Ilan Avrichir

Construção e validação de um instrumento de avaliação do desempenho docente

The evaluation of college professors by student has been studied extensively. Much effort has been invested in devising evaluation forms and criteria. Many studies have questioned and reflected about problems, biases and possible benefits accrued form evaluating professors. Through this study a scale was developed. Its psychometric properties were identified in two phases. In the first phase, 37 assertives related to professor´s performance were developed. The results of this phase indicated the convenience of reducing the number of assertive. This was done using statistical techniques. In the second phase, in the application of the scale, satisfactory indexes of precision and consistency were found. The factorial analysis indicated the existence of two factors , also reliable, suggesting that the instrument has good validity. Further studies to confer bigger amplitude to the instrument are suggested.

Caso WebBusiness: vender ou não vender, eis a questão

Abstract The WebBusiness case, based on real facts, confronts students with the need to make a critical decision in the life of a small entrepreneur who is enjoying a successful venture: to sell or not to sell his business. The main character of the case, Moris Litvak, developed and operates an online platform that allows hotels to receive reservations over the web. To argue consistently for or against selling, the student has to evaluate the business situation, the entrepreneur´s competences and those of his team and the quality of the buying offer received. In doing so, he or she practices critical skills for the management of a new business. To allow for a well reasoned argument, the case offers extensive information about the entrepreneur life´s trajectory, the organization’s development and existing structure, its market, products, competitors and alliances, and also the present and projected financial results and details of the offer received. The data provided makes it possible for the student to calculate the value of the firm, based on the projected five years of results and to compare this value with the one being offered for it. The case also has data to support a discussion concerning the plausibility of the results projected by the entrepreneur and of other subjective aspects involved in the decision.

Export performance in emerging markets: upgrading evidence from a cluster in Brazil

This research addresses the impact of different types of upgrading on a firms export performance. Consistent with research using the value chain approach and clusters, we showed ways in which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a dimension stone cluster upgraded to higher value added activities. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U statistics for the surveyed companies. The results supported the hypotheses and indicated a positive association between export performance and product upgrading. Process and functional upgrading also showed significant results. These findings highlighted some managerial contributions, such as the importance of product improvements and international marketing activities for SMEs considering target market demands. This study also indicates the need to upgrade for internationalisation.