José Manuel Xavier, Victor Manuel Moutinho and Antonio Carrizo Moreira
The purpose of this paper is to estimate retailing efficiency in a 26-store women clothing retail chain and to decompose it in several measures in order to contribute to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate retailing efficiency in a 26-store women clothing retail chain and to decompose it in several measures in order to contribute to the performance improvement of this retail service firm, as well as to compare the efficiency of the different decision making units.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the following measures to estimate efficiency: sigma convergence analysis; efficiency analysis; technical efficiency (TE) analysis; pure technical efficiency (PTE) analysis and scale efficiency (SE) analysis for a set of 26 stores of a women retail service brand operating in Portugal. A cross-section input-oriented data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to analyse quarterly data sets from 2010 to 2013.
Findings
The results show that costs with personnel are slightly increasing when analysed using the sigma convergence method, although there are some geographical differences. Moreover, it is possible to witness that the retail store chain’s TE diminishes as the operations outputs do not grow as fast as input savings. On the other hand, there are no SE problems as the levels of SE are larger than pure efficiency levels.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of the study stems from the fact that the analysis is based on a simple retail chain, which makes it a single case study. Therefore, the generalisation of the conclusions for other firms or for other periods of analysis should be made cautiously.
Practical implications
It is shown that some stores have a good TE and other stores have some SE advantage. As such, it is possible to select some stores as benchmarks to deploy internal efficiency throughout the retail chain.
Originality/value
The contribution of this paper is based on the application of the sigma conversion and DEA techniques to evaluate efficiency in retail service store.
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Francisco Freitas and José Manuel Mendes
This study aims to discuss the role of data in a disaster and important reconstruction process currently undergoing in Portugal.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to discuss the role of data in a disaster and important reconstruction process currently undergoing in Portugal.
Design/methodology/approach
The consequences resulting from the wildfires of 2017 and 2018 are the scope of this research paper. The main goal is to understand the role of data, namely, in terms of identifying existing usage, the derived problems and possible improvements. The given topic will be researched targeting secondary sources. The sources include official reports, legal proceedings and relevant newspaper articles.
Findings
In the course of the work, it was possible to identify some important data related pitfalls. Different levels are considered: information prior to extreme events; access to information during the wildfire events; and the problems observed in the aftermath, when tackling reconstruction processes. Civil protection policies in Portugal are failing to integrate population in their socio-technical arrangements.
Research limitations/implications
Important implications can derive by the ongoing investigations and trials enduring in Portuguese justice. This is a process receiving strong media coverage, enacting major revisions to the legal framework and to public policies.
Social implications
Positive social implications may be derived from a stronger focus on transparency and accountability by public authorities. To achieve that data/information must be perceived in a completely different way, aiming at the public good. For the state, data ownership should not constitute the primary goal. Lack of data and transparency has been undermining social relations in the affected areas.
Originality/value
The literature on forest fires is vast, although there are little concerns on the role of data to improve policymaking and to produce positive social impacts, especially in the aftermath of catastrophes. The Portuguese example underlines how information sharing and transparency are important to safeguard social bonds.
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The purpose of this paper is to study the just and highly praised Timorese nationalism leading to independence, deal, in particular, with the attitude of the East Timorese and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the just and highly praised Timorese nationalism leading to independence, deal, in particular, with the attitude of the East Timorese and raise questions about their national identity.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is largely based on an anthropological and political science research with interviews.
Findings
East Timor’s nationalism is unique and formerly linked to Liurai chiefs. Political nationalism is discussed in the third part of the paper.
Originality/value
This research is the first of its kind. East Timor research is mainly centered in the period 1975–1999 of Indonesian occupation. The concepts nationalism, identity and politics are under-researched concepts in East Timor. There the political system is unique.
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Manuel Expósito-Langa, José-Vicente Tomás-Miquel and F. Xavier Molina-Morales
The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated model of the determinants of innovation in clusters. In the understanding, internal, external and relational dimensions must…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated model of the determinants of innovation in clusters. In the understanding, internal, external and relational dimensions must be considered to make up a complete picture of the innovation processes. The authors propose that the exploration capacity of the firm, as well as its networking intensity and the external resources provided by supporting organizations are relevant in this context.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical study has drawn on the population of the firms belonging to the Valencian textile industrial cluster in Spain and was carried out in two different phases. In the first step the authors applied the social network analysis technique to study the relational structure of the participating companies, followed by a second analysis aimed at performing a more detailed analysis of the companies that answered the roster by means of face-to-face interviews.
Findings
Results suggest that firms in clusters must develop individual capacities parallel to the systemic resources in order to improve their innovation performance. These systemic resources are provided by the position in the knowledge network and the relations with Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS), as agents that connect the cluster with external networks.
Originality/value
In spite of diverse contributions, previous research only provides a partial explanation of the issue and others underestimate one of the elements (internal or external to the firm) where the sources of innovation are generated. The originality of this study lies in the fact that it presents a complete perspective of the innovation process in clustered firms and clarifies key questions in cluster studies through network analysis techniques.
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New Mexico City mayor.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB236416
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
José M. Merigó, Salvador Linares-Mustarós and Joan Carles Ferrer-Comalat
On 1 January 1929, Augusto César Sandino wrote his now famous declaration that aptly summarizes both the Sandino and the Frente Sandinista de Liberatión Nacional (FSLN, the…
Abstract
On 1 January 1929, Augusto César Sandino wrote his now famous declaration that aptly summarizes both the Sandino and the Frente Sandinista de Liberatión Nacional (FSLN, the Sandinista National Liberation Front) positions on the issue of foreign domination. He issued the statement in response to a letter from the officer commanding American forces in Nicaragua, Admiral D. F. Sellers. When Sellers suggested that Sandino's resistance would serve “no useful purpose,” Sandino replied:
Cicero Eduardo Walter, Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira, Cláudia Miranda Veloso and Daniel Ferreira Polónia
There is a scarcity of empirical evidence in the literature on the chain of causality involving tax incentives for Research and Development (R&D) activities and their subsequent…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a scarcity of empirical evidence in the literature on the chain of causality involving tax incentives for Research and Development (R&D) activities and their subsequent transformation into innovation. This study aims to assess the influence of R&D tax incentives on the organizational attributes of Portuguese firms to identify how they are converted into innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural research model consisting of 339 companies that benefited from the Fiscal Incentive System supporting R&D in Enterprises, during the period from 2013 to 2016, was developed. This was done to assess the role of R&D tax incentives on the organizational attributes that form the innovation capacity. The model was validated using the multivariate statistical technique of structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation (partial least squares structural equation modeling – PLS-SEM).
Findings
The results found suggest that although it is not possible to unequivocally identify the mechanisms used to convert tax incentives into innovation, it is possible to conclude that they play an important spillover effect for the construction and strengthening of organizational attributes. These form the basis of innovation capacity, to the extent that they positively influence the firms’ total assets, equity, liabilities, number of employees and sales. Hence, contributions are brought to both the literature on tax incentives and the general literature on innovation.
Originality/value
For policymakers, the evidence points to the fact that in addition to the incentives provided, novel mechanisms need to be established to help firms develop their absorptive capacity. The objective is to effectively convert the incentives received into innovation through the organizational attributes analyzed. From the firms’ point of view, the results found suggest that tax incentives act as a catalyst for making R&D investments. Additionally, there is an influence on employability, which effectively enhances the chances of innovation in the long run. Tax incentives received by Portuguese firms also have the effect of promoting economic dynamism – by enhancing the following: investments in infrastructure, the hiring of employees and the increasing of sales, generating positive externalities for both firms and society.