La combinación óptima de las medidas disponibles de ajuste de emisiones de dióxido de carbono (C02) para compatibilizar los objetivos de producción con las exigencias medioambientales requiere planteamientos en la planificación de la producción industrial, con incorporación de nuevos parámetros y variables que permitan evaluar el impacto de las decisiones operativas sobre dichas emisiones, sujetas a las limitaciones del Protocolo de Kyoto. Tras realizar un análisis detallado del potencial de mejora de las alternativas disponibles para reducir las emisiones de C02 derivadas de la producción de cemento, abordamos en este trabajo las decisiones de optimización con un enfoque integrado, empleando un modelo de programación lineal que contempla conjuntamente las alternativas viables para reducir las emisiones y considerando tanto las derivadas de la aplicación de los mecanismos de flexibilidad del Protocolo de Kyoto como las destinadas a mejorar los productos y los procesos productivos. Su aplicación permitirá mejorar el proceso de toma de decisiones, al permitir considerar diferentes escenarios y obtener información relevante a través del análisis postoptimal. Se incluye, entre otras alternativas, la cantidad máxima a pagar por las instalaciones en el mercado de derechos para emitir una tonelada adicional de C02 o posibles cambios en el mix de producción para aumentar la rentabilidad, tanto relativos a tipo de productos como a cantidad a fabricar de los mismos.

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Mobile applications users consider it especially important to have quality certification, and particularly in an e-health context. However, if the app is certified, will user satisfaction be greater? This paper is intended to help answer that question. Therefore, with user satisfaction as a determinant of the quality of services, the purpose of the paper is to understand the extent to which certified and non-certified mHealth apps influence user experience. This was measured by online reviews and downloads. An empirical study was carried out with 50 mHealth apps (21 certified, 29 non-certified), which is a convenient sampling procedure. The Mahalanobis matching technique was used to test for significant differences between the groups. A comparative content analysis was performed on 6188 user comments and on app downloads. Non-parametric tests were preferred because the variables analyzed had a categorical structure. A log-linear model and advanced contingency tables were used to examine the more than two-way relationships of variables. The results show differences between the two samples (certified and non-certified mHealth apps). However, quality certification labels as a guarantee of the quality of apps do not have a modulating effect on the online reviews and downloads relationship. The model showed a statistically significant partial association between “certification” and “online user reviews” (Z = 2.174; sig = 0.042)] and between “download” and “online user reviews” (Z = 2.387; sig = 0.017).

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Purpose This study aims to properly and objectively assess the students’ study progress in bachelor programmes by applying statistical process control (SPC). Specifically, the authors focused their analysis on the variation in performance rates in business studies courses taught at a Spanish University. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was used, using an action-based case study developed in a public university. Previous research and theoretical issues related to quality indicators of the training programmes were discussed, followed by the application of SPC to assess these outputs. Findings The evaluation of the performance rate of the courses that comprised the training programs through the SPC revealed significant differences with respect to the evaluations obtained through traditional evaluation procedures. Similarly, the results show differences in the control parameters (central line and control interval), depending on the adopted approach (by programmes, by academic year and by department). Research limitations/implications This study has inherent limitations linked to both the methodology and selection of data sources. Practical implications The SPC approach provides a framework to properly and objectively assess the quality indicators involved in quality assurance processes in higher education. Originality/value This paper contributes to the discourse on the importance of a robust and effective assessment of quality indicators of the academic curriculum in the higher education context through the application of quality control tools such as SPC.