ESG performance in banking post-covid pandemic : does islamic banking perform better?

Mestrado Bolonha em FinançasThe fascinating and - for many - distant Islamic way of conducting corporate and public finance has multiple distinctive features from the one it is seen as conventional within western countries. In times where sustainability is dominating agendas everywhere across the globe following an impactful pandemic period, it seemed interesting to study how this very distinct doctrine financial institutions behaved compared to the conventional European banks within the environmental, social and governance fields. Along the below-presented work, it is possible to find several empirical approaches to the studied hypothesis, with three different regression methods being applied in order to infer whether Islamic banks overperformed non shariah-compliant ones within the COVID period in sustainability matters and also if that performance was linear throughout the several ESG score levels. The results were inconclusive on the relationship between the Islamic factor and the post-pandemic ESG aggregate scores obtained by the financial institutions across Europe and Middle East, being the conclusions robust even through instrumental variables. But although these linear models having shown non-significant results regarding shariahcompliance, when assuming a non-linear approach through the utilization of a quantile regression it is possible to observe a very significant positive relationship between the Islamic factor and sustainability scores within the higher and lower quantiles.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gestão de Recursos Humanos no Terceiro Setor: O Caso das Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo geral estudar a gestão de recursos humanos (GRH) no terceiro setor, focando-se especificamente nas Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social (IPSS). Estas organizações têm vindo a demonstrar um papel cada vez mais relevante nas comunidades em que se inserem, pela sua missão em prestar serviços de cariz social e pela atual relevância como entidades empregadoras. A diversidade presente nas IPSS ao nível da estrutura, funcionamento, dimensão, organização e dinâmicas internas, proporciona o estudo e reflexão das especificidades na GRH. Para isso, abordam-se um conjunto de aspetos: i) diferenças entre meio empresarial e terceiro setor na GRH; ii) implicações da diversidade de respostas sociais e suas especificidades na gestão de pessoas; iii) o papel do Instituto de Segurança Social e as implicações legais na gestão de pessoas; iv) a localização geográfica e acesso a recursos humanos qualificados; v) a perspetiva das IPSS sobre os recursos humanos; vi) o perfil profissional dos colaboradores das IPSS; vii) práticas quotidianas na gestão de recursos humanos nas IPSS; viii) características da GRH nas IPSS (administrativa ou estratégica); ix) responsáveis pela GRH nas IPSS; x) o papel dos órgãos sociais na GRH; xi) profissionalização versus voluntariado; xii) a GRH, certificação e qualidade; xiii) as tendências do terceiro setor na gestão de pessoas. Foi utilizada uma metodologia qualitativa e aplicada a técnica de entrevista para recolher o conhecimento, experiências e perspetivas de diferentes interlocutores do terceiro setor, dirigentes, técnicos superiores, diretores de serviço, investigadores e representantes nacionais e distritais das IPSS. Da sistematização e análise dos dados recolhidos retiraram-se várias conclusões. As pessoas são consideradas o recurso mais importante para estas organizações, pela natureza social e humana das atividades desenvolvidas, prestadas por pessoas e destinadas a pessoas. Neste sentido, é demonstrada a importância do potencial humano aquando do recrutamento e seleção, pela primazia de requisitos como o relacionamento interpessoal em detrimento das qualificações. O perfil profissional característico das IPSS reconhece a importância da polivalência, disponibilidade, comprometimento, confiança, proximidade afetiva, voluntarismo e sentido de missão dos colaboradores, os quais tendem a ser são vistos como investimento tanto quanto reúnam estes aspetos; caso contrário podem ser encarados como custo. Quanto à acessibilidade a recursos humanos, surgem diferentes modalidades, consoante fatores de localização, dimensão, formação e estrutura organizacional, bem como o fenómeno da fuga de mão de obra, indício da dificuldade em captar e reter recursos humanos. O modelo de GRH nas IPSS é de cariz tradicional, caracterizado por uma gestão porimproviso com diferentes níveis de sensibilidade e capacidade das IPSS, no que concerne à implementação de processos de GRH, tais como sistemas de progressão na carreira, recrutamento interno e sistemas de avaliação de desempenho. Quanto aos aspetos da motivação e satisfação profissional, é assumida a importância da proximidade e apoio aos colaboradores, indicativos de um sistema de recompensas informal. É percetível a resistência na aplicação de técnicas de desenvolvimento organizacional, comprovada pela limitação na formação dos quadros de colaboradores. No entanto as IPSS são confrontadas com a rigidez dos instrumentos legais. A responsabilidade pela GRH é mais ou menos partilhada entre a direção técnica e os órgãos sociais, condicionada pelo estilo de liderança e relação de confiança entre si, em norma, pouco clara quanto aos papéis e funções desempenhadas. Por fim, é percebida a necessidade de coexistência de uma gestão profissionalizada e de direções voluntárias mais capacitadas e sensibilizadas para o desenvolvimento de metodologias e estratégias de gestão de pessoas, adaptadas às especificidades das IPSS. Este trabalho pretende contribuir com um espaço de reflexão para a elaboração de respostas mais eficazes e inovadoras que proporcionem o desenvolvimento organizacional, face às necessidades e transformações do terceiro setor. / This work main objective is the study of human resource management (HRM) in the third sector. It is focused specifically on Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social [Private Institutions for Social Solidarity] (IPSS). These kind of organizations have demonstrated an increased value in the communities they are inserted in, by providing social care services and by generating new jobs in the local communities. The study and reflection of HRM specificities is based on the variety in the structure, the purpose, the size, the internal organization and the dynamics of the different IPSS. For this purpose we explored the following aspects : i) the differences between business community and the third sector in HRM; ii) the implications of social responses diversity in people management; iii) the role of the National Insurance Institute and the legal impact on people management; iv) the geographic location and the IPSS access to skilled human resources; v) the understanding of IPSS on human resources; vi) the professional profile of IPSS employees; vii) the daily practices in human resource management on the IPSS; viii) the characteristics of HRM in IPSS (managerial or strategic); ix) who is responsible for HRM in IPSS; x) the role of executive board in HRM; xi) professionalization versus voluntary work; xii) HRM, quality and certification; xiii) the third sector trends in people management. The qualitative method and the interview technique were applied in order to gather knowledge, experiences and perspectives from several sources such as, different partners of the third sector, managers, service directors, technicians, researchers and national and local IPSS representatives. The results indicate several conclusions. Firstly the human resources are the most important resource of IPSS organizations due to the social nature of the services provided by them but also the importance of, the individual and social, skills required for these activities that are provided by people and are directed to people. This demonstrates the importance of interpersonal skills over professional qualifications during recruitment and selection. The IPSS recognize in their professionals the importance of versatility, availability, commitment, confidence, emotional proximity, voluntarism and sense of mission. If an employee fulfills these requirements, is considered an investment; otherwise might be seen as a cost. Regarding the accessibility of IPSS to qualified human resources, we consider different models, depending on location, size and training and organizational structure as well as the phenomenon run of hand labor, defined as the index of difficulty in capturing and retaining human resources. The model of HRM in IPSS is traditional in its nature and is characterized by management based on improvisation at different levels, regarding the implementation ofHRM processes such as career advancement systems, internal recruitment and performance evaluation. In regards to motivation and job satisfaction, it is valued the proximity and the support to the employees, showing therefore an informal system of rewards. There is a noticeable resistance to the application of organizational techniques which is demonstrated by controlling the formation of employees. However the IPSS are required to face the rigidity of legal instruments. The responsibility for HRM is shared between the technical direction and the management bodies, which depends on leadership style and mutual trust, and is generally unclear about the roles and duties performed. Finally, it becomes evident the need for coexistence between a professional management and a voluntary management, more capable and more sensible to the development of methods and strategies for people management, specifically adapted to each IPSS. This paper aims to contribute with space for reflection in the development of more effective and innovative responses for the organizational development, given the needs and transformations of the third sector

Properties and recycling of covalently immobilized glycanases used for aqueous enzyme assisted Rosa mosqueta oil extraction

2nd International Conference on Protein Stabilisation - From Molecular Interpretation to Bio-Industrial Applicationsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Balanceamento e implementação de linha de montagem de equipamento para transporte pré-hospitalar

A presente dissertação incide sobre o balanceamento da linha de montagem de equipamento de transporte pré-hospitalar e implementação de Standard Work nos diversos postos de trabalho, com o objetivo de conseguir um aumento de produção. Aplicou-se a filosofia Lean e diversas ferramentas relacionadas com a melhoria contínua. A eliminação de desperdícios e o aumento da eficiência dos recursos produtivos, contribuirão para a melhoria do desempenho e da competitividade da AR Equipment. Com a implementação das melhorias na linha de montagem e no respetivo bordo de linha, será possível reduzir o número de tarefas, permitindo o equilíbrio da carga horária entre os operadores e a otimização do processo produtivo. Foi elaborado um estudo dos tempos e métodos nos vários processos de montagem, e nos respetivos postos de trabalho, para cada família de produtos. Posteriormente, foi realizada uma comparação dos dados com base no estado inicial da empresa e nos resultados obtidos neste projeto. Analisaram-se as mudanças implementadas e o impacto que as mesmas tiveram em todo o processo produtivo.This dissertation intends to improve the balancing of the assembly line of prehospital transport equipment and the implementation of Standard Work in various workstations with the goal of get an increase of production. It was applied Lean philosophy and several tools related to continuous improvement. Elimination of waste and the increase efficiency of productive resources will contribute to improve the performance and competitiveness of AR Equipment. With the implementation of the improvements in the assembly line and its respective board of line, it will be possible to reduce the number of tasks, allowing the balance of the workload between the operators and the optimization of the production process. A study of the times and methods was elaborated in the various assembly processes and the respective workstations for each family of products. Subsequently, a comparison of the data was made based on the initial state of the company and results obtained in this project. It was analyzed the changes implemented and their impact in the whole production process

Modelação do cancelamento de apólices de seguro automóvel, por parte do cliente

Os cancelamentos de apólices influenciam diretamente as operações comerciais diárias e têm impacto no risco assumido pelas companhias de seguros, o que torna evidente a necessidade de ter um papel ativo na definição de estratégias que levem à promoção da fidelidade do cliente e na garantia de meios que facilitem a monitorização dos riscos comerciais. Quis-se identificar, entre os clientes com seguro automóvel de uma companhia de seguros, características que distinguem aqueles que cancelam as suas apólices de seguro dos outros clientes, de modo que, conhecidas as características de um novo indivíduo, se possa prever a que grupo pertence. Ponto de partida: dois conjuntos de dados contendo informações relativas a apólices de seguro e a sinistros ocorridos. Os conjuntos de dados foram trabalhados e uni cados até um conjunto final, composto por 371252 apólices ativas no ano de 2015 e, para cada uma delas, dados relativos a vinte variáveis, sendo uma delas a variável resposta (anulação da apólice, por parte do cliente) a ser predita pelas dezanove restantes. Um modelo linear generalizado, em particular uma regressão logística, construído com o conjunto das quatro variáveis mais significativas (data inicial, bonificação, forma de pagamento e pack de coberturas 2 ), dada a sua parcimónia, foi preferido pela companhia de seguros. A curva ROC correspondente tem uma AUC de aproximadamente 66.6%, com IC95% = [65.8%, 67.3%]. Fixando o objetivo de 80% para a sensibilidade, tem-se uma especificidade de aproximadamente 42% e uma exatidão pouco superior a 47%. Como alternativa, apresenta-se um modelo, construído com recurso a 5 variáveis simples (data inicial, bonificação, forma de pagamento, pack de coberturas 1, prémio apólice) e a uma das interações entre um par dessas variáveis (data inicial / forma de pagamento). A este modelo corresponde uma curva ROC com AUC = 69.4%, IC95% = [68.7%, 70.1%] e, para o mesmo objetivo de cerca de 80% de sensibilidade, consegue 47% de especificidade e exatidão pouco acima de 51%. Tendo como meta para o modelo o objetivo do equilíbrio entre bom ajustamento, parcimónia e interpretação, verificou-se que apenas a qualidade de ajustamento deixa a desejar.Policy cancellations directly influence daily business operations and have an impact on the risk assumed by insurance companies, which makes clear the need to take an active role in defining strategies that promote customer loyalty and guarantee the means to facilitate monitoring of commercial risks. It was intended to identify, among the customers with auto insurance policies of an insurance company, characteristics that distinguish those who cancel their insurance policies from other clients, so that, knowing the characteristics of a new individual, one can predict to which group belongs. Starting point: two data sets containing information on insurance policies and car accidents occurred. The data sets were worked and unified to a final set, composed by 371252 policies active in the year 2015 and, for each of them, data related to twenty variables, one of them being the response variable (policy cancellation, by the customer) to be predicted by the nineteen remaining. A generalized linear model with logistic regression, constructed with the set of the four most significant variables (initial date, bonus, form of payment and coverages pack 2 ), due its parsimony, was preferred by the insurance company. The corresponding ROC curve has an AUC of approximately 66.6%, with IC95% = [65.8%, 67.3%]. Setting the 80% target for sensitivity, we have a specificity of approximately 42% and an accuracy just over 47%. As an alternative, it is presented a model constructed using five simple variables (initial date, bonus, form of payment, coverages pack 1, policy premium) and one of the interactions between a pair of these variables (initial date / form of payment). This model corresponds to a ROC curve with AUC = 69.4%, IC95% = [68.7%, 70.1%] and, for the same objective of about 80% sensitivity, achieves 47% of specificity and accuracy just over 51%. Having as goal for the model the objective of the balance between good adjustment, parsimony and interpretation, it was noticed that only the quality of adjustment is not what it is desired

Automating Home Appliances For Elderly and Impaired People: The B-Live Approach

DETIThis paper describes the B-Live approach for automating home appliances for elderly and impaired people. This system has been developed at Micro I/O for enhancing the quality of life and the independence of its potential users. The target application is the retrofitting of common dwellings. The paper introduces the motivation for the B-Live system and presents a survey on current Smart Home projects and endeavours. The B-Live system is described and details on its software, hardware and communications architecture are provided. A survey of the supported appliances and interfaces is presented as well as a description of the B-live configuration and operation procedures. The suitableness of the B-Live system to improve the autonomy of the envisaged users was informally evaluated by C4, C5 and C6 patients at the CMRRC Rovisco Pais demonstrator. The conclusion is that the system has a short learning curve and can cope with the requirements of its potential users

Characterisation of Capsicum annuum seeds: cell wall polysaccharides composition and light microscopy studies

GLUPOR 3 - 3rd International Meeting of the Portuguese Carbohydrate Chemistry Group (1st Iberian Carbohydrate Meeting)[Excerpt] The oil from Capsicum annuum ("chilli") seeds, abundant in the region of Mexico, is used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. These seeds were characterised by light microscopy using several stains, and the cell wall polysaccharides were extracted and analysed. The effect on the cells morphology of several different strategies (hot aqueous extraction, ethanol extraction, enzyme assisted aqueous extraction) for oil removal is also shown. Optical microscopy: The seeds were fixed with a mixture containing acetic acid, fonnaldehyde and ethanol. Sections of 5-10 µm thickness were obtained after dehydration in a graded alcohol series and embedding in paraffui. These sections were stained using the following methods: Sudan Black (lipids stain black), Safranin and Picro Aniline Blue (cellulose stains blue and lignin stains red), Premixed Iron Hematoxylin, PAS - Amido Black (Figure 1), Safranin and Fast Green, Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250, Toluidine Blue, Safranin 0. and Astra-blue (not shown). [...]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluation of an ultrafiltration membrane for the removal of fish viruses and bacteria in aquaculture water

publishedVersio

Using CAN to retrofit houses for quadriplegic people

DETIThis paper describes the B-Live® system targetted to automate house appliances for severely impaired people, in particular quadriplegic. This system has been developed at Micro I/O for enhancing the quality of life and the independence of its potential users. The envisaged application is the retrofitting of common dwellings. The B-Live system is described and details on its software, hardware and CAN-based communications architecture are provided. A survey of the supported appliances and interfaces is presented as well as a description of the B-live configuration and operation procedures. The adequacy of the B-Live system to improve the autonomy of the envisaged users was informally evaluated by C5 and C6 patients at a demonstration house located in the CMRRC Rovisco Pais, a rehabilitation center near Aveiro, in Portugal. The conclusion is that the system has a short learning curve and can cope with the requirements of its potential users. The use of CAN in this application opens the possibility to include safety critical real-time systems in the BLive system. This is the case of the monitoring of the ventilator used for quadriplegic people that require breath assistance