Browsing by Author "Braga, Vítor"
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- Cooperation Networks and Embeddedness—The Case of the Portuguese Footwear SectorPublication . Rocha, Rúben; Galvão, Anderson Rei; Marques, Carla Susana; Mascarenhas, Carla; Braga, VítorThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of embeddedness and cooperation networks in the business internationalization process. To achieve the abovementioned purpose, a qualitative methodology was carefully chosen, through which semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten entrepreneurs of the footwear sector in Portugal, as well as with a head of the national footwear business association. In order to process the data obtained by conducting the interviews, content analysis and data coding through the NVivo software were performed. The results suggest that internationalization is essential for companies in the Portuguese footwear sector. In addition to internationalization helping companies to increase their turnover, it allows companies to grow in a more sustainable way. On the other hand, research also allows us to deduce that networks play an important role in the development of the organizations in question, as they facilitate access to various resources indispensable to this growth. Concerning embeddedness, this aspect presents itself as a facet to which special attention should be paid, considering the pre-eminence that respondents attribute to all variables that help to structure this dimension. The conclusions of this study have theoretical and practical implications, which provide empirical evidence of how the internationalization process can influence the activity of Portuguese companies in the footwear sector. In addition, the results contribute to the evolution of existing knowledge about how embeddedness and cooperation networks facilitate the internationalization process
- Diving into Social Innovation: A Bibliometric AnalysisPublication . Martins, Tânia; Braga, Alexandra; Ferreira, Marisa R.; Braga, VítorThis paper aims to map and analyze the scientific production of social innovation, resulting in a contribution to the literature review and guidelines for future research. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore the trends on the topic. The primary objectives are (1) to identify how the literature defines the concept of social innovation and to track its evolution; (2) to measure productivity and identify key authors and scientific journals with the highest impact in the field and the association networks between their respective institutions and countries of origin; (3) to analyze and map citations, co-citations, and research topics to pinpoint the topics and dimensions related to social innovation in order to propose future research. Our paper clarifies the concept of social innovation, reports the progresses achieved within this research field, and measures the productivity on this specific topic.
- Do firms internationalize because they are profitable or are firms profitable because they internationalize? Assessing the causality between internationalization and profitability in new venturesPublication . Mendes, Telma; González-Loureiro, Miguel; Braga, Vítor; Silva, CarinaInternational business (IB) theories, including the Uppsala model and the International Entrepreneurship (IE) perspective, have provided explanations linking the level of the firm’s international commitment to organizational performance and found a non-linear relationship. However, causality in that relationship is still a veiled story. The aim of this study is to explore how the organizational age at the time of the first international market entry can change the direction of causality in the binomial internationalization-profitability. We add arguments based upon on the earliness of internationalization (how soon after inception a venture becomes an international player) to suggest a more complex relationship in which financial performance provides feedback on the implementation of internationalization strategies in the form of resources, particularly in firms that start internationalizing at a later stage. This feedback generates both the knowledge and the slack resources needed to support an adaptative feedback during the post-internationalization process. Using the most up-to-date technique in structural equation modeling for testing causality, we performed a multigroup analysis investigating the long-term rather than shortterm causal associations between international commitment and profitability in a longitudinal data set of 1,258 new ventures over five years of post-internationalization. Our findings showed that past profits positively contribute to future internationalization attempts in late internationals, but neither that causality nor the reverse were proven for early internationalizing firms. This cross-lagged evidence, therefore, supports the need to extend IB theories by considering financial performance as an antecedent and not just an outcome of the degree of internationalization.
- Do it or not? Explaining the complexity of decision-making processes for Industry 4.0 adoption in international SMEsPublication . Mendes, Telma; González-Loureiro, Miguel; Braga, Vítor; Silva, CarinaThe adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often rests on its positive evaluation from managers, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs. Because of the mixed outcomes attainable through the SMEs’ openness to disruptive changes, managers must weigh the beneficial aspects of I4.0 against the complexities, challenges, and drawbacks coming from its implementation. Drawing upon the tenets of the dual-process theory (DPT), this study highlights the cognitive configurations leading to managerial willingness (or reluctance) to adopt I4.0. This is done by investigating perceptions about the international markets in terms of risk and uncertainty, and by assessing organizational stimuli to openness, such as the explorative and exploitative orientations (i.e., ambidexterity), in combination with decision-makers’ cognitive systems. To shed further light on observed heterogenous outcomes, this study explores the managerial willingness (or reluctance) towards I4.0 adoption among 157 managers working in international SMEs. The results of combined Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) outline different decisional paths associated with willingness and reluctance to adopt I4.0 for internationalization. This empirical evidence, therefore, contributes to the “human side of I4.0” by providing fruitful implications about cognitive configurations of decision-makers in international SMEs concerning I4.0 practices.
- Guia do Investidor do Tâmega e SousaPublication . Pereira, Carla Sofia; Braga, VítorPorquê o Tâmega e Sousa?; Localização; Pessoas; Caracterização Empresarial • Fileira da Moda (Têxtil e Vestuário) • Fileira da Moda (Calçado) • Mobiliário • Metalomecânica Infraestruturas: • Áreas Empresariais • Incubadoras de Empresas • Investigação e Desenvolvimento • Educação Qualidade de Vida; Cultura; Turismo; O Território do Tâmega e Sousa: • Amarante • Baião • Castelo de Paiva • Celorico de Basto • Cinfães • Felgueiras • Lousada • Marco de Canaveses • Paços de Ferreira • Penafiel • Resende Investir no Tâmega E Sousa; Apoio ao Investimento; Definir a Estrutura de uma Empresa; Criar uma Empresa; Contratar Pessoas; Custos da Sua Empresa; Viver no Tâmega e Sousa; Incentivos Municipais; Outros Incentivos. Programas de Apoio Nacionais Informações Úteis Contactos Úteis
- How do managers behave? An analysis toward the cognitive configurations affecting Industry 4.0 adoption in international SMEsPublication . Mendes, Telma; González-Loureiro, Miguel; Braga, VítorObjectives: The adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often rests on its positive evaluation from managers, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs. Because of the mixed outcomes attainable through the SMEs’ openness to disruptive changes, managers must weigh the beneficial aspects of I4.0 adoption against the complexities, challenges, and drawbacks coming from its implementation. This study aims to shed light on the multifaceted nature of decision-making processes related to willingness or reluctance toward I4.0 adoption in international SMEs. Theoretical Framework: Our theorizing includes the dual-process theory (DPT) and complexity theory to explain the patterns of factors stimulating or constraining I4.0 implementation. Method: To test our propositions, we employ fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on a sample of 157 managers and entrepreneurs working in international SMEs. Results/Implications: The results outline that decisional recipes associated with willingness to adopt I4.0 for internationalization are different than those associated with reluctance. This empirical evidence contributes to the “human side of I4.0” by providing reporting the specific combinations of cognitive and contextual factors of decision-makers in international SMEs concerning I4.0 practices.
- Looking back and looking forward: A multidisciplinary review of the speed of internationalization and future research directionsPublication . Mendes, Telma; González-Loureiro, Miguel; Braga, Vítor; Silva, CarinaObjectives: An increasing amount of research on the speed of internationalization has shown that this concept has found application across multiple contexts. However, this straddling of multidisciplinary domains fragments the academic understanding on the topic. Considering the growing interest in the speed of internationalization, this study seeks to provide an overview of the trajectory and evolution of the research field. Theoretical Framework: Building upon the review of 200 articles published in Web of Science and Scopus indexed journals, this article develops a context-specific research agenda, whereas discloses the main theoretical approaches used so far. Method: We combined a Correspondence Analysis (CA) along with a Delphi study of prolific authors and practitioners working on the speed of internationalization, we provide a multidisciplinary academic literature. Results/Implications: Our findings offer a holistic picture of the current scholarly research, outlining its key theoretical approaches, research themes, levels of research, and potential areas for future development on this topic.
- Manual of Competitiveness and Innovation of Tâmega e SousaPublication . Pereira, Carla Sofia; Braga, VítorOBJECTIVES; RESULTS: 1. Overall Ranking, 2. Ranking by dimensions of competitiveness, 2.1. Performance, 2.2. International Orientation, 2.3. Innovation and Value, 2.4. Territory, 3. Interpretation of Results, 2030 VISION: 1. Trends 2030, 1.1. By sector, 1.1.1. Footwear, 1.1.2. Textile and Apparel, 1.1.3. Furniture, 1.1.4. Metalworks, 1.2. By market, 2. Summary of Conclusions.
- Manual para a Competitividade e Inovação do Tâmega e SousaPublication . Pereira, Carla Sofia; Braga, VítorOBJETIVOS; RESULTADOS: 1. Ranking Geral, 2. Ranking por dimensões de competitividade, 2.1. Performance, 2.2. Orientação Internacional, 2.3. Inovação e Valor, 2.4. Território, 3. Interpretação dos Resultados; VISÃO 2030: 1. Tendências 2030, 1.1. Por setor, 1.1.1. Calçado, 1.1.2. Têxtil e Vestuário, 1.1.3. Mobiliário, 1.1.4. Metalomecânica, 1.2. Por mercado; 2. Resumo das Conclusões
- Manual para a Competitividade e Inovação do Tâmega e Sousa (versão integral)Publication . Pereira, Carla Sofia; Braga, VítorIntrodução: O conceito de competitividade tem vindo a ganhar, ao longo dos últimos anos, uma preponderância cada vez maior, sendo frequentemente aplicado a empresas bem-sucedidas e em fase de crescimento. É, desta forma, usual encontrar-se a competitividade entre os principais objetivos de uma empresa, sendo reconhecido que uma empresa que não seja competitiva estará condenada ao fracasso. O desenvolvimento deste conceito, com origem na esfera empresarial, alargou-se a outras áreas, sendo aplicado a setores de atividade e a territórios, como cidades e países. Ao ser competitivo, um território, para além de se tornar mais atrativo ao investimento, favorece também a melhoria do nível de vida da população. No que concerne os setores de atividade, é possível afirmar que a competitividade de um setor vai alavancar a competitividade das empresas que o integram, o que por seu lado irá contribuir, num efeito em cadeia, a longo prazo, para que o setor em questão se torne mais dinâmico. Um círculo de desenvolvimento, ao qual muitos aspiram. Mas o que torna um setor competitivo? Será a performance das empresas, que ao serem mais produtivas conseguem melhores resultados e maiores perspetivas de crescimento? Será o dinamismo e inovação, que contribuem para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e técnicas de produção mais eficientes? Será o grau de formação dos seus trabalhadores? Ou será a abertura ao mercado internacional, representada por um contexto empresarial exportador e pela contribuição do investimento estrangeiro? O presente Manual de Competitividade e Inovação tem como objetivo principal identificar os determinantes da competitividade dos setores estratégicos da sub-região do Tâmega e Sousa. O cumprimento deste desígnio deverá ser concretizado a partir de três objetivos específicos: 1. Determinar, quantificar e analisar os fatores de competitividade, através de metodologia mista que combine um modelo quantitativo com informação de proximidade; 2. Sistematizar a informação e os resultados obtidos, produzindo um output acessível a todos e aproximando uma temática algo difusa dos tomadores de decisões nas empresas; 3. Estabelecer uma visão estratégica para o desenvolvimento da ompetitividade e inovação da sub-região do Tâmega e Sousa no horizonte 2030. Iniciaremos o trabalho com o enquadramento do Tâmega e Sousa, no qual será apresentada a situação socioeconómica e realizada uma caracterização empresarial. Seguidamente, devido à já mencionada importância do conceito de competitividade, considerou-se necessário revisitar a literatura, com o objetivo de apresentar definições e identificar fatores, que posteriormente serão analisados no processo de aferição da competitividade dos setores estratégicos da sub-região. Pretendemos, com este Manual, efetuar uma análise aos setores estratégicos do Tâmega e Sousa, avaliando o seu grau de competitividade, identificando tendências e definindo estratégias com o objetivo de potenciar o desenvolvimento e crescimento futuro da sub-região.