People in favour of the species. Social participationn in the protection of threatened species

[Resumo] A conservación da biodiversidade e específicamente das especies de fauna ameazada é imposible de abordar sin adoptar unha perspectiva social e comunitaria. Casi a totalidade dos factores que ameazan a supervivencia das especies e os seus hábitats son de orixe social. Por iso é fundamental construir espazos para promover a participación voluntaria directa na conservación da diversidade biolóxica.[Abstract] The protection of biodiversity, and more specifically of the species of fauna which are under threat, is impossible to tackle without the adoption of a social and community policy. Almost all of the factors which threaten the survival of the species and their habitats have a social origin. For such a reason, it is necessary to build spaces in which to promote direct voluntary participation in the protection of biological diversit

Development of an energy system for a Mozambique rural village without electric grid access

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Mecânica (Energia Térmica). Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia. 201

Improving Competition in the Non-Tradable Goods and Labour Markets: The Portuguese Case

This study assesses the macroeconomic impacts of increasing competition in the non-tradable goods and labour markets in Portugal. We lean on evidence that the maintenance of low competition in these markets may have contributed to the recent poor performance of the Portuguese economy. The analysis is performed using PESSOA, a dynamic general equilibrium model for a small-open economy integrated in a monetary union, featuring Blanchard-Yaari households, a multi-sectoral production structure and a number of nominal and real rigidities. We conclude that measures aimed at increasing competition in the Portuguese non-tradable goods and labour markets could induce important international competitiveness gains and be valuable instruments in promoting necessary adjustments within the monetary union frame-work. However, in the short run, real interest rates are likely to increase temporarily, driving consumption and output temporarily downwards.

Incidência de trobocitopenia materna no período peri-parto em pacientes do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Tocoginecologia, Curso de Medicina, Florianópolis, 199

Brazilian funk as the herald of a new social order: a semiotic analysis of the internet music video “Beijinho no ombro” and its reception in social media

The present article aims to analyze the music video “Beijinho no ombro” – a major Brazilian social media phenomenon that reached more than 9 million Youtube views in 3 months in 2014 –, discussing both the processes by which homologies between categories of expression and content are established – the so called Hjelmslev’s “commutations” – and suspended – the Danish linguist’s concept of “syncretism” (Hjelmslev, 2003) – in the audiovisual text, and the effects of meaning created thereby. The analytical treatment assimilates also some of Éric Landowski’s contributions to the discussions about the intersubjective interactions regimes (Landowski, 1997, 2006) and their impact on the study of the socalled states of soul deeply developed by Greimas and Fontanille in their Sémiotique des passions (Greimas & Fontanille, 1993). The object analysis intends moreover to illustrate a methodological approach proposed by the author and that may be applied to various corpora regarding the audiovisual repertory. Such an approach, a natural extension of Greimas’ treatment of the plane of content and Floch’s developments into the plane of expression (Floch, 1984, 1993), offers as a contribution the proposition of a methodology that, departing from the figures of expression and their homologations and semi-symbolic relations with categories of content, will then detect their projections in each one of the three levels of the generative path. Thus, not only the role of the means of manifestation in the process of generation of effects of meaning can be better evaluated, but also the possibilities of a generative approach that includes the textual structures – rather than the explicit exclusion that appears in the Dictionary of semiotics (Greimas & Courtés, 1991:208) – can be further discussed.O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o clipe de “Beijinho no ombro” — um grande sucesso brasileiro nas redes sociais que alcançou, em três meses, mais de nove milhões de visualizações no YouTube em 2014 — discutindo tanto os processos pelos quais estabelecem-se homologias entre categorias do expressão e do conteúdo — as assim chamadas comutações de Hjelmslev — e suspensões — o conceito de “sincretismo” do linguista dinamarquês (Hjelmslev, 2003) — no texto audiovisual, e os efeitos de sentido criados dessa forma. O tratamento analítico assimila algumas das contribuições de Eric Landowski para as discussões sobre os regimes de interação intersubjetivos (Landowski, 1997, 2006) e seu impacto no estudo dos assim chamados estados de alma, desenvolvidos com profundidade por Greimas e Fontanille em seu Semiótica das paixões (Greimas; Fontanille, 1993). O objeto de análise visa, além dissop, ilustrar a abordagem metodológica proposta pelo autor e que pode ser aplicada a vários corpora considerando o repertório audiovisual. Tal abordagem, uma extensão natural do tratamento greimasiano do plano do conteúdo e dos desenvolvimentos de Floch para o plano da expressão, oferece como contribuição a proposta de uma metodologia que, partindo das figuras de expressão e de suas homologações e relações semissimbólicas com as categorias do conteúdo, detectará então as projeções em cada um dos três níveis do percurso gerativo. Assim, não apenas o papel dos meios de manifestação no processo de geração de efeitos de sentido pode ser melhor avaliado, mas também as possibilidades de uma abordagem gerativa que inclui as estruturas textuais — mais do que a exclusão explícita que aparece no Dicionário de Semiótica (Greimas; Courtés, 1991: 208) — podem ser discutidas

A proactive and entrepreneurial international market approach: Some evidence in the Portuguese hotel sector

Internationalization is a process of such complexity that its explanation, in terms of one single theoretical perspective is difficult. Drawing on a comprehensive multi-case study, this doctoral thesis explores the influence environmental and organizational stimuli as determinants of Portuguese hotel firms’ international engagement. It also proposes to understand the linkage between the antecedent firm motivational stimuli factors with, time of entry, market selection and entry mode strategies. The strategy regarding the epistemological position is via a deductive research approach, where is identify, and tests, in the field, the propositions initially proposed, for further development. A previously used framework was adopted to structure the factors involved, thus ensuring that all comprehensive evidence was obtained through empirical research. Having its foundations in Barney´s resource-based theory and International Entrepreneurship principles within Dunning's eclectic model determinants, this model sheds light on firm´s resources and competences as determinants factors for the decision to go abroad, pointing the ownership and location advantages as main determinants factors of internationalization strategy decisions. Due to the limited number of the total population, a non-probability purposive sampling method was adopted. This study is mainly based on semi-structured interviews to top level managers, responsible for the internationalization process and supplemented by confirmatory questionnaires, memos, press releases, media articles and in-situ observations. Accordingly, a within and cross-case analysis was applied for the deduction of facts. From the data analysis, it is seen that that the internal competences and the firm’s managerial entrepreneurial profile were important stimuli for the Potuguese hotel grups becoming involved in international activities. Accordingly, it was found that the combination of proactive, internal and external, stimuli drives initially, the Portuguese hotel groups to international market. It was the junction of these proactive stimuli, within an entrepreneurial vision from managers that triggered the process of internationalization. An evolution of the nature´s motivational stimuli was also found given the level of international engagement and the development of market environment. Hence, from an opportunistic market seeker motivation, the Portuguese hotel firms turned to efficiency seeking motivation, less based on tacit competences exploitation and more focused in network and coordination competences, emerging a systematic market exploitation taking into account the new profile of demand and firm growth ambitions in international market. It was also found that, in the early stages of international engagement a positive linkage between the firm proactive stimuli factors and the Portuguese firm international strategies. From the contributions that emerged from the work, stood out, in the theoretical field the achievement of a deeper knowledge, of the motivational, and stimuli factor, on the internationalization process and the importance of manager´s proactive attitude as key determinant of the linkage between the company's competitive advantages and strategies of internationalization. Concerning the practical implications, a better understanding of the key resources and competencies to exploring market opportunities, can be an aid to hotel firms companies that are considering expanding to other markets, thus, preventing the dispersion and improper use of scarce firm assets.A internacionalização é um processo de tal complexidade que a sua explicação é difícil em termos de uma única perspetiva teórica. Baseado num estudo multi-caso, esta tese de doutoramento explora a influência dos estímulos ambientais e organizacionais como determinantes do envolvimento das empresas hoteleiras portuguesas no mercado internacional. Também propõe compreender a ligação entre os estímulos motivacionais e as estratégias relativas ao processo de internacionalização. A abordagem epistemológica do estudo é maioritariamente dedutiva, onde o pesquisador identifica e testa no campo, as proposições inicialmente propostas. Assim e em conformidade, foi adotada uma matriz previamente estruturada, garantindo que todas as variáveis do modelo fossem obtidas através de uma pesquisa empírica. Tendo nos seus fundamentos a Teoria Baseada nos Recursos de Barney, integrando os princípios do Empreendedorismo Internacional e utilizando as determinantes do modelo eclético de Dunning para explicar as estratégias de internacionalização, este modelo lança luz sobre os recursos e competências da empresa como determinantes na decisão de sair para o estrangeiro, apontando as vantagens de propriedade e de localização, como principais fatores decisivos nas estratégias de internacionalização. Devido ao número limitado da população, foi adotado um método de amostragem nãoprobabilístico. A recolha de dados, foi baseada em entrevistas semiestruturadas a gestores e responsáveis pelo processo de internacionalização. Posteriormente foi complementada por um questionário confirmatório, memorandos, comunicados, artigos de imprensa e observações. A estruturação e análise dos dados foram obtidas através de uma análise caso a caso e de cruzamento de todos os casos, seguindo as questões de investigação, as dimensões do estudo e as variáveis do modelo. A partir da análise de dados, foi observado que os participantes do estudo identificaram como estímulos importantes para o envolvimento internacional, as competências internas, o perfil do gestor e as oportunidades de mercado. Por conseguinte, verificou-se que a combinação de estímulos organizacionais e ambientais com uma natureza proactiva motivou os grupos hoteleiros portugueses a se envolverem no mercado internacional. Foi também observado, uma evolução da natureza dos estímulos motivacionais, consequência de um maior envolvimento internacional das empresas hoteleiras e evolução das condições económicas do mercado doméstico e internacional. Assim, partindo inicialmente de uma abordagem oportunista ao mercado internacional, as empresas hoteleiras portuguesas passaram a adotar uma abordagem mais sistematizada, tendo em conta a dinâmica dos mercados e as suas ambições de crescimento. Observou-se também que, nas fases iniciais de envolvimento internacional existe uma ligação entre os estímulos motivacionais e as estratégias de internacionalização. Das contribuições teóricas do trabalho destacam-se a obtenção de evidências sobre a importância, dos estímulos motivacionais no processo de internacionalização e da atitude proactiva do gestor como determinante na ligação entre as vantagens competitivas da empresa e as estratégias de internacionalização. Quanto às implicações práticas, e tendo em conta as contingências e o desenvolvimento dos mercados, destacam-se a compreensão e a importância dos recursos e competências das empresas hoteleiras na exploração das oportunidades no mercado internacional, sendo uma mais-valia para as empresas hoteleiras Portuguesas que estão a considerar expandir-se para outros mercados

Money multiplier in a fixed exchange regime framework

Mestrado em Economia Monetária e FinanceiraEste estudo apresenta uma nova abordagem empírica sobre o processo de multiplicador monetário, usando dados monetários mensais de Angola desde janeiro de 2012 até junho de 2018. O uso de um modelo ARDL permite testar a relação de longo prazo tanto do multiplicador monetário como da relação entre as reservas e os depósitos e considerar os ajustes de curto prazo a choques monetários. A análise foca principalmente o nível de concentração do sistema bancário, o grau de liquidez do passivo dos bancos e a taxa de juros como determinantes dos índices de longo prazo. Outros factores específicos do país, como o spread da taxa de câmbio e o rácio de incumprimentos, foram incluídos na análise, para considerar os desafios macroeconómicos de Angola. Concluiu-se que, de acordo com a teoria monetária, tanto a taxa de juros quanto o nível de concentração do sistema bancário afetam os índices de longo prazo. No entanto, a não significância estatística da liquidez das responsabilidades dos bancos permite uma recomendação política para a política monetária de Angola.This study provides a new empirical approach about the money multiplier process, using monthly monetary data from Angola since January 2012 until June 2018. The use of an ARDL model allows to test the long run relationship of both the money multiplier and the reserve to deposit ratio and consider the short-term adjustments from monetary shocks. The analysis focuses mainly on the level of concentration of the banking system, the degree of liquidity of banks' liabilities and the interest rate as determinants of the long-term ratios. Other country specific factors such as the foreign exchange rate spread and the non-performing loans ratio have been included to the analysis, to consider Angola's macroeconomic challenges. It was concluded that according to monetary theory, both the interest rate and the level of concentration of the banking system affect the long-term ratios. However, the non-statistical significance of banks' liabilities liquidity opens a policy recommendation for Angola's monetary policy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Configurational Approach to Comparative Corporate Governance

We seek to bring to the core of the study of comparative corporate governance analysis the idea that within countries and industries, there exist multiple configurations of firm level characteristics and governance practices leading to effective corporate governance. In particular, we propose that configurations composed of different bundles of corporate governance practices are a useful tool to examine corporate governance models across and within countries (as well as potentially to analyze over time changes). While comparative research, identifying stylized national models of corporate governance, has been fruitful to help us think about the key institutional and shareholder rights determining governance differences and similarities across countries, we believe that given the financialization of the corporate economy, current globalization trends of investment, and rapid information technology advances, it is important to shift our conceptualization of governance models beyond the dichotomous world of common-law/outsider/shareholder-oriented system vs. civil law/insider/stakeholder oriented system. Our claim is based on the empirical observation that there exists a wide range of firms that either (1) fall in the "wrong" corporate governance category; (2) are a hybrid of these two categories; or (3) should be placed into an entirely new category such as firms in emerging markets or state-owned firms. In addition, as Aguilera and Jackson (2003) argue, firms, regardless of their legal family constraints, their labor and product markets, and the development of the financial markets from which they can draw, have significant degrees of freedom to chose whether to implement different levels of a given corporate governance practice. That is, firms might chose to fully endorse a practice or simply seek to comply with the minimum requirements without truly internalizing the governance practice. An illustrative example of the different degrees of internalization of governance practices is the existing variation in firms' definition of director independence or disclosure of compensation systems. We first discuss the conceptual idea of configurations or bundles of corporate governance practices underscoring the concept of equifinal paths to given firm outcomes as well as the complementarity and substitution in governance practices. We then move to the practice level of analysis to show how three governance characteristics (legal systems, ownership and boards of directors) cannot be conceptualized independently, as each of them is contingent on the strength and prevalence of other governance practices. In the last section, we illustrate how different configurations are likely to playout across industries and countries, taking as the departing practice, corporate ownership.

Corporate Governance in Emerging Markets

The turning to the XXI century has been marked by reforms in corporate governance practices around the world. Whether due to shocks caused by the economic crisis in East Asia, Russia and Latin America, or by financial scandals in the United States and Europe, the fact is that the way of doing business has changed in terms of demands for greater corporate transparency and accountability, shifts in control of ownership, empowerment of new types of owners and so on. Consequently, countries and firms have adapted their corporate governance policies and practices to this new governance environment. In this chapter, we discuss the foundation of corporate governance, that is, corporate ownership. In particular, we explore the current patterns of the ownership structure of publicly listed firms in six emerging countries. To do so, we have collected firm ownership data for listed firms in Brazil, Chile, South Korea, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland during the first decade of the XXI century, and we compare our data with existing ownership research of these countries in the late 1990s. We conclude that although concentration of corporate shareholdings continues to be a common denominator among these emerging countries, the processes and structures controlling firms across countries is remarkably different. For instance, the privatization process in the 1990s, in spite of having different motivations and goals in Latin American and Eastern Europe shaped much of the corporate ownership transformations. Our chapter offers a comparative analysis of the corporate ownership changes in emerging markets.