Paula Gomes, Marisa Quaresma and João Pedro da Ponte
This article aims to analyse how a teacher leads whole-class discussions during and after participating in lesson studies and to what extent that participation influences her…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to analyse how a teacher leads whole-class discussions during and after participating in lesson studies and to what extent that participation influences her teaching practice.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative/interpretative research with a case study design, carried out with a secondary school mathematics teacher who participated in two lesson studies. Data were collected from participant observation, audio recording of lesson study (LS) sessions and discussions with the teacher, video recording of lessons and semi-structured interviews. Frameworks regarding the teachers' actions are used in the analysis.
Findings
The results suggest that in her teaching practice, the teacher led students to explain their strategies with supporting/guiding actions, but she also challenged the students to justify their productions, ensuring that the students' ideas were clear. Additionally, the teacher explored incorrect strategies and disagreements, inviting and challenging other students to intervene or react and involved students in drawing connections, as discussed in the LS. Therefore, the teacher put into practice several actions teachers can do in leading whole-class discussions to promote students' learning. Participating in LS was an opportunity to rethink her teaching practice, as the teacher pointed out, bringing her a new perspective on leading discussions in which students play an active role in learning mathematics, creating opportunities for the students to explain and react to their colleagues' ideas.
Originality/value
This article examines an under-researched issue: the influence of LS on the way a teacher leads whole-class discussions, during and after participating in lesson studies.
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Matjaz Jakopec, Simon J. Harris, Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena, Paula Gomes and Brian L. Davies
A “hands‐on” robotic system for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is presented. Computed tomography (CT) based software is used to accurately plan the procedure…
Abstract
A “hands‐on” robotic system for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is presented. Computed tomography (CT) based software is used to accurately plan the procedure pre‐operatively. Intra‐operatively, the surgeon guides a small, special‐purpose robot, called Acrobot®, which is mounted on a gross positioning device. The Acrobot uses active constraint control, which constrains the motion to a pre‐defined region, and thus allows the surgeon to safely cut the knee bones to fit a TKR prosthesis with high precision. A non‐invasive anatomical registration method is used. The system has undergone early clinical trials with very promising outcomes.
Paula Gomes dos Santos and Fábio Albuquerque
This paper aims to assess the factors that may explain the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) convergence, considering Hofstede’s cultural dimensions as the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to assess the factors that may explain the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) convergence, considering Hofstede’s cultural dimensions as the theoretical reference for the cultural approach proposed. Additional factors include countries’ contextual and macroeconomic characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
Logistic and probit regression models were used to identify the factors that may explain the IPSAS (fully or adapted) use by countries, including 166 countries in this assessment (59 for those whose cultural dimensions are available).
Findings
The findings consistently indicate collectivism and indebtedness levels as explanatory factors, providing insights into cultural dimensions along with macroeconomic characteristics as a relevant factor of countries’ convergence to IPSAS.
Research limitations/implications
There are different levels of IPSAS convergence by countries that were not considered. This aspect may hide different countries’ characteristics that may explain those options, which could not be distinguished in this paper.
Practical implications
As a result of this paper, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board may gain insights that can be applied within the IPSAS due process to overcome the main challenges when collaborating with national authorities to achieve a high level of convergence. This analysis may include how to accommodate countries’ cultural differences as well as their contextual and macroeconomic characteristics.
Social implications
There is a trend of moving toward accrual-based accounting standards by countries. Because the public sector embraces a new culture following the IPSAS path, it is relevant to assess if there are cultural factors, besides contextual and macroeconomic characteristics, that may explain the countries’ convergence to those standards.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first cross-country analysis on the likely influence of cultural dimensions on IPSAS convergence as far as the authors’ knowledge.
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Rafael Barreiros Porto, Paula Borges Gomes Akitaya and Denise Santos Oliveira
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the internationalization characteristics of companies from an emerging market (internationalized company stage and presence of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the internationalization characteristics of companies from an emerging market (internationalized company stage and presence of a sales subsidiary abroad) moderate the influence of country of brand origin positioning over the companies' financial performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed an ex-post-facto study of internationalized companies from Brazil spanning 16 years. Generalized estimating equations in panel data revealed the results with market share, return on assets (ROA) and Tobin's Q as dependent variables.
