CLSBE - Dissertações de Mestrado / Master Dissertations
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- Adapting the sustainability balanced scorecard : enhancing accountability for social enterprises contributing to SDG 14Publication . Auffarth, Patrick; Azevedo, CarlosSocial enterprises focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 14 face challenges in aligning strategic goals with environmental objectives while maintaining accountability to stakeholders. These challenges, compounded by resource constraints and complex measurement demands, underscore the need for a tailored framework. This research explores how the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) can be adapted to improve accountability in social enterprises and examines the role of customized Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in achieving this goal. A qualitative methodology was employed, using semi-structured interviews with 3 social enterprise founders and 4 four SDG 14 professionals. This approach enabled an in-depth exploration of how the SBSC framework and KPIs can be customized to address specific organizational and contextual needs. Key findings indicate that the SBSC’s allows for effective integration of sustainability into strategic processes, with the SBSC-4 model emerging as a preferred configuration for avoiding silos. Challenges such as resource limitations and measurement complexities highlight the importance of gradual implementation and stakeholder engagement. Customized KPIs, combining quantitative and qualitative metrics, were found to enhance accountability by linking actions to measurable outcomes and aligning with stakeholder priorities. The study concludes that an adapted SBSC framework and tailored KPIs can improve accountability, foster transparency, and enable social enterprises to effectively align with SDG 14. These findings underscore the potential for adaptive frameworks to address sustainability challenges and enhance the contribution of social enterprises to marine conservation efforts.
- From blame to accountability : evaluating responsibility-taking language and class-action lawsuits in data breach crises through stakeholder theoryPublication . Braun, Maximilian Antonio; Ilseven, EkinOrganizations today operate in a landscape of heightened stakeholder scrutiny and regulatory complexity. Crises compel organizations to demonstrate accountability, with responsibility-taking narratives playing a critical role in rebuilding trust. This thesis investigates how evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), shape organizational responsibility narratives and influence stakeholder-imposed punitive actions, thereby offering empirical evidence for how organizations depend on their consumers. Leveraging an empirical quantitative analysis, this study analyzes pre- and post-CCPA data breach notifications from the California Attorney General’s database and class-action lawsuit records from ClassAction.org. Linguistic analysis quantifies responsibility-taking and deflective language in breach notifications, while a Difference in Differences methodology evaluates regulatory impact. The relationship between crisis severity and class-action lawsuits is examined through matched data from the two databases, exploring the interplay of narratives and legal outcomes. Results show a significant increase in responsibility-taking language and a decrease in deflective communication post-CCPA. However, breaches involving highly sensitive data reduced responsibility-taking narratives, highlighting the moderating role of severity. Despite these shifts, no consistent evidence was found that responsibility-taking alone reduced the likelihood of lawsuits or that severity had a clear moderating role. This study reveals how regulatory frameworks influence corporate crisis communication, shaping responsibility-taking narratives. While these narratives support trust rebuilding and mitigate reputational damage, their effectiveness in reducing punitive actions remains inconsistent. The findings emphasize the need for organizations to adopt context-specific strategies, integrating narrative adjustments with comprehensive crisis management to meet stakeholder expectations and address legal risks effectively.
- The role of failure and reinvention in building brand loyalty : luxury fashion industryPublication . Sousa, Catarina Figueira da Silva; Pestana, CatarinaThe importance of stories about failure and reinvention in luxury fashion brands challenges the traditional notions of perfection, offering a new way of understanding how consumer loyalty is built in this exclusive industry. Traditionally, luxury brands emphasized narratives of perfection and exclusivity, however, this study explores whether incorporating stories of resilience and authenticity will create stronger emotional connections with consumers. It investigates whether sharing moments of overcoming challenges, such as reputational crises or public scandals (e.g., social media controversies), increases trust and brand loyalty or whether it risks undermining the aspirational image of luxury. Through a qualitative approach, this research analyzes insights from marketing professionals, consumers, and an influencer through in-depth interviews. Findings reveal that transparent and authentic storytelling during crises can strengthen brand identity, build trust, and foster emotional connections. However, poorly handled narratives may harm a brand's exclusivity and reputation. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning narratives about failure and reinvention with the core brand values to maintain authenticity and the aspirational image of luxury.
- Could market efficiency explain the disappearance of the “end of month” effect?Publication . Gil, Henrique de Oliveira; Schliephake, EvaThis study investigates the disappearance of the end of month effect in the period from 2006 to 2023. Previously, from 1987 to 2005 the end of month effect was present in both CRSP value weighted and equal weighted indexes as proven by McConell and Xu (2008) which presents a challenge to Efficient Market Hypothesis introduced by Eugene Fama (1970), however in recent years the effect has vanished. An increase of market efficiency hypothesis is studied here using an event study methodology to evaluate abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns across the two periods. While some findings suggest that an increase in market efficiency may have influenced the disappearance of the effect, the evidence does not conclusively support a significant improvement in market efficiency between the two periods.
- Entrepreneurship and tax policy under review : insights from PortugalPublication . Abreu, Maria Teresa Martinho Leitão Tavares de; Rajsingh, PeterIn a country where 99.9% of businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and 96% are micro-enterprises, Portugal’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is a cornerstone of its economy. However, with a tax system ranked 35th out of 38 in the 2024 International Tax Competitiveness Index there seems to be significant barriers to entrepreneurial activity. This thesis investigates how tax policy influences entrepreneurship, focusing on the demographic characterization of Portugal’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the impact of tax policy on strategic business decisions, and the behavioural dynamics related to compliance, tax planning, and potential evasion. Through a mixed-methods approach, including 12 expert interviews and a survey of 153 entrepreneurs, the findings reveal critical insights. An overwhelming 81% of respondents identified tax policy as a barrier to starting a business, while trust in tax authorities scored a low mean of 4.24 out of 10. The perceived complexity of the tax system (mean = 7.85) further emerged as a key obstacle, disproportionately affecting SMEs and startups. Regarding compliance, 65.4% of respondents admitted to engaging in unconventional methods to minimize tax liabilities. This study also framed tax planning as a dynamic capability. This study ultimately aims to inform the development of a more competitive tax system in Portugal, addressing the Research Question: How is tax policy a factor influencing entrepreneurial activity in Portugal?
- AI in supply chainsPublication . Nelles, Daniel Jasper; Rajsingh, Peter V.AI in SC is an application that has the potential to be a disruptive force, presenting avenues to reduce complexity in operations, better managerial choice making, and innovations in effectiveness. But despite this potential, AI is only marginally adopted because the barriers include siloed data systems, a fear of change, and worrying about ethics. With this study, we sought to explore the drivers and barriers to AI adoption in SCM interact and what are the implications for a transformative change in the sector. We undertook a literature review of artificial intelligence and frameworks for consumer adoption of supply chain innovation, including the Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovation. With the above, we aimed to identify underlying key concepts. The approach to primary data entailed expert interviews with industry professionals and a consumer survey. This allowed for triangulation against the secondