Antonio Carlos de Francisco

Life Cycle Assessment as Entrepreneurial Tool for Business Management and Green Innovations

A transition for a green economy has encouraged companies to use new tools which promote internal corporate entrepreneurship, increase the competitiveness and achieve sustainable results. This article presented a theoretical discussion of how the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can presents as an entrepreneurial tool for modern business management and green innovation. Studies of LCA were analyzed showing benefits and applications in the areas of strategic planning, production, process of development of products, search and development, social and environmental responsibility, and marketing. As for green innovations, there were analyzed studies of innovations in products, processes and services. The tool assists in making sustainable decisions, fortifies the management of the business processes, the management of operations and the promotion of greener innovations.

Life cycle assessment of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) manufacturing process in Brazil

Brazil is one of the largest producers of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) in the world, and also the MDF has the highest domestic consumption and production rate in the country. MDF applications are highlighted into residential and commercial furniture design and also a wide participation in the building sector. This study aimed to propose ways of improving the environmental cradle-to-gate life-cycle of one cubic meter MDF panel by means of a life-cycle assessment (LCA) study. Complying with requirements of ISO 14040 and 14,044 standards, different MDF manufacturing scenarios were modelled using Umberto® v.5.6 software and the Ecoinvent v.2.2 life-cycle inventory (LCI) database for the Brazilian context. Environmental and human health impacts were assessed by using the CML (2001) and USEtox (2008) methods. The evaluated impact categories were: acidification, global warming, ozone layer depletion, abiotic resource depletion, photochemical formation of tropospheric ozone, ecotoxicity, eutrophication and human toxicity. Results identified the following hotspots: gas consumption at the thermal plant, urea-formaldehyde resin, power consumption, wood chip consumption and wood chip transportation to the plant. The improvement scenario proposals comprised the following actions: eliminate natural gas consumption at the thermal plant, reduce electrical power consumption, reduce or replace urea-formaldehyde resin consumption, reduce wood consumption and minimize the distance to wood chip suppliers. The proposed actions were analysed to verify the influence of each action on the set of impact categories. Among the results, it can be noted that a joint action of the proposed improvements can result in a total reduction of up to 38.5% of impacts to OD, 34.4% to AD, 31.2% to ET, and 30.4% to HT. Finally, MDF was compared with particleboard production in Brazil, and additional opportunities to improve the MDF environmental profile were identified.

Quality of life assessment in people with HIV: analysis of the WHOQOL-HIV syntax

Abstract This study aims to analyze the syntax of the World Health Organizations quality of life HIV/AIDS instrument (WHOQOL-HIV), provided by the WHOQOL-HIV Group. As a result, errors and inconsistencies in the syntax of WHOQOL-HIV were found. In face of the fragility found, two new syntaxes for WHOQOL-HIV were proposed: (a) a correction of errors found in the original syntax; and (b) restructuration of the calculation of scores for WHOQOL-HIV, bringing it closer to the WHOQOL-100. Through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, the syntaxes proposed were tested and compared to the syntax of the original WHOQOL-HIV. It was noted that both proposals met their respective purposes. They were also sent to researchers on the theme under consideration to verify the presence of errors. No irregularity was found. It can be concluded that the syntax of the WHOQOL-HIV differs significantly from the syntax of its precursor, the WHOQOL-100, presenting errors and inconsistencies. The differences observed compromise the fidelity of the instrument under consideration and, therefore, it is here commended the use of the syntax proposed in this study, which offers superior precision to portray the empirical reality of quality of life in human immunodeficiency virus positive people.

Primary knowledge management practices applied in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) industries from 2001-2010

Purpose This study aims to expose the main knowledge management (KM) practices applied in BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) industries using scientific literature published in the Scopus database from 2001 to 2010. Design/methodology/approach A search was performed in papers selected from the Scopus database, which houses the KM practices of industries in BRIC countries. Findings The results show that Brazil, Russia and India have an easier way of converting tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge compared to China, where informal relationships of trust and friendship play a special role within organizations, as well as where the political structure (communism) is an intervening factor. Brazil, Russia and India practice similar KM mechanisms such as the use of technology, process standardization and electronic data management. They also model the positive experiences of western companies. In China, interpersonal relationships shape the tacit and explicit features of organizations. Research limitations/implications The methodological filter could potentially limit the volume of responses, as not every case study can demonstrate the usual practices of KM. Empirical studies are able to capture the nuances and even provide a holistic picture of these practices. Practical Implications The results have practical implication, in particular. They are expected to help managers and workers to better comprehend KM practices in BRIC countries or even suggest new KM practices in the business. Originality/value The main discussion of this paper brings together a large range of KM practices applied in BRIC, addressing similarities and differences between KM deployments.

Environmental profile analysis of MDF panels production: study in a brazilian technological condition

The main goal of this study was to analyze the environmental profile of MDF panel manufacturing in the Brazilian industry in terms of energy, emissions and dependence on renewable sources. The study was conducted by using the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), specifically through the development of the first Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of MDF in a Brazilian industry. The life cycle inventory and the production processes analysis were constructed using Umberto® v.5.6 software and following the ISO 14040 series. The study covers the life cycle of MDF production from gate-to-gate perspective, involving the on-site manufacturing system. The functional unit was defined in 1 m³ of MDF. About 76% of energy required to produce MDF is thermal (52.8% of thermal energy is required for the drying process of wood fiber). CO 2 is a major emission during the MDF production, where natural gas contributes to 96.7% of total CO 2 fossils. It was observed a low dependence of non-renewable source (19.2%) compared with the literature.

Percepción de los Estudiantes de Ingeniería: Tecnología y Curso Técnico sobre Responsabilidad Social Empresarial

This article identifies the perceptions of students in Engineering, Technology and Technical Course at the Federal University of Technology, Parana (UTFPR), Campus Ponta Grossa, on Social Responsibility (SR) using a structured questionnaire in three areas: i) perception of CSR in companies, ii) in relation to UTFPR, and iii) RS about themselves. Actions should be shared with the governments actions in promoting social welfare and development. Companies should be accountable and solve their social problems. Actions and projects of the institution are perceived with a positioning responsible socially in the formation. There is RS in shopping quality and the best practices are those that preserve the environment, recycle and respect human rights.

MÉTODOS DE AVALIAÇÃO DE IMPACTOS DO CICLO DE VIDA: UMA DISCUSSÃO PARA ADOÇÃO DE MÉTODOS NAS ESPECIFICIDADES BRASILEIRAS

A Avaliacao do Impacto do Ciclo de Vida (AICV) e realizada mediante a associacao dos dados do inventario do ciclo de vida (ICV) a categorias de impacto especificas. Este processo pode receber o auxilio de diferentes metodos de avaliacao. Porem, os metodos existentes nao condizem com as especificidades brasileiras, e isso representa uma das dificuldades encontradas na avaliacao do ciclo de vida no Brasil. Deste modo este estudo tem como objetivo, discutir a adocao de multiplos metodos para AICV nas especificidades brasileiras. Para isso, desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa de carater exploratorio, onde foram abordados conceitos referentes a ACV, metodos para AICV e a adocao de multiplos metodos de avaliacao com intuito de atender as especificidades brasileiras. N ota-se que a possibilidade de comparacao dos resultados gerados por metodos diferentes apresenta-se como uma caracteristica predominante, deste modo as incertezas geradas no estudo de ACV podem ser reduzidas adotando-se multiplos metodos de avaliacao.

Rendimento escolar do aluno com Síndrome de Down (SD) após as férias de verão: influência da qualidade de vida e estimulação recebida da família.

Este artigo e resultado de uma pesquisa desenvolvida na monografia de conclusao do curso de Pos-Graduacao em Educacao Especial de uma Faculdade privada no Estado do Parana. Tal pesquisa foi desenvolvida, no final e no inicio dos anos letivos de 2006 e 2007, com o objetivo de pesquisar a respeito da qualidade de vida, que alunos com SD, vivenciavam durante as ferias de verao, e a sua influencia no rendimento escolar, levando em consideracao o estimulo recebido da familia. O estudo foi realizado com alunos do ensino fundamental, do 1o ao 5o ano, observando o quanto a estimulacao recebida por parte da familia, nas ferias de verao, afeta os conhecimentos adquiridos durante o ano letivo, aquisicao de novos conhecimentos, bem como a manutencao destes, apos o periodo das ferias de verao. Para a realizacao da pesquisa foram abordados alunos, pais e professores, em dois periodos diferentes, o final do 4o periodo letivo de 2006 e o inicio do 1o periodo letivo de 2007, com o intuito de investigar: Quais foram os conhecimentos adquiridos pelos alunos com SD durante o 4o bimestre do ano letivo de 2006? Qual a percepcao dos pais no tocante a importância da estimulacao e qualidade de vida durante as ferias escolares dos alunos SD? Quais as atividades proporcionadas pelos pais durante as ferias escolares dos alunos com SD? E se existe integracao entre a escola e a familia no processo de estimulacao e qualidade de vida dos alunos com SD? Os resultados deste estudo revelaram que nao houve retrocesso significativo quanto aos conteudos assimilados antes das ferias escolares, pois as familias proporcionaram atividades e estimulacao voltadas para este fim, garantindo a qualidade de vida para seus filhos com SD. Tambem foi constatado que ficou a desejar a integracao entre a escola e a familia no processo ensino aprendizagem dos alunos SD. Palavras-chave : Qualidade de vida, Ferias, Sindrome de Down. Rendimento escolar.

Panorama das produções didático-pedagógicas produzidas pelos professores de biologia do programa de desenvolvimento educacional do Paraná

O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar as producoes didatico-pedagogicas produzidas pelos professores de Biologia durante sua participacao no Programa de Desenvolvimento Educacional (PDE) do estado do Parana. Optou-se por uma abordagem exploratoria e a analise documental como instrumento de coleta de dados. Foram encontradas 207 producoes didatico-pedagogicas. Dessas, a maioria (23%) foi orientada por professores da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Parana (Unioeste-PR). Os conteudos de saude humana e ecologia foram os mais abordados (ambos 22%), e as unidades didaticas foram as preferidas pelos professores (20%). Contudo, a maioria das publicacoes (33%) apresenta o formato das producoes didatico-pedagogicas indefinidas na sinopse. Conclui-se, a partir dos resultados, que os professores de Biologia tambem podem ser produtores de conhecimento, no lugar de apenas consumidores de materiais didaticos que, na maior parte dos casos, nao sao ligados aos problemas que se deparam na realidade de suas escolas.

Percepção do Consumidor Quanto aos Produtos com Componentes Reciclados: Estudo de Caso Realizado no Curso de Administração da Faculdade de Campina Grande – FAC

O presente artigo teve como objetivo investigar como a utilizacao de materia-prima reciclada nos produtos influencia na decisao de compra dos consumidores. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho se justifica por buscar uma discussao sobre o modo de como a sociedade esta mudando seus conceitos em relacao as empresas e seus produtos e, como isso vem sendo executado e aplicado pelas organizacoes. A Faculdade de Campina Grande (FAC - CG) foi escolhida por tratar-se de uma instituicao que possui poucas pesquisas relacionadas a area estudada. A pesquisa e classificada como aplicada, qualitativa e quantitativa, descritiva e estudo de caso e foi realizada durante o periodo de agosto a novembro de 2012, no ambiente da faculdade. Os atributos analisados na pesquisa foram: disposicao para compra, consciencia ambiental, qualidade, preco, informacoes e a propria empresa. Apos analise dos dados, foi possivel identificar o perfil socioeconomico dos respondentes e que 57% deles aceitam comprar produtos com material reciclado na composicao, 59% valorizam as empresas que divulgam informacoes de material reciclado, porem, no quesito preco so 15% estariam dispostos a pagar mais por esse tipo de produto.