We study the synchronization of two coupled idealized economies. In the present work, we consider a recently developed economic system that shows a richness of dynamical behavior. By means of the Lyapunov exponents, we analyze that there is overly complex behavior in the transitions in the dynamics of an isolated economy, oscillating between chaotic attractors and limit cycles. Then, for two coupled economies, we analyze the synchronization states for the space of all control parameters as a function of the network coupling parameter. Interestingly, we have evidenced that there is a broad region of fully synchronized states and as we increase the coupling, some phenomena such as a smooth and intermittent loss in synchronization emerge. In the same way, we observe phase synchronization for one of the control parameters. Ultimately, in order to confirm this loss of synchronization, we inspect the stability of synchronized states through the master stability function method for some control parameters. Here, we corroborate what was previously observed, the unexpected vast range of control parameter values of instability corresponding to desynchronization.

The sugar and alcohol sectors are dynamic as a result of climate alterations, the introduction of sugarcane varieties, and new technologies. Despite these factors, Brazil stands out as the main producer of sugarcane worldwide, being responsible for 45% of the production of fuel ethanol. Several varieties of sugarcane have been developed in the past few years to improve features of the plant. This, however, led to the challenge of which variety producers should choose to plant on their property. In order to support this process, this research aims to test the application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to support producers to select which sugarcane variety to plant on their property. To achieve this goal, the research relied on a single case study performed on a rural property located inland of São Paulo state, the main producer state in Brazil. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach used, specifically owing to the adaptability capacity of the AHP method.

Purpose: Assess whether project development in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises that supports the teaching-learning process (PBL methodology - Project Based Learning) is a solution to overcome the challenges of training professionals in the 21st century.Theoretical framework: Project development allows the student to be active in the teaching-learning process and enables technical and behavioral skills to be developed. Studies with SMEs are needed since it has not been researched greatly.Design/methodology/approach: Applied Research and the methodological approach were used for the case study. Projects were developed in two small enterprises and data was collected on students' opinions regarding the process, where participant observation, documentation and interviews were used. Data was obtained in the period 2016 and 2017 in the region of Bauru-SP, Brazil, in partnership with SEBRAE (Brazilian Micro and Small Enterprise Support Service).Findings: The methodology based on project development in small enterprises motivates students and develops transferable skills which generates benefits for companies.Research, Practical & Social implications: Small enterprises provide the opportunity to look at companies as a whole and interact with all their employees, bringing the university closer to the community.Originality/value: small businesses can contribute to improving education by allowing collaborative university-company projects to develop.Keywords: PBL, small and medium-sized enterprises, engineering education, production systems

Purpose: To understand the dynamics of the agricultural commodities market and predict a possible economic crisis, in addition to helping agricultural producers balance their product portfolio, diversifying their goods and reducing risks.Theoretical framework: Prices of agricultural commodities have changed significantly since 2002; although had been an increase in demand, where weather problems negatively affected supply, resulting in price increases. With the global financial crisis of 2008, there was a reduction in international credit and an increase in the US dollar against the Brazilian Real.Design/Methodology/Approach: Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis methods were used to understand the behavior of the cross correlations of the price of five Brazilian agribusiness commodities (cotton, sugar, coffee, corn and soybeans) for the previous periods, during and after the subprime crisis.Findings: Both methods showed a significant change in the behavior of the series in the period of crisis, when compared to their temporal neighborhoods.Research, Practical & Social Implications: It was found that the crisis changed the structure of the correlation of the returns on the commodities analyzed. This change implies alterations to a possible product portfolio in order to minimize risks.Originality/Value: The long-term nonlinear correlation behavior was calculated and analyzed on the temporal series for the return on the main agricultural commodities in the period of the subprime crisis and its temporal neighborhoods were calculated and analyzed, allowing several changes to be found in the product correlation structure, due to the crisis process.Keywords: Subprime Financial Crisis; Agricultural Commodities; Detrended Fluctuation Analysis; Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis.

Resumo As diversas características das dimensões culturais de um país fazem emergir comportamentos coletivos diferentes que impactam nas formas de se viver, na organização do trabalho e na economia. Este estudo investigou as correlações entre as dimensões culturais segundo Hofstede (distância do poder, individualismo-coletivismo, masculinidade-feminilidade, aversão à incerteza, orientação de longo prazo e indulgência-restrição) e os índices de complexidade econômica dos países. Realizou-se uma análise de correlação canônica para determinar a magnitude das relações entre os dois conjuntos de variáveis. Os resultados revelaram correlações significativas entre cultura e complexidade, variando conforme a renda dos países. Características culturais como menor distância do poder, maior individualismo e maior indulgência associaram-se a economias mais complexas, baseadas em inovação e pesquisa científica. Masculinidade-feminilidade e aversão à incerteza não mostraram correlação significativa. Maior orientação de longo prazo correlacionou-se a economias mais diversificadas nas exportações. Essas conclusões podem orientar políticas de desenvolvimento mais eficazes, respeitando particularidades culturais.

Podemos descrever os mercados financeiros como um Sistema Complexo, e a aplicação de conceitos de áreas como da Econofísica e da Teoria da Informação fornecem bases para a compreensão de suas características e padrões. Desta forma, buscou-se por meio dos cálculos da Entropia, Mutual Information (MI) e da Complexidade de Lempel-Ziv (CLZ) caracterizar de forma empírica séries de retornos diários de ações da Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo entre 2014 e 2018. Dos resultados, viu-se que os dias mais entrópicos da série foram também os de variações de log retornos e de volume do Ibovespa consideravelmente superiores à sua média diária, reforçando o fato de que esses configuram-se como dias de menor redundância e maior a conteúdo informativo. Para MI, os clusters mostraram-se mais delimitados que os encontrados via Correlação de Pearson. Em CLZ, a baixa variabilidade das substrings demonstram uma série com padrões cíclicos e de baixa complexidade.