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In this study, we aim at evaluating the role of path-dependent and past-dependent forces in the historical trajectory of clusters. For that purpose, we study the life cycles of four of the main industrial clusters in the Basque Country (paper-making, electronics and information and communication technology, maritime industries and aeronautics) and analyse the factors that account for the origin, development, maturity and, if so, decline of those clusters, considering factors related to both cluster dynamics and the regional environment. Our analysis shows that the existence of a life cycle does not imply a straightforward growth path. Clusters follow multiple growth patterns in their development. The heterogeneity of growth patterns may be, in some cases, due to different initial conditions. However, despite similar initial conditions and/or resource endowments and opportunities for development, we can observe heterogeneous evolutionary patterns. Clusters react differently to the same external shocks (e.g. international demand, global competition and technological change) and evolve differently according to their capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this paper is to take a greater in-depth look at which factors might be considered to be key to the performance of investments made in advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT), given their supposed positive effects, and on the influence that the time these factors are taken into account during the adoption and implementation process can have on that relationship. It provides a specially devised empirical analysis in the aeronautical sector in the south of Spain. A survey of the 20 plants in the population was conducted via a postal questionnaire between July 1999 and April 2001, with a structured interview being held at a later date. The testing of hypotheses was performed by applying the t-test to independent samples. The results show that the only factor that has a clear and positive effect on performance is the training of personnel. It can also be seen that a lack of strategic planning contributes to dampening the effects of investments. These results may be of some help to management staff and public administrators in charge of promoting the process of technological innovation, by indicating actions that need to be taken in order to successfully adopt and implement AMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose With the rapid growth and increased consumption of biofuels worldwide, and the multitude of policy decisions supporting this expansion, growing concerns about the biofuels sustainability have arisen. Therefore, the European project “ITAKA”, aiming at supporting the development of aviation biofuels in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner, has devoted considerable effort to take sustainability into account, in a quantitative and qualitative manner. This paper aims to calculate a robust assessment of a life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) for the entire ITAKA value chain.Design/methodology/approach The calculation for the produced bio jet fuel has been set up using the roundtable on sustainable biomaterials (RSB) European Union (EU) renewable energy directive (RED) methodology, through the online RSB tool. This pathway includes feedstock production, feedstock processing, biofuel production, biofuel distillation and all transport steps involved.Findings A significant reduction in GHG emissions has been demonstrated, up to 66 per cent emission reduction if one considers a mature pathway for the entire ITAKA biofuel chain.Practical implications The camelina oil produced can be sustainable according to RSB and RSB EU RED schemes if the practices defined in the project are applied.Originality/value Application of different frameworks (actual vs theoretical) to the ITAKA value chain has aimed at testing and demonstrating the commercial application of the sustainability standards in Europe and the readiness of biofuels in Europe as a major means to decrease GHG emissions in aviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to present a methodology to evaluate the status of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system in terms of the relationship between the offered capacity and the traffic demand, identifying weakness areas and proposing solutions. The first part of the methodology relates to the characterization and evaluation of the current system, while the second part analyzes the system development limit. The following general criteria are established to define the methodological framework: use of Air Traffic Control (ATC) sectors as analysis unit, consideration of network effects, tactical focus, relative character of the analysis, objectivity and a high level assessment for assumptions on the human and Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) elements. The steps followed start with definition of indicators and metrics, like the nominal criticality or the nominal efficiency of a sector; scenario characterization; network effects analysis to study the relations among the constitutive elements of the ATC system; diagnostic by means of a "System Status Diagram"; analytical study of the ATC system development limit; and finally, formulation of conclusions and proposal for improvement. This methodology was employed by the Spanish Air Navigation Service Provider in the frame of the Spanish Airspace Capacity Sustainability Program, although it could be applied elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the situation of the Spanish aeronautical industry in the early 1960s, the problems suffered during the first ESRO years, the situation in 1975 as a result of the first National Space Programme (1968–1974) and the specific developments carried out within that programme: the first Spanish satellite successfully launched in 1974 (INTASAT) and the first INTA sounding rockets launched from the own Arenosillo range. This justifies the importance of that Programme for the Spanish aeronautical industry, a programme that permitted its transition to the aerospace field. In parallel, agreements with NASA led to the installation of large space ground stations in Spain operated by INTA personnel, to support major NASA space missions, and to the operation of a very active rockets range. These actions allowed Spain to have one of the largest space sectors in Europe, in those years. This paper''s purpose is to find out the main reasons behind this effort. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper analyzes the concept of militarization in both senses of the word, that of mobilization for war and that of social control exercised by military forces. During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), the role and nature of meteorology was transformed by the rebel band on the basis of the mythification of a Service model that was supported by victory and that would be projected as a paradigm for the postwar years. The new Servicio Meteorológico Nacional reflected the social control exerted by the Franco regime and its aeronautical and military interests. The “amphibianism” – or quality of being both civil and military simultaneously – is one of the main features of this transformation. Interestingly, this dual (civil and military) condition of meteorologist appears to be intrinsic to the construction of a new “sphere of practices and knowledge” in Francoist Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper describes adjustments within the Madrid aeronautics cluster, which are driven by changes in the sourcing strategy of Airbus. Knowledge capabilities gain importance for the relations and importance of single organisations. Based on a detailed analysis of single organisations in the cluster, implications for the network structures and innovation processes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the situation of women in the resarch activity within the aerospace sector. In particular, it takes into account their role in the main Spanish establishment for aeronautics and space research, The National Institute of Aeroespace Technique (INTA). From data obtained from a previous bibliometric study done at INTA for the period 1990-2005, a genre perspective analysis has been conducted. These data were collected from their publications in the Web Of Knowledge. Their scientific activity is evaluated through two indicators, productivity and authorship, temathic areas of specific interest for women, etc. With the data obtained, the increasing presence of women is shown, not only in engineering or other disciplines related with it, but also in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In line with the theoretical premises of the research, the aim of this paper is two-fold: firstly, to determine whether there are different patterns of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) investment behavior in the Andalusian aeronautical industry that can be associated with different technology strategies, as in other sectors and geographical areas and, secondly, to identify possible similarities or differences from previous research, such as Boyer et al. [J. Operations Manage. 14 (4) (1996) 297–313] and Jonsson [Int. J. Operations Production Manage. 20 (12) (2000) 1446–1474]. A survey of the 20 plants in the population was conducted via postal questionnaire between July 1999 and April 2001, with a structured interview being held at a later date. A cluster analysis was performed which allowed a taxonomy with three groups of plants to be established: traditionalists, designers and investors. These three groups differ from each other with regard to their AMT investments, industrial activity, size and degree of integration. Differences between the groups in company performance cannot be appreciated. Although the results apparently seem to back up most of the findings of previous works biased to larger companies, they do bring certain aspects into question regarding the explanation for the way the groups are formed. The three critical factors which determine AMT investment in the sector are the company’s being of a certain minimum size, undergoing a period of expansion, and type of activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes methods used to calculate directivity indexes and sound power levels during taxying based on field measurements made in Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain. It focuses on the basic concept of integrated noise model (INM). It is the widely used software for calculating noise levels near airports. It does not take into account aircraft taxying, which, in some cases, can be important for accurately evaluating an airport's noise assessment.

The article focuses on the basic concept of integrated noise model (INM). It is the widely used software for calculating noise levels near airports. It does not take into account aircraft taxying, which, in some cases, can be important for accurately evaluating an airport's noise assessment. This context describes methods used to calculate directivity indexes and sound power levels during taxying based on field measurements made in Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain.