4,692 research outputs found

    Public Libraries: techno trends and collective memory

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    By public library I mean here a library providing some kind of universal access to its assets, one whose readership isn’t exclusively tied and restricted to a particular organization – including the generally called public libraries, but also many specialized libraries, such as the academic of the open kind. Despite all efforts, public libraries continue to face strong barriers to their participation in the information society. Participants of the World Meeting on the Future of the ISIS Software recognized that “the ISIS Software Family has a unique technological concept and developmental mission to cope with Information Storage and Retrieval Systems (ISRS), particularly for developing countries where the technology is widely known and used; that the ISIS Software Family has now fully embraced the Free and Open Source Software approach and the support of UNICODE structures to be fully open and multilingual” (Rio Declaration 2008), restating thus the persistent relevance of this software family. OSS (Coar 2006) is defined as software whose source code is freely available, therefore allowing for free inspection and/or utilization, i.e., it is available for study and use by everyone without any payment or any other barrier to access. the lack of technical skill in libraries, a situation that libraries share with much of the public and cultural sectors. The study of OSS ILS, and of the their adaptation to the needs of specific public libraries may be the solution to this. Library Management Systems) that enhances digital archive interoperability between a diverse range of libraries

    Modernization as an enhancer of access to Justice and of proximity between key actors

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    As claimed by Richard Susskind (2017, 2019), Justice is changing, not only as a necessity, but as consequence of society demands. This paper analyses the way public policies have changed in the last 10 years and how modernization can be perceived both as an enhancer and as a cause of that change, specifically regarding the judicial system. The paper focuses on the interviews conducted with key actors at the level of public policies’ definition, which aimed to understand Portuguese Public Administration in general, and the judicial system particularly. The major results of these interviews led to the conclusion that the judicial system is now at the center of a major development, enabled by the need to adapt to societal transformations and actors’ demands. Also, in what Portugal is concerned, because of the European Union (EU) integration and the adaptation to its goals

    A Portuguese Case Study

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    There is a high national dependency on Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Systems for several individuals, services and organisations that depend on this information on a daily basis. Those who rely on precise, accurate and continuous information need to have resilient systems in order to be highly efficient and reliable. A resilient structure and constantly available systems makes it easier to predict a threat or rapidly recover in a hazardous environment. One of these organisations is the Portuguese Navy, whose main purposes are to combat and maintain maritime safety. In combat, resilient PNT systems are needed for providing robustness in case of any threat or even a simple occasional system failure. In order to guarantee maritime safety, for example in Search and Rescue Missions, the need of PNT information is constant and indispensable for positioning control. The large diversity of PNT-dependent equipment, developed over the last two decades, is a valid showcase for the high GPS dependency that is seen nowadays – which is vulnerable to various factors like interference, jamming, spoofing and ionospheric conditions. The recent interest over integrated PNT system resolutions is related to the search for redundancy, accuracy, precision, availability, low cost, coverage, reliability and continuity. This study aimed to build a current PNT Portuguese picture based on Stakeholder Analysis and Interviews; assess the vulnerability of those who depend mainly on GPS for PNT information and, find out what the next steps should be in order to create a National PNT Strategy.Existe uma elevada dependência nacional em sistemas de Posição, Navegação e Tempo (PNT) por parte de diversos indivíduos, serviços e organizações que dependem desta informação no seu dia-a-dia. Todos os que dependem de informação precisa, exata e contínua, necessitam de ter sistemas resilientes para que sejam altamente eficientes e fiáveis. Uma estrutura resiliente e sistemas continuamente disponíveis facilitam a previsão de possíveis ameaças ou a expedita recuperação da funcionalidade, em ambientes hostis. Uma destas organizações é a Marinha Portuguesa cujas funções principais são o combate, a salvaguarda da vida humana no mar e a segurança marítima e da navegação. Para o combate, são necessários sistemas PNT, resilientes, que ofereçam robustez em caso de uma simples ameaça ou falha temporária dos sistemas. Por forma a ser possível cumprir a missão, a necessidade de ter informação PNT, fidedigna e atualizada, é constante e indispensável para o controlo preciso e exato da posição. Uma unidade naval, por forma a permanecer continuamente no mar, manter a sua prontidão, treinar a sua guarnição ou ser empenhada num cenário de guerra, necessita de saber, com confiança e sem erros, a sua posição e referência de tempo. A grande diversidade de sistemas dependentes de informação PNT, desenvolveu-se em larga escala nas últimas duas décadas e sustenta cada vez mais a alta dependência do GPS, que é vulnerável a diversas fontes de erro, tais como interferência, empastelamento, mistificação e condições ionosféricas. Atualmente, o elevado interesse na criação de sistemas PNT integrados está associado à procura da redundância, exatidão, precisão, disponibilidade, baixo custo, cobertura, fiabilidade e continuidade. Este estudo teve como objetivos construir o panorama atual, em Portugal, ao nível dos Sistemas PNT, baseando-se numa análise de Stakeholders e entrevistas; avaliar a vulnerabilidade de organizações e serviços que dependam exclusivamente do GPS como fonte de informação PNT; e propor um possível caminho para que seja possível criar uma Estratégia PNT Naciona

