Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'SMS-3'

Text messaging, also known as short message services (SMS), is a burgeoning innovation area showing promise in eliciting health behavior changes. This dissertation details two intervention trials that each comparatively tests the efficacy of different text message sets intended to improve behaviors. In light of pervasive road traffic injuries amongst young men in Tanzania, the first intervention tested messaging strategies aimed at increasing helmet wearing amongst commercial motorcycle taxi drivers. Participants (N=391) were randomized to receive either: 1) social norming messages emphasizing society’s positive stance on helmets; 2) fear appeal messages emphasizing the dangers of riding without helmets, or 3) control messages. After 6-weeks, the odds of drivers reporting wearing their helmet “on every trip” was 1.58 times higher in the social norming group than amongst controls, though this difference was not significant after accounting for multiple hypothesis testing. There was little difference between fear appeal recipients and controls. In light of China’s excessive caesarean section rate of up to 54.9%, the second trial tested messaging strategies aimed at reducing unnecessary caesareans. This quasi-randomized trial assigned pregnant women (N= 4,375) to receive one of four message sets: 1) Limited “Basic” messages, 2) A set primarily regarding Care-Seeking, 3) A set primarily regarding good prenatal Home Practices, or 4) All Texts. Amongst women that acknowledged receiving program texts, care-seeking messages alone were associated with reduced odds of caesarean delivery (OR=0.71, p=.045). Assignment to receive All Texts was associated with strongly reduced odds (OR = 0.65, p=0.008). Last, an observational study utilizing the Xi’an data investigated the association newborns being born small for gestational age (SGA) and women’s levels of family support. Adjusted logistic regression found that high support was associated with reduced odds of SGA (OR =0.681 p=.013). Mediation analysis suggested this association was at least partially mediated by better nutrition supplementation and more moderate exercise. These results suggest SMS interventions may be useful tools in eliciting behavior change surrounding helmet wearing and mode of delivery. Some message types may outperform others, and family support may be a useful leverage point. Further investigation is warranted.

Notre etude a consiste a developper de nouveaux procedes susceptibles de permettre l'optimisation des performances magnetiques du compose sm#2(fe#1##xco#x)#1#7n#y. En ce sens, nous avons etudie les mecanismes physico-chimiques et metallurgiques mis en jeu lors du developpement d'une microstructure permettant l'obtention de poudres fortement coercitives et anisotropes, et les methodes d'application de ces poudres (aimants lies). Alors que le procede hddr et la nitruration sous champ magnetique intense (8 t) se sont montres favorables au developpement d'une microstructure coercitive et isotrope, nous avons montre que le broyage en solution organique contenant un agent tensio-actif (aerosol ot) constituait une bonne alternative au developpement de poudre coercitive et anisotrope. En protegeant les surfaces des particules par le depot d'une faible quantite de zinc, nous avons montre allons qu'il est possible d'accroitre la stabilite des proprietes des poudres broyees. Nous obtenons ainsi pour la poudre composite zn#0#. #2/sm#2(fe#0#. #9co#0#. #1)#1#7n#y des valeurs de flux records, avec 15. 1 kg d'aimantation remanente et 15. 9 kg d'aimantation a saturation et un produit energetique (bh#m#a#x) de 46. 8 mgoe. Mais c'est pour le compose zn#0#. #6/sm#2(fe#0#. #9co#0#. #1)#1#7n#y que nous avons obtenu le meilleur compromis performance/stabilite. En modifiant les conditions experimentales, nous avons diminue la quantite de zno composant le depot et accru encore la stabilite des composes (beta-zn#0#. #6/sm#2(fe#0#. #9co#0#. #1)#1#7n#y). Finalement, nous avons montre qu'il est possible de fabriquer des aimants lies anisotropes a partir de poudres de zn#z/sm#2(fe#0#. #9co#0#. #1)#1#7n#y. Ces aimants performants (18-20 mgoe) presentent une bonne stabilite thermique et une bonne resistance a la corrosion.

Under året 2009 publicerade den internationella organisationen IASB ett internationellt redovisningsregelverk under namnet IFRS for SMEs. Denna självständiga redovisningsstandard komma att ligga till grund för det svenska redovisningsregelverket K3, som är avsett för icke börsnoterade små och medelstora företag som upprättar årsredovisning. BFN började år 2004 med ett nytt arbete med normgivning för icke börsnoterade företag, ett regelverk som kallas K-projektet vars syfte är att förenkla redovisningsarbetet. Samtliga onoterade företag som är bokföringsskyldiga skall innefattas, och beroende på företagets storlek och utformning delas de in i olika kategorier (K1-K4).I september 2010 skickade BFN ut en komplettering av K3 på en redan utskickad remiss. I kompletteringen återfanns det bland annat förslag med kapitel 11 och kapitel 12, som tar upp värderingar och redovisningsprinciper för finansiella instrument. Remissen skickades ut till 34 institutioner och av dessa svarade 20. Vi har behandlat samtliga svar.Syftet med uppsatsen har varit att undersöka och redogöra för de olika attityderna som de olika instanserna har yttrat i sina remissvar gällande kapitel 11 och kapitel 12 ur K3-regelverket. Studien är av kvalitativ karaktär med en induktiv ansats, där empirin har bestått av institutionernas remissvar.Instansernas attityder har varit av olika karaktär och detsamma gäller mängden av synpunkter som har framförts. Resultatet av studien visar att en minoritet anser att användarvänligheten i kapitel 11 och 12 är undermålig. Vår slutsats är att varken kapitel 11 eller kapitel 12 i dagsläget är tillräckligt välutvecklat. Vi är av den uppfattningen att mer arbete måste läggas ner när det kommer strukturen och värderingen kring finansiella instrument trots att majoriteten av intressenterna sammantaget har positiva synpunkter kring regelverket.
Program: Civilekonomprogrammet

Tot i que l'alta direcció és concebuda en la literatura com un stakeholder important en la funció de RRHH, hi ha una important manca d'atenció acadèmica en relació amb el paper que exerceix com a agent actiu en tots els aspectes de la GRH. Així, la present tesi intenta contribuir a aquesta literatura a través d'una anàlisi del paper necessàriament rellevant que juguen els directors generals en la GRH. Així mateix, l'observació d'aquest paper es realitza en un context poc investigat com és el de les pimes, contribuint també a la literatura de GRH en pimes. La tesi es pregunta, doncs, sobre quins són els factors i mecanismes que donen forma al paper de l'alta direcció en la GRH. Per arribar a una resposta de manera exploratòria, s'utilitza una metodologia qualitativa d’estudi de casos, per a cadascun dels quals es recullen dades amb entrevistes semiestructurades a directius, comandaments intermedis i treballadors. La mostra està composada de 25 casos d'estudi en pimes del sector hoteler. Els resultats identifiquen algunes relacions entre les característiques dels alts directius i els seus comportaments en relació amb la GRH, així com les pràctiques que acaben adoptant-se. El treball mostra també com els gerents de les pimes exerceixen un paper dual a causa de la curta distància que separa l'alta direcció dels seus empleats. Com a conseqüència, els gerents, a més de ser decisors últims de la seva empresa, també es responsabilitzen d'altres funcions més típiques de comandaments intermedis, del propi departament de RRHH o fins i tot dels treballadors. Aquestes troballes donen lloc a una sèrie d'aportacions pràctiques que destaquen la importància dels comportaments de lideratge exhibits pels directius de les pimes per sobre de les característiques específiques de les pràctiques de GRH utilitzades. Per això, és primordial informar i formar a aquests directius.
Aunque la alta dirección es concebida en la literatura como un stakeholder importante en la función de RRHH, existe una importante falta de atención académica en relación con el rol que ejerce como agente activo en todos los aspectos de la GRH. Así, la presente tesis intenta contribuir a esta literatura a través de un análisis del papel necesariamente relevante que juegan los directores generales en la GRH. Asimismo, la observación de este rol se realiza en un contexto poco investigado como es el de las pymes, contribuyendo también a la literatura de GRH en pymes. La tesis se pregunta sobre los factores y mecanismos que dan forma al rol de la alta dirección en la GRH. Para llegar a una respuesta de manera exploratoria, se utiliza una metodología cualitativa de estudio de casos, para cada uno de los cuales se recogen datos con entrevistas semiestructuradas a directivos, mandos intermedios y trabajadores. La muestra está compuesta de 25 casos en pymes del sector hotelero. Los resultados identifican algunas relaciones entre las características de los altos directivos y sus comportamientos en relación con la GRH, así como las prácticas que acaban adoptándose. El trabajo muestra también como los gerentes de las pymes ejercen un rol dual debido a la corta distancia que separa a la alta dirección de sus empleados. Como consecuencia, los gerentes, además de ser decisores últimos de sus empresas, también se responsabilizan de otras funciones más típicas de mandos intermedios, del propio departamento de RRHH o incluso de los trabajadores. Estos hallazgos dan lugar a una serie de aportaciones prácticas que destacan la importancia de los comportamientos de liderazgo exhibidos por los directivos de pymes por encima de las características específicas de las prácticas de GRH utilizadas. Por ello, es primordial informar y formar a estos directivos.
Although top management is presumed to be an important stakeholder in the HR function in the literature, there is a significant lack of academic attention paid in relation to the role they play as an active agent in all aspects of HRM. Thus, this thesis attempts to contribute to this literature through an analysis of the necessarily relevant role played by CEOs in HRM. Likewise, scarce research examining this role has been carried out in the context of SMEs, and thus the thesis also contributes to the HRM in SMEs literature. This thesis, therefore, enquires about the factors and mechanisms that shape the role of top management in HRM. To reach an answer through an exploratory approach, a case study qualitative methodology was used, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with top managers, middle managers and workers for each case. The sample was made up of 25 case studies in SMEs of the hotel sector. The results identify some relationships between the characteristics of top managers and their behaviours in relation to HRM, as well as the practices that end up being adopted. The study also shows how SME managers play a dual role due to the short distance that separates top management from their employees. As a consequence, CEOs, in addition to being the ultimate decision-makers in their company, are also responsible for other functions more typical of middle management, the HR department itself, or even the workers. These findings lead to a series of practical contributions that highlight the importance of the leadership behaviours exhibited by SME managers over and above the specific characteristics of the HRM practices used. Therefore, it is essential to inform and train these managers.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 17-20, 1994 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California
The area of range telemetry and communications has been under budget constraints and interoperability enhancement requirements for some time. The near-term onslaught of multimedia communications offerings by telephony and communications companies is certain to cause range engineering personnel to conduct extensive research and possibly make numerous decisions on procurements and technologies before standards are finalized. This paper will address a low-risk migration path for range telemetry to the new multimedia communications for ranges based on current capabilities. This migration path has an end goal of positioning the ranges to take advantage of future multimedia communications as they become available, while leveraging off of current products and procurements, without a major investment.

