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Paradox enactment: A power-performative view
No full textParadox theory increasingly acknowledges power, yet we still lack a clear account of how power dynamics shape the lived experience and constitution of organizational paradox. Addressing the question ‘what is the role of power in shaping organizational paradoxes?’ we develop a power-performative model grounded in Clegg’s circuits of power to show how tensions become enacted, legitimized or suppressed through interactions, institutions and material infrastructures. The article contributes to paradox theory by (1) articulating an ontology of paradox as performed through situated, multilevel power relations; (2) theorizing how power dynamics influence when and how tensions are surfaced, framed or rendered invisible; and (3) advancing a critical, reflexive agenda that asks whose contradictions are recognized, whose are silenced and with what organizational effects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Predicting lab-grown diamond prices: A comparative view
No full textWe predict lab-grown diamonds’ unit prices based on the traditional 4 Cs—Carat (weight), Colour, Clarity and Cut (shape). For comparative purposes, natural diamond prices are also analysed. The data used originated from online diamond retailers. Supervised learning techniques were primarily selected for their interpretability; however, Random Forests were also included due to their strong performance potential, as highlighted in the literature. The Cubist rule-based algorithm achieved the highest predictive performance on lab-grown diamonds data, while on natural diamonds, it ranked second, following Random Forests. Additional insights were provided by the alternative methods used, including Linear Regression, K-Nearest Neighbours, Regression Trees, and Bayesian Networks. In general, unit prices of lab-grown diamonds have proven much more difficult to predict than those of natural diamonds, where the relationship between the key physical attributes (4 Cs) and prices is more evident. Local interpretability was also explored through two queries, one referring to a good-quality diamond with a standard unit weight (1 carat) and another to a larger (5 carat) high-quality diamond. The Expert’s understanding of these queries provided meaningful contributions regarding the formation of diamonds’ prices. The findings offer valuable insights into diamonds’ price formation and can enlighten consumers and sellers about this constantly evolving market of lab-grown diamonds.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Sensing, tracing, walking: Phenomenological investigations of ruins and afterlives of projects
No full textRecent years have seen growing scholarship on ruins and afterlives of projects framed around a range of contexts – modernity, colonialism, infrastructure and international development. While much of this literature overlaps with phenomenological preoccupations – notably, embodied and affective interconnections between people and places – few of these studies directly engage with phenomenology. Acknowledging some scholars’ discomfort with the term, we are inspired by the critical turn among phenomenological thinkers to propose a closer conversation between the two bodies of literature. Such conversation, we argue, can enrich our understanding of ruins and afterlives with further philosophical, conceptual and methodological underpinning. In particular, we draw on ethnographic fieldwork on the remains of a colonial-cum-development intervention in southern Mozambique and on methodological directions oriented around movement and walking. We thus show how, in post-project contexts, phenomenological perspectives can help to trace intimacies between humans and the more-than-human away from grand narratives and consequentialist ends, and to understand experiences of ruins as embodied, affective and embedded within specific socio-historical contexts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Driving digital maturity in the Portuguese healthcare system: An empirical study on digital literacy and inclusion through structural equation modelling
No full textThe digital transformation of healthcare is a strategic priority, but its success depends on human and organizational factors. While research has examined digital literacy and maturity, little is known about how individual skills and inclusive practices shape organizational progress. This study addresses this gap by analysing the impact of Digital Literacy (DL) and Digital Inclusion (DI) on Digital Maturity (DM) in healthcare. Using a quantitative design and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), results confirm that DL and DI are significant drivers of DM. Notably, DI emerges as a crucial mediator, showing that organizational maturity relies not only on stakeholders’ capabilities but also on equitable access and support structures. These insights emphasize that effective digital transformation must adopt human-centric strategies, prioritizing literacy and inclusion to ensure sustainable progress. By integrating these factors, healthcare organizations can strengthen digital maturity and achieve meaningful transformation outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Feet on the ground, future in the air: Rural NEET youth in Portugal and the aspirational policies in the EU
No full textAs crises recorrentes afetam mais intensamente os jovens, em particular aqueles que estão fora dos sistemas educativos e formativos e do mercado de trabalho (NEEF). Neste artigo analisamos alguns dos fatores de risco que contribuem para explicar a prevalência de jovens NEEF nos territórios rurais, focando o caso português. Comparamos estas dimensões com os indicadores de referência do Pilar Europeu dos Direitos Sociais (PEDS) e discutimos a verticalização dos programas europeus do Garantia Jovem. Os resultados mostram que Portugal não se posiciona mal face aos restantes países da UE; ainda assim, a diferenciação territorial, entre áreas rurais e urbanas, revela desigualdades evidentes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Adaptive resilience in freight: Problem-solving strategies for the unexpected
No full textThis study examines how Portuguese freight transport managers address operational disruptions, including delays, vehicle breakdowns, and fluctuating demand. Through eighteen semi-structured interviews with certified managers, the research identifies key challenges and managerial responses. Common disruptions cited were scheduling delays (16 participants), breakdowns (13), and last-minute client requests (10). Managers predominantly relied on adaptive, experience-based strategies - such as real-time rerouting, maintaining backup vehicles, and proactive Client Relationship Management to manage expectations and maintain service quality. Five core problem-solving competencies emerged: adaptability (90%), crisis management (65%), client relationship management (60%), resilience (50%), and strategic planning (45%). While these strengths were notable, the study found limited application of collaborative problem-solving (CoPS) and minimal integration of sustainability practices. Managers cited high costs and insufficient policy support as primary barriers to adopting greener strategies. Technological use was largely limited to basic tools like GPS tracking and digital documentation. More advanced systems were underutilized due to financial and technical constraints. The research aims to (1) identify primary disruption types, (2) evaluate response strategies, (3) assess sustainability integration, and (4) examine the role of technology. This study extends the Dynamic Capabilities and Purchasing and Supply Management (PSM) competency frameworks by showing how managers in small/medium logistics firms rely on context-specific, improvisational approaches to manage disruptions. A new conceptual framework is proposed, linking disruption types, managerial competencies, and moderating factors such as limited resources and sustainability pressures. Policy recommendations include targeted training, digital upskilling, supportive incentives to promote resilience and sustainable innovation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Drinkable cities: A regenerative approach for cities and their rivers
No full textThe regenerative approach encourages human communities to re-connect with the essence of place and advocates becoming indigenous to place, again. Nothing new, but values forgotten in contemporary life. This paper explores how to implement the regenerative development goal of drinkable cities. Recent legal breakthroughs by Indigenous communities are advancing “Rights of Nature”. What if their river basin guardianship model expanded globally to maintain the “health and well-being” of all rivers? To understand how sacred connections were lost in Europe, a post-colonial lens explores Ireland’s connections with place, people and language. Adventures to keep “old ways” alive, involving Dublin’s River Dodder kingfisher, are remembered through autoethnography. Bioregionalism requires cities work with all communities of their river basin, through a nested approach. Following natures patterns, work from Curitiba, Brazil, demonstrates how cities can organize fractally; communities within communities. Municipalism envisages a citizen-led fractal network of ecological neighbourhoods communicating through local assemblies. Inspiring multilevel governance examples exist in Rojava and Spain. Swiss, Danish and Dutch water regeneration projects show clean, safe, loved nature spaces are possible within cities. A Dutch woman’s impactful work helps urban citizens imagine drinking the river water that their cities located themselves on and around, again. Let life flow.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Anticipating financial risk: Machine learning for debt management in telecommunications
No full textThe telecommunications industry is characterized by intense competition and rapid technological evolution, making financial stability a critical factor for sustained growth. This work focuses on leveraging machine learning techniques to analyze and predict customer payment behavior within a Portuguese telecommunications company, aiming to reduce financial losses associated with unpaid debts. Using the CRISP-DM methodology, the project first develops supervised learning models to predict whether customers will remain good payers, based solely on internal data. Among the algorithms tested, Random Forest achieved the highest accuracy of 99%, enabling early identification of potential defaulters. Complementing this, unsupervised learning methods, specifically Principal Component Analysis for dimensionality reduction and K-Means clustering, uncover hidden behavioral segments within the customer base. The optimal clustering identified five distinct groups, some of which show near-homogeneous target values (close to 0 or 1), allowing for strong characterization of compliant and non-compliant profiles. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of combining supervised and unsupervised learning for risk analysis. Supervised models allow scenario testing by altering feature values to simulate changes in payment behavior. In unsupervised learning, analyzing ambiguous clusters through comparison with more definitive ones helps estimate likely client outcomes and supports proactive management. Future work may explore focused clustering of non-compliant clients, alternative data preprocessing, and time series forecasting to further improve predictive accuracy and operational utility.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Spatial and social inequalities among young people: Looking for ‘site effects’
No full textThis study explores the relationship between spatial and social inequalities affecting young people. The objective is to analyse this relationship considering the circumstances of young people and to ascertain to what extent favourable social conditions associated with living in the most relevant and dynamic cities are an expression of ‘site effects’. The study is based on a questionnaire with responses from over 5000 young people. In order to gain a more profound understanding of the spatial and social inequalities experienced by young people, both inferential statistics and a logistic regression model were employed. The findings suggest that when the socio-spatial dimension is given due consideration, inequalities are observed to deepen in terms of the different social backgrounds that continue to determine many young people's paths. The process of peripheralisation of territories contributes to the maintenance of structural inequalities between denser, more urbanised cities and those living in more peripheral areas. The results reveal the existence of ‘site effects’, showing a strong relationship between young people’s access to the country's most important cities and their social background.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio