The candidate tackled an important issue in contemporary management: the role of CSR and Sustainability. The research proposal focused on a longitudinal and inductive research, directed to specify the evolution of CSR and contribute to the new institutional theory, in particular institutional work framework, and to the relation between institutions and discourse analysis. The documental analysis covers all the evolution of CSR, focusing also on a number of important networks and associations. Some of the methodologies employed in the thesis have been employed as a consequence of data analysis, in a truly inductive research process. The thesis is composed by two section. The first section mainly describes the research process and the analyses results. The candidates employed several research methods: a longitudinal content analysis of documents, a vocabulary research with statistical metrics as cluster analysis and factor analysis, a rhetorical analysis of justifications. The second section puts in relation the analysis results with theoretical frameworks and contributions. The candidate confronted with several frameworks: Actor-Network-Theory, Institutional work and Boundary Work, Institutional Logic. Chapters are focused on different issues: a historical reconstruction of CSR; a reflection about symbolic adoption of recurrent labels; two case studies of Italian networks, in order to confront institutional and boundary works; a theoretical model of institutional change based on contradiction and institutional complexity; the application of the model to CSR and Sustainability, proposing Sustainability as a possible institutional logic.

This Doctoral Thesis unfolds into a collection of three distinct papers that share an interest in institutional theory and technology transfer. Taking into account that organizations are increasingly exposed to a multiplicity of demands and pressures, we aim to analyze what renders this situation of institutional complexity more or less difficult to manage for organizations, and what makes organizations more or less successful in responding to it. The three studies offer a novel contribution both theoretically and empirically. In particular, the first paper “The dimensions of organizational fields for understanding institutional complexity: A theoretical framework” is a theoretical contribution that tries to better understand the relationship between institutional complexity and fields by providing a framework. The second article “Beyond institutional complexity: The case of different organizational successes in confronting multiple institutional logics” is an empirical study which aims to explore the strategies that allow organizations facing multiple logics to respond more successfully to them. The third work “ How external support may mitigate the barriers to university-industry collaboration” is oriented towards practitioners and presents a case study about technology transfer in Italy.

La investigació té com a objectiu demostrar que alguns aspectes crítics de la cooperació per al desenvolupament poden ser abordats a través de l'enfortiment de les xarxes dins de les polítiques i programes de desenvolupament, i que les activitats de networking, si estan apropiadament planificades, aplicades i monitoritzades, poden contribuir a l'èxit a llarg termini d'aquestes accions. Afirmem que cal avançar cap a un nou paradigma de desenvolupament, i advoquem per un major ús de mètodes i eines capaces de representar les pràctiques de desenvolupament en termes no només d'"actors", sinó també de "xarxes d'actors". Des del punt de vista teòric, la principal aportació és l'enfocament de Networking for Development, una nova forma de considerar les xarxes dins de la cooperació al desenvolupament, definint-les com agregacions multiactor entre donants, receptors i intermediaris, que han de tenir un paper clau en les activitats de desenvolupament. Per validar l'enfocament proposat, s'han analitzat les xarxes de @LIS, un programa finançat per la Comissió Europea en el període 2002 - 2006 centrat en la cooperació Europa-Amèrica Llatina en l'àrea de la societat de la informació. Mitjançant l'ús de Social Network Analysis (SNA), juntament amb una observació etnogràfica, hem explorat les activitats de col·laboració que van tenir lloc entre els actors d'aquest programa, visualitzant com es va desenvolupar la xarxa i centrant-nos en explicar l'impacte del networking sobre diferents aspectes de la cooperació al desenvolupament. / La investigación tiene como objetivo demostrar que algunos aspectos críticos de la cooperación para el desarrollo pueden ser abordados a través del fortalecimiento de las redes dentro de las políticas y programas de desarrollo, y que las actividades de networking, si apropiadamente planificadas, aplicadas y monitoreadas, pueden contribuir al éxito a largo plazo de dichas acciones. Afirmamos que es necesario avanzar hacia un nuevo paradigma de desarrollo, y abogamos por un mayor uso de métodos y herramientas capaces de representar las prácticas de desarrollo en términos no sólo de “actores”, sino también de “redes de actores”. Desde el punto de vista teórico, la principal aportación es el enfoque de Networking for Development, una nueva forma de considerar las redes dentro de la cooperación al desarrollo, definiéndolas como agregaciones múltiactor entre donantes, receptores y intermediarios, que deben tener un papel clave en las actividades de desarrollo. Para validar el enfoque propuesto, se han analizado las redes de @LIS, un programa financiado por la Comisión Europea en el periodo 2002- 2006 centrado en la cooperación Europa-América Latina en el área de la sociedad de la información. Mediante el uso de Social Network Analysis (SNA), acercado a una observación etnográfica, hemos explorado las actividades de colaboración que tuvieron lugar entre los actores de este programa, visualizando cómo se desarrolló la red y centrándonos en explicar el impacto del networking sobre diferentes aspectos de la cooperación al desarrollo. / The research aims to demonstrate that some critical aspects of development cooperation can be tackled by strengthening networking within development policies and programmes, and that networking activities, if properly planned, applied and monitored, can contribute to the long-term success of development actions. We claim that a renewed theoretical framework is needed in order to advance towards a networking-intensive paradigm of development cooperation. We also advocate for an increased use of specific networking methods and tools, which are able to represent development practices in terms not only of actors, but also of networks. From a theoretical framework point of view, the main contribution is the concept of networking for development, a new way to consider networking activities within development cooperation. Within this notion, development networks, defined as open multistakeholder aggregations of donors, receivers and intermediaries as well as other relevant actors, should have a primary role within development activities and should do so starting from their own priorities and concerns. In order to validate the networking for development concept by using networking-specific methods and tools, we have analysed the networking history of @LIS, a European Commission funded programme that was run from 2002 to 2006 focusing on Europe-Latin America cooperation in the information society. By using Social Network Analysis (SNA) enriched with field observation, we have explored the networking and collaboration activities that took place among the @LIS stakeholders by visualising how the network developed and by focussing on cases that explain the observed dynamics.

This dissertation project aims at shedding light on the micro-foundations of international entrepreneurship, focusing on the pre-internationalization phase and taking an individual-level perspective. Three research questions are investigated building on a cognitive model of internationalization intentions. First, what are the antecedents to internationalization intentions, i.e. desirability and feasibility, and how they interact with psychological distance towards internationalization options. Second, what is the role of previous entrepreneurs’ experience on such antecedents, in particular for immigrant vs. non-immigrant entrepreneurs. Third, how are these antecedent elements influenced by entrepreneurs’ individual-level motivations and goals. Using a new data set from 140 independent, non-internationalized, high-tech SMEs and their 169 owners, a variety of analytical techniques are used to investigate the research questions, such as structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression and a "laddering" technique. This project advances our theoretical understanding of internationalization and international entrepreneurship and has relevant implications for entrepreneurs and policy-makers.

The aim of the present work is to contribute to a better understanding of the relation between organization theory and management practice. It is organized as a collection of two papers, a theoretical and conceptual contribution and an ethnographic study. The first paper is concerned with systematizing different literatures inside and outside the field of organization studies that deal with the theory-practice relation. After identifying a series of positions to the theory-practice debate and unfolding some of their implicit assumptions and limitations, a new position called entwinement is developed in order to overcome status quo through reconciliation and integration. Accordingly, the paper proposes to reconceptualize theory and practice as a circular iterative process of action and cognition, science and common-sense enacted in the real world both by organization scholars and practitioners according to purposes at hand. The second paper is the ethnographic study of an encounter between two groups of expert academics and practitioners occasioned by a one-year executive business master in an international business school. The research articulates a process view of the knowledge exchange between management academics and practitioners in particular and between individuals belonging to different communities of practice, in general, and emphasizes its dynamic, relational and transformative mechanisms. Findings show that when they are given the chance to interact, academics and practitioners set up local provisional relations that enable them to act as change intermediaries vis-a-vis each other’s worlds, without tying themselves irremediably to each other and to the scenarios they conjointly projected during the master’s experience. Finally, the study shows that provisional relations were accompanied by a recursive shift in knowledge modes. While interacting, academics passed from theory to practical theorizing, practitioners passed from an involved practical mode to a reflexive and quasi-theoretical one, and then, as exchanges proceeded, the other way around.

El estudio aborda la importancia del entorno como fuente de motivación para la adopción de prácticas de gestión ambiental en las empresas de exploración y explotación de los hidrocarburos (upstream), tomando como base de análisis el enfoque conceptual de la teoría de los grupos de interés (stakeholders), complementado con la teoría institucional que se torna relevante en países con debilidad institucional. Se hace uso de la metodología de investigación mixta, con una base cuantitativa y soporte cualitativo concurrente. El objetivo es identificar a los grupos de interés que las empresas de la industria del upstream del Perú, perciben de mayor importancia al tomar sus decisiones de orden ambiental / L'estudi aborda la importància de l'entorn com a font de motivació per a l'adopció de pràctiques de gestió ambiental a les empreses d'exploració i explotació dels hidrocarburs (upstream), prenent com a base d'anàlisi l'enfocament conceptual de la teoria dels grups d'interès (stakeholders), complementat amb la teoria institucional que es torna rellevant en països amb debilitat institucional. Es fa ús de la metodologia d'investigació mixta, amb una base quantitativa i suport qualitatiu concurrent. L'objectiu és identificar els grups d'interès que les empreses de la indústria del upstream del Perú, perceben de major importància en prendre les seves decisions d'ordre ambiental / This research approaches the importance of social setting as a source of motivation for the adoption of environmental management practices in companies for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons (upstream), based on the conceptual approach of the stakeholders’ theory, supplemented with the institutional theory which becomes relevant in countries with weak institutions. Using the mixed research method with quantitative base and qualitative concurrent support. The goal of this research is to identify the stakeholders which companies of Peru upstream industry perceived as major to make their environmental decisions.

La progresiva toma de conciencia ambiental de los últimos años ha marcado no sólo la modificación de las normativas reguladoras del agua, sino la propia evolución del Derecho de aguas, gradualmente transformado de acuerdo con los intereses sociales. Mientras que un enfoque tradicional situaba la preocupación principal sobre el agua en la necesidad de asegurar su disponibilidad, en el momento actual y una vez constatado el daño ambiental existente, la calidad de las aguas y su preservación, que antaño carecieron de importancia, pasan a ocupar un primer plano en las agendas gubernamentales. La presente Tesis tiene por objeto el análisis de los efectos que la incorporación de la variable ambiental ha tenido en los conflictos competenciales entre el Estado y las Comunidades Autónomas en España, y entre las provincias y la Nación en Argentina. Se parte de la siguiente premisa: las posibles invasiones competenciales derivadas de la vis expansiva del medio ambiente. Ésta, llevada al extremo, puede absorber el resto de competencias que inciden sobre el territorio, el entorno y los recursos naturales y, concretamente en este caso, puede vaciar de contenido las competencias bien estatales/nacionales bien autonómicas/provinciales en materia de aguas. Ahora bien, del mismo modo, el ejercicio de la competencia exclusiva sobre aguas continentales no puede originar un vacío de las competencias en materia de medio ambiente que dificulte la protección del recurso natural agua. La comparación de ordenamientos jurídicos facilita identificar diferencias y similitudes entre sistemas, aproximando la necesaria armonización y unificación del Derecho en un ámbito tan fundamental como es el agua. Superar los horizontes de un ordenamiento jurídico individual permite percibir la globalidad que subyace en las dificultades jurídicas asociadas a las aguas y al medio ambiente. Se busca la transferencia de experiencia y conocimiento en sistemas jurídicos lo que justifica la comparación que se lleva a cabo. Entre los objetivos de esta Tesis se encuentra: i) el análisis de la transformación de los ordenamientos jurídicos español y argentino desde la época de la sistematización del Derecho de aguas hasta su conformación actual a través de la “medioambientalización” del tratamiento jurídico del recurso; ii) el análisis y comparación del sistema de distribución competencial en materia de aguas y medio ambiente en dos modelos Estado como el de Autonomías y el federal argentino, que parten de criterios de distribución dispares. Se logra con ello una visión panorámica de las principales diferencias y similitudes en las decisiones adoptadas y en los problemas competenciales derivados de éstas; iii) análisis práctico de los conflictos competenciales e identificación de los criterios seguidos para su resolución. Para alcanzar los objetivos, la tesis se estructura