Open University of Catalonia

About: Open University of Catalonia is a education organization based out in Barcelona, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Collaborative learning & Educational technology. The organization has 1943 authors who have published 4646 publications receiving 64200 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya & UOC.

The impact of market orientation dimensions on client cooperation in the development of new service innovations

Abstract: Purpose – Culture makes firms unique and, depending on the implemented pattern of social and managerial culture, technology, and innovation, it can have an important influence on the personality and behaviour of the firm. Although a cultural model of market orientation encourages product innovation and fosters cooperative relationships with clients, few studies analyse this important relationship from a service perspective. This research seeks to investigate the relevance of market orientation for the firm's client cooperation relationships in developing radical innovations in the service sector.Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive investigation uses 433 Spanish service firms that introduced radical innovations in their product fields in the past two years. The paper conducted four discriminant analyses: one for the total sample of firms and three for the sub‐samples defined by the extent to which firms use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their activities.Findings – The four mo...

A secure e-exam management system

Abstract: Secure electronic exams are one of the most difficult challenges in e-learning security. The relevance of the examination process for any academic institution implies that different security mechanisms must be applied in order to preserve some security properties during different examination stages. In this paper, we present a secure e-exam management system where all exam related information is in digital format. We propose a cryptographic scheme that has to be executed in order to achieve the desired security levels at every exam stage.

Simheuristics applications: dealing with uncertainty in logistics, transportation, and other supply chain areas

Abstract: Optimization problems arising in real-life transportation and logistics need to consider uncertainty conditions (e.g., stochastic travel times, etc.). Simulation is employed in the analysis of complex systems under such non-deterministic environments. However, simulation is not an optimization tool, so it needs to be combined with optimization methods whenever the goal is to: (i) maximize the system performance using limited resources; or (ii) minimize its operations cost while guaranteeing a given quality of service. When the underlying optimization problem is NP-hard, metaheuristics are required to solve large-scale instances in reasonable computing times. Simheuristics extend metaheuristics by adding a simulation layer that allows the optimization component to deal with scenarios under uncertainty. This paper reviews both initial as well as recent applications of simheuristics, mainly in the area of logistics and transportation. The paper also discusses current trends and open research lines in this field.

A systematic review of mHealth interventions for the support of eating disorders.

Abstract: Objective To systematically review the existing evidence of mobile health (mHealth) tools for the treatment of eating disorders (ED). Method Electronic databases (Pubmed, PsycInfo, and SCOPUS) were searched, and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Selected studies were divided into three categories according to the intended purpose of the mHealth tools used: (a) sole means of support, (b) complementary to standard face-to-face treatment, and (c) for relapse prevention. Additionally, studies were assessed on efficacy, qualitative information, and methodological quality. Results Fifteen studies were identified. Most studies using mHealth as a sole means of intervention or adjunct to traditional therapy showed no effects, although an improvement at postassessment was present in vodcast, smartphone application, and text-messaging interventions. Between group effects were only found for a text-messaging intervention for relapse prevention. Qualitative analyses showed that most mHealth interventions were considered as acceptable, supporting, and motivating by patients and therapists, although different important problems were observed in individual studies. Conclusions Limited effects were found for mHealth interventions to reduce ED-related symptoms. A common evaluation framework for ED mHealth interventions should be proposed to assess the validity of interventions before implementing them on a larger scale in clinical practice.

A Matter of Taste: Local Explanations for the Consumption of Wild Food Plants in the Catalan Pyrenees and the Balearic Islands

Abstract: A Matter of Taste: Local Explanations for the Consumption of Wild Food Plants in the Catalan Pyrenees and the Balearic Islands. Previous research has documented different trends in the consumption of wild food plants but has rarely analyzed the motivations behind their continued (or lack of) consumption. In this article, we use empirical data to explore the factors driving the consumption of a selected set of wild food plants. We start by analyzing the different trends (i.e., abandonment, maintenance, and valorization) across 21 selected species with different food uses. We then explore the reported motivations that drive such trends using data collected among 354 respondents in three Catalan-speaking rural areas. The consumption of wild food plants is decreasing in the three study areas and across the categories of food use analyzed. Respondents listed sociocultural factors, rather than environmental or economic factors, as more prominent determinants of consumption trends; taste preferences seem to be the most relevant motivation for those who continue to consume wild food plants, whereas a myriad of motivations related to changes in lifestyle were provided by those who explain the abandonment of their consumption.