Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-10-21"
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- Business adaptive strategies in crisis : navigating the semiconductor chip shortage in the automotive industryPublication . Vörös, Mariann Vilma; Cardeal, NunoThe following thesis, presented in the form of a case study, highlights the impact of the semiconductor chip shortage on the automotive industry and analyzes the adaptive business strategy employed by a well-known OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to navigate the crisis. Despite all the efforts, several industry players struggled to sustain their business operations in one of the hardest hit industries, which led to severe supply chain disruptions. This case study explores how the analyzed company was able to successfully adapt to the changing market dynamics by examining its resources of competitive advantage and dynamic capabilities. Semi-structured focus group discussions with employees and industry professionals alongside secondary data were used to investigate this topic comprehensively. Serving as a pedagogical instrument this study allows students to apply relevant theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios providing valuable lessons and enhancing their understanding of strategic decisions, supply chain management practices and operational adjustments. One notable finding underscores the need for flexibility and agility in times of uncertainty to respond swiftly to changes. The advantages of vertical integration within the supply chain also played a crucial role allowing the company to have a greater control over the processes. Another finding emphasizes the need for better risk management and the importance of accurate forecasting during crisis time.
- Are AI applications a cost saving solution in warehousing for big companies alone?Publication . Coelho, João Pires; Fel, FabienneThis study investigates the evolution of warehousing theory in the last 40 years to try to understand better the current state of the industry and what has allowed the companies to arrive at the turning point that they are today. A series of expert interviews were conducted to assess not only the intentions of companies to invest in new technologies but also their understanding of the capabilities and use scenarios of these new technologies. This study did not discriminate companies by industry or country to try to get a generic vision within the European Union of what might be the motivators and limiting factors of the modernization and implementation of industry 4.0 in warehousing. It was concluded that for AI applications, the scale of the business did not matter but what is currently preventing integration of these systems is a limited understanding of those same systems combined with a large misunderstanding of what automation can look like. This study is relevant since it not only shows companies that training their warehouse managers in new technologies might bring more efficient and integrated operations to their supply chain but also that companies providing these services have a big market opportunity since managers desire these new products but do not have any knowledge of providers or their functioning.
- The influence of artificial intelligence on strategic alliance formation : evaluating the integration and impact on traditional frameworks and processesPublication . Schmidt, Ann-Sophie; Parada, PedroThis thesis investigates the potential impact of AI on the formation of strategic alliances, particularly examining how AI might influence the traditional frameworks, processes and selection criteria within partnership formation. Thereby, the rapid implementation of AI and its involvement within the business landscape are recognized in the concept of alliance formation, creating a yet not existing intersection of the two fields. The research of this thesis is based on thirteen interviews with experts in the areas of AI and strategic alliance formation. The main findings of this thesis propose that nowadays AI is no main driver within alliance formation, playing only a minor role in current alliances. The possibility of AI to replace the needs for alliance formation has been declined with an emphasis of the incapability of AI to replace certain human competencies and components within alliances. Rather, AI is seen as a potential ally within the formation processes and the collaboration within alliances themselves, possibly supporting the accomplishment of alliance formation motives. Concerning the relevance of common selection criteria, an emphasis is laid on the unchanging importance of partner-related criteria. AI9s potential role in the evaluation of alliance candidates has been more controversy, indicating many uncertainties concerning the involvement of AI within the processes. The thesis concludes with managerial implications based on the main findings and proposals concerning the further research within this novel area.
- Impact of a digital sales strategy on the distributor relationship at VBM MedicalPublication . Haegele, Diego; Guenzi, PaoloIndirect export strategies of small and medium-sized medical device manufacturers rely on strong relationships with international distributors. Faced with complex regulatory environments that vary across countries, manufacturers are challenged to manage an extensive network of distributors and develop a successful global sales strategy. This paper aims to investigate the impact of digital sales channels on the relationship between the manufacturer VBM and its international distributors. Insights into the distributor sales process across different markets are provided to explore how manufacturers can deliver effective support at various stages. The research used in-depth interviews with representatives from international distributors of VBM to gather qualitative exploratory findings and create new knowledge on the research topics. The findings indicate that medical device sales are driven by personal relationships between distributor sales representatives and healthcare providers. The distributor sales process is influenced by the organizational size, market size, and the healthcare system. The paper suggests that manufacturers can strengthen the relationship with distributors by effectively supporting their sales process activities. Manufacturer support is evaluated based on product & brand performance, product trainings, communication quality, promotional support and operational transactions. Digital sales channels can supplement, support or substitute existing manufacturer support activities to improve distributor sales performance. A model is developed for adopting a strategic approach for VBM in introducing new sales and communication channels, ensuring their positive contribution to the relationship quality with distributors.
- Swarm mindPublication . Oliveira, Maria Rui Duarte Pinto de; Sousa, João Pedro Amorim de; Tudela, Diogo de Nápoles Tudela e PereiraDentro da área de New Media, pretendi aprender com os meus erros e desenvolver experiências que moldam o meu sentido crítico. Swarm Mind é uma instalação de arte realizada com um método empírico, tanto nas pesquisas como nas experiências. A colmeia e o tabuleiro conectam-se invisivelmente com o grito dos humanos e o zumbido metálico das abelhas do Antropoceno. As fotografias com o título de Beehive Extension complementam esta ligação de uma forma emocional, conectada com a ansiedade. Através de temas da atualidade e relacionando-os com a natureza, desenvolvi um trabalho caracterizado por experiências visuais. Um projeto final composto por experiências e aprendizagens com um objetivo comum de produzir de três peças finais – a colmeia, o tabuleiro e as fotografias.
- Are retirement dreams overshadowed by the looming burden of debt? : the case of PortugalPublication . Costa, Helena Isabel Marques da; Correia, Isabel HortaThis thesis proposes a novel and comprehensive analysis of financial vulnerability among indebted households in Portugal, with a specific focus on elderly households. We use data from the Inquérito à Situação Financeira das Famílias (ISFF), which provides detailed information on household finances and consumption, to construct our sample. Our research framework explores the role of households’ disposable income, debt payments, non-debt-related expenses, and liquid assets in shaping household financial vulnerability. Our findings reveal that indebted households with an average age of 65 years old or older are significantly more likely to have negative financial buffers, despite their generally lower levels of debt. We also find that these households are more likely to be in financial vulnerability, due to the inability of their liquid assets to cope with the negative buffer, and are less capable of responding to adverse shocks in interest rates and changes in non-debt-related expenses. These results become even more pronounced when considering the sub-sample of indebted households with an average age of 75 years old or older.
- A importância das cláusulas de declarações e garantias em contratos de compra e venda de participações sociais de controloPublication . Almeida, Francisco Ribeiro de; Mendes, Evaristo Ferreira
- Internationalization process of Belarusian tech companies : from motivation to implementationPublication . Karzei, Mikita; Ciszewska-Mlinarič, MariolaThe aim of this dissertation was to explore the internationalization process of successful Belarusian tech companies. The objective was to identify the key drivers, challenges, and success factors influencing their global expansion. The companies highlighted the limited size of the Belarusian market as a primary driver for internationalization. The founders' international experiences and strategic vision were crucial in navigating foreign markets. Key challenges included logistical and regulatory hurdles, talent management, and adapting to different cultural and regulatory contexts. Success factors involved leveraging local technical talent, innovative product development, and strategic partnerships. Strategic timing and connections in Silicon Valley further facilitated their global reach. This study provides new insights by highlighting the importance of strategic geographic positioning, addressing gender-specific needs, and aligning product launches with market trends. It underscores the role of leveraging societal trends and networks for rapid internationalization, offering valuable strategies for tech startups in similar contexts. It suggests areas for future research, including quantitative analysis, longitudinal studies, and the impact of government policies on internationalization.
- Gestão de equipamentos médicos com função de medição em plataforma interoperativaPublication . Amaral, André Mimoso; Riedstra, Sílvia Maria de Jesus Moutinho; Rodrigues, Pedro Miguel de LuísO seguinte relatório de estágio, apresentado à Escola Superior de Biotecnologia tem como objetivo a obtenção do grau de mestre de Engenharia Biomédica. O trabalho foi realizado no Serviço de Gestão da Qualidade do Centro Hospitalar Universitário Santo António. O principal objetivo do trabalho realizado foi o desenvolvimento e a adaptação de uma plataforma interoperativa (GHAF) focando na transição digital entre a plataforma antiga (HM) e esta mais recente, visando a sua eficácia e automatização dos processos. O trabalho desenvolvido teve na sua base três grandes focos de trabalho: a identificação de todos os equipamentos de dois serviços certificados e a transição digital dos dados entre as duas plataformas, a análise e comparação das duas plataformas de gestão e, por fim, a exploração e desenvolvimento de um módulo na plataforma GHAF que fosse capaz de dar resposta à gestão dos equipamentos e das suas calibrações. Durante o trabalho foram feitas algumas análises estatísticas relativamente à informação e quantidade dos equipamentos, uma análise exaustiva das duas plataformas com objetivo de entender quais as vantagens e desvantagens das duas plataformas e vários testes na plataforma GHAF com o objetivo de entender o fluxo de trabalho do módulo relativo à gestão dos pedidos de calibração. Deste trabalho de estágio resultou como entregável um manual da aplicação GHAF onde é explicado a nova metodologia da gestão de equipamentos e calibrações tendo como objetivo a simplificação da transição digital entre as duas plataformas. Por fim, o objetivo principal foi cumprido uma vez que foi possível identificar, caraterizar e materializar como deve ser feita a transição para a plataforma GHAF que se revela uma plataforma de gestão e informação mais comunicativa, eficaz e automatizada.
- Bioactive 3D printed interference screws for orthopedic implant fixationPublication . Rodrigues, Mafalda Filipe de Paiva; Costa, João Pedro Bebiano; Oliveira, Ana Leite de Almeida Monteiro deMusculoskeletal injury (MSI) corresponds to the disruption of muscles, tendons or ligaments. The knee is one of the most affected areas, with the meniscus and ligaments being very susceptible to injury due to their role in stabilizing the knee joint. A variety of treatments are available for these injuries, ranging from more conservative approaches to surgical interventions, such as ligament reconstruction, meniscectomy, repair or reconstruction of the meniscus. One of the primary challenges associated with these surgical procedures is ensuring adequate tissue fixation, which is typically achieved through the use of sutures, staples or interference screws. Although there are a variety of interference screws currently on the market, including metal and biodegradable models, there are still limitations regarding their rapid fixation and long-term effectiveness. The aim of this thesis was to address these limitations by developing a bioactive interference screw, combining three-dimensional (3D) printing technology and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) technology, as a porogen and impregnation agent. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) was used as the base material for printing and the impact of infill density during 3D printing, the effect of batch pressure on the foaming process and, finally, the effect of impregnating an exopolysaccharide (EPS) on the biological behavior of the screws were explored. A reduction in infill density, coupled with a decrease in batch pressure, resulted in a higher expansion ratio, leading to augmented pore density and augmented internal microporosity, characterized by the presence of larger pores. Furthermore, the impregnation process, whereby the screw is subjected to a scCO2 environment once more, induced surface roughness and altered the microporosity induced by foaming, thereby rendering the screw more resistant. All the screws developed were found to be biocompatible through cytotoxicity tests. However, further tests will be required to gain a deeper understanding of the screw's overall performance, both mechanically and biologically. The findings demonstrate the potential of combining these innovative technologies to produce interference screws with advanced properties. The results obtained in this work could open up new possibilities for developing this type of medical device in a way that is reproducible, effective and provides bioactive properties.