ESHT - DSIM - Comunicações em eventos científicos
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- Therapeutic tourism - health and well-being: potential, interfaces, and singularities of thermal springs in Brazil and PortugalPublication . Fonsêca, Flaviano Oliveira; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Meneses, DanielaTourism is a significant economic and social activity with the potential to increase GDP, improve living conditions for individuals and communities, and promote socially just, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable development globally. This is particularly true for segments related to natural environments. The aim of the study was to find out about the characteristics of therapeutic tourism in thermal spas in Brazil and Portugal. We want to identify the practice of therapeutic tourism from a health perspective (classical aspect) and well-being (wellness aspect), which includes health, healthy living, entertainment, leisure, aesthetics, among others. To answer the research question, a qualitative methodology was applied, through a literature review and documentary analysis. The study establishes a fruitful dialogue between healing and recreation as constituent dimensions of thermal resorts and thermalism around water as the structuring axis of thermal practices. Globally recognised for its health benefits, spa therapy goes far beyond primary care, such as treatments recommended by qualified professionals, and is beginning to be associated with a lifestyle of health and well-being. It was concluded that both Brazil and Portugal already play an important role as promoters of comprehensive health, with thermal baths as a key vector.
- Corporate social responsibility and quality leadership in food industryPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Ferreira, Flávio; Santos, Adriana MeloCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is critical in the food industry as it builds consumer trust, promotes sustainability, upholds ethical practices, and encourages innovation. In this paper, we analyze some effects of CSR on food industry, by using a model in which one CSR restaurant competes with a for-profit (FP) one in the choice of the quality and quantities of their products. We will discuss two cases: (i) the CSR restaurant takes the leader position; (ii) the FP restaurant takes the leader position. The study was conducted using game theory techniques. The results allow us to conclude that CSR enhances both the quality and quantity of food at the CSR restaurant, while diminishing them at the FP restaurant. CSR also enhances both the overall quality and the quantity within the industry. Furthermore, CSR enhances both consumer surplus and social welfare.
- Effects of restaurants' reputation and leadership in the restaurant industry, under quality and price competitionPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Ferreira, FlávioThis paper explores the effects of reputation and leadership dynamics within the restaurant industry, focusing on how these factors influence competition in quality and price. Using a three stage dynamic model, where restaurants first determine quality in two stages and then set prices, this study aims to analyse the interactions between higher-reputation and lower-reputation establishments. The findings suggest that the leadership position assumed by the lower reputation restaurant can be advantageous, allowing the leader to surpass the follower in profitability. Additionally, a widening reputation gap increases total market output, although the effects on both consumer surplus and social welfare remain ambiguous. Reputation emerges as a critical asset, shaping not only consumer perceptions but also operational strategies and competitive outcomes within the industry. This paper enhances the understanding of reputation dynamics within the restaurant industry. Grasping these dynamics is crucial for managers aiming to optimize competitive strategies and boost both profitability and customer satisfaction.
- Proposal of process confirmation methodology through lean principles in logistics companyPublication . Silva, Bruna S. Martins da ; Pereira, M. Teresa ; Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Oliveira, MarisaNowadays, the challenges in this logistics sector influence companies to invest in means and resources to make their logistics processes more efficient, with higher quality and lower cost, without compromising the supply chain processes and business evolution requirements. Therefore, as part of the Process Improvement role carried out in a retail company, the Process Confirmation methodology has been developed in a structured and expeditious manner to ensure compliance with processes in the logistics area. Moreover, this methodology aims to link the process design phase and the consequent creation of standards to the search for improvements phase in a circular logic, ensuring continuous improvement to keep up with the increasing complexity of processes. This study presents the literature background supporting the model and its methodological flow, defining each step for real-world application and viability. The methodology encompasses process mapping tools, standards creation, criticality analysis, and process confirmation, as well as the dissemination, analysis, and treatment of results. Consequently, as a result of the methodology, it will be verified that the level of process compliance in logistics can be improved through process confirmation.
- Development of a decision support system for freight forecastingPublication . Martins, João P.; Ramos, Filipe R.; Pereira, M. Teresa; Oliveira, Marisa; Ferreira, Fernanda A.The transportation of goods is critical to supply chains, directly influencing efficiency, cost management, and competitiveness. Accurate freight cost forecasting is essential for decision-making, enabling businesses to allocate resources effectively, reduce financial uncertainties, and ensure timely deliveries. This study, conducted in the After-Sales department of a global company, aimed to analyse freight costs per shipment and develop a predictive system based on predefined parameters. Historical data were examined using analytical techniques and time series metrics to identify suitable forecasting methodologies. Specific algorithms, including classical methodologies (exponential smoothing models) and hybrid deep learning models (BJ-DNN model), were tested to evaluate predictive accuracy. Results showed prediction errors ranging from 17% to 56% for exponential smoothing models and from 5% to 27% for BJ-DNN models, demonstrating the superior performance of hybrid approaches. These findings emphasize the potential of predictive models to enhance freight cost forecasting, minimizing error margins and optimizing resource allocation. This research provides a foundation for refining these methodologies, contributing to improved freight cost management and operational efficiency.
- Partial state ownership in the hospitality industryPublication . Ferreira, Flávio; Ferreira, Fernanda A.Privatization often leads to improved efficiency and productivity in the privatized enterprises. Private firms typically have stronger incentives to cut costs, innovate, and respond to market demands compared to state-run enterprises. Privatization also reduces the administrative and financial burden on the government, allowing it to focus on core functions such as regulation, policy-making, and public welfare. Privatization in the hospitality industry involves transferring ownership or management of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality-related services from the public sector to private entities. Privatization in the hospitality industry can have both positive and negative impacts on environmental sustainability. Using a mixed duopoly model, this paper examines the relationship between environmental taxation, pollution abatement investments, and privatization of a partial state-owned hotel. We will consider one partial state-owned hotel and one for-profit hotel in a market competition defined by the following four-stage game: (i) the government decides the level of privatization of the partial state-owned hotel; (ii) a welfare-maximizing regulator sets the emission tax; (iii) both hotels, simultaneously and independently, choose abatement pollution investments; (iv) both hotels, simultaneously and independently, select the number of rooms provided for renting to guests. One of the main results of the paper is that neither full privatization nor full nationalization is the best choice for the government, under the social welfare point of view.
- Social media as a tool to promote Jyväskylä as a tourism destinationPublication . Silva, Susana; Ferreira, Ana; Silva, CândidaJyväskylä is the largest city in the Central Finland and Finnish Lakeland region. In digital era places and destinations compete against each other in an increasingly globalized market. To successfully compete, destinations need to work on developing a strong brand identity through effective positioning. The main goal of this work is to understand how social media platforms has been used to create / promote the Jyvaskyla brand. An exploratory qualitative study was developed to accomplish our goals. Data were collected and analysed until October 2024. We analyse all the hashtags in the social media Instagram, Facebook, Tik ToK and YouTube defined by the municipality of Jyvaskyla, namely, #jyväskylä #liikuntapääkaupunki, #capitalofsport, #tapahtumakaupunki, #opiskelijakaupunki, #visitjyväskyläregion, #visitjyvaskylaregion, #valonkaupunki, #cityoflight. Based on these hashtags, the posts created by users of these platforms were analysed, namely the content of the posts they associate with the city, the author of the publication and their geographical region, and the date of publication of the posts. The data was collected using the platform Apify, and all the posts were analysed with content analysis to understand the main keywords associated with the brand Jyvaskyla. Moreover, posts were analysed using the sentiment analysis tool Benty.ai, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse the tone with which the text was written. Our preliminary results show the importance of the definition of a brand for the city as a marketing strategy. When we regard the hashtags defined by municipality, they have the name of the city or associated the term “city” to the brand they want to promote, namely: sports, events, light or study. The current study provides valuable information on the current state of social media communication from stand points of branding and destination marketing. Also gives the opportunity to access and compare the effectiveness of these four platforms. Decision-makers needs to understand how to enhance the use of this technology to promote tourism destinations.
- Digital marketing of tourism destinations: the case of LisbonPublication . Castro-Neves, Elisa; Soares, Beatriz; Mokdisse, Cláudia; Silva, CândidaThere is now a widespread recognition that the Web is the privileged place to search for and gather information in a wide variety of fields, as well as for consumers to share information about their experiences and interactions with brands, products and services. Moreover, it is increasingly important to realize that today digital communication is not completely controlled by the organization, there is a lot of content produced and shared by consumers, so their experience and involvement with the brand is crucial for the reputation and recognition of organizations on a global level. Tourism, particularly the management and promotion of tourist destinations, is no exception to this reality, so implementing an appropriate digital marketing strategy is essential for success in an increasingly global and competitive world, specially to create a strong digital brand. The aim of this work is to study the digital marketing strategies of the city of Lisbon. For that, it was analysed the social media networks Instagram and Facebook, and the official website, of Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority. Therefore, it was carried out a quantitative study to the social networks by analysing the official hashtags used through the platform Apify, and of the website using the framework proposed in the literature by Martinez-Sala et. al. In addition, it was conducted a qualitative study on 463 social media posts and to the website using the Access Monitor tool. The results shows that most of the posts using the hashtag #VisitLisbon are from Portuguese users and from companies, and that Instagram is much more used, which reveals that Portuguese companies are promoting the region, when promoting themselves, and for a younger audience. The website has a very attractive design and is coherent with social networks, but it has some weaknesses in terms of navigability and usability, as well as accessibility. In this sense, the digital marketing of the Lisbon region should be worked on so that tourists become its allies in promoting the destination.
- Driving tourism development: multicriteria decision-making in Rio de Janeiro’s tourism sectorPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Coutinho, José Augusto da Fonseca Pinto; Gomes, Carlos Francisco Simões; Santos, Marcos dosAs operations stabilized after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many economic sectors have gradually resumed activities, with some nearing pre-pandemic levels. Tourism is no exception, as it continues to be used as a source of resource acquisition and socioeconomic development. The purpose of this study is to promote the development of the tourism sector in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and AHP-Gaussian (AHP-G) multicriteria analysis methods to support potential public and/or private investments in tourism. The findings of this study will help a travel agency make a strategic decision about where to open a new branch, taking into account the sector’s potential in Rio de Janeiro. The study found that São Conrado and Ipanema are ideal neighbourhoods for establishing a new travel agency branch. Furthermore, the methodology used in this study can be used as a guideline for other organizations in the field looking to undertake similar evaluations, providing a structured approach to decision-making and investment evaluation.
- Sequential move model for quantity and quality competition in the restaurant industryPublication . Ferreira, Flávio; Koerich, GuilhermeThis paper examines a competition in both quality and quantity between two asymmetric restaurants. The model that we consider is a Stackelberg duopoly on quantities (sequential decision-making), after a simultaneous choice of quality. Our findings indicate that the restaurant with the best reputation provides a greater variety of higher-quality food compared to its competitor. We also examine how variations in restaurants’ reputations impact market equilibrium outcomes. We demonstrate that an increase in the reputation gap between restaurants boosts the profits of both estab lishments, enhances consumer surplus, and improves social welfare. Additionally, in comparison to the scenario under the Cournot model (simultaneous decision making), small restaurant’s profits are lower under Stackelberg model, while the opposite holds for the large restaurant’s profits and for social welfare.