Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-02-06"
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- Valências, satisfação no trabalho e intenções de turnover : estudo comparativo entre homens e mulheresPublication . Oliveira, Ana Rita Veloso; Oliveira, Íris MartinsA literatura reconhece a necessidade de se continuar a aprofundar estudos entre os campos de Psicologia do Trabalho e das Organizações e de Psicologia Vocacional e do Desenvolvimento de Carreira. Deste modo, o presente estudo procura identificar perfis de indivíduos ao nível das valências, da satisfação no trabalho e do sexo, explorando se diferentes perfis se associam a maiores/menores intenções de turnover. Utilizou-se um desenho transversal de natureza quantitativa e uma abordagem não probabilística. Participaram neste estudo 315 trabalhadores do setor público e privado, a desempenharem atividades no território português ou estrangeiro. Os dados foram recolhidos em formato online, através de um protocolo constituído por quatro instrumentos: um Questionário Sociodemográfico, a Work Valences Scale, a Brief Index of Affective Job Satisfaction.e a Escala de Intenção de Turnover. Efetuaram-se análises descritivas, testes estatísticos de associação e análise de clusters. Encontraram-se algumas correlações estatisticamente significativas e negativas entre a satisfação no trabalho e as intenções de turnover e entre as valências de trabalho positivas e as intenções de turnover; foram também encontradas correlações estatisticamente significativas e positivas entre as valências de trabalho positivas e a satisfação no trabalho. Adicionalmente, os resultados permitiram diferenciar dois perfis de indivíduos ao nível das valências e satisfação no trabalho, tendo-se distinguido cada um dos clusters mediante as suas características particulares. Ainda neste trabalho, serão apresentadas as suas implicações práticas e as limitações apontadas ao estudo.
- Impact of leverage on stock price reactions to M&A announcementsPublication . Duarte, Afonso Maria de Magalhães Ilharco Arêde; Bonfim, DianaThere are several studies about the impact of different variables on cumulative abnormal returns around mergers and acquisitions (M&A) announcements. However, there is a gap in the literature concerning the effect of both acquirer and target leverage on stock price reactions. With a final main sample of 974 deals in the US between 2000 and 2023, this dissertation studies the impact of both acquirers' and targets’ capital structure decisions on the short-term stock price reaction of both acquirers and targets around the announcement date of the transaction. It was found that, on average, a highly leveraged company acquiring a lowly leveraged firm was significantly associated with a positive stock price reaction for acquirers. In the baseline model without controls, it was discovered that the previous relationship also holds for targets and that, on average, a highly leveraged acquirer purchasing a lowly leveraged target was significantly associated with negative cumulative abnormal returns for targets. These findings were subject to further analysis for different event windows, expansion and recession periods, and election and non-election years. The results obtained from these robustness tests are consistent with those derived from the main regressions.
- Innovative processing and sterilization techniques to unlock the potential of silk sericin for biomedical applicationsPublication . Veiga, Anabela; Ramírez-Jiménez, Rosa Ana; Santos-Rosales, Víctor; García-González, Carlos A.; Aguilar, Maria Rosa; Rojo, Luis; Oliveira, Ana L.Silk sericin (SS), a by-product of the textile industry, has gained significant attention for its biomedical potential due to its biocompatibility and regenerative potential. However, the literature lacks information on SS processing methods and the resulting physicochemical properties. This study represents the first step in protocol optimization and standardization. In the present work, different processing techniques were studied and compared on SS extracted from boiling water: evaporation, rotary evaporation, lyophilization, and dialysis, which presented a recovery yield of approximately 27–32%. The goal was to find the most promising process to concentrate extracted SS solutions, and to ensure that the SS structure was highly preserved. As a result, a new cryo-lyophilization methodology was proposed. The proposed method allows for the preservation of the amorphous structure, which offers significant advantages including complete dissolution in water and PBS, an increase in storage stability, and the possibility of scaling-up, making it highly suitable for industrial and biomedical applications. The second part of the work focused on addressing another challenge in SS processing: efficient and non-destructive sterilization. Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) has been gaining momentum in the last years for sterilizing sensitive biopolymers and biological materials due to its non-toxicity and mild processing conditions. Thus, scCO2 technology was validated as a mild technique for the terminal sterilization of SS. In this way, it was possible to engineer a sequential cryo-lyophilization/scCO2 sterilization process which was able to preserve the original properties of this natural silk protein. Overall, we have valorized SS into a sterile, off-theshelf, bioactive, and water-soluble material, with the potential to be used in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries.
- Pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes in the wound microbiome-how to flip the switchPublication . Liegenfeld, Sophie Charlotte; Stenzel, Svenja; Rembe, Julian-Dario; Dittmer, Mandy; Ramos, Paulo; Stuermer, Ewa KlaraThe wound microbiome refers to the specific community of microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, that are present in and around a wound. This microbiome plays a crucial role in wound healing, as it includes both healing-promoting and pathogenic microbes. The balance between these microbes significantly influences the healing process; a balanced microbial colonization can support wound healing and prevent infections, while an overgrowth of pathogenic microbes can lead to delayed healing processes and complications. The composition of the wound microbiome can vary depending on the type of wound, cause, genetic predisposition, and (social) environment. In this scope review, the complex interactions in the wound microbiome will be highlighted and the importance of non-pathogenic microbes for wound healing will be discussed. In addition, possible therapeutic approaches to restore a healthy microbiome and prevent infections will be addressed. A deeper understanding of these dynamics could open up new perspectives for the treatment of wounds and the development of strategies to combat wound infections.
- Embracing time: the (dis)comfort of life after allogeneic stem cell transplantsPublication . Bacalhau, Lúcia; Pontifice Sousa, PatríciaAllogeneic Stem Cells Transplantation (ASCT) and, consequently, the chronicity associated with this life event has a growing prevalence and a significant impact on the life and daily life of each person who experiences it. The growing number of ASCT survivors highlights the need to reflect on the unique challenges they face throughout their recovery. To understand the meaning of the encounter with time in the lived experience of comfort for survivors of ASCT. Qualitative approach using van Manen's phenomenology of practice. We uncovered the phenomenon through phenomenological interviews, which integrated narratives and illustrative episodes that reflected the lived experiences of 20 survivors. Descriptions of lived experiences were collected from participants between July 2020 and May 2021. The following themes emerged from the ASCT survivor's lived experience of comfort related to time: giving time to live, time for what is important, time for the future, and living the time of day. This study reveals the importance of time for the survivor, the anguish of the time of discomfort, and creativity in the search to live the time of comfort provided by the ASCT.
- Consumers' perception of personalized marketing content and its impact on their engagementPublication . Danieli, Aurora; Fernandes, Anna Carolina Boechat ChavesThe present internship report explores how consumers perceive personalized marketing content and how it impacts their engagement with the brand within the context of geolocation-based content in food delivery applications. The attentive literature review together with the internship experiences contributed to shaping the research questions investigated in this study. The first research question evaluates consumers’ perception of personalized marketing content in Food Delivery Applications. The second research question explores how personalized marketing content in Food Delivery Applications affects customers’ engagement and loyalty. Both questions have been investigated through a quantitative methodology, consisting of a survey submitted to a chosen sample. According to the key findings, consumers appear to enjoy personalized content since the majority expressed a generally positive attitude, with most of the sample describing it as relevant, useful, and valuable to enhance their customer experience. In addition, participants expressed a fair level of comfort in using their private data for personalized marketing content in the food delivery application. However, concerns related to trust in data management practices represent areas for improvement. Lastly, most of the sample did not indicate personalized marketing content as a primary factor in selecting specific food delivery applications. With respect to consumer brand engagement (CBE), results revealed that personalized marketing content drives a moderate level of CBE. While this content typology can attract interest, receptiveness, and moderate levels of brand connection, it fails to boost high levels of enthusiasm, impact engagement on a deeper level, and maintain it long-term. In conclusion, personalized marketing content improves some aspects of CBE but showcases difficulties in reaching its complete potential. Still, it plays a significant role in fostering customers’ loyalty, motivating them to keep using and recommending food delivery applications.
- A visão cristã do casamento a partir do Ad Uxorem de Tertuliano : tradução e estudo.Publication . Duarte, Joana Rodrigues Soares Beirão Teixeira; Lamelas, Isidro PereiraNeste trabalho apresentamos uma proposta de tradução e estudo do texto Ad Uxorem de Tertuliano. Esta epístola escrita no século III, à sua esposa, serve-nos de referência documental para entender como um autor e pensador desse período compreende a vivência do casamento entre cristãos e as suas implicações na vida quotidiana dos mesmos. Com este trabalho visamos dois grandes objetivos: oferecer a primeira tradução 3 pelo que nos é dado saber 3 em língua portuguesa do Ad uxorem, ajudando, assim, a enriquecer o sempre pobre panorama de textos patrísticos disponíveis na língua de Camões; e perceber, a partir desta obra e do seu autor, como os primeiros cristãos foram «cristianizando» o matrimónio, conciliando as tradições romanas com a visão bíblica.
- Jersey sponsorship effects on the brand image of the sponsored soccer clubPublication . Krisper, Felix; Romeiro, PauloThe aim of this thesis is to examine the influence of soccer jersey sponsorship on the brand image of the sponsored clubs, with a focus on fan engagement and team identification. Quantitative research with a 2x3 experimental design was implemented. Six stimuli with jerseys from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid under three different sponsorship conditions were used: UNICEF, Qatar Airways and without any sponsor. Data from 288 participants was collected through an online survey and analyzed using validated scales of fan engagement, team identification and brand image of the sponsored club. The results indicated that fan engagement significantly influenced the relationship between jersey sponsorship and the sponsored club's brand image, highlighting its important role in promoting a positive brand perception of the club. The initially assumed moderating effects of team identification on the relationships between jersey sponsorship, fan engagement and the club's brand image were not confirmed. This suggests that other factors (contextual or cultural factors) may play a role. The results of further analyses emphasize the influence of interest in soccer, demographics, and team identification level on spending behavior and the perception of sponsorship. With its findings, this study contributes to the existing literature by providing a differentiated understanding of the interplay between fan engagement, sponsorship, and the sponsored club's brand image. Furthermore, the results provide valuable insights for clubs and sponsors. It is recommended that fan engagement-driven strategies and sponsor-club congruence are prioritized to increase the effectiveness of sponsorship. Limitations and opportunities for future research are also discussed.
- The impact of choice overload on confidence, satisfaction, and brand loyalty in the skincare industryPublication . Santos, Beatriz Duarte dos; Mendonça, CristinaThis thesis explores choice overload in the skincare industry, a context with no prior research, and how it influences consumer processes such as satisfaction, decision confidence, and brand loyalty. Additionally, it investigates whether satisfaction mediates the relationship between choice overload and brand loyalty and whether self-confidence moderates the relationship between choice overload and decision confidence. Using a between-subjects design, the study gathers data from consumers to evaluate their responses to varying choice set sizes. Findings confirm that larger choice sets decrease ease of choice and increase response times, consistent with choice overload literature. Choice overload reduces satisfaction, but satisfaction does not mediate the relationship with brand loyalty. Decision confidence is only partially affected by choice overload, with mixed results across dimensions. Self-confidence positively influences satisfaction but does not significantly moderate the effects of choice overload on decision confidence or brand loyalty. These findings contribute to the literature by clarifying the effects of choice overload in the skincare market. They emphasize the impact on satisfaction and decision-making difficulty, while no significant relationship with brand loyalty was observed. Further research is encouraged to explore additional factors that may influence brand loyalty and examine the effects of choice overload in this context.
- Surviving supply chain crises : the role of effective communication in maintaining brand trust and loyaltyPublication . Keiter, Nele Clara; Romeiro, PauloGlobal crises such as pandemics and geopolitical tensions disrupt supply chains, affecting business operations and consumer behavior worldwide. This study explores the influence of crisis communication strategies on consumer-brand relationships, particularly brand trust and loyalty, during such supply chain crises. Focusing on different product categories, the research examines how proactive and reactive communication strategies impact brand trust and loyalty during disruptions. A quantitative survey within a 2x2 experimental framework tested five hypotheses across four scenarios involving proactive and reactive communication strategies applied to essential and non-essential products. The results demonstrate that proactive communication significantly enhances brand loyalty and trust, especially for essential goods. Proactive strategies, marked by transparency and credibility, were more effective in fostering brand trust and enhancing loyalty than reactive strategies, which appeared defensive or insincere. This research contributes to crisis communication theories by linking them with supply chain management and consumer behavior, filling a gap in interdisciplinary research. Managerially, it provides insights into effective communication strategies that can help maintain consumer trust and loyalty, particularly for essential goods, during supply chain disruptions.