U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses are one of the pillars of the U.S. economy, providing employment, innovation, and productivity. However, these businesses are constantly faced with challenges resulting from limited resources and continuous technological advances. This qualitative multiple-case study was performed to explore the strategies that small business owners (SBOs) in Maryland use to acquire capital to sustain their businesses financially for more than 5 years. The study's framework, the strategic management theory, was applied to determine the most effective approaches for the small businesses. Face-to-face interviews with 6 recruited SBOs were performed. A qualitative thematic analysis was then used to analyze the interviews. The main strategies to sustain capital were to create a business plan focusing on long-term goals and invest in employee knowledge and skills. In the process of measuring success, participants mostly determined their success by their ability to acquire customers based on feedback and good service. The interviewees managed their cash by minimizing debt, maximizing the use of technology, and keeping track of cash flows. The SBOs also shared that the challenges in business were endured by staying debt-free, adjusting their strategies with the market changes, and conserving cash and expenses. Contributions to social change include helping small businesses sustain by leveraging strategic planning, management, and implementation in their businesses, thereby providing jobs and contributing to the overall economic vitality of the community.

With issues such as energy crises, climate change and environmental degradation becoming evermore prevalent on national and international levels, industrialized societies are beginning to take heed of the impact they are having on the natural environment and we are beginning to see movements towards socially and environmentally responsible decision-making. With the impact that buildings have on the environment, it is important to understand what barriers are preventing or slowing investment in socially and environmentally responsible property. The present study was conducted to determine whether LEED certification has a significant impact on the market value of office buildings in Toronto, Ontario – value determined by the average net asking rent for each building. For some 68 subject and control buildings, we matched information on the net asking rent for 16 LEED certified (subject) buildings to 52 otherwise comparable properties (control buildings). Using ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis, we looked to find what relationship exists between net asking rent and the LEED label. Controlling for other variables historically shown to have an impact on property value, we expected the results of this study to determine whether there is a business case for LEED certification in the downtown Toronto office market. The results of the study have shown that LEED certification has had no impact on the market value of the sample of office buildings in Toronto. This is a surprising result, given the growth in the number of LEED buildings in Canada, but interviews with three senior executives in the industry have helped to provide insight into this trend. It seems that with time LEED will likely have an impact in this market, but it hasn‘t arrived yet.

With issues such as energy crises, climate change and environmental degradation becoming evermore prevalent on national and international levels, industrialized societies are beginning to take heed of the impact they are having on the natural environment and we are beginning to see movements towards socially and environmentally responsible decision-making. With the impact that buildings have on the environment, it is important to understand what barriers are preventing or slowing investment in socially and environmentally responsible property. The present study was conducted to determine whether LEED certification has a significant impact on the market value of office buildings in Toronto, Ontario – value determined by the average net asking rent for each building. For some 68 subject and control buildings, we matched information on the net asking rent for 16 LEED certified (subject) buildings to 52 otherwise comparable properties (control buildings). Using ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis, we looked to find what relationship exists between net asking rent and the LEED label. Controlling for other variables historically shown to have an impact on property value, we expected the results of this study to determine whether there is a business case for LEED certification in the downtown Toronto office market. The results of the study have shown that LEED certification has had no impact on the market value of the sample of office buildings in Toronto. This is a surprising result, given the growth in the number of LEED buildings in Canada, but interviews with three senior executives in the industry have helped to provide insight into this trend. It seems that with time LEED will likely have an impact in this market, but it hasn‘t arrived yet.

