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BackgroundEdible microalgae are marine or fresh water mesophilic species. Although the harvesting of microalgae offers an abundance of opportunities to the food and pharmaceutical industries, the possibility to use extremophilic microalgae as a food source for animals is not well-documented.ObjectiveWe studied the effects of dietary supplementation of a powdered form of the acidophilic microalga Coccomyxa onubensis on growth and health parameters of laboratory rats.MethodFour randomly organized groups of rats (n=6) were fed a standard diet (Diet 1, control) or with a diet in which 0.4% (Diet 2), 1.25% (Diet 3), or 6.25% (Diet 4) (w/w) of the standard diet weight was substituted with dried microalgae powder, respectively. The four groups of animals were provided ad libitum access to feed for 45 days.ResultsC. onubensis biomass is rich in protein (44.60% of dry weight) and dietary fiber (15.73%), and has a moderate carbohydrate content (24.8%) and a low lipid content (5.4%) in which polyunsaturated fatty acids represent 65% of the total fatty acid. Nucleic acids are present at 4.8%. No significant difference was found in growth rates or feed efficiency ratios of the four groups of rats. Histological studies of liver and kidney tissue revealed healthy organs in control and C. onubensis-fed animals, while plasma hematological and biochemical parameters were within healthy ranges for all animals. Furthermore, animals fed a microalgae-enriched diet exhibited a statistically significant decrease in both blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The blood triglyceride content and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased by about 50% in rats fed Diet 4.ConclusionsThese data suggest that C. onubensis may be useful as a food supplement for laboratory animals and may also serve as a nutraceutical in functional foods. In addition, microalgae powder-supplemented diets exerted a significant hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic effect in animals.

The digital transformation puts to the test the sustainability of traditional business models. The aim of this research work is to formulate a framework that explains resources, capabilities and management choices necessary to respond to the new environment. The proposal is based on literature review of both theoretical and empirical research. The framework abstracts complexity to isolate a few key variables. Its specification is based on system dynamics since it naturally models forces of change in a complex system so that their influences can be better understood.La transformación digital pone a prueba la sustentabilidad de los modelos de negocio tradicionales. El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es formular un marco de referencia que explique los recursos, capacidades y decisiones gerenciales necesarias para responder al nuevo ambiente. La propuesta se basa en una revisión literaria de investigaciones tanto teóricas como empíricas. El marco de referencia abstrae la complejidad para aislar unas pocas variables clave. Su especificación se basa en dinámica de sistemas dada que naturalmente modela fuerzas de cambio en un sistema complejo de modo que sus influencias pueden entenderse mejor.A transformação digital testa a sustentabilidade dos modelos de negócios tradicionais. O objetivo desta pesquisa é desenvolver um modelo para explicar os recursos, capacidades e decisões de gestão necessárias para responder ao novo ambiente. A proposta é baseada em uma revisão da literatura tanto da pesquisa teórica e empírica. O modelo abstrai a complexidade para isolar algumas variáveis-chave. Sua especificação é baseada en dinâmica de sistemas dado que naturalmente modela as forças de mudança em um sistema complexo de modo que sua influência pode ser melhor compreendida.

The world is changing profoundly and it has gone from the industrial age to the era of intelligent and connected products with consequences both in organizations and society. The aim of this research work is to formulate a framework that explains resources, capabilities and management choices necessary to respond to the new environment. The scope is on small and medium sized established companies. The research methodology is based on literature review and an in-depth case study based on three enterprises. The framework describes (a) external forces in the context of emergent technologies; (b) adequate strategies arising from a value chain analysis; (c) resources and capabilities of critical importance. The framework contributes to the comprehension of how small and medium size companies respond to the digital transformation process.Keywords: Digital transformation; digital strategy; The Five Competitive Forces Model; Value Chain Analysis; Dynamic capabilities; Ecosystem theory. Preparação organizacional para a transformação digital: uma pesquisa de estudo de caso ResumoO mundo está mudando profundamente e passou da era industrial para uma era de produtos conectados e inteligentes, o que causa impactos nas organizações e na sociedade. O objetivo deste trabalho de pesquisa é formular uma estrutura que explique recursos, capacidades e escolhas de gerenciamento necessárias para responder ao novo ambiente. São consideradas organizações estabelecidas e de pequeno ou médio porte. A metodologia da pesquisa baseia-se na revisão da literatura e em um estudo de caso detalhado com base em três empresas. O framework descreve (a) forças externas no contexto das tecnologias emergentes; (b) estratégias adequadas decorrentes de uma análise de cadeia de valor; (c) recursos e capacidades relevantes na era digital. A framework contribui para a compreensão de como as pequenas e médias empresas respondem ao processo de transformação digital. Palavras-chaves: ResumenEl mundo está cambiando profundamente y ha transitado de la edad industrial a una era de productos conectados e inteligentes y las consecuencias impactan en las organizaciones y la sociedad. El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es formular un marco conceptual para entender los recursos, capacidades y decisiones gerenciales necesarias para responder al nuevo ambiente. Se consideran organizaciones establecidas y de tamaño pequeño o medio. La metodología de la investigación está basada en una revisión de la literatura y un estudio de casos en profundidad basado en tres empresas. El marco describe (a) las fuerzas externas en el contexto de las tecnologías emergentes; (b) estrategias adecuadas que surgen del análisis de la cadena de valor; (c) recursos y capacidades relevantes en la era digital. El marco contribuye a la comprensión de cómo pequeñas y medianas empresas responden al proceso de transformación digital.