Changing climate, changing decisions : understanding climate adaptation decision-making and the way science supports it

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências do Ambiente, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2015The current pace of global mitigation efforts brings about growing concerns about climate change impacts. In turn, even in developed countries, most societies are often vulnerable to present day climate and will most likely see those vulnerabilities exacerbated by future climate trends and extremes, accentuating the need for a coherent response through adaptation efforts. Such efforts will always have to be developed in face of uncertainty. The deeply rooted uncertainties that underpin climate change adaptation as a scientific, political and societal endeavour will always be a part of adaptation decision-making processes. It is fundamental that decision-makers and scientific communities find common ground that allows to exchange the necessary knowledge on “why to adapt”, but also to develop the required frameworks, methods and tools that sustain a clearer understanding of “what to adapt” and “how to adapt” under long-term, uncertain circumstances. This thesis is about climate adaptation decisions and decision-making processes, and how science supports and equips them to handle uncertainty. The assessment and conclusions presented in this thesis reflect research that was transdisciplinary in nature and that included working close to decision-makers in their real-life contexts. The main objective of this thesis is to enrich the understanding of how adaptation decision-making takes place in those contexts and how science can better support it in dealing with associated uncertainties. Three key research questions underpin this thesis. The first deals with the issue whether transdisciplinarity in adaptation research is a fundamental condition for practical adaptation decision-making. This thesis argues that although transdisciplinarity may be a necessary condition, it is not a sufficient one to assure that “good” or “better” real-life adaptation decisions are made. Participatory, practice-oriented research is of outmost importance, but it has to be complemented by a more fundamental inquiry and concept development from disciplinary sciences and with changes in the operational and/or normative standards associated with long-lasting decisions. Transdisciplinarity has been framed as a potential solution for the gap between knowledge production and practical adaptation action. However, a more fundamental change in the way adaptation decision-making processes are framed, one that goes beyond the simple assimilation of the perceived needs of decision-makers, may be required to bridge that challenge. The second question reflects the current gap in the understanding of what climate adaptation decisions are and how they relate to existing or perceived uncertainties. Using a set of selected case-studies spanning across a wide range of sectors and different real-life decisions, this thesis reviewed and analysed how adaptation decisions are being made in practice, their knowledge requirements, and the implications that dealing with uncertainty has regarding their outcomes. In order to consider all steps of the adaptation decision-making process, interviews were conducted with both decision-makers and those involved in supporting them via science and other activities. Results demonstrate the importance of considering both dimensions and respective contexts in dealing with uncertainty. However, results also suggest that uncertainty-management is not a guarantee of action, and that the current framing of adaptation decision-making is still very much tied to a rational-linear view, both from the policy and decision-making perspective, as in the science and decision-support standpoint. This leads to a third research question that aims to identify if current adaptation decision-making frameworks are well equipped to characterise, support adaptation and enhance adaptation action under uncertainty. In the context of this thesis, a decision-making framework is a holistic set of concepts, perspectives or approaches that support the entire adaptation decisionmaking process. This thesis argues that such frameworks should necessarily include and integrate all dimensions that naturally occur in an adaptation process namely, the decision-objectives, the decision-support, the decision-making and the respective decision-outcomes. Current frameworks have been mostly framed from a research and expert perspective that follows a rational approach to decision-making under uncertainty. Under such perspective, it is assumed that by providing information and decision-support practical adaptation decisions will be made. This appears to be sufficient to deal with strategic decisions that look into improving adaptive capacity, but seems no longer fit-for-purpose when it comes to operational decisions, the type generally required to advance vulnerability-reducing actions.Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c, project Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Modelling - CCIAM); Wageningen University and Research Centr

How can premium automotive brands maintain their status, while sharing technology with their respective auto groups? - the case of Audi and the Volkswagen automotive group

Automotive groups with large portfolios face growing branding challenges in the premium market. Currently, premium brands need to pursue digital innovation to maintain their status, but technology by itself does not lead to a higher positioning: other attributes like comfort, safety, material quality, and design are still valued. Based on the study of Audi and the Volkswagen Automotive Group, this Work Project demonstrates that autonomous driving, integrated smartphone connectivity, and media consumption applications are likely to increasingly act as differentiators in the future. Also, the identity of premium brands needs to remain strong to justify the consumers’ personal brand preferences

A internacionalização do Grupo Vila Galé no Brasil

Mestrado Bolonha em Ciências EmpresariaisCom o surgimento e desenvolvimento da globalização, o tema da internacionalização tem se tornado cada vez mais atual e pertinente no mundo dos negócios. Com um mercado cada vez mais saturado e consumidores mais exigentes as empresas procuram internacionalizar-se para dar resposta a estes problemas. Um tema complexo como a internacionalização suscita diferentes tipos de questões relativas aos comportamentos das empresas. Dessa forma, este projeto procura compreender o processo de internacionalização de uma empresa portuguesa. Para esta investigação, a metodologia considerada mais adequada foi a do estudo de caso, tendo por base o caso do grupo hoteleiro português Vila Galé no Brasil. Em 2001, a Vila Galé abriu o seu primeiro hotel no Brasil e iniciaram as operações neste mercado detendo nos dias de hoje 10 estabelecimentos hoteleiros. Assim, a presente investigação foca-se em duas questões principais: o porquê da escolha do Brasil como mercado destino e como a Vila Galé gere a subsidiária brasileira tendo em conta a estratégia global da empresa. Em suma, foi possível perceber que a opção pelo Brasil como mercado destino deu-se, entre vários fatores, pela proximidade histórica associada à língua. Ao mesmo tempo percebeu-se o papel e importância que a subsidiária tem para a empresa e como a mesma é gerida. Foi concedida autonomia à subsidiária em diferentes aspetos para que a mesma se pudesse adaptar ao ambiente local, mas tentando assegurar ao mesmo tempo uma coordenação global com a sede.With the emergence and development of globalization, the theme of internationalization has become increasingly popular and relevant in the business world. With an increasingly saturated market and more demanding consumers, companies are looking to internationalize in order to respond to these problems. A complex topic such as internationalization raises different types of questions about companies' behavior. Therefore, this project seeks to understand the internationalization process of a Portuguese company. For this research, the methodology considered most appropriate was the case of study, based on the case of the Portuguese hotel group Vila Galé in Brazil. In 2001, Vila Galé opened its first hotel in Brazil and began operations in this market, currently owning 10 hotel establishments. This research focuses on two main questions: why Brazil was chosen as a destination market and how Vila Galé manages its Brazilian subsidiary, considering the company's global strategy. In summary, it was possible to see that the choice of Brazil as a destination market was due, among other factors, to the historical proximity associated with the language. At the same time, we were able to understand the role and importance of the subsidiary for the company and how it is managed. The subsidiary was given autonomy in several aspects so that it could adapt to the local environment, trying at the same time to ensure global coordination with the headquarters.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Concepção geométrica e modelagem cinemática de um robô cartesiano com cinco graus de liberdade

Monografia (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, 2013.Esse trabalho descreve a concepção geométrica, a modelagem cinemática e o planejamento de trajetória de um robô de cinco graus de liberdade para prototipagem rápida. Composto por um manipulador linear tipo pórtico de três graus de liberdade e por uma mesa posicionadora de dois graus de liberdade, o robô usará uma tocha de solda GMAW (MIG/MAG) para fabricação de peças por soldagem em 3D (3D Welding). No planejamento de trajetória, foi utilizado um software de fatiamento, que obtêm o caminho no espaço operacional a partir de uma peça em arquivo CAD. Em seguida, rotinas de cálculo em Matlab obtêm o caminho no espaço das juntas e calculam as velocidades durante o processo. Os dados do planejamento da trajetória foram utilizados para gerar simulações no Workspace LT. As simulação geradas permitiram a visualização do processo e monitoração das variáveis de juntas. ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis project describes the geometrical conception, kinematics modeling and the trajectory planning of a rapid prototyping robot with five degrees of freedom. Composed by a 3-axis portal linear manipulator and a two degree of freedom positioner table, the robot will use GMAW 3D welding technique for the production of hull parts. In the trajectory planning, a software was used to generate a path in the Cartesian space from a CAD model. A Matlab routine was created with the purpose of calculating the path in the joint space with an inverse kinematics loop. A second Matlab routine calculated the joint velocities during the process. The data from the trajectory planning were used Workspace LT to simulate the process. The simulations allowed the visualization of the process through 3D animations and joint monitoring

Sentimentos de solidão e depressão em idosos institucionalizados

Trabalho de Projeto apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Gerontologia Social.Os estudos demográficos têm apresentado o envelhecimento populacional como um dos mais importantes fenómenos do século XXI. As sociedades modernas são estruturas duplamente envelhecidas, caracterizadas por uma maior longevidade dos seus membros e por uma menor taxa de natalidade. Portugal, não foge a este fenómeno, confrontando-se a sociedade atual com desafios múltiplos a nível social, económico cultural e político para minorar as consequências desta esta realidade. A institucionalização da pessoa idosa foi uma das respostas sociais criadas com o objetivo de evitar o isolamento, a solidão, o aparecimento de incapacidades e dificuldades, tendo por fim último o bem-estar dos idosos. No entanto, a literatura tem mostrado que os idosos institucionalizados, apesar de estarem diariamente rodeados de pessoas, evidenciam sentimentos de solidão e apresentam sintomas de depressão. Ao ser institucionalizado, o idoso confronta-se com uma realidade muito diferente da habitual ao longo da sua trajetória de vida, desde a convivência com outros utentes e profissionais, muitas vezes desconhecidos, espaços físicos diferenciados, um conjunto de regras, normas e rotinas que podem levar à perceção da perda da sua intimidade, da privacidade, da autonomia, da responsabilidade das decisões pessoais que, em alguns casos, podem originar solidão e quadros depressivos. Com o objetivo de estudar se a institucionalização da pessoa idosa pode condicionar o aparecimento de sentimentos de solidão e sintomas depressivos, foi delineado um trabalho de projeto constituído por duas partes. A primeira parte integra uma revisão da literatura sobre as problemáticas do envelhecimento e da relação entre a institucionalização e o desenvolvimento de sentimentos de solidão e de depressão. A segunda parte integra uma investigação de tipo descritivo, com suporte numa metodologia quantitativa, realizada a uma amostra de 30 idosos institucionalizados. Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos de recolha de dados: um questionário sociodemográfico, a Escala de Solidão da UCLA e a Escala Geriátrica da Depressão (EGD). De um modo geral, os resultados do estudo demonstram que a institucionalização é percecionada de forma positiva, apresentando índices baixos de sentimentos de solidão e de depressão. Pode concluir-se que, na amostra em estudo, a institucionalização não condiciona o surgimento de sentimentos de solidão e de quadros depressivos.Demographic studies have presented population ageing as one of the most important phenomenon of the 21st century. Modern societies are double-aged structures, characterized by a greater longevity of their members and a lower birth rate. Portugal, does not escape this phenomenon, confronting the current society with multiple challenges at social, economic, cultural and political level to alleviate the consequences of this reality. The institutionalization of the elderly person was one of the social responses created in order to avoid isolation, loneliness and the emergence of disabilities and difficulties, being it’s final purpose the welfare of the elderly. However, literature has shown that institutionalized elders, despite being surrounded by people daily, show feelings of loneliness and present symptoms of depression. When institutionalized, the elderly confronts a reality very different from that experienced throughout a lifetime, from coexistence with others and professionals, often unknown, differentiated physical spaces, a set of rules, norms and routines that can lead to the perception of the loss of their intimacy, privacy, autonomy, the responsibility to make personal decisions that, in some cases, can cause loneliness and depression. In order to study whether the institutionalization of the elderly person can condition the appearance of feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms, a project work consisting of two parts was delineated. The first part includes a revision of the literature on the problems of ageing and the relationship between institutionalization and the development of feelings of loneliness and depression. The second part integrates a descriptive type of research, with support in a quantitative methodology, carried out to a sample of 30 institutionalized elderly individuals. The following data collection tools were used: A demographic survey, UCLA's loneliness scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). In general, the results of the study show that institutionalization is understood in a positive way, presenting low indexes of feelings of loneliness and depression. It can be concluded that, in the sample under study, institutionalization does not condition the emergence of feelings of loneliness and depression

Diversidade e inclusão nas organizações: Compreender o efeito no compromisso organizacional

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Social e das OrganizaçõesEste estudo visa investigar a relação entre a diversidade, a inclusão e o compromisso organizacional. Uma amostra de 190 colaboradores de diversas organizações realizou inquéritos para medir as suas perceções sobre a inclusão e o compromisso organizacional, enquanto a diversidade no local de trabalho foi operacionalizada através das características sociodemográficas dos colaboradores. Os resultados indicam que a inclusão está positivamente relacionada com o compromisso organizacional. Contudo, não foi possível aferir se a relação entre a inclusão e o compromisso organizacional é considerada mais forte entre os colaboradores que se identificaram com grupos sociodemográficos sub-representados, não corroborando assim que a diversidade, através das características sociodemográficas dos colaboradores, moderou esta relação. No geral, estas conclusões sugerem que a criação de um ambiente de trabalho inclusivo e diversificado pode ser particularmente importante para aumentar o compromisso organizacional dos colaboradores. As implicações práticas e teóricas destas descobertas são discutidas.ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between diversity, inclusion and organizational commitment. A sample of 190 employees from diverse organizations completed surveys measuring their perceptions of inclusion and organizational commitment, while workplace diversity was operationalized through employees' sociodemographic characteristics. Results indicated that inclusion was positively related to organizational commitment. However, it was not possible to assess whether the relationship between inclusion and organizational commitment is considered stronger among employees who identified with underrepresented sociodemographic groups, thus not corroborating that diversity, through the employee’s sociodemographic characteristics, moderated this relationship. In general, these conclusions suggest that creating an inclusive and diverse work environment may be particularly important for increasing employee’s organizational commitment. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed

O desenvolvimento urbanístico dos bairros do primeiro troço da Avenida Almirante Reis (Avenida dos Anjos)

UID/PAM/00417/2019 SFRH/BD/110343/2015Estendendo-se entre o Desterro e Arroios, o primeiro troço da Avenida Almirante Reis corresponde à concretização do projeto de 1877 para a abertura da Avenida dos Anjos. Entre 1889 e 1928, surgiram nas suas orlas quatro novos bairros (Andrade, Castelinhos, Braz Simões ou Inglaterra e Colónias) com diferentes características que refletem o tempo em que foram desenvolvidos. É justamente o estudo do modo como a avenida foi crescendo e da génese destes bairros que o presente artigo pretende fazer. Built between Desterro and Arroios, the first section of the Almirante Reis Avenue materialized the 1877 Avenida dos Anjos project. Between 1889 and 1928 four neighbourhoods (Andrade, Castelinhos, Braz Simões or Inglaterra and Colónias) took shape around it, with different features that reflect the moments they were built. This article attempts to trace the development of the Almirante Reis Avenue and these four neighborhoods.publishersversionpublishe

FRCcalc - software for design of fiber reinforced concrete elements according to MC2010 recommendations

A new software, denominated FRCcalc, was developed for the analysis and design of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) members based on the recommendations and design guidelines of MC2010. The software is guided for the analysis of FRC cross-sections with and without conventional steel reinforcements, submitted to bending and shear, in order to assess the ultimate and serviceability limit state safety verifications of structural members. A main feature of the software is the possibility to run a comparative analysis between FRC and reinforced concrete (RC) cross-sections from the technical aspects. Two examples of the analysis of FRC and RC cross-sections using FRCcalc are presented, having been explored the use of fiber reinforcement in members for increased structural performance and as a total or partial replacement of conventional steel reinforcement. Additionally, in order to appraise FRCcalc accuracy to evaluate the flexural response of FRC and RC cross-sections, a comparison with the results obtained with DOCROS software is presented, being DOCROS based on a layered model capable of attributing to each layer an aimed constitutive model, therefore adequate to predict the moment-curvature of cross sections composed of several types of cement, metallic and polymer materials.The first Author would like to acknowledge the grant SFRH/BDE/96381/2013 co-funded by CiviTest - Pesquisa de Novos Materiais para a Engenharia Civil, Lda. and by FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. The authors also acknowledge the support provided by the FCT project PTDC/ECM-EST/2635/2014