Towards industry 4.0: a case study in ornamental stone sector

A movement to mobilize the Portuguese Ornamental (OS) sector to reduce waste and improve flexibility began in 2004. Boosted by R&D Mobilizing Projects in consortium and fostered by two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG9 and SDG12), this mobilization resulted in a new generation of technologies, concepts and innovative practices, matching the needs of Portuguese OS companies, stressing an integrated approach to European Competitiveness that should be fostered by a sustainable industrial policy, combined with innovation and skills. Bearing in mind that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, and considering the importance of following the goals and guidelines of SDGs 9 and 12 in the industrial processes optimization achievement in the Portuguese OS sector, the following research question arises: What is the impact of the R&D Mobilizing Projects on the efficiency and image of Portuguese OS companies? The objective of this research is to conceptualize an empirical framework based on a mixed methodology, to assess the efficiency and image benefits resulting from participation in these R&D Mobilizing Projects. Through applying the empirical framework to two case studies, it was concluded that for companies that since 2004 have been part of R&D Mobilizing Projects, the evolution in terms of improved energy and raw-material efficiency, soft skills and improved facilities is more positive than in other OS companies. Moreover, there are potential gains in efficiency and image of 9.62%, compared to companies that have never participated in this type of project. This results match with the EU's integrated climate and energy policy and an integrated approach to the sustainable management of natural resources, the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The sustainable production and consumption revealed in the Portuguese OS sector are among the drivers for achieving objectives under both the SDG and the Lisbon strategy.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Erosion perceptions, beliefs and the sustainability of coastal areas: an individual or collective endeavour?

Coastal erosion (CE) is a phenomenon that has undergone a conceptual evolution. Nowadays, it is considered a physical and social process that is scientifically studied, quantified, and technically mitigated. It may also be approached by following the individual/collective perceptions of coastal communities. Risk and vulnerability associated with CE may also be addressed by considering different aspects that require a differentiated and trans-disciplinary analysis. A gap regarding the social perception of CE in Portuguese coastal communities was detected in the literature review. Therefore, the initial questions and aim of this study are, as follows: to research the social perceptions of CE and to understand how they impact public decisions/participation aimed at mitigating CE. The purpose of this research, supported by a hypothetical-deductive-approach, is exploratory and followed a multiple-case study strategy. The study was conducted using a mixed methodological paradigm (qualitative and quantitative). The Paramos/Espinho and Costa-da-Caparica cases, which differ environmentally, geographically and socioeconomically, were selected. Social and environmental vulnerability indicators were determined through the Analytical-Hierarchy-Process. These indicators were used to structure/draft the exploratory interviews and a questionnaire. These were applied to three categories of stakeholders: politicians/decision-makers, presidents of recreational associations and fishermen/inhabitants; all chosen by convenience sampling. The interviews identified both the historical and current perception of CE, as well as the public-institutional interaction within the scope of the planned/executed interventions targeting the mitigation of this problem. The questionnaire also revealed memories of damaging events, recognition of the causes of CE and sea encroachment, identification of risk perception, and understanding of the feedback about the strategies developed for mitigating erosion. The results showed that the perception of CE was derived from constructed experience and social memory. For the participants, the erosion «issue» is a serious daily problem. They identified risks and mentioned natural causes that are magnified by both climate change and human causes. Disengagement of the state through inefficient decision-making, inadequate construction and maintenance of defence structures, and through their laxness regarding building new constructions were all mentioned as significant examples of human causes. Participants highlighted the authorities’ lack of sensitivity towards traditional knowledge and their lack of will to welcome/integrate the contribution participants’ experience could make. The main contribution of this work resides in the empirically based development of a model for the social perception of CE, by positioning vulnerability in the context of CE. The perceived vulnerability/risk was deemed to result not only from CE, but also from a variable and dynamic context-specific framework, and from internal/external factors that were identified.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

From “boat to plate”: creating value through sustainable fish supply chain visibility

Environmental concerns about the scarcity of marine resources are critical driving forces for firms aiming to prepare their supply chains for sustainability. Building on previous work, this paper highlights the mplementation of good practices geared towards sustainable operations in the seafood department, which were pursued in an exploratory retailer case. Outcomes of the adopted environmentally and socially acceptable fish retailing strategies, ranged from traceability, to self-certification and eco-labelling. The consequences for business were, as follows: stronger collaboration and trust across the chain of custody, improvement of sponsors’ image and of consumers’ loyalty and, progress in the Greenpeace retailers’ evaluation ranking.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Um capitalismo global em mudança

Na área da Gestão e na da Economia, já muito se escreveu sobre criar e alcançar objectivos, e cada ensaio apresenta uma perspectiva diferente sobre como se podem obter os resultados pretendidos. No entanto, apesar destas pequenas diferenças, existe um denominador comum: a necessidade de conceber objectivos que apresentem medidas bem definidas. Se estas não existirem, é possível produzir, mas não se ser produtivo, ter algum êxito sem se ter sucesso e até criar valor sem que, porém, este constitua uma mais-valia para o negócio.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Perceptions of future leaders towards business ethics and sustainability

This paper examines the perception of business students (BS) concerning business ethics (BE) and sustainable operations management (SOM), in cases reporting ethical dilemmas. The BS have not previously attended any specific course, either dealing with BE, SOM or providing training in ethics. A test administered to 60 BS enabled to picture perceptions regarding: (i) ethical maturity level based on general education/personal sensitivity; and (ii) ethical decision-making processes of BS. The study also determined that BS have a surprisingly high ethical maturity. However, they are not sensitive to BE/SOM scientific’ research importance. Findings point out to development of Business School curricula

Developing a structured and strategically focused performance assessment system

The number and adequacy of Performance-Indicators (PIs) for organisational purposes are core to the success of organisations and a major concern to the sponsor of this research. This assignment developed a procedure to improve a firm’s performance assessment system, by identifying two key-PIs out of 28 initial ones, and by setting criteria and their relative importance to validate and rank the adequacy and the right number of operational metrics. The Analytical-Hierarchy-Process was used with a synthesis-method to treat data coming from the management inquiries. Although organisational alignment has been achieved, business processes should also be targeted and PIs continuously revised.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The role of collaborative networks in product-service system business models for an advanced manufacturing technology SME

This research appreciates the relevance of servitization business models for an Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) SME in the Ornamental Stones (OS) cluster. A holistic conceptual model was designed and tested addressing strategy, organizational structure and technological infrastructure. Primary data gathered by semi-structured interviews were completed by unstructured observation and documentation studying. The model usefulness/usability was qualitatively confirmed by the outcomes relevance. As regards results, primary stages of servitization are already occurring in the case. They might progress towards advanced servitization, if both digital business platforms and Industry4.0 and collaborative networks are deployed. Moreover, the lack of open innovation in the OS SME generates strong feelings of ownership towards resources, which constrains servitization progress and provides a threat to cluster survival. However, a mandatory progress towards Building Information Modelling is expected, which is going to demand virtual breeding environments and virtual organizations that will leverage competitive advantage and enable servitization progress.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Design and business: growing up as a separate couple

This paper addresses the difficulties faced by postgraduate design students (DS) and professional designers (PD) concerning the design, development and implementation of business projects (BP), and of sustainable management (SM). The DS have not previously attended any specific course, either dealing with BP, or having had training in SM. A test administered to 60 DS enabled to picture issues regarding: (i) the sense of discomfort regarding business and management areas, due to lack of skills, and (ii) the special requirements for skills in unfamiliar areas such as production, management, marketing and product stewardship. The study determined that DS perceive the need for educational policies that allow the acquisition of new skills in the referred areas. However, it seems that they are not sensitive to BP/SM scientific’ research importance. Findings point out a direction to curriculum development to bridge Design and Business areas, by overcoming the identified gap.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio