Abstract

Two types of information in organizations are defined: structured (i.e., data in relational databases), and unstructured (i.e., documentary). The need for software to manage both kinds of information is emphasized, moving towards a convergence of information lifecycle management / data lifecycle management (ILM / DLM) and records management (RM) models.

Abstract

The Esade Guíame! business and sector-specific information portal is presented. This portal aims to inform and educate the business community and academia on how to identify and obtain economic and sector-specific information, a vital part of decision-making. A description of the portal’s mission and objectives is provided, along with its target audience, value, origins, evolution and main contents. Also included are its main challenges for the future and an analysis of its value chain, based on a combination of personnel, processes and design.

Abstract

Although innovation is a key factor for the survival of enterprises, its situation in Spain is still far from the objectives set by the Lisbon Strategy. As a consequence the Spanish public administrations have launched various measures to improve it. Innovation requires acquiring and selecting the best information available, which means mainly using scientific and technical databases, but they are little known in the business environment. The article gives a brief overview of the use of information for innovation in enterprises and comments on the main findings of 2008 Cotec Report

Abstract

Systematisation of information sources on Spanish companies in order to allow foreign companies to learn about the situation in Spain. The aim is to offer a panorama of what exists, to categorise the types of data provided, and to appraise their usefulness for capturing clients. To do this, the information sources have been searched systematically, structured into a model for evaluation, and finally classified and described in the most useful way for the expressed aims: to capture clients and to evaluate risks. As conclusions we suggest the most relevant acquisition formats, the most reliable collection methods, or the original data sources. The study’s contribution is its usefulness as a source of tertiary information for setting up businesses in Spain.

Abstract

The connections between transport infrastructure and economic development have been extensively analyzed in previous research, but little is known about the cost of infrastructure investments in poor countries. This paper examines drivers of unit costs of construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure in low and middle income countries and documents that: (i) there is a large dispersion in unit costs for comparable road work activities; (ii) after accounting for environmental drivers of costs, residual unit costs are significantly higher in conflict countries; (iii) there is evidence that costs are higher in countries with higher levels of corruption; (iv) these effects are robust to controlling for a country’s public investment capacity and business environment. Our findings have implications for governments aiming to increase connectivity in poor countries. Document type: Book