SpecSatisfiabilityTool: A tool for testing the satisfiability of specifications on XML documents

We present a prototype that implements a set of logical rules to prove the satisfiability for a class of specifications on XML documents. Specifications are given by means of constrains built on Boolean XPath patterns. The main goal of this tool is to test whether a given specification is satisfiable or not, and justify the decision showing the execution history. It can also be used to test whether a given document is a model of a given specification and, as a by-product, it permits to look for all the relations (monomorphisms) between two patterns and to combine patterns in different ways. The results of these operations are visually shown and therefore the tool makes these operations more understandable. The implementation of the algorithm has been written in Prolog but the prototype has a Java interface for an easy and friendly use. In this paper we show how to use this interface in order to test all the desired properties.Comment: In Proceedings PROLE 2014, arXiv:1501.0169

New innovation management paradigms in the knowledge-driven economy

The growing importance of knowledge as a production factor and as a determinant of innovation can be explained by the continuous accumulation of technical knowledge over time. Innovation Management Techniques (IMTs) are critical to support the process of innovation in firms and help them in a systematic way to meet new market challenges

Drivers and Impacts of R&D Adoption on Transport and Logistics Services

Actually, technologies and applications in industries are changing via business restructuring, new business models, new knowledge and supply chains. So R&D is not focused primarily on manufacturing industry as it used to be, but on different kinds of industries as logistics and transport (TLS). Nevertheless, the characteristics of the TLS industry determine the introduction of specific R&D solutions accordingly to sectors operations. The objective of this paper is to describe the R&D opportunities in the TLS industry and how managers use them to make their businesses more innovative and efficient. Using the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) model the paper identifies the links between R&D adoption and innovation dynamics. Relating the findings, on the driver’s side there are three points that are worth mentioning: increasing market competition, the relationships of firms interacting with each other and the availability and quality of complementary assets such as employee skills and IT know-how. On the impacts’ side, firms advanced in terms of implementing R&D solutions are more likely to implement organizational changes. Finally, a set of recommendations on how to further improve the continuous innovation in the TLS industry is presented

Determinación de los factores que caracterizan a la PYME innovadora española

La tesis presentada tiene como objetivos: Realizar una aproximación al entorno en el que se desarrolla la PYME en España, profundizando en el subconjunto de la PYME innovadora, paradigma de excelencia en este colectivo. Analizar determinados patrones de desarrollo de la PYME innovadora española y su coincidencia o discrepancias con los patrones reportados en la literatura sobre la Gestión de la Innovación Tecnológica en la empresa en general y en la PYME en particular. Desarrollar, como hipótesis, un modelo de evolución de la PYME innovadora española de acuerdo con los diversos modelos de desarrollo empresarial y las teorias vigenetes relacionadas con el aprendizaje en las organizaciones, y contrastarlo con la experiencia observada por el autor en dos muestras analizadas por el mismo. Este modelo contribuye al conocimiento del medio de la PYME. Las hipótesis presentadas se validan a partir de dos encuestas: una cualitativa realizada sobre 100 PYMEs innovadoras en el ambito nacional a las que se les realizó una auditoría tecnológica dentro del Programa Euromanagement de la DG XXIII de la Comisión europea; y una encuesta cualitativa basada en entrevistas personales que el autor realizó a 100 PYMES de la Comunidad Valenciana. El trabajo de referencia contribuye a llenar el vacío existente con relación al fenómeno de la PYME innovadora, que ha comenzado a suscitar el interés de diversos autores(Buesa, Nueno, Molero). Profundiza en un campo complejo, dada la heterogeneidad de la PYME frente a los estereotipos que se mantienen sobre este colectivo empresarial, mezclando la PYME familiar, el pequeño negocio, la pequeña empresa de sercicios, el despacho profesional, la pequeña empresa de alta tecnología, etc. Presenta un importante esfuerzo bibliografico, tanto desde el punto de vista de modelos y teorías, como desde la recopilación estadistica y macro económica sobre la PYME en el ambito nacional. Finalmente, presenta como hipótesis, un modelo original que permite la comprensión del fenómeno de la innovación en la PYME y las tendencias que esta sigue en su desarrollo

The direct effect of EU directives: Fresh controversy or a storm in a teacup?

