Nuno Campos Pereira, Nuno Araújo and Leonardo Costa
The purpose of this paper is to develop a multidimensional innovation index (MII) framework for measuring and benchmarking multidimensional innovation of small and medium…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a multidimensional innovation index (MII) framework for measuring and benchmarking multidimensional innovation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and groups of SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
A counting dual cut-off method is employed. First, output and input innovation profiles and composite scores of individual SMEs are computed. Second, a set of four composite innovation indices are generated characterizing the group of SMEs under analysis: MIIo and MIIi measure multidimensional output and input innovation, respectively; while MIIr and MIIa assess the ratio and average of MIIo and MIIi, respectively. To test the MII framework, a survey was conducted among SMEs of the metalworking industry in Portugal.
Findings
In 2012, about 28.9 percent (42.2 percent) SMEs of the Portuguese metalworking industry were determined to be multidimensional output (input) innovative. The average percentage of dimensions for which output (input) innovative SMEs were innovative was 65.0 percent (66.0 percent). Thus, the industry MII vector was (MIIo; MIIi; MIIr; MIIa)=(0.188, 0.279, 0.674; 0.233). Significant differences were found across the industry, individual SMEs’ multidimensional output and input innovation scores, enabling the identification of groups of SMEs, which can be characterized and compared by computing the corresponding and specific MII vectors.
Research limitations/implications
The research has limitations because of the small size of the sample and the benchmarking possibilities it provides.
Originality/value
The novelty of the MII framework lies in the counting dual cut-off method employed.
Details
Keywords
Ana Maria Reis, Ana Pinto Borges and Nuno Araújo
The need to reduce health expenditures raises the discussion on rationing possibilities and there is a growing interest in considering society's perspectives. The aim of this…
Abstract
Purpose
The need to reduce health expenditures raises the discussion on rationing possibilities and there is a growing interest in considering society's perspectives. The aim of this paper was to evaluate Portuguese citizens' opinion regarding the imposition of limits on National Health Service (NHS) spending. We also asked who decides how NHS money is spent, in order to obtain the respondents' views on public involvement.
Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics, factorial analysis and a logit model were applied.
Findings
Our results showed that most of the respondents believe citizens have low participation on NHS' financial decisions, confirming the lack of public involvement. Health professionals are more likely to agree with limits on NHS spending, which could indicate potential inefficiencies.
Practical implications
From a health policy perspective, we have concluded that different stakeholders should be involved before deciding how public spending limits should be implemented. Health professionals' perspectives should be considered, taking advantage of their experience.
Originality/value
The main novelty of this paper is the evaluation of whether there should be limits on NHS spending, comparing health professionals and non-health professionals.
Details
Keywords
Susana Jorge, Sónia P. Nogueira and Nuno Ribeiro
This paper aims at understanding the action of pilot entities, in order to ultimately infer about their role to the overall reform process of public sector accounting (PSA).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims at understanding the action of pilot entities, in order to ultimately infer about their role to the overall reform process of public sector accounting (PSA).
Design/methodology/approach
Taking the Portuguese case as a reference, the new institutional theory (isomorphism perspective) and institutional logics are used to explain the action and stance of pilot entities in the implementation process of reforms.
Findings
Pilot experiments are expected to provide feedback on the main difficulties felt in the implementation of a new PSA system, helping to define a global strategy to overcome those problems and to improve the system to be generally and finally put into practice. Nevertheless, entities seem to find it important to be pilots, more for individual advantages than for the common benefit of the reform as a whole. Therefore, in order for them to actually be important actors in the reform process, pilots need to be included in the decision process, better realizing the benefits of the new IPSAS-based system and be provided with the proper technical, human and financial support.
Research limitations/implications
This research suffers from some limitations, namely concerning the use of questionnaires. The findings may, in some points, reflect the perceptions of the respondents and not the actual reality. Additionally, the respondents were not asked about any personal background factors, which may influence their answers. Also, they did not allow relating the new PSA system features with the way pilot entities (re)acted. In regard to the implications for practice, the study points to a need for decision-makers and external support bodies to work more closely with pilot entities in the overall design and implementation of PSA reforms. Pilot entities need to understand the importance and usefulness of changes, and reform authorities need to better recognize their institutional reality and the support they require. Only in this way, the use of pilots can make a difference in the implementation of PSA innovations.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to theory by adding to a better understanding of the role of the ones acting in the development and implementation of PSA innovations, enlightening on how pilot entities can act/react. Despite several studies on PSA reforms, very few so far have addressed pilot entities in particular, their attitude and actual contribution toward PSA reforms, and why. The case of Portugal as a frontrunner in adopting an IPSAS-based system within the EU helps contribute to that understanding in the setting of European countries.
Details
Keywords
Pedro Neto, Nuno Mendes, Ricardo Araújo, J. Norberto Pires and A. Paulo Moreira
The purpose of this paper is to present a CAD‐based human‐robot interface that allows non‐expert users to teach a robot in a manner similar to that used by human beings to teach…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a CAD‐based human‐robot interface that allows non‐expert users to teach a robot in a manner similar to that used by human beings to teach each other.
Design/methodology/approach
Intuitive robot programming is achieved by using CAD drawings to generate robot programs off‐line. Sensory feedback allows minimization of the effects of uncertainty, providing information to adjust the robot paths during robot operation.
Findings
It was found that it is possible to generate a robot program from a common CAD drawing and run it without any major concerns about calibration or CAD model accuracy.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of the proposed system has to do with the fact that it was designed to be used for particular technological applications.
Practical implications
Since most manufacturing companies have CAD packages in their facilities today, CAD‐based robot programming may be a good option to program robots without the need for skilled robot programmers.
Originality/value
The paper proposes a new CAD‐based robot programming system. Robot programs are directly generated from a CAD drawing “running” on a commonly available 3D CAD package (Autodesk Inventor) and not from a commercial, computer aided robotics (CAR) software, making it a simple CAD integrated solution. This is a low‐cost and low‐setup time system where no advanced robot programming skills are required to operate it. In summary, robot programs are generated with a high‐level of abstraction from the robot language.
Details
Keywords
Vasco Ribeiro Santos, Paulo Ramos, Nuno Almeida and Enrique Santos-Pavón
This paper aims to provide a theoretical and conceptual analysis of wine and wine tourism experiences evidencing the current state of the art and providing some directions for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a theoretical and conceptual analysis of wine and wine tourism experiences evidencing the current state of the art and providing some directions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an in-depth literature review and content analysis of prior work.
Findings
The experience focussed on wine andwine tourismrequires further exploration. The boundaries of the wine andwine tourism experience were identified, togetherwith highlights and strategic agenda for future actions.
Originality/value
Based on some key prior literature on the topic of wine and tourism experience, future research directions and approaches were proposed.
Details
Keywords
This chapter aims to rethink how gender inequality is related to interpersonal and structural asymmetries of power displayed in our relationships with ecosystems, questioning the…
Abstract
This chapter aims to rethink how gender inequality is related to interpersonal and structural asymmetries of power displayed in our relationships with ecosystems, questioning the classical concept of ‘nature’ as something ‘out there’, as pointed out by dark ecology. First, with the aim of offering a joint North–South critical perspective on equality and sustainability, critical ecofeminism, through the work of A. Puleo, will be explained as a Spanish feminist line of thought and movement. This author, rejecting some essentialist visions of deep ecology, sets her ideas in relation to general critical social theory. Second, contrasting perspectives (critical feminism and ecology) will be combined to offer a rich cross-fertilisation between different perspectives and traditional themes in criminology. A common denominator can be found in the exercise of criticism through questioning binary categories, underlying assumptions and social injustice in relation to the visibility of harms. Third, the relevance of ecofeminism for current criminological debates will be highlighted beyond the obvious connections with green victimology. Finally, ecofeminism will be interpreted as a new critical standpoint and as a more inclusive language for fostering the criminological and victimological imagination in order to help to rethink the rules of the criminal justice system.
Details
Keywords
The West African Republic of Guinea-Bissau has been unstable since gaining its independence in 1974. The 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections are being closely analyzed…
Abstract
Purpose
The West African Republic of Guinea-Bissau has been unstable since gaining its independence in 1974. The 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections are being closely analyzed to study how the United Nations and the Guinean people have reacted to the outcomes of these elections. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Sociological methodologies and a comparative approach have been used in this paper to understand why the elections in 2014 were so important in this country.
Findings
The author finds that stability is possible in Guinea-Bissau after years of political uncertainties.
Originality/value
Particular focus has been paid to studying the responses of specific aspects of society, including the youth population, the political elite, the main political party, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, the opposition parties and the army and whether these different groups will be able to cooperate after electing a sustainable and relatively wide-ranging government.
João Pedro Barros, João Reis, Nuno Melão and Adriane Cavalieri
The rapid advancement of new technologies necessitates the adaptation of existing resources to address the evolving demands of contemporary conflicts among nations. As exemplified…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid advancement of new technologies necessitates the adaptation of existing resources to address the evolving demands of contemporary conflicts among nations. As exemplified by the emergence of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), these technologies have become indispensable components of military drone operations. This study investigates the role of innovation models in driving Portuguese Innovation and Development, focusing specifically on military drones.
Design/methodology/approach
Through an examination of existing scientific and doctrinal literature, this research establishes a connection between theoretical concepts and the practical deployment of drones within the Portuguese ground forces. Employing a qualitative approach, this study follows a case study, with data collection following the principle of triangulation.
Findings
The findings of this research reveal several attributes crucial to drone utilization, such as optronic capability and drone range. These attributes are vital for ensuring high-quality, real-time imagery transmission and operational effectiveness in military activities.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the understanding of the implications of drone attributes for the Command, Control, Communications and Information Systems (C3IS) capabilities of the Portuguese ground forces. It highlights the importance of continued emphasis on drone development and innovation as a key priority for the Portuguese Army.
Details
Keywords
Susana Alves Pereira, Nuno Rebelo dos Santos and Leonor Pais
This paper aims to relate conceptually decent work and the economy for the common good describing the main contributions of the former to the latter.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to relate conceptually decent work and the economy for the common good describing the main contributions of the former to the latter.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper analyses the relationships between the values of the economy for the common good that have been explicitly stated and the psychological dimensions of the decent work concept.
Findings
Four conceptual propositions concerning the contributions of decent work to the economy for the common good are presented.
Research limitations/implications
Because the four conceptual propositions were not submitted to empirical research, future studies are suggested.
Practical implications
The pursuit of decent work is aligned with the economy for the common good, which contributes to reinforcing both proposals.
Social implications
Both decent work and the economy for the common good are synergistic and values-based approaches that consider the social system as a whole instead of proposing strategies to improve the competitive advantage of one over the other. This synergistic idea through cooperation contributes to overcoming the limitations of “business as usual”.
Originality/value
This is the first paper discussing the relationships between decent work and the economy for the common good.
Details
Keywords
Tatiana Lopez and Claudia Alvarez
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the state of entrepreneurship research in the Latin American context, with special emphasis on international entrepreneurship research…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the state of entrepreneurship research in the Latin American context, with special emphasis on international entrepreneurship research developed in this region. Therefore, the aim and contribution are to identify the main themes in the literature about entrepreneurship and show the evolution of entrepreneurship research in Latin America to stimulate the research and provide future research lines.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is based in a systematic literature review, using 128 articles published between 2002 and 2018, in scientific journals in the region according to SCImago Journal & Country Rank.
Findings
The results show the evolution through the journals, authors, topics and methodologies used by the researchers. It is emphasized that there is a very low level of research in international entrepreneurship in Latin America. This result is coherent with higher levels of entrepreneurship in Latin American countries but very few oriented to international markets. This is one of the challenges considering the importance of this field.
Originality/value
Entrepreneurship is a field of study that has grown throughout history. Even so, in the Latin American context, research published in high impact journals is limited. This paper is the first systematic literature review and thematic analysis of research on the field of entrepreneurship in the Latin American context. In this way, it serves as encouragement for future research, providing possibilities and challenges within the field of study.
Objetivo
Este artículo presenta el estado de la investigación en emprendimiento en el contexto latinoamericano, haciendo énfasis en el emprendimiento internacional.
Diseño/metodología/aproximación
Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura en la cual se encontraron 147 artículos, publicados entre 2002 y 2018 en revistas científicas de la región de acuerdo con el ranking SCImago Journal & Country Rank (SJR).
Resultados
Los hallazgos presentan la evolución de las revistas, los autores, los temas y las metodologías usadas por los investigadores. Se resalta el bajo nivel de investigaciones en emprendimiento internacional en la región, lo cual es coherente con altas tasas de actividad emprendedora de Latinoamérica, pero baja orientación a la internacionalización. Este es uno de los retos de los países, considerando la importancia de esta área.
Originalidad
Aunque la investigación en emprendimiento ha aumentado a través de la historia, en el contexto latinoamericano las publicaciones en revistas de alto impacto son limitadas. Este estudio es la primera revisión sistemática de la literatura y análisis temático de la investigación en emprendimiento. En este sentido, los resultados sirven somo estímulo a la investigación futura mostrando las oportunidades y los desafíos dentro de este campo de estudio.