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Corporate social responsibility and mental health
O presente relatório tem como objetivo espelhar o estágio curricular de mestrado realizado na Ivory World,
durante 400 horas, empresa onde procurei refletir e aplicar o conhecimento sobre Responsabilidade Social
Corporativa e práticas de promoção da saúde mental. A primeira parte integra a revisão sistemática da
literatura das temáticas já referidas e a segunda parte uma descrição das tarefas realizadas durante o
estágio. Os desenlaces deste estágio permitem demonstrar como o foco na saúde mental pode ser uma
mais valia para as empresas, sobretudo no que toca ao interesse e interações com os seus stakeholders
externos, em particular os seus clientes, e como a responsabilidade social corporativa necessita ser bem
empregue, de forma a contribuir positivamente para o desenvolvimento das organizações.This report aims to mirror the master's curricular internship held at Ivory World, for 400 hours, a company
where I sought to reflect and apply my knowledge about Corporate Social Responsibility and mental health
promotion practices. The first part integrates the systematic review of the literature on the aforementioned
topics and the second part describes the tasks performed during the internship. The outcomes of this
internship allow to demonstrate how the focus on mental health can be an added value for companies,
especially in terms of interest and interactions with their external stakeholders, particularly their customers,
and how social corporate responsibility needs to be used well, in order to contribute positively to the
development of organizations
Unraveling the drivers of divergent ESG practices: a comparative study of US and EU banks
This thesis explores divergent ESG strategies in U.S. and EU banks, analysing motivations and
pressures that shape sustainable banking. It highlights contrasting approaches: market-driven
in the U.S. and regulatory-driven in the EU. Internal and external factors, such as regulatory
demands and stakeholder expectations, influence these strategies. The study uses a dual-frame work method to categorize ESG drivers and compares them through climate reports and indus try publications. Findings indicate that EU banks are influenced by strict regulations and sus tainability values, achieving comprehensive ESG goals, whereas U.S. banks show inconsistent
ESG integration due to market and political factors
Is revenue-based financing an innovative, effective, and sustainable financing instrument for startups and MSMEs? A European approach - future trends with a focus on impact investments
This Master's thesis explores Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) as a novel financing model for
startups and Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Europe. It examines
RBF's practical applications, challenges, and future trends, particularly in the context of digital
and impact startups. A dual-method approach is employed, combining literature review and
empirical research through interviews, to offer insights from RBF providers and experts in
Europe, providing valuable information for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers
Business in practice - pioneering the sustainable future of the automotive industry: Evoway´s performance review and a personal reflection
The Business in Practice program offers an intensive experience and fosters both personal and
professional growth, as participants work in teams to manage a global automotive company
within a business simulation. This thesis examines the performance of EvoWay, focusing on
three key corporate functions—strategy, operations, and marketing—to explain the company’s
decisions in transitioning towards electrification and sustainability. It highlights the interplay
between these functions, identifying challenges and factors that influenced the company’s
success. Additionally, the thesis includes a personal reflection on two critical incidents during
the simulation, underscoring the impact of team dynamics on organizational results
Yuri Karlovich’s Path in Mathematics
Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.Noauthorsversionpublishe
Insights into push-pull interactions from advanced functional MRI D
"The role of subcortical structures in binaural integration is of significant interest in
auditory neuroscience, as these structures are pivotal for processing and
interpreting spatial auditory cues. The inferior colliculus (IC), as the primary auditory
midbrain center, serves as a critical hub where ascending and descending auditory
projections converge. It has been suggested that the IC encodes auditory
information through a push-pull mechanism mediated by interactions between the
two ICs. However, the origins of this push-pull mechanism within the brain, as well
as its interactions with upstream and downstream subcortical areas, remain topics
of substantial debate. In this study, we utilize functional MRI (fMRI) in combination
with IC lesions in the rat model to investigate the push-pull interaction from a
pathway-wide perspective, shedding light on its role in subcortical auditory
processing. We provide evidence supporting the existence of the push-pull
mechanism in the IC, demonstrated by the presence of negative and positive fMRI
signals in the ipsilateral and contralateral ICs, respectively, in response to monaural
stimulation. By unilaterally lesioning the contralateral IC, we establish the necessity
of both collicular integrity and intercollicular interactions for the proper functioning of
the push-pull mechanism.(...)
Spark by Hilton: exploring strategic market entry in the Iberian Peninsula – market analysis
The present thesis provides a comprehensive market analysis for the strategic implementation
of the new premium economy hotel brand, Spark by Hilton, in the Iberian Peninsula. It assesses
the viability of the market segment, identifies key target groups along with their needs and
preferences, and examines the existing competitive landscape. Through a mixed-methods
approach, the study incorporates competitor benchmarking and cultural insights based on
Hofstede’s model to identify critical market dynamics. Key challenges, including market
saturation, consumer expectations, and sustainability trends, are considered to formulate data driven recommendations. The findings highlight the importance of balancing global brand
identity with localized adaptations to optimize market entry and ensure long-term success
Maria João Bahia: developing a local maker into a national brand with global potential: consolidating Maria João Bahia’s bottom of the pyramid by capturing younger generations
Maria João Bahia, a Portuguese luxury jewelry brand faces significant challenges in a
competitive market dominated by international luxury conglomerates, making it hard for local
Portuguese brands to establish themselves. To overcome these challenges, MJB should adopt
Kapferer and Bastien’s (2009) brand stretching luxury pyramid model. Aligned with the model,
3 lines of recommendations will be developed: (1) legitimizing MJB’s aura, while transitioning
from the traditional approach of luxury towards the luxury pyramid model, (2) consolidation of
MJB’s bottom of the pyramid by attracting younger generations, (3) enhancing MJB’s middle
to top of the pyramid through an expansion to Porto
Investment committee paper on Applus+ - return analysis
This paper examines Applus+ Services, S.A. within the context of a potential acquisition by a
financial sponsor, specifically a private equity fund. The analysis focuses on strategic initiatives
aimed at enhancing growth and profitability within the Testing, Inspection, and Certification
(TIC) industry, a critical sector that ensures safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across
global markets. By implementing a targeted approach that includes product mix realignment,
operational improvements, and strategic acquisitions, Applus+ is poised to strengthen its
presence in high-margin segments such as Laboratories and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).
Furthermore, the company's ability to capitalize on key industry megatrends, including
sustainability, digitalization, and globalization, positions it as a compelling investment
opportunity to generate sustainable value creation and attractive returns for investors.
The transaction is structured as a Leveraged Buyout (LBO), with the individual part being the
return analyses, focusing on growth projections and exit strategies to maximize returns. The
model includes realistic growth forecasts for divisions like Renewables, Aerospace, and
Laboratories, considering Applus+’s market position. The recommended exit strategy involves
strategic acquisitions and potential divisional sales to competitors like SGS and Bureau Veritas.
A 2029 exit is projected to deliver strong returns, with an IRR of 24% and a MoM of 2.9x,
driven by organic growth, margin expansion, and targeted acquisitions, while managing risks
related to market volatility and operational uncertainties