Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-06-26"
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- “O Gloriosa Domina – Excelsa supra sidera” : a figura de Nossa Senhora nos sermões de Santo António de LisboaPublication . Carvalho, Diogo Maria Rodrigues Pinto; Martins, António Manuel AlvesA presente dissertação pretende fazer uma síntese teológica a partir dos sermões marianos de Santo António. Analisaremos a sua formação e a importância que esta teve na escrita dos seus sermões. Focaremos o estudo em dois sermões marianos: O Sermão da Natividade de Nossa Senhora e o Sermão da Anunciação a Nossa Senhora. O texto antoniano é escrito numa teologia poética com o objetivo de ser mais percetível pelos frades que recebiam estas mesmas lições. Concluiremos o estudo com uma análise às dimensões marianas da Imaculada Conceição que anos mais tarde veio a ser confirmada como dogma.
- A diplomacia cultural no comando : o estudo de caso do videojogo Genshin Impact (2020)Publication . Zhao, Zita Zhang; Alves, Jorge Manuel Ribeiro dos Santos; Costa, Henrique Antunes Prata Dias daO videojogo é um produto cultural integrado na esfera dos novos media e da arte digital, tendo aspetos como a interatividade, a imersão, a criatividade ou a exploração de novas relações entre os seres humanos e o mundo. Como um setor emergente, é tanto uma das formas de entretenimento mais populares atualmente, como também tem ganho outras funções. Esta dissertação visa investigar os videojogos como um novo meio para a prática de diplomacia cultural chinesa por atores não-estatais, apresentando qualidades artísticas e narrativas que possibilitam a representação de várias culturas. Um videojogo chinês que se destacou e alcançou um rápido sucesso internacional desde o seu lançamento, em 2020, foi o Genshin Impact. Trata-se de um videojogo no qual o jogador explora diferentes geografias construídas a partir de várias influências culturais. A análise visual realizada neste estudo de caso permite identificar e analisar alguns elementos culturais representados no Genshin Impact, refletindo o olhar dos criadores chineses na reimaginação da sua cultura e de outras para a construção de um mundo fantasioso. Outros fatores identificados como práticas de diplomacia cultural consistem na publicação de conteúdos audiovisuais sobre artes tradicionais e gastronomia chinesas, na realização de concertos online e presenciais, na participação de eventos de ACG (Animation, Comics and Games) e no incentivo à comunidade de fãs para a criação de conteúdos artísticos. A nossa investigação parece indicar que os videojogos são um meio atual e eficiente para a prática da diplomacia cultural por atores não-estatais, contribuindo para uma imagem mais positiva da China e promovendo uma compreensão mútua entre as diferentes nações através da representação das diferentes culturas nos videojogos. Ao mesmo tempo, os videojogos representam um novo meio de exportação do soft power chinês, observado no aumento do lançamento de videojogos chineses no mercado internacional.
- Optimized spray-dried conditions' impact on fatty acid profiles and estimation of in vitro digestion of spray-dried chia/fish oil microcapsulesPublication . Rahim, Muhammad Abdul; Regenstein, Joe M.; Al-Asmari, Fahad; Imran, Muhammad; Ramadan, Mohamed Fawzy; Rocha, João Miguel F.; Hussain, Imtiaz; Zongo, EliasseLong-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are of interest due to their potential health properties and have a significant role in reducing the risk of various chronic diseases in humans. It is commonly used as a supplement. However, lipid oxidation is an important negative factor caused by environmental, processing, and limited water solubility of LCPUFA, making them difficult to incorporate into food products. The objective of this research work was to prevent oxidation, extend shelf life, enhance the stability of fatty acids, and to achieve controlled release by preparing spray-dried powder (SDM). For spray-drying, aqueous emulsion blends were formulated using a 1:1 ratio of chia seed oil (CSO) and fish oil (FO) and using a laboratory-scale spray-dryer with varying conditions: inlet air temperature (IAT, 125-185 °C), wall material (WM, 5-25%), pump speed (PS, 3-7 mL/min), and needle speed (NS, 3-11 s). The maximum alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content was 33 ± 1%. The highest values of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the microcapsules were 8.4 ± 0.4 and 13 ± 1%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared and X-Ray diffraction analysis results indicated that SDM was successfully formulated with Gum Arabic and maltodextrin (MD). The blending without encapsulation of CSO and FO was digested more efficiently and resulted in more oil being released with simulated gastric fluid (SGF), simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), and SGF + SIF conditions without heating. No significant changes were observed for saturated, monounsaturated, and LCPUFA, whether exposed or not to gastrointestinal conditions. However, compared to the release of SDM, it can be useful for designing delivery systems for the controlled release of essential fatty acids.
- The impact of European environmental policies on equity markets : an econometric analysisPublication . Quint, Tim Raymund; Revelo, José GarciaThis thesis investigates the impact of European environmental policies on equity markets, utilizing an event study methodology complemented by regression analysis to measure market reactions to policy announcements. Specifically, it examines whether such announcements generate abnormal stock returns and how these returns vary based on firm characteristics, such as environmental exposure and environmental performance. The dataset comprises European publicly traded firms from 2010 to 2023, focusing on the major EU policy initiatives such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the European Green Deal. The findings indicate that the events generally lead to significant abnormal returns, highlighting the market’s sensitivity to regulatory changes. The results also show that firms with low emissions typically experience superior returns around the event date compared to high-emission firms, driven by their lower transition risks. Furthermore, firms with strong environmental management practices experience inferior returns around the event date compared to firms with weak practices. This counterintuitive result is attributable to the immediate compliance costs incurred by environmentally proactive companies, which negatively impact their short-term financial performance. However, over the long term, lagging firms may face greater challenges and experience the opposite effect. Additionally, the study reveals sector-specific variations in short-term systematic risk following policy announcements, with high-impact sectors like industrials showing greater volatility. Overall, the research contributes to the ongoing debate on the economic implications of environmental regulation, providing valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and corporations alike.
- Driving the future : the strategic reinvention of the DTM Group amidst market changes in the automotive industry. From core rigidities to dynamic capabilitiesPublication . Hundertmark, Elena Victoria; Cardeal, NunoThis dissertation examines the strategic adaptation and market evolution of the DTM Group, a leading drivetrain manufacturer, amidst the dynamic changes and crises they experienced in the automotive industry. Initially, DTM exhibited core rigidities as it struggled to transition from its reliance on internal combustion engine components to embrace electric vehicle technology. These rigidities hindered the company's ability to pivot and adapt to rapidly changing market demands. It was only when the market changes severely impacted DTM's profitability that the company recognised the need for strategic reinvention. Using a comprehensive case study approach, this research examines DTM's strategic initiatives such as engineering transformation, cost reduction through outsourcing, strategic localisation and customer base diversification. The findings reveal how DTM has successfully leveraged its dynamic capabilities to innovate and remain competitive during market disruption. Key challenges and constraints are discussed, highlighting the need for continuous adaptation in the face of technological advances and market shifts. By transforming its rigid structures into dynamic capabilities, DTM has not only survived but also positioned itself as a forward-looking player in the EV market. The study provides valuable insights for strategic management in rapidly evolving industries, highlighting the critical role of dynamic capabilities in overcoming core rigidities and sustaining competitive advantage.
- Navigating liability of foreignness (LoF) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) internationalization : a case study of the digital mental health industryPublication . Wenz, Kennedy; Reis, RicardoDue to globalization and the impact of COVID-19, the digital mental health industry has grown rapidly and is expected to reach a valuation of 19.3 billion dollars by 2028. This thesis examines how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can successfully navigate expansion into the international digital mental health market while facing the "Liability of Foreigness" (LoF). The study focuses on the innovative approaches of SMEs such as Thrive Global, Sanvello and Happify by Twill, which have played a crucial role in the development of the sector. In the subsequent study, using a qualitative case study methodology, this research explores how these companies adapt their products to global markets, expand and face the challenges arising from Liability of Foreigness (LoF). This research draws on theoretical frameworks such as the Uppsala Internationalization Model, Institutional Theory, Network Theory and the Resource Based View (RBV) to provide insights into the complex dynamics of internationalization, innovation and dealing with cultural, regulatory and operational challenges of SMEs in the field of digital mental health.
- Internationalization of a SME : the case study of Grupo Fogo de Chão EuropaPublication . Scartezini, Daniela; Cardeal, NunoThis dissertation, presented as a case study, explores the internationalization of Grupo Fogo de Chão Europa, a group of restaurants, through a comparative study analysis of the expansion process to the Spanish and British markets. The study aims to investigate the main factors that led to internationalization, the strategic decisions made, the entry modes, the adaptation strategies, and how to overcome the challenges of venturing abroad. Drawing from qualitative data collected from company documents, the firm's website, and interviews, the research examines the factors influencing the market selection, entry mode choice, and brands selected. Furthermore, it evaluated the balance between standardization and adaptation strategies to tackle the needs of different markets better while maintaining brand consistency. The case study focused on the importance of networking and how those existing connections helped identify international opportunities and facilitated entry into foreign markets. Moreover, it explores the potential of franchising to accelerate its international growth and the organizational challenges associated with this strategy. Through a comprehensive analysis of the company's internationalization journey, this study significantly contributes to the academic understanding of SMEs' international expansion strategies.
- Unveiling the role of political and legal frameworks on M&A dynamicsPublication . Panetta, Lorenzo; Revelo, José GarciaThis study investigates the impact of political and legal environments on Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activities across 26 countries over a 22-year period. Utilising a fixed effects panel data approach, the research incorporates Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to construct composite measures of governance, judicial independence, and property rights. M&A activity, measured both by the number of deals and the total value of deals, is found to be significantly enhanced by solid political and legal frameworks, while high bureaucratic costs and tax burdens deter it. Robustness tests, including the exclusion of US deals, analysis of emerging markets, and lagged models, confirm the consistency of these results. This study uniquely contributes to the literature by employing non-standard proxies and providing nuanced insights into the global M&A landscape, offering a comprehensive understanding of the role played by the institutional and macroeconomic determinants of M&A transactions.
- Born global vs gradual internationalization strategies : a case study of Mexican tequila SMESPublication . Muñoz, Matthew; Reis, RicardoSmall and Medium Enterprises (SME) seeking to internationalize their products or services enjoy many different strategies to find success in new global markets. An initial consideration for an SME is whether to seek international markets from its inception or whether to focus on local markets and gradually expand into global markets. The purpose of this paper is to suggest how the Mexican tequila industry, with several SMEs producing artisanal spirits for local and global distribution makes an interesting case study of SMEs in a developing region making the decision to adopt either Born Global or Gradual internationalization strategies. The unique constraints of a large but unevenly developed country of origin present challenges to tequila SMEs looking to expand into international markets. This paper considers three industry analysis models that can serve SMEs to evaluate their internal and external situations as they internationalize. As a product of cultural heritage with a globally recognized gastronomic tradition, the artisanal tequila industry also has some unique advantages in international expansion. The following presents a case study of Mexican tequila SMEs allowing students of internationalization to consider numerous factors in the internationalization process yet focusing on the distinction between Born Global and Gradual internationalization strategies. The paper concludes with anticipated learning outcomes of the case study.
- Were Japanese firms affected differently by Fukushima based on their energy dependence?Publication . Roodenbeke, Martin Olivier P t’Kint de; Cerqueiro, GeraldoThe purpose of this study is to analyse the effect of the 2011 Japanese on the stock price of Japanese energy-dependent firms. As the Earthquake was followed by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, the Japanese Energy sector was greatly impacted, hence, we expect investor sentiment regarding energy-dependent companies to be impacted as well. We found that the stock price of firms that are dependent on energy price fluctuation declined more sharply after the disaster than that of non-dependent firms. However, the degree of dependence does not seem to matter. The second, finding was that firms whose stock price moved along with energy prices were more negatively impacted by the catastrophe. Our last finding was that firms operating in sectors commonly referred to as energy-intensive sectors (Energy, Materials, Industrials and Utilities) suffered from stock price loss in the short run but gained from the incident in the medium and long term after the incident.
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