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Sweet & Maxwell.The judgment of the Court of Justice in Portgás v Ministério da Agricultura, do Mar, do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Território can be read as adding a new twist to the drawn-out saga on the direct effect of unimplemented directives in EU law. It essentially concludes that a defaulting State can enforce a non-implemented directive against one of its own emanations. Thus, it can be construed as endorsing a new type of direct effect that might be classified as “intermediate” horizontal direct effect. However, the Court reached that conclusion using a rationale based on the duty to ensure the effective implementation of directives that binds the Member States and without explicitly recognising the existence of a new direct effect dimension. This comment evaluates the potential repercussions of the judgment

KISA in low tech traditional sectors as technology innovation promoters

Tether (2003) has analysed innovation dynamics in services and classified them in three sectors: traditional, systemic and knowledge-based. In this paper we are concerned with the third alternative due to its relevance in the creation and transfer of knowledge and innovation through its support of innovative activities across a wide range of other business fields, as well as its interconnecting role among various clusters (Kuusisto and Meyer, 2003). Knowledge-intensive service activities (KISA) are defined as “the production and integration of service activities undertaken by firms, in manufacturing or service sectors, in combination with manufactured outputs or as stand-alone services”. KISA can be provided by private enterprises and public sector organizations. Typical examples of KISA include R&D services, management consulting, IT services, human resource management services, legal services, accounting and financing services, and marketing services (OECD, 2006)

Technology Transfer in Public University-Industry Cooperation Programmes. Proposal of a Model based on empirical evidence.

Technology transfer has been defined as goal-orientated intentional interaction between two or more social entities during which the stock of technological knowledge remains stable or is increased through the transfer of one or more components of the technology. One of the recognised problems in the innovation and technology management in Spain is related to the transfer of technology and knowledge between university and industry. The challenges faced by public innovation policies are correlated to an improvement in the transfer of knowledge and technology from universities and research centres to industry; hence the fact that some European authors have emphasised the need to provide this activity with more visibility and prestige, being this one of the new directions of national and European Union technology policies. The objective of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the underlying factors in the technology transfer process from universities to industry dealing with robotics and production technologies. It aims to provide answers to a number of questions related to success facilitating factors and barriers which hinder the transfer of technology and its ultimate impact on industry. Furthermore, the paper seeks to construct a model which will explain the differences between both transfer processes: those taking place in either an industry or a university context. The methodology for this research is based on a survey carried out on a sample of public research organisations (universities and R&D centres) and firms participating in two types of projects. The first group corresponds to R&D projects funded by the Interministerial Science and Technology Commission of Spain. These projects were coordinated by universities, with the participation of firms and R&D centres. Second group was composed of projects funded by the Centre for Industrial Technology Development (CDTI). These projects were coordinated by firms, with the participation of universities and R&D centres. The survey, which was completed by 250 organisations, covered a number of aspects related to the attitudes of the participant, questions related to the technology, the barriers encountered, the technology transfer mechanisms and the final impact of the programme. As conclusions, differences between both groups are highlighted. For universities and R&D centres, the relevant variables are therefore the initial exploitation objectives, legal barriers, access to new knowledge, relevance of knowledge acquisition and fulfilment of these objectives. In other words, the aspects relating to knowledge are clear determinants in the project. For firms, the relevant variables are therefore the initial industrial exploitation objectives, the relevance of knowledge acquisition objectives and the fulfilment of objectives related to innovation, the commercial exportation of results, the transfer of technology into patents and licences, engineering activities and risk sharing. In firms group, those aspects related to innovation and the exploitation and transfer of results are shown as determinants in the project. Finally, when considering the barriers or obstacles to fulfilling project objectives, it can be concluded that only the technological aspects are shown to be important and that there is no significant difference between the opinion of firms and universities

ERP Software Selection Processes: A Case Study in the Metal Transformation Sector

When a firm decides to implement ERP softwares, the resulting consequences can pervade all levels, includ- ing organization, process, control and available information. Therefore, the first decision to be made is which ERP solution must be adopted from a wide range of offers and vendors. To this end, this paper describes a methodology based on multi-criteria factors that directly affects the process to help managers make this de- cision. This methodology has been applied to a medium-size company in the Spanish metal transformation sector which is interested in updating its IT capabilities in order to obtain greater control of and better infor- mation about business, thus achieving a competitive advantage. The paper proposes a decision matrix which takes into account all critical factors in ERP selection

The drivers of ICT adoption in transport and logistics services: an approach from the SCP model

Transport and logistics services (TLS) are key components of a successful economy, enabling the movement of goods, services and people as efficiently as possible. In the European Union, the transport sector generates 7% of European Union gross domestic product (GDP) and for around 5% of employment. Nevertheless, the challenge is to find solutions for freight and passengers that are economically viable and that also promote sustainable growth, fuel economy, the reduction of emissions, safe and healthy lifestyles and social inclusio

Transferencia tecnológica en programas públicos de cooperación universidad-empresa. Propuesta de un modelo basado en evidencias empíricas.

El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a la comprensión de los factores subyacentes al proceso de transferencia de tecnología de la universidad a la industria. En el mismo se intenta proporcionar respuestas a un número de preguntas relacionadas con los factores de éxito y las barreras que obstaculizan la transferencia de tecnología y su impacto final en la industria