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“The worst is when you peel it and see that there is a worm”: A network semantic analysis of online reactions following Control Portugal’s controversial Instagram post
No full textThis study analyzes the followers’ reactions to Control Portugal, which removed a humorous post from its Instagram page within hours after it was perceived by the public as transphobic. Semantic network analysis was used to identify key themes and discourse patterns in 9384 comments. The findings show that the brand’s distinctive authenticity split public opinion. Some users found the post offensive, whereas others viewed its removal as an act of censorship. After the official apology, the brand’s calculated return to humor and authenticity helped stabilize the conversation in parts of the network, easing the initial polarization. The case study thus highlights the importance of brands designing communication strategies that combine creativity with social responsibility and that ensure digital brand management not only mobilizes but also respects ethical principles.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Adaptive memory in contamination contexts: Exploring the role of emotionality
No full textPrevious studies have reported a memory advantage for information previously associated with contamination cues (vs. non-contamination) – the contamination effect. In four experiments, we explored the role of emotionality in this effect. Participants recruited on prolific academic saw pictures (Experiment 1, N = 97; Experiment 4, N = 100) or names (Experiment 2, N = 92) of objects alongside illness (vs. neutral) descriptors or objects held by dirty (vs. clean) hands (Experiment 3, N = 100). Then, they recalled the objects and evaluated them in five dimensions. In Experiment 4, participants evaluated the objects before the recall task. The contamination effect was replicated across all experiments. Objects in contamination (vs. non-contamination) conditions were rated as more arousing, negative, disgusting, frightening, and with greater contamination potential. The contamination effect correlated significantly but modestly with the emotional ratings and was fully mediated by contamination potential. These findings suggest that emotionality plays a role but does not fully explain the effect.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
On international relations’ constitutive questions and constitutive problems: A beverian approach
No full textThe thesis will reintroduce International Relations (IR) through the lens of constitutive questions and constitutive problems. Introducing IR necessarily leads to an engagement with ‘the field as a whole’ (Hoffmann 1960:vi). The argument, endorsing the methodological critique (Reus-Smit and Snidal 2008), aims to start a debate about the underlying themes that characterise the introduction of IR as a field of research, thus pushing the methodological critique further. More specifically, it identifies three constitutive questions in IR – the why(s), the how(s) and the what(s) – and the constitutive problems that characterise them. This will be done, continuing with the attempt to develop a more consistent argument based on a more solid concern with the research process, in a way that highlights a specific theoretical and methodological framework. Mark Bevir's work will be used to solidify the presentation, and his arguments will be used throughout the whole thesis. In particular, in an initial phase, his more static approach. The goal is to cover how, through a process of theorisation, conceptualisation or the identification of traditions of thought, we can understand different constitutive problems. But there is also a dynamic side to Bevir’s argument – an understanding of how ideas change. The thesis's final contribution will focus on the debate about how national contributions to Global IR (Acharya 2014) have been understood and, in particular, on normative arguments for change. The macro reasoning about constitutive questions/problems and the case for change will be linked at this stage in the conclusion, where the argument comes full circle. It will be argued that national communities should become institutionally more cosmopolitan, less hierarchical, more communicative, (inter)disciplinary aware of themselves while engaging in debates about how IR can be taught, and, intellectually, more conscious of their own distinctive history, key identitarian debates, philosophically and theoretically more solid, and be able to explore all the possibilities open in relation to what can be studied in IR.A tese visa reintroduzir as Relações Internacionais (RI) em termos de questões constitutivas e problemas constitutivos. A introdução das RI conduz necessariamente a um envolvimento com “o campo como um todo” (Hoffmann 1960:vi). O argumento, em linha com a crítica metodológica já desenvolvida (Reus-Smit e Snidal 2008), pretende solidificar este argumento, fornecendo bases mais sólidas para que os participantes iniciem um diálogo sobre os temas que caracterizam a introdução das RI como um campo de investigação. Assim, irá identificar três questões constitutivas nas RI – o(s) porquê(s), o(s) como(s) e o(s) quê(s) – e os problemas constitutivos que as caracterizam. Isto será feito, continuando com a pretensão de desenvolver um argumento mais atento ao processo de investigação, de forma a evidenciar um enquadramento teórico e metodológico específico que será aplicado durante todo o argumento. Mark Bevir será utilizado para solidificar a apresentação teórica. Em particular, e numa primeira fase, a sua abordagem mais estática. O objetivo é abordar como, através de um processo de teorização, conceptualização ou identificação de tradições de pensamento, podemos compreender diferentes problemas constitutivos em RI. Mas há também um lado dinâmico no trabalho de Bevir – uma compreensão de como ideias mudam. O contributo final da tese centrar-se-á no debate sobre a forma como são entendidas as contribuições nacionais para o argumento das RI Globais (Acharya 2014) e, em particular, em argumentos sobre mudança nestas comunidades. A contribuição macro sobre questões/problemas constitutivos e os argumentos normativos de mudança serão integrados na conclusão onde será defendido que comunidades nacionais se devem tornar institucionalmente mais cosmopolitas, menos hierárquicas, mais comunicativas, (inter)disciplinarmente conscientes de si mesmas enquanto exploram questões sobre o ensino das RI, e, intelectualmente, mais conscientes da sua própria história e de debates identitários, mais sólidas filosófica e teoricamente e capazes de explorar todas as possibilidades abertas em relação ao que estudar em RI
Place branding through sport events: A systematic review and future directions
No full textResearch question
While the benefits of place branding through sport events (PBtSE) are often highlighted in literature, research to date is disjointed, lacking in theoretical grounding and established connections between place branding and sport events as tourism products. This study provides a comprehensive review of the PBtSE literature and sets a research agenda to advance the field.
Research methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, this review comprises 540 peer-reviewed articles published between 1984 and 2023 (Scopus and Web of Science). We employed co-word analysis to examine thematic relationships within the PBtSE literature, followed by a review protocol capturing and assessing the application of theories-contexts-characteristics-methods (TCCM).
Results and findings
Four clusters of thematic relationships were identified, and most PBtSE studies lack clear theoretical lenses. Europe is the most studied region, while the Olympic Games are the most common event. Numerous variables related to the hosts and events have been examined, and most studies rely on questionnaire data.
Implications
This study provides a roadmap of the state of PBtSE and sets the basis for future developments. By uncovering relationships within PBtSE research, theories, contexts, characteristics and methods, this study identifies strengths and weaknesses in the literature and provides new directions to expand knowledge of PBtSE and guide managerial practices.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
La teoría de los escalones superiores y la inversión en I+D: Un estudio de caso de las empresas de alta tecnología de China
No full textUnder the assumptions of Upper Echelons Theory, this paper aims to evidence whether Top Management Team characteristics (TMT) influence R&D intensity management, in the scope of Chinese listed high-tech companies. Using information from Chinese high-tech firms listed on the STAR Market, for the period 2019-2021, a pooled regression and random effects panel regression was conducted, under a positivist approach. R&D investment in high-tech companies in China is significantly influenced by the overseas experience of the chairperson and general manager, average age, and the education level of the top management team. An integrated overview of the TMT characteristics applicable to high-tech listed Chinese companies was obtained. Innovation intensity is positively driven by the level of education, overseas experience, and tenure. It contributes to a better understanding of how executive characteristics affect the mechanism of corporate R&D investment and expands and enriches the application scenarios of upper echelons theory. This study adds value to the current literature by exploring the effects of TMT characteristics on Chinese technological firms listed on the new Exchange STAR Market. This study provides a new and complementary overview of firms that are strongly marked by innovative strategies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Smart mirror technology: Influence on luxury fashion retail consumers
No full textPurpose
This study investigates smart mirror technology’s impact on luxury fashion retail consumers, namely its influence on consumer satisfaction and purchase intentions. By extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to include aesthetic appeal and navigation, the research addresses gaps in understanding the adoption of in-store technologies in high-end retail environments.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses a quantitative approach, via a survey conducted among luxury fashion consumers. Partial least squares structural equation modeling and combined importance-performance map were employed to test the proposed relationships.
Findings
Results reveal that perceived usefulness and navigation influence consumer satisfaction with smart mirror experiences, which, in turn, drive purchase intention. Conversely, perceived ease of use and aesthetic appeal did not significantly affect satisfaction. Navigation emerged as the most critical experiential factor, underscoring the importance of seamless and intuitive interactions for luxury consumers.
Research limitations/implications
The reliance on video-based simulations instead of real-world interactions may limit the validity of the findings. The focus on luxury fashion restricts generalizability to other retail segments. Future research should involve in-store experiments and consider other technologies or consumer segments.
Practical implications
Luxury retailers should prioritize the design of intuitive navigation and functional features in smart mirrors to enhance consumer satisfaction and encourage purchase behavior. Integrating digital elements should complement, rather than replace, personalized human service to maintain the high-touch experience expected in luxury contexts.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the literature by extending TAM in a luxury retail context, namely navigation and aesthetic appeal. The study contextualizes technology adoption within high-touch, hedonic retail environments.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Does the information content and value relevance of trade debt in early-stage firms help in raising external equity?
Full text linkWe assess the information content and value relevance of trade debt for external equity providers deploying the Kauffman Survey Data on early-stage firms. Our findings indicate that trade debt attracts external equity by virtue of its information content and determines its amount by virtue of its value relevance in unprofitable but growing firms. These findings remain robust after controlling for nonfinancial information on firms and their owners, macroeconomic conditions, and tests of reverse causality. The findings persist for firms that are labor-intensive, use simple technologies, and recur to high levels of trade debt. Our findings highlight critical links between debt and equity markets in early-stage firms, and the need to factor the signaling earnings potential (information content), and the relation between book and market estimates (value relevance), when it comes to assessing and valuing early-stage firms. We detail the academic, practice, and policy implications of these findings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Evaluating SDG network models: A network science ontology-based framework
No full textWith only 18% of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track for 2030, systems-based approaches to understanding their interdependencies are essential. Network science can reveal leverage points and guide prioritisation, yet it is often applied without sufficient domain integration, obscuring rather than clarifying sustainability dynamics. We present an eight-step framework for evaluating network science applications in SDG research. This framework was applied to 25 studies selected via a scoping review process focused on SDG interactions. Using the proposed framework each paper was coded and classified into A/B/C methodological tiers. The analysis reveals two dominant patterns: semantic/expert-based approaches (11 studies) and indicator/statistical approaches (12 studies). Beyond these, one study implements a multiplex design and another a heterogeneous multilayer architecture. Critically, 96% of these papers focus on formal SDG structures rather than the actors, processes, and mechanisms through which targets are achieved, limiting practical utility. The framework makes explicit how modelling choices encode theoretical assumptions and supports like-with-like comparison, meta-analysis and evidence synthesis. As AI-enabled knowledge synthesis proliferates, such transparency steers SDG modelling toward implementation-relevant representations that preserve contextual factors shaping real-world transformations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Artificial intelligence, society 5.0 and smart city adaptation initiatives for businesses: An integrated approach
No full textThe mass migration of human populations to urban areas has resulted in unprecedented challenges for city services. To address and find solutions for these emerging issues, decision-makers must embrace the smart city and Society 5.0 paradigms, which comprehensively tackle various dimensions of the problem and ensure adaptability to evolving citizen needs. Central to the success of these paradigms is technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). AI’s transformative capabilities enable the expansion of services, automation of tasks, efficient operationalization and processing vast amounts of data to address urban challenges, aligning with several sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). Municipalities require strategic plans that empower them to adapt to the AI, Society 5.0 and smart city paradigms, involving multiple stakeholders, including businesses. This study presents a multi-criteria analysis system designed to support decision-making in this complex context, considering the subjective nature and inherent complexity of the decision problem. The system development involved input from key decision-makers with relevant expertise, utilizing methodologies such as cognitive mapping and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique applied in a neutrosophic environment to analyze cause-and-effect relationships between factors affecting adaptation initiatives. Based on a constructivist, process-oriented approach, the developed analysis system can assist decision-makers in navigating uncertainty during evaluations of technology integration. This holistic and comprehensive system promotes informed decision-making within the AI, Society 5.0 and smart city contexts, contributing to the achievement of relevant SDGs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Musical ability and emotion recognition in speech prosody: The role of pitch discrimination
No full textWhy does musical expertise predict enhanced emotion recognition in speech prosody? Evidence for a causal role of music training is weak, and correlations with musical aptitude could reflect basic auditory abilities rather than musicality per se. Here, we tested whether individual differences in basic auditory discrimination account for the music–prosody association. A total of 164 adults completed forced-choice judgments of emotions in prosody and facial expressions, self-reports of musical experience, objective tests of musical ability (melody and rhythm perception), and adaptive psychoacoustic tasks that estimated discrimination thresholds for pitch, duration, loudness, timbre, and backward masking. Both music training and musical ability correlated with better recognition of prosodic but not facial emotions. The training effect was weak, however, and disappeared after controlling for confounding variables, including general cognitive ability. By contrast, musical ability, specifically melody perception, remained associated with prosodic emotion recognition after accounting for training and other covariates. Crucially, psychoacoustic thresholds correlated with both prosody recognition and melody perception. When considered simultaneously, pitch discrimination alone independently predicted prosodic emotion recognition, but melody perception did not. These findings suggest that music training is an artifactual correlate of prosodic emotion recognition, and that basic pitch sensitivity underlies the link between musical ability and emotional prosody.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio