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on Project, Program and Portfolio Management |
| By: | Larissa Campuzano; Randall Blair; Virginia Poggio; Ivonne Padilla; Seth Morgan; Michael Brannan |
| Abstract: | This report presents the final results of the evaluations of three interventions funded under the Formal Technical Education Sub-Activity of the first Millennium Challenge Corporation El Salvador compact. |
| Keywords: | Impact Evaluation, Secondary Education, Post-Secondary Education, Scholarships, Infrastructure, Teacher Training |
| JEL: | F Z |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:6cddd96be8be481d89609e46fd1eb29f&r=ppm |
| By: | Belmira Neto (European Commission – JRC); Oliver Wolf (European Commission – JRC - IPTS); Bethany Field (Anthesis UK); Nicola Jenkin (Anthesis UK); Max Tam (Anthesis UK); Benjamin Oscar (Anthesis UK) |
| Abstract: | The objective of this project is to develop a new EU Ecolabel and revise the existing EU Green Public Procurement (EU GPP) criteria for professional cleaning services. This report investigates the market, operational and sustainability aspects of cleaning services, with a goal to develop a robust evidence base and prioritise key environmental and social issues to support the development of EU Ecolabel criteria and the revision of the EU GPP criteria. |
| Keywords: | EU Ecolabel, EU Green Public Procurement, Cleaning Services |
| Date: | 2016–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc102397&r=ppm |
| By: | Age Mariussen (University of Vaasa); Ruslan Rakhmatullin (European Commission - JRC); Lina Stanionyte (European Commission - JRC) |
| Abstract: | S3 begins within a region/country by exploiting place-based expertise and industrial skills within the regional innovation eco-system. The paper refers to emerging research which indicates that some regions suffer from insufficient innovation eco-system complexity, followed by sub-optimal innovation performances and path lock-in. This indicates that regional innovation eco-systems could be further strengthened through transnational learning and collaboration. Several major forms of collaboration are identified. The paper suggests that macro-regional and trans-European smart specialisation strategies could be based on multi-level approaches to experimentally extend and strengthen regional innovation eco-systems. In order to achieve robust and long-lasting outcomes, these experiments could apply some existing S3 tools. Here, an important issue is the transition from temporary programmes, projects and networks to new institutional frameworks for co-evolution and collaboration between smart specialised regions. The next important step is to exploit the European diversity identified through regional RIS3 strategies. The long-term challenge is the strengthening of emergent European and macro-regional systems of innovation, and thus supporting the regions. |
| Keywords: | policy analysis; R & D; research; collaboration; policy; innovation; ecosystem |
| Date: | 2016–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc102623&r=ppm |
| By: | Muntean, Mihaela |
| Abstract: | Best practices in Business Information Systems recognize the importance of ERPs in supporting business processes in organizations, SAP solutions being a key player in enterprise applications for large companies. Impediments in managing SAP projects in multinational companies or autochthon companies in Romania have been identified, e.g. Lack of skills/training/education; Inadequate support from executives; Data is not integrated; Poor data quality; Inadequate support from business organizations; Inadequate access to data; Inadequate support from IT. Nowadays, beyond the SAP Basis modules, the enterprise applications are enriched with Business Intelligence solutions capable for advanced analysis and reporting. Therefore, the demand of specialists is highly required, companies beginning to act as promoters of a business oriented education. The demarche is developed based on a successful university-business collaboration materialized in the Master program in Business Information Systems organized by the West University of Timisoara, Romania. The rise of a global knowledge economy has intensified the need for strategic partnerships that go beyond the traditional cooperation between university and companies. Lessons learned from this successful project can contribute to the development of further similar projects in the area of business engagement with universities over skills and training. |
| Keywords: | university-business collaboration, curriculum development and delivery, SAP modules |
| JEL: | I25 M10 |
| Date: | 2016–07–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:72952&r=ppm |
| By: | Rubin, Deborah |
| Abstract: | The rise of mixed methods approaches to development-oriented research has brought new attention to qualitative research methods. This paper describes the use of qualitative approaches to illuminate gender relations in agricultural development research and project implementation. For gender research, qualitative methods can be particularly helpful in illuminating how men and women view their lives. Drawing on literature about social science methods and linking it to recent examples of qualitative methods employed in research and development projects, the paper argues for greater precision in key concepts of gender research, starting with sex and gender. From the many possible qualitative methods used in development work, the paper focuses on several common observational (both direct and participatory) and interview techniques, the latter including key informant and group interviews and focus group discussions. Researchers use various techniques to gather different types of information, for example, mapping techniques to understand men’s and women’s different types of knowledge about their environment and eliciting in-depth information on a single topic with key informants. In a brief discussion of the analysis of qualitative data, the paper notes that informant responses are not “the truth” but need to be assessed against other sources of data. Finally, there is a short discussion of how qualitative data have been used in comparative work. The paper concludes that the results of good qualitative research on gender relations can help identify the locally specific pathways needed to achieve gender-transformative development approaches. |
| Keywords: | gender, women, agriculture, qualitative analysis, analytical methods, interviews, qualitative research, mixed methods, informant interviews, group interviews, focus group discussions, |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:1535&r=ppm |