Internationalization of SMEs in Portugal: focus on the shoe manufacturing industry of Portugal

Due to economic conditions currently in place in the domestic markets, and to the fact that the vast majority of companies in Portugal being micro, small and medium enterprises, there is the need to differentiate from the competition which leads to the international market. However, these companies, most of the times lack resources, both financial and intellectual such as the knowledge of how to approach the process of internationalization. In addition, it is frequent that the process itself is very complex, reason why most of decisive factors must be carefully analyzed and taken into consideration before supporting any decision. This way, the present study proposes the creation of a model that evaluates, through a series of pondered financial variables, together with smartPLS methodology, that allows for the formation of constructs of variables to understand what influences the internationalization level of a company. In second plan, understanding how Portugal and Italy still differ in the shoe manufacturing industry, comparing two countries. The results obtained prove that the methodologies used are able to conclude that the models of evaluation are transparent and have utility in supporting the decisions taken along the process of internationalization and also to which extent a company should or should not internationalize. There was the understanding of characteristics within a company that have more impact when it comes to an internationalization process of a SME. During the construction of this same model it was also approached its own advantages and limitations.Devido às condições económicas correntes do mercado de Portugal, e pelo facto de o tecido empresarial do país ser maioritariamente composto por pequenas e médias empresa, há cada vez mais a necessidade das empresas se destacarem da sua concorrência, a solução é o mercado internacional. Contudo, estas empresas muitas vezes têm falta de recursos, quer financeiros quer a nível do conhecimento para abordar um processo de internacionalização. Para além disso, o processo em si é complexo, como tal, os fatores que têm impacto nesse mesmo processo devem ser analisados de forma cuidadosa para poderem suportas as decisões tomadas. Deste modo, o presente estudo propõe a criação de um modelo que avalie, através de uma série de variáveis financeiras, juntamente com a ajuda da metodologia SmartPLS, de que modo é que os diferentes constructos formados influenciam o nível de internacionalização de uma empresa. Em segundo plano, tentar perceber as diferenças entre Portugal e Itália no que toca a indústria da produção de calçado, comparando os dois países. Os resultados obtidos provam que as metodologias usadas foram capazes de concluir que os modelos de avaliação foram transparentes, foram úteis na medida que suportaram a tomada de decisões durante o processo de internacionalização e se uma empresa deve ou não internacionalizar. Houve uma compreensão mais sustentada das características que têm um maior impacto aquando do processo de internacionalização de uma pequena ou média empresa. Durante a construção do modelo houve também uma ponderação das suas respectivas vantagens e limitações

Os comunistas portugueses no exílio : (1960-1974)

Tese de doutoramento, História (Dinâmicas do Mundo Contemporâneo), Universidade de Lisboa, com a participação do ISCTE- Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Universidade de Évora, 2015O exílio de Álvaro Cunhal, na sequência da fuga da prisão em 1960, marcou uma nova etapa na história do PCP: pela primeira vez, o Secretariado do Comité Central instalou-se no exterior. O que favoreceu a constituição progressiva de vários colectivos de exilados de comunistas portugueses em Argel, Moscovo, Bucareste, Praga e Paris, incluindo um grupo de crianças em Ivanovo. Este exílio de carácter transitório dependia da confluência de várias circunstâncias pessoais e do cumprimento de funções concretas no exterior que contribuíssem para a luta no interior. Trata-se de um Exílio Político Funcional. A sua aplicação marcou grande parte da década de 60 e acabou por resultar na exposição do PCP às intensas dinâmicas contemporâneas da época.Álvaro Cunhal's exile, following his prison break in 1960, marked a new stage in the history of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP): for the first time, the Secretariat of the Central Committee was settled abroad, which favoured the gradual achievement of a number of collective Portuguese Communist exiles in Algiers, Moscow, Bucharest, Prague and Paris, including a group of children in Ivanovo. This transitory exile depended on the confluence of various personal circumstances and the fulfilment of specific functions abroad to contribute to the fight in Portugal. It is a Functional Political Exile and its application marked much of the 60s and allowed PCP to have great exposure to the intense contemporary dynamics of those times

