Opportunities For Projects Research Articles

The Influence of Leadership Management on Entrepreneurial Innovation in Computer Network Projects

In today's digital era, computer network projects are crucial for companies as they provide the infrastructure for communication, data exchange, and sharing. Effective project management, which requires strong leadership, is essential for success. Leadership management plays a key role in influencing the outcomes of computer networking projects by fostering creativity and entrepreneurship. Innovative leadership encourages risk-taking, creativity, and experimentation, which are vital for developing new products, services, or processes. Entrepreneurship promotes proactivity, flexibility, and responsiveness to changing market conditions. This study explores the relationship between leadership and innovation, highlighting that leadership style, behavior, and abilities are critical in driving innovation and entrepreneurship. However, the specific challenges and opportunities in computer networking projects necessitate further research. This research aims to fill the gap by investigating how management leadership influences innovation and entrepreneurship in computer networking projects and identifying the key leadership competencies required. Using a quantitative approach and correlational research design, the study finds a significant positive relationship between transformational leadership and entrepreneurial innovation (path coefficient 0.75, p < 0.01), and between transactional leadership and entrepreneurial innovation (path coefficient 0.42, p < 0.05). However, no significant relationship is found between field leadership and entrepreneurial innovation. The findings suggest that both transactional and transformational leadership contribute to groundbreaking innovation in computer networking projects. Therefore, project leaders should enhance their leadership skills to achieve higher levels of innovation in these projects.

How to unlock BIM capabilities in the design phase to project success for long-term organization development?

PurposeExplore how the AECO organizations can establish BIM capabilities in the design phase to ensure project success for long-term development.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative approach through the application of structural equation modeling with the partial least squares method (PLS-SEM). This study performs a path analysis and hypothesis testing through the PLS method using the SmartPLS 4.0 software.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that simply adopting BIM is not enough for project success. The lack of preparation for adopting BIM can even have a negative effect on project success, since the structure, technology and designers may not be prepared to integrate all project requirements into BIM models. For effective project success, the article demonstrates that the indirect effect of building BIM capabilities must be considered.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed model can serve as a guide for organizational strategy by showing managers the main variables to be considered for long-term survival. The article also warns that the isolated adoption of BIM can be detrimental to the success of projects. However, the lack of BIM capabilities can exclude the organization from the market, as it may not be prepared to recognize project opportunities and not incorporate technologies.Practical implicationsThe limitation is that the data are not longitudinal; therefore, they are conditioned by the current perceptions of AECO industry professionals about BIM adoption. The results of this research reflect the perception of professionals in the Brazilian construction industry only.Social implicationsAlthough social implications are not directly addressed in the model, the potential for improving project success in the AECO industry suggests broader positive impacts on project management in the AECO industry. Furthermore, these advances can contribute to better urban planning, improved infrastructure and overall social well-being, impacting quality of life by influencing public policy and shaping public attitudes toward construction and development.Originality/valueUsing strategic innovation theories as a theoretical framework for building BIM capabilities, the paper expands this theory by establishing that BIM capabilities are fundamental to sustaining the survival of AECO industry organizations. The paper demonstrates that BIM capabilities are what prepare organizations to adapt to new technologies and strategic resources oriented toward innovation. In this sense, the adoption of BIM itself is an initial step towards building these capabilities, since once the adaptation phase is over, the organization is prepared to optimize its processes with other technologies.

The truth about thriving gig workers: Why job demands and coping mechanisms are not enough?

Gig workers often face challenging work environments characterized by uncertain and unpredictable incomes, limited project opportunities, and unclear career paths. Despite these challenges, some gig workers succeed in moving from merely surviving to thriving in their work. While existing studies explore their struggles and resilience, the process that enables this transformation still needs to be explored, particularly in the context of Indonesia’s rapidly growing digital creative industry. Addressing this gap, this study aims to develop a model for thriving at work among gig workers in Indonesia’s digital creative industry. Using a quantitative approach, questionnaires were purposively distributed to 333 gig workers. Data analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed several key findings. Job demands directly influenced coping strategies, and psychological capital directly impacted goal setting. Both psychological capital and goal setting significantly influenced thriving at work, with goal setting mediating the relationship between psychological capital and thriving. However, job demands and coping strategies had no significant impact on thriving at work, nor did coping strategies mediate the relationship between job demands and thriving. These findings highlight that thriving in the gig economy relies more on internal resources like psychological capital and goal-setting skills, rather than external pressures such as job demands or coping mechanisms, emphasizing the need for personal development.

Evaluation of CO2 storage potential of Carboniferous sandstones in the Maritime Provinces of Canada

The suitability of Carboniferous sandstones in three regions of the Maritime Provinces of Canada for geological carbon storage was evaluated: the Horton Bluff Formation in the Windsor Sub-basin, the lower Cumberland Group sandstones in the Cumberland–Sackville Sub-basin, and the Pennsylvanian sandstones of Prince Edward Island. the properties of potential reservoirs and characteristics of vertical seals and barriers to lateral migration were evaluated using previously collected well logs, sample descriptions, core analyzes and seismic interpretations. Reservoir quality was found to be the limiting factor in all three regions. Sandstones in the upper Hurd Creek Member of the Horton Bluff Formation locally have porosities up to 15% and permeabilities up to 25 milliDarcies at depths up to 1200 m. their aggregate thickness may be suitable for GCS, but individual sandstones are thin and likely of limited lateral extent. the lower Cumberland Group contains sand-dominated successions up to 1 km thick with low porosity (5–7%) where known in the subsurface. Sandstone bodies in the Bradelle, Green Gables, and Cable Head formations beneath Prince Edward Island exceed tens of meters in thickness with porosities averaging up to 10–12% and permeabilities up to 10 milliDarcies. Evaporites in the overlying Windsor Group would provide a suitable seal for the Horton Bluff Formation; in other areas the top seal would be provided by mud-prone heterolithic intervals. the evaluated areas may provide opportunities for small onshore storage projects. Further work is warranted to delineate reservoir trends and verify the integrity of potential top seals and traps.

Agency Building with Early Research Exposure: A Study of an Undergraduate Science Education Exposure Program

Undergraduate research exposure provides students with opportunities to positively perceive their association with their scientific discipline through agentic experiences, and thereby fostering their disciplinary identity building. In the present study, we explore students’ experiences of participating in an undergraduate level research exposure camp in Chemistry discipline. The camp is organized under a national level nurture initiative for undergraduate science and engineering students in India. It is a two-week long residential camp in which students are engaged in lectures on theoretical topics in chemistry, problem solving sessions, long laboratory exercises, abstract writing session, and students’ seminars. The camp also serves as a first step to select a small cohort of students based on their performance in the different activities during the camp for extended research projects opportunities. We apply the critical science agency framework to examine students’ experiences during the camp, and how understand how students connect their prior experiences and future career related choices with their camp experiences. The qualitative analysis describes students’ accounts of the emergence of agentic personalities at the entry, during, and beyond the camp. We noted instances in which students’ decisions and subsequent actions of applying to and attending the camp surfaced, and through students’ narration interpreted how some of these were markers of critical science agency. Based on authors’ understanding, this is the first, and one of the few studies conducted using critical science agency framework with science undergraduate students about their early research experiences. The study provides insights about potential programmatic features for similar undergraduate research camps in India as well as on a global platform.

Assessing risks and opportunities associated with ESG factorsin investment projects

Our aim was to investigate the influence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors on risks and opportunities in investment and construction projects. The research methodology involved a review of scientific publications, both domestic and foreign, concerning ESG factors and approaches to their integration into investment projects. This allowed us to develop a step-by-step approach to assessing the impact of these factors on the risks and opportunities in investment construction projects. The proposed approach consists in identifying significant ESG aspects, carrying out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the associated risks and opportunities, and establishing a system for managing ESG factors within a particular project. In addition, we developed a system of quantitative indicators for assessing ESG factors, allowing them to be taken into account when designing a financial and economic model of the project. Theoretical results related to the development of an algorithm for assessing the impact of ESG factors and the system of indicators for their quantitative measurement were obtained. It is concluded that the assessment and management of ESG factors play an important role in improving the sustainability and efficiency of investment and construction projects. Further research should be focused on the creation of industry standards and indicators for assessing ESG factors in the sphere of investment and construction, as well as on the improvement of tools for environmental funding of projects.

Reducing Postoperative Opioids in Pediatric Orthopaedics: An Updated Tiered Prescription Guideline with a “Tier 0”

BackgroundThere is growing data on strategies to reduce opioid prescriptions in pediatric orthopaedics. Our institution implemented tiered guidelines for opioid discharge prescriptions in 2018 to standardize prescribing patterns across our entire pediatric orthopaedics practice. In 2022, we updated the tiered system with a goal to further minimize the quantity of opioids prescribed and eliminate opioids altogether for certain procedures. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of the updated tiered guidelines for discharge opioid prescribing following common pediatric orthopaedic procedures. MethodsA quality improvement project was conducted at a single academic institution. Guidelines for discharge opioid prescriptions were updated in January 2022 and established 5 tiers of increasing invasiveness for 28 procedures. The updated guidelines included a “Tier 0” which provided no opioids, reorganized surgical tiers based on prior data, and decreased the doses recommended for tiers. Opioid prescriptions were reported as oral morphine equivalents (OMEs). Univariate tests were performed to assess statistically significant differences before and after implementation of updated guideline eras, comparing 2020–2021 and 2022. ResultsOverall, 747 patients (2020–2021, n ​= ​500; 2022, n ​= ​247) were included. The proportion of patients receiving discharge opioid prescriptions decreased from 89.8% to 80.6% (P ​< ​0.05), between 2020 and 2021 and 2022. This resulted in decreased overall OME prescribed (median 75 vs 45, P ​< ​0.05) and OME prescribed in those >10 years (135 vs 113, P ​< ​0.05) while 30-day refill rates (9.4% vs 6.1%), and OME per kilogram in those <11 years of age (median 0.9 vs 0.8) remained unchanged (both P ​> ​0.05). Discharge prescriptions falling within overall guidelines increased after guideline implementation (83.3% vs 85.4%), though this was not statistically significant and guideline adherence was low among Tier 0 ​at 31%. ConclusionsIncluding “Tier 0” of procedures receiving no opioid prescriptions, reorganizing procedures within tiers, and decreasing the recommended doses to an already strict tiered guideline for discharge opioid prescriptions significantly decreased the quantity of opioids prescribed. We noted continued excellent overall adherence and, importantly, no overall increase in refills, with areas for improvement in Tier 0. Quality improvement projects can continue to reduce the amount of opioids prescribed following pediatric orthopaedic procedures. Key Concepts(1)Updated tiered guidelines, including a “Tier 0” for discharge opioid prescriptions following pediatric orthopaedic procedures were effective in reducing the quantity of opioids provided at discharge.(2)A continued high adherence rate was observed with the updated guidelines, though areas for improvement include adherence to no opioids in Tier 0.(3)Refill rates remained similar after implementation of the updated guidelines.(4)The study results suggest opportunities for continued improvement projects to reduce the number of unnecessary opioids prescribed to pediatric orthopaedic patients. Level of EvidenceIII.

Against wastelanding: distributed design at the pace of soil in the Conca de Barberà

This paper proposes a methodology for designers to work in the extensive yet marginal landscapes that are produced as part of the process of agricultural intensification. The distributed design approach, which focuses on enriching the existing bioinfrastructure of the soil, emerged out an ongoing research project in the Conca de Barberà, Spain. The project involves managing an interconnected series of currently unproductive on unmaintained fields through the rotational grazing of horses, with the hypothesis that the systematic grazing regime will catalyse soil biological activity. By attending to the soil infrastructure, the project necessarily developed a unique design approach. Management decisions became design problems and design work took on something of the call and response of management. Though it was shaped by the specific constraints and opportunities of the research project, the methodology is applicable to a wide variety of design projects in extensive landscapes with limited resources.

Blue Economy Financing Solutions for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors of Caribbean Island States

This study reviews various financing solutions available for fisheries and aquaculture development in Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS) and Barbados, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Previously identified financing needs within the fisheries and aquaculture sectors have been matched with the most suitable financing mechanisms. However, the use of blue levies is recommended and applicable in almost every scenario, as they allow these sectors to drive their own development in financing research and conservation projects to their own benefit. The use of “blue tokens” with sufficiently low repayment coupons allows development projects to gather public support for fisheries, thereby increasing the likelihood of the project being successful through community buy-in. The possibility of natural capital being traded as public equities as “Natural Asset Companies” provides the opportunity for development projects to fund themselves. The review concludes that natural capital can be leveraged as the base through which public-private partnerships (PPPs) can facilitate optimal delivery of ecosystem services, benefit multiple stakeholders, and provide numerous development opportunities. An enabling environment for debt and lending with low-interest loan repayments is also applicable to almost every scenario, as it facilitates access to capital finance for infrastructure development and the acquisition of increasingly sustainable fishing equipment. Steps towards generating an enabling environment for financing fisheries and aquaculture in the Caribbean region are also discussed. The establishment of dedicated financing institutions, PPPs, and sufficient data reporting infrastructure for the fisheries and aquaculture industry are essential for driving development in these sectors. Likely, the largest limiting factor in financing Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture industries is a lack of awareness of the range of finance and financing mechanisms available to stakeholders, as well as an enabling environment for financing blue Economy sectors. This review is thus intended to aid financing institutions, Blue Economy developers, and specifically Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders and Caribbean governments by raising awareness of the financing mechanisms available, encourage the incorporation of their use in the fisheries and aquaculture industries in the Caribbean, and encourage policymakers to create an enabling environment for financing development in these crucial sectors.

COVID-19 opportunities in construction projects: the case of Peru

COVID-19 opportunities in construction projects: the case of Peru

Dynamic financial modeling and feasibility studies for affordable housing policies: A conceptual synthesis

The escalating demand for affordable housing necessitates innovative approaches to financial modeling and feasibility analysis to ensure the success and sustainability of housing policies. This abstract presents a conceptual synthesis of dynamic financial modeling and feasibility studies, exploring their pivotal role in shaping effective affordable housing policies. Dynamic financial modeling involves creating flexible and adaptive financial models that account for varying economic conditions, policy changes, and market fluctuations. These models are essential for predicting financial outcomes, assessing the viability of housing projects, and guiding investment decisions. By incorporating real-time data and scenario analysis, dynamic financial models help stakeholders understand potential risks and opportunities, enabling more informed decision-making. Key components of dynamic financial modeling include cash flow analysis, sensitivity testing, and scenario planning, which together provide a comprehensive view of a project's financial viability over time. Feasibility studies complement financial modeling by evaluating the practical aspects of affordable housing projects, such as site selection, regulatory compliance, and market demand. These studies assess the alignment of housing projects with community needs and regulatory requirements, ensuring that proposed developments are both feasible and beneficial. Feasibility studies often include market analysis, cost estimates, and risk assessments, providing a detailed understanding of project constraints and opportunities. The synthesis of dynamic financial modeling and feasibility studies offers a robust framework for evaluating affordable housing policies. It allows for the integration of financial projections with practical considerations, ensuring that policies are not only economically viable but also aligned with social and regulatory objectives. Case studies from various regions demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach in identifying successful strategies and addressing common challenges. In conclusion, dynamic financial modeling and feasibility studies are crucial tools for developing and implementing effective affordable housing policies. They provide a comprehensive understanding of financial and practical dimensions, facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing the sustainability and impact of affordable housing initiatives. This conceptual synthesis underscores the importance of integrating these methodologies to achieve long-term success in addressing housing affordability challenges. Keywords: Policies, Affordable Housing, Feasibility Studies, Dynamic Financial Modeling, conceptual Synthesis.

Heritage conservation and energy efficiency in adaptive reuse projects the case of Gaziantep, Türkiye

PurposeThis article explores the challenges and opportunities in adaptive reuse projects for historic buildings, focusing on the interrelationship between energy efficiency and heritage conservation.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilises a mixed-method approach, including semi-structured interviews and energy retrofit surveys, conducted in seven adaptively reused historical buildings in the Bey neighbourhood, Gaziantep, Türkiye. Thematic analysis is used for interviews, and survey results were discussed together within the framework of CSN EN16883.FindingsThe adaptive reuse of historic buildings can result in economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for local communities. However, for this to occur, careful consideration must be given when selecting the new function, ensuring that it aligns with the buildings' environmental performance potential and the community’s needs. Considering the CSN EN16883 Guidelines for improving the energy performance of historic buildings, when the retrofits made by the users are assessed, the general approach is to preserve the heritage value of the building rather than making it energy efficient.Originality/valueThis study will add to a cross-cultural understanding of the complex relationship between adaptive reuse, energy efficiency and heritage conservation by looking at the local context of Gaziantep. No similar qualitative study addresses this issue in this region.

Importancia de la ingeniería química en la alianza Academia-Industria-Gobierno-Sociedad (aigs) en la región Caribe colombiana

Chemical engineering is crucial in socie-ty and can contribute to the collaboration between Academy, Industry, Government, and Society (AIGS) to promote sustainable projects and knowledge transfer in the Ca-ribbean region of Colombia. This study exa-mines the impact of chemical engineering in the region, including program offerings, in-dicators of chemical engineering programs, job market, and opportunities for projects with societal impact. Four public and pri-vate institutions have been identified, each offering comprehensive 10-semester study programs designed to cultivate both tech-nical expertise and humanistic education in aspiring chemical engineers. These pro-grams aim to equip students with the neces-sary tools to tackle the pressing challenges of sustainability. The curriculum is structured into distinct components: foundation (34 %), engineering basics (17 %), professional (39 %), and humanities (11 %). However, dispari-ties in student enrollment numbers between public and private institutions have emer-ged, posing a potential risk to the sustaina-bility of programs in the latter. The chemical industry is prominent, with diversification in Atlántico and a focus on the petrochemi-cal sector in Bolívar. Graduates of chemical engineering in the Caribbean region have di-verse career opportunities with employabi-lity ranges between 50 % and 80 %. Besides, Clusters and CUEEs are important initiatives that guide collaboration within the AIGSalliance, utilizing methodologies for strate-gic management and participatory projects to receive state funding for developments through Science, Technology, and Innova-tion. This study’s results demonstrate that the practice of chemical engineering in the Caribbean region is harmonized with the re-gion’s strategic goals, cultivating socio-eco-nomic benefits through collaborations between companies and universities. Fur-thermore, these findings offer direction to higher education institutions, particularly private ones, encouraging proactive efforts to secure resources for projects. These ini-tiatives, in turn, create avenues to expand educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.

The project-based learning model of training engineers: exploring opportunities for building an individual learning trajectory from the students’ and instructors’ perspectives

Introduction. The project-based approach into engineering training is an innovative education practice that exemplifies the UNESCO strategy for implementing such practices in education worldwide. The motivation of the study is justified by the fact that the implementation of project-based learning involves building a student learning trajectory, which meets demands for competitive specialists in the automotive industry. The research aimed to investigate opportunities for building students’ learning paths in correlation with the formal performance of the project-based learning model and to elicit issues for its improving. Materials and methods. The study used analysis of previous research and formal performance indicators of the project activity at the Mechanical Engineering Center, where pilot engineering training was launched at Togliatti State University (TSU, Russian Federation). To collect empirical data, an online survey was administered among 118 engineering students (its reliability reached Cronbach’s alpha 0.84), and unstructured and focused interviews among student advisors and project supervisors were conducted. Methods of descriptive statistics and IBM SPSS Statistics 23 package were employed to process the obtained quantitative data. Research results. Quantitative performance indicators of the model demonstrate overall positive dynamics in engineers’ training from 2017 to the present. The study discovered project satisfaction at the Mechanical Engineering Centre (74.1%) and the majority of students (71.9%) evaluate positively project opportunities. The correlation between the project role and the awareness of project opportunities was found (r = 0.23; p &lt; 0.05): all student advisors considered project activity as an opportunity to develop their learning trajectory. However, 14.9% of participants did not consider such project prospects. The focused interview clarified reasons for this choice. Conclusion. The study shows that the correlation between the positive dynamics of formal indicators and assessments of the opportunities of building an individual learning trajectory reveals the need to improve the introduced model in terms of finding the optimal balance between the number of projects and their quality. The study prospects include the formation of students’ readiness and internal motivation for participating in engineering projects. The TSU experience in evaluating the opportunities of forming students’ learning paths through project participation can be helpful for other Russian universities where project-based learning is implemented.

Tell your story: Metrics of success for academic data science collaboration and consulting programs

Measuring success plays a central role in justifying and advocating for a statistical or data science consulting or collaboration program (SDSP) within an academic institution. We present several specific metrics to report to targeted audiences to tell the story for success of a robust and sustainable program. While gathering such metrics includes challenges, we discuss potential data sources and possible practices for SDSPs to inform their own approaches. Emphasizing essential metrics for reporting, we also share the metric gathering and reporting practices of two programs in greater detail. New or existing SDSPs should evaluate their local environments and tailor their practice to gathering, analysing and reporting success metrics accordingly. This approach provides a strong foundation to use success metrics to tell compelling stories about the SDSP and enhance program sustainability. The area of success metrics provides ample opportunity for future research projects that leverage qualitative methods and consider mechanisms for adapting to the changing landscape of data science.

A review of natural resource extraction industries and their influence on the occurrence of poverty

PurposeThis research paper takes a narrow approach to examining the apparent link between poverty and the resource extraction industries. However, it acknowledges that much more is to be explored about this relationship. Many complexities influence the occurrence and degree of poverty in a particular country, region, or community.Design/methodology/approachThe literature review identified proposed and operational poverty reduction actions and processes categorized under the broad concept of community development projects. The surveyed cases describe how various corporate strategies, work processes, labor requirements and efficient management and governance solutions are purported to improve poverty-reduction efforts potentially.FindingsNo causal linkages between poverty and hypothetically valuable and successful community development projects were found. No poverty monitoring evaluations and learning data (MEL) for these projects were proposed and published in most of the literature. However, associations were observed between some business practices implemented in these resource extraction community development projects and observations of indicators of lower poverty levels.Practical implicationsThe research improves our understanding of the requirements and opportunities for successful community development projects by highlighting processes, company strategy, human resource programs and enlightened governance that can contribute to reducing poverty.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the characteristics of community development projects that appear to span natural resource extraction industries and countries. Effective management strategies and representative and formally designated organisational governance boards are essential for these projects.

Training &amp; Community Involvement for Remote Housing Projects in Australia Northern Territory

Abstract—Construction of houses in remote communities faces a range of challenges, many of which would be reduced by the involvement of local community members during the construction. Remote housing demand is high and under-resourcing in existing houses impacts on the health of the occupants. This research investigates and evaluates ways to improve community engagement in remote housing projects. Builders with experience delivering remote housing projects were asked to provide insight relating to the potential training and involvement of community members during construction. It was found that builders have major challenges with work ethics, poor numeracy and literacy and language barrier in remote areas which hinder community engagement in remote projects. Some building techniques such as slab on ground and steel wall framing were found more effective for community engagement. Results also show that training of community members could be improved by setting benchmark goals to be achieved throughout a project. This means there is an opportunity for housing projects in remote communities to improve on essential training and employment through better involvement of local community members during construction, in turn this will lead to better maintenance and understanding of houses.

Requalification of pipelines for CO2 transport – giving new life to the Bayu-Undan and Reindeer pipelines

Australia has in the order of 3500 km of offshore pipelines currently operating in Commonwealth waters which will require either re-use or decommissioning at the end of hydrocarbon service. Santos are currently developing the Bayu-Undan and Reindeer CCS (carbon, capture and storage) Projects, to make use of the depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs to store carbon dioxide (CO2) via existing offshore infrastructure. A key aspect of these projects is the requalification of existing offshore hydrocarbon pipelines to transport CO2, both of which have been in operation for 10–20 years. The Bayu-Undan and Reindeer pipelines were designed and operated for (a) distinctly different hydrocarbon services and (b) with no initial consideration for future CO2 service. This presents two unique technical starting points in the delivery of safe and robust conversion to CO2 service. Using knowledge gained from this, the paper provides an outline of the key technical considerations to requalification of pipelines unique to the combination of life extension and CO2 service. These are framed in the context of existing industry codes and technical challenges with CO2 pipelines. The outcomes are structured against typical phases in the project lifecycle and opportunities for optimisation of future CO2 re-purposing projects are proposed.

Diversity, challenges, and opportunities of Fishery Improvement Projects in the Latin America and the Caribbean region

Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) have become a popular tool to drive sustainable management among fisheries. FIPs, guided by a private sector-led governance structure motivated by market-driven incentives, aim to reduce environmental impacts in fisheries, using the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fishery standard as a guide. The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region is a FIPs global hotspot. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of FIPs in the LAC region and highlights their potential and limitations in driving fisheries toward sustainability. We used information from the FisheryProgress website to analyze the main characteristics, and challenges concerning the MSC fishery standard, as well as actions, and outputs taken by FIPs. FIPs in this region are diverse, and face similar challenges related to defining stock status, establishing harvest strategies and control rules, and implementing fishery-specific management given limited fisheries information. Data collection and engagement through meetings to modify fishing practices and policies were the most employed actions to address these challenges. Although many FIPs are ongoing, improvements are evident as FIPs advance to later stages. Overall, FIPs are seen as a multi-stakeholder tool that encourages fisheries to enhance their environmental performance in pursuit of sustainability. However, more time is required to ascertain the true extent of their impact. This research offers insights into the main challenges and strategies when implementing FIPs in LAC. Our results should, be valuable for stakeholders looking to support sustainable fisheries management through FIPs where fisheries conditions are similar.

Gellan Gum as a Unique Microbial Polysaccharide: Its Characteristics, Synthesis, and Current Application Trends.

Gellan gum (GG) is a linear, negatively charged exopolysaccharide that is biodegradable and non-toxic. When metallic ions are present, a hard and transparent gel is produced, which remains stable at a low pH. It exhibits high water solubility, can be easily bio-fabricated, demonstrates excellent film/hydrogel formation, is biodegradable, and shows biocompatibility. These characteristics render GG a suitable option for use in food, biomedical, and cosmetic fields. Thus, this review paper offers a concise summary of microbial polysaccharides. Moreover, an in-depth investigation of trends in different facets of GG, such as biosynthesis, chemical composition, and physical and chemical properties, is emphasized. In addition, this paper highlights the process of extracting and purifying GG. Furthermore, an in-depth discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of GG concerning other polysaccharides is presented. Moreover, the utilization of GG across different industries, such as food, medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc., is thoroughly examined and will greatly benefit individuals involved in this field who are seeking fresh opportunities for innovative projects in the future.