17043 research outputs found
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Customer experience, loyalty, and churn in bundled telecommunications services
No full textThe telecommunications industry is highly competitive, as operators engage in fierce attacks, especially in bundled services, to acquire new customers originating high churn rate. The objective of this paper is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the switching of operators for bundled services among telecom operators. The paper includes a quantitative study with 3,004 customers utilizing bundled services from a Portuguese telecom operator. Employing covariance-based structural equation modeling and logit regression, the research shows that internet service, television service, and the service provided by the contact center exert the greatest impact on loyalty to the operator. In contrast, landline service has an insignificant effect, while loyalty has a negative influence on customer churn. This study offers telecommunications managers insights for identifying the main factors to retain customers and curbing customer defection. Additionally, it provides a framework for assessing customer experience within bundled telecom services, which is useful for researchers, managers and marketing practitioners alike.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: NECE-UBI, Research Centre for Business Sciences,
Research Centre and this work are funded by FCT Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP, project UIDB/04630/2020 and DOI identifier 10.54499/UIDB/04630/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Internationalization strategies: circumventing the liability of newness: a case study of irregular internationalization paths
No full textThis chapter analyzes the internationalization process of an irregular exporter and seeks to perceive
the internationalization theory that explains the company over this international path. Some of the most studied internationalization models that explain the rapid internationalization process were reviewed in order to compare the main characteristics of each theory. Methodologically the chapter uses primary data, obtained from an interview, complemented by the analysis of secondary data. A synthesis table seeks to summarize the characteristics of the internationalization process of each of the four theories analyzed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Knowledge capability flows in buyer-supplier relationships: challenges for small domestic suppliers in international contexts
No full textPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand how suppliers have managed to accumulate knowledge in their relationship with large multinational clients.
Design/methodology/approach – The methodology was based on four case studies’ qualitative data, collected from semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The buyers were selected among the largest MNEs of the electronics, automotive and footwear industries and the suppliers were selected among the set of SMEs supplying to those MNEs. The objective was to assess the supplier’s knowledge transfer-oriented capabilities and the buyer’s interaction-oriented capabilities in the SBR.
Findings – The paper highlights the important leading role of the client in the buyer-supplier relationship involving SMEs as well as the knowledge-sharing atmosphere of successful cooperative relationships. Although it confirms the advantages of alliances for SMEs, knowledge transfer-oriented capabilities, are used by SMEs in order to sustain client satisfaction and to strengthen their core competencies. Despite all efforts of SMEs, if clients are not willing to use interaction-oriented
capabilities, buyer-supplier relationships are doomed to failure.
Research limitations/implications – One practical implication is that, if SMEs are adequately supported by public policies, it is possible to transfer knowledge from more advanced to less endowed economies . The main limitation stems from the fact that it is not possible to claim generalisation as the research is the result of a series of four case studies.
Originality/value – The paper uses dyadic relationships as a viable option to compensate internal knowledge deficiencies of SMEs in their relationship with MNEs. It complements former research as little is known about the importance of alliances in the context of knowledge acquisition and learning in SMEs. It contributes to the SME scientific literature by investigating how SMEs learn from their alliance partners.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Sustainable and green city brand: an exploratory review
No full textAlthough city branding is not new, the importance of sustainability and environmental demands is placing an enormous challenge in city/place branding activities. As such, the aim of this article is to analyze how sustainable/green city/place branding is understood and what its main idiosyncrasies are. For that an exploratory literature review was implemented and 32 articles were analyzed. It is possible to conclude that there are three main strands covering the topic related to green, sustainable, and slow city (cittaslow) or place branding. Moreover, green resources are dealt with seeking to improve the image of the city, the quality of urban life, and the green spaces supporting the city as a tourism destination. Complementarily, sustainability embraces also economic and social aspects, which are not fully covered in the previous strand. Finally, the cittaslow perspective follows a sustainable perspective more closely than the green/environmental one. The three strands are very segmented and the stage of development is still in a growing up stage. The stakeholders play an important role in disclosing the natural resources, the environmental challenges for a city/place to develop a positive sustainable reputation. Finally, there is an important role from the public policy perspective to position the city as a green, sustainable place destination.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A Ermida de Santa Maria do Cabo, em Sesimbra, na primeira metade do século XVI: proposta de estudo cripto-histórico
No full textDissertação de Mestrado em Estudos do Património, apresentada à Universidade AbertaA presente dissertação é uma primeira abordagem monográfica sobre o início do culto católico no Cabo Espichel, por meio do estudo cripto-histórico de um antigo e extinto templo denominado Ermida de Santa Maria do Cabo, substituída no século XVIII pela Igreja do Cabo Espichel que conhecemos hoje. Trata-se não apenas de uma análise do edifício que não sobreviveu aos nossos dias, durante o mestrado de D. Jorge de Lencastre, período que compreende os anos de 1491 e 1550, mas de todo um contexto social, cultural, artístico e religioso da Comenda de Sesimbra em que se insere.This dissertation is a first monographic approach, a crypto-historical study of an ancient Catholic temple in Cabo Espichel, the Hermitage of Santa Maria do Cabo, in the cultural, artistic, and religious context of Sesimbra during D. Jorge de Lencastre's administration of the Order of Santiago, more precisely in the year 1534
Exploring female entrepreneurship: addressing some misconceptions
No full textThis chapter addresses some of the misconceptions regarding female entrepreneurship and how different notions in different contexts lay the ground for further misalignments in the entrepreneurial process. It also addresses how contextual issues affect social and economic underpinnings in different countries.
Stereotypes in traditional and modern societies and the barriers to gender equality results in unequal distribution of resources, which are further reflected on the characteristics of entrepreneurs leading to potential hindrances to female entrepreneurship from contextual issue. The need to recognize the diversity that exists among different contexts and the level of impact on female entrepreneurship is reflected on society. Finally, the chapter offers a tentative outlook for further research into female entrepreneurship through the discussion of contextual issues and conclusions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Management project for the facade tile heritage of Porto: [Bonfim: 1840 – 1940]
No full textDissertação de Mestrado em Estudos do Património, apresentada à Universidade AbertaO presente trabalho pretendeu estudar o património azulejar de fachada da cidade do Porto, partindo do inventário sistemático de uma parte da freguesia do Bonfim. Também pretendeu estudar o desenvolvimento urbano da freguesia, bem como as suas características socioecónomicas, de forma a enquadrar o revestimento azulejar no contexto histórico que lhe deu origem. Foi ainda apresentada uma proposta para uma intervenção concertada e planeada de salvaguarda e preservação do azulejo de revestimento, bem como de educação, a nível das escolas e da população em geral, para este património integrado.This work aimed to study the façade tile heritage of the city of Porto, starting from the systematic inventory of a part of the parish of Bonfim. It also aimed to study the urban development of the parish, as well as its socioeconomic characteristics, in order to place the tile covering in the historical context that gave rise to it. A proposal was also presented for a concerted and planned intervention to safeguard and preserve the tile covering, as well as education, at school level and for the general population, about this integrated heritage
A supervisão como meio de promoção de práticas inclusivas para alunos estrangeiros nas escolas portuguesas
No full textDissertação de Mestrado em Supervisão Pedagógica, apresentada à Universidade AbertaEsta dissertação propõe estudar e debater o papel da supervisão pedagógica da inclusão de alunos estrangeiros nas escolas portuguesas bem como promover as melhorias de práticas inclusivas.
Para tal, serão explorados os fundamentos teóricos da educação inclusiva, destacando a importância da igualdade de oportunidades e o respeito pela diversidade que regem os direitos orientadores do Estatuto do Aluno. Além disso, serão apresentadas evidências científicas que fundamentam a relevância da supervisão como uma estratégia eficaz para promover a inclusão escolar. Urge clarificar o papel da inclusão escolar para os alunos estrangeiros. É um princípio fundamental que visa garantir a igualdade de oportunidades e o acesso ao ensino de qualidade a todos os alunos, independentemente das suas características e necessidades específicas.
Assim, foram desenvolvidos questionários online, com vista a uma melhor compreensão da realidade escolar, bem como analisar as estratégias que têm sido implementadas para uma integração mais eficaz destes alunos e também identificar e sugerir melhorias que possam ser implementadas.
A abrangência deste estudo permitiu observar várias dinâmicas dos agentes educativos. Assim uma das principais conclusões foi a pouca visibilidade dos supervisores pedagógicos no quotidiano de inclusão de alunos estrangeiros, nomeadamente as suas funções atribuídas. A escassez de formação contínua e especializada também se revelou uma limitação bem como as tarefas burocráticas.
Numa perspetiva de melhoria futura, para colmatar esta falta de visibilidade e como estratégia de inclusão, é proposto a criação de um Gabinete de Acolhimento e Integração, de forma a construir uma escola mais equitativa, justa e promotora do sucesso dos alunos e, consequentemente, dos Encarregados de educação de nacionalidade estrangeira.This dissertation aims to study and discuss the role of pedagogical supervision in the inclusion of foreign students in Portuguese schools, as well as to promote better inclusive practices.
To do this, it will explore the theoretical foundations of inclusive education, highlighting the importance of equal opportunities and respect for diversity, which are key principles of the Student Statute. In addition, scientific evidence will be presented to show that supervision is an effective strategy to promote school inclusion.
It is important to clarify the role of school inclusion to the foreign students. It is a basic principle that aims to guarantee equal opportunities and access to quality education for all students, regardless of their specific characteristics and needs.
Therefore, online questionnaires were developed to better understand the school reality, analyze the strategies already being used to integrate these students more effectively, and identify possible improvements.
The scope of this study made it possible to observe various dynamics among educational agents. One of the main conclusions was the low visibility of pedagogical supervisors in their daily work with the inclusion of foreign students, especially in terms of their assigned roles. The lack of ongoing and specialized training was also seen as a limitation, along with too many bureaucratic tasks.
Looking to the future and aiming to improve the current situation, the creation of a Welcome and Integration Office is proposed. This would be a strategy to build a more fair and equal school, helping both the students and their families of foreign nationality to succeed
The influence of perceived value and brand equity on loyalty intentions: the case of plant-based beverages’ consumers
No full textThe consumption of plant-based beverages has seen a substantial increase in Portugal, which reflects the consumers changing eating habits, due to their growing ethical and environmental concerns. This study takes into account a specific Portuguese brand of plant-based beverages and empirically tested, using the PLS-SEM technique, a conceptual model to analyze the impact of perceived value, brand equity and satisfaction on loyalty intentions of Portuguese plant-based beverages’ consumers. Based on 216 responses to a survey questionnaire, both the perceived value and the brand equity of this plant-based beverage brand explain satisfaction and loyalty intention. Moreover, brand equity mediates the relationship between perceived value and satisfaction and loyalty intention being this indirect effect more relevant than the direct one.This work was financially supported by the Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (UIDB/04058/2020), funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
ProfAI - A practical approach to automating tasks in the virtual learning environment using agents
No full textOs sistemas de gestão da aprendizagem (LMS), como o Moodle, sistematizam tarefas, mas pouco oferecem para sustentar dinamização individualizada de grandes números de estudantes pelos docentes. Este artigo apresenta o ProfAI, um agente inteligente concebido para apoiar atividades pedagógicas no Moodle. O sistema combina Retrieval-
Augmented Generation (RAG) para conteúdos estáticos e integração com o LMS para interações dinâmicas. A execução ocorre em infraestrutura local ou organizacional, sem
necessidade de recurso a serviços online exteriores às instituições, para conformidade com os regulamentos de proteção de dados pessoais. O ProfAI assegura aos estudantes
um feedback individualizado e atua como assistente docente na dinâmica pedagógica.
Pretende-se assim contribuir para modelos de emprego de agentes inteligentes interativos no e-learning, de forma segura e replicável.Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Moodle, systematize tasks but offer limited support for individualized student large-scale dynamics by instructors. This paper presents ProfAI, an intelligent agent designed to support pedagogical activities within Moodle. The system combines Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for static content with LMS integration for dynamic interactions. Execution takes place on local or institutional infrastructure, avoiding reliance on external online services and ensuring compliance with personal data protection regulations. ProfAI provides students with individualized feedback and acts as a teaching assistant within the pedagogical dynamic, contributing to secure and replicable models of intelligent interactive agents in e-learning.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio