Abstract Purpose Studies about product customization decision are especially relevant for organizations that decide opening a subsidiary overseas. This scenario requires the company to decide which products should be customized and which products should be standardized when selling products in international markets. The main purpose of this paper is to identify which factors influence the decisions on the customization of industrial products and consumer products to a particular country in the marketing function of a global company. Design/methodology/approach To do so, a literature review was conducted addressing the following topics: internationalization, international marketing and product customization factors. With regard to methodological aspects, an initial qualitative phase was conducted with four exploratory case studies. In the quantitative phase, an online survey was developed, obtaining 123 records of an intentional non-probabilistic sample. Findings As a result, six factors were deemed essential to the product customization decision: customers’ characteristics, sustainable return on investment, sustainable profit, legal requirements, sales of other products in the portfolio and weather differences. Originality/value The authors expect that the results of this research contribute academically for the management knowledge about the meanings that product customization can assume in internationalized companies, and, additionally, in a business way, the authors expect that they help companies make strategic decisions on the appropriate measure to take regarding product customization in international markets, whether industrial products or consumer products. With these findings, the authors expect to make a valid contribution about product customization decision and suggesting future studies from other perspectives.

La geocronología U-Pb en zircones detríticos se realizó en dos secuencias de turbiditas terciarias del noreste de Venezuela, para contribuir a la comprensión de la historia geológica cenozoica del norte de la placa Suramericana. Los resultados de las edades de los zircones detríticos de la Formación Caratas del Eoceno, muestran un rango entre el Arqueano Tardío al Mesoproterozoico, lo que sugiere una fuente proveniente del sur del Escudo de Guayana. Las turbiditas de la Formación Los Arroyos del Mioceno Medio muestran edades desde el Paleoproterozoico al Silúrico, que resultan similares y en forma altamente significativa con una unidad cretácica de margen pasivo. El Escudo de Guayana ha sido interpretado como la fuente de detritos siliciclásticos dentro de las unidades de margen pasivo del Cretáceo y Terciario en Venezuela nororiental. Estas ideas de autores previos son compatibles con nuestros resultados que confirman los modelos anteriores que las formaciones Caratas y Los Arroyos se depositaron en cuencas marinas intracontinentales sin influencia de rocas del ámbito Caribeño.

LA-MC-ICPMS U-Pb geochronology in detrital zircons was performed in two Tertiary turbidite sequences from Northeastern Venezuela to contribute to the understanding of the Cenozoic history of the northern South America plate. The age results of detrital zircons from the Eocene Caratas Formation show a range of Late Archean to Middle Proterozoic ages, suggesting a unique source from a drainage coming from the southern Guayana Shield. The Middle-Miocene turbidite of Los Arroyos Formation displays a detrital zircon age signature from Paleoproterozoic to Silurian which is significantly similar to an Early Cretaceous passive margin unit. The Guayana Shield has long been interpreted as the source of siliciclastic detritus within the Cretaceous passive margin and Tertiary strata of northern Venezuela; these ideas are compatible with our results that confirm previous models of Caratas and Los Arroyos formations as deposited in marine intracontinental basins with no influence of rock units from the Caribbean realm.

Há crescentes pressões para que sejam adotados hábitos sustentáveis pela sociedade, o que impacta diversos mercados, incluindo os de energia. Combustíveis fósseis são fontes finitas, não renováveis e responsáveis por emissões consideráveis de CO2 na atmosfera. Nesse contexto, o etanol é apontado com umas das alternativas mais viáveis de fornecimento de energia limpa e renovável. O Brasil possui liderança tecnológica no setor devido ao lançamento do Proálcool na década de 1970. Nos anos 2000, o País despontou novamente na produção do biocombustível, passando a enfrentar concorrência maior de players norte-americanos e da União Europeia. Para o futuro, podem ser apontadas diversas incertezas que o setor enfrentará, sendo a prospecção baseada em cenários uma forma de modelar tais incertezas e auxiliar o desenvolvimento de estratégias robustas para as empresas que pretendem investir no setor. O objetivo neste trabalho foi desenvolver quatro cenários para o comércio internacional de etanol em 2020 e discutir as implicações para as estratégias empresariais. Para tanto, foi utilizado o método de elaboração de cenários em uma abordagem exploratória e qualitativa. Os cenários apresentados no estudo podem ser utilizados por empresas e diferentes stakeholders para testar opções estratégicas e de investimentos no setor de etanol.

There are growing pressures for more sustainable habits that should be adopted by society, impacting many markets, including the energy one. Fossil fuels are finite and non-renewable sources and are responsible for considerable emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere. In this context, ethanol has been appointed as one of the most viable alternative supply of clean and renewable energy. Brazil has technological leadership in the industry due to the release of Proálcool in the 1970's. In the 2000's, the country was once again in the head of the production of the biofuel, and is facing increased competition from players like the U.S. and the European Union. For the future, a number of uncertainties that the industry will face can be identified, and prospective scenarios being a way to model such uncertainties and assist the development of robust strategies for companies wishing to invest in the sector. The objective of this paper was to develop four scenarios for the international trade of ethanol in 2020 and discuss the implications for business strategies. To this end, we used the method of scenarios development in an exploratory and qualitative approach. The scenarios presented in this study can be used by companies and stakeholders to test different strategic choices and investments in the ethanol industry.

Hay crecientes presiones para que sean adoptados hábitos sustentables por la sociedad, lo que impacta diversos mercados, incluyendo los de energía. Los combustibles fósiles son fuentes finitas, no renovables y responsables por emisiones considerables de CO2 en la atmósfera. En ese contexto, el etanol es señalado como una de las alternativas más viables de provisión de energía limpia y renovable. El Brasil posee liderazgo tecnológico en el sector debido al lanzamiento del Proálcool en la década de 1970. En los años 2000, el país despuntó nuevamente en la producción del biocombustible, pasando a enfrentar competencia mayor de players norteamericanos y de la Unión Europea. Para el futuro, pueden ser señaladas diversas incertezas que el sector enfrentará, siendo la prospección basada en escenarios una forma de modelar tales incertezas y auxiliar al desarrollo de estrategias robustas para las empresas que pretenden invertir en el sector. El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar cuatro escenarios para el comercio internacional de etanol en 2020 y discutir las implicaciones para las estrategias empresarias. Para esto, fue utilizado el método de elaboración de escenarios en un abordaje exploratorio y cualitativo. Los escenarios presentados en el estudio pueden ser utilizados por empresas y diferentes stakeholders para testear opciones estratégicas y de inversiones en el sector de etanol.

A produção brasileira de leite tem crescido constantemente e o País tornou-se autossuficiente na produção. Dado esse contexto, no presente artigo tem-se por objetivo desenvolver cenários potenciais para a cadeia produtiva do leite no Brasil. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica e aplicada uma metodologia de escrita de cenários, incluindo a aplicação do método Delphi e projeções quantitativas. A matriz dos cenários foi criada com dados quantitativos e qualitativos, resultando em quatro cenários: dois cenários exploratórios, um cenário mais provável e um cenário desejado. Foram formuladas potenciais alternativas futuras, a fim de melhorar a qualidade das decisões estratégicas feitas por diferentes agentes.

Brazilian milk production has grown steadily and in 2004 the country became self-sufficient in dairy production. This article develops possible scenarios for the milk production chain in Brazil for the year 2020 in order to contribute to decisions that must be made by stakeholders. A literature review on foresight and the use of scenarios was conducted, and a scenario writing approach based on Wright and Spers (2006) was adopted, which includes the use of the Delphi method, Michael Porter's Five Competitive Forces model, Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) (WRIGHT, 1991) and quantitative projections. This methodology provided four scenarios, with quantitative and qualitative elements: two exploratory scenarios ("milk, the new agribusiness star" and "a wasted future"), a most probable scenario ("continuous but uneven growth") and a desired scenario ("competitive family agriculture"). Overall, it is possible to note many market opportunities, as well as niche markets and the strengthening of cooperatives. Future prospects are also favorable to the dairy industry in general, but nearly all scenarios point to a concentration in the industrial sphere.

La producción de leche en Brasil ha crecido de manera constante y, desde 2004, el país es autosuficiente en su producción. En este artículo se desarrollan escenarios posibles para la cadena de producción de leche en Brasil. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura y se aplicó una metodología de construcción de escenarios. Asimismo, se utilizó el método Delphi y se realizaron estimaciones cuantitativas. Esta metodología proporcionó cuatro escenarios, con base en datos cuantitativos y cualitativos: dos escenarios exploratorios, un escenario más probable y un escenario deseado. Se desarrollaron potenciales alternativas futuras, con el fin de mejorar la calidad de las decisiones estratégicas de los distintos actores.

BACKGROUND: People with no previous cardiovascular events or cardiovascular disease represent a primary prevention population. The benefits and harms of treating mild hypertension in primary prevention patients are not known at present. This review examines the existing randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence. OBJECTIVE: Primary objective: To quantify the effects of antihypertensive drug therapy on mortality and morbidity in adults with mild hypertension (systolic blood pressure (BP) 140-159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 90-99 mmHg) and without cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Search: We searched CENTRAL (2011, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1948 to May 2011), EMBASE (1980 to May 2011) and reference lists of articles. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) were searched for previous reviews and meta-analyses of anti-hypertensive drug treatment compared to placebo or no treatment trials up until the end of 2011. Selection criteria: RCTs of at least 1 year duration. Data collection and analysis: The outcomes assessed were mortality, stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), total cardiovascular events (CVS), and withdrawals due to adverse effects. MAIN RESULTS: Of 11 RCTs identified 4 were included in this review, with 8,912 participants. Treatment for 4 to 5 years with antihypertensive drugs as compared to placebo did not reduce total mortality (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63, 1.15). In 7,080 participants treatment with antihypertensive drugs as compared to placebo did not reduce coronary heart disease (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.80, 1.57), stroke (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.24, 1.08), or total cardiovascular events (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.72, 1.32). Withdrawals due to adverse effects were increased by drug therapy (RR 4.80, 95% CI 4.14, 5.57), ARR 9%. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive drugs used in the treatment of adults (primary prevention) with mild hypertension (systolic BP 140-159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 90-99 mmHg) have not been shown to reduce mortality or morbidity in RCTs. Treatment caused 9% of patients to discontinue treatment due to adverse effects. More RCTs are needed in this prevalent population to know whether the benefits of treatment exceed the harms.

El macizo de El Baúl (estado Cojedes, Venezuela) ha sido muy estudiado desde 1858 hasta el presente, especialmente como un objetivo importante de investigaciones por parte de empresas petroleras, ya que como un elemento de alto estructural, ha jugado un papel relevante en la evolución de las cuencas sedimentarias Barinas-Apure y del Oriente de Venezuela. Adicionalmente, las rocas ígneas y metamórficas han recibido atención para entender la evolución y relaciones de campo entre los cuerpos graníticos y su roca caja. Previamente el Granito de Mogote era considerado Pérmico, basado en una edad de 287 ± 10 Ma Rb/Sr y una de 270 ± 10 Ma K/Ar, y las rocas volcánicas de Guacamayas eran consideradas como Jurásico Temprano igualmente por dos edades K/Ar (192 ± 3,8 Ma y 195 ± 3,9 Ma). Debido a la poca confiabilidad atribuida actualmente a estas edades obtenidas décadas atrás en las rocas graníticas y volcánicas, se realizó un trabajo donde se obtuvieron cinco nuevas edades U-Pb en circón con el método SHRIMP-RG. Las nuevas edades son: Riolita de El Corcovado: 286,4 ± 2,8 Ma y Riolita de La Segoviera: 283,3 ± 2.5 Ma, es decir Pérmico Temprano, ambas de la Super-Asociación Guacamayas. Para la Asociación Granítica El Baúl se obtuvieron edades para el Granito de Piñero (289,0 ± 2,9 Ma) y el Granito de Mata Oscura (294,1 ± 3,1 Ma), resultando ambas del Pérmico Temprano, mientras que sorpresivamente, el Granito de Mogote (493,8 ± 5,2 Ma), resultó del Cámbrico Tardío. Estas nuevas edades permiten interpretar que el macizo de El Baúl forma parte de un cinturón Paleozoico de rocas ígneas y metamórficas, con características mas afines a la geología conocida de la Cordillera de los Andes de Mérida y la Costa, que al escudo de Guayana. Además no parece comportarse como un “Arco” que va desde el cratón de Guayana hasta la península de Paraguaná, como se interpretó previamente.

El Baúl massif (Cojedes State, Venezuela) has been studied since 1858, especially as an important target for oil companies since it is a structural high that has played an important role in the evolution of the oil bearing Barinas-Apure and Eastern Venezuela sedimentary basins. In addition, igneous and metamorphic rocks have received attention to understand the evolution and relationships of the granitic bodies and their enveloping rock. Prior to this study the Mogote Granite was considered Permian, based on two ages of 287 ± 10 Ma Rb/Sr and 270 ± 10 Ma K/Ar, while the Guacamayas volcanics, were considered Early Jurassic, also for two K/Ar ages (192 ± 3.8 Ma and 195 ± 3.9 Ma). Due to the currently known unreliability of these ages obtained decades ago, new work was done where five new U-Pb zircon ages, in the granitic and volcanic rocks were obtained with the SHRIMP-RG method. The new ages are: El Corcovado Rhyolite, 286.4 ± 2.8 Ma and La Segoviera Rhyolite, 283.3 ± 2.5 Ma (Early Permian), both of the Guacamayas Super Suite. For El Baúl Granitic Suite were obtained ages for: Piñero Granite (289.0 ± 2.9 Ma) and Mata Oscura Granite (294.1 ± 3.1 Ma), both Early Permian, whereas the Mogote Granite (493.8 ± 5.2 Ma) is Late Cambrian. These new ages show that the El Baúl massif forms part of an igneous and metamorphic Paleozoic belt, with features more similar to the known geology of the Merida Andes and the Coastal mountains than to the Guyana Shield as previously postulated. Besides it does not appear to behave as an “Arch “spreading from the Guyana Shield up to the Paraguaná peninsula, as previously thought.

ESTE TRABALHO apresenta os objetivos, a metodologia e os resultados iniciais de um esforço de pensar cenários para o Brasil em 2022, e demonstra a importância e a viabilidade do uso de cenários para planejar os rumos do país. São apresentados os cenários globais e institucionais elaborados por uma equipe do IEA no Projeto "Brasil 3 Tempos", coordenado pelo Núcleo de Assuntos Estratégicos da Presidência da República. Os resultados demonstram que é possível integrar de maneira produtiva as opiniões de um grupo de mais de duzentos especialistas, criando de maneira estruturada um conjunto de cenários consistentes e plausíveis sobre o futuro. Visões estruturadas do futuro são fundamentais para definirmos as ações estratégicas de longo prazo indispensáveis para alcançarmos um cenário futuro desejado, diante das múltiplas oportunidades e desafios de um mundo em transformação.

THIS ARTICLE presents the objectives, methodology and initial findings of a scenario generating effort for the year 2022 for Brazil, and demonstrates the importance and feasibility of using scenarios to plan the country's future. We present Global and Institutional scenarios created by a IEA-USP team within the "Brasil 3 Tempos" project, coordinated by the Strategic Issues Nucleus of the Presidency of the Republic. The results show that it was possible to integrate in a productive manner the views of over 200 experts, creating consistent and plausible future scenarios. Structured visions of the future are fundamental to determining long term strategic actions required to reach desired future states, in the context of the myriad transformations and opportunities in a changing world scene.

RESUMO As empresas que produzem plásticos enfrentam o enorme desafio de como assegurar a sustentabilidade de um setor cujos produtos, uma vez descartados, levam mais de 300 anos para a degradação. No Brasil, o consumo per capita de plásticos passará de aproximadamente 20 kg/ano para cerca de 35 kg/ano em 2010, totalizando 6,5 milhões de toneladas/ano. Diante desse contexto, e da necessidade de o setor estabelecer as bases para um crescimento ambientalmente sustentável, os autores propõem um programa de ação para incrementar a reciclagem de plásticos no País. Foi utilizada uma metodologia de Estruturação para Mudança, com aplicação das técnicas Análise e Estruturação de Modelos e Delphi para a definição de estratégias e ações para o setor, a partir de uma visão integrada do problema.

ABSTRACT The firms that constitute the plastics production sector are confronting a huge challenge to guarantee the sustainability of an industry whose products, once used, take more than 300 years to decompose. In Brazil, the per capita consumption of plastics will evolve from 20kg/year to about 35kg/year in 2010, totalizing 6,5 millions of tons per year. In this context and in face of the sector’s need to establish the basis for environmentally sustainable growth, the authors proposed a program of action to increase the plastic recycling in the country. This article shows how a Structuring for Change methodology was used, with the application of the Interpretive Structural Modeling Technique and the Delphi Technique to define action strategies for the sector, from an integrated vision of the problem.