Welfare Regimes in the UE 15 and in the Enlarged Europe - an Exploratory Analysis

The basic aim of this paper is to assess existing welfare regimes in the countries of European Union before and after the enlargement of May 2004 (EU 15 and EU 25) following a comprehensive approach that considers different dimensions of welfare through an extended set of variables. The paper starts with a brief presentation of current debates on welfare regimes and the new social policy agenda in the European Union. It proceeds with the selection of different dimensions of social welfare and social policy, and related key variables that constitute the database for the following statistical analysis. Correlations, factor analysis and cluster analysis are performed in order to produce the clustering of welfare regimes as well as a tentative interpretation of underlying characteristics and patterns of welfare mix and social policies in European Union.

Welfare Regimes in the UE 15 and in the Enlarged Europe: An exploratory analysis

The basic aim of this paper is to assess existing welfare regimes in the countries of European Union before and after the enlargement of May 2004 (EU 15 and EU 25) building on a comprehensive approach that considers different dimensions of welfare through an extended set of variables. The paper starts with a brief presentation of current debates on welfare regimes and the new social policy agenda in the European Union. It proceeds with the selection of different dimensions of social welfare and social policy and related key variables that make up the database for the following multivariate statistical analysis, used in order to produce a clustering of welfare regimes. The paper concludes with a tentative interpretation of the underlying characteristics and patterns of current welfare mix and social policies in European Union.Welfare Regimes; Social Policy; European Union; Enlargement; Cluster Analysis

Labor adjustments in privatized firms: a Statis approach

This paper examines labor adjustments in ten Portuguese banks after the ownership transfer to the private sector. The results show that the restructuring process is a very complex phenomenon, with firms exhibiting diverse adjustments in terms of either speed or path. In addition, our findings also show that the pay level in the banking industry is by far the workforce attribute that changed more, reflecting substantial changes in terms of composition and not size of the workforce. In particular, firms tend to reduce the share of workers in managerial occupations and replace the most experienced employees with younger and more educated workers. Our empirical evidence also suggests that privatization is associated with a higher level of rent sharing.Labor adjustments; Portuguese banking industry; privatization; Statis

Restructuring in privatised firms: a Statis approach

We analyse the dynamics and evolution of the corporate restructuring process in the Portuguese banking sector, where 10 banks were privatised during the period 1989-1996. We apply a novel methodological approach in this context, using a multidimensional measure of restructuring that links product and labour market variables. We find evidence of considerable heterogeneity in the restructuring process, where firms adjust at different speeds and intensities. We also find that the wage level is by far the firm attribute that changed more, which is shown to reflect substantial changes in terms of composition, and not size, of the workforce. Our empirical evidence also suggests that privatisation is associated with a higher level of rent sharing.Statis, Privatisation, Portuguese banking

Restructuring in privatised firms : a Statis approach

We analyse the dynamics and evolution of the corporate restructuring process in the Portuguese banking sector, where 10 banks were privatised during the period 1989-1996. We apply a novel methodological approach in this context, using a multidimensional measure of restructuring that links product and labour market variables. We find evidence of considerable heterogeneity in the restructuring process, where firms adjust at different speeds and intensities. We also find that the wage level is by far the firm attribute that changed more, which is shown to reflect substantial changes in terms of composition, and not size, of the workforce. Our empirical evidence also suggests that privatisation is associated with a higher level of rent sharing.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Avaliação e seleção de alternativas intermodais no transporte de mercadorias de longo curso : caso Português

Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia IndustrialEsta tese de mestrado apresenta os resultados de um modelo de apoio à tomada de decisão para o suporte de uma escolha de um determinado meio de transporte para a deslocação de mercadorias de longo curso. O meio de transporte é visto como uma forma de deslocação de uma mercadoria de uma origem até um destino. Em qualquer operação de deslocação é necessário ter em atenção a carga transportada (quantidade, peso e valor), a distância a percorrer e o tempo de percurso. Desde logo, começou-se por identificar e caraterizar os principais aspetos a ter em atenção na construção do modelo e na seleção de critérios. Neste trabalho utilizou-se uma metodologia baseada num modelo multicritério, que tem como objetivo proporcionar uma abordagem sistemática a todo o processo de decisão, capaz de permitir selecionar, dentro de um conjunto de alternativas fornecidas, a mais vantajosa. Para isso, foram identificados os principais critérios, recorrendo a inquéritos e entrevistas, sendo que estes serviram de base para a avaliação de cada uma das alternativas dentro dos dois métodos que foram testados. Identificados os critérios, foi necessário testá-los, identificando como cada um deles deveria ser medido e introduzi-los em dois diferentes modelos de apoio à tomada de decisão e perceber qual é melhor alternativa. Uma vez que os critérios quantitativos foram tratados usando uma escala qualitativa, foi solicitada às empresas com que se costuma trabalhar, conhecendo já o seu nível de serviço, a apresentação de um orçamento com todas as despesas de envio incluídas (com cargas iguais) e tempo de transporte, de forma a perceber qual é o meio de transporte que, independentemente dos critérios, apresenta uma melhor solução, tendo-se assim conseguido testar a aplicabilidade do modelo multicritério com um caso real. Por fim foi realizada uma avaliação da opção selecionada pelos modelos, de forma a perceber se modelos diferentes apresentam os mesmos resultados.This master thesis presents the results of a model to support decision making to support a choice of one medium / means of transport for the movement of goods over long distances. The means of transport is seen as a form of movement of goods from a source to a destination. In any shift operation is necessary to take into account the payload (quantity, weight and value), distance traveled and travel time. First, we started by identifying and characterizing key aspects to keep in mind in the presentation of the model and selection criteria. In this study we used a methodology based on a multicriteria model, which aims to provide a systematic approach to the whole decision process, capable of allowing select, within a given set of alternatives, the most advantageous. For this, the main criteria were identified, using questionnaires and interviews, and these formed the basis for the assessment of each of the alternatives within the two models that were tested. Identified criteria was necessary to test them, identifying how each will be measured and introduce them in two different models to support decision making and realize what is best carrier. Once the quantitative criteria were treated using a ladder qualitative, was asked companies that normally work with, already knowing their level of service, presenting a budget with all shipping charges included (with equal loads) and time transport in order to realize what the means of transport, regardless of the criteria exhibits a better solution, and it was thus obtained test the applicability of multicriteria models with an actual case. Finally an evaluation was made of the option selected by the models in order to understand whether different models show the same results

A respiração de Cheyne-Stokes em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva: causas e conseqüências

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a form of periodic breathing in which central apneas and hypopneas alternate with periods of hyperventilation, producing a waxing and waning pattern of tidal volume. This review focuses on the causes and consequences of Cheyne-Stokes respiration in patients with congestive heart failure, in whom the prevalence is strikingly high and ranges from 30% to 50%. Several factors have been implicated in the genesis of Cheyne-Stokes respiration, including low cardiac output and recurrent hypoxia. The key pathophysiological mechanism triggering Cheyne-Stokes respiration is hyperventilation and low arterial CO2 (PaCO2) that when below the apneic threshold triggers a central apnea. Hyperventilation is associated with pulmonary congestion, and Cheyne-Stokes respiration is more prone to occur during sleep, when the respiratory system is mainly dependent on chemical control. It is associated with recurrent dips in oxygen saturation and arousals from sleep, with oscillations in blood pressure and heart rate, sympathetic activation and increased risk of ventricular tachycardia. Cheyne-Stokes respiration is an independent marker of poor prognosis and may participate in a vicious cycle, further stressing the failing heart.A respiração de Cheyne-Stokes é uma forma de respiração periódica na qual apnéias e hipopnéias se alternam com períodos de hiperpnéias que apresentam um padrão crescendo e decrescendo de volume corrente. Esta revisão enfoca as causa e conseqüências da respiração de Cheyne- Stokes em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva na qual a prevalência é extremamente alta e varia entre 30 a 50%. Vários fatores foram implicados na gênese da respiração de Cheyne-Stokes, incluindo baixo debito cardíaco e hipoxia recorrente. Hiperventilacão e baixos níveis de CO2 arterial (PaCO2), que quando abaixo do limiar de apnéia desencadeiam apnéia central são os mecanismos fisiopatológicos chave na gênese da respiração de Cheyne-Stokes. Hiperventilação está associada com congestão pulmonar, e a respiração de Cheyne-Stokes tem uma tendência maior de ocorrer durante o sono, quando o centro respiratório é dependente principalmente do controle químico. A respiração de Cheyne-Stokes está associada a quedas recorrentes da saturação de oxigênio e ao despertar do sono, com oscilações recorrentes na freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial, aumento da atividade simpática e risco aumentado de taquicardia ventricular. A respiração de Cheyne-Stokes é um marcador independente de mau prognostico e provavelmente participa de um ciclo vicioso que contribui para a deterioração cardíaca