Successful organizations: From the theoretical research to the business point of view

Globalization is no longer a cliché. In the economic, political and social spheres the world is changing fast enough to bring up new paradigms and new competition in business structures. To strive and succeed, organizations need to face change as a source of new opportunities and innovation seems to be the response. For this dissertation, either bibliographic or empirical findings have confirmed that whether choosing for innovation, companies should look inside and analyse if their environments are supportive to idea generation. The paradigm shifts from the traditional stability the generation of a DNA of change. Technological, procedural or organizational, innovation must be the approach to think out of the box, based on people’s potential. Around simple concepts, the status quo is questioned and companies create their visions based on high standards of excellence, achievable through the introduction of novelty in their genetic code. Both managers and lower-line employees must give their best to explore as much benefits as possible from their innovative initiatives. A culture of innovation and creative efforts must be the basis of all decisions and behaviours fostered by companies. Learning organizations appear in this context as the engines to which motivation and creativity are the inputs to develop the right climate, structure and support to produce what clients might desire. As Janszen says in his 2000 book, “we now live in the age of innovation” and it has to be part of the process of reaching success.A globalização deixou há muito de ser um cliché. Nas esferas económica, política e social o mundo está a mudar a um ritmo capaz de trazer novos paradigmas e nova competição às estruturas empresariais. Para rivalizar e vencer, as empresas precisam de encarar a mudança como uma fonte de novas oportunidades e a inovação parece ser a resposta. No âmbito desta dissertação, tanto as conclusões da pesquisa bibliográfica como do estudo empírico revelaram que, quando escolhendo o caminho da inovação, as empresas devem olhar internamente e avaliar se o seu ambiente é capaz de promover a geração de ideias. O paradigma altera-se da estabilidade tradicional ao ADN de mudança. Tanto tecnologicamente, processualmente, como organizacionalmente, a inovação deve ser a abordagem para que se pense out of the box, com base no potencial humano. Envolvendo conceitos simples, o status quo é questionado e as empresas desenvolvem as suas visões com base em altos padrões de excelência, possível de alcançar através da introdução de novidade no seu código genético. Tanto gestores de topo como colaboradores de baixa hierarquia devem dar o seu melhor na exploração de benefícios obtidos das suas iniciativas inovadoras. A cultura de inovação e o esforço criativo devem suportar todas as decisões e comportamentos promovidos pelas empresas. O conceito de Learning Organization aparece neste contexto como o motor para o qual motivação e criatividade são os inputs para desenvolver o ambiente, a estrutura e o suporte correcto para produzir o que os clientes poderão desejar. Como Janszen diz no seu livro de 2000, “vivemos na Era da inovação” e ela tem que faz er parte do processo para atingir o sucesso

Impacts of dust suppressant application in the quality of urban runoff in arid regions

The main objectives of this thesis were to generate preliminary data on the potential impacts of major categories of dust suppressants on the quality of urban runoff and to evaluate changes in the chemical composition of soils to which suppressants were applied. Eleven individual plots were topically treated with petroleum-based products, ligninsulfonate, acrylic polymers, magnesium chloride, fiber mulch, and non-petroleum-based products and one plot did not receive treatment (control). Rainfall was simulated and the runoff emanating from each plot was collected and analyzed for several parameters. In addition, the top two inches of soil from each plot were sampled after the rainfall events to determine the remaining levels of different suppressant. Analysis of the results shows that petroleum-based products presented higher number of contaminants with concentrations greater than the control, followed by acrylic polymer and ligninsulfonate. Magnesium chloride presented the lowest number of contaminants with concentrations greater than the control

O efeito da contaminação na memória para objetos

Mestrado em Psicologia - Psicologia Clínica e da SaúdeAs experiências emocionais facilitam o envolvimento em comportamentos funcionais adaptativos. Concretamente, a experiência emocional de nojo constitui um componente chave do sistema imunológico comportamental. Existe uma relação associativa entre o nojo e o medo da contaminação, na medida em que esta expressão, ao indiciar a presença de potenciais elementos contaminantes, ativa um conjunto de respostas no indivíduo no sentido de evitar a contaminação. Alguns estudos têm demonstrado que o nojo influencia alguns processos cognitivos, como a memória, sendo que esta parece funcionar de modo a potenciar as probabilidades evolutivas e/ou de sobrevivência dos indivíduos. Nesta investigação pretendemos contribuir para o estudo da influência do nojo na memória, hipotetizando que seria adaptativo recordar melhor objetos potencialmente contaminantes comparativamente com outros objetos. Deste modo, em encontros futuros com esse objeto, o indivíduo poderia evitar o contacto com o mesmo prevenindo uma possível contaminação. O presente estudo tem como objetivos explorar a existência de uma vantagem mnésica para informação associada com uma expressão emocional de nojo, e ainda investigar se este efeito seria afetado tanto pela presença de doença recente como pela fase do ciclo menstrual da participante. Foram realizadas duas experiências com estudantes universitárias do sexo feminino da Universidade de Aveiro. As participantes observaram imagens de objetos associadas com faces com diferentes expressões emocionais (expressões neutra, nojo e tristeza - Exp.1; expressões neutra e nojo - Exp. 2). Após a fase de codificação, seguiu-se uma tarefa de distração e uma tarefa surpresa de evocação livre, na qual as participantes tinham que recordar os objetos anteriormente apresentados. A tarefa terminou com questões relativas a cada uma das faces, e questões acerca do estado de saúde e ciclo menstrual da participante. Os resultados desta investigação não indicam a presença do efeito mnésico para informação associada com uma expressão emocional de nojo, ou seja, não se verificou uma performance superior na recordação de objetos associados a faces de nojo comparativamente aos objetos associados com outras expressões. Embora os resultados não tenham sido estatisticamente significativos, observou-se uma superioridade na recordação dos objetos associados a faces de nojo para as participantes que estiveram doentes recentemente (Exp. 2). Os resultados sugerem ainda que o efeito da contaminação está relacionado com a fase do ciclo menstrual da participante, isto é, verificou-se um melhor desempenho na recordação dos objetos associados a faces de nojo nas participantes que se encontravam na fase lútea do ciclo menstrual (Exp. 2). No final, são discutidos alguns fatores que poderão estar subjacentes a estes resultados. São ainda sugeridas ideias que poderão ser analisadas em estudos futuros.Emotional experiences facilitate the involvement in adaptive and functional behaviors. Specifically, the emotional experience of disgust is a key component of the behavioral immune system. There is an associative relationship between disgust and fear of contamination because this expression, indicating the presence of potential contaminant elements, activates a set of responses in the individual in order to avoid contamination. A number of studies have shown that disgust influences some cognitive processes such as memory, and this seems to work in order to maximize the evolutionary and/or survival probabilities of the individual. In this research, we aim to contribute to the study of the influence of disgust in memory, hypothesizing that better memory for objects which could potentially contaminate the individual would be adaptive, when compared with other objects. Thus, in future meetings with that object, the individual could avoid contact with it in order to prevent possible contamination. This study aims to explore the existence of a mnemonic advantage for information associated with an emotional expression of disgust; we also aim to investigate whether this effect would be affected by the presence of recent illness or the phase of the participants’ menstrual cycle. Two experiments were conducted with female university students from the University of Aveiro. The participants observed images of objects associated with faces with different emotional expressions (neutral, disgust and sadness expressions - Exp.1; neutral and disgust expressions - Exp 2). He encoding phase was followed by a distracting task and then a surprise free recall task, in which participants had to recall the previously presented objects. The task ended with questions related to each of the faces used in the experiment, questions about the health condition and the menstrual cycle of the participant. The results of this investigation do not indicate the presence of a mnemonic advantage for information associated with an emotional expression of disgust, that is, objects associated with disgusted faces were not recalled better than the objects associated with other expressions. Although the results were not statistically significant, a superiority in the recall of objects associated to faces of disgust for participants who had been recently ill was observed (Exp. 2). The results also suggest that the effect of contamination might be associated with the menstrual cycle phase of the participant, given the observation of better recall of the objects associated to faces of disgust in participants who were in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (Exp 2). Some factors that may underline these results are discussed. Several ideas are also suggested that could be examined in future studies

The impact of internal social responsibility on organisational commitment : the case of Jerónimo Martins Group

The Jerónimo Martins Group is a multinational firm operating in the Distribution and Agribusiness sectors, with a strategy focused on value creation and sustainable development. It assumes a Corporate Responsibility governed by five pillars; however, this thesis focuses essentially on the following one: “Being a Benchmark Employer”. The Group ensures benefits to the members of the organisation, such as training, development, compensation, and a positive working environment. In 2008, the company decided to go further and created a department focused on improving the quality of life of its employees. Since the company has the need to continuously guarantee that this area constitutes a differentiation factor and effectively adds value to the company, the main aim of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between employees’ perceptions of internal social responsibility and organisational commitment. Specifically, it analyse the perceptions of internal social responsibility from two different perspectives – the company and its employees – and subsequently studies the impact of seven internal dimensions on affective and normative commitment: employment stability, working environment, skills development, workplace diversity, work-life balance, tangible employee commitment, and empowerment. The analysis is based on primary and secondary research conducted with managers and employees of the Group. The main results showed that all internal dimensions are significantly and positively related to affective and normative organisational commitment.O Grupo Jerónimo Martins é uma empresa multinacional que opera no sector de Distribuição e no negócio Agro-alimentar, com uma estratégia focada para a criação de valor e desenvolvimento sustentável. Assume uma Responsabilidade Corporativa governada por cinco pilares, no entanto, esta tese foca-se essencialmente no seguinte: "Ser um Empregador de Referência". O Grupo assegura benefícios para os membros da organização, tais como, formação, desenvolvimento, compensação e um ambiente de trabalho positivo. Em 2008, a empresa decidiu ir mais longe e criou um departamento focado na melhoria da qualidade de vida dos seus colaboradores. Uma vez que a empresa tem a necessidade de garantir de forma contínua que esta área constitui um factor de diferenciação e efectivamente adiciona valor à empresa, o principal objectivo desta tese é investigar a relação entre as percepções dos colaboradores sobre responsabilidade social interna e o compromisso organizacional. Especificamente, analisa as percepções de responsabilidade social interna a partir de duas perspectivas diferentes - a empresa e os seus colaboradores - e, posteriormente, estuda o impacto de sete dimensões internas no compromisso afectivo e normativo: estabilidade no emprego, ambiente de trabalho, desenvolvimento de competências, diversidade no local de trabalho, equilíbrio entre a vida profissional e familiar, compromisso tangível dos funcionários e capacitação. A análise é baseada em pesquisa primária e secundária conduzida com gerentes e colaboradores do Grupo. Os principais resultados mostraram que todas as dimensões internas estão significativamente e positivamente relacionadas com o compromisso organizacional afectivo e normativo

How do companies in Switzerland manage an ageing workforce

The ageing population phenomenon is of common knowledge in present times, as it has been bringing challenges to the society on both financial and managerial perspectives - respectively touching the matters of pensions and in organizations’ management of their human resources (Christin, Fleury, Huguenin, Murier, Oetliker and Rausa, 2012). In Switzerland, population ageing is more remarkable among the Swiss population than it is among the foreign residents of the country (24 Heures, 2016). Moreover, international immigration plays an important role in the overall ageing of the country, with large amounts of older workers that arrived in the Swiss labour market over the past few years (Secrétariat d'Etat à l'économie SECO, 2016). Although Switzerland presents a very low level of unemployment for its senior population compared to other European countries (OCDE, 2014), the unemployment of seniors - along with their under-employment - remain a source of preoccupation. In fact, seniors are often disadvantaged on the labour market when searching for a job, in particular on the basis of myths and ideas that paint seniors in such way that prevents them from finding employment opportunities (Temps Présent, 2017). Previsions with regards to the labour market however demonstrate a strong expected increase in the labour force participation of older workers, which requires organizations to have an adequate structure of age management measures in place in order to be able to face the challenges that come with such an evolution (Christin, Fleury, Huguenin, Murier, Oetliker and Rausa, 2012). A field research involving organizations active in different domains of activity - such as higher education, retail, and banking - was thus conducted for evaluating the situation of Switzerland with regards to the age management practices of its companies. Findings from this research show that Switzerland has a rather good base in terms of age management measures in place in organizations, - in particular on the matter of training. However, more age management initiatives need to be taken over the next few years, to ensure that companies are prepared to face a retirement wave of baby-boomers and the expected evolution in seniors’ labour force participation

Assessment of the degree of involvement in family therapy for children with hearing impairment

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess family participation in the therapeutic process of children with hearing impairment using hearing aids and/or cochlear implants enrolled at the Educational Audiology Clinic and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Hearing, Language and Education. METHODS: This study was conducted with 25 families of children with hearing impairment between 0 and 14 years old enrolled in speech and hearing therapy for at least six months. Data was collected from the patient charts. The Family Involvement Rating Scale (Moeller) translated into Portuguese was administered to characterize the quality of family participation in the therapeutic process. RESULTS: The mean degree of family involvement among the 25 families studied was 3.28. The therapists classified 40% of the families as presenting an average level of participation (score: 3); 20% were classified as presenting below-average participation and 8% were classified as presenting an ideal degree of participation. CONCLUSION: A large portion of the families analyzed exhibited an average level of participation in the therapeutic process of their children. No correlation was found between the different categories of family involvement and the degree of hearing impairment with or without hearing aids or cochlear implants. Additionally, no correlation was found between the duration of therapy and the degree of family involvement.OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil de crianças com deficiência auditiva que usam aparelho de amplificação sonora individual ou implante coclear, e avaliar a participação das famílias no processo terapêutico dessas crianças. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 25 famílias de crianças com deficiência auditiva, com idades entre 0 e 14 anos, atendidas nos ambulatórios pesquisados, que estavam em terapia fonoaudiológica por, no mínimo, seis meses. Foram levantados os registros das informações dos prontuários das crianças selecionadas e, posteriormente, foi aplicada a escala Family Involvement Rating (Moeller), traduzida para o português com o nome de Escala de Envolvimento Familiar. RESULTADOS: A média do envolvimento familiar das 25 famílias estudadas foi 3,28, sendo que 40% das famílias foram classificadas com participação mediana, pelas terapeutas. Os testes utilizados não evidenciaram relação entre o envolvimento familiar e os limiares auditivos das crianças, nem entre o envolvimento familiar e o tempo em que as crianças estavam em terapia. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria das famílias apresentou participação mediana no processo terapêutico de seus filhos. Não houve diferença entre os diferentes graus de envolvimento familiar no processo terapêutico e os limiares auditivos das crianças com e sem dispositivos eletrônicos, nem diferença entre o tempo de terapia das crianças e o grau do envolvimento familiar.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de FonoaudiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de FonoaudiologiaSciEL

Predicting the risk of falls in patients with COPD: Does age matter?

Introduction: The extrapulmonary manifestations of COPD have been associated with deficits in mobility and balance, which potentiate the risk of falls. This is more evident in advanced COPD. However, research in the risk of falling in this population is scarce. Furthermore, as deterioration of balance increases with age, it is important to understand how age influences the fall risk in these patients.publishe

O silêncio diante da desigualdade racial brasileira: subsídios para transformações nas práticas escolares

The current research seeks to understand how a state school in the interior of São Paulo acts on the issue of ethnic-racial relations provided for by Law 10.639/2003 for Brazilian education. Through an ethnographic case study, we sought to investigate actions to combat racism in the final years of elementary school. Participant observations and interviews with professional educators were carried out. The results indicated the school community's unpreparedness for the implementation of the law and for the prevention of situations of racial violence against black students. It is concluded that silence is being maintained in the face of racial inequality in the school studied.La presente investigación busca comprender cómo una escuela estatal del interior de São Paulo actúa sobre la cuestión de las relaciones étnico-raciales prevista por la ley nº 10.639/2003 para la educación brasileña. A través de un estudio de caso etnográfico, se buscó investigar acciones para combatir el racismo en los últimos años de la escuela primaria. Se llevaron a cabo observaciones de los participantes y entrevistas con educadores profesionales. Los resultados indicaron la falta de preparación de la comunidad escolar para la implementación de la ley y para la prevención de situaciones de violencia racial contra estudiantes negros. Se concluye que se está guardando silencio ante la desigualdad racial en la escuela estudiada.A atual pesquisa busca compreender como uma escola estadual do interior paulista atua diante da temática das relações étnico-raciais prevista pela Lei nº 10.639/2003 para a educação brasileira. Por meio de um estudo de caso etnográfico, buscou-se investigar as ações de combate ao racismo nos anos finais do ensino fundamental. Foram realizadas observações participantes e entrevistas com profissionais educadores. Os resultados indicaram o despreparo da comunidade escolar para a implementação da lei e para a prevenção de situações de violência racial contra alunos negros. Conclui-se que está sendo mantido silêncio diante da desigualdade racial na escola estudada

Psychological functioning of patients at earlier grades of COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has a major impact on patients' psychological function. Anxiety and depression have been reported in approximately 50% of patients with COPD. However, most of the available data is related to patients at advanced grades. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of anxiety and depression in patients at earlier grades of COPD. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 98 outpatients with COPD (GOLD 1 and GOLD 2) in the central region of Portugal. Socio-demographic and functioning data were collected with a questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Spirometry was also performed. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were applied using PASW Statistics version 18.0. Participants mean age was 64.46±12.68 years old and mean FEV1 % predicted was 75.59±15.88. Approximately half of the sample (n=53; 54.08%) had symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A≥8), 40.82%(n=40) of depression (HADS-D≥8) and 31.63%(n=31) of both. The grade of COPD and gender were not found to be significantly associated with anxiety or depression. However, anxiety was significantly associated with severe dyspnea (p=0.025) and depression with higher difficulties in walking (p=0.001) and higher restrictions in participating in community life (p=0.049). Patients with COPD at earlier grades have high levels of anxiety and depression. Knowledge about the psychological functioning of patients with COPD will inform psycho-education and respiratory physiotherapy interventions, to support patients and improve their adjustment to the disease.publishe