Práticas sexuais e satisfação sexual durante a gravidez

A gravidez é um estádio da vida da mulher que envolve alterações fisiologias e psicológicas, que afectam vários aspectos da sua vida, nomeadamente a vivência da sua sexualidade, como por exemplo algumas alterações próprias que ocorrem neste período, nomeadamente alterações da imagem corporal, sintomas fisiológicos desagradáveis, diminuição do nível de energia, qualidade do relacionamento, alterações do humor, etc. O presente estudo inscreve-se num modelo de estudo empírico, de carácter quantitativo e exploratório, que pretende descrever, comparar e verificar relações entre variáveis (práticas sexuais e satisfação sexual). O objectivo deste trabalho foi então investigar as práticas sexuais e a satisfação sexual durante a gravidez, numa amostra de 100 grávidas. Utilizou-se um questionário de auto-preenchimento constituído por três partes: questionário sócio-demográfico; questionário das práticas sexuais; e questionário da satisfação sexual (ISS- Índice de Satisfação Sexual de Hudson (1991), adaptado por Pechorro (2006). Primeiramente descreveu-se as práticas e a satisfação sexual durante a gravidez, seguidamente comparou-se estas duas variáveis entre grávidas primíparas e multíparas e finalmente fez-se a comparação entre os três trimestres de gestação. Os resultados obtidos indicam que as grávidas são sexualmente activas, apresentam práticas sexuais variadas e estão bastante satisfeitas.ABSTRACT: Pregnancy is a state in a woman’s life that involves physiological and psychological changes, which can affect several aspects in her life, such as dealing with her own sexuality. For instance, there are some typical occurrences in this specific period of time, like body image transformations, unpleasant physiological symptoms, reduced energy levels, quality of human relations, mood changes, among other. This study intends to be compliant with an empirical model, of quantitative and exploratory nature, and willing to describe, compare and verify the relationship between variables (sexual behaviour and sexual satisfaction). The purpose of this study was to investigate sexual behaviour and correspondent sexual satisfaction during pregnancy, using a sample of 100 pregnant women. Used a self-completion questionnaire consisting of three parts: socio-demographic questionnaire, questionnaire of sexual practices and sexual satisfaction questionnaire (Sexual Satisfaction Index of the Hudson (1981), translated by Pechorro (2006). In the first approach is described practices and sexual satisfaction during pregnancy, then compared to these two variables between primiparous and multiparous pregnant and eventually gave up the comparison between the three trimesters. Results from this study, there were statistically significant differences when comparing the three trimesters of pregnancy, with respect to frequency of sexual intercourse, the practice of anal sex and orgasm

Design de um artefacto de ludicidade mediador do ballet para crianças

Mestrado em DesignA presente dissertação tem como ponto de partida o problema da obesidade infantil na sociedade atual e a consciência da necessidade de desenvolvimento da atividade infantil. Nesse sentido, propomo-nos projetar um artefacto de ludicidade para crianças entre os 5 e os 10 anos de idade que comunique os conteúdos de Ballet, incidindo no treino corporal, respondendo a esse desígnio. Trata-se de uma reflexão sobre os contributos do design, o poder da Ludicidade e da Imagem na transmissão de conhecimento à criança. O projeto desenvolve-se em colaboração com uma escola de bailado e a criança bailarina e resulta da exploração de representações, ilustrações e notações da dança e de referências teóricas e práticas em Ludicidade. Pensamos, com este artefacto, poder contribuir para contrariar uma atitude mais sedentária por parte das crianças e motivá-las, através do design, para adoptarem comportamentos mais saudáveis.The present work has as its starting point the problem of childhood obesity in our society and the awareness of the need for developing the physical activity of children. In that sense, we propose to design an artifact of playfulness for children between 5 and 10 years. The purpose of this artifact/object is to communicate Ballet contents, focusing on physical training, responding to this purpose. This is a reflection on the contributions of the design, the power of Playfulness and Image, in transmitting knowledge to children. The project is developed in collaboration with a school of ballet and a ballerina child and results of operation of representations, illustrations and notations of dance and theoretical references and practices of Playfulness. We think that, with this artifact, we will be able to contribute to counteract a sedentary attitude on the part of children and motivate them, through design, to adopt healthier behaviors

Spondylodiscitis associated with recurrent Serratia bacteremia due to a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): a case report

We report a case of spondylodiscitis caused by multiresistant Serratia marcescens in a cirrhotic patient who had several Serratia bacteremias after the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) device. We concluded that an endovascular stent that can not be removed makes management of recurrent bacteremia difficult. Furthermore, back pain due to bacteremia is indicative of spondylodiscitis. Serratia marcescens can be an aggressive pathogen, causing spinal infection

First report of acute autochthonous hepatitis E in Portugal

Hepatitis E infection is usually a self-limiting disease. In industrialized countries, sporadic cases of acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections have been described; their number seems to be increasing in European countries. We report the first human case of autochthonous acute hepatitis E confirmed in Portugal. Patients with acute non-A-C hepatitis should be tested for HEV in Portugal and hepatitis E infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hepatitis cases

Seroepidemiological survey of transmissible infectious diseases in a portuguese prison establishment

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 151 (71.6%) of 211 male inmates of a regional Portuguese prison in order to establish the seroprevalence for viral hepatitis (HAV, HBV, HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and to analyze some psychosocial and criminal characteristics. Mean age was 34 years. Anti-HAV was positive in 69.5% (n = 105) and in 34.4% (n = 52) for anti-HCV. One (0.7%) person had HBsAg and 29 (19.2%) had laboratory markers of past HBV infection. Non-immune inmates for HBV were 40.4% (n = 61). Syphilis was diagnosed in 6.0% (n = 9). The rate of HIV infection was 6.6% (n = 10; all HIV-1). The seropositivity of HSV-2 was 19.9% (n = 30) and of HSV-1 was 82.1% (n = 124). Alcohol dependence was reported by 26.5% (n = 40). Excluding tobacco and prescription medication, 73.5% (n = 111) reported drug use in prison. The most commonly used drugs were: cannabis (100%; n = 111) followed by heroin (56.7%; n = 63). Anti-HCV rate was noteworthy. The HIV infection rate (6.6%) in this regional prison is at least 13 to 22 times greater than in general population. As the inmate return to the community increases the risk of disease exposure for the general population, early detection and counseling is urgently needed for prisoners

Plasmodium falciparum malaria, bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy and delayed cerebellar ataxia

We describe the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian male, a resident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who was observed in Portugal with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria with high-level parasitemia and severe thrombocytopenia. The course was complicated by bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy during acute malaria, followed by the appearance of delayed cerebellar ataxia during the recovery phase. This occurred after successful treatment with quinine plus doxycycline over seven days. Different levels of thrombocytopenia and C-reactive protein were observed during both neurologic events in the presence of HRP-2 positive tests for Plasmodium falciparum antigen. The patient recovered completely after three months

Clinical manifestations of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in the ambulatory setting

INTRODUCTION: In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared an influenza pandemic associated with the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 strain. It was summer in the northern hemisphere, and therefore travelling and vacation time, which also provided an increased opportunity for the dissemination of respiratory diseases. METHODOLOGY: We reviewed the paper case report forms from all the patients with influenza-like illnesses with nasopharyngeal samples submitted for laboratory diagnosis of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection during the first wave of pandemic influenza that occurred between June and August 2009, in the central region of Portugal. RESULTS: From all the patients with influenza-like illnesses, one third was found positive for pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Individuals under the age of 29 (75%) were the most affected. Most of the patients (91%) presented with fever. A group of symptoms were positively correlated with the probability of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection: cough, epistaxis, lack of dyspnea or vomiting, fever, headache and myalgia. CONCLUSIONS: During the first wave of the pandemic influenza, young individuals were the most affected, and in the ambulatory setting, presentation was of a mild febrile illness without complications