Findings
The result revealed that country of brand origin positioning is worth doing for internationalized companies from an emerging market, especially for multinationals with sales activity in the destination country. It positively affects all three financial metrics. For exporters, it is effective in increasing market share and returns on assets.
Practical implications
The research demonstrates the effectiveness of the image positioning of exporting and multinational companies that have internationalization initiatives and allocation of external sales activities.
Originality/value
In emerging markets, country of brand origin positioning is a branding strategy used by companies seeking to internationalize. This research shows that the contexts of the characteristics of internationalization strategies change the results, and therefore the need to be considered for testing the effectiveness of country-of-brand-origin positioning.
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Suzana Paula Gomes Fernando da Silva Lampreia, José Fernando Gomes Requeijo, José António Mendonça Dias, Valter Martins Vairinhos and Patrícia Isabel Soares Barbosa
The application of condition-based maintenance on selected equipment can allow online monitoring using fixed, half-fixed or portable sensors. The collected data not always allow a…
Abstract
Purpose
The application of condition-based maintenance on selected equipment can allow online monitoring using fixed, half-fixed or portable sensors. The collected data not always allow a straightforward interpretation and many false alarms can happen. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Statistical techniques can be used to perform early failure detection. With the application of Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) Modified Charts and the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) Charts, special causes of variation can be detected online and during the equipment functioning. Before applying these methods, it is important to check data for independence. When the independence condition is not verified, data should be modeled with an ARIMA (p, d, q) model. Parameters estimation is obtained using the Shewhart Traditional Charts.
Findings
With data monitoring and statistical methods, it is possible to detect any system or equipment failure trend, so that we can act at the right time to avoid catastrophic failures.
Originality/value
In this work, an electro pump condition is monitored. Through this process, an anomaly and four stages of aggravation are forced, and the CUSUM and EWMA modified control charts are applied to test an online equipment monitoring. When the detection occurs, the methodology will have rules to define the degree of intervention.
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The mall industry in Latin America has grown rapidly in the past decade, offering diverse proposals oriented to improving the attractiveness of this commerce format; along this…
Abstract
Purpose
The mall industry in Latin America has grown rapidly in the past decade, offering diverse proposals oriented to improving the attractiveness of this commerce format; along this line, despite the fact that several studies have analyzed variables from an ecological perspective based on the relationship of the physical space with the consumers (from a marketing context), there is shortage in research regarding alternative attractiveness factors inspired by nature, although its connection with people’s behavior has been confirmed. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to answer the following question: Is the perception of environments with natural resources displayed in malls an alternative attractiveness factor for visitors? Thus, does it benefit its own competitive management against other attractiveness variables that focus on offering variety, accessibility, physical design and entertainment?
Design/methodology/approach
The quantitative method is an exploratory factor analysis that is followed by a confirmatory analysis and resulting in a measurement model based on 470 effective questionnaires. The exploratory and confirmatory nature focused on multidimensional verification of the measurement model (including the validation of the eco-natural environment) justified this choice in consistence with prior research that has used goodness of fit criteria.
Findings
The paper not only suggests the existence of a perception factor in the eco-natural environment, but it also determines its comparative importance over other traditional attractiveness factors reported in scientific literature. Particularly because commercial attractiveness is a consequence of how marketing variables are managed by malls and of how consumers respond to said variables, benefiting the visit’s experience.
Practical implications
The paper contributes to malls’ competitive management by suggesting and proving the importance of the eco-natural environment as a commercial attractiveness factor; thus, the results encourage this format’s developers to take into account new ways of persuasion considering its progressive and competitive rise in the past years in Latin America.
Originality/value
There is shortage of research on alternative attractiveness factors for malls; therefore, contrasting the eco-natural environment in a measurement model of commercial attractiveness allows contributing strategic information to the industry, which in turn constitutes an innovative resource to lure and motivate visitors. On the other hand, the paper contributes the state of knowledge of environmental variables over consumers’ assessments.
Objetivo
La industria de los centros comerciales en américa latina ha crecido rápidamente en la última década caracterizándose por diversas propuestas orientadas a mejorar la capacidad de atracción de estos formatos de comercio; en esta línea, a pesar de que existen varios estudios que han analizado dichas variables desde una perspectiva ecológica basada en la relación del ambiente físico con los consumidores en el contexto de marketing, existe una escases de investigación sobre factores alternativos de atracción inspirados en la naturaleza pese a su ya comprobada relación sobre el comportamiento de las personas. Por tanto, este documento tiene como objetivo responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿La percepción de ambientes con recursos naturales dispuestos en centros comerciales son un factor alternativo de atracción para visitantes? y, por tanto, puede favorecer su propia gestión competitiva frente a otras variables de atracción centradas en la variedad de la oferta, la accesibilidad, el diseño físico y el entretenimiento.
Diseño
El método cuantitativo corresponde a un análisis factorial exploratorio seguido por un análisis confirmatorio obteniendo un modelo de medida a partir de 470 cuestionarios efectivos. La naturaleza exploratoria y confirmatoria centrada en comprobación multidimensional del modelo de medida (incluyendo la validación del ambiente eco-natural) justificó esta elección en coherencia a investigaciones antecedentes que han utilizado criterios de bondad del ajuste.
Resultados
La investigación no solamente sugiere la existencia del factor de percepción del ambiente eco-natural, sino que también permite determinar su importancia comparativa sobre otros factores tradicionales de atracción reportados por la literatura científica. Particularmente debido a que la atracción comercial es una consecuencia de cómo gestionan las variables de mercadeo los centros comerciales y de cómo responden los consumidores a dichas variables favoreciendo su experiencia de visita.
Implicaciones prácticas
La investigación contribuye a la gestión competitiva de los centros comerciales al sugerir y demostrar la importancia del ambiente eco-natural como factor de atracción comercial, ante lo cual, los resultados alientan a desarrolladores de estos formatos a considerar nuevas formas de persuasión teniendo en cuenta su aumento progresivo y competitivo en los últimos años en américa latina.
Originalidad/valor
Existe escases de investigaciones sobre nuevos factores alternativos de atracción para centros comerciales, en esta línea, contrastar el ambiente eco-natural en un modelo de medida de atracción comercial, permite aportar información estratégica a la industria constituyéndose un recurso innovador para conquistar e incentivar a visitantes. Por otra parte, la investigación logra aportar al estado de conocimiento de las variables ambientales sobre las evaluaciones del consumidor.
Palabras clave
Ambiente ecológico, Ambiente de naturaleza, Factores de atracción,Centros comerciales
Tipo de artículo
Trabajo de investigación
Objetivo
O setor de shopping centers na América Latina cresceu rapidamente na última década, oferecendo diversas propostas orientadas para melhorar a atratividade deste formato de comércio; Nessa linha, apesar de vários estudos terem analisado variáveis de uma perspectiva ecológica a partir da relação do espaço físico com os consumidores (de um contexto de marketing), há escassez de pesquisas sobre fatores de atração alternativos inspirados na natureza, embora a conexão com o comportamento das pessoas foi confirmada. Portanto, o objetivo deste documento é responder a seguinte pergunta: A percepção de ambientes com recursos naturais apresenta nos shoppings um fator de atratividade alternativo para os visitantes? Assim, beneficia a sua própria gestão competitiva contra outras variáveis de atratividade que se concentram em oferecer variedade, acessibilidade, design físico e entretenimento?
Metodologia
O método quantitativo é uma análise fatorial exploratória que é seguida por uma análise confirmatória e resulta em um modelo de mensuração baseado em 470 questionários efetivos. A natureza exploratória e confirmatória focada na verificação multidimensional do modelo de mensuração (incluindo a validação do ambiente eco-natural) justificou essa escolha em consistência com pesquisas anteriores que utilizaram critérios de qualidade de ajuste.
Resultados
A pesquisa não apenas sugere a existência de um fator de percepção no ambiente eco-natural, mas também determina sua importância comparativa em relação a outros fatores de atratividade tradicionais relatados na literatura científica. Particularmente porque a atratividade comercial é uma consequência de como as variáveis de marketing são gerenciadas pelos shoppings e de como os consumidores respondem a essas variáveis, beneficiando a experiência da visita.
Implicações práticas
A pesquisa contribui para a gestão competitiva dos shoppings ao sugerir e comprovar a importância do ambiente ecologicamente natural como fator de atratividade comercial, assim, os resultados incentivam os desenvolvedores deste formato a levar em conta novas formas de persuasão, considerando sua progressividade e competitividade em aumento nos últimos anos na América Latina.
Originalidade/valor
Há escassez de pesquisas sobre fatores de atratividade alternativos para shoppings, portanto, contrastando o ambiente eco-natural em um modelo de mensuração de atratividade comercial permite contribuir com informações estratégicas para a indústria, que por sua vez constitui um recurso inovador para atrair e motivar visitantes. Por outro lado, a pesquisa contribui para o estado do conhecimento das variáveis ambientais sobre as avaliações dos consumidores.
Palavras-chave
Ambiente ecológico, Ambiente de natureza, Fatores de atracção, Shopping
Tipo de artigo
Artigo de pesquisa
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Leonardo Ortegón-Cortázar and Marcelo Royo-Vela
This paper aims to analyze how a biophilic atmosphere inspired by nature influences customers’ affective states and intention to visit shopping centers, and to empirically test…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze how a biophilic atmosphere inspired by nature influences customers’ affective states and intention to visit shopping centers, and to empirically test how affective states affect and mediate the relationship between the nature-based atmosphere and behavior or intention to visit.
Design/methodology/approach
Four hypotheses are examined empirically through a model of structural equations using control variables. A survey of 403 consumers distributed in 24 large shopping centers was used.
Findings
The findings indicate the influence of the biophilic atmosphere on affective states and the intention to visit. Also, it is shown that affective states mediate in this relationship and effect.
Practical implications
The research suggests that shopping centers are potentially places to take advantage of people’s natural predisposition. Thus, they can combine biophilic architecture and atmosphere with other more traditional factors of attraction to increase the likelihood of visiting. A biophilic atmosphere can improve the attraction capacity within a highly competitive environment, where design and management of space is a topic of special value.
Originality/value
By incorporating the perception of the biophilic atmosphere in consumer evaluations when visiting shopping centers, this research has shown its influence on visiting intentions through affective states. The research proposes an alternative model that can increase and stimulate the attraction of demand and loyalty, as well as strengthening new paths in the field of retail and services marketing.
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Sunil Dutt Trivedi, Abhinav Nigam and Ashutosh Pareek
The paper aims to identify and report service quality dimensions critical to distributors’ perception of the quality of services their suppliers provide (Manufactures).
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to identify and report service quality dimensions critical to distributors’ perception of the quality of services their suppliers provide (Manufactures).
Design/methodology/approach
This research used unstructured interviews and focused group discussions. The authors have interviewed ten distributors and ten frontline managers of three mid-size Consumer Packaged Goods companies operating in India. Two focused group discussions were conducted involving academicians and practitioners in the service quality domain.
Findings
Seven quality dimensions critical to a distributor’s service quality evaluation have been identified. Except for tangibility, all other SERVQUAL dimensions have been found relevant. Three additional dimensions, namely “Fairness,” “Accessibility” and “Image quality,” have been identified. The authors made a theoretical contribution by not only identifying the relevant dimension but also proving their context-specific definition. The authors also present managerial implications and recommendations to improve the service experience of distributors.
Originality/value
This paper investigates the distributor–manufacturer dyadic relationship from a service quality perspective for the first time. This study made a theoretical contribution by explicitly identifying service quality dimensions for a manufacturer-to-distributor (M2D) service relationship.