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Influence factors of organizational citizenship behaviors in Latin American countries: a Brazilian case study
No full textPurpose – Research on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) has been based on Western developed economies’ samples (or specific Eastern countries such as China and Saudi Arabia), lacking attention to developing contexts (Latin America). Even though OCBs’ antecedents in the Global North context have been thoroughly explored, Corporate Social Responsibility’s (CSR) perceptions and organizational commitment’s (OC) roles are “under-studied” in such developing contexts. This study aims to respond to the call for research
on the behavioral perspective on CSR in Latin America, challenging implicit assumptions of theories developed in Western developed countries, related to the employees’ CSR perceptions and OC and OCB research.
Design/methodology/approach – In a postpositivist approach, the authors tested whether CSR and OC directly affect OCB, exploring OCB’s five dimensions – altruism, courtesy, consciousness, civic virtue and sportsmanship, with a main hypothesis that CSR and OC directly affect OCBs. The sample comprises responses from 1,059 employees from public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Brazil – the largest economy in Latin America, yet a collectivistic society developing country, in which OCB phenomena is
still underexplored or done to a lesser extent.
Findings – Whenever positively perceiving their organizations’ CSR activities, employees identify strongly with the organization, influencing positive job outcomes such as OC and OCBs. Findings indicate that despite not perfectly fitting non-North American contexts, the OCB five-dimension structure is positively related to employees’ CSR perception, confirming OC’s stronger role in the Brazilian context. Indeed, findings confirm OC’s influence over all OCB dimensions, re-stating it as a stronger predictor of behaviors like consciousness (compliance), civic virtue and sportsmanship.
Originality/value – This research accepted the challenge of bringing OC back to OCB research. Indeed, seminal work had implied OC as a robust and significant predictor of the OCB, yet in Western developed economies. The scarcity of research on the matter in developing collectivist economies such as Brazil, justifies this study’s novelty and appropriateness.This research was supported by FCT (2021.05609.BD), project UIDB/04630/2020 and DOI identifier 10.54499/UIDB/04630/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Sectoral systems of innovation and nanotechnology: challenges ahead
No full textNanotechnology has emerged as a revolution and is one of the major research initiatives of the 21st century. Several industries are involved in nanotechnology research and invest heavily in R&D in order to create brand new products with functions never imagined before. Breakthrough technologies are expected to change the competitive landscape, across several industries, completely. As there
are several scenarios analyzing the future outlook of nanotechnology, as well as how it has been developed in several countries, the aim of this chapter is to analyze nanotechnology from a sectoral innovation perspective and to advance the necessary conditions to implement it.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
O impacto dos agentes inteligentes no apoio à aprendizagem em EaD: perceções dos estudantes do mPeL sobre o uso do ChatGPT
No full textDissertação de Mestrado em Pedagogia do eLearning, apresentada à Universidade AbertaA Inteligência Artificial (IA) tem impulsionado a transformação digital na educação, oferecendo soluções como chatbots e agentes inteligentes, que ampliam a interação entre humanos e máquinas. No contexto da Inteligência Artificial Generativa (IAG), destaca-se o ChatGPT, um modelo desenvolvido pela OpenAI, capaz de gerar conteúdos originais e personalizar a aprendizagem em Educação a Distância (EaD). Desde o seu lançamento em 2022, essa tecnologia tem evoluído, tornando-se uma ferramenta cada vez mais presente no apoio educacional.
Este estudo analisa o impacto dos agentes inteligentes no apoio à aprendizagem em EaD, focando-se nas perceções dos estudantes do Mestrado em Pedagogia do e-Learning (mPeL) de uma instituição de ensino superior a distância. O objetivo principal é compreender como os alunos percecionam o ChatGPT, identificando vantagens, desafios e o seu impacto no envolvimento e motivação.
Com foco no objetivo principal, optou-se pela metodologia de estudo de caso, com questionário online aplicado aos mestrandos das edições 2021-2023, 2022-2024, 2023-2025 e 2024-2026. Os dados foram analisados por meio de técnicas qualitativas e quantitativas, proporcionando uma visão abrangente das perceções dos estudantes.
Espera-se que os resultados deste estudo contribuam para a compreensão do impacto pedagógico do ChatGPT na EaD, oferecendo insights para futuras pesquisas e para a integração da IA generativa no ensino superior, promovendo práticas pedagógicas inovadoras.Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been driving the digital transformation in education, providing solutions such as chatbots and intelligent agents that enhance human-machine interaction. Within the field of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), ChatGPT stands out as a model developed by OpenAI, capable of generating original content and personalizing learning in Distance Education (DE). Since its launch in 2022, this technology has evolved, becoming an increasingly prevalent tool in educational support.
This study examines the impact of intelligent agents in supporting learning in DE, focusing on the perceptions of students in the Master’s in e-Learning Pedagogy (mPeL) at a distance learning higher education institution. The main objective is to understand how students perceive ChatGPT, identifying its advantages, challenges, and its impact on engagement and motivation.
To achieve this objective, a case study methodology was adopted, using an online questionnaire applied to master’s students from the 2021-2023, 2022-2024, 2023-2025, and 2024-2026 cohorts. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques, providing a comprehensive view of student perceptions.
The results of this study are expected to contribute to understanding the pedagogical impact of ChatGPT in DE, providing insights for future research and the integration of generative AI in higher education, promoting innovative pedagogical practices
Supplier-buyer collaboration in new product development: four case studies involving SMEs
No full textNew product development at inter-firm level is clearly an important topic for researchers and managers. Although many papers have reported the importance of collaboration in NPD the collaboration involving partners with different technology endowments and how many small fi rms have managed to achieve a status of reciprocity have remained unaddressed.
In this exploratory study four multinationals and sixteen suppliers were visited and their top executives interviewed to determine the key success factors of collaborative product development as perceived by suppliers. Four case studies were prepared in order to exemplify the supplier’s perceptions to inter-firm product development involving differently endowed firms. The main fi ndings are clear: suppliers and clients have different perspectives and play different roles due to the bargaining power exercised by the latter and by the fi ght for reciprocity of the former.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Clinical prediction and spatial statistical analysis of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm structure
No full textThis study presents an analysis of data from patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs). Two databases of 87 patients were available: one containing clinical variables and the other consisting of measurements of the maximum diameter taken along the ascending aorta. For the clinical database, both a supervised and an unsupervised learning method were applied to explore patterns within the data. On the other hand, for the ascending aorta dataset, experimental variograms were calculated, from which key parameters of interest were extracted. These parameters were then analyzed over time to assess temporal patterns. This analysis aimed to assess the emergence of similar patterns or behaviour in patients with aneurysms of comparable sizes. Based on the analyses conducted, the clinical variables with the greatest importance in surgical decision-making were identified, while the spatial statistical analysis revealed patterns that may be related to elasticity, stiffness, or deformations of the aortaThis research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, IP) under the projects “Fluid–structure interaction for functional assessment of ascending aortic aneurysms: a biomechanical-based approach towards clinical practice” (AneurysmTool) DOI: 10.54499/PTDC/EMD-EMD/1230/2021; UID/00667: Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Engenharia Mecânica e Industrial (UNIDEMI); R. Valente Ph.D. grant 2022.12223.BD. A. Carvalho was partially supported by national funds through FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the framework of the unit ISEG Research; UID/06522/2025. A. C. Tomás was supported by Projetos de Investigação Clínica CUF Academic Center 2024
SMEs innovation capabilities and export performance: an entrepreneurial orientation view
No full textAlthough there are several studies analysing how innovation capabilities influence export performance, this study aims to present the impact of a set of internal innovation capabilities on export performance of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs), with the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation contingent upon the proactive or reactive behaviour of the firms to external stimuli. The study involves the analysis of 147 questionnaire‐based survey of managers from plastic manufacturing SMEs operating in Portugal that were subjected to a Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results show that proactive firms to external stimuli are not only better at innovating but also their entrepreneurial orientation capabilities underpin a better performance in international markets when compared with firms that react to external stimuli. This study has implications for SMEs aiming at increasing their export
performance and innovativeness. For practitioners the findings of this study should enable SMEs owner/managers to better understand the possible impacts of innovation capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation on export performance, and thus lead to more effective SMEs management.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Searching for opportunities and trust in international markets: entrepreneurial perspective of a traditional industry SME
No full textInternationalization has been adopted by many companies, regardless of size, to boost their growth.
Although the Uppsala model and the network approach have been extensively used to analyze how small firms internationalize their operations, this chapter addresses how a small firm of the clean carpentry industry managed to overcome an economic slowdown of its domestic market and boosted its growth. This chapter uses a case study approach that is framed on a literature review covering internationalization of SMEs, entrepreneurship, the importance of the network approach, the search of opportunities and trust, and relationship orientation to show how a firm abandoned its passive behavior and its focus on the domestic market to proactively address the international market following an entrepreneurial perspective.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Gestão ambiental de pneus usados em Portugal: análise de estratégias e propostas para sustentabilidade
No full textDissertação de Mestrado em Cidadania Ambiental e Participação, apresentada à Universidade AbertaA gestão ambiental de pneus usados em Portugal representa um desafio significativo, com impactos ambientais, económicos e sociais que exigem respostas integradas e sustentáveis. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar as estratégias de gestão atualmente em vigor, com especial enfoque na reciclagem, na economia circular e na inovação tecnológica aplicada ao setor. A abordagem metodológica adotada assenta na revisão bibliográfica e na análise de três estudos de caso; Valorpneu, Pneugreen e Valorminho, permitindo comparar dinâmicas operacionais, metas de recolha e valorização e eficiência dos modelos de gestão. Identificou-se que, em 2024, o total de pneus usados recolhidos e processados atinge uma escala significativa, embora sem uniformidade na cobertura e na rastreabilidade dos dados. Os principais resultados demonstram que, apesar da existência de um enquadramento legal robusto e de redes organizadas de recolha e valorização, persistem lacunas relevantes, nomeadamente a cobertura territorial irregular dos pontos de recolha e tratamento, a insuficiente rastreabilidade dos fluxos nas bases de dados oficiais, a fiscalização fragmentada que dificulta o cumprimento eficaz das metas legais e campanhas de sensibilização pouco focalizadas especificamente nos pneus usados, com impacto reduzido na participação de cidadãos e operadores. A análise comparativa evidencia ainda diferenças de escala, atuação territorial e inovação tecnológica entre os modelos estudados, refletindo impactos distintos na eficiência e no custo-benefício do sistema. As implicações práticas apontam para a necessidade de reforçar a fiscalização e os mecanismos de controlo de rastreabilidade, investir em tecnologias de reutilização e reciclagem mais avançadas, desenvolver campanhas de comunicação específicas para o fluxo de pneus usados e aprofundar a integração entre entidades gestoras e municípios para alcançar metas nacionais e comunitárias de economia circular. Conclui-se que a consolidação de uma gestão ambientalmente eficaz de pneus usados em Portugal depende da implementação coordenada dessas medidas, com potencial para reduzir impactos ambientais, otimizar recursos e reforçar a economia circular no setor.The environmental management of used tires in Portugal represents a significant challenge, with environmental, economic, and social impacts that demand integrated and sustainable responses. This dissertation analyses current management strategies, with particular emphasis on recycling, circular economy principles, and technological innovation in the sector. The methodological approach is based on a literature review and the analysis of three case studies: Valorpneu, Pneugreen, and Valorminho, allowing a comparison of operational dynamics, collection and recovery targets, and the efficiency of different management models. Findings indicate that, in 2024, the volume of used tires collected and processed reached a significant scale, although with uneven territorial coverage and limitations in data traceability. The results show that, despite a robust legal framework and organized collection and recovery networks, relevant vulnerabilities persist, namely uneven territorial coverage of collection and treatment points, insufficient consolidation and traceability of used-tire flows in official databases, fragmented enforcement that undermines effective compliance with quantified targets, and awareness campaigns that are not sufficiently focused on used tires, limiting engagement by citizens and operators. The comparative analysis also highlights differences in scale, territorial scope, and technological innovation among the case entities, resulting in distinct efficiency and cost–benefit outcomes across the national system. Practical implications emphasize the need to strengthen enforcement and traceability mechanisms, invest in advanced reuse and recycling technologies, develop communication campaigns specifically targeted at used-tire flows, and enhance coordination between managing entities and municipalities to support national and European circular economy targets. It is concluded that consolidating an environmentally effective management system for used tires in Portugal depends on implementing these coordinated measures, with the potential to reduce environmental impacts, optimize resource use, and reinforce circular economy performance in the sector