Magistro baigiamasis darbas "Lietuvos energetikos ūkio administravimas“ parašytas Annos Tatarnikovos, vadovaujant viešojo administravimo katedros profesoriui dr. Vladimirui Obrazcovui. Pasirinktos temos aktualumas tame, jog Lietuvos šilumos ūkis dar vystymosi stadijoje ir tinkamai įvertinus esamą energetikos ūkio administravimo patirtį galima pakeisti bei įtakoti šilumos sektoriaus ateitį. Darbo naujumą ir praktinį reikšmingumą sudaro tai, jog greta teorinės ir praktinės analizės, bus atliekamas ir Lietuvos šilumos ūkio administravimo efektyvumo tyrimas. Būtina akcentuoti, jog pokyčiai energetikos sektoriuje neišvengiami, pasitelkus kvalifikuotus šios srities specialistus, remiantis moksliniais tyrimais, atlikus atitinkančią realiai padėčiai SWOT analizę galima užtikrinti sklandžią šilumos ūkio veiklą bei skaidrų finansinių išteklių panaudojimą. Darbe analizuojant mokslinę literatūrą pateikiamos kapitalo pritraukimo alternatyvos šilumos ūkio modernizavimui. Pagrindinės alternatyvos yra: banko kreditai, įmonės koncesija-nuoma, dalinis įmonės privatizavimas. Siūlomos ir kitos alternatyvos: paslaugų sutartis ir administravimo sutartis, tačiau jų galiojimo terminas daug trumpesnis ir jos gali būti panaudotos tik kaip laikinos priemonės. Darbe naudojami istorinis ir lyginamasis tyrimo metodai naudojami ištirti šilumos ūkio administravimo raidą Lietuvoje, bei jai darančius įtaką veiksnius, restruktūrizavus šilumos ūkį. Apibendrinant rezultatus, teikiant rekomendacijas... [to full text] / Actuality of the chosen topic is in the fact that the Lithuanian heating network is going under development. Having estimated the existing administration experience correctly, one can change or influence upon the heating sectors future. The novelty and practical meaning of the work consists in the research of the effectiveness of the Lithuanian heating system administration to be performed, alongside with the theoretical and practical analysis. The accent is put upon the inevitability of changes in the energy sector. The changes are inevitable if being deeply investigated by researchers and scientific specialists doing profound SWOT analysis to reinforce the heating system activities using transparent financial sources. The scientific literature has been analyzed concerning (alternative) capital investments alternatives for heating systems modernization. The main alternatives are: bank credits, concession companies rentals and privatization of companies. The other alternatives are: service argument; administration agreement. However, the validity term of such services is by for shorter, so they com serve as temporary means alone. Summarizing the results the method of analytical criticism has been used. AB “Vilniaus energija” the Vilnius energy sector of the beginning of 2002 has been analysed. This company signed a rental concession agreement with a foreign society. To find out the advantages and disadvantages of the heating system rentals to the private sector, the... [to full text]

With issues such as energy crises, climate change and environmental degradation becoming evermore prevalent on national and international levels, industrialized societies are beginning to take heed of the impact they are having on the natural environment and we are beginning to see movements towards socially and environmentally responsible decision-making. With the impact that buildings have on the environment, it is important to understand what barriers are preventing or slowing investment in socially and environmentally responsible property. The present study was conducted to determine whether LEED certification has a significant impact on the market value of office buildings in Toronto, Ontario – value determined by the average net asking rent for each building. For some 68 subject and control buildings, we matched information on the net asking rent for 16 LEED certified (subject) buildings to 52 otherwise comparable properties (control buildings). Using ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis, we looked to find what relationship exists between net asking rent and the LEED label. Controlling for other variables historically shown to have an impact on property value, we expected the results of this study to determine whether there is a business case for LEED certification in the downtown Toronto office market. The results of the study have shown that LEED certification has had no impact on the market value of the sample of office buildings in Toronto. This is a surprising result, given the growth in the number of LEED buildings in Canada, but interviews with three senior executives in the industry have helped to provide insight into this trend. It seems that with time LEED will likely have an impact in this market, but it hasn‘t arrived yet.

Submitted by BRUNO PAVANELLI ZANELLA null (brunopzanella@gmail.com) on 2016-02-26T19:05:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE BRUNO PAVANELLI ZANELLA.pdf: 21746898 bytes, checksum: dfe54ee2f810b98550af3d99f8c3d4a7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-02-29T13:55:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 zanella_bp_dr_guara.pdf: 21746898 bytes, checksum: dfe54ee2f810b98550af3d99f8c3d4a7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-29T13:55:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 zanella_bp_dr_guara.pdf: 21746898 bytes, checksum: dfe54ee2f810b98550af3d99f8c3d4a7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-28 / Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP) / A avaliação do potencial de produção de sedimentos de uma bacia hidrográfica contribuinte de uma hidrelétrica é de extrema importância para a análise da viabilidade de implantação de uma planta geradora, sobretudo quando se trata de uma Pequena Central Hidrelétrica (PCH), pois o assoreamento pode comprometer a longevidade do empreendimento. Este estudo teve como objetivo aplicar e avaliar modelos de predição de aporte de sedimentos na bacia hidrográfica contribuinte da PCH Costa Rica, no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, gerados pelos softwares SWAT e InVEST. A bacia contribuinte desta PCH, com aproximadamente 1.200km², é integrante da bacia do Alto Rio Sucuriú, e apresenta escassez de dados de séries históricas de hidrologia e sedimentologia. A modelagem pelo software SWAT e InVEST permitiu verificar que a produção de sedimentos ocorre em altas taxas na bacia contribuinte desta PCH. A perda total de solo nesta bacia obtida pelo InVEST foi de 19,23 Mg ha-1 ano-1 (2.392.353,10 Mg ano-1), superior em 2,2 vezes o valor gerado pelo software SWAT, de 8,54 Mg ha-1 ano-1 (1.062.402,15 Mg ano-1). O total de sedimentos que efetivamente chega ao canal de adução da PCH Costa Rica estimada pelo InVEST foi de 100.674,20 Mg ano-1 de sedimentos, enquanto o SWAT apresentou um total 10,43 vezes superior (1.049.521,72 Mg ano-1). A diferença obtida entre os dois modelos pode ser atribuída às peculiaridades de cada software, sendo utilizada no InVEST, a relação máxima do aporte de sedimento definida em 80% que não é aplicada no SWAT representa a capacidade máxima de retenção possível em cada célula. A modelagem da perda de solo em bacias hidrográficas realizada pelos softwares SWAT e InVEST mostrou-se promissora, com elevada correlação entre si e com o Método de Einsten Modificado. Estes sedimentos são carreados e se acumulam nos cursos d’água, gerando problemas operacionais para esta PCH, que necessita de dragagem constante para permitir o funcionamento do empreendimento, gerando custos que não foram previstos na concepção do projeto. Diante deste cenário foi proposta a recomposição vegetal das áreas degradadas por processos erosivos intensos, com a utilização de biotecnologia, em sistema de plantio direto de espécies nativas do Cerrado em consórcio com leguminosas inoculadas com rizóbio. A simulação do InVEST para o cenário futuro com recomposição vegetal de 13,78 km2 das APPs hídricas desta bacia gerou uma redução na produção de sedimentos de 6.464,99 Mg ano-1, demonstrando que a adoção de práticas conservacionistas pelos produtores da bacia contribuinte da PCH Costa Rica pode amenizar os processos erosivos, aumentar a capacidade produtiva dos solos e diminuir os custos desta hidrelétrica com o desassoreamento do canal de adução. / The evaluation of sediment production potential in a hydroelectric watershed is extremely important for the deployment of assessing the feasibility of a generating plant, especially in the case of a Small Hydroelectric Plant (SHP) because the sediment deposition may compromise the longevity of the project. This study aimed to implement and evaluate sediment delivery prediction models in the watershed of SHP Costa Rica in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, generated by SWAT and InVEST software. The basin of this SHP, with approximately 1.200km², is an upper portion of the Sucuriú river basin and presenting scarcity of data time series of hydrology and sedimentology. Modeling by SWAT and InVEST software has shown that the production of sediments occurs at high rates in the basin of this SHP. The total soil losses in watersheds of this SHP obtained by InVEST was 19,23 Mg ha-1 ano-1 (2392353,10 Mg ano-1), higher than the value obtained by SWAT software with 8,54 Mg ha-1 ano-1 (1062402,15 Mg ano-1). The sediment that reaches the adduction channel of SHP Costa Rica estimated by InVEST is 100,674.20 Mg year-1 of sediments, while the SWAT has a total 10.43 times higher (1.049.521,72 Mg ano-1). The difference obtained between the two models can be attributed to the peculiarities of each software being used in InVEST, the maximum ratio of sediment contribution set at 80% which is not applied in SWAT is the maximum capacity possible retention in each cell. The modeling of soil loss in river basins performed by SWAT and InVEST software proved promising, with high correlation with each other and the method of Modified Einstein. These sediments are carried and accumulate in streams, creating operational problems for SHP Costa Rica, which requires dredging to allow operation, and generates costs that were not anticipated in the initial project. In this scenario was proposed a plant recovery of degraded areas with the use of biotechnology in no-tillage system of native Cerrado species intercropped with legumes inoculated with Rhizobium. The simulation of InVEST for future scenario with plant recovery of 13.78 km2 of hydric permanent preservation areas in the SHP Costa Rica basin generated a reduction of 6464.99 Mg year-1 in the total loss of sediment in small watersheds. The adoption of conservation practices by farmers of the SHP Costa Rica basin can mitigate the erosive processes, increase the productive capacity of soils and reduce the costs of this hydropower plant with dredging in the adduction channel. / FUNDUNESP: 1886/2011

Introduction Many studies indicate that there are numerous factors that promote or hamper the adoption of IT applications and are a prime concern for many researchers and practitioners (Abrahamson, 1991). Two main factors which need to be examined closely when making decisions about IT investments are the internal and external factors. Since these factors play a great role in decision making of IT investments, it is imperative to study their impact on the strategic planning because this forms the founding blocks for IT decision making. Problem As the business environment keeps on changing, managers need to thoroughly scan the environment before investing in an Information technology system. The reason is to identify the major factors that can be detrimental to the organization from reaping the potential rewards from their IT investments. Sutton, (1998) views the process of environment scanning as a technique to identify threats and opportunities while improving long and short- term planning. With the current financial crisis that started in 2007, there seems to be a pandemic concern in the massive. Inevitably, this has lead to a risen concern for organizations to carefully study this particular factor when deciding on investing in new information technology. Purpose The aim of this thesis is to establish and evaluate the internal and external factors affecting the decision making in IT investments, in particular ERP systems. It also seeks to contribute to literature on the impact of the current financial crisis on making IT investment decisions. Method Our research study took a deductive approach with the use of qualitative data that was collected from semi-structured interviews of three respondents. The interviewed companies were Fagerhult Belysning, Sogeti and Professor Mats-Åke Hugosson. Conclusion The evaluation of the internal and external factors affecting the decision making was analyzed with the SWOT analysis. Each potential factor was categorized under internal, strengths or weakness and external, opportunities or threats and then assisted in reducing the weaknesses in the organization and mitigating the potential threat in order to understand these factors influence on ERP adoption in Fagerhult. An advice for organizations is despite the financial crisis, the question they ought to ponder over is firstly the obvious which is, do we have the available resources? And if that is not a constraint, the next issue is how we can get the optimal value from our IT investments and our correspondents laid it out clearly; organizations need to plan ahead and continue making IT investments that aims at creating a suitable balance/ fit or harmonization between their IT and business strategy.

With issues such as energy crises, climate change and environmental degradation becoming evermore prevalent on national and international levels, industrialized societies are beginning to take heed of the impact they are having on the natural environment and we are beginning to see movements towards socially and environmentally responsible decision-making. With the impact that buildings have on the environment, it is important to understand what barriers are preventing or slowing investment in socially and environmentally responsible property. The present study was conducted to determine whether LEED certification has a significant impact on the market value of office buildings in Toronto, Ontario – value determined by the average net asking rent for each building. For some 68 subject and control buildings, we matched information on the net asking rent for 16 LEED certified (subject) buildings to 52 otherwise comparable properties (control buildings). Using ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis, we looked to find what relationship exists between net asking rent and the LEED label. Controlling for other variables historically shown to have an impact on property value, we expected the results of this study to determine whether there is a business case for LEED certification in the downtown Toronto office market. The results of the study have shown that LEED certification has had no impact on the market value of the sample of office buildings in Toronto. This is a surprising result, given the growth in the number of LEED buildings in Canada, but interviews with three senior executives in the industry have helped to provide insight into this trend. It seems that with time LEED will likely have an impact in this market, but it hasn‘t arrived yet.

Investment decision-making is a critical theme in entrepreneurial research. This study aims to explore how different types of investors are influenced by regulatory, political, economic, environmental, and societal changes following the rise of sustainable policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Grounded in the External Enablement Framework and employing a qualitative, multi-case methodology, this thesis identifies eight key factors that influence investor decisions in sustainable entrepreneurship. It finds that external enablers like regulatory and societal changes motivate investments, while inhibitors such as stringent regulations and economic crises deter them. Additionally, investor preferences are shaped by past experiences, personal ethics, and team authenticity. The findings provide organizations with valuable insights into the factors that influence investment decisions in sustainable entrepreneurial ventures. Investors can gain a better understanding of external factors and opportunities, entrepreneurs can identify key considerations and potential new areas for growth, and policymakers can develop more market-oriented policies and or regulations to support sustainable investment and entrepreneurship.

Submitted by PAULO SÉRGIO MARTIN (paulosergiomartin@gmail.com) on 2018-07-14T03:59:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Martin_PS_Dissert_MP_Estradas_Rurais_2018.pdf: 5079449 bytes, checksum: 5b99661ef6b9e4b120ee8a099ee40004 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ALESSANDRA KUBA OSHIRO ASSUNÇÃO (alessandra@fct.unesp.br) on 2018-07-16T12:21:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 martin_ps_me_prud.pdf: 5079449 bytes, checksum: 5b99661ef6b9e4b120ee8a099ee40004 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-16T12:21:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 martin_ps_me_prud.pdf: 5079449 bytes, checksum: 5b99661ef6b9e4b120ee8a099ee40004 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-04 / Neste presente trabalho buscou-se identificar as diversas variáveis do potencial de perda de solo no município de Ouro Verde/SP, considerando como parâmetro a classificação de solos, geologia, relevo, precipitação pluvial, o uso e ocupação da terra, as práticas de manejo conservacionista, mapeando as áreas com potencial de erosão laminar dos solos e o cruzamento das informações com a situação atual das estradas rurais não pavimentadas. As estradas não pavimentadas foram classificadas em trechos-tipos, destacando-se algumas características importantes, como altura de barranco, se está “encaixada”. O uso do MDE (Modelo Digital de Elevação) possibilitou a representação do relevo da superfície terrestre e com os dados vetoriais do município de Ouro Verde, baixados através do site do IBGE, foi possível a interpretação visual da área de estudo, analisadas através das imagens do satélite Sentinel-2. O objetivo foi identificar as estradas rurais ou trechos prioritários para readequação, através do Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG), com mapeamento das áreas do município e realizando o cruzamento de informações e, aplicação da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo (USLE) e do programa InVEST®, estimando perdas de solo por erosão laminar. Servir de orientação para os gestores públicos (Prefeitura Municipal e FEHIDRO) na análise e tomada de decisão. Para determinação do Fator R para o município de Ouro Verde, a precipitação pluvial foi analisada através de uma série histórica, fornecida pelo Escritório de Desenvolvimento Rural de Dracena. Para determinação dos valores do fator R para os demais municípios que compõem as Unidades de Gerenciamento de Recursos Hídricos 20 e 21, utilizou-se o software livre netErosividade SP. Para realização da priorização dos trechos críticos das estradas, foram utilizados os parâmetros (estruturas e situações), adaptado do Projeto de Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável – Microbacias Hidrográficas II – Acesso ao mercado, obtendo-se o enquadramento das Classes de priorização. O programa InVEST® possibilitou explorar cenários com resultados futuros prováveis, e assim foram gerados os diversos mapas de potencialidade de erosão para o município de Ouro Verde: Mapa de Susceptibilidade à Erosão Laminar, Mapa do Potencial à Erosão, Mapa do Potencial de Erosão Laminar Total por Microbacias Hidrográficas e Mapa final de Priorização das Estradas Não Pavimentadas. Obteve-se o Mapa Final de Priorização utilizando alguns parâmetros, mas é possível cruzar tantas informações quanto forem necessárias, subjetivas e objetivas, e assim chegar no objetivo, que é a priorização de trechos críticos de Estradas Rurais Não Pavimentadas. / This work aimed to identify the various variables of soil loss potential in the municipality of Ouro Verde / SP, considering as a parameter the classification of soils, geology, relief, rainfall, land use and occupation, management practices conservationist, mapping the areas with potential of laminar erosion of the soils and the crossing of the information with the current situation of the unpaved rural roads. Unpaved roads have been classified into parts-types, highlighting some important characteristics, such as height of ravine, if it is "docked". The use of the MDE (Digital Elevation Model) made possible the representation of the land surface and the vectorial data of the municipality of Ouro Verde, downloaded through the IBGE website, it was possible the visual interpretation of the study area, analyzed through the images of the Sentinel-2 satellite. The objective was to identify the rural roads or priority stretches for readjustment, through the Geographic Information System (GIS), with mapping of the areas of the municipality and carrying out the information crossing and, applying the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and the InVEST® program, estimating soil losses due to laminar erosion. To serve as guidance for public managers (City Hall and FEHIDRO) in the analysis and decision making. To determine the R factor for the municipality of Ouro Verde, rainfall was analyzed through a historical series, provided by the Office of Rural Development of Dracena. To determine the R factor values for the other municipalities that make up the Water Resources Management Units 20 and 21, the free software netErosividade SP was used. For the prioritization of the critical stretches of the roads, the parameters (structures and situations), adapted from the Sustainable Rural Development Project - Hydrographic Microbasins II - Access to the market, were used to obtain the prioritization classes. The InVEST® program made it possible to explore scenarios with probable future results, thus generating the various erosion potential maps for the municipality of Ouro Verde: Laminar Erosion Susceptibility Map, Erosion Potential Map, Total Laminar Erosion Potential Map by Hydrographic Microbasins and Final Map of Prioritization of Non-Paved Roads. The final Prioritization Map was obtained using some parameters, but it is possible to cross as much information as necessary, subjective and objective, and thus reach the objective, which is the prioritization of critical sections of Non-Paved Rural Roads.