ESTG - CIICESI - Comunicações em eventos científicos
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- Data Quality Assessment: A Practical ApplicationPublication . Eliana Costa e Silva; Teresa Peixoto; Óscar Oliveira; Bruno OliveiraThis paper presents a novel data quality score designed to address the challenges of ensuring high-quality data in Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. Given the growing reliance on IoT systems and the volume of data they generate, maintaining data quality is essential for reliable decision-making and effective analytics. The proposed score synthesizes key data quality dimensions, providing a comprehensive measure of data quality that can be applied across various IoT contexts. The results obtained for a public dataset on a water pumping system show the applicability and flexibility of the proposed data quality score. This work contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve data management in IoT environments, ultimately supporting the development of robust, data-driven solutions.
- Forging a Path to Growth: The Role of Strategic Planning in Non-Profit Organizational SuccessPublication . Jacinta Fonseca; Alexandra Braga; Telma MendesThe growing complexity and unpredictability of the external environment in which Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) operate have increasingly highlighted the need for formal management processes to ensure their effectiveness and long-term viability. The aim of this study is to assess the extent of strategic planning implementation at the Confraria of Santo António, a Private Institution of Social Solidarity (IPSS) in Portugal, evaluate the impact of this implementation on organizational effectiveness, and propose strategies to formalize the organization's strategic management process. Non-profit organizations, especially those in the social sector, play a critical role in addressing pressing social challenges. However, these organizations often face significant barriers, such as limited financial resources, environmental instability, and heightened competition. Among the most pressing challenges is the need for a sustainable management model that guarantees the continued delivery of services while adapting to external changes. Strategic planning has proven to be an effective tool in addressing these issues, as it enables organizations to define long-term goals, allocate resources efficiently, and measure success (Serra et al., 2010; Tucci & Roy, 2022). Despite its recognized value, many NPOs, including the Confraria of Santo António, fail to implement formal strategic planning, which weakens their capacity to respond effectively to these challenges (Fonseca, 2014). This study follows a case study methodology, which allows for an in-depth examination of the practices and challenges faced by the organization (Yin, 2014). Given the research objectives, the approach is primarily qualitative, employing a combination of documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews. The documentary analysis involved a review of key institutional documents, including the organization's annual report and accounts, management reports, and any available strategic planning documents. This analysis helped establish the extent to which strategic planning was present in the organization and provided a baseline for the interviews that followed. The interviews were conducted with four key internal stakeholders at Confraria of Santo António: the Vice-President, the General Director, the Accountant, and the Technical Director. These individuals were selected due to their direct involvement in decision-making processes and their in-depth knowledge of the organization's operations. The semi-structured interview format allowed for flexibility in exploring key themes, such as the organization's approach to strategic planning, its sustainability, and its efforts to create social value. The data collected from the interviews was transcribed and analyzed using the Iramuteq software, which employs Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC) to identify patterns and categorize responses based on their lexical similarities (Sousa et al., 2020). The analysis revealed several key findings regarding the implementation of strategic planning at Confraria of Santo António. First, it was determined that the organization does not have a formal, documented strategic plan. While the organization does engage in some informal planning and decision-making, these efforts are not systematically structured or aligned with long-term goals. As a result, the organization faces difficulties in responding to environmental changes, securing diverse funding sources, and managing its resources efficiently. Second, the study identified several strengths in the organization’s current practices. These included a strong commitment to its social mission, a dedicated staff, and a long history of service provision. The organization has successfully addressed short-term challenges and provided quality services to its beneficiaries. However, the lack of a formal strategic plan means that these strengths are not always leveraged to their full potential, and the organization struggles to maintain long-term sustainability. Third, the research highlighted several weaknesses in the organization’s current management practices. These include a reactive approach to problem-solving, limited capacity for long-term planning, and a lack of clear performance evaluation metrics. The organization’s reliance on external funding sources, such as government subsidies, further exacerbates its vulnerability to external shocks. Additionally, the absence of a formal strategic plan limits the organization's ability to adapt to changes in the social and economic environment, making it difficult to achieve its long-term goals. The data also revealed a strong recognition among stakeholders of the need for strategic planning to improve organizational effectiveness. Key interviewees expressed support for the development of a Strategic Plan that would guide the organization’s actions, help align its resources with its mission and ensure long-term sustainability. In light of the above, this study makes several contributions to the field of strategic management in the third sector, with significant implications for theory, practice, and policy. From a theoretical point of view, the study provides empirical evidence of the challenges faced by NPOs that lack formal strategic planning, particularly within the social sector in Portugal. The findings highlight management deficits in many NPOs and the resulting negative impact on organizational performance, confirming earlier studies by Fonseca (2014) and Meneses (2012). Furthermore, the study emphasizes the critical role of strategic planning in enhancing organizational sustainability and effectiveness, reinforcing its significance as a strategic management tool, in alignment with the work of Tucci and Roy (2022). Additionally, this research provides a case study of Confraria of Santo António, offering practical implications into how NPOs can overcome the barriers to strategic planning. The proposed Strategic Plan, which is presented as part of the study, serves as a framework for formalizing the organization’s management processes. The plan outlines specific steps for improving resource allocation, diversifying funding sources, and establishing performance evaluation mechanisms. The study also offers recommendations for fostering a culture of strategic thinking within the organization and ensuring that long-term goals are aligned with the organization's mission. From a policy perspective, the study highlights the critical need for greater adoption of formal management tools in NPOs, especially in environments that demand flexibility and long-term vision. The findings suggest that policymakers should encourage and support the implementation of strategic planning in the third sector, as it is essential for ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of NPOs in meeting social needs. By providing a strategic framework, this research also advocates for policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of NPOs to deal with dynamic external conditions effectively.
- What does green logistics bring to the circular economy? An exploratory study to connect the dotsPublication . de Jesus, Everaildes; Alves, Wellington; Mendes, TelmaThe world population has increased, and consumerist trends have intensified the need for initiatives to minimize industrial activities' environmental and social impacts. Companies and governments are increasingly recognizing the relevance of these initiatives, yet many firms still follow resource extraction models that hinder sustainability efforts. While previous studies have explored the link between green logistics and the circular economy, gaps remain in understanding how these practices can be leveraged to achieve a competitive advantage in different international contexts. This research aims to fill these gaps by exploring the role of green logistics in promoting the circular economy, using a quantitative approach based on Brazilian and Portuguese companies. The study, therefore, focuses on how logistics practices can support the adoption of circular economy initiatives, minimize environmental impacts, and contribute to competitive advantage. The findings from linear regression analysis indicate that green logistics significantly enhances the implementation of circular economy practices, providing both environmental benefits and strategic advantages in the market. This empirical evidence advances the literature by demonstrating that green logistics is not only crucial for circular economy adoption but also for gaining a competitive edge. Our insights are particularly valuable for academia, businesses, and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable practices that are both environmentally responsible and economically viable.
- The Perception of Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Flourishing: Cultural Diversity as an Underlying MechanismPublication . Mendes, Telma; Silva, Pamela; Ferreira, Marisa; Proença, Teresa; Borges, AnaCorporate social responsibility (CSR) has been a field of interest over the past couple of decades. The challenges posed by rapidly evolving technology and frequently changing market conditions along with well-informed customers, have compelled firms to pay greater attention to their stakeholders and address social, economic, and environmental issues. This heightened focus on CSR reflects a growing perception that success transcends financial gains and encompasses broader benefits to communities and society. Moreover, there is growing recognition of the impact of internal CSR practices, which not only enhance a firm’s reputation, assets, and customer retention but also significantly influence the well-being, engagement, and satisfaction of their workforce. Currently, for some firms, particularly multinational corporations (MNCs), promoting internal CSR practices becomes particularly complex amidst diverse workforces encompassing varied languages and cultures. This study, thus, explores the relationship between perceived CSR practices and workplace outcomes, including the mediating role of cultural diversity. Based on data collected from 211 employees in 19 different countries, the results reveal that perceived CSR effects on employee well-being, satisfaction, and engagement are driven by diversified cultural settings. Accordingly, these findings reinforce the urgency to delve deeper into the implications of cultural diversity within CSR frameworks.
- The ‘extra’ sparkle in higher education Institutions: Exploring staff perceptions towards corporate volunteeringPublication . Silva, Carina; Mendes, Telma; Ferreira, Marisa R.; Faria, TatianaThe analysis of barriers to volunteering and the intraorganizational conditions that can promote or hinder employee engagement in volunteer programs are important for researchers and practitioners. Despite the relevance of these topics, they remain unexplored in the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially from the staff perspective. This represents an important theoretical gap, as HEIs are institutions that act in the public interest and represent the ideal context for spreading the culture of corporate volunteering due to their potential to connect theory to practice. Therefore, this study aims to explore how intraorganizational support moderates the relationship between both motivations and barriers to volunteering with the personal/impersonal outcomes of participating in these activities. The research is based on a sample of 155 public HEI employees obtained from the Northern Euro-region of Portugal/Galicia. The results of the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) suggest that motivations to volunteer were positively associated with personal/impersonal outcomes stemming from these activities, while barriers to volunteering were negatively related. When testing the moderating effects, we found that HEI intraorganizational support weakened (strengthened) the positive (negative) relationship between motivations (barriers) to volunteer and the personal/impersonal outcomes stemming from volunteer activities. Overall, this empirical evidence allows us to understand both motivations and barriers to volunteering, as well as how intraorganizational conditions discourage participation in volunteering.
- Teaching Operational Research using Games and Simulation: a case studyPublication . Lopes, Cristina; Costa e Silva, ElianaThe use of gamification in teaching is not a novelty. It has been recognized as an effective method for fostering academic and practical skills, while simultaneously enhancing student engagement and motivation. In this work, we report on the use of web-based apps in classroom for introducing concepts and methods of Operational Research (OR) to students of Logistics and Business. Specifically, the Burrito Optimization game, available by Gurobi, and the TSP DYI app, developed by William Cook of the University of Waterloo, are employed to introduce mathematical optimization. The Burrito Optimization game simulates the facility location problem, challenging students to strategically position food trucks to optimize costs and profits, thereby acquainting them with linear programming models. Similarly, the TSP DYI app gamifies the TSP, encouraging student participation and competition while acquainting them with heuristic algorithms and optimization techniques. Through student feedback analysis, this study explores the efficacy of these gamified approaches in enhancing student engagement with OR concepts and motivating further exploration of complex topics. These web-based apps serve as entry points for aspiring data scientists and problem solvers, teaching why optimization is valuable and important, why it is difficult and why solvers and other optimization algorithms are essential.
- The earlier the better? A microfoundational perspective of international explorative and exploitative capabilities in the transition of SMEs to Industry 4.0Publication . Mendes, Telma; González-Loureiro, Miguel; Braga, Vítor; Silva, CarinaThe international exploration-exploitation dichotomy is used in this study to expand on the resource-based view (RBV) and gain a deeper understanding of how these two distinct capabilities affect the adoption of I4.0 in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). We investigate managers' cognitive systems as a crucial microfoundation for the international organizational ambidexterity (i.e., exploration-exploitation), given that both managerial cognition and microfoundations perspective are underdeveloped and undertheorized. The study shows that managerial cognition is a crucial microfoundation of international organizational ambidexterity in the context of I4.0 adoption by using structural equation modeling on a sample of 116 Portuguese international SMEs. The findings also reveal neither international exploration nor exploitation has succeeded in creating new opportunities for the application of a technology-based model in SMEs internationalizing earlier. However, a post-hoc analysis revealed that under early internationalization, less (more) experienced SMEs benefit from international exploration (exploitation) to implement I4.0 technologies. This study concludes with implications and future research avenues.
- 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.
- On causality between sucessful internationalization and profitability: The case of the moderating effect of earliness in new venturesPublication . Mendes, Telma; González-Loureiro, Miguel; Silva, CarinaObjectives: We aim to explore whether the earliness of internationalization can change the direction of causality in the binomial internationalization-profitability. Theoretical Framework: The main theoretical explanation lies at the speed of the learning advantages of newness to address the contingent uncertainty of the (lack) of knowledge of the new international market, combining the Uppsala-Model and the International Entrepreneurship theories. Method: We performed a multigroup analysis using the most up-to-date technique among the available structural equation cross-lagged models for testing causality under the impulse-response approach. This enables the investigation of the long-term rather than the short-term Granger- Sims’ causal effects in a longitudinal data set of 1,258 new ventures over five years after the first international market entry. Results/Implications: Earliness of internationalization can be a key to understand both the sign and the direction of causality and its persistence over time. We augment the Uppsala Model with the causality of these relationships. For practitioners, they should know that the organizational time to go international can be a source of only temporary but not persistent advantages for early entrants.
- 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.