Les cellules musculaires lisses (CML) vasculaires les composants cellulaires principaux de la paroi artérielle, sont exposées constamment aux contraintes mécaniques. Les contraintes mécaniques cycliques régulent de nombreuses fonctions des CML vasculaires via les intégrines. Parmi les intégrines, l'[alpha]v[gamma]3 est non seulement un mécano-transducteur mais aussi le récepteur de la prothrombine à la surface des CML. L?activation de l'intégrine [alpha]v[gamma]3 par les contraintes mécaniques pourrait favoriser l'adhésion des CML à la prothrombine et aussi accélérer la génération de thrombine à la surface des CML. Pour vérifier cette hypothèse, nous avons étudié l'effet des contraintes mécaniques sur la génération de thrombine par les CML et identifié les voies de la signalisation impliquées. Nous avons utilisé un modèle de Flexcell utilisant les CML aortiques de rat, soumises à un étirement cyclique (10%, 1Hz). L'exposition à l'étirement cyclique pendant 1h et 6h induit un phénotype de différenciation et non-apoptotique des CML et une augmentation de l'expression de l'intégrine [alpha]v[gamma]3. Il y a aussi une augmentation de la phosphorylation de Src, FAK, AKT de façon temps dépendant et une augmentation de la phosphorylation de l'ILK à 15 min et du clivage de taline de 5 à 60 min. L'étirement cyclique augmente l'adhésion des CML à la prothrombine et la génération de thrombine avec un effet maximum à 6h de 67% et 30% respectivement. Le peptide mimétique de l'intégrine [alpha]v[gamma]3 (cRGDPV) et le siARN [alpha]v bloquent tous les effets de l'étirement cyclique sur les CML. Le siARN taline inhibe l'expression de la sous-unité [alpha]v et également la phosphorylation de Src, AKT et ILK. Le siARN ILK n'a pas d'effet sur l'expression de l'[alpha]v mais inhibe la phosphorylation d'AKT et le clivage de taline à 6h de l'étirement cyclique. Ainsi, l'étirement cyclique induit une plus forte génération de thrombine par les CML vasculaires via l'activation des voies de signalisation dépendante de l'[alpha]v[gamma]3. Cette étude suggère que la génération de thrombine intravasculaire peut être régulée par des antagonistes de l'intégrine [alpha]v[gamma]3 et peut devenir une nouvelle cible thérapeutique chez les patients avec une pression pulsée élevée
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), the main cellular components of the arterial wall, are constantly exposed to mechanical stretch. Cyclic mechanical stress regulates many functions of vascular SMC via integrins. Among the integrins, [alpha]v[gamma]3 is not only a mechanotransducer but also the receptor of prothrombin in the vascular SMC. Activation of integrin [alpha]v[gamma]3 by mechanical stretch may promote SMC adhesion to prothrombin and also accelerate thrombin generation on the surface of SMC. To test this hypothesis, we have studied the effect of mechanical stretch on the generation of thrombin by SMC and identified possible signaling pathway involved. We used a Flexcell model using rat aortic SMC subjected to cyclic stretch (10%, 1Hz). Exposure to cyclic stretch for 1h and 6h induced a phenotype of differentiation and non-apoptosis of SMC and an increased expression of integrin [alpha]v[gamma]3. There was also an increase in phosphorylation of Src, FAK, and AKT in a time dependent manner, increased phosphorylation of ILK at 15min and the cleavage of talin from 5 to 60min. Cyclic stretch increased the adhesion of prothrombin to the SMC, and thrombin generation with a maximum effect of 67% and 30% respectively. A peptide mimetic of integrin [alpha]v[gamma]3 (cRGDPV) and [alpha]v siRNA both blocked all the effects of cyclic stretch on SMC. A talin siRNA inhibited the expression of [alpha]v and the phosphorylation of Src, AKT and ILK. An ILK siRNA has no effect on the expression of [alpha]v but inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and the cleavage of talin at 6h of stretch. Thus, cyclic stretch induced a higher thrombin generation by vascular SMC via activation of signaling pathways dependant on [alpha]v[gamma]3. This study suggests that intravascular thrombin generation can be regulated by antagonists of integrin [alpha]v[gamma]3 and can become a new therapeutic target for the patients with a high pulse pressure

The academic and business understanding of how Business Models through Service Logic co-creates, proposes, and captures value in extensive and complex Networked Systems is at its first daylight, specifically in the context of Service Systems with their Ecologies. With the complexity emerging in the Service Economies along with the advances in Information and Communication Technology such as the Cloud and Big Data, to describe and define the business operations, units, and value propositions consequently is done by business modeling and innovation of the company to acquire a current or new capitalization strategy, control and execution. Open Business Models such as the Business Model Canvas are easily integrated in existing or new Enterprises and Service Systems, and aim to facilitate the development of private as well as public entities in adapting, accessing, and integrating operant and operand resources by the ever-so-more used Service Logic. A Service Business Model has the academia and business recognized Service-Dominant Logic (S-D Logic) as a foundation for sensemaking in complex Networked Systems and Service Economies. The authors have conducted 20 face-to-face interviews with private and public company managers at all levels, review of literature in the Business Model and Service Logic fields, and also reviewed case studies from IBM on Business Models and its Leadership, Strategy and Technology (and Services) – which is a natural extension of our Interdisciplinary and Systems Sciences studies with S-D Logic at Karlstad Business School and Karlstad University for the past four years. The author’s research, interviews and IBM’s case studies show a need for further conceptualization and sensemaking of the Value Co-Creations and Propositions in Service Eco-System settings – and also decision-making assistance for managers designing, innovating and using Service Business Models to create sustainable Ecologies. Moreover, a Leadership perspective with a systems level strategy in Service Eco-Systems through externally-faced Value Propositions with the ability to create opportunities needs to be developed through a systems thinking. Furthermore, the quality of interaction, shared information, and influence in Dyad Perspective to facilitate Triad Relationships captures value – which is facilitated by the new Service Canvas Business Model. We argue for a multiple perspective in Service Business Models to cater both partner and customer perspective with internally- and externally-faced Value Propositions to Co-Create or Capture Value – we see that this requires an objective (objectification) foundation for consensus; the 4C model. We contend that Service Eco-Systems cannot scale or sustain without the proper use of Technology specifically Communication but also Information, which determine most of the quality in modern and digital service interactions and perspectives. Our interviews, reviews, and cumulative research in Service Business Models and Eco-Systems with IBM case studies are all strong foundations for current and future research but also for business practice today.

Au cours de la dernière décennie, l’industrie des véhicules aériens sans pilote (UAV) a connu une croissance et une diversification immenses. De nos jours, nous trouvons des applications basées sur les drones dans un large éventail d’industries, telles que les infrastructures, l’agriculture, les transports, etc. Ce phénomène a suscité un intérêt croissant dans le domaine de la manipulation aérienne. La mise en œuvre de manipulateurs aériens dans l'industrie des UAV pourrait générer une augmentation significative du nombre d'applications possibles. Cependant, la restriction de la charge utile disponible est l’un des principaux inconvénients de cette approche. L'impossibilité d'équiper les drones de bras robotiques industriels puissants et habiles a suscité l'intérêt pour le développement de manipulateurs légers adaptés à ces applications. Dans le but de fournir une solution légère alternative aux manipulateurs aériens, cette thèse propose un bras robotique léger actionné par des fils en alliage à mémoire de forme (SMA). Bien que les fils SMA représentent une excellente alternative aux actionneurs conventionnels pour les applications légères, ils impliquent également une dynamique hautement non linéaire, ce qui les rend difficiles à contrôler. Cherchant à présenter une solution pour la tâche difficile de contrôler les fils SMA, ce travail étudie les conséquences et les avantages de la mise en œuvre des techniques de commande par retour d’état. L'objectif final de cette étude est la mise en œuvre expérimentale d'un contrôle à rétroaction d'état pour la régulation de la position du bras robotique léger proposé. Tout d'abord, un modèle mathématique basé sur un modèle physique du comportement des câbles SMA est développé et validé expérimentalement. Ce modèle décrit la dynamique du bras robotique léger proposé du point de vue de la mécatronique. Le bras robotique proposé est testé avec trois contrôleurs de retour de sortie pour le contrôle de position angulaire, à savoir un PID, un mode coulissant et une commande adaptative. Les contrôleurs sont testés dans une simulation MATLAB, puis mis en œuvre et testés expérimentalement selon différents scénarios. Ensuite, afin de réaliser la mise en œuvre expérimentale d’une technique de commande par retour d’état, un observateur d’état, à entrée inconnue, est développé. Premièrement, un modèle observable sans commutation avec une entrée inconnue est dérivé du modèle présenté précédemment. Ce modèle prend comme entrée inconnue le taux de fraction de martensite du modèle d'origine, ce qui permet d'éliminer les termes de commutation dans le modèle. Ensuite, un observateur, à entrées inconnues, basé sur le filtre de Kalman étendu et sur l’observateur à mode glissant est développé. Cet observateur permet l’estimation simultanée de l’état et des entrées inconnues. Les conditions suffisantes de convergence et de stabilité sont établies. L'observateur est testé dans une simulation MATLAB et validé expérimentalement dans différents scénarios. Enfin, une technique de commande par retour d’état est testée en simulation et implémentée de manière expérimentale pour le contrôle de position angulaire du bras robotique léger proposé. Elle est basée sur la résolution d’une équation de Riccati (SDRE). En conclusion, une analyse comparative quantitative et qualitative entre une approche de commande par retour de sortie et la une de commande par retour d’état mis en œuvre est effectuée selon plusieurs scénarios, y compris la régulation de position, le suivi de position et le suivi de charges utiles changeantes
In the last decade, the industry of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) has gone through immense growth and diversification. Nowadays, we find drone based applications in a wide range of industries, such as infrastructure, agriculture, transport, among others. This phenomenon has generated an increasing interest in the field of aerial manipulation. The implementation of aerial manipulators in the UAV industry could generate a significant increase in possible applications. However, the restriction on available payload is one of the main setbacks of this approach. The impossibility to equip UAVs with heavy dexterous industrial robotic arms has driven the interest in the development of lightweight manipulators suitable for these applications. In the pursuit of providing an alternative lightweight solution for the aerial manipulators, this thesis proposes a lightweight robotic arm actuated by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires. Although SMA wires represent a great alternative to conventional actuators for lightweight applications, they also imply highly nonlinear dynamics, which makes them difficult to control. Seeking to present a solution for the challenging task of controlling SMA wires, this work investigates the implications and advantages of the implementation of state feedback control techniques. The final aim of this study is the experimental implementation of a state feedback control for position regulation of the proposed lightweight robotic arm. Firstly, a mathematical model based on a constitutive model of the SMA wire is developed and experimentally validated. This model describes the dynamics of the proposed lightweight robotic arm from a mechatronics perspective. The proposed robotic arm is tested with three output feedback controllers for angular position control, namely a PID, a Sliding Mode and an Adaptive Controller. The controllers are tested in a MATLAB simulation and finally implemented and experimentally tested in various different scenarios. Following, in order to perform the experimental implementation of a state feedback control technique, a state and unknown input observer is developed. First, a non-switching observable model with unknown input of the proposed robotic arm is derived from the model previously presented. This model takes the martensite fraction rate of the original model as an unknown input, making it possible to eliminate the switching terms in the model. Then, a state and unknown input observer is proposed. This observer is based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for state estimation and sliding mode approach for unknown input estimation. Sufficient conditions for stability and convergence are established. The observer is tested in a MATLAB simulation and experimentally validated in various different scenarios. Finally, a state feedback control technique is tested in simulation and experimentally implemented for angular position control of the proposed lightweight robotic arm. Specifically, continuous and discrete-time State-Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) control laws are derived and implemented. To conclude, a quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis between an output feedback control approach and the implemented state feedback control is carried out under multiple scenarios, including position regulation, position tracking and tracking with changing payloads

L’étude des effets des informations qualitatives sur la constitution de la confiance dans la relation Banque-PME est l’objet principal de cette thèse. Il s’agit de mettre en évidence la manière dont la collecte des informations « Soft » et les interactions sociales qui permettent l’échange de ce type d’information mitige les problèmes d’asymétries d’information caractéristiques de ces structures. Bien que les banques soient de plus en plus équipées d’outils informatisés d’aide à la décision, la nature qualitative de l’information collectée reste un déterminant de la filtration des dossiers de crédits aux PME. L’auteur de ce travail propose une modélisation de la relation Banque-PME au Liban en mettant en évidence les éléments déterminants de la confiance entre le chargé de clientèle et l’emprunteur. Ce modèle met en exergue quatre éléments influant la relation, à savoir le contexte général de la relation et, plus particulièrement, la pression de la banque ainsi que sa structure organisationnelle sur le chargé de clientèle ; des éléments personnels et interpersonnels comme la motivation de l’entrepreneur, l’expérience des deux parties ainsi que la durée de la relation ; des éléments relationnels basés surtout sur la proximité, les réseaux et interactions ainsi que sur l’intervention des tiers et, enfin, des éléments passionnels qui donnent une large place à l’intuition du banquier dans sa prise de décision. Ces résultats ont été obtenus à partir d’hypothèses éclairés par la littérature relative aux théories de l’encastrement social, des conventions et de la confiance. Ils sont soutenus par une double enquête de terrain, exploratoire et confirmatoire, menée auprès des chargés de clientèles libanais. Ils suggèrent une apparente singularité de la relation Banque-PME au Liban avec une hypertrophie de la dimension relationnelle dans la prise de décision
This research is concerned with how « Soft » information affects small and medium-sized enterprise financing. We particularly focus on the effect of their collect and the Social interactions that allow the exchange of such information on the specific asymmetric information problems. Although banks are more and more equipped with computerized decision tools, the qualitative nature of the information collected remains decisive in filtering the records of credit to SMEs. The author of this research offers a relationship Bank-SME conceptual framework by putting in obvious place elements determining the Trust between Credit officer and borrower. This model puts in an obvious place four elements having an influence: the general context of relation and more particularly pressure of the bank and organizational structure on the Credit officer ; personal and interpersonal elements as entrepreneur’s motivation and both experiences and duration of the relationship ; Relational elements based primarily on proximity, networks and interactions as well as third party intervention and finally, the determinants of trust can encompass several elements of passion specifically banker’s intuition about the project. The author supports that the trust is built on « Soft » information which are itemized. These results were acquired from assumptions based on the literature about conventions, trust and embededness. They were supported by a double field investigation, exploratory and confirmatory conducted with Lebanese Credit officers

Estudio de la capacidad de absorción -ACAP-, desde su aplicabilidad empírica, para el análisis de modelos teóricos y nuevas propuestas relativas a cómo las empresas ganan ventajas competitivas en realidades socio-económicas complejas. La unidad de análisis lo constituyó el segmento de la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa -PyME-, sector de la manufactura, América Latina, Venezuela, en cuyo contexto se evaluó la eficacia del modelo teórico de Capacidad de Absorción de Zahra y George (2002), específicamente absorción de tecnología de información y comunicación ¿TIC-., en ocho empresas tipificadas como de baja y alta complejidad tecnológica (INE, 2007; Al Invest IV, 2011; Vilaseca, J. et al., 2003). Demandó la utilización de la Teoría Adaptativa de Derek Layder (1993, 1998, 2013). Investigación ésta, cualitativa, sincrónica, que incluyó el análisis de ocho estudios de casos (Yin, 1985, Patton, 2001). El principal hallazgo y contribución al conocimiento fue evidenciar que el modelo teórico de Zahra y George (2002), centro de la investigación, requirió la incorporación de un elemento adicional que aportó ductilidad para poder adaptarse con mayor relevancia y exactitud al paradigma de desarrollo de la realidad estudiada.
The absorptive capacity (ACAP) from empirical findings for the analisis theories and to construct new models and Develop Proposals how to gain competitive advantage in Organisations to complex socio-economic environment. The unit of analysis for the empirical research Undertaken For This thesis was Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Located within the manufacturing industry of Venezuela, Latin America. The overall aim was to ASSESS the efficacy of the theoretical model of absorptive capacity developed by Zahra and George (2002) by examining Characteristics of absorption related to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). Eight companies classified as That Were being of either of low or high technological complexity Have Been Studied in depth (INE 2007; Al Invest IV, 2010; Vilaseca, J. et al., 2003). The researcher used Adaptive Theory, Layder (1993, 1998, 2013), a meta-methodology That permitted a variety of theoretical Approaches to be used and enabled tentative findings to be constructed and reconstructed as the investigation progressed in the eight case studies (Yin, 1985 Patton, 2001). The main finding of the study, and Its contribution to the field, is related to the model of Limitations in Zahra and George (2002), Which is shown not Have to universal applicability. Zahra and George's model requires a new element if it is to be adequate for the analysis of companies operating in social-economic systems: such as Venezuela.
Estudi de la capacitat d'absorció -ACAP-, des de la seva aplicabilitat empírica, per a l'anàlisi de models teòrics i noves propostes relatives a com les empreses guanyen avantatges competitius en realitats socioeconòmiques complexes. La unitat d'anàlisi el va constituir el segment de la Petita i Mitjana Empresa -PyME-, sector de la manufactura, Amèrica Llatina, Veneçuela, en el context es va avaluar l'eficàcia del model teòric de Capacitat d'Absorció de Zahra i George (2002), específicament absorció de tecnologia d'informació i comunicació -TIC-, en vuit empreses tipificades com de baixa i alta complexitat tecnològica (INE, 2007; al Invest IV, 2011; Vilaseca, J. et al., 2003). Va demanar la utilització de la Teoria Adaptativa de Derek Layder (1993, 1998, 2013). Investigació aquesta, qualitativa, sincrònica, que va incloure l'anàlisi de vuit estudis de casos (Yin, 1985, Patton, 2001). La principal troballa i contribució al coneixement va ser evidenciar que el model teòric de Zahra i George (2002), centre de la investigació, va requerir la incorporació d'un element addicional que va aportar ductilitat per poder adaptar-se amb major rellevància i exactitud al paradigma de desenvolupament de la realitat estudiada.

L’objectif de la recherche est l’interprétation de l’agir des dirigeants de PME face au développement durable. Alors, l’interprétation est considérée par cette recherche comme un processus dialectique entre l’explication et la compréhension. Pour expliquer l’agir, nous avons choisi la théorie des représentations sociale et pour le comprendre, nous avons opté pour la théorie de l’économie des grandeurs. La problématique de la recherche tâche d’analyser les liens entre représentations, agir et justifications du développement durable chez les dirigeants de riads maison d’hôtes à Marrakech. Les résultats obtenus montrent l’existence d’une cité écologique et confirment les difficultés du développement durable à se présenter comme ordre de justification de l’action
The objective of the research is the interpretation of the action of SME managers in the face of sustainable development. Then, interpretation is considered by this research as a dialectical process between explanation and comprehension. To explain the action, we chose the theory of social representations and to understand it, we opted for the theory of the economy of quantities. The research problematic seeks to analyze the links between representation, action and the justification of sustainable development among the riads' leaders in Marrakech. The results obtained show the existence of an ecological city and confirms the difficulties of sustainable development to present itself as an order of justification of the action

Aquest treball de recerca persegueix identificar quines pràctiques de recursos humans donen suport a la innovació en les PIMEs. La investigació s'ha centrat en dues fases. En la primera fase d'aquest estudi s'han identificat les pràctiques de recursos humans que dia a dia duen a terme 16 empreses innovadores de Jalisco (Mèxic) i de Catalunya (Espanya). Amb aquesta finalitat, s'ha realitzat un estudi qualitatiu que consisteix en entrevistar en profunditat els principals responsables de cada l'empresa o els directius que poguessin respondre a temes estratègics generals. Un cop identificats les característiques i aspectes que ens agradaria contrastar respecte al que s’ha publicat en la literatura, s'ha realitzat un estudi quantitatiu mitjançant enquestes a 129 empreses de Jalisco (Mèxic). En el cas d'Espanya, al no tenir un nombre significatiu de respostes no es va poder realitzar l'estudi, de manera que la investigació quantitativa es va centrar només en els resultats de Mèxic. La investigació conclou amb una sèrie de característiques i pràctiques que identifiquen les PIMEs innovadores, les quals s'espera que siguin d'utilitat per facilitar la innovació i amb això l'èxit de les empreses.
Este trabajo de investigación persigue identificar qué prácticas de recursos humanos apoyan la innovación en las PYMEs. La investigación se ha centrado en dos fases. En la primera fase del presente estudio se han identificado las prácticas de recursos humanos que día a día llevan a cabo 16 empresas innovadoras exitosas de Jalisco (México) y de Cataluña (España). Para ello se ha realizado un estudio cualitativo que consistente en realizar entrevistas en profundidad a los principales responsables de la empresa o a los directivos que pudieran responder a temas estratégicos generales. Una vez identificadas las características y los aspectos que nos gustaría contrastar con respecto a lo publicado en la literatura, se ha realizado un estudio cuantitativo a través de encuestas a 129 empresas de Jalisco (México). En el caso de España, al no tener un número significativo de respuestas no se ha podido realizar el estudio, por lo que la investigación cuantitativa se centró sólo en México. La investigación concluye con una serie de características y prácticas que identifican a las PYMEs innovadoras, que se espera sean de utilidad para facilitar la innovación y con ello el éxito de las empresas.
This research aims to identify how HR practices support innovation in SMEs. Research has focused on two phases. In the first phase of this study we have identified human resources practices that every day carry out 16 successful innovative companies in Jalisco (Mexico) and Catalonia (Spain). For this we have conducted a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews to the main responsible for the company or managers who could answer general strategic issues. Once we have identified the features and aspects that we would like to contrast against the published literature, we performed a quantitative study using surveys of 129 companies from Jalisco (Mexico). In the case of Spain, we could not develop the study because we did not get a significant number of surveys that allowed us to do it, so that quantitative research focused only in Mexico. The research concludes with a series of features and practices that identify innovative SMEs, which are expected to be useful in order to facilitate the innovation and direct the companies into a successful way.

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências da Linguagem, Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais, Universidade do Algarve, 2015
A escrita é um fenómeno que existe há muitos anos. A sua evolução tem acompanhado a evolução da sociedade, adquirindo novos formatos e novos suportes. A escrita é uma forma de comunicação e o seu papel adquire significados diferentes ao longo da nossa vida. Na infância, iniciamos a aprendizagem da competência da escrita, na fase adulta aperfeiçoamo-la, sendo muitas vezes uma ferramenta imprescindível de trabalho, e na adolescência funciona como um código que nos define quando comunicamos com outros elementos do nosso grupo e que nos diferencia dos demais. A chegada das novas tecnologias revolucionou o modo como se escreve. O telemóvel originou novas formas de escrita e acompanhou vertiginosamente a criatividade e a vontade de ser diferente que tanto caracterizam os jovens adolescentes, na comunicação e na socialização. Com o telemóvel surgiram os SMS e a escrita construiu uma personalidade diferente, com características que se assemelham à fala. É uma escrita curta, eficaz, comunica-se em tempo real e transmite emoções. Os SMS, à semelhança da fala, são definidos pelo contexto, pelo sexo, pela idade, pela classe social, por ser menos cuidada e por economizar palavras. No seguimento desta linha de raciocínio, este estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de observar e refletir sobre a comunicação escrita, por SMS, de um grupo de alunos da Escola Básica 2, 3 José Carlos da Maia do Mega Agrupamento Escolas Professor Paula Nogueira, em Olhão, que serviu de base à construção de um questionário. Com os resultados obtidos através do questionário, verificou-se que os jovens adolescentes têm consciência de que existem ocasiões em que podem utilizar a escrita que aplicam nos SMS, mas que devem utilizar um registo mais formal noutros contextos. Os resultados do questionário aplicado também indicam que o SMS é um dos meios de comunicação escrita preferido pelos jovens, embora estes comecem a explorar outras alternativas mais económicas e práticas, e que existem diferenças no género e na idade na utilização do telemóvel para o envio de SMS.
Writing is a phenomenon that has existed for many years. Its evolution has followed the evolution of society, acquiring new formats and new supports. Writing is a form of communication and its role takes different meanings throughout our life. In childhood, we start the writing skills learning, when we are adults we improve it, and it is often an essential tool of work, and in our adolescence serves as a code that defines us when we communicate with others our group members and that sets us apart from the others. The arrival of new technologies has revolutionized the way we write. The mobile phone originated new forms of writing and accompanied vertiginously the creativity and the desire to be different that characterize so well the adolescents. With the mobile phone, SMS emerged, and writing built a different personality with features that make it look like the oral speech. It is short and effective, allows the communication in real time and transmits emotions. SMS, like oral speech, are defined by context, gender, age and social class, are less groomed and skimp words. Following this line of reasoning, this research was developed in order to observe and reflect on written communication, through SMS, performed by the students of Escola Básica 2, 3 José Carlos da Maia - Mega Agrupamento Escolas Professor Paula Nogueira, at Olhão, which formed the basis for the construction of a questionnaire. With the results, it was found that young adolescents are aware that there are times when they can use the informal writing that they use in SMS, but they also know that they should use a more formal registration in other contexts. The results of the questionnaire applied also indicate that the SMS is one of the means of written communication that young people prefer, however, they begin to explore other more economic alternatives and practices. There are also differences among boys and girls, and their age, when they use the mobile phone to send text messages.

Introduction Chronic diseases are rapidly escalating and place tremendous burden on health care systems in the developing world. The effectiveness of post-physical examination communication with patients is as crucial as their physical observations. Mobile phones, as one of the innovative technological intervention in the 21st century, have become part of people’s lives. Their widespread availability has given them the potential to revolutionise health care communication and improve health services. The purpose of the present research report was to explore the feasibility of using text messages (SMS) by patients in managing their chronic illnesses in a rural setting in three Bushbuckridge clinics. Methodology A cross sectional descriptive study using quantitative methodology was carried out at three intervention clinics, where the electronic Patient Health Information System (PatHIS) was to be installed in the Bushbuck Area, Mpumalanga. A questionnaire was administered by the researcher at a specific clinic situated in rural setting to solicit information from participants. The researcher also used the method of observation, that is, an SMS was sent by the researcher to the participants with cellphones during the interview. Participants were requested to open and read the message or open their phonebook while the researcher was observing them. Results A total of 74 participants were interviewed. 74% (55/74) of participants owned cellphones and indicated that they were for personal use. Seventy-eight percent (15/19) of participants who did not own cellphones had access to other people’s cellphones, and 87 % (13/15) indicated that they did not mind if other people received SMS on their behalf. Only 25% of cellphone owners were able to demonstrate how they opened their SMS and read it. Ninety-three percent of cellphone owners who were unable to read their own SMS indicated that their messages were read by either their children and/or grand children. Eighty-eight percent (62/70) of the participants indicated that they would prefer to receive SMS in their own home language. Ninety-one percent (68/70) indicated that they would like to receive SMS from the clinic in future. Seventy Percent of the participants would prefer to receive appointment reminders via SMS. Fifteen Percent and 13 % would like to receive test results and health information via SMS respectively. Participants also indicated that they would like to be informed about the unavailability of medication at the clinic pharmacy. Discussion The study indicated that the use of SMS in the management of chronic diseases is feasible based on the number of participants who would like to receive SMSes from the clinic. However participants were specific in terms of the type of text messages they preferred to, that is, they preferred to receive appointment reminders via SMS. It is recommended that before such an intervention is implemented a balance between privacy, confidentiality as well as comprehension of test messages be established. It is also crucial to focus on patients’ preferences in terms of the type of text messages, as well as the language used. This will determine whether patients accept the use of text messages in managing their chronic illnesses.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
The etiology of many neurodegenerative diseases is unknown, but a number of studies indicate that a combination of both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the progression of disease. Exposure to environmental metals, such as Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and Al3+, has been shown to increase cell death that is characteristic of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, PD, Wilson’s disease and Menkes disease. These metals are important in numerous biological processes in the brain and their homeostasis is regulated through multiple mechanisms of transport, storage, and secretion. The vertebrate divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT-1) has been implicated in transport and homeostasis of these divalent cations. In these studies I utilize Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to show that long term exposure to Mn2+ decreases animal viability in a dose-dependent manner, and I demonstrate that C. elegans homologues to DMT-1, SMF-1, SMF-2, and SMF-3, play specific roles in divalent metal ion-induced DA neurodegeneration. I show that SMF-1 contributes to Fe2+-induced DA neuron degeneration, SMF-3 contributes to Al3+-induced DA neuron degeneration, and both SMF-2 and DAT-1 contribute to Cu2+-induced DA neuron cell death. These studies utilize C. elegans as a powerful model to characterize molecules and pathways involved in metal toxicity and metal-induced DA neuron degeneration.

Le facteur de transcription T-bet joue un rôle central dans la régulation de la différenciation des lymphocytes T. La protéine tyrosine kinase, la glycogène synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), inhibe l'activation des lymphocytes T et contrôle l'expression de leurs récepteurs inhibiteurs PD-1 et LAG- 3. Bien que l'inhibition de GSK-3 puisse augmenter l'expression de T-bet, l'interrelation entre T-bet et GSK-3 dans l'immunité tumorale est inconnue. Dans cette étude, nous montrons que les souris knock-out T-bet (Tbet - / -) sont compromises dans leur capacité à contrôler la croissance des cellules tumorales du mélanome B16. Cependant, l'injection d'une petite molécule inhibitrice (SMI) de GSK-3 inverse cette condition compromise entraînant le contrôle de la croissance tumorale similaire à celle observée chez les souris de type sauvage. Un examen de Tbet - / - a montré une perte de cellules dendritiques (DC) et de cellules leucocytes polymorphonucléaires (PMN) potentiellement suppressives et de lymphocytes tumoraux T (TILs) CD4 + accompagnée d'une augmentation de cellules T CD8 +. L'analyse viSNE (avancé tSNE) a en outre montré une réduction de la population effectrice expérimentée à l'antigène dans les TILs CD8 + chez Tbet -/-. Cette population est marquée par la réduction de CD44. L'inhibition de GSK-3 n'a montré aucun effet sur la perte de DC, TILs CD4 +, PMN et les TILs CD8 + ainsi que l’expression de Granzyme B (GZMB) sur les cellules T CD8 +. La seule exception était une augmentation mineure néanmoins statistiquement significative du facteur de transcription Eomesdermin (Eomes) dans les TILs CD8 +. L'étude démontre un effet compensatoire inattendu de l'inhibition de GSK-3 sur la perte de T-bet. Il reste à élucider la nature complète du parcours de cette compensation.
The transcription factor T-bet plays a central role in regulating T-cell differentiation, while the protein tyrosine kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) inhibits T-cell activation and controls the expression of inhibitory receptors PD-1 and LAG-3 on T-cells. Although GSK-3 inhibition can increase T-bet expression, the inter-relationship between T-bet and GSK-3 in tumor immunity is unknown. In this study, we show that T-bet knock-out (Tbet-/-) mice are compromised in their ability to control the growth of the B16 melanoma tumor cells. However, the injection of a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of GSK-3 reverses this compromised condition resulting in the control of tumor growth similar to that seen in wild type mice. An examination of Tbet-/- showed a loss of dendritic cells (DC) and potentially suppressive polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and CD4+ cell tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) accompanied by an increase in CD8+ cells. viSNE analysis (advanced tSNE- t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding) further showed a reduction of antigen experienced effector marker CD44 in CD8+ TILs in Tbet-/-. GSK-3 inhibition showed no effect on the loss of DCs, CD4+ TILs or the presence of PMNs or CD8+ T-cells or the loss of Granzyme B (GZMB) on CD8+ cells. The one exception was a minor but statistically significant increase in the transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes) in CD8+ TILs. The study demonstrates an unexpected compensatory effect of GSK-3 inhibition on the loss of T-bet. The full nature of the pathway that accounts for this compensation remains to be elucidated.

We have developed a method of calculating the Gruneisen parameter, γ ≡ ∂linJ/∂lnν (J - exchange splitting; ν - molar volume), for energy splittings that are due to atoms exchanging lattice sites in fermionic systems for which the exchange splittings are small compared with the lattice kinetic and potential energies. The method involves making two separate path integral Monte Carlo calculations, one for a path (sequence of particle positions in time) that doesn't involve atoms exchanging lattice sites, and one for a path in which the atoms do exchange lattice sites. The difference between a quantity calculated for the two systems is related to the Gruneisen parameter.

The central results of this thesis are firstly, that there is no significant variation of the Gruneisen parameters for two, three and four particle exchange (γ₂, γ₃ and γ₄, respectively) for solid ³He, in going from 24 cm³/mole, which is near melting, to 22 cm³/mole. This result was extended to 20 cm³/mole for γ₂. Since no significant variation was observed, the values calculated for different molar volumes were combined to give best estimates for the Gruneisen constants, γ₂ = 15.9 ± .8, γ₃ = 16.4 ± 1.4 and γ₄ = 13.8 ± 1.5. The second result is that the magnitudes of the Gruneisen parameters are very similar for the three types of exchange despite their significantly different geometry. Some very limited runs were done for a system of hard spheres. It is interesting that for the hard sphere diameter chosen, the Gruneisen parameters are of the same order as for solid ³He, γ₂ = 21.7 ± .8, γ₃ = 16.8 ± 2.1 and γ₄ = 19.3 ± 1.9 for the small test systems checked. The final result relates to ³He deposited on a graphite surface. The Gruneisen parameter for three particle exchange for a two-dimensional system with a triangular mesh is found to be consistent with γ₃ = 50 ± 5 for a range of nearest-neighbor, lattice spacings from 3.2 Å to 3.6 Å. This is inconsistent with experiment, indicating that three particle exchange confined to two dimensions does not account for the ferromagnetic properties of this system, as was claimed previously.

Tese de mestrado, Bioquímica (Bioquímica Médica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2010
Recentemente, tem sido consolidada a ideia de que os mecanismos pós- transcricionais Apresentam um importante papel na regulação da expressão génica, sendo as RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) um dos seus principais mediadores. Neste trabalho estudaram-se interacções mRNA-proteína em dois contextos diferentes: na resposta imunitária inata e numa doença genética. No primeiro estudo, em colaboração com a UBCSI do IMM, pretendeu-se averiguar se em resposta à estimulação de células THP-1 com E. coli ocorre interacção entre a hnRNP K e os transcritos das proteínas ASF/SF2 e SRp20, cuja actividade inibe a libertação da Interleucina-1β. Por imunoprecipitação da hnRNP K e qRT-PCR dos transcritos, em consequência da estimulação, observou-se a formação dos referidos complexos RNA-proteína. Adicionalmente, apesar dos resultados inconclusivos para o ASF/SF2, observou‐se que a interacção entre a hnRNP K e o transcrito do SRp20 depende da activação da via MAPK/ERK. A Atrofia Muscular Espinal (SMA) é uma doença autossómica recessiva causada pela perda de função do gene SMN1, o qual codifica a proteína SMN. Todos os doentes expressam o SMN2 que, embora insuficiente para compensar a perda do SMN1, também leva à produção de SMN. Dado que quanto maior o número de cópias SMN2, menor a severidade da SMA, esta constitui uma forte candidata à aplicação de terapias que aumentem a expressão da SMN por aumento da estabilidade do transcrito SMN2. Consequentemente, é necessário identificar os factores envolvidos na modelação da sua estabilidade, nomeadamente RBPs, pelo que se teve como objectivo a identificação de proteínas de ligação ao seu 3’UTR (pois contêm, maioritariamente, as sequências modeladoras da estabilidade dos mRNAs). As proteínas identificadas por espectrometria de massa foram a NUBPL, LARP1, LARP2, LARP4 e hnRNPG, que se prevêem ou já estão caracterizadas como tendo actividade de ligação a nucleótidos e de controlo pós-transcricional, constituindo candidatos interessantes a reguladores da expressão da SMN.
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are one of the main players in post‐ transcriptional control. The main goal of this project was to characterize mRNA-RBP interactions in two different contexts: the immune innate response and a genetic disease, the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The UBCSI lab, from IMM, found that ASF/SF2 and SRp20 proteins inhibit IL‐1β secretion, besides evidence of hnRNP K influence on ASF/SF2 and SRp20 expression. Jointly with the UBCSI lab, we hypothesized that hnRNP K interaction with ASF/SF2 and SRp20 transcripts on THP‐1 cells Occurred in response to E. coli stimulation, and further assessed the possible role of hnRNP K as a post‐ transcriptional regulator of these mRNA‐targets. As a result of E. coli stimulation, mRNP complexes between hnRNP K and both transcripts were detected (using qRT‐ PCR after immunoprecipitation). Although an interaction with SRp20 was observed to be dependent on MAPK/ERK pathway activation, data for ASF/SF2 was inconclusive. SMA is an autossomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by the loss of function of the SMN1 gene, which codes for the SMN protein. All patients express SMN2, which also codes for SMN, although at insufficient levels to compensate for SMN1 loss. The disease severity is inversely proportional to SMN2 copy number, which makes SMA a strong candidate for the application of therapeutic approaches leading to increased mRNA stability, and thus of higher SMN levels. We proposed to identify the factors involved in SMN2 transcript stabilization, namely RBPs. Since 3’UTRs are transcript regions involved on mRNA stability control, we looked for RBPs that bound to the 3’UTR of SMN2. Using mass spectrometry we identified several potential binding proteins: NUBPL, LARP1, LARP2, LARP4 e hnRNP G. These proteins are predicted or have been characterized as having nucleotide-binding activity and a role on post-transcriptional regulation, making them good candidates to bind and modulate SMN2 transcript stability.

Dissertação de mestrado em Economia Industrial e da Empresa
Sendo as pequenas e médias empresas a forma empresarial predominante em Portugal, representando cerca de 99% do total das sociedades e gerando cerca de 58% do volume de negócios totais, é fácil perceber a importância da internacionalização destas empresas para o desenvolvimento da economia e da sociedade portuguesa. Ao longo das duas últimas décadas, assistiu-se a um aumento do comércio internacional em que muitas PME portuguesas se internacionalizaram. No que concerne à internacionalização das PME, um dos fenómenos mais marcantes diz respeito às redes de relacionamento. Vários investigadores têm confirmado que as empresas são influenciadas por redes de relacionamento no seu processo de internacionalização. Nas PME é muito importante a decisão que tomam quanto à escolha do mercado de destino e o modo de entrada. O presente trabalho de investigação tem como objetivo estudar como os diferentes tipos de redes de relacionamento influenciam a escolha do mercado de destino e o modo de entrada nesses mercados. Assim, procura-se abordar as redes como fator crítico para uma PME se internacionalizar. Esta investigação adota uma metodologia qualitativa, analisando cinco estudos de caso. Os dados foram recolhidos através de entrevistas e complementados com dados secundários. Os dados recolhidos foram transcritos e categorizados e cada empresa foi analisada, seguido de cruzamento e comparação de dados. Os resultados mostram que todas as empresas estudadas foram influenciadas por redes de relacionamentos na escolha do mercado de destino, na escolha do modo de entrada e no acesso a novas redes. No entanto nessas empresas, a escolha do mercado de destino foi mais influenciado pelas redes de relacionamento do que a escolha do modo de entrada.
As small and medium enterprises are the predominant business form in Portugal, representing about 99% of all companies and generating about 58% of total turnover, it is easy to realize the importance of internationalization of these companies for the development of the Portuguese economy and society. Over the last two decades, the increase in international trade allowed the internalization of many Portuguese’s SME. Regarding business internationalization, one of the most striking phenomena concerns network relationships. Several investigators have confirmed that companies are influenced by network relationships in their internationalization process. In SME is very important the decision regarding the choice of destination market and entry mode. This research work aims to study how different types of network relationships influence the choice of the destination market and market entry mode. Thus, we seek to address the network as critical factor for SME internationalization. This research adopts a qualitative methodology, analyzing five case studies. Data were collected through interviews and complemented with secondary data. The data collected were transcribed and categorized and each company was analyzed, followed by crossing and comparing data. The results show that all companies studied were influenced by networks relationships in the choice of the destination market, the choice of market entry mode and access to new networks. However in these companies, the choice of the foreign market was more influenced by the networks relationships than the choice of market entry mode.