Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2018-05-22"
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- Estudo da relação do valor de pH da carne de frango com a sua carga microbianaPublication . Barbosa, Isabel Patrícia da Silva; Teixeira, Paula Cristina Maia; Castro, Sónia MaríliaA qualidade da carne, nomeadamente de frango, é determinada não apenas pelas características visuais, que são avaliadas pelo consumidor, mas também com parâmetros microbiológicos e físico-químicos que são importantes do ponto de vista do produtor. O presente estudo centrou-se no controlo da qualidade da carne de frango associada ao bem-estar animal, nomeadamente no que respeita ao valor de pH e à qualidade microbiológica do frango apanhado de dia e de noite quando relacionados com fatores como o tempo de jejum e espera no período ante-mortem, peso vivo e tempo do período post-mortem e rigor-mortis. De forma a realizar um estudo mais aprofundado no que respeita aos parâmetros de qualidade foram executadas após 24 horas do abate determinações de pH, qualidade microbiológica e cor para o peito e para a perna com costa; e da textura unicamente para o peito. Para além deste estudo, também foram avaliados os parâmetros anteriormente mencionados ao longo do tempo de vida útil de duas recolhas (24, 72 e 144 horas). Através da análise dos resultados observou-se que apenas o tempo post-mortem tem influência no pH do frango, do peito e da perna com costa, apesar de o mesmo estabilizar até às 24 horas. Na cor do peito visualizou-se a ligação direta com o pH, visto a carne estudada caraterizar-se como PSE (5,7 ≥ pH ≤ 5,8; L* > 50). Na qualidade microbiológica verificou-se que será necessário um controlo mais rigoroso dos tempos de jejum (evitando assim, as contaminações cruzadas) e do manuseamento por parte dos colaboradores na zona da desmancha, visto que de maneira geral a quantidade de microrganismos obtida foi elevada. De forma a avaliar a textura do peito utilizou-se o teste de força de corte e o TPA, verificando-se que o peito cozido é mais duro, a elasticidade e a adesividade têm valores semelhantes e os parâmetros secundários (gomosidade e mastigabilidade) têm diferenças significativas, na apanha noturna. O estudo permitiu concluir a importância de controlar todos os fatores extrínsecos para que a qualidade do animal não seja influenciada. No caso específico deste projeto, verificou-se que os problemas da qualidade como a cor esverdeada no peito e a quantidade de microrganismos elevada não provém de fatores extrínsecos, mas sim intrínsecos, como o caso da alimentação, da genética e do estado fisiológico.
- The development of a performance measurement methodology : the case of Banco Santander TottaPublication . Cunha, Ana Cruz Ribeiro da; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierOrganizational performance is considered a paramount subject to researchers attracted to management. For a long time, there has been considerable interest in performance measurement, as authors recognize that implementing an appropriate system will lead to an alignment of strategies, actions and objectives. Furthermore, in a scenario of growing fierce market competition, it has proved to be something essential for businesses to survive and succeed. Past studies on performance measurement models, suggest both the application of financial and non-financial indicators to monitor whether stakeholders’ objectives and expectations are being fulfilled. However, these methodologies are subject to criticism regarding their assumptions and appropriateness. This thesis shall present a consultancy project, developed to suit a major banking sector player’s need to define an organizational performance measurement methodology that is able to synthesize the organization’s performance at a high level analysis. The final deliverable, challenges former models by exploring an innovative performance measurement approach, based on selected key determinants towards monitoring success, including resources (financial, people, products and services, operations, information systems), customers, strategic management and corporate social responsibility. Together, alongside with the correct performance indicators, defined measuring frequency and benchmarks, they are said to be the answer to the adequate foundations for a sustainable overall performance measurement methodology.
- Business plan for a premium fashion brand : case BuramaPublication . Veloso, Maria Trigo da Roza; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierThe following thesis will concentrate on development of the product as well as the business plan of Burama affordable luxury fashion brand, which main product is a convertible handbag that can be folded into a purse, backpack or a scarf option. An analysis of the Affordable Luxury Market between the Chinese versus the European market will be made. This study will be implemented considering the Politic, Economic and Social context of each market in order to get a closer understanding on which could be the most suitable market for a new affordable luxury apparel brand to mainly target. When this analysis is completed the focus will be made on the Chinese luxury market. To analyze the affordable fashion Luxury Market a benchmark analysis will be made for 20 brands selected within the same price range criteria to understand where Burama would be positioned in the market. This thesis will attempt to prove that the Chinese Luxury goods market is a recommended option for a new brand of this type to pursue to target and formulate an appropriate business plan considering the market. To defend this assumption a PESTEL and a SWOT analysis will be conducted. After the Analysis is made a Business Model Canvas will be crafted considering the information collected and analyzed. The main research method used in this thesis is qualitative. All data will be collected from Chinese target consumers’ interviews and literature sources such as academic articles and consultancy companies reports.
- Product eliminations : consumer costs and the impact on satisfaction and loyaltyPublication . Leitão, Pedro Afonso Vieira; Romeiro, Paulo Alexandre Mendes RamosNowadays, consumers want to have a big wide variety of product offerings available and companies launch extended product lines and innovations to meet such demand. However, not every product turns out to be a top performer. In fact, 75% of consumer-packaged goods and retail products fail to reach $7.5 million in the first year on the market. These failed products can even decrease firm’s profitability and earnings, which justifies the implementation of product eliminations. Product Elimination is defined as the decision of a company to end the production and marketing of a product, and existing work suggests that it is a valuable tool to free resources that can be invested in other promising products. Nevertheless, companies need to be cautious and understand the impact this tool may have on consumer relationships. The main purpose of this dissertation is to study the impact of consumer costs derived from product elimination on satisfaction and loyalty towards the company responsible for the elimination. Primary and secondary data were collected from a conducted survey and by consulting existing literature on the proposed topics. In the end, it was proved that consumer costs of a product elimination negatively impact satisfaction and loyalty after the elimination. Moreover, satisfaction after elimination positively impacts loyalty and mediates the effect of consumer costs on loyalty.
- Equity and the prevalence of chronic pain in PortugalPublication . Teixeira, Catarina de Oliveira; Gouveia, Miguel Rebordão de AlmeidaThe aim of this thesis is to estimate inequalities in chronic pain prevalence in Portugal, through data analysis of a representative stratified probabilistic sample of 18 204 valid answers from National Health Survey of 2014. To obtain accurate estimates design weights were applied in all the estimates below. Throughout this study it was possible to establish a relationship between chronic pain and socioeconomic status. For that, a logistic regression model was used, including sociodemographic characteristics and information concerning relevant chronic diseases. An analysis based on concentration curves and indexes was developed examining the association between chronic pain, income and education. After applying the methodologies mentioned above it was concluded that there are variables that do not contribute to explain chronic pain prevalence such as marital status, income, body mass index and heart attack or stroke incidence. As for significant variables, it was shown that age, gender, the education level, region and the prevalence of chronic diseases as bronchitis, urinary incontinence or renal failure could influence chronic pain prevalence. To improve the detail of the analysis, the sample was standardized for age and gender in order to develop concentration curves and indexes, based on the regression model stated before. It was possible to conclude that inequalities in chronic pain distribution are higher when education is taken into account, comparing with income level. It was also designed an income adjusted index concerning education level that revealed a trend for higher concentration of pain across groups with lower socioeconomic status.
- The impact of health consciousness on consumers’ purchase intention and the mediating effect of ingredients’ awareness : an analysis on ChocolatePublication . Andrade, Gabriela Oliveira; Romeiro, Paulo Alexandre Mendes RamosOver the past few years a dramatic move has taken place in the food industry and people become more and more concerned about their own health. Following this trend, retailers are also taking actions, not just by creating areas in the supermarket dedicated to healthy food products but also having, on the same shelf, the healthy option of the same product. This entire study consists on an investigation about if the health consciousness impacts or not the purchase intention, giving a special attention to the role of the ingredients’ awareness, going deep on sugars. The pushback against sugar comes as, in general, consumers have begun to take a greater interest in what makes up their food and diets. The health conscious took umbrage with not only how much sugar was put into processed food, but also how many products included added sugars. The methodology used for this investigation includes both primary and secondary data, encompassing one survey. Results obtained with this study suggest that Purchase Intention is explained by Health Consciousness as well as by the Ingredients’ Awareness. In addition, Ingredients’ Awareness plays a key role in mediating some of these relationships.
- The moderating role of digital coupon vehicles and expiration dates on purchase intentPublication . Gonçalves, Sofia Valença Enes; Romeiro, Paulo Alexandre Mendes RamosMarketing has become one of the main tools for retailers’ success. Among their marketing strategies, promotions have been proven to increase purchase intent and, thus, to boost sales. However, times are changing in a fast manner due to technological advances. Hence, the digital world is becoming more advanced and consumers are getting more and more interested in obtaining product’s information and promotions online. Owing to that, and to the fact that the retailing world is full of competition, retailers need to adjust their strategies to guarantee they remain afloat. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to study the effect of different couponing promotions on consumers’ purchase intent. The study will be focused on Laundry Detergents and Ice Creams and both monetary and non-monetary coupon promotions will be studied. The dissertation methodology was derived from both secondary and primary data; being that the first is composed by renowned journals’ findings and the second is resulting from an online survey. Results obtained through the data do indicate that there is a dependency of purchase intent on coupon promotions. This relationship is also verified to be moderated by the effect of the different digital coupons studied – mobile phones and email coupons – and by the length of coupons’ expirations dates.
- “Easy Rent” business plan : a household appliances renting servicePublication . Vian, João Maria Matos Salvador; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierThe constant increase of mobility among the world population and the increase importance of the feeling of convenience on younger generations are changing the way people live, think and act. Certain kind of services are nowadays even more valued due to the level of experience they transmit to those who use it, and that is one of the reasons I chose to develop a business plan about a service, on this case, a household appliances renting service called “Easy Rent”. One of the most common ways of mobility around the world are students exchange programmes, and because I did it and had the opportunity to study six months on a foreigner country, my main focus on this plan has been on exchange students. The main goal of this business plan is to understand the level of acceptance towards this innovative business idea and to determine if the business itself is financially viable or not. To reach this goal, there were two major strategies that were developed through the plan: (1) The focus on three different areas of the business: Marketing and Communication, Logistics and Financial; (2) The development of an online survey with a representative population sample of 190 respondents, whose responses were statistically analysed on RStudio program. After all the research, planning and analysis, it is possible to conclude that there is in fact a positive awareness regarding “Easy Rent” service and that the business itself is financially viable on the long-term.
- Capturing funds in sports : an analysis to the Portuguese Sports AssociationsPublication . Oliveira, Tiago Santos de; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierNowadays, there is a clear struggle for sports associations to find proper funding. The largest sports associations, even though included in this analysis, are not in the struggling group of associations. Therefore, the need for guidance resides in the medium and small sports organizations. Sports associations have a high dependence on collected funds, due to low sales numbers, and low participants enrolled in the sports. Consequently, the funds can be become a source of competitive advantage, in the form of, among others, sponsorships, for both ends of the deal. Therefore, the analysis that follows, tries to give a clear guidance to the medium and small Professional Sports Associations in Portugal, in order for these to adapt and obtain funds for their associations. The analysis conducted was based on data received from 57 Professional Sports Associations in Portugal, which contained data such as number of coaches, number of youth participants, among others. With these variables as a basis, an OLS model was designed to attained the variables that were statistically significant in explaining the funds received by theses associations, which are: Youth Involvement, Sales, and Overall Participants. Then these significant variables, were transformed in concrete ways to help these associations, such as the importance of Media Exposure. With this analysis, there is a clear managerial implication for associations that are in the early stages of development, which will be able to guide their efforts and objectives towards the significant variables that truly affect funding over time.
- The impact of health consciousness on the purchase intention of organic food : the moderating effect of perceived store imagePublication . Meireles, Patrícia de Oliveira; Romeiro, Paulo Alexandre Mendes RamosConsumers’ interest for organic products is increasing every day and several industries have been witnessing a growing demand for this type of products. Continente being the most prominent chain of hypermarkets in Portugal, is creating value by acquiring a chain of organic food specialized stores, Go Natural. The focus of this study is to better understand how an individual’s degree of health consciousness affects the purchase intention of organic food and how this relationship is mediated by the attitudes one holds towards organic food. Moreover, it intends to determine if perceived store image acts as a moderator both of the direct and indirect effect. Ultimately, it aims to understand if, depending on the store – Continente or Go Natural - there would be a difference in the consumers’ purchase intention. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to obtain the data. The main conclusions taken from the statistical analysis are that the degree of health consciousness has a direct impact on the purchase intention of organic food. However, this relationship is not moderated by perceived store image. Also, the degree of health consciousness has an indirect impact on the purchase intention through the attitudes towards organic food. The relationship between attitudes and the purchase intention is moderated by perceived store image. Lastly, the intention to buy organic food was found to be higher in Go Natural.