R - Teses de Doutoramento / Doctoral Theses
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- Brand licensing in luxury : from fashion house to lifestyle brand : the Giorgio Armani casePublication . Gomes, Natalie de Lima; Parada, PedroThis master’s thesis explores how luxury fashion brands can strategically leverage brand licensing as a form of brand extension to create a multi-dimensional lifestyle brand. Written in a teaching case format, the dissertation focuses on Giorgio Armani, a luxury company that has evolved from a traditional fashion house into a unified luxury lifestyle brand. To understand how Armani has managed this transition, the research draws on secondary papers as well as expert interviews. By analysing Armani’s tiered brand hierarchy, the thesis demonstrates how the fashion house uses both upward and downward brand extensions to reach diverse consumer segments. Furthermore, the dissertation outlines the advantages and disadvantages of licensing in a luxury context and addresses challenges such as managing multiple licenses, ensuring quality control and maintaining a consistent brand image without diluting it. The findings demonstrate that Armani successfully navigates these complexities through value-based partner selection, strong creative oversight and a clearly defined brand architecture. Ultimately, this thesis contributes to the field of luxury brand management by offering valuable insights into how licensing can function as a strategic tool for long-term brand growth and product diversification.
- Fatores que contribuem para a qualidade de vida do adulto mais velho que frequenta centro de diaPublication . Vale, Renata Vanessa Lopes do; Azevedo, Ângela Maria Pereira e SáThe aging process has been increasingly studied, in order to provide older adults with a better quality of life, both physical and psychological. The main objective of active aging is to provide older adults with independence from assistance and independence in the social interactions they establish. Thus, the need arose to create and promote strategies for autonomy and active participation in the community for all older adults. Day centers become essential for the socialization of this group, as well as their participation in sociocultural activities. AS for this population not only plays a crucial role in physical well-being but also in emotional and social well-being through the recognition and appreciation of individual experiences, contributing to a healthier, more meaningful and active aging experience.
- O discipulado como fundamento da evangelização limiar da radicalidade do Evangelho na IgrejaPublication . Viega, Eduardo Nzinga; Rodrigues, Luís Miguel FigueiredoThis dissertation explores the theme of discipleship as the foundation of evangelisation and the radical nature of the Gospel in the Church. It aims to understand how discipleship manifests itself through evangelisation, especially in the context of Salesian youth ministry, where the formation and accompaniment of young people is essential. This study explores discipleship in the light of Sacred Scripture, the Church's magisterium and tradition, emphasising that a personal relationship with Christ qualifies the disciple who wants to be a living witness to the Gospel. The formation of a disciple in volves the will and freedom of the young person; only in this way will they be able to give a conscious response to their Christian vocation, enabling them to become agents of transformation and inspiration in their environment. In reflecting on the missionary and community dimension of discipleship, this work emphasises the importance of belonging to the Church as a place of service and spiritual growth. In this way, discipleship is identified not only as a path to personal holiness, but also as the foundation for building a culture of communion, and an essential encounter for building the values of the Gospel in today's world.
- Nudges given the impact of sensationalism towards search patterns for information goodsPublication . Pereira, Henrique Grossmann Gonçalves; Silva, João Manuel Lourenço Confraria Jorge eThe contemporary environment of media skepticism coexists with the high-speed, high-choice information environment that the development of the internet helped create, in which the systematic evaluation of the quality of information sources is all but impossible. In this context, sensationalistic discourse becomes an attention-grabbing tool effective enough to be employed by traditional and alternative media alike, even while both are derided for the practice by public perception and one another. The association between sensationalism, bias, and mistrust begs the question as to what effect exposure to sensationalistic messages in our media diet might have on our willingness to expose ourselves to contradicting information, and what can be done given the answer. To help elucidate what areas might warrant the focus of research efforts, this study used insights from scientific literature on concepts related to sensationalism and information search to conceptualize sensationalism and a model of our ability and motivation to search for information, providing various avenues through which these could be related. Sources of information named by survey respondents were evaluated using an instrument to identify sensationalistic elements, supplementing it with a second instrument based on factors associated with sensationalism use taken from previous research. The correlation of these two measures with the number of information sources or mediums survey respondents used was studied using polynomial regressions across seven different categories, and the potential influence of other variables related to information search on this relationship using moderation regressions. Evidence was found for a probable influence of sensationalism on information source variety for most categories, strongest for personal interests and the economy, and suggesting that the nature and factors affecting this relationship vary both across categories and as the degree of sensationalism increases.
- Fail or thrive? : how to remain resilient when leadership transitions in startups turn into crisisPublication . Lill, Damian Benedikt Novoa; Ilseven, EkinLeadership transitions in startups are pivotal moments that can disrupt operations, strategic direction, and organisational culture, especially when key leaders leave. Despite substantial research on resilience, few studies look at the dynamic organisational responses required to manage such transformations, particularly in the resource-constrained and fast-paced startup environment. This thesis studies the obstacles that startups experience while dealing with leadership departures, as well as how they acquire resilience and adaptability. Based on interviews with startup leaders combined with a resilience perspective, this study reveals cognitive, behavioural, and environmental factors that allow organisations to manage these challenges. It indicates that leadership departures frequently result in managerial misalignment, operational inefficiencies, and psychological upheavals within teams, while also sparking chances for strategic renewal. The findings emphasise the need of proactive strategies, such as role redundancy, stakeholder engagement, and cultural evolution, in mitigating immediate shocks and fostering long-term adaptation. This thesis finds that a process-oriented approach, with a focus on resilience feedback loops, provides useful insights into how businesses might convert leadership transitions from crisesto opportunities for growth. As a result, it advances the understanding of organisational resilience and provides actionable methods for startups to manage leadership changes in unpredictable contexts
- AI-driven role transformation and integration : a study on potential and actual impact in sport organizationsPublication . Martin, Jeffrey; Fioravante, RosaIn an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, the impact of AI on sports organizations is still under-researched, particularly in terms of how it is changing professional roles and decision-making processes. This study looks at the dynamics of AI integration in the sports sector and uses a qualitative approach using the Gioia method to gain new insights into workforce transformation. It reveals that while AI significantly increases operational efficiency through the automation of routine tasks such as data analysis and video tagging, its adoption is being held back by persistent financial, technical and cultural barriers. The findings highlight an urgent need for hybrid skills that combine technical proficiency with domain-specific knowledge, underscoring the urgent requirement for workforce adaptation. This research not only contributes to the academic discourse on AI and organizational change but also provides a strategic framework for sports management practitioners by highlighting the balance between exploiting technological advances and protecting invaluable human expertise. By addressing these key issues, the study identifies ways to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in sport, with implications that extend across a multitude of data-driven industries.
- How do German family firms perceive the role of strategic alliances with start-ups in fostering long-term business growth?Publication . Hennes, Adrian Franz; Dinis, LilianaStrategic alliances between family firms and start-ups have increased relevance in fostering long-term business growth. This study explores how German family firms perceive and engage in such partnerships, analysing their motivations, challenges, and impact. Expert interviews were conducted using a qualitative research approach to gain insights into the dynamics of these alliances. The findings reveal that family firms seek collaborations to access innovation, expand market reach, and enhance digital transformation while maintaining their core values and long-term stability. However, challenges arise from differences in risk tolerance, decision-making processes, and cultural fit, which can hinder effective cooperation. Trust and governance mechanisms emerge as critical success factors, with family firms favouring phased integration models that balance control with agility. The study further highlights that well-structured alliances firms drive financial and operational synergies and contribute to family firms organisational transformation by fostering adaptability and knowledge transfer. While strategic partnerships with start-ups provide significant opportunities, their success depends on clear alignment in strategic objectives, mutual trust, and carefully designed governance structures. The study contributes to the existing literature by offering a nuanced understanding of how family firms navigate these partnerships and provides practical recommendations for optimising collaboration models. Future research should explore quantitative validation and cross-industry comparisons to enhance the generalisability of findings.
- Psychological safety revisited : an intersectional approach to workplace inclusionPublication . Molinelli, Martina; Fioravante, RosaThis thesis explores how organizations can foster psychological safety for individuals with intersecting marginalized identities and how such strategies respond to the challenges of increasingly diverse workplaces. Even though psychological safety is widely recognized as a key condition for inclusion and performance, most organizational approaches assume a universal experience of safety and overlook identity complexity. Drawing on qualitative interviews with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) professionals, supported by consultants, employees, and secondary data, this study examines how inclusion is structured and experienced within medium-to-large organizations across Europe. Findings reveal that psychological safety is not a uniform outcome, but a system-contingent experience shaped by leadership behaviour, relational trust, organizational alignment, and structural accountability. Symbolic efforts rarely address the needs of employees with intersecting marginalized identities, who often experience a conditional sense of safety. In response, this thesis proposes an embedded intersectional approach to inclusion: a shift from isolated DEI initiatives to structurally integrated practices that embed identity awareness across organizational systems. These include inclusive leadership development, identity responsive feedback systems, transparent promotion criteria, and sustained relational infrastructures. Crucially, these efforts must be supported by senior leadership; executive alignment and board-level accountability are essential to secure resources and strategic consistency. The thesis contributes to psychological safety theory by redefining safety as identity-sensitive and structurally mediated. It advances intersectionality in organizational studies by showing how systemic design, not just representation, is key to inclusion. Finally, it offers practical guidance for embedding inclusion through coherent and accountable strategies, positioning inclusion as an organizational imperative.
- ESG integration in early-stage private equity investment processes : qualitative insights from SME-focused GPs in GermanyPublication . Pistner, Maximilian; Azevedo, CarlosAmid growing pressure to address sustainability impacts, the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles has become standard for financial market participants. While ESG integration is well established in public markets, its application in Private Equity (PE) remains underexplored. Literature marks early-stage investment processes - particularly Due Diligence (DD) - as key for embedding ESG, with studies covering efforts across developed and developing PE markets. Despite Germany’s role as the European Union’s (EU) powerhouse and its large base of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) facing financing constraints and decarbonisation needs, the German PE sector has received scant academic attention. This thesis explores how German PE firms targeting SMEs integrate ESG during early-stage investment stages, using a qualitative design based on 12 Semi-Structured Interviews (SSIs). The study finds that, while ESG has become an institutionalised factor in early-stage investment practices within German mid-market PE, its application remains fragmented and mainly shaped by external compliance pressures. This compliance-first logic drives risk-focused DD practices, with financial rationales prevailing and ESG’s strategic motivations remaining secondary - further constrained by SME’s limited ESG maturity. Looking ahead, amid geopolitical and regulatory turbulence, the study highlights a sector in transition: while ESG’s strategic relevance is expected to persist, a shift toward more outcome-driven and pragmatic application will be essential to translate compliance into tangible results.
- Evaluating climate-risk language in 10-K filings : a ClimateBERT-driven study of firm valuationPublication . Weghorst, Anais; Fouquau, JulienThis thesis presents a transformer-based approach to quantify and price corporate climate-risk disclosures. By utilizing ClimateBERT, I classify Item 1A risk-factor text in S&P 500 10-K filings (200532024) to generate annual transition, physical, and general climate-risk scores for 8,001 firm-year observations. Fixed-effects regressions link these lagged scores to Tobin’s Q, revealing a significant negative valuation effect for transition-risk language, especially in high-exposure sectors (Utilities; Transportation & Warehousing), while physical-risk impacts primarily arise within the same industries. By combining advanced NLP with rigorous panel econometrics, this study provides detailed, sector-sensitive metrics that illuminate how investors value different aspects of corporate climate-risk disclosure.