Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2016-05-11"
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- Mobile commerce adoption in India, a revised technology acceptance modelPublication . Pini, Beatrice; Fernandes, Daniel Von Der HeydeNowadays, Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce) is expected to make a substantial impact on the business landscape. In India, the mobile cellular market is the fastest growing telecommunication market in terms of subscribers and popularity and is expected to grow by 55% from its present size of $2 billion to $19 billion by 2019. This research presents an extended Technology Acceptance model (TAM) that integrates extracts from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Personal Innovativeness and Trust into the TAM to investigate what determines user Mobile Commerce (MC) acceptance in India. The proposed model was empirically tested using data collected from a survey of 249 Indian Mobile Commerce users. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the causal model. The findings demonstrate the applicability of the modified TAM in assessing Mobile Commerce acceptance in India. From the study it can be seen that Mobile Commerce acceptance in India is influenced directly by Perceived Usefulness (β=0.443, p<0.001) Perceived Ease of Use (β=0.442, p<0.001) less so by Social influence (β=0.086, p<0.05) and indirectly by Facilitating Conditions (β= 0.554, p<.001) and Trust (β=0.068, p<0.05). A Multi-Group analysis based on gender (exogenous) and Frequency of Use (endogenous) was also conducted to gain a better understanding of the underlying Sub-Group dynamics. The recommendations made for the Indian Mobile Commerce sector based on the implications of the research and the typology for future research are also outlined.
- Qualidade de vida no idoso e a existência de netos : estudo comparativo no Distrito de LisboaPublication . Fernandes, Inês Diogo Leite; Duque, Eduardo Jorge Gomes da Costa; Silva, Cristina Soares“Ser avô” é um acontecimento marcante, apesar de ser cada vez mais raro. Os netos são uma fonte de estimulação para os avós, contribuindo para a luta contra o declínio do envelhecimento e proporcionando-lhes uma melhor qualidade de vida. De modo a compreender se a existência de netos tem de fato implicações na qualidade de vida dos avós, realizámos um estudo do género descritivocomparativo. A investigação foi dividida em duas fases: na 1ª fase, foi utilizada uma abordagem quantitativa, o instrumento usado para avaliação foi o “WHOQOL-Bref”, proposto pela OMS e validado para a população portuguesa, em conjunto com um inquérito por questionário a 25 sujeitos com netos e 25 sujeitos sem netos, pertencentes ao Distrito de Lisboa; na 2ª fase, foi usada uma abordagem qualitativa, aplicámos uma entrevista semidiretiva a 5 indivíduos com netos e 5 indivíduos sem netos, pertencentes ao Concelho da Amadora. Os resultados evidenciam não haver diferenças significativas entre os grupos estudados. Contudo, foi possível observar certas diferenças e semelhanças entre os grupos e, assim, obter informações interessantes acerca destes.
- Slow jam : study on the viability of a new healthy-jam producing companyPublication . Miguel, Marcela Barreiros; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierThe present dissertation aims to study the viability of the start-up “Slow Jam” – a new healthy-jam producing company. Literature research shown the importance for a company of planning its strategy and resources’ allocation. Therefore, the dissertation analyzes three Research Questions: 1) What are the tendencies and main characteristics of the current healthy food market?; 2) Which value proposition presented by the product is the most appreciated by the consumers?; 3) Is the company financially viable? In order to answer these questions, data on the market is researched and analyzed through the Porter’s Five Forces model and by Benchmarking on existing companies. It is also conducted a survey on 157 potential consumers and a financial forecast for five years is developed. In the end, the research shows an opportunity gap in the market that Slow Jam can fill, by educating consumers on its differentiating factor. Particularly, data shown that the characteristic most valued by the consumers would be its “Low Sugar” statement, especially if supported by a related National Association. Finally, financial forecasts indicate that the company should become successful, recovering its initial investment after six years of operations. Overall, the dissertation defends the viability of the Business and its future success.
- Mr. Refs : rewiring human resources industry to win digital disruption : integrating crowd and referrals in recruitment processesPublication . Belo, Bernardo Maria dos Santos de Mendonça; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierThe main objective of the present dissertation, written in the form of case study, is to demonstrate the possibility to revolutionize the human resources industry by allowing everyone to be integrated in any recruitment process, creating a network effect much appreciated by companies and allowing them to source candidates through this system. This way, we present and analyze the story of Mr. Refs, a crowd recruitment platform based on referrals located in Lisbon, Portugal. Mr. Refs has managed to have more than 15.000 Refers (people that refer family and friends for job opportunities), 100 companies recruiting through the platform and aims to expand to other markets such as Brazil, Spain and UK. The main question addressed was the possibility of creating a sustainable business around Crowdhunting. First, we present the reader with the main insights in the literature review, intending to provide an overview on the referrals’ importance for recruiters and the benefits for companies on having a crowd referring. Moreover, the case study tells the story behind the creation of the company and describes its activities, analysis the business model and relevant markets to expand. Finally, we make an analysis on the key success factors and suggestions that can be considered for anyone that has the intention of replicating Mr. Refs. We conclude with final remarks and limitations of the study.
- Expansion strategy under the asset-light strategy : the case of international expansion of Pestana GroupPublication . Seidenstricker, Cláudia Laijas; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierWith globalization, technological advances and economic distresses, companies need to constantly adapt to the market challenges. The hospitality industry undertakes high levels of business risk and companies found in international expansion a powerful source of revenue. However, companies needed a strategic approach that would allow them to expand without having to compromise large capital sums. The asset-light strategy emerged from this necessity, challenging companies to shift their portfolios from owned-assets to fee-contracts. Pestana Group is the largest and most successful Portuguese hotel company. It started as a single-hotel, family owned enterprise, in Funchal, and in the short timeframe of 40 years expanded to 16 countries, currently operating over 80 business units. This dissertation aims to provide a clear understanding of expansion strategies in the hotel business, overlooking the benefits and limitations they generate. Focusing on the Pestana Group case study, an analysis of the company´s performance under the asset-light strategy was conducted. With the result analysis it was possible to understand the effect of adopting the asset-light strategy and if value was generated to the company. Also, it was imperative to compare these results with other players in the same market, creating a benchmark in order to understand the company´s competitive advantage and adaptation capacity. This study was developed in a sequential process: problem definition, company and business environment study and framework, expansion strategies definition, data collection and result analysis under the asset-light strategy.
- Francisco Sá Carneiro : um católico na política : ensaio de teologia moral social narrativaPublication . Moreira, Fernando Gomes Perpétua; Cunha, Jorge Teixeira da
- An examination of Correios’ product portfolio and its best solution to overcome challenges in the convenience/retail segmentPublication . Sirimarco, Cassio; Celeste, Pedro Manuel Amador RodriguesProduct portfolio has always been a challenge for most companies. Increasing or reducing it may impact positively or negatively your company. Therefore, a careful analysis is needed, and most times, it is not enough. The purpose of this study is to show Correios and its product portfolio in the convenience/ retail sector. The goal is to find an efficient strategy to shrink its portfolio to stay competitive in the market, reduce costs and increase overall revenue. Surveys and interviews were conducted to show that the spectrum of product portfolio goes beyond the marketing department. There are many external influences that if not thought of can affect tremendously the business of your firm. Doubts arise when evaluating whether shrinking the portfolio is the best solution for Correios, as other postal companies became successful increasing its product portfolio. The study shows that there are no ways of proving which one is best (shrink or not) but often demonstrates that the external influences can provide an important analysis for determining the most adequate solution.
- Bliss and the mobile development business : filling the gap and taking advantage of the challenges between consumers and companiesPublication . Duursen, Rick Jan van; Celeste, Pedro Manuel Amador RodriguesNumerous mobile applications are available to consumers but just few survive within the competitive environment that is created by the innovative mobile industry. This study has the objective to identify the current and future needs of both companies and consumers in regards to mobile applications. This dissertation covers insights of interviews and consumer surveys held within the Portuguese market. The study intends to expose the gaps and similarities between the perspectives of companies and consumers. The purpose of this study will help Bliss, a Portuguese mobile application developer, to improve its product by taking advantage of the challenges. The main findings of the market research imply that both consumers and businesses share the idea that the importance of mobile applications will increase in the future and shape the society as we know it. Both primary and secondary data show us that the concern for data protection is substantial and poses an obstacle that needs to be overcome. More companies from other, traditional sectors start to move into the mobile development industry and relevant content and simple interface navigation remain key elements when it comes to building a successful application. Bliss Application has a substantial untapped potential for growth on the Portuguese market as the mobile development and adoption of mobile applications are still in its infancy.