11 pages, 3 tables, 3 figuresThis article analyzes, under several dimensions, whether collaboration contributes to the production of high-quality scientific results. It examines the proportion of scientific quality (measured by impact and relevance) gained by ISI publications considering the presence of a particular form of collaboration. As an application case, this paper offers a micro-level analysis of the academic research groups (ARGs) of\ud a technical university. Results indicate that there are positive and significant benefits in scientific quality received by ARGs as product of international and inter-sector collaboration, and in a broader sense, from the presence of inter-institutional collaboration.The authors are grateful for financial support from the INGENIO (CSIC-UPV), Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management (Spain), as well as for a doctoral grant from the LANMOT-ALFA Project (UE) No. II0148FA. This paper is an\ud extension of the doctoral thesis developed into research project No. SEJ2005-08603/PSIC, financed by the National R&D Plan of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.Peer reviewe

The effect of four hydrocolloids on the physico-chemical, bioactive and rheological properties in sweetened mango leather sheets of the Yulima variety were analyzed. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were done to analyze the differences among samples (four of treatment against two of control). The findings show significant positive effects caused by the hydrocolloids made from Gum Arabic (AG), Maltodextrin (MTD) and Citric Slow Pectin (CSP) on leathers’ quality and appearance attributes. Only the Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) reported adverse effects on the mango leather's quality; therefore, its use on an industrial scale is not recommended for this line of processed product.

Los países en desarrollo y aquellos con tradición agrícola tienen entre sus prioridades gubernamentales el diseño e implementación de planes de mejora para aumentar la productividad en este sector. La priorización de esos planes tiende a basarse en la evaluación de indicadores de producción, dejando de lado aspectos logísticos clave como transporte, manipulación, embalaje, entre otros. Por esta razón, este trabajo propone una metodología multicriterio, basada en el método de expertos y el método de planificación del desarrollo tecnológico en cadenas agroindustriales propuesto por ISNAR, que estiman el índice de potencial logístico (LPi) y el índice de nivel de competitividad (LCi). El análisis conjunto de ambos indicadores permitió priorizar los productos en una matriz denominada matriz de priorización. La metodología fue validada en un caso de estudio a través de la priorización de productos hortícolas y frutales en cinco zonas del Tolima - Colombia para asignar recursos con el fin de implementar estrategias logísticas.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to increase the understanding of collaborative relationships and assess according to the project size, the influence of the contributory factors in shaping collaboration network structure in projects developed in global supply chains (GSC).Design/methodology/approach: The paper used a case study methodology applied to eight global projects developed by an Austrian company leader in global market intra-logistics solutions and warehouse automation. The cases were studied by two approaches in network analysis. First, visual and descriptive analysis to describe structural aspects of the network. Second, stochastic network analysis to evaluate the influence of contributory factors in the structure of the collaboration network.Findings: The results evidence that independently of the project size and project manager influence, project team roles (PTR) who have a reciprocal communication among other PTR tend to have a higher collaboration intensity (CI). Additionally, the results highlight the influence of the project manager in shaping the collaboration network in standard projects (STP) and small projects (SMP). According to the project size, the results show that the PTR that form complete triangles or cluster or who communicate frequently among each other tend to have a high CI, being more evident these tendencies in large-scale projects than STP and SMP.Originality/value: This research provides a framework to identify the key actors and contributory factors in shaping collaborative relationships in GSC. The findings could be used to support the decision-making process and formulation strategies for effective collaborative relationship management in GSC.

This study proposed a classification model for 125 agricultural productive units (APUs) in Tolima, Colombia, to establish whether they are related to the quality of coffee produced. The model considered two aspects related to farmer profile and farm profile. The following proposed categories resulted from the coordinate obtained in relation to the two aspects: Low-Low, High-Low, Low-High, and High-High. The variables for each aspect were prioritized using the analysis hierarchical process (AHP). The coffee’s quality, sensory profile by attribute, and specific descriptors for each category were determined employing the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol. The sensory attributes were analyzed by way of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Bonferroni test was used to compare by category, both with a significance level of α = 0.05. The model grouped the APUs by category and cup quality, with the High-High category achieving the best scores in the sensory analysis. The variables with the greatest relative weight within the AHP model constituted farmer stance regarding the use of good agricultural practices (44.5%) and farmer attitude toward excellence (40.6%) in the farmer’s profile. As part of the farm’s profile, environmental commitment level (38.0%) and international certifications (29.1%) were the greatest relative weights. Coffee in the High-High category was characterized by its notes of cinnamon, cocoa, chocolate, and dried vegetables.

The development of creativity and creative thinking in early school-age children is a strategy to foster future capabilities for innovation and change. It is also a strategy to instill resilience in these children, enabling them to face the challenges posed by the various environments that surround teaching and learning processes. This article analyzes the dreams and fears expressed by children from educational institutions located in municipalities affected by the armed conflict in Colombia, within the framework of a route designed to develop creativity and innovative thinking. A qualitative narrative analysis methodology was used to characterize and analyze the narratives of 68 co-creativity teams, involving 408 children. The results show that the narratives are influenced not only by the context in which the children live but also by the consequences of the armed conflict in the areas where the schools are located. The findings suggest that educational strategies like the one studied must incorporate elements that allow for adaptation to the context from the design stage, with a differential approach, to generate the expected positive effects in the territories where they are implemented.