Jorge Pereira, Ana Viana, Bogdan G. Lucus and Manuel Matos
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem of committing electric power generators (unit commitment, UC), considering network constraints.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem of committing electric power generators (unit commitment, UC), considering network constraints.
Design/methodology/approach
The UC is first solved with a local search based meta‐heuristic, following the assumption that all generators and loads are connected to a single network node. For evaluation purposes, the economical production levels of the units committed are computed by running a pre‐dispatch algorithm where network constraints are not included. If a good quality solution is reached, an economic dispatch (ED) with network constraints is performed, where the geographic location of generators and loads are considered. Therefore, the production level of each committed generator is performed that leads to the global lowest solution cost, regarding both the generators' costs and constraints and the power system network constraints.
Findings
The algorithm proposed is computationally efficient, given the time available for decision making. In addition, the solution for this algorithm, in terms of minimization of total costs, is generally better than the solution of the two phases approach. Some contractual and legal aspects related with the injection in network connections can also be included in the model.
Practical implications
UC with network constraints has a large potential of use, especially for small and medium size power systems. It reflects reality in a closer way and provides a more complete and realistic knowledge about the system in operation.
Originality/value
The paper presents an approach where the ED with network constraints is integrated with the UC procedure. The model described is currently implemented in an EMS package offered in the market – making it a case of successful transfer from science to industry.
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Muhammad Muddasir, Ana Pinto Borges, Elvira Vieira and Bruno Miguel Vieira
This study aims to address the macroeconomic factors effect on the travel and leisure (T&L) industry throughout Europe within the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war that have…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address the macroeconomic factors effect on the travel and leisure (T&L) industry throughout Europe within the context of the Russo-Ukrainian war that have started on 24 February 2022. Specifically, top tourist destinations are analysed, such as Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, as well as Europe in general.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the panel regression approach based on the data that is provided on a daily basis, and it covers a period of nearly 14 months, starting on 24 February 2022 and ending on 15 April 2023.
Findings
The findings indicate that the European T&L sector is impacted by macroeconomic variables. Namely, the T&L sector is significantly impacted by interest rates, geopolitical risk, oil and gas, whereas inflation has a muted effect, indicating a comparatively lesser influence on the dynamics of the industry. This research contributes to existing literature by providing one of the first quantitative analyses of how macroeconomic factors impact the European T&L business in the context of a geopolitical conflict.
Research limitations/implications
A study of the Russian–Ukrainian war may be limited by a number of research constraints. The continuing nature of the conflict, the lack of communication between the parties and potential political prejudice are some of these difficulties. Any research on the Russo-Ukrainian war should be done with these limits in mind.
Practical implications
Macroeconomic variables play a significant role on the T&L sector development; therefore, when designing resilience strategies, they need to be accounted for.
Originality/value
To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to analyse how macroeconomic factors affected the European T&L business using a quantitative approach. The macroeconomic variables that were taken into account in this study included interest rates, inflation, oil and petrol prices, as well as the geopolitical risk index.
目的
本研究探讨在 2022 年 2 月 24 日开始的俄乌战争对整个欧洲旅游和休闲 (T&L) 行业的宏观经济因素的影响。具体来说, 本文分析了著名旅游目的地, 例如西班牙, 法国, 义大利和葡萄牙, 以及整个欧洲。
方法
研究采用基于每天提供的数据的面板回归方法, 涵盖近 14 个月, 从 2022 年 2 月 24 日开始, 到 2023 年 4 月 15 日结束。
调查结果
我们的研究结果表明, 欧洲运输和物流行业受到宏观经济变数的影响。也就是说, 运输和物流行业受到利率、地缘政治风险、石油和天然气的严重影响, 而通货膨胀的影响则很温和。
研究局限性
对俄乌战争的研究可能受到许多研究限制的限制。冲突的持续性质、各方之间缺乏沟通以及潜在的政治偏见是其中一些困难。任何关于俄乌战争的研究都应该考虑到这些限制。
原创性
据我们所知, 这是首批使用定量方法分析宏观经济因素如何影响欧洲运输和物流业务的研究之一。本研究考虑的宏观经济变数包括利率、通货膨胀、石油和汽油价格, 以及地缘政治风险指数。
实际影响
宏观经济变数在运输和物流行业发展中起着重要作用, 因此, 在设计弹性策略时, 需要考虑它们。
Finalidad
La presente investigación aborda el efecto de los factores macroeconómicos en la industria de viajes y ocio (VyO) en toda Europa en el contexto de la guerra ruso-ucraniana que comenzó el 24 de febrero de 2022. En concreto, se analizan los principales destinos turísticos, como España, Francia, Italia y Portugal, así como Europa en general.
Metodología
El estudio adopta un enfoque de regresión de panel basado en datos diarios y cubre un período de casi 14 meses, del 24 de febrero de 2022 al 15 de abril de 2023.
Resultados
Nuestros resultados indican que el sector europeo de VyO se ve afectado por variables macroeconómicas. En concreto, el sector se ve significativamente afectado por los tipos de interés, el riesgo geopolítico, el petróleo y el gas, mientras que la inflación tiene un efecto moderado.
Limitaciones de la investigación
Un estudio de la guerra ruso-ucraniana puede verse limitado por una serie de restricciones a la investigación. La persistencia del conflicto, la falta de comunicación entre las partes y los posibles prejuicios políticos son algunas de estas dificultades. Cualquier investigación sobre la guerra ruso-ucraniana debe hacerse teniendo en cuenta estos límites.
Implicaciones prácticas
Las variables macroeconómicas desempeñan un papel importante en el desarrollo del sector de VyO, por lo que es necesario tenerlas en cuenta al diseñar estrategias de resiliencia.
Originalidad
Hasta donde sabemos, éste es uno de los primeros estudios que analiza cómo los factores macroeconómicos afectaron al negocio europeo de VyO utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo. Las variables macroeconómicas que se tuvieron en cuenta en este estudio fueron los tipos de interés, la inflación, los precios del petróleo y de la gasolina, así como el índice de riesgo geopolítico.
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Elvira Vieira, Ana Pinto Borges, Paula Lopes Rodrigues, Ana Maria Reis and Svitlana Ostapenko
Circular economy (CE) is receiving increasing worldwide attention as a manner to overcome the challenges linked to current trends of unsustainable energy and resource consumption…
Abstract
Purpose
Circular economy (CE) is receiving increasing worldwide attention as a manner to overcome the challenges linked to current trends of unsustainable energy and resource consumption. This paper aims to fill this gap and analyze the adherence to sustainable, access-based and collaborative consumption practices by exploring the role of CE awareness, specifically in the context of Porto, the second-largest city of Portugal.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology of choice is quantitative, based on partial least square-based structural equation modeling.
Findings
The result shows that there is an influence of CE awareness on subsequent sustainable consumption models.
Research limitations/implications
Present research contributes to the theory on CE awareness and sustainable consumption. It proposes a model that could be applied in other countries. As this research is developed within the city of Porto, it may limit generalizations of obtained results.
Practical implications
As CE practices are embodied into national and local policies, this research contributes to understanding local contexts of CE practices dissemination, providing practical suggestions for businesses and policymakers aiming the transition to the CE.
Originality/value
An original approach to measuring the awareness of CE economy is proposed, that is analyzed not only from the familiarity perspective but in six dimensions of its construction: familiarity, importance, perception or interpretation, advantages, social impact and barriers in this process. Further, the conceptual model of the impact that these dimensions have on the adoption of sustainable consumption models (purchase of sustainable products, access-based and collaborative consumption) is proposed.
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Ana Pinto Borges, Elvira Pacheco Vieira and Paula Rodrigues
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perception of the city of Porto as a destination engaged with social responsibility practices. The authors intend to analyse if the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the perception of the city of Porto as a destination engaged with social responsibility practices. The authors intend to analyse if the national and international tourists know the social responsibility practices of the city and if they associate them to the domains of community, environment and customer presented by Öberseder et al. (2014) and the type of CSR image that is presented (Dean, 2002; Lichtenstein et al., 2004; Menon and Kahn, 2003).
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a survey to assess the perception of the tourist regarding the social responsibility practices of the city of Porto. The authors applied a factorial analysis and a logistic regression.
Findings
The tourists showed an adequate knowledge regarding the social responsibility practices carried out by the city. The respondents separated the dimensions of perceptions of CSR and revealed that they influence the (re)visit and further recommendation of the city. More specifically, the authors also verified that the CSR image and community, environment and customer domains play an important role in the knowledge of the social responsibility practices engaged by the city of Porto.
Originality/value
It is the first time that the scales of Öberseder et al. (2014) and Dean (2002), Lichtenstein et al. (2004) and Menon and Kahn (2003) were applied in the tourism context. Furthermore, considering that the city of Porto presents a high level of growth in tourism related activities, it is important to study the impact of CSR in the development of a sustainable tourism and its impact on the (re)visit and recommendation.
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Nuno V. Brito, Delfina Santos, Ana P. Vale, Isabel M. Afonso, Eulália Mendes, Susana Casal and M.B.P.P. Olveira
The purpose of this work is the physicochemical characterization of a traditional Portuguese meat sausage, “Chouriça de carne de Melgaço”, including its lipid profile, taking into…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this work is the physicochemical characterization of a traditional Portuguese meat sausage, “Chouriça de carne de Melgaço”, including its lipid profile, taking into account the effects of autochthonous pig breed (Bísaro) and processing scale in its final composition.
Design/methodology/approach
Sausages from three manufacturers' scales (homemade, traditional, and industrial) and two breed origins (Bísaro and non Bísaro) were analysed for pH, moisture, fat, protein, ash, NaCl, hydroxyproline and fatty acid composition. A total of 11 samples from each type of manufacture and breed were randomly selected after the complete drying‐ripening process, in a total of 55 samples.
Findings
Physicochemical analysis of meat sausages showed a medium protein content (28‐33 per cent) correlated to manufacture type (p<0.05), and a high fat level (29‐41 per cent) related with manufacture type and breed. Homemade manufacture was characterized by lower moisture and higher salt contents, reinforcing consumer's safety and economical assurance. The industrial processed sausages presented significantly higher moisture content and higher PUFA contents than expected, indicating the use in the feeding of the pigs feedstuffs rich in oilseed components and an increased susceptibility to oxidation. Comparing with similar products from foreign origins, this sausage is characterized by similar salt contents and similar or lower fat contents, highly monounsaturated, with positive nutritional outcomes.
Originality/value
The improvement and control of Chouriça de carne de Melgaço manufacturing and breed origin is clearly needed. PGI should be implemented to guarantee genuineness of this product. The preservation of traditional procedures must guarantee the high quality of the product, its safety and consumer's acceptability.
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Alexandra Soares Fontes, Lúcia Lima Rodrigues, Carla Marques and Ana Paula Silva
In 2010, Portugal’s newly implemented Accounting Standardization System (SNC - Sistema de Normalização Contabilística) aligned Portuguese accounting standards for unlisted…
Abstract
Purpose
In 2010, Portugal’s newly implemented Accounting Standardization System (SNC - Sistema de Normalização Contabilística) aligned Portuguese accounting standards for unlisted companies with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of the local context and the role of auditors in the institutionalization of this IFRS-based model in Portugal.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from an institutional theory framework, the authors interviewed 16 Portuguese auditors in 2017 (seven years after formal implementation of the SNC) to determine their perceptions on whether barriers to the IFRS-based model persisted.
Findings
The authors reveal that the code-law institutional logic embedded in the Portuguese context is hindering full institutionalization of the new accounting model. Some persisting barriers to implementation reflected a decoupling between formal requirements and actual practices. Despite these barriers, there has been an encouraging institutionalization of SNC. The authors reveal a high level of commitment of auditors. They draw attention to the engagement of auditors in the institutional work that is intended to assist in SNC implementation, and their role as promoters of a power-knowledge discourse in propagating IFRS institutional logics at the national level, namely, through the justification and rationalization of the reported institutional contradictions.
Practical implications
The highlighting the authors provide of problems related to accounting change should assist international regulators, the Portuguese standard-setter and professional accounting associations to devise appropriate strategies to promote IFRS-based accounting systems implementation.
Originality/value
The authors contribute to the skimpy literature on micro institutional analysis and encourage further exploration of the dynamics between the micro and macro levels of analysis in institutional research.
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This paper aims to report on a post-confinement reflection (not post-COVID-19) resulting from a series of online forums that took place during the peak moments of the pandemic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report on a post-confinement reflection (not post-COVID-19) resulting from a series of online forums that took place during the peak moments of the pandemic, with the intention of raising awareness and mobilising tourism agents for the development of tourism planning and tourism intelligence, taking advantage of the period of stagnation of the tourism industry. The project was named “Tourism in flight mode: Thinking together the post COVID-19 tourism”.
Design/methodology/approach
The project was based on the sharing of information and experiences in virtual forums where participants from all over the world had the opportunity to explain how the pandemic was influencing their work/business, the regional or national tourism activity, GDP and jobs and how they and their regions were preparing for the recovery of tourism. On a biweekly basis, virtual forums were organised, with participants from three continents and 12 countries. The results were contextualised by carrying out a review of the most recent literature and authors’ tourism know-how in the field.
Findings
The results of the discussions allowed for an identification of new potential successful tourism products and new proposals for the design of basic pillars for destinations planning.
Practical implications
This paper offers practical recommendations for public administration and others on dealing with unexpected crises in the tourism sector and how to respond through the development of new and adapted products and approaches to tourism.
Originality/value
This paper creates awareness in public administration and other agencies about the opportunities and the needs for this “new era”.
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Ana Isabel Torres, Silvana Santos Ferraz and Helena Santos-Rodrigues
The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the relations among different knowledge management (KM) factors, such as human capital (HC), processes and information systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the relations among different knowledge management (KM) factors, such as human capital (HC), processes and information systems (IS) on organizational sustainable competitive advantage (CA), within the SMEs context.
Design/methodology/approach
Structured questionnaires were distributed to CEOs and managers of Portuguese organizations through an electronic survey. Partial least squares software was utilized to analyze the data.
Findings
The measurement model results identify and validate the dimensions of HC, processes and IS representing the KM construct. The structural model results demonstrate that HC and processes have a direct and significant impact on organizational CA, on the customer and financial dimensions, respectively. IS indirectly and significantly influence organizational CA, mediated by HC and processes.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size includes mostly service business and SMEs. Other organizations sectors, such as industry, should be analyzed in order to develop a comparative cross-sectorial study.
Practical implications
This study establishes suggestions for managers to make legitimate decisions concerning investments on knowledge assets and organizational capabilities that can foster business growth and sustainable CA within a SMEs context.
Originality/value
The authors propose a mediation mechanism showing that the relationship between IS and sustainable CA is not direct, but it is mediated by HC and processes. This mechanism points out some critical issues for the strategic knowledge and intellectual capital assets, as a source of organizational CA.
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Mauren Corrêa dos Santos Benites, Ricardo Ribeiro Alves and João Garibaldi Almeida Viana
This study aims to identify how the sustainability of Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology is implemented.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify how the sustainability of Brazilian Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology is implemented.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is descriptive and quantitative, and questionnaires were used to collect data, which were applied to the campuses and deans of the 38 IFs. The sample selection resulted from a sampling calculation for a finite population, which considered the five Brazilian regions, reaching 248 respondents. To analyze the collected data, descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate the mean, standard deviation (σ) and coefficient of variation of each of the seven axes of the questionnaire and also of the axes and regions jointly; and the sustainability indicator was defined.
Findings
A majority of the analyzed FIs were considered to be medium or highly sustainable. The classifications achieved by the FIs demonstrate that sustainability practices are reasonably present in a significant number of campi and Principals’ Offices.
Practical implications
This study contributes by creating a data collection instrument to measure the sustainability practice, not only in educational institutions but also in any type of institution; and the sustainability indicators created, which make it possible to classify organs and entities in accordance with sustainable initiatives implemented by them.
Originality/value
This study’s authors can highlight the mapping of sustainability implementation in the Brazilian Federal Institutes analyzed, which, owing to the sample used, allows for the verification of similarities and differences in these practices between the five Brazilian regions, in addition to making comparisons possible.
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Ana Flávia Ramos, Gabriela da Rocha Lemos Mendes, Renato Souza Cruz, Fabiane Neves Silva, Geany Peruch Camilloto, Handray Fernandes de Souza, Juliana Pinto de Lima, Caroline Liboreiro Paiva and Igor VIana Brandi
Baru is a fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, important to the local economy and social culture. The use in food formulation is due to it being highly available and its nutritional…
Abstract
Purpose
Baru is a fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, important to the local economy and social culture. The use in food formulation is due to it being highly available and its nutritional profile; however, the changes in the texture of products are still unclear. In this study, an experimental design was conducted to develop cakes by replacing different levels of wheat flour with baru nut flour, and comparing them.
Design/methodology/approach
Cakes were developed with 20, 40, 60, and 80 replacement of wheat flour by baru nut flour and compared with standard formulation (100% wheat flour). The physical-chemistry composition of the flour, nutritional composition of the cakes and texture profile analysis were evaluated.
Findings
Baru nut flour showed greater protein, lipids, and ash than wheat flour, and this result was also observed in the cakes developed. The cake with 80% of almond baru flour showed an increase of 60.3% in protein. The texture profile analysis showed that the addition of baru nut flour affected the texture of products. The cakes showed more hardness and chewiness; however, the springiness and cohesiveness were decreased.
Originality/value
The findings of this study demonstrate that baru nut flour is a great option as a new ingredient for bakery products, due the increase of protein. This is the first study analyzing the effect of baru nut flour addition on the texture profile of bakery products. These results can orientate future studies, especially sensory assays.