the rates charged for hotel rooms in Taipei. The authors employ a ‘hedonic pricing’ method and use data obtained for 73 hotels from an Internet travel agent. The results show that hotel location, the availability of LED TV and the presence of conference facilities have significant effects on both weekday and weekend room rates. By contrast, Internet access and the presence of a fitness centre have significant effects on weekday rates only, while room size has a significant effect on weekend rates only. Of particular interest, given the results obtained in earlier work, is that in Taipei there is a negative relationship between proximity to the city centre and room rates, both on weekdays and at weekends.
The Impact of Mega Sporting Events on Live Spectators' Images of a Host City: A Case Study of the Shanghai F1 Grand Prix
Authors: Liu Dongfeng , Gratton Chris
Published: September 2010

Using the 2008 Shanghai F1 Grand Prix as a case study, this paper explores the extent, nature and implications of the impacts of sports mega-events on a host city's image from the perspective of the event visitors. It shows that the Shanghai F1 Grand Prix has, in general, a significant positive image impact on live spectators. However, the image impact varies from dimension to dimension, with the possibility of a high percentage of spectators reporting negative change on certain dimensions. The findings show that the evaluation of sports events is related positively to image impact and indicate the importance of improving service quality and spectators' satisfaction in order to achieve the most effective impact on spectators.
Factors Affecting International Tourism Flows to Turkey: A Gravity Model Approach
Authors: Eryiğit Mehmet , Kotil Erdoğan , Eryiğit Resul
Published: September 2010

A gravity-based modelling effort is undertaken to analyse the factors affecting the numbers of international tourists visiting Turkey from the top 11 originating countries for 1995–2005. It is found that an eight-factor model (GDP per capita, tourism climate index, population of the originating country, tourism price index, distance, earthquake, neighbouring country, September 11 terrorist attacks) can explain most of the data. The usual negative distance effect and the tourism climate index are found to be the most important indicators of the magnitude of tourism flows. An unexpected finding, however, is the relative insignificance of the Iraq War dummy.
The Generation of Tourism Destination Satisfaction
Authors: Campo-Martínez Sara , Garau-Vadell Joan B.
Published: September 2010

An analysis of tourist satisfaction and how to improve satisfaction levels is crucial for tourism destinations, especially for resorts that have reached their mature stage and must therefore ensure customer retention to remain competitive. This paper analyses and measures tourist satisfaction with one of the most popular and mature resorts of the Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands. From their findings, the authors examine how satisfaction is generated through its main antecedents: sacrifice and perceived quality. The results show that, by measuring satisfaction as a multidimensional construct, it is possible to detect the key variables in the generation of overall satisfaction. The results also reveal differences in the generation of satisfaction when the tourist is a repeat visitor. The authors also discuss whether the model can be extended to different nationalities, origins or cultural values.
Have Structural Issues Placed New Zealand's Hospitality Industry beyond Price?
Authors: Moriarty John P.
Published: September 2010

Hospitality is a principal tourism characteristic group, yet its recent economic performance in New Zealand has not been exemplary. Increased hospitality prices have been advocated, unsuccessfully, for many years as a means of improving economic performance. This paper compares economic sustainability measures between divisions of New Zealand's hospitality industry and national tourism exemplars. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to establish relative technical efficiencies and capacity utilization of hospitality divisions. The outcome correlates indicators of economic sustainability and the capacity utilization of hospitality division resources to suggest that improved performance requires strategies beyond those entailing price increases.
Using the Panel Cointegration Approach to Analyse the Determinants of Tourism Demand in South Africa
Authors: Seetanah Boopen , Durbarry Ramesh , Ragodoo J.F. Nicolas
Published: September 2010

Estimating tourism demand has become a challenge among researchers, as identification of key determinants is important for policymakers at a time when tourism has become the world's largest industry. Using a theoretical framework based on the gravity model, this paper models inbound tourism demand for South Africa to estimate price and income sensitivities as well as the impact of other important factors that affect tourist flows, such as the location of markets and socio-political factors. Given the non-stationary but cointegrated nature of the panel data, panel cointegration estimation techniques are employed. The results show that tourists are sensitive to price changes in South Africa and also to tourism price changes in competing destinations. The level of development, tourism infrastructure, distance (or transportation costs), common border and language are also found to affect arrivals. The results also indicate the need to conduct estimation by regional groupings for a better understanding of different markets.
Disentangling the Effects on the Korean Economy of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks from the Short-Run Effects of Hosting the 2002 World Cup, Using the Cge Model
Authors: Lee Choong-Ki , Moon Seogwoong , Mjelde James W.
Published: September 2010

The short-term effects of hosting the 2002 World Cup on the Korean economy are examined. Simulations using a computable general equilibrium model are carried out in a short-run framework, where the shock level was taken from the percentage changes in foreign tourism receipts observed between 2000 and 2002. Because of the dramatic events that occurred before and after 2002, the effect of these events must be removed to estimate the effects of the World Cup on the Korean economy. Using time series forecasting models, attempts are made to isolate the impacts of the 9/11 terrorist attacks from the impact of the World Cup. The results suggest that hosting the World Cup had a positive impact on the economy. This positive impact, however, is smaller than the negative impact of the 9/11 attacks. These differences explain the downturn in the Korean tourism industry and economy in 2002.
Advocating Service Learning for Developing Citizenship in University Students in South Africa
Authors: Dorasamy Nirmala , Pillay Soma
Published: September 2010

An effective and efficient public sector is largely dependent on employees who accept the responsibility for providing high-quality public services. It can be argued that public management students, as future employees in the public sector, need to be educated for responsible citizenship. Higher education institutions in South Africa are expected to promote social and economic development, and service learning can serve as a catalyst for developing responsible citizenship among public management students. This article investigates how service learning, as an experiential form of learning which has its roots in community service, meets community needs, enhances teaching and learning and contributes towards responsible citizenship. The extent to which service learning in public management as a discipline has been adopted by universities of technology in South Africa is also explored. It is argued that while public management students are expected to engage in experiential learning in the public sector, community-based learning should be included as a compulsory component of experiential learning. The authors suggest that service learning can make a significant contribution to socially responsible citizenship, an important value underpinning any public servant.
Entrepreneurial Universities for the UK: A ‘Stanford University’ at Bamburgh Castle?
Authors: Etzkowitz Henry
Published: September 2010

It is suggested that the value of projected cuts in UK higher education spending should be redirected to fund start-up entrepreneurial universities as part of a strategy for knowledge-based economic growth. Two specific elements of academic entrepreneurial redesign are outlined: the Professor of Practice, linking university and industry through half-time roles in each, and the Novum Trivium tripartite undergraduate degree, including a speciality subject, entrepreneurship education and a foreign language. A far-reaching response to resolve the economic crisis by hastening the foundation of university start-ups and their development into new clusters is envisioned.
Future Impacts of Biotechnology on Agriculture and Food Processing
Authors: Menrad Klaus
Published: September 2010

Using the Delphi approach, the impacts of modern biotechnology have been analysed in five EU countries. Within the coming ten years a significantly increasing number of biotechnology-derived products and methods are likely to be used in the EU agro-food sector. However, this will result only in limited job growth in specialized biotech companies and the supply industry. In line with previous population surveys, the experts of the Central European countries are more sceptical about agro-food biotechnology than their Mediterranean colleagues.
The Economic Context for Agroforestry Development: Evidence from Central America and the Caribbean
Authors: Scherr Sara J.
Published: September 2010

Agroforestry can provide significant economic benefits, through household use or sale of tree products, positive effects on companion crops or animals, and improved environmental conditions. Many development initiatives, however, ignore the regional economic context for agroforestry, in particular the effects of changing product and factor markets on the choice of species and management practices. This paper presents a framework for examining the economics of agroforestry, and illustrates globally important trends with findings from an eight-country study of agroforestry in Central America and the Caribbean.
Forests, Kyoto and Climate
Authors: Cannell Melvin G.R.
Published: September 2010

Global warming is a reality which was acknowledged by governments at the Rio Summit in 1992 and at Kyoto in 1997. Tropical deforestation is emitting CO2 to the atmosphere, and a similar amount of CO2 is being removed from the atmosphere by the growth of forests elsewhere in the world, plus the acceleration of plant growth by increasing CO2 and N supply. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) considered it possible to increase afforestation to offset 7.5% of the carbon that is likely to be emitted by burning fossil fuels up to 2050. Individual countries are claiming forest carbon sinks to offset some of their requirement to cut fossil fuel emissions. Also, some companies are starting independent carbon offset projects. The negotiators at Kyoto agreed very limited carbon sink credits in ‘Kyoto forests’ which must have been created since 1990. However, there are problems with estimation, definition, verification and associated unintended or undesirable effects, which are currently being examined by the IPCC.
African Swine Fever Virus: Can Current Research Lead to Vaccine Development?
Authors: Dixon Linda K. , Abrams Charles C. , Miskin James E. , Parkhouse R. Michael E.
Published: September 2010

Globally, African swine fever has had a major economic impact, yet it was first described only in the 1920s. Several factors, including the presence of the virus in wildlife reservoirs, its persistence in pigs which recover from the disease, its stability in pork products, and lack of a vaccine, contribute to the difficulties in controlling this devastating disease. Some countries have even resorted to killing their entire pig population to rid themselves of the disease. The recently completed sequence of the entire virus genome produced many surprises and boosted research efforts. The details of how the virus enters and replicates within the host's cells, the devious strategies it uses to evade host defence systems, which of the virus's many proteins are important in causing an effective host immune response, and the protective immune mechanisms involved, are now beginning to be understood. This information will help in the design of novel disease control strategies.
The ‘Prodem/Quasi-Enterprise’ Programme at the University of Barcelona
Authors: Santacana Francesc , Rubi Montse
Published: September 2010

The Bosch i Gimpera Foundation, an institution of the University of Barcelona which acts as a technology transfer centre, has set up a programme of assistance to research groups with two objectives: to facilitate an increase in contracting between these groups and firms, and to help young university graduates to direct their professional future towards self-employment or towards the creation of new firms with a technological base. The programme addresses some of the functional problems that often occur within a university that affect its relationship with business. The programme also provides academic staff with an alternative ‘third way’ – not previously available to them – when they are faced with the dilemma of choosing between scientific dedication and entrepreneurial dedication, a dilemma that arises at the moment when entrepreneurial activities can be derived from research within the university.
Society, Educational Systems and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Weaver Richard Y.
Published: September 2010

A great deal has been written on the subject of entrepreneurship. This paper attempts to explore the relationship between entrepreneurship and society at large, and specifically between entrepreneurship and the educational processes that society employs. The paper presents a discussion on a number of critical questions, beginning with why society needs entrepreneurship and whether the promises of entrepreneurship satisfy that need. The conclusion reached is essentially that cultural change has to take place, towards a societal state that reflects the characteristics of entrepreneurship, if the economic infrastructure of society is to be capable of coping with the increasingly turbulent environment. The paper further suggests that, if a culture shift is to be made, then an appropriate point of intervention would be through the educational system, and that it would likely be some 10 years before society could observe not only a culture shift but also a measured benefit to it. Accepting that the starting point should be the educational system, then further fundamental questions must be addressed. These concern the academic processes involved in presenting entrepreneurship, and how it challenges traditional teaching paradigms. Indeed a fundamental question often asked with regard to entrepreneurship is ‘Can it be taught at all?’ – some suggest that individuals who behave in an entrepreneurial way do so as a function of some kind of genetic influence. The paper concludes that the only constant is change, and that society needs to contend with the various dimensions of it. In doing so, we need to develop a collective mind-set, capable of coping with uncertainty, tolerant of risk, and opportunistic in coping with the turbulent and dynamic demand patterns with which it is faced. In other words, we need to foster an entrepreneurial culture.
Entrepreneurship Training at the Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Authors: Otto J.W.
Published: September 2010

This article describes an entrepreneurship education programme designed and implemented by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. An analysis of best practices of key European initiatives in entrepreneurship education was carried out. Based on the experience gathered, a concept was developed for a training programme targeted at the temporary staff at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy, a public research institution. It is structured into a ‘common core’ suitable for all researchers, and a ‘specialist programme’ for scientists with a business orientation. The ‘common core’ emphasizes the training of basic management (interpersonal) skills. The ‘specialist programme’ aims to provide basic business skills sufficient for starting up a company as an entrepreneur or a business unit as an intrapreneur. The format of the programme is 1–1.5 day workshops over a 6-month period, suitable for researchers in full-time employment. Key features are the interactive training by professionals drawn from a variety of backgrounds, milestones and attention to both concepts and practice. The preliminary results of the programme are presented.