The Need to Develop a Corporate Culture of Innovation in a Globalization Context

In recent years, the globalization of markets combined with the Industry 4.0 revolution has brought increasing competition among enterprises. Nowadays, organizational success is measured by leadership in the market share, revenue growth, level of competitiveness supported by customer satisfaction, and innovation capacity. Therefore, companies need to develop new products and/or services faster and better than their competitors to stay “alive.” In order to respond quickly to market needs, enterprises should operate more efficiently reducing and/or eliminating activities that make up the actual processes that do not add value but also they need to develop a “healthy” cultural environment within the organization that allows the implementation of new ways of work. In this context, the innovation capacity assumes a decisive importance in the level of competitiveness of an organization, and the entrepreneur plays an important role in launching new business. Based on this perspective, the innovation processes within an organization are obtained through entrepreneurial initiatives that have their origin in the existence of an organizational culture that promotes an entrepreneurial behavior

Essays on corporate finance

My dissertation is composed of three corporate finance studies, documenting the effects of firm policies with deep regulatory implications. In particular, I examine corporate actions taken in contexts of distress, such as defaults on syndicated bank loans, or taken in contexts of very asymmetrical information, such as private equity investment and corporate diversification. In syndicated loans, violations of financial covenants lead to the transfer of firm control rights from shareholders to creditors. I find that that firms increase disinvestment following covenant violations, both through asset sales and spin-off equity deals. Divesting firms can anticipate their exit from a default status, through one-off adjustments of their accounting variables. In diversified firms, multiple business centres exist in different divisions. We show that the addition of dedicated financial divisions to nonfinancial conglomerates is shown to have a positive impact in the efficiency of capital allocation within firms, by playing the role of redistributor and common provider of external financing. In private equity, managers and investors are bound by pre-set compensation contracts and governance rules, since the fund’s inception. I study the relationship between compensation, investment strategies and performance in this particular setting, exploring distinct rules for bonus payments

Effect of γ-radiation in the Survival of Aspergillus parasiticus in Chestnuts

Castanea sativa produces the European chestnuts, also known as sweet chestnuts. C. sativa is adapted to regions with humid and temperate to cold climate, and does not withstand long hot and dry periods. Chestnuts are a seasonal product, being Portugal the fourth country in terms of worldwide chestnut production. After harvest and during storage, problems with deterioration may arise, mainly by plagues or microorganisms, such as the development of fungi. Fewer studies have been devoted to determining fungal contamination of chestnuts from the main producing countries (Turkey, Bolivia, Italy and Portugal). In fact, most of those studies are relative to marketed chestnuts with unknown origin. Reports on chestnuts marketed (origin not reported) in cold and humid countries, like Canada and Switzerland refer to contaminations strongly dominated by Penicillium spp., with Aspergillus spp. being of no significance, while studies from drier and warmer regions, like Georgia, USA and Ar’Ar, Saudi Arabia, report important incidences of Aspergillus (sections Wentii, Flavi and, to a lesser extent, Nigri) [1]. Currently, the safety of the chestnuts chain is based on good manufacturing practices. One of the few processing steps in this industry is the washing of chestnuts in hot water. After washing and before commercialization, a chemical treatment by fumigation with methyl bromide is required. However, recently, this treatment was banned from European Union. The hot water treatment may not be enough to guarantee the safety of chestnuts and, as a side effect, a detrimental effect on some quality traits may be observed. So, an alternative for safe processing of chestnuts is needed. The irradiation is one promising alternative for chestnuts treatment. This method is more environmental friendly and could be more effective in microorganisms destruction; however, studies that confirm the efficacy of irradiation (both in terms of safety and of sensorial traits) are needed. In this study, the use of irradiation with γ-rays as an inactivation agent against one of the most ubiquitous and mycotoxigenic fungi – Aspergillus parasiticus – was studied. Inactivation of filamentous fungi was evaluated by exposing chestnuts to known levels of γ-rays (0.25 kGγ; 0.5 kGγ; 3.0 kGγ and 10.0 kGγ). Chestnuts were previously inoculated with a spore suspension of one strain of A. parasiticus. After irradiation, chestnuts were washed with peptone (0.1%), being the washing solution spread in MEA10 and DG18 plates for yeasts, filamentous fungi and A. parasiticus counting. The growth of colonies was observed after 4 days. In general, the higher the level of irradiation the lower the survival rate. Regarding yeast, at the two lower irradiation levels, no effect on the yeast load was observed, while a slight decrease was observed at 3.0 kGγ and no growth observed at 10.0 kGγ. For filamentous fungi (and particularly for A. parasiticus) a similar trend was observed, although a not significant higher resistance of filamentous fungi (including A. parasiticus) to irradiation was observed.ON.2 -O Novo Norte (Programa Operacional do Norte) and the Portuguese Government, financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the project CHESTNUTSRAD/1319

A Reputational-Risk-Based Match Selection Framework for Collaborative Networks in the Logistics Sector

IPL/2021/ReEdIACollaborative networks in the logistics sector have proven to be a solution that both meets environmental footprint reduction goals and addresses the impact of rising fuel prices on logistics companies, especially for small-and medium-sized enterprises. Despite these benefits, these collaborative networks have not received the desired amount of participation due to reputational risk. This paper develops a framework for assessing and managing reputational risk to encourage logistics companies’ participation in collaborative networks. To this end, customer satisfaction factors were correlated with logistics operations, and this correlation was then modeled using the Bowtie method, fault trees, event trees, reliability theory, and the Monte Carlo model. The results show that it is possible to implement a structured model that can be easily put into practice. Using an illustrative case study, it is also possible to prioritize three companies according to their reputational risk as assessed by the proposed model. The developed model can promote the sustainability of collaborative networks in the logistics industry by assessing and consistently reducing reputational risk, thus supporting the strengthening of the relationship between suppliers, logistics service providers, and end customers.publishersversionpublishe

Business Incubator and Economic Development

This chapter aims to (i) understand the functioning and importance of incubators in supporting the creation of new business and local economic development, as they help locally engage young entrepreneurs and thus retain expertise, for example, in regions farthest from large urban centers, (ii) realize the importance of incubators and science parks in the development of start-ups, (iii) understand the role of education in promoting entrepreneurship, and (iv) understand the competitive environment as it becomes more complex and dynamic, as there are opportunities to serve customers who are dissatisfied; thus the threats that large companies experience offer small business opportunities

Produção de um agente de controlo biológico de doenças pós-colheita, em reactor biológico, a partir de resíduos de alfarroba. Estudos de transferência de massa.

Dissertação mest., Engenharia Biológica, Universidade do Algarve, 200

Estudo e projeto de um manual de navegação

Os manuais de navegação fazem parte de um repositório de conhecimento explícito, utilizado não só por alunos e professores, mas igualmente por organizações e instituições para o estabelecimento de doutrina. Por outro lado, os manuais também integram o conhecimento tácito dos navegadores, sendo um repositório de documentos tidos em grande consideração, refletindo as diferentes necessidades da sua comunidade. A minha dissertação de mestrado, é um estudo exploratório relativo à evolução dos manuais de navegação e a sua correlação com as novas tecnologias no local de trabalho, com a intenção de caracterizar a evolução do seu conteúdo, formato, estilo e a sua aplicação no dia-a-dia. Sabendo que os manuais de navegação, não se aplicam a toda a comunidade marítima, o resultado deste estudo geral, baseado em questionários que foram conduzido à comunidade marítima, no estudo que foi realizado às unidades de aprendizagem da formação de recreio e da Escola Naval e no estudo da evolução dos manuais de navegação de Portugal, de Inglaterra e dos Estados Unidos da América, irá contribuir para a identificação e classificação dos parâmetros e requisitos que posteriormente irão determinar as características de um novo manual de navegação.The Navigational manuals are part of a repository of explicit knowledge, used not only by students and teachers, but equally used by organizations for the establishment of doctrines. On the other hand, the manuals also integrate the tacit knowledge of navigators. The navigational manuals, are, a documental repository held in high esteem, reflecting the needs of the different stakeholders. This dissertation is an exploratory study on the evolution of navigational manuals and their correlation with new technologies in the work place, with the purpose of characterizing the evolution of their content, format and context, and it´s appliance on a daily basics. Knowing the navigation manuals, doesn´t applied to all the nautical community, especially the Portuguese, the result of this dissertation, based on the surveys conducted, on a study of the curricular units of the Portuguese Naval School and recreational sailing and on a study of the evolution of navigation manuals from Portugal, England and the United States, will contribute to the identification and classification of the parameters and requirements that will determine the characteristics of a new navigation manual

Automação na maximização de produção de energia elétrica de um painel solar

Apresenta-se a implementação de uma plataforma para um sistema de seguimento solar de dois eixos, que utiliza como método de seguimento a avaliação da potência elétrica produzida por uma célula fotovoltaica. O protótipo é motorizado por dois motores de passo, controlados automaticamente por um controlador lógico programável (Siemens S7-300) com módulos funcionais FM353 e FM350-1. O dispositivo é constituído por dois subsistemas. O subsistema principal é responsável pela execução dos movimentos pré-programados de pesquisa e colocação do painel na posição que maximiza a potência elétrica. O subsistema secundário tem a função de selecionar o varrimento préprogramado mais indicado, de acordo com as medições obtidas pelos sensores de irradiância programáveis, próximos da célula. O protótipo laboratorial foi desenvolvido em colaboração com o Centro de Engenharia Mecatrónica da Universidade de Évora; ABSTRACT:This dissertation presents the implementation of a platform for a two axis solar tracking system, which utilizes a small photovoltaic cell as a sensing element. Two stepper motors controlled automatically by a programmable logic controller (S7-300) motorize the system. Specific function modules control the stepper motors (FM353 and FM 350-1). The prototype consists of two subsystems. The main subsystem preforms the programmed movements to positioning the photovoltaic cell in order maximize the electric power output, according to the measurements of programmable light sensors placed close to the cell. The laboratorial prototype was developed in the University of Évora, Portugal in cooperation with the Mechatronics Engineering Centre of this institution

A Fuzzy Logic Model to Enhance Quality Management on R&D Units

Nowadays, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), are becoming even more competitive, with the public ones, facing at the same time a greater restriction on public funding. Therefore, HEIs, have to be more effective and more efficient as well, on pursuing their own goals, which includes Research and Development (R&D) units as well. Such demands can be achieved, by enhancing R&D’s global performance. Therefore, the use of a framework such as European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), can bring value to an organization with the characteristics of a R&D unit. This work presents a new integrated method based on EFQM model, by using Fuzzy Logic, to enhance the organizations’ overall performance. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated by a case study in a R&D unit, where an initial performance evaluation takes place, by using RADAR’s Logic approach. The proposed method, based on Fuzzy Logic, is then applied, followed by the identification of the strength points as well as the improvement areas, according to the EFQM framework. Then, the improvement actions with high priority are determined, followed by the correspondent action measures. Keywords: Quality management, Fuzzy logic, EFQ