    Heritage politics in Timor-Leste: ambivalent perspectives from Venilale

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    This thesis analyses the East Timorese heritage-making process, from an anthropological perspective. The aim of this thesis is to examine the tensions and ambivalences towards heritage, both at an institutional level and in everyday cultural practices, by focusing on the grey areas and intersections between the normative discursive practices developed by governmental apparatuses and local ways of conceiving heritage, particularly in the Venilale area, in the Baukau region. The research is based on 15-month of multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork between the sub-region of Venilale, the region and town of Baukau and the capital city of the country, Dili. The analytical tools offered by the theoretical framework of the Critical Heritage Studies are central in this analysis, which reconfigures heritage as a set of active practices and discursive processes developed by different actors, among which governmental institutions, policymakers and local customary representative. Local understandings regarding the transmission of valuable goods and resources allow to overcome the dichotomic tensions between natural and cultural and tangible and intangible cultural heritage, underlying the Western perspective on heritage.Este trabalho analisa os processos de patrimonialização em Timor-Leste, desde uma perspetiva antropológica. O objetivo da tese é examinar as tensões e ambivalências em relação ao património, tanto a nível institucional como nas práticas culturais quotidianas, centrando-se nas zonas cinzentas e nas intersecções entre as práticas discursivas normativas relativas à criação do património, desenvolvidas quer a nível governamental quer a nível local, nomeadamente na zona de Venilale, na região de Baukau. A investigação baseia-se em 15 meses de trabalho de campo etnográfico multi situado, entre a sub-região de Venilale, a região e a cidade de Baukau e a capital do país, Díli. Os instrumentos analíticos oferecidos pelo quadro teórico dos ‘Critical Heritage Studies’ (Estudos Críticos do Património)são centrais nesta análise, que reconfigura o património como um conjunto de práticas ativas e processos discursivos desenvolvidos por diferentes atores sociais, entre os quais instituições governamentais, decisores políticos e representantes locais. Os entendimentos locais sobre a transmissão de bens e recursos, permitem ultrapassar as tensões dicotómicas entre o património natural e cultural e o património cultural material e imaterial, subjacentes à perspetiva ocidental sobre o património

    Fragile Social Norms: (Un) Sustainable Exploration of Forest Products

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    The exhaustion of natural resources is a central problem in the international agenda. The particular case of Amazon forest is at the top on the international environmental debate. Two related problems are keys to be considered in the discussion of sustainable development in this region. First the predatory use of the natural resources of the forest mainly timber and genetic resources. Second the recognition of the existence of a population of around 20 million inhabitants in the region defined as “Legal Amazon Area”, aiming the improvement on the living conditions, enhancement of income level and acceleration of development. How to match both objectives is a puzzle faced by the present generation. The region is populated by initiatives of international non‐governmental‐organizations, most of them carrying good intentions but lacking the necessary knowledge on local formal and informal institutions to find ways to reach sustainable development. The result is the accelerated process of natural resources depletion, and social disorganization. The case of the production of Brazilian Nuts stands as a corollary of the lack of an institutional structure of property rights that does not provide incentives for sustainable development. The opposite effect is being observed as a result of the fragility of observable institutional arrangements. The case provides the counterfactual for the analysis of Ostrom (1990; 2008), where she presents virtuous cases of sustainable exploration of natural resources, mostly based on informal but solid institutions.sustainable exploration of forest resources, social norms and sustainability, common pool resources, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

