Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / This work ponders on the urban-regional relations in the Northern Minas region, in Minas Gerais State. Based on the premise that the working territorial division grants to some segments and places a privileged role in the space organization, our main goal is to understand Montes Claros regional role through the main relations occurring between this city and the other components of the regional urban system, giving priority to the service sector. The theoretical referential used has focused on the concepts of region, regionalization, median-sized city, small towns and urban network. Based on such presuppositions we have propose a theoreticalmethodological articulation capable of contributing to the apprehension of what is unveiled as urban in the region and of making it possible to understand the interurban relations existing in it. For such, we have conducted a study, exploratory and descriptive in nature with qualitative evaluation using multiple sources of evidence: observation, documental analysis and semi-structured interviews. Data compilation has culminated with the elaboration of maps, charts and tables showing the main relations established between the city and region. We have concluded that, today, it is the demand for goods and services, considering the frequency at which it occurs that makes the places distinct among themselves. Therefore, it is this factor that makes the regional urban networks peculiar. In the Northern Minas case Montes Claros is the only city in the region capable of offering more complex services and more diversified commerce, nourishing with information, technology, goods and services the emerging centers and the small towns, which are part of the regional urban network. However, it is important to highlight that the population s poverty, the isolation of some municipalities, the public power inertia to attract investments and the lack of employment create a picture of stagnation in most part of the region and increases the small towns dependence upon Montes Claros. / Este trabalho contempla reflexões acerca das relações urbano-regionais na mesorregião Norte de Minas, no estado de Minas Gerais. Partindo da premissa de que a divisão territorial do trabalho atribui a alguns segmentos e lugares um papel privilegiado na organização do espaço, o nosso principal objetivo é compreender o papel regional de Montes Claros, através das principais relações que ocorrem entre essa cidade e os demais componentes do sistema urbano-regional, priorizando o setor de serviços. O referencial teórico utilizado enfocou os conceitos de região, regionalização, cidade média, pequenas cidades e rede urbana. Partindo de tais pressupostos, propomos uma articulação teórico-metodológica que contribua para a apreensão do que se revela como urbano na região e que possibilite a compreensão das relações interurbanas nela existentes. Para tanto, realizamos um estudo de caráter exploratório descritivo, com avaliação qualitativa, sendo a estratégia de pesquisa o estudo de caso, utilizando múltiplas fontes de evidências: observação, análise documental e entrevistas semi-estruturadas. A compilação dos dados culminou com a elaboração de mapas, gráficos e tabelas, os quais mostram as principais relações que se estabelecem entre a cidade e a região. Concluímos que, hoje, é a demanda por bens e serviços, considerando a freqüência com que se realiza, que torna os lugares distintos entre si. Portanto, é esse fator que peculiariza as redes urbanas regionais. No caso do Norte de Minas, Montes Claros é a única cidade da região capaz de oferecer serviços mais complexos e comércio mais diversificado, nutrindo de informação, tecnologia, bens e serviços os centros emergentes e as pequenas cidades, que fazem parte da rede urbana regional. Entretanto, é importante ressaltar que a pobreza da população, o isolamento de alguns municípios, a inércia do poder público em atrair investimentos e a falta de empregos criam um quadro de estagnação na maior parte da região e aumentam a dependência das pequenas cidades em relação a Montes Claros. / Doutor em Geografia

Analysis of conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises development in the region of South Bohemia focused on innovative aktivities and possibility of their cooperation.

This study is focused on utilization of programs supporting small a medium-sized enterprises in South Bohemia and its effectivity. This study summarizes those programs. It features European Unions Structural funds but consists national and regional supports as well. It is followed by description of South Bohemia. Ministry of Industry and Trade programs utilization was evaluated questionary research. Addressed enterpreneurs answered question regarding grants utilisation. After that, personal conversations were used for further research. It is obvious, that utilisation of Support and Innovation programs is not used enough. Especially, enterprise awareness in insufficient. To improve that situation, it is necessary to increase awareness of enterprises and develope number of enterprises familiar with Support and Innovation programs. And it is important to build up help from offices and institutions that are responsible of this agenda. It is obvious and positive, that the situation evolves and percentage excercised grants rises.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are important part of economy. All of them create healthy corporate environment, new jobs for people, increase dynamic of market and they are stabilizing component of economic system. This thesis deals with the possibilities of international cooperation between Lower Austrian and South Moravian small and medium-sized enterprises and with the task of small and medium-sized enterprises in regions. Cooperation between regions contribute to transfer experiences in term of small and medium-sized enterprises, to creation collective projects and to development of regions.

Analysis of conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises development in the regon of Pilsen focused on innovative aktivities, cooperation and technological centres.

Uma das primeiras cidades criadas no impulso colonizador do Oeste Catarinense, Chapecó, durante vários anos foi à sede administrativa de vasto território, situação que conferiu à cidade uma centralidade que se manifesta ainda hoje. O processo de urbanização brasileira provocou mudanças na estrutura das diferentes cidades, independente de seu porte, suscitando novas análises e interpretações. As metrópoles assumiram novos papéis em escala mundial e, muitas cidades polo regionais, acabam criando e recriando novas dinâmicas no espaço intra e interurbano, com isso, novas funções e diferentes atividades vão sendo desenvolvidas por estas cidades. Chapecó constitui-se como polo regional porque conduz ao seu redor atividades decorrentes de especificidades, atraindo novos investimentos e, gerando interesses ao capital. É considerada capital regional e cidade média, pois possui relações diretas com grandes metrópoles nacionais como também, com cidades subordinadas a ela. A definição de cidade média está atrelada principalmente ao processo de produção do espaço urbano e sua importância na intermediação entre as pequenas cidades e os grandes centros urbanos. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar as funções e os fatores que contribuíram para o crescimento de Chapecó e que a elevaram ao nível de cidade média. As metodologias utilizadas podem ser caracterizadas por uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, adotando métodos distintos para o levantamento dos dados e a apresentação dos mesmos. Chapecó assume assim, uma dinâmica importante para o contexto regional e nacional, que significa uma forte integração entre as redes que conectam essas diferentes escalas. Essa integração entre as redes pode ser percebida, principalmente, nas relações que se estabelece, gerando circuitos produtivos que conectam os espaços rurais e, os espaços urbanos, envolvendo as pequenas e médias cidades com as metrópoles. / Chapecó was one of the first cities created in the colonizing impulse to the west of State of Santa Catarina. For several years was the headquarters of a vast territory, for this reason the city received a central role which still exists today. The Brazilian urbanization process has caused structural changes in different cities, regardless its size, prompting further analysis and interpretations. The cities took on new roles on a global scale, and many regional hub cities, started to create and recreate new dynamics in the intra and interurban areas. In this sense, new functions and different activities are being developed for these cities. Nowadays Chapecó emerges as a regional center that drives specific activities, attracting new investments and interests. It is considered a regional capital and a medium sized city because it has direct relationships with major national cities and also with other towns subordinated to Chapecó. The definition of medium sized city is mainly linked to the production process of urban space and importance in intermediating relations between the small towns and big cities. The objective of this research is to investigate the functions and factors that contributed to the growth of Chapecó and that made it possible to reach the level of a medium sized city. Methodologies utilized can be characterized by a qualitative and quantitative approach by adopting different methods for data collection and presentation. Chapecó assumes an important dynamic in regional and national context, which means a tight integration between the networks that connect different scales. That integration between networks can be seen mainly in relationships that are established, creating productive circuits that connect rural areas and urban spaces, involving small and medium-sized cities with the metropolis.

Background: Existing literature suggests research about sustainability and Small- and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to be limited. SMEs tend to have less resources than large companies and as a result of this sustainability integration may be challenging. Despite these resource restrictions, some SMEs still succeed in integrating sustainability. Some literature suggests that organisational culture could influence the integration of sustainability. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how organisational culture attributes influence the integration of sustainability in Swedish SMEs. Method: To fulfil the purpose of this thesis, a multiple case study consisting of six SMEs in the Jönköping region is performed. Qualitative semi-structured interviews are conducted with the manager and/or head of sustainability. Furthermore, structured interviews are conducted with managers and employees, in an attempt to gain insights into the values and cultural attributes of the organisational culture of the SME.   Main Findings: The results reveal that an organisational culture which emphasises internal relationships, stability and goal-setting and planning seem to facilitate the integration of sustainability. SMEs with the attribute of valuing internal relationships are aided in the integration of sustainability through the existence of tightly knit groups that work together toward the long-term goal of integrating sustainability. The positive influence of stability stems from the fact that the attribute provides structure, economic stability, and a stable employee base. A high focus on goal-setting and planning may enable the integration of sustainability through providing clear missions and objectives which the company strives toward.  Managerial Implications: This study urges three implications for managers of SMEs; 1. It provide managers with some understanding of how their organisational culture may affect sustainability integration. 2. It provide insight into the challenges companies may face as the result of lacking certain cultural attributes. 3.  It provide indications of which attributes that could be beneficial to develop or incorporate into the organisational culture in order to aid the integration of sustainability.

Deutsche Unternehmen sind seit Beginn der 2000er Jahre mit zwei entscheidenden technischen Veränderungen konfrontiert: Web 2.0 und Internet der Dinge. Die zunehmende Nutzung mobiler Endgeräte wie Smartphones und Tablet Computer sowie der Einsatz von Social Media im Unternehmensumfeld steigt stetig an (ACC1, BIT2). Aus diesen beiden Entwicklungen ergibt sich neben neuen technischen Möglichkeiten, auch ein Verhaltenswechsel der Mitarbeiter. Durch die verstärkte Anwendung von Social Media-Technologien innerhalb der Unternehmen werden die Mitarbeiter und ihre Vorgesetzten vor neue Herausforderungen gestellt.

Atualmente têm-se valorizado o aproveitamento das características das aglomerações, como os arranjos produtivos locais - APLs e a necessidade de cooperação entre as empresas. Neste contexto, a avaliação de desempenho em relação a um referencial externo e a identificação de melhores práticas, como proposto pelo benchmarking, pode ser de grande valia. Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um sistema de informações para benchmarking com acesso via web e sua aplicação piloto. O trabalho de campo contou com a participação de 29 empresas de até médio porte, que fazem parte dos APLs de Ibitinga (confecções de bordados) e de Jaú (calçados femininos). A partir desta aplicação, discute-se a viabilidade operacional de tal sistema, os estímulos e resultados para as empresas usuárias e as relações de tal sistema com os agentes de governança dos APLs. A avaliação do processo de implementação, realizada essencialmente por meio de observações da pesquisadora (de caráter qualitativo), aponta para a necessidade de um mecanismo que possibilite a adesão e participação de um número elevado de empresas em um curto espaço de tempo ou com participação vinculada a outras iniciativas, a fim de que uma base robusta de dados seja criada, eliminando a principal razão para que as empresas percam o estímulo em participar. Outras alternativas de abordagem também são discutidas a fim de melhorar os benefícios deste sistema para empresas e para a governança, como a formação de grupos de empresas (mesmo de setores diferentes) interessados em trocar experiências em uma determinada área ou mesmo a troca de experiência entre instituições de governança. / Nowadays, the clustering approach and the development of joint actions have gained acceptance. In this scenario, performance assessment against an external reference and the identification of best practices, as proposed by benchmarking, can be very useful. This study presents the development of a web-based benchmarking information system and its pilot application. The fieldwork was developed with the participation of 29 small and medium-sized companies from the clusters of Ibitinga (garment for use in the house) and Jaú (female shoes). The objective is to discuss the operational viability of such system, the incentives and results for the users and the relationship of this system with the cluster governing agents. The assessment of the implementation (of qualitative features), points to the need of an organization that enables a high number of companies to participate in a short period of time, like binding the participation to other initiatives, in order to create a strong database, removing the main reason for the incentive missing. Other approaches are discussed aiming to increase the benefits to the companies and to the governing, e.g. experience exchange by groups of firms (even from different industrial sectors) interested in a specific area or by governing institutions.

O objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi avaliar a existência de uma orientação do controle do desempenho utilizados nas pequenas e médias empresas hoteleiras e sua adequação aos fatores-chave de competitividade do setor. Essa pesquisa foi realizada na região central do Estado de São Paulo contemplando os circuitos Paulista da Chapada Guarani e Ecocaipira. A pesquisa fundamenta-se no vácuo existente entre a visão estratégica e visão operacional na gestão empresarial, ou seja, a falta de integração entre as diretrizes estratégicas e a operação das empresas. A medição de desempenho é uma atividade que visa melhorar gradativamente a atuação das empresas, fazendo com que elas se mantenham competitivas. O trabalho de campo foi dividido em três fases: a primeira e segunda fase concentrou-se na abordagem quantitativa. A primeira fase teve o propósito de identificar a quantidade de empresas hoteleiras na região central do Estado de São Paulo, considerando o mapeamento da equipe de pesquisadores do GEOPE da EESC - USP. A segunda fase teve o propósito de caracterizar a preocupação com o controle do desempenho e com as medidas de desempenho da organização. A terceira fase concentrou-se na abordagem qualitativa, na qual foi feito um estudo de caso com o propósito de verificar os indicadores utilizados pelas empresas e verificar se estão orientados para a competitividade. Como principal resultado, observou-se que os mecanismos de controle do desempenho são adequados as características do contexto social de cada organização e, como conseqüência, está relacionado à estratégia da empresa. Ainda, concluiu-se que os indicadores de desempenho das grandes e das pequenas empresas hoteleiras são semelhantes, a diferença está na formalização desses indicadores. / The general aim of this research is to evaluate the existence of an orientation of the organizational control utilized in small and medium sized hotels and its adequacy for the key competitivity factors of the sector. The research was conducted in the central region of São Paulo State comprising the Paulista Circuits of Chapada Guarani and Ecocaipira, based on the vacuum that exists between the strategic and operational visions in the entrepreneural management, i. e., the lack of integration between the strategic guidelines and the operation of the enterprises. The performance measurement is an activity that aims to gradually improve the action of enterprises, so that they keep themselves competitive, which is the basis in the strategic process. The field work was divided into three stages, of which the first and the second focused on the quantitative approach. In the first phase the aim was the identification and quantification of hotels in the central region of São Paulo state, considering the mapping of the research group of GEOPE at São Carlos Engineering School - USP. In the second phase, the concern about the performance control and measurement of the organization was characterized. Finally, the third phase focused on the qualitative approach, in which a case study was conducted in order to verify the indicators utilized by the enterprises and check that they are oriented towards competitiveness. As a main result, it was possible to observe that the performance control mechanisms are adequate for the characteristics of the social context of each organization and, therefore, related to the enterprise strategy. The performance indicators of large and small hotels are similar, differing only in their formalization.