en cinco capítulos: Capítulo I sintetiza las etapas en la evolución del derecho de aguas en España y en Argentina; el Capítulo II se destina al análisis de la distribución competencial en materia de aguas en ambos ordenamientos jurídicos; el Capítulo III, se centra en la distribución competencial en materia de medio ambiente en España y Argentina; el Capítulo IV, analiza los conflictos competenciales agua–medio ambiente en el derecho español y los criterios para su resolución; el Capítulo V, se centra en los conflictos competenciales agua-medio ambiente en el ordenamiento jurídico argentino. De acuerdo con los objetivos y la estructura expuesta, el trabajo de investigación desarrollado no queda incardinado única y exclusivamente en el Derecho ambiental de aguas, sino que aborda cuestiones esenciales de Derecho administrativo y del Derecho constitucional, en especial el modelo de Estado y el sistema de distribución de competencias constitucionales. Entre las conclusiones destaca la constatación de problemas similares ante la descentralización competencial de poderes aun partiendo de criterios de distribución dispares. / Growing environmental awareness over recent years has had an impact not only on water related regulations, but also on how the actual Spanish water law has evolved over the years, gradually contemplating social interests. Traditionally the prime concern with regards to water was the need to assure its availability, but at present, having seen the existing environmental damage, the actual quality of the water and its preservation, issues that previously lacked importance, have now become of prime importance to governments. The purpose of this doctoral thesis is to analyse the effects that the incorporation of the environmental variable has had on conflicts related to jurisdiction between the State and the Autonomous Communities in Spain, and between the Provinces and the Nation in Argentina. This paper is based on the following premise: possible conflicts related to jurisdiction owing to increased environmental awareness. This growing awareness, if pursued in an extreme, could affect other jurisdictions such as territorial, environmental and those regarding natural resources and, in this case in particular, could invalidate autonomous/provincial or even state/national jurisdictions with regards to water. However, in the same way, the exercise of exclusive jurisdiction on continental waters cannot create a vacuum in the jurisdiction regarding the environment, as this would then impede the protection of this natural resource - water. By comparing various legal systems this highlights differences and similarities in the systems and the necessity to unify the Law, in an area as fundamental as water. By surpassing the frontiers of individual legal systems, the problem which underlies the legal difficulties associated with water and the environment as a whole becomes visible. The comparison is carried out in the search for the transfer of experience and knowledge regarding the different legal systems. The aims of this thesis are: (i) analysis of the changes to the legal systems in Spain and Argentina from when the Water Law became systematised, the environmental shaping of the legislation, up to its present-day form; (ii) analysis and comparison of jurisdictional distribution in the areas of water and environment of two models: The Spanish Autonomous Community model and the Argentinian Federal State model, both with different criteria with regards to distribution of power. These analyses offer a global perspective of the main variations in the decisions made and the jurisdictional problems arising from these decisions; (iii) practical analysis of the conflict of power and identification of the criteria established to resolve these conflicts. For this purpose, the paper is divided into five chapters: Chapter I summarizes the various phases regarding changes to the Water Law in Spain and Argentina; Chapter II includes the analysis of the distribution of power in the area of water in both legal systems; Chapter III focuses on the distribution of power in the field of environment in Spain and Argentina; Chapter IV analyses the jurisdictional conflicts related to water-environment in the Spanish legal system and the criteria for their resolution; Chapter V focuses on jurisdictional conflicts related to water-environment in the Argentinian legal system. With these objectives and this structure in mind, the research not only encompasses Environmental Water Law, but addresses key issues of Administrative and Constitutional Law, in particular with regards to the State model and the system of distribution of constitutional powers. The conclusions highlight the existence of similar problems due to the decentralization of powers even when the criteria for the distribution of power were totally dissimilar.

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This dissertation constitutes a fresh interpretation of Exodus 34:29-35 and analyzes how the passage is used in both the Old and New Testaments. Chapter 1 is a historical overview of how this passage has been interpreted through the centuries. Chapter 2 provides an exegetical discussion of Exodus 32-34, which makes up the context of the passage in question. Chapter 3 argues that the primarily exegetical problem within this passage, the identification of the meaning of the verbal form of "qrn," is resolved by the recognition that it means "to shine" or "emanate light/rays" as opposed to "had horns" or other interpretations. The function of the entire phrase--"the skin of his face shone"--is fourfold: as a reminder or extension of Yhwh's presence at Sinai, to distinguish Moses in terms of status, to communicate Yhwh's "goodness," and to transition from the rebellion narrative in chapters 32-34 to the building of the tabernacle in 35-40. Knowing the function of the phrase sheds light on the concomitant matter of Moses' veil ("masweh"), which is more akin to a scarf than to a mask, and which functions simply to hide Moses' face when he is uninvolved with his role as mediator because his face was frightening and disturbing to the Israelites. The exegetical study in chapter 3 culminates in an explanation of the theology of Exodus 34:29-35, focusing on God's presence, glory, grace/compassion, and life/light. This thesis is developed in chapter 4, which shows that how certain OT passages highlight the image of a shining face as a theological metaphor for grace and compassion. Many later biblical texts (e.g., Num 6:24-27, portions of the Psalter and the book of Daniel) also echo this language in prayers and songs. In addition, idiomatic expressions about the "face" or the brightness of the face are found in some extrabiblical sources and ANE inscriptions, which confirm and validate the interpretation in chapter 3. Three further texts are examined with relation to the role of Sinai theophanies (1 Kgs 19), the "veiling" of God's presence in the future (Hab 3:1-4), and images of God's eschatological glory (Isa 60:1-5, 19-20). Chapter 5 applies the OT study to the NT, where special attention is given to three passages: the narrative of the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:1-8, Paul's statements in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 about the old and new covenants, and the prologue to John's Gospel in John 1:1-18. Chapter 6 summarizes the study and concludes the work.

Memoria (licenciado en ciencias jurídicas y sociales) / La Ley 19.880 sobre Bases de los Procedimientos Administrativos regula la actividad probatoria en tan sólo cuatro artículos, desde el 35 al 38. Esta deficiencia ha generado diversos conflictos, tanto doctrinarios como jurisprudenciales, al intentar dotar de contenido dicha actividad. En razón de lo anterior, y considerando la relevancia e importancia de la prueba en todo procedimiento, es que hemos decidido aventurarnos en la investigación de la actividad probatoria en el Derecho Administrativo Sancionador, desde una mirada analítica, descriptiva y crítica. Para ello recurriremos a la legislación vigente, la doctrina y jurisprudencia. Finalmente, con el desarrollo de esta investigación, pretendemos aportar bases para discusiones posteriores, razonamientos jurisprudenciales y, por qué no, ofrecer una propuesta lege ferenda.