    Developing a business intelligence initiative in higher education

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    ACM Classification: H.4.2 Types of Systems – Decision SupportIn nowadays, Business Intelligence (BI) is one of the most important areas for managers and their organizations, whose investments on this type of projects are increasing. The decision-making process has become crucial to be more competitive, and higher education institutions (HEIs) are not an exception. For the last years, HEIs from all over the world have started to apply BI to their educational and decision-making challenges. In 2013, the BI Task Force from EUNIS (European University Information Systems) surveyed several HEIs to understand the maturity of their BI systems. The results revealed inconsistencies, raising the doubt about the comprehension of BI concepts. Considering this survey and its basis on maturity models, this dissertation analyses the existing models regarding higher education. Understanding the difficulties in answering the EUNIS survey from a perspective of two Portuguese universities is also a goal. It was created a feedback survey, whose results revealed it was a positive experience, although the lack of clarification of BI concepts was underlined. Thinking about other universities starting their BI journey, it was developed a kit proposal that clarifies concepts and best practices for this sector. It was validated by the two universities mentioned above, which will be starting their initiative in January 2015. This validation was made through an interview, and the feedback was encouraging. Having a guidance to be methodical in this phase was highlighted, as well as the presentation of real success cases that allow to understand what other institutions do on their daily basis.Atualmente, Business Intelligence (BI) é uma das mais importantes áreas para gestores e empresas, cujo investimento tem vindo a aumentar substancialmente. A tomada de decisão tem-se tornado fundamental para o aumento da competitividade e as instituições do ensino superior não são exceção. Nos últimos anos, instituições de todo o mundo têm começado a aplicar BI nos seus desafios. Em 2013, a BI Task Force da EUNIS (European University Information Systems) decidiu realizar um inquérito a instituições de ensino superior para conhecer a maturidade dos seus sistemas de BI. Os resultados revelaram incoerências, criando a dúvida sobre a correta compreensão dos conceitos. Tendo em conta este inquérito e a sua base em modelos de maturidade de BI, é realizada uma revisão bibliográfica dos modelos existentes direcionados para o ensino superior. Compreender as dificuldades em responder ao inquérito da EUNIS, na perspetiva de duas universidades, também é um objetivo deste estudo. Foi criado um questionário de feedback, cujos resultados revelaram ter sido uma experiência positiva, embora a falta de clarificação dos conceitos fosse sublinhada. Considerando instituições a iniciar a sua aventura em BI, foi criado um guião que clarifica conceitos e boas práticas para o sector. Foi validado pelas universidades mencionadas, que vão começar as suas iniciativas no próximo ano. Essa validação, feita com entrevistas, revelou que um guião que ajude as universidades a serem metódicas nesta fase é essencial, bem como a apresentação de casos reais de sucesso que permitem dar a conhecer o que é feito no dia-a-dia do sector

    Research of the internet of things business models in Portugal

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    Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies ManagementThe Internet of Things is a concept that is revolutionizing how “things” and people are interconnected nowadays. The impact it is going to create in the economy and the society is going to be immense and it will change the manner in which we do our personal and corporative daily tasks. This concept was created several years in the past when the first communication machine-to-machine was achieved and with time, the technology has been evolving to what we know as the “Internet of Things”. It is based on networks among sensors, things and people. As the IoT is so diverse, there is not a specific architecture, but several. Depends on the objective of the clients or developers, what do they want to improve or achieve by developing or implementing this technology. The main objectives are making processes as efficient as possible and gather data about several parameters such as, temperature, traffic, speed, product usage, health, machine functioning, among several others. This type of information and technology is very important for entities as it helps them positioning in the market, improve their strategy, differentiate from the competition, create more value, impact for the clients and in the decision making process. For the citizens, the IoT will help them to interact better with public services and increase their life quality, for instance. This dissertation attempts to understand what the IoT is, its architectures and the advantages and disadvantages that exist throughout its implementation. It was also investigated the impact the Internet of Things has in entities, its business models and the entities business models as well in order to understand if they remain the same or go through some changes after introducing these technologies in the entity, and the overall market and economic impact. The method used to obtain these results is based in interviews conducted to several enterprises with experience and direct contact with the IoT

    Public administration's dynamic capabilities in response to Covid-19 pandemic: AMA's case study

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    The present study intends to contribute to the investigation about how public organizations can use their dynamic capabilities to face environmental challenges and improve their performance, by presenting the case of the Portuguese Agency for Administrative Modernization (AMA). Changes in the external environment of organizations can leverage their dynamic capabilities. The pandemic of the new coronavirus, Covid-19, emerged in March 2020 and caused impactful changes in the external environment of AMA. The organization's response to the pandemic involved initiatives, activities, and adaptations. To identify Dynamic Capabilities in this response, data collection was performed through observation and through an interview carried out to 8 directors and team leaders. The results were analyzed in the light of the existing theory about dynamic capabilities, with a special focus on the three components proposed by Wang and Ahmed in 2007 - Adaptive capability, Absorption capability and Innovation capability. The results demonstrate that the three components of dynamic capabilities are evident at AMA and that the response the organization had to deal with the pandemic was successful in creating value for the citizen and in corresponding to the government guidelines. Finally, it is concluded that developing dynamic capabilities can be a strategic approach to take into account as a way to maximize organizational performance and that more research must be carried out in this context, as it is possible for a public organization to strengthen and use dynamic capabilities.O presente estudo pretende contribuir para a investigação acerca de como pode o setor público utilizar capacidades dinâmicas para fazer face aos desafios ambientais e melhorar a sua performance, apresentando o caso da Agência para a Modernização Administrativa (AMA). Alterações no ambiente externo das organizações podem alavancar as suas capacidades dinâmicas. A pandemia do novo coronavírus, Covid-19, emergiu em março de 2020 e provocou alterações impactantes no ambiente externo da AMA. A resposta da organização à pandemia envolveu iniciativas, atividades e adaptações. De forma a reconhecer nesta resposta as capacidades dinâmicas da organização, recolheram-se dados através da observação da resposta da AMA à pandemia e do cruzamento das respostas de 8 diretores e chefes de equipa a uma entrevista. Analisaram-se os resultados à luz da teoria existente acerca de capacidades dinâmicas, com especial foco no que toca às três componentes propostas por Wang e Ahmed em 2007 - capacidade de Adaptação, capacidade de Absorção e capacidade de Inovação. Os resultados demonstram que as três componentes das capacidades dinâmicas são evidentes na AMA e que a resposta da organização para lidar com a pandemia foi bem-sucedida na criação de valor para o cidadão e no cumprimento das diretrizes do governo. Por fim, concluise que desenvolver capacidades dinâmicas pode ser uma abordagem estratégica a ser considerada como forma de maximizar o desempenho organizacional e que mais pesquisas devem ser realizadas neste contexto, pois é possível para uma organização pública fortalecer e utilizar capacidades dinâmicas

    Portugal: Leapfrogging Digital Transformation

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    This report is structured as follow: Section 1 presents details about Portugal enabling or inhibiting its digital transformation. Section 2 analyzes the main motivations for the digital transformation strategy; Section 3 summarizes its main challenges, while Section 4 presents the main components of the strategy. Section 5 analyzes the governance model, and Section 6, the legal and regulatory framework. Section 7 discusses critical enablers for the digital transformation of government services. Section 8 introduces 16 key initiatives of the strategy. Section 9 summarizes the lessons learnt, followed by an assessment of the strategy’s impact in Section 10. Section 11 synthesizes lessons for Latin American countries. Finally, Appendix A enumerates main legal and regulatory instruments supporting the digital transformation in Portugal, Appendix B presents a set of 18 sections providing details of the initiatives analyzed in the report1, and Appendix C explains how the digital transformation efforts contributed to face the challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemics.Fil: Estevez, Elsa Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Fillottrani, Pablo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Linares, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Cledou, Maria Guillermina. Universidade do Minho; Portuga

    Why design matters? Making the case for the smaller companies in the automotive industry

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    This research focuses on industrial design and strategic management and more specifically on the way the development of design capabilities can influence the strategic product market position of the Portuguese small and medium supply companies for the automotive industry. Industrial design is not usually highlighted as a cornerstone skill of most small-scale automotive supply companies. Instead, it is usually established as a process in resource-capability combinations due to the highly dynamic environments that characterize this industry. Practice suggests a double bias either in the definition of design, sometimes emphasized as style and associated with carmakers, or in design’s role in developing the position of small and medium enterprises in supply networks. This line of reasoning supports the lead research question: why design matters for smaller companies in the automotive industry? The theoretical constructs and context field supported through the literature and the automotive industry profile (international and Portuguese) review reveal a research procedure supported on an interdisciplinary work process. The exploratory nature of this study calls for a qualitative type of research to be conducted as the use of case studies is the most appropriate research strategy. Three firms from the Portuguese automotive cluster were selected for the case study representing an appropriate automotive industry supplier sample for cross-case analysis. The analysis of the gathered data required three phases: analysis and report of individual cases; analysis and report of cross cases; and the conclusions and implications of the cross cases for both theory and practice. As a result, it is revealed the importance of the development of design capabilities for a determined business strategy. The development of design capabilities is key for the development of high added value products for the supply of complex parts or modules. Hence, a list of suggested positive and negative industrial design practices are proposed
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