Cristina Piedade Silva and Rita Martins de Sousa
The purpose of this paper is to study how budgetary constraints can have ethical implications on patient treatment options.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study how budgetary constraints can have ethical implications on patient treatment options.
Design/methodology/approach
By applying a qualitative methodological approach (interviews) and participant observation, this paper studies the behaviour of surgeons in scenarios of financial restriction.
Findings
The empirical findings show that despite the conflict between the economy and the leges artis, surgeons maintain the ethical and deontological principles of their profession with fair rules of orientation.
Practical implications
The importance of this study can be realised by its continuity. One of the authors is already implicated on a wider research to investigate the influence of the economic scarcity of resources on general surgeons’ ethical behaviours.
Social implications
This paper is a contribution to understanding the rules that restrain the activities of surgeons. Politicians sometimes do not have a full understanding of the pressures that the medical profession faces in their day-to-day activities. Currently, with the addition of problems relate to COVID-19, politicians and populations seem to better understand the importance of the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), This paper hopes that this understanding will be not only a conjectural moment.
Originality/value
In conjunction with the economic recession that began in the first decade of this century, health institutions have long faced budgetary constraints that condition their material and human resources and correspondingly shape the scope of health professional activities. Until now, it has not been studied the impact of economic crises on the ethical behaviour of Portuguese surgeons. Therefore, this research is a first step and a useful contribution to understanding the rules that can restrain (or not) the ethical conduct of these health professionals.
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Teresa Anna Rita Gentile, Rocco Reina, Ernesto De Nito, Davide Bizjak and Paolo Canonico
According to Fee (2009), e-learning systems have three components: technology, learning content and e-learning design. Few studies have examined e-learning design as an…
Abstract
Purpose
According to Fee (2009), e-learning systems have three components: technology, learning content and e-learning design. Few studies have examined e-learning design as an educational process, although universities are increasingly using e-learning as they become more entrepreneurial. This article aimed to investigate how universities approach e-learning design.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed methods approach. First, the authors carried out a quantitative analysis of the websites of the top 100 European universities in the Quacquarelli Symonds Ranking. The authors then moved to a qualitative approach, analyzing a pilot case and three case studies. Semistructured interviews were conducted with managers of e-learning services at the chosen European universities.
Findings
The 100 best European universities in the Quacquarelli Symonds Rankings all use e-learning methods. The case study universities were selected from this list. The semistructured interviews with managers of e-learning services highlighted the importance of the design of e-learning courses. However, most focused on the professional figures involved, rather than the process for e-learning and the overall design of the course.
Originality/value
The article provides a detailed study of e-learning design in an educational context. The analysis of multiple case studies allowed the authors to identify how the selected universities carry out didactic design activity through the use of technology. It therefore contributes to knowledge of cases of digital academic entrepreneurship.
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Rita Melo, João Lima, Ana Lúcia Baltazar, Ezequiel Pinto and Sónia Fialho
The purpose is to analyse the nutritional adequacy and carbon footprint of intermediated meals provided to preschool children and primary-level students in a Portuguese…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to analyse the nutritional adequacy and carbon footprint of intermediated meals provided to preschool children and primary-level students in a Portuguese municipality.
Design/methodology/approach
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sampling consisting of school snacks from a Portuguese municipality. The nutritional assessment used food labels and a Portuguese food composition table. The literature review for carbon footprint assessment was conducted by searching for the products under analysis or similar ones.
Findings
The results showed that 80% of snacks have a higher energy value than recommended. The majority of options are below recommendations for protein and fat and above recommendations for carbohydrates. The intermediated meals with more dairy products in composition have the highest carbon footprint. The carbon footprint included the packaging of the products, and it wasn't possible to determine the influence of non-food products.
Research limitations/implications
This study has limitations in the fact that we do not know the carbon footprint of Portuguese products and we had to compare them with others, from different countries, with possibly different types of production.
Practical implications
Intermediate meals are inadequate, and the carbon footprint is higher when the intermediated meals include products of animal origin – the reason why the composition of intermediated meals should be redesigned considering the achievement of these targets.
Social implications
The promotion of intermediated meals that promote the Mediterranean eating pattern contributes to health and well-being and is a vehicle for nutrition education and healthy food consumption in schools.
Originality/value
Many studies have been conducted to analyse the carbon footprint and environmental impact of school meals, but commonly lunch is the meal evaluated and the assessment of intermediated meals' impact is an open field.
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Maria Joao Cunha and Rita Lúcio Martins
The purpose of this study is to understand challenges and constraints in reaching top leadership positions for women in the Portuguese press. Specifically, it aims at…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand challenges and constraints in reaching top leadership positions for women in the Portuguese press. Specifically, it aims at characterizing their communication and leadership styles, and at identifying main gender biases in newsrooms routines from their point of view.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative method was employed by conducting in-depth interviews with four women who have held higher management positions in Portuguese leading newspapers. Participants were asked to characterize their communication and leadership style, but also newsrooms environment, trying to understand how gender asymmetries persist and manifest. Results were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings
While considering that Portuguese newsrooms are no longer environments marked by a sexist/macho environment, through increasing female participation, women still represent a minority in leadership. Leadership traits linked to male styles, including assertiveness and courage, were revealed, though mixed with a more participative/relational leadership. Also, female leaders regret when emotional ties with teams are not developed and recognized some degree of privilege towards other women through family support or not having children.
Research limitations/implications
There is a limited number of interviews, although they represent the few top women leaders in Portuguese journalism.
Practical implications
Policymaking recommendations derived from conclusions include participative leadership, implementing quotas, and monitoring tools of gender biases and special training.
Social implications
Media literacy policies and open debates on main media outlets concerning female leadership and communication styles may contributes toward the acknowledgement of lingering gender biases in the industry.
Originality/value
This study contributes to a fuller insight into the identification of leadership and personal traits among women who managed to disrupt stigmas and break barriers. Their voices are seldom heard in studies focusing leadership, so results enable ascertaining whether there is a female way of leading in journalism and comprehending the sense of privilege these women perceive.
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Fatmakhanu (fatima) Pirbhai-Illich, Fran Martin and Shauneen Pete
Ricardo Correia, Manuela Cunha, Aida Carvalho and Bruno Sousa
This study aims to assess the online presence of three Portuguese low-density territories and analyze the communication strategies employed by public and private entities within…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the online presence of three Portuguese low-density territories and analyze the communication strategies employed by public and private entities within each municipality. The alignment between public and private entities within each municipality is also examined as a potential factor that could impact the effectiveness of digital communication strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative methodology that employed content analysis and interviews to gather data from selected public and private entities in each of the municipalities under study was used.
Findings
Despite the widespread availability of digital communication tools, the municipalities under study are yet to fully exploit their potential to promote and publicize their offerings. This could be attributed to several factors such as a lack of knowledge and/or resources and a defective strategic approach to digital communication.
Practical implications
The major obstacle in maximizing the potential of digital communication tools in low-density destinations was not solely a result of restricted access. Rather, it was largely due to insufficient knowledge and resources required for their effective utilization, coupled with a lack of aligned vision among various stakeholders.
Originality/value
The competitive landscape in which tourist actors operate has transformed significantly because of the widespread adoption of digital communication led by social networks. However, studies exploring digital communication in low-density territories are still scarce. This study adds new insights into the main factors that hinder the efficient use of digital communication in these regions.
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Carla Martins Igreja, Bruno Barbosa Sousa, Tiago Silva and Cláudia Miranda Veloso
The aim of this paper is to apply the SERVQUAL model to evaluate the quality perceived by customers in the context of family hotel management in Portugal. More specifically, to…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to apply the SERVQUAL model to evaluate the quality perceived by customers in the context of family hotel management in Portugal. More specifically, to assess the influence of interpersonal relationships (service providers and customers) in family business services in the wine tourism segment (i.e. wine hotel and spa). In this way, it aims to provide data that can support this family hotel to reinforce the quality of the services provided to guests and therefore their satisfaction and loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
The statistical techniques, using Microsoft Excel 2016® and SPSS Statistics 25.0®, were multivariate for the analysis and validation of the results. In this analysis it can be seen that except the empathy dimension, in which the evaluation of perceived quality is positive, i.e. customer perceptions were higher than expectations, the remaining dimensions of the SERVQUAL model were negative. The safety dimension ranked second, followed by service delivery dimensions, problem solving and tangibility.
Findings
The results show that the empathy dimension positively influences the evaluation of the perceived quality and thus also the satisfaction and loyalty of guests to the family hotel in the wine tourism segment. So, it is recommended that the hotel management of this family hotel reinforces service quality by investing in the improvement of physical facilities, problem-solving capacity, and service delivery, to obtain higher levels of perceived quality service and hence customer satisfaction and loyalty and, simultaneously, increase its performance and organizational sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
In addition to the direct contributions to the hotel management of this family business hotel, this study contributes to the development of the marketing scientific area, tourism and hospitality industry.
Practical implications
Several studies argue that the competitive advantage of the hotel business is based on the creation of value and of experiences for the customer, but in the context of family hotels, the creation of value for the customer is even more relevant, given the characteristics of this type of business, such as its small size and the reduced number of employees. Family hotels should invest in tools and techniques that allow them to create value for the customer through the quality of service offered to their guests.
Originality/value
This paper aimed to evaluate perceived quality in the context of family hotel management in Portugal. In particular, the contribution of interpersonal relationships (between service providers and guests), in hotel services in the wine tourism segment in Portugal. According to the analysis of the results of the exploratory study to Hotel context, it was concluded that there are differences between the perceptions and expectations of hotel guests.