Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2021-01-25"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 31
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- DHL Express Portugal : B2B market analysis of the international road delivery servicePublication . Dias, João Pedro Paiva; Elnayal, Omar Salaheldin Ahmed NabihDHL Express, an international express market reference, registers a low market share on its international road delivery service, DHL Economy Select. This dissertation aims to understand what can be implemented by the client company to battle this situation and be among the top players in the service, particularly packages delivery. This research aims to characterize the DHL Express offer alongside its main competitors, striving to understand how similar DHL Express’s service offer is. The main topics covered are service, geographical coverage, delivery times and price, since they were identified among the client’s primary decision factors. The research starts by reviewing related literature and analyses both primary sources of data – interviews to employees and clients of the client company –, and secondary sources – company’s services, shipping rates, geographical coverage and corresponding delivery times. This research analysis comprised interviews coding and direct comparison of the topics mentioned. The analysis revealed that DHL Express offer to be uncompetitive. Indeed, competitors offer lower prices, accept larger packages, and charge less for oversize packages and do not restrict service access to clients contracting another service. Additionally, this research offers the client company a sensitivity analysis of its base rates, revealing the competitor’s minimum discount rate needed to match its standard business proposals. To conclude, an interdependent set of recommendations was presented to the client company to increase its service competitiveness, which results in a higher market share.
- Fintech and SMEs sustainable business models: reflections and considerations for a circular economyPublication . Pizzi, Simone; Corbo, Leonardo; Caputo, AndreaFollowing the operational paradigms proposed by Industry 4.0, the last years have been characterized by the rapid growth of technology-based firms increasingly adopting sustainable business models. In particular, an increasing number of Fintech enterprises have started to launch new services in order to avoid the organizational barriers that impact negatively on the voluntary adoption of sustainable business models by SMEs. However, research is still scarce in systematizing the efforts and identifying the facilitating factors for such a transition. Drawing on a diverse set of companies, case studies linking Fintech application and circular economy (CE) in diverse industries and contexts are analyzed and discussed. The findings of the qualitative analysis suggest that Fintech, an example of sectors developed under the influence of Industry 4.0, can play a relevant role in the transition of SMEs toward a more sustainable business model leading to better integration of circular economy practices. A conceptual framework using the ReSOLVE model is then presented with relevant implications for both research and practice.
- Should accelerators move to an online model?Publication . Cruz, Duarte Perloiro Corte-Real; Costa, Cláudia Isabel de SousaDue to COVID-19, accelerators’ program managers face the complex transition from face-to-face programs to a digital setting. Although some research has been done on understanding accelerators as an incubation mechanism, there is a gap about what differentiates virtual accelerators and how it affects entrepreneurial learning. This study aims to determine how founders' learning experience is transformed in a virtual model and the significant benefits and challenges of online-based accelerators. A multiple case study with semi-structured interviews was done with program managers and founders based on a literature review on accelerators, entrepreneurial learning, and virtual teams. Analysis of the responses demonstrated an existing trade-off with regard to virtual accelerators. On the one hand, the accelerator performance is enhanced, as it allows scalable, cost-efficiency and specialized programs. On the other, founder performance is affected, since cohorts find it challenging to establish a social connection and engage in networking and constructive feedback, mainly due to virtual communication constraints. However, founders reported higher learning satisfaction concerning training provided by the accelerator. The results indicate that transitioning face-to-face programs to a virtual setting implies many careful considerations. How can program managers use the virtual world's benefits without losing the valuable features of face-to-face interaction? One possible way is to offer hybrid accelerators. Further research is needed to evaluate the virtual format, especially its defining characteristics and impact on the founders' learning experience and venture outcomes.
- Digital marketing strategy for dude sunglassesPublication . Ulriksson, Simon Hans Daniel; Salvado, João CotterThe purpose of this dissertation is to develop a digital marketing strategy for the launch of the sunglasses brand Dude Sunglasses. Dude Sunglasses is a sunglasses brand that offers high-quality sunglasses for an affordable price online. The methodology used to develop the digital marketing plan includes secondary data through databases and peer-reviewed articles and websites of different companies. This data has been used in order to get a thorough understanding of the topics covered in the dissertation, by developing a literature review. The secondary data has also been used for market research purposes in order to be able to answer research questions two and three. The primary data has been gathered through a survey. The data has been used in a cluster analysis in order to segment the potential target customer for Dude Sunglasses. Based on the analyses done throughout this thesis, the following conclusions can be drawn: the proposed target customer group for Dude Sunglasses is described as `Modern Millennials´. In order to reach this customer segment, several digital marketing channels and activities should be utilized. These include developing a website, with a lot of focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Facebook and Instagram accounts with frequent postings, as well as with the use of influencers and advertising campaigns. Lastly, the competitive landscape in which Dude Sunglasses will compete is intense, even though the brand does not compete in the same price range as industry leaders.
- The influence of culture on women´s entrepreneurial intentionsPublication . Aldag, Louisa Sophie; Costa, Cláudia Isabel de SousaThis study investigates how culture influences the drivers of entrepreneurial intention among women. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data of four different European countries from 2014 to 2016 was used as well as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. We analysed gender differences across cultures in shaping perceptions of the drivers to foster entrepreneurial activity. In line with the Theory of Planned Behaviour, we found that women have weaker personal attraction, perceived behavioural control and partly weaker subjective norms towards entrepreneurship than men. Our findings show that when women overcome such barriers, women’s entrepreneurial intention across cultures increases significantly. Perceived behavioural control for women is moderated by culture, with perceived own skills having stronger effects in low masculinity cultures, and networks being more valuable in high masculinity and high power distance cultures. These findings suggest that policymakers need to adapt programs and initiatives to the cultural context to effectively increase entrepreneurial activity among women.
- Impact of ESG on financial performance on the most capitalized stock markets : evidence from the USA Europe and AsiaPublication . Caldeira, José Nuno Martins de Jesus Machado; Fidalgo, Eva SchliephakeThis paper analyzes the relationship between the corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) score and stock returns. Contrary to previous literature, this study covers two recent time frames, 2010-2018 and 2015-2018, in three different regions: USA, Europe, and Asia. To predict each ESG pillar's effect on excess stock returns, a regression model was used. This paper finds a negative impact of the Environmental score on excess returns on the US, a positive impact of the Social score on the US and Asia and a positive impact of the ESG score on stock returns in Asia. Additionally, resourcing to a portfolio construction method, this paper shows evidence that portfolios containing the top ESG score stocks can outperform those containing the bottom ones. Between 2010 and 2018, there was evidence that a portfolio that buys (shorts) the best (worst) Governance score achieved positive abnormal returns in Europe. In the 2015-2018 period, in the USA and Europe, a portfolio that buys (shorts) the best (worst) ESG score stocks achieved positive abnormal returns. In Asia, there was no evidence of positive abnormal returns. Although the relationship between ESG and stock returns will depend heavily on the time frame and region, this paper showed clear benefits in adopting a socially responsible investment approach. Furthermore, an ethical dilemma arises where investors must acknowledge that the returns obtained by a less socially responsible portfolio with stocks linked with the production/distribution of tobacco, alcohol, firearms, and fuels lead to higher returns comparing to ESG rich portfolios.
- Credit card consumption in the portuguese marketPublication . Maia, Ana Sofia Pires; Elnayal, Omar Salaheldin Ahmed NabihThis dissertation is a project developed with the company Unicre, that is a Portuguese credit union, with the purpose of understanding the behaviours and choices of Portuguese customers regarding credit cards and provide significant insights about who are its potential clients and how to target them. In this sense, an online survey was developed and shared in order to collect the data needed that was then analysed through a hypothesis testing and a cluster analysis. The results revealed that debit cards are the preferred payment choice of Portuguese that fear the usage of credit cards. When looking for a credit card, customers go to their current banks and annuity appears as the most valuable card attribute for them. Three clusters were built, and considering the profitability level, Outliers are the recommended target to Unicre, that attribute a great importance to culture, travelling and nature. Based on these findings, eleven recommendations have been proposed such as launch a pre-paid card that works like a debit card, develop an advertisement campaign focusing on the absence of annuity in Unicre’s credit cards, change customers’ perceptions by building an informal relationship based on trust using the social media to clarify doubts and to provide advices to customers, and to create partnerships with companies such as booking, ticket-line and travel agencies to attract Outliers by offering benefits that meet their most valuable life experiences.
- The power of data : how can customer metrics predict desired intermediariesPublication . Freitas, José Maria Rodrigues de; Elnayal, Omar Salaheldin Ahmed NabihThe world has been shaping itself for a digital overhaul, forcing many industries to radically adapt and find new and innovative procedures. In the health insurance industry, this transformation has pushed companies to expand from their traditional salesperson methods to more sophisticated online networks, with readily available solutions. In addition, a shift in logic has increased the leveraging power of customers, becoming drivers of innovation through the data that they provide to firms. Consequently, the main objective of this dissertation is to explore how collecting customer satisfaction data can aid in the prediction of the distribution channel of choice when buying health insurance. By working closely with a real company, Saúde Prime, we delve into the current state of the industry, identify key roles in the service-ecosystem, such as intermediaries, and examine how customers value health insurance services. To easily take advantage of this data, Machine Learning algorithms were used, due to their scalability and interpretability towards complex features. The predictive analysis introduces customer satisfaction metrics as a strong predictor of customer’s preferences in regard to the chosen channel - intermediary - for purchasing health insurance, connected to the level of technological literacy and the degree of importance given to the relationship with the mediator. Results indicate that most customers will opt for traditional channels, presenting a digital landscape still in its inception phase.
- Acknowledging Cognitec’s market opportunities and improvement recommendationsPublication . Loureiro, Henrique Maria de Almeida Campos d´Orey; Lino, Rute Sofia Barbosa XavierCurrently living in an unprecedented era and probably one of the most difficult situations of the last few centuries, the global pandemic of Covid-19 had a big impact not only in the world population but also in the global and naturally the Portuguese economy. This dissertation analyzes the finances of Cognitec, a technological startup based in Lisbon founded by two chemical engineers, that has as its core business the quality control of personal hygiene, domestic cleaning products and cosmetic products, offering not only laboratory services but consulting services as well. This dissertation also analyzes who Cognitec’s current clients and competitors are, to better understand how could the company possibly thrive and grow after this difficult year of 2020.
- Transformational leadership and gender : analysis of the interpersonal communication of male and female leaders in PortugalPublication . Schrock, Lena Luise; Ilharco, Fernando Albano Maia de MagalhãesGender diversity in transformational leadership is proofed to help an organization’s effectiveness at several levels. Yet, women remain a minority among leadership positions. Besides other reasons leading to their comparably low representation, the topic of possible differences in leadership styles between genders arises as a pertinent one for researchers. This dissertation thus deals with the question of what differences possibly exist in the interpersonal communication of female and male leaders in an organizational context. It is of interest as well to analyse the concept of gender-mixed team leadership in order to understand the effectiveness of interpersonal communication within transformational organizations. Finally, it is examined the perspectives of leaders and non-leaders as far as relevant aspects on leadership communication. After reviewing existing research on the topic and establishing an adequate theoretical setting, an online survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Tendencies in the consideration of gender and interpersonal communication in transformational organizations were analysed, followed by deepening the understanding of those outcomes with the interviews. The results show that male leaders often appear more direct and less close, whereas female leaders tend to show a more empathic approach in their leadership communication. It follows that female leaders hold a more relational approach while male leaders use interpersonal communication more for informing and goal sharing. Gender-mixed team leadership, hence, might represent a reasonable approach, allowing a complementary leadership in suitable organizational circumstances. In what regards leader’s and nonleader’s perceptions of relevant communication aspects, no significant differences were found. The research results show that a personal and empathic approach appears relevant in enhancing trust and motivation in strong leader-follower relationship