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- Engineering students education in sustainability: The moderating role of emotional intelligencePublication . Nogueira, Teresa; Castro, Rui; Magano, JoséIn the context of a lack of quantitative research approaching an engineering education in sustainability, this cross-sectional study aims to investigate whether efforts to promote sustainability education contribute to shaping the beliefs, attitudes, and intentions towards sustainability in a sample of Portuguese engineering schools students; in addition, this study investigates whether emotional intelligence impacts the students’ motivation to learn more about sustainability and whether it plays a role in moderating the relationships between those variables. A survey was carried out on a sample of 184 students from two major Portuguese engineering schools. A model was found showing that beliefs, attitudes, and gender are predictors of students’ intentions towards sustainability, explaining 62.6% of its variance. Furthermore, the findings reveal that women have stronger beliefs and intentions towards sustainability than men and that students with higher emotional intelligence are more motivated to learn more about sustainability. In addition, emotional intelligence has a negative and significant moderating impact on the relationship between attitudes and students’ intentions towards sustainability, being stronger for lower levels of emotional intelligence and having a similar, yet non-significant, effect on the relationship between beliefs and students’ intentions towards sustainability. The results suggest that emotional intelligence should be considered a competence and a tool in engineering education in order to enhance students’ inclination towards sustainable development.
- Eco-Friendly Ester Fluid for Power Transformers versus Mineral Oil: Design ConsiderationsPublication . Nogueira, Teresa; Beleza Carvalho, José António; Magano, JoséMineral oil has long been used as an adequate coolant and dielectric medium in power transformer design. However, it is flammable and environmentally risky as it may be leaked or spilled. Therefore, ester fluids, which have been increasingly used in the last two decades, look promising as an ideal dielectric option. This research aims to better understand how using ester fluid insulation in power transformers impacts their physical and electrical dimensions, including their load-losses, impedance, masses, and equipment dimensions. Three case studies were carried out in a Portuguese electrical equipment manufacturer’s facility, with varying electrical parameters and physical properties of the mineral oil and ester-filled power transformers. The main results enhanced the known good electrical behavior of ester fluids, namely creating a lower electric field around winding wedges, yet the use of ester fluids led to higher load-losses, larger masses, additional radiators and, consequently, higher manufacturing costs. Nevertheless, the contribution of ester-filled power transformers to the improved environmental safety (reducing spillage and fire risks), among other advantages, makes ester fluids a truly eco-friendly option for power transformer design.
- Sustainable Quality Management Systems in the Current Paradigm: The Role of LeadershipPublication . Silva, Cláudia Sousa; Magano, José; Matos, Ana; Nogueira, TeresaThis study supports the proposition that sustainability’s integration into Quality Management Systems (QMS) could be a viable pathway to the development of the Emergency paradigm, in which leadership plays a crucial role. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was performed in order to deepen leadership’s relationship with Quality Management (QM) from an evolutionary perspective. An exploratory survey was then conducted to assess quality managers’ perceptions of sustainability’s integration into QMS and their leadership styles, using the 5X Short Leader Form MLQ instrument. The results indicate that leadership is a critical element of QMS performance, enhancing transformational leadership, which appears to be the dominant self-perceived style of the quality managers who participated. Nevertheless, these practitioners recognise the difficulties in committing all employees to the sustainability journey. The theoretical and managerial implications give rise to this work. The SLR results could be a useful database to support future QM and Leadership research. The organisations could follow the suggested pathway to evolve their QMS to support solutions to some of the current challenges. At the same time, quality managers could reflect on their future professional challenges. This work has taken a step forward, indicating sustainable quality management systems as a viable pathway to explore QM knowledge regarding the Emergency paradigm, and thus enhancing leadership’s role.
- Engineering Students’ Industrial Internship Experience Perception and Satisfaction: Work Experience Scale ValidationPublication . Nogueira, Teresa; Magano, José; Fontão, Eunice; Sousa, Marina; Leite, ÂngelaAn essential aspect of higher education institutions’ academic curricula for engineering courses is the students’ industrial internship programs. In the literature, it is well accepted that such programs provide valuable learning outcomes and increase the graduates’ employment prospects. Thus, it is paramount to evaluate the internship programs’ quality to identify opportunities to improve their design and implementation. However, that evaluation typically depends on self- designed academic assessment surveys of questionable validity. The purpose of this paper is to assess engineering students’ perceptions of their internship experiences. For that purpose, the validation of a recently adapted version of the Work Experience Questionnaire (WEQ) was carried out on a sample of 447 engineering students that participated in industrial internship programs offered by Portuguese public universities and polytechnic schools. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to confirm the suitability of the model proposed by the WEQ’s authors on this study’s sample. The psychometric qualities were evaluated through convergent and discriminant validity. The results showed that the model fit the sample well, and convergent and discriminant validity was established. The general competencies subscale was the most important for the participants—specifically, the competency of solving problems. Differences concerning the WEQ and gender, company size, and compensation were found and discussed. This study provides researchers in the field with a new tool validated explicitly for engineering students.
- Consideration of Sustainability in Projects: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative AnalysisPublication . Magano, José; Silvius, Gilbert; Nogueira, Teresa; Hamed, Farzad; Nogueira, Teresa; Carmenado, IgnacioThe consideration of sustainability in projects is one of the most critical global trends in project management today, as projects are instrumental in the sustainable development of organisations and society. In the growing literature on this topic, most studies take a qualitative approach, often based on single case studies, and quantitative studies are underrepresented. To address these limitations, this study aims to examine the extent to which different aspects and perspectives of sustainability are integrated into projects by reporting a quantitative analysis of the consideration of sustainability in 134 projects. The analysis used the Sustainable Project Management Maturity Model SPM3 to analyse the level at which sustainability was considered in the projects. The results show that, on average, sustainability is considered at a reactive level, with the desired levels of consideration on average one level higher (proactive). When considering the different triple bottom line perspectives, the economic perspective scores highest, followed by the social and environmental perspectives. The study also shows that building-related projects score higher on sustainability considerations than other project types, as do larger projects. Limitations of the study include its European focus, the relatively small sample size, and the fact that the data was collected in different locations over a four-year period, which raises the possibility of subjective differences in the evaluation of individual projects. Nevertheless, the study can be seen as a ‘wake-up call’ for project practitioners, who need to be more proactive in this regard if projects are to be the route to sustainability.
- Gestão de Projetos na Engenharia: preparar a Geração Z com Competências TransferíveisPublication . Magano, José; Silva, Cláudia Sousa; Figueiredo, Cláudia; Vitória, Andreia; Nogueira, TeresaExpository approaches in project management education do not seem engage engineering students, who lack transferable competencies. This article reviews the project management competencies, Generation Z profile, and teaching methods trends reported in the literature. It presents a study involving 147 engineering students, through a self-report questionnaire, to explore their profile's self-awareness and compare it with the literature. A correlational study links the Generation Z personality traits with project management soft skills. Findings reveal interesting personality characteristics of Generation Z engineering students for project management. The sample showed low recognition of their individualism, less personal relationships, and did not value their creative potential. Some traits have a significant effect on critical soft skills. Other soft skills were not supported in personality traits. This work suggests implications for re-think educational approaches to Generation Z engineering students.
- The Impacts of Battery Electric Vehicles on the Power Grid: A Monte Carlo Method ApproachPublication . Nogueira, Teresa; Magano, José; Sousa, Ezequiel; Alves, Gustavo R.Balancing energy demand and supply will become an even greater challenge considering the ongoing transition from traditional fuel to electric vehicles (EV). The management of this task will heavily depend on the pace of the adoption of light-duty EVs. Electric vehicles have seen their market share increase worldwide; the same is happening in Portugal, partly because the government has kept incentives for consumers to purchase EVs, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The consequent shift to EVs entails various challenges for the distribution network, including coping with the expected growing demand for power. This article addresses this concern by presenting a case study of an area comprising 20 municipalities in Northern Portugal, for which battery electric vehicles (BEV) sales and their impact on distribution networks are estimated within the 2030 horizon. The power required from the grid is estimated under three BEV sales growth deterministic scenarios based on a daily consumption rate resulting from the combination of long- and short-distance routes. A Monte Carlo computational simulation is run to account for uncertainty under severe EV sales growth. The analysis is carried out considering three popular BEV models in Portugal, namely the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, and Renault Zoe. Their impacts on the available power of the distribution network are calculated for peak and off-peak hours. The results suggest that the current power grid capacity will not cope with demand increases as early as 2026. The modeling approach could be replicated in other regions with adjusted parameters.
- Data Management Plan: Deliverable D1.1. Relatório para o Projeto SHOREWINNERPublication . Nogueira, Teresa[excerpt from the text] The SHOREWINNER project aims to create a community of practice for Southern European offshore wind energy by partnering with five Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. The main goals are to assess offshore resources in these countries, share best practices and knowledge, develop skills, and provide training to align with European objectives and priorities.
- Project Management in Engineering Education: Providing Generation Z With Transferable SkillsPublication . Magano, Jose; Silva, Claudia Sousa; Figueiredo, Claudia; Vitoria, Andreia; Nogueira, TeresaExpository approaches in project management education do not seem to be engaging engineering students. Although the students acquire remarkable theoretical knowledge throughout their coursework, they lack transferable competences, such as soft skills, which are scarcely attended in the teaching of project management. Generation Z's characteristics differ from previous generations and should be considered in new project management education approaches and methods. This article reviews the project management competencies, Generation Z profile, and teaching methods trends reported in the literature. It presents a study involving 147 engineering students, through a self-report questionnaire, to explore their profile's self-awareness and compare it with the literature. A correlational study links the Generation Z's personality traits with project management soft skills. Findings reveal interesting personality characteristics of Generation Z engineering students for the project management field. However, this sample showed low recognition of their individualism, less personal relationships, and did not value their creative potential. There were also differences in Electronic, Electrical, and Computer Science engineering students, namely, lower emotional intelligence. Some highlighted traits have a significant effect on critical project management soft skills. Other soft skills were not supported in personality traits. This work suggests implications for re-think educational approaches to Generation Z engineering students.
- Energia eólica offshore na União Europeia: Desafios e oportunidadesPublication . Moreira, Bruno Miguel Soares; Nogueira, Teresa Alexandra Ferreira Mourão PintoA energia eólica offshore surgiu como uma solução promissora para atender aos objetivos energéticos climáticos impostos pela União Europeia. A capacidade de produção tem sido acompanhada por avanços tecnológicos que aproveitam os recursos eólicos disponíveis nas zonas costeiras dos países, tanto a norte como a sul da Europa. Neste artigo será apresentada a evolução da indústria eólica no mar (offshore), assim como a estratégia europeia para a produção de energia a partir das fontes oceânicas. São também demonstrados alguns dos incentivos e metas que visam garantir a continuidade da tecnologia e o desenvolvimento da indústria offshore. São exploradas as perspetivas futuras de energia eólica offshore, destacando o seu potencial para desempenhar um papel ainda mais significativo no mix energético europeu. As oportunidades e desafios desta indústria emergente são destacadas na análise SWOT desenvolvida neste artigo, concluindo pela sua importância na promoção da sustentabilidade e na redução das emissões de gases poluentes, delineando assim os caminhos para um futuro energético mais limpo. São ainda apresentados os projetos eólicos mais relevantes na área, apoiados e financiados pela União Europeia.