An analysis of teleworking management practices.

BACKGROUND: Organizational changes in the traditional work models demand studies on the management of the so called "Teleworking". OBJECTIVE: This research aims to analyse the teleworking management practices to subside organizations and leaders to improve their performance and enhance workers quality of life. METHODS: A survey was carried out with teleworkers to obtain their perception of the analyzed factors, using the survey monkey tool. The collected data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). RESULTS: The validated model for the practices analysis is composed of the constructs: business management, physical and people infrastructure, leadership, self-esteem, and job satisfaction. Based on the analysis carried out, it is suggested that organizations establish organizational telework policies, follow government policies and provide communication and competence plans. Moreover, it is crucial providing technologies and support to them and develop people management practices in teleworking. Leaders must provide confidence, a teleworking culture, professional advancement, integration, well-being, negotiation of goals and a training plan. The teleworker's satisfaction is due to the sustainability related to the work model and its choice defined by personal motivation, balance between personal and professional life and a sense of belonging. CONCLUSIONS: All variables observed, linked to the constructs and validated, can be considered by managers to improve human resource management and obtain better productivity results.

The relationship between the number of neurons and behavioral performance in Swiss mice.

Neuronal number varies by several orders of magnitude across species, and has been proposed to predict cognitive capability across species. Remarkably, numbers of neurons vary across individual mice by a factor of 2 or more. We directly addressed the question of whether there is a relationship between performance in behavioral tests and the number of neurons in functionally relevant structures in the mouse brain. Naïve Swiss mice went through a battery of behavioral tasks designed to measure cognitive, motor and olfactory skills. We estimated the number of neurons in different brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, cerebellum and remaining areas) and crossed the two datasets to test the a priori hypothesis of correlation between cognitive abilities and numbers of neurons. Surprisingly, performance in the behavioral tasks did not correlate strongly with number of neurons in any of the brain regions studied. Our results show that whereas neuronal number is a predictor of cognitive skills across species, it is not a good predictor of cognitive, sensory or motor ability across individuals within a species, which suggests that other factors are more relevant for explaining cognitive differences between individuals of the same species.

Auditory cognitive training improves prepulse inhibition in serine racemase mutant mice.

Evidence indicates that neuroplasticity-based cognitive training can improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia, but the individual response to training varies greatly between subjects. Hence, there is a need to understand the neurological underpinnings of cognitive training to reveal predictors of treatment response. D-serine is a crucial modulator of neuroplasticity, and decreased levels of D-serine may contribute to deficits in neuroplasticity in schizophrenia. Interestingly, we observed that training mice to identify auditory oddballs increased extracellular levels of D-serine in the hippocampus during training. Serine racemase (Srr) is the only source of brain D-serine; thus, it is possible that Srr may mediate the response to training. To test this hypothesis, we trained mice that have a mutated version of Srr (SrrY269*/SrrY269*) and reduced levels of D-serine in the same auditory training. SrrY269*/SrrY269* mice showed decreased performance during auditory training (defined as the capacity to discriminate an oddball during a sequence of tones). Importantly, auditory training improved prepulse inhibition (PPI) in SrrY269*/SrrY269* but not in wild-type mice. Finally, D-serine (100 mg/kg i.p.) given 30 min before training sessions to SrrY269*/SrrY269* mice improved training performance, but it did not enhance PPI. Taken together, our results show that D-serine is involved in the response to neuroplasticity-based auditory training and that PPI deficits can be improved by auditory oddball training even in the presence of neuroplasticity deficits.

Implantação e manutenção do sistema APPCC: as barreiras que desafiam as micro e pequenas empresas / Implementation and maintenance of the HACCP system: the barriers that challenge micro and small companies

Os consumidores atuais buscam cada vez mais por alimentos seguros e as indústrias vêm se empenhando em atender às expectativas deste cliente, além de se enquadrar às especificações legais. O sistema APPCC (Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle) tem como foco a garantia da inocuidade dos produtos, porém ainda existem diversas barreiras para a sua implantação, principalmente nas Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPE). O objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar os conceitos básicos relativos à Segurança dos Alimentos e identificar as principais barreiras para a implantação e manutenção do sistema APPCC nas MPE. A pesquisa foi baseada em livros técnicos específicos e em publicações científicas disponibilizadas por sites de busca referenciados, como o portal de periódicos Capes, Science Direct e Scientific Eletronic Library Online (Scielo), direcionada pelas palavras chaves. Concluiu-se que as principais barreiras para a implantação do APPCC nas MPE são a falta de conhecimento técnico e de motivação por parte dos funcionários e empresários, restrições econômicas e de tempo, além da deficiência de programas governamentais que contemplem as MPE. É necessário um maior comprometimento do setor e o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas voltadas para as MPE, que facilitem a implantação do sistema APPCC, contribuindo assim para o desenvolvimento deste segmento na fabricação de alimentos seguros.

Implementation of indicators through balanced scorecards in a nutritional therapy company.

INTRODUCTION: The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a tool that helps in strategic management under the four following perspectives: the financial one, the client s, the internal processes of the company's, the growth and learning processes. In order to measure the performance of the entities, the BSC uses as a basis financial and non-financial indicators. OBJECTIVES: To implement the BSC in a nutrional therapy company. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This research deals with a case study that took place in a nutrional therapy company from January to November 2010. For analysis of the learning and growth perspective all 45 of the company's collaborators were considered and for client analysis 124 home-care clients were considered. The study sample consisted of 39 collaborators and 44 clients participating in the research. Material was elaborated for collection of data and verification of perspective tendencies through analysis of the main processes of the company, questionnaires of client's satisfaction, questionnaires of collaborator s satisfaction and spread sheets for the verification of net renvenue and percentage of disallowances. The data was launched in the spread sheet of the Excel Application Program. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: The indicators were chosen conforming to the strategic objectives and organizational profiles. Learning perspectives and personal growth: efficacy in capacitaion 94%, participation 77%, fidelity/retention 93%, satisfaction 75%, organizational environment 88%, well being 100%, process perspective: microbiological analysis 100%, internal auditing 100%, productivity 100%, nutritional evaluation 81%, nutritional support 100%, indication for domicile hospital care 94%, home-care visits 98%, client perspective: company perception 97%, prioritizating 94%, retention 59%, insatisfaction 24%, logistics 94%, customers ervice (SAC) 88%, motivation: trust, financial perspectives, disallowances 5% and positive company net revenue. CONCLUSION: The implementation of indicators under the four perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard were favourable in the organizational performance, in helping the decision making process.

Introducción: La Balanced Scorecard (BSC) es una herramienta que ayuda en la gestión estratégica, bajo las siguientes cuatro perspectivas: la financiera, la del cliente, los procesos internos de la empresa, y los procesos de crecimiento y aprendizaje. Con el fin de medir el rendimiento de las entidades, la BSC emplea como plataforma indicadores financieros y no financieros. Objetivos: Implantar la BSC en una empresa de terapias nutricionales. Material y métodos: Esta investigación comprende el estudio de un caso que tuvo lugar en una empresa de terapia nutricional, entre enero y noviembre de 2010. Para el análisis de la perspectiva de aprendizaje y crecimiento, se consideraron los 45 colaboradores de la compañía y para el análisis de los clientes, 124 clientes de atención domiciliaria. La muestra del estudio consistió de 39 colaboradores y 44 clientes que participaron en la investigación. Se elaboró material para la recogida de los datos y verificación de las tendencias de las perspectivas mediante el análisis de los principales procesos de la compañía, encuestas de satisfacción del colaborador y hojas de cálculo para la verificación del beneficio neto y el porcentaje de anulaciones. Los datos se introdujeron en una hoja de cálculo de la aplicación informática Excel. Resultados y discusión: Se escogieron los indicadores en función de los objetivos estratégicos y los perfiles organizativos. Perspectivas de aprendizaje y crecimiento personal: eficacia en la capacitación 94%, participación 77%, fidelidad/ retención 93%, satisfacción 75%, ambiente organizativo 88%, bienestar 100%, perspectiva del proceso: análisis microbiológico 100%, auditoría interna 100%, productividad 100%, evaluación nutricional 81%, soporte nutricional 100%, indicación de atención domiciliaria 94%, visitas s domicilio 98%, perspectiva del cliente: percepción de la compañía 97%, priorización 94%, retención 59%, insatisfacción 24%, logística 94%, servicio al cliente (SAC) 88%, motivación: confianza, perspectivas financieras, anulaciones 5% y beneficio neto para la compañía. Conclusión: La implantación de indicadores incluidos en las cuatro perspectivas del Balanced Scorecard fue favorable para el rendimiento organizativo y en ayudar en el proceso de toma de decisiones.

Implementation of indicators through balanced scorecards in a nutritional therapy company / Aplicación de indicadores a través del balanced scorecard en una empresa de terapia nutricional

Introduction: The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a tool that helps in strategic management under the four following perspectives: the financial one, the client s, the internal processes of the company's, the growth and learning processes. In order to measure the performance of the entities, the BSC uses as a basis financial and non-financial indicators. Objectives: To implement the BSC in a nutrional therapy company. Methods and materials: This research deals with a case study that took place in a nutrional therapy company from January to November 2010. For analysis of the learning and growth perspective all 45 of the company's collaborators were considered and for client analysis 124 home-care clients were considered. The study sample consisted of 39 collaborators and 44 clients participating in the research. Material was elaborated for collection of data and verification of perspective tendencies through analysis of the main processes of the company, questionnaires of client's satisfaction, questionnaires of collaborator s satisfaction and spread sheets for the verification of net renvenue and percentage of disallowances. The data was launched in the spread sheet of the Excel Application Program. Results and discussions: The indicators were chosen conforming to the strategic objectives and organizational profiles. Learning perspectives and personal growth: efficacy in capacitaion 94%, participation 77%, fidelity/retention 93%, satisfaction 75%, organizational environment 88%, well being 100%, process perspective: microbiological analysis 100%, internal auditing 100%, productivity 100%, nutritional evaluation 81%, nutritional support 100%, indication for domicile hospital care 94%, home-care visits 98%, client perspective: company perception 97%, prioritizating 94%, retention 59%, insatisfaction 24%, logistics 94%, customers ervice (SAC) 88%, motivation: trust, financial perspectives, disallowances 5% and positive company net revenue. Conclusion: The implementation of indicators under the four perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard were favorable in the organizational performance, in helping the decision making process (AU)

Introducción: La Balanced Scorecard (BSC) es una herramienta que ayuda en la gestión estratégica, bajo las siguientes cuatro perspectivas: la financiera, la del cliente, los procesos internos de la empresa, y los procesos de crecimiento y aprendizaje. Con el fin de medir el rendimiento de las entidades, la BSC emplea como plataforma indicadores financieros y no financieros. Objetivos: Implantar la BSC en una empresa de terapias nutricionales. Material y métodos: Esta investigación comprende el estudio de un caso que tuvo lugar en una empresa de terapia nutricional, entre enero y noviembre de 2010. Para el análisis de la perspectiva de aprendizaje y crecimiento, se consideraron los 45 colaboradores de la compañía y para el análisis de los clientes, 124 clientes de atención domiciliaria. La muestra del estudio consistió de 39 colaboradores y 44 clientes que participaron en la investigación. Se elaboró material para la recogida de los datos y verificación de las tendencias de las perspectivas mediante el análisis de los principales procesos de la compañía, encuestas de satisfacción del colaborador y hojas de cálculo para la verificación del beneficio neto y el porcentaje de anulaciones. Los datos se introdujeron en una hoja de cálculo de la aplicación informática Excel. Resultados y discusión: Se escogieron los indicadores en función de los objetivos estratégicos y los perfiles organizativos. Perspectivas de aprendizaje y crecimiento personal: eficacia en la capacitación 94%, participación 77%, fidelidad/ retención 93%, satisfacción 75%, ambiente organizativo 88%, bienestar 100%, perspectiva del proceso: análisis microbiológico 100%, auditoría interna 100%, productividad 100%, evaluación nutricional 81%, soporte nutricional 100%, indicación de atención domiciliaria 94%, visitas s domicilio 98%, perspectiva del cliente: percepción de la compañía 97%, priorización 94%, retención 59%, insatisfacción 24%, logística 94%, servicio al cliente (SAC) 88%, motivación: confianza, perspectivas financieras, anulaciones 5% y beneficio neto para la compañía. Conclusión: La implantación de indicadores incluidos en las cuatro perspectivas del Balanced Scorecard fue favorable para el rendimiento organizativo y en ayudar en el proceso de toma de decisiones (AU)

A gestão da segurança dos alimentos em empresa de serviço de alimentação e os pontos críticos de controle dos seusprocessos / The management of safe food in a commercial restaurant and the critical control points of their process

Este artigo apresenta o diagnóstico do quadro das práticas adotadas na cadeia de produção e fornecimento de alimentos e identifica os pontos críticos de controle dos seus processos, mediante estudo decaso em restaurante comercial. A coleta de evidências ocorreu pormeio de observação direta e da documentação. Como instrumentalde pesquisa foram usados entrevistas e formulário. Os dados obtidos na aplicação do formulário foram tratados qualitativamente e os obtidos nas entrevistas processados estatisticamente. Os resultados indicaram a higienização inadequada das mãos e a falta de padronização, entre outras, como as práticas mais impactantes na segurança dos alimentos naquela empresa de alimentação.Foram identificados como pontos críticos da rotina, em especial, o controle sobre temperaturas e sobras, bem como a maneira de condução da administração de pessoal.

A gestão da segurança dos alimentos em restaurante comercial / The management of food safety in restaurant business

Atualmente o quadro de segurança de alimentos nos serviços de alimentação está distante do considerado ideal. Isto requer que a segurança de alimentos seja vista como algo macroscópico e que se entenda que a introdução dos perigos pode ocorrer em todas as etapas do processo. A fim de contribuir com estas empresas, este artigo apresenta o quadro das práticas adotadas na cadeia de produção e fornecimento de alimentos e identifica os pontos críticos de controle dos seus processos. Para sua realização a estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi o estudo de caso em um restaurante comercial. A coleta de evidências se deu por meio de observação e da documentação. Os dados obtidos na aplicação do formulário foram processados estatisticamente. Os resultados mostraram a falta de acompanhamento do estado de saúde dos manipuladores e de padronização como as práticas que mais impactam na segurança dos alimentos. Foram identificados como pontos críticos o controle das temperaturas e sobras e a maneira como é conduzida a gestão de pessoal.

A busca da qualidade em barcos pesqueiros, através da capacitação do pescador / The quest for quality fishing boats, through empowerment of fisher

A atenção à gestão de pessoas é o grande desafio para as empresas como os barcos pesqueiros, principalmente para capacitação técnica segundo os moldes das boas práticas de manipulação do pescado. Este artigo teve como objetivo promover a transformação, repensando os papéis desempenhados pelos pescadores desde o treinamento até o reconhecimento dos seus esforços neste setor. Planejar e capacitar profissionalmente os pescadores consiste em estabelecer a estratégia da organização que valoriza este profissional, identificando as lacunas do saber-fazer e minimizando-as através do gerenciamento de pessoal. Conclui-se que a busca por resultados satisfatórios nas empresas deve começar pela melhoria contínua de seus colaboradores. As mudanças nas relações de trabalho no interior da organização, colocando-os como parceiros garantirá um bom relacionamento e propiciará um ambiente ideal para criatividade, confiança, flexibilidade e geração de novas habilidades, contribuindo para o alcance da qualidade.

The control of documents maintained in the electronic media and the requirements of NBR ISO/IEC 17025 and adequacy for PNQ

During the assessments carried out by the authors at the diverse laboratories pertaining to the network of accredited laboratories - known as the Brazilian Calibration Network (RBC) - the authors verified the difficulties that these laboratories had in meeting the requirements of NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2001 (Standard), related to the maintenance of documents in the electronic media. More and more laboratories are substituting traditional control with electronic document control, which allows for more agility in the recovery of information. These laboratories implement policies and procedures; however, they still feel insecure, in some way, as to how to meet all of these requirements, thereby giving rise to difficulties in the implementation of such. The aim of this paper is to discuss the control of documents stored in the electronic media, adopting requirement 4.3 of the Standard as the reference, and aiming, in this manner, to harmonize the assessment process of the procedures of document management in the electronic media, and to assist the laboratories in the interpretation of the Standard, so that they may implement systems that are adequate to their actual necessities and to their structural size, while at the same time complying with the referred to requirement. This work will not broach the treatment given to the records (requirement 4.12 of the Standard), facts (requirement 5.4.7) nor to the electronic transmission of results (requirement 5.10.7), leaving these subjects for posterior discussions.