Azores tourism product perceptions : the Influence of the country of origin

This study focused on the Autonomous Region of the Azores (ARA), which has some features that are considered favorable to the development of tourism and to the interest in the tourism product. However, the region’s geographical dispersion, its high dependence on transportation and the seasonality of the industry constrain its development. The present research aimed to assess tourists’ perception of certain costs (living, accommodation, plane ticket, and transportation to/from the airport), and whether these differ between tourists of different nationalities. The findings show that tourists, both residents and non-residents, have the perception that the cost of living and of the plane ticket are high, while the cost of accommodation and of transportation to the airport is considered normal by most respondents. We concluded that the models differ when applied to residents and non-residents. For non-residents, living in certain countries induces them to express differences in the perception of the costs studied, when compared to individuals that live in other countries.N/

Improving visual attractiveness to enhance city-river integration - a methodological approach for ongoing evaluation

The relationship between rivers and cities has evolved from a natural coexistence and interdependence to a progressive relationship of segregation and disintegration. This article uses a planning experiment to explore and discuss some concerns about visual attractiveness of city–river landscapes in promoting spatial integration of cities and rivers. It presents a methodological approach integrating expert opinions and public perception questionnaires. This is a contribution to making operational an ongoing aesthetic assessment of different dimensions and viewpoints at the city scale. This approach is illustrated with a case-study in the Lisbon metropolitan area and its main assessment results are integrated in a city–river profile that can be useful in ongoing evaluation processes of river landscapes and urban planning practice

Improvisation in tightly controlled work environments: The case of medical practice

We present a qualitative analysis of organizational improvisation and provide a preliminary insight into the following question: how is improvisation present in tightly controlled work environments? We conducted in situ observations of, and interviews with, several emergency medical teams and complemented this information with statistical and media data. Using grounded theory, we developed four propositions that were arranged into a model that allowed the identification of two use levels of established routines: (1) the visible side that accommodates contextual requirements, and (2) the improvisational side that provides a response to activity characteristics. This dual process is related to the existence of pressures that operate at the institutional level with practical needs emerging from the operational domain. In contrast with most of the literature, this study reveals that the presence of a broad procedural organizational memory does not restrict improvisation but enables a bureaucratic system to produce flexible improvised performance.Nova Foru

Quality management and employees’ attitudes : an example from certified enterprises

This study investigates the implications of practices of the quality management system (QMS) in employees’ attitudes in relation to job involvement, job satisfaction, career satisfaction and organizational commitment. This study was accomplished through the use of a survey by questionnaire. Twenty hypotheses related to QMS practices and the employees´ attitudes were formulated and tested. The results indicate that responsibility and teamwork have a significant and positive correlation with job involvement, job satisfaction, career satisfaction, as well as organizational commitment. Ongoing improvement and problem solving have significant implications in organizational commitment. In addition, training and education, as well as customer focus, did not demonstrate any favourable contribution to the employees’ attitudes. In practical terms, the study recommends that management be more committed to the development of quality practices as a means to sustain and enhance employees’ positive attitudes towards their job. Such practices are a competitive strategy to attract and retain competent employees.N/

The importance of small sporting events in regional tourism : the case of the Azores International Bridge Festival

This study examined the XIII Azores International Bridge Festival in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, which was held October 1-5, 2009. A questionnaire was administered to all players; 89 surveys were completed, resulting in a 78% response rate. The perception of the event’s features was also observed through the analysis of various categorically ordered variables included in the questionnaire. Factors significantly affecting the probabilities of dependent class variables (attributes) were examined using the ordinal regression model. The results indicated that this event generated several benefits for the city, favouring the local commerce for at least five days through expenditures from tourists. In addition, the event provided guests with the opportunity to visit other islands, taking advantage of their participation in the festival, further demonstrating the ability to retain some players. This event can be viewed as another seasonal peak mitigation tool for the city of Ponta Delgada, promoting an increase in demand for tourist structures.N/

Statistical Analysis of the Leadership Perceptions in a Public Administration Office

This Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.The main purpose of this paper is to identify and characterize the leadership features in a public administration office of the Azores (Autonomous Region of the Azores), in orders to verify the existence or not of a positive leadership based on the employees’ perceptions. The main conclusions are attained using data gathered via a previously tested and validated questionnaire. Overall, we conclude that subordinates don’t consider that their leaders show behaviors that they can associate with a totally positive and effective leadership although they are pleased with the fact that they are not extremely controllers and that they seek to do what the majority of the subordinates wants.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fuel price transmission mechanisms in Portugal

This study aims to analyze the behavior of fuel prices at the pump (unleaded gasoline and diesel) in Portugal, relative to positive and negative variations in Brent Crude Oil prices. Applying an autoregressive distributed lags model (ARDL) to weekly time series data for the period of January 2004 through May 2009, we detected some signs of asymmetry in the transmission price mechanism. However, these patterns are not statistically significant enough to reject hypotheses of symmetry in the price adjustment mechanisms of fuels in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structuring the service encounter : a test of alternatives

Purpose – This paper analyses the influence of three different forms of structuring the service encounter (standardization, spontaneity, minimal structure) on the perception of service quality and job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – A simulation of service interaction was elaborated, where individuals received different instructions related to the structure they should consider (standardization, spontaneity, minimal structure). This study was complemented by a correlational one that accessed the type of structure used and satisfaction with the service interaction. Findings − The results suggest that higher levels of job satisfaction and service quality exist when minimal structures are used. Research limitation/implications – The first part of the study is a simulation. Practical implications – The findings help practitioners make more informed choices concerning the structures they adopt to manage service encounters. Originality/value – The study empirically explores the application of minimal structures to the service encounter.N/

Qualidade dos contextos educativos: multideficiência e inclusão

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ciências da Educação- Especialidade Educação EspecialEsta dissertação foi realizada no âmbito do Curso de Mestrado em Ciências da Educação, na especialidade de Educação Especial – Problemas de Cognição e Multideficiência, na Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Com a sua realização pretendemos perceber como é que os docentes organizam e gerem o currículo de alunos com multideficiência (MD), particularmente como organizam e desenvolvem as atividades que realizam com estes alunos. Trata-se de um estudo de caso que envolveu 18 docentes de um estabelecimento de ensino básico: três docentes titulares de turma e quinze docentes de Educação Especial (dois deles trabalhavam numa Unidade de Apoio Especializado para a Educação de Alunos com Multideficiência - UAEM). Os dados foram recolhidos através de inquéritos por questionário, bem como de observações naturalistas, realizadas nos contextos de sala de aula e na UAEM. Os dados recolhidos foram devidamente analisados e triangulados. Os resultados obtidos sugerem existir diferenças nas atividades que os dois grupos de docentes (os do ensino regular e os da educação especial) privilegiam no trabalho desenvolvido com os alunos com MD, embora em ambos prevaleçam as atividades ligadas aos cuidados pessoais. Os resultados evidenciam ainda que estes dois grupos de docentes tomam opções distintas na organização das atividades e do currículo. No desenvolvimento das atividades, ambos os grupos de docentes referem ter em atenção aspetos idênticos, destacando-se o envolvimento do aluno na atividade e a apresentação de informação prévia. Quanto à organização do currículo dos alunos com MD, os docentes relataram privilegiar conteúdos como a comunicação, o desenvolvimento pessoal e social e a área académica. Verificámos também que, sobretudo por falta de recursos humanos, os alunos com MD permanecem nas salas de aula por curtos períodos de tempo, nas quais predominam as atividades académicas.Em geral, os docentes fomentam a comunicação e incentivam os alunos à participação, através da realização de tarefas, as quais, na UAEM, se centram essencialmente nas rotinas. Concluímos que estes docentes tomam opções complementares a nível da organização do currículo e no desenvolvimento de atividades. - ABSTRACT This work was made within a Master's Degree in Education, in Special Education – Cognition Problems and Multiple Disabilities, in the School of Education at Lisbon Polytechnic Institute. We want to know how teachers organize and manage the curriculum of students with multiple disabilities (MD), particularly how they organize and develop the activities they perform with these students. This is a case study involving 18 teachers of a primary school: fifteen Special Education teachers (two of them worked in Special Support Unit for the Education of Students with multiple disabilities - UAEM) and three more regular primary teachers. Data was collected through questionnaire surveys, as well as naturalistic observations, collected in the classroom and the UAEM context. The collected data was properly compared and analyzed. The results suggest some differences in the activities that the two groups of teachers (the regular education and special education) perform with the MD students, though activities related to personal care continue to be carried out by both groups. The results show that these two groups of teachers take different options when organizing the activities and the curriculum. While developing activities, both groups of teachers refer identical aspects, emphasizing students’ participation in the activity and presentation of prior information. As for the organization of the curriculum for students with MD, teachers reported the importance of contents such as communication, personal and social development and academic topics. We also found that, because of the lack of human resources, MD students remain in the classrooms for short periods of time, where academic activities are carried out. Overall, teachers promote communication and encourage students to participate completing tasks which, at UAEM, are focusing mainly on routines.We realize that these teachers take additional options on organizing the curriculum and developing activitie

The impact of leadership components on turnover intent : the case of nurses

This study aimed to identify nurses’ leadership behavior in management functions and determine if leadership has a direct impact on turnover intention or career abandonment. This descriptive and inferential study was conducted in two public hospitals. Head nurses and nurses in general and specialist health care were invited to participate, except those working in operating or clinical services. The final sample consisted of 266 individuals (22 head nurses and 244 staff nurses) that responded to a questionnaire, which was organized into three distinct sections: (1) sample characterization; (2) the Leadership Effectiveness and Adaptability Description (LEAD), which was used to determine the situational leadership components; and (3) four closed questions relating to different turnover intentions. Data was collected in May 2009. The most expressive leadership styles are the S2 (persuading) and S3 (sharing) in both groups. In terms of turnover, the results showed strong positive associations with profile S2-S3 and with effective adaptability. Leaders’ with S2- S3 profiles easily delegate tasks and enhance the functional and emotional development of their collaborators. Effective adaptabilities requires that chief nurses tailor their leadership style to the situation and environment they are working, allowing that their actions meet the expectations of their subordinates. These two dimensions contribute positively to nurses’ retention.N/