Abstract
In ecological economics the debate on formalism and formalization has been addressed in the context of a lively discussion on ecological economics as a 'post-normal' (versus 'normal') science. Using ecological economics (EE) as a 'seed' journal and applying bibliometric techniques to all (2533) the articles published in EE from January 1989 to December 2009, we analyze the evolution of the field of ecological economics aiming to shed light on this debate. We observe the predominance (and increased relevance) of certain research topics: 'Methodological issues', 'Policies, governance and institutions' and 'Valuation'. Moreover, 'Collective action', 'Technical change and the environment' and 'Values' stand as emergent themes of research. Finally, we note that ecological economics experienced an 'empirical turn' reflected in a shift away from exclusively formalized papers towards exclusively empirical and, to a larger extent, 'formal and empirical' ones. The combination of the prominent and emergent topics and the 'empirical turn' mirrors the increasing awareness among researchers in the field of the need to address a key specificity of ecological economics - the interdependence of the economic, biophysical and social spheres. On this basis, we argue that at least through the lens of EE, ecological economics has evolved towards a post-normal science.

Abstract
Neo-Schumpeterian streams of research emphasize the close relationship between changes in economic structure in favor of high-skill and high-tech branches and rapid economic growth. They identify the emergence of a new technological paradigm in the 1970s, strongly based on the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs), arguing that in such periods of transition and emergence of new techno-economic paradigms, the intermediate development countries and the countries which are not at the technological frontier have higher opportunities to catch-up. Although this debate is theoretically well documented, the empirics seem to lag behind the theory. In this article, we contribute to this literature by adding enlightening evidence on the issue. More precisely, we relate the growth experiences of countries which had relatively similar economic structures in the late 1970s, with changes occurring in these countries' structures between 1979 and 2003. The results reveal a robust relationship between structure and (labor) productivity growth, and lend support to the view that producing (though not user) ICT-related industries are strategic branches of economic activity.

Abstract
Despite the vitality and dynamism that the field of entrepreneurship has experienced in the last decade, the issue of whether it comprises an effective network of (in)formal communication linkages among the most influential scholars within the area has yet to be examined in depth. This study follows a formal selection procedure to delimit the 'relational environment' of the field of entrepreneurship and to analyze the existence and characterization of (in)visible college(s) based on a theoretically well-grounded framework, thus offering a comprehensive and up-to-date empirical analysis of entrepreneurship research. Based on more than a 1,000 papers published between 2005 and 2010 in seven core entrepreneurship journals and the corresponding (85,000) citations, we found that entrepreneurship is an (increasingly) autonomous, legitimate and cohesive (in)visible college, fine tuned through the increasing visibility of certain subject specialties (e.g., family business, innovation, technology and policy). Moreover, the rather dense formal links that characterize the entrepreneurship (in)visible college are accompanied by a reasonably solid network of informal relations maintained and sustained by the mobility of 'stars' and highly influential scholars. The limited internationalization of the entrepreneurship community, reflected in the almost total absence of non-English-speaking authors/studies/outlets, stands as a major quest for the field.

Abstract
Traditionally, studies on the influence and impact of knowledge-producing organisations have been addressed by means of strict economic analysis, stressing their economic impact to a local, regional or national extent. In the present study an alternative methodology is put forward in order to evaluate the international scientific impact and influence of a knowledge-producing and -diffusing institution. We introduce a new methodology, based on scientometric and bibliometric tools which complement traditional assessments by considering the influence of a R&D institution when looking at the scientific production undertaken and the recognition of its releVance by its international peer community. Focusing on the most prolific scientific areas of the R&D institution (INESC Porto), and resorting to published scientific work recorded in the Science Citation Index (SCI) we show that the R&D institution has enlarged its international scientific network. The logit estimations demonstrate that the wide geographical influence of INESC Porto scientific research is a result not of its international positioning in terms of coauthorships, but rather a result of the quality of its scientific output. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2011.

Abstract
The motivation to perform this particular research comes from a need which we feel exists for further research in this area. It is necessary to answer a set of questions both empirical (observed over the years in the area of health and safety) and theoretical (following an analysis of the international literature) relative to the dimension of the problem of musculoskeletal injuries resulting from the exercise of the nursing profession in a hospital context. Research questions addressed include: 1) Are there complaints associated to the performing of nursing tasks? 2) How serious in terms of absolute numbers are musculoskeletal injuries? 3) What sort of influence does the environment (namely buildings) play, as well as technology / equipment, and work organization? Furthermore, 4) What should be present in the workplace but is not? After analyzing survey (of 168 active nurses in Portuguese hospitals) and interview data and having observed nurses at work, accompanying them in their day-to-day tasks, there is a global tendency to consider that, over the last twelve months of work, in a hospital context, nursing professionals have felt pain or musculoskeletal discomfort in a part of their bodies. Research results point also to more training and more adequate working spaces being needed in order to decrease musculoskeletal injuries amongst nurses. Furthermore, the more widespread usage of technological means which are lacking in some hospitals (such as beds with adjustable height, trapeze-type supporting bars attached above beds, patient transferring lifts and transferring belts) or in bad condition (such as wheels on beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers, which makes moving patients difficult) could also reveal itself to be an important aid, presenting itself as a solution to the problem discussed herein, on the one hand due to the number of injuries on the other due to the need for more professionals.

Abstract