Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2020-01-27"
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- Doing business in emerging markets : finding potential markets for green products within the retail industryPublication . Jällfält, Daniel Arvid; Pinho, André de AlmeidaWith an expanding population and with a growing urbanization the municipal solid waste (msw) systems in developing countries and emerging markets are in a need of a relief. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess the possibility to introduce a closed loop product in emerging markets to reduce the source of waste caused by disposable diapers. Interviews with industry experts was used together with secondary quantitative and qualitative data to assess the potential market value, best product-market fit and the entry strategy for the target markets. The conclusion was that green diapers is a growing trend, even in emerging markets. China and Indonesia was found to be the two most attractive markets and the proposed entry mode would be via a joint venture with a local partner.
- Performance of U.S. and German banks under Basel III : how have the new capital and leverage requirements impacted their profitability?Publication . Sá, Guilherme José Ferreira de; Bhimjee, Diptes Chandrakante PrabhudasThe present Dissertation’s research question addresses the assessment of the new capital and leverage requirements introduced by the Basel III framework. The formulation of the research question focuses on the dynamics of Tier 1 Capital, Tier 2 Capital, and the Leverage Ratio, and their impacts on the profitability and performance of U.S. and German banks. The document’s empirical research design employs a panel data econometric approach for the period between 2009 to 2018. The two-way method based on both fixed and random effects models assesses the reaction of four dependent variables (Return on Equity, Return on Assets, Net Interest Margin, and Efficiency Ratio) on a set of independent variables. Banking data were extracted from The Bloomberg Terminal. This said empirical methodology provides relevant baseline findings regarding the underlying research question. This research’s main findings suggest that the variables included in the model generally negatively impact the profitability of the banks included in the study. The most significant variables in this research are Tier 2 Capital and Leverage Ratio that impact the dependent variables with a 1% significance level. It is hoped that the conclusions might contribute to a better understanding of the application of regulatory reforms and the impacts on the important banking industries of these advanced economies in a post-crisis environment.
- Does Germany play a role in predicting stock returns across Europe?Publication . Lopes, Pedro Miguel de Almeida; Fidalgo, Eva SchliephakeUsing index returns from several European countries, we find that Germany’s equity prices have highly significant predictability power for the variations in stock returns in the following day. Following the approach of Rapach, Strauss and Zhou (2013), we can conclude that the performance of Germany’s main index largely influences the variations of other European main indexes. This evidence is found for every country in the sample, which indicates the ability of Germany in anticipating variations in a broad scope of European stock markets. Nevertheless, we find no evidence for this effect for monthly data, which contradicts the original paper. We also ran an analysis with a pool of economic variables to test if there is any predictability power in other German economic conditions. We find that the variation in Oil prices is highly significant in predicting movements in stock returns. This effect was predominantly strong during the 2007/08 financial crisis. These results can be explained by the impact oil prices play in periods of big volatility and economic turmoil. We do not find predictability power for Industrial Production in predicting stock returns, which is inconsistent with results from the previous literature.
- Making fashion more sustainable : the case of slow fashion and luxury fashionPublication . Jussub, Khatija Imtiaz; Leglise, LaureThe fashion industry is known to be one of the most wasteful industries in the world. The irresponsible over-exploitation of natural resources throughout the supply chain of companies and high consumerism levels are leading to huge environmental and social issues. This study aims to comprehend how fashion brands are responding to these pressures and how they can reconcile fashion with sustainability. To answer my research question, I draw on the business model canvas lens by analysing six of the nine components and adopted a qualitative approach. A multiple case study was conducted on two Portuguese small companies that have adopted sustainable practices. One is positioned in the luxury segment and the other in the slow fashion segment. Findings from the cases demonstrate that to reconcile fashion with sustainability all of the business canvas model blocks must incorporate sustainability as a main strategy and not as an adjacent strategy. Other strategies involve, focusing on sustainable production by selecting and using the right materials, solidifying a relationship with suppliers that share the same vision as the brand. Most importantly educate consumers on sustainable consumption and be as transparent as possible throughout all processes of manufacturing.
- Private label brands in Romania : a study focused on soft drinks and savoury snacksPublication . Nunes, José Maria Fernandes de Almeida; Pinho, André de AlmeidaPrivate Label Brands in developed countries have become a strong competitor to the manufacture brands, however in developing countries private labels are still not performing as well. The present study explores the different drivers that impact the performance of the Soft Drinks and Savoury Snacks from Private Labels Brands in the Romanian market. The study focuses in the Retail and Consumer dimensions that impact the Private Label performance. Romania Soft Drinks and Savoury Snack market is expected to grow as well as the modern retailers present in Romania, and thus PLB’s will grow as well. However, consumers have trust issues towards private labels, because of the low-quality products that the retailers distribute from Soft Drinks and Savoury Snacks. Romanian culture manifest high levels of power distance, uncertainty avoidance and individualist traits which hinders the performance of Private Label Brands. PLB’s in Romania are still not mature as well as the modern retail, additionally the initial strategy of low-quality products still affects the performance of PLB’s.
- The business model of long-haul low-cost carriers : an analysis of future viability at the example of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA and Eurowings GmbHPublication . Meyer, Jan; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierOver the last decades, low-cost carriers used to revolutionize short- and medium-haul markets globally. With the viability of their business model being proven through profitable operations, an increasing number of low-cost carriers entered the lucrative long-haul segment more recently. However, there is yet no prevalent view of the business model viability of long-haul low-cost carriers; recent events such as Wow Air’s insolvency raised strong doubts. This thesis aims at examining the future viability of the long-haul low-cost carriers’ business model by conducting an in-depth investigation of Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA’s and Eurowings GmbH’s long-haul business model. Subsequently, an innovated business model is developed. Key findings include that the business model of long-haul low-cost carriers is principally viable. However, the two selected airlines show that operating profitably remains difficult, regardless of the operating model and organizational structure. To ensure future viability, the business model needs to be innovated. In this context, a lean operating model is crucial to the success of long-haul low-cost carriers. Furthermore, new-generation, fuel-efficient narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A321 XLR may open up new potentials for profitable long-haul operations.
- As ferramentas na promoção da comunicação com o cliente sob ventilação mecânica invasivaPublication . Palmeiro, Rita Lopes; Veludo, FilipaO presente relatório, surge como elemento do curso de Mestrado em Enfermagem na área de especialização Médico-Cirúrgica, desenvolvido no Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Católica Portuguesa, com a finalidade de analisar e descrever de forma crítica o processo de aprendizagem e apresentar as competências especializadas desenvolvidas para obtenção do título de Enfermeira Especialista em Enfermagem Médico Cirúrgica e mestre em Enfermagem. Numa primeira fase, o desenvolvimento de competências decorreu sobre a componente teórica no curso e a segunda fase, consistiu na mobilização dos conhecimentos teóricos nos estágios realizados em Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos com o desenvolvimento de competências especificas de enfermeiro Especialista, assim como a realização de um kit de material de CVC. A temática transversal aos locais de estágio foi o uso de ferramentas de comunicação do cliente sob ventilação mecânica invasiva. Tendo como base este tema, foi realizada uma scoping review. Para cada ferramenta identificada foram avaliadas as respetivas vantagens e desvantagens de cada uma. Estas ferramentas capacitam o cliente para comunicar as suas necessidades, desejos, diminuindo o impacto e desenvolvimento de sentimentos negativos, permitindo ao enfermeiro um cuidado de qualidade e conforto. O desenvolvimento de competências incluiu a partilha dos resultados com a equipa de enfermagem, promoção do recurso a ferramentas no cuidado diário aos clientes conscientes sob ventilação invasiva, satisfação do cliente na partilha das necessidades, integração e capacitação do cliente no cuidado. É fundamental que o enfermeiro especialista desenvolva uma prática reflexiva e baseada na evidencia, mobilizando conhecimentos científicos, técnicos, relacionais, tornando-se uma referência na Equipa de Enfermagem.
- Galp Energia : from downstream to upstream in face of low oil pricesPublication . Arif, Omar Mahomed; Guedes, Nuno Manuel de MagalhãesGalp Energia, was the largest integrated Portuguese oil and gas company. In the beginning of the new century, the company decided to conquer the international market by adding the upstream segment to the downstream business where it had been present for decades. The dream of the Portuguese company started to fade due to the recent oil crisis. This left Galp with 3 options: divest in the upstream segment, slow down the pace of investment in the exploration and production segment or continue with the aggressive investment strategy in the upstream segment. The Case Study involves topics ranging from internationalization strategy to strategic, operational and financial management. This dissertation also includes a Literature Review and a Teaching Note. The Literature Review addresses topics relevant for the understanding of the oil industry. The Teaching Note, offers an analysis of the issues raised in the Case Study, including strategic alternatives for Galp to deal with the oil crisis, especially in what the right balance between the upstream and the downstream operation within a vertically integrated company is concerned. Key Words: Oil and gas, upstream, downstream, oil crisis, internationalization strategy, strategic, operational and financial management.
- Identification of new business models, in an electric utilities company : the case of the power bank loansPublication . Martins, Frederico Alexandre de Sousa; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierThe power and electric utilities sector is transforming in today’s digital era and fast changing business environment. Disruptive industry trends such as decarbonization, digitization and decentralization are set to start a revolutionary shift on the sector and are converting it to a more enticing, high-tech magnet for a multitude of new players. Portugal is no exception, and the recent liberalization of the market, opened the doors for new competitors, and the levels of innovation were expected to increase. The aim of this dissertation, as requested by Energias de Portugal (EDP) in the form of a consulting Project, is to identify a new business model, to develop a business plan for one of the most prominent ideas, and to give some recommendations regarding the proposed business model. In order to identify possible new business models ideas, it was developed a benchmark study with players from both inside and outside of the power and electric utilities sector and then filtered them, using a set of criteria, to come up with the final idea. Once the final idea was defined, it was developed a business plan, starting with an industry analysis, followed by a go to market strategy, estimation of the market size, a financial plan and a time frame with the different implementation phases. Furthermore, a survey was also developed and determined that consumers seem to be willing to adopt the power bank sharing service. The analysis to the survey showed which variables may affect the consumers actual system use.
- Advertising ethics : processes and tools that creative teams can use to ensure that the TV advertisements they create do not violate target audiences’ ethical standardsPublication . Jabbar, Elisa Safia Anais Fatima; Sousa, Maria Francisca de Saldanha eThis thesis explores the processes and tools advertising agencies located in Paris, France can use to ensure that TV commercials they create are not perceived as unethical by their target audiences. In 2018, over 2 000 complaints on TV commercials were received by the French Superior Council of Audiovisual. This raises questions on what existing tools and processes are currently used by advertising practitioners to evaluate their target audience’s ethical standards, as well as whether and how tools and processes used in other fields can help fill this gap. This study adopted an exploratory approach to make sense of how practitioners tackle the TV advertisement creation process; whether they incorporate ethics considerations in their decision-making process, and if they do, how and to what extent; and their perceived need for further tools be available to them. The study was conducted through in-depth interviews of 8 advertising practitioners. Findings showed a strong need for other tools and processes to be implemented. First, educational tools can be implemented upon the brainstorming of creative ideas. Secondly, ethical decision-making frameworks can help advertising practitioners tackle ethical dilemmas they might face during the creation process. Moreover, collaboration with third parties can be an important means to help get optimal results. The moment within the advertisement creation process in which each tool and process should be implemented holds a great importance in its efficiency. This study discusses implications for academic and advertising practitioners and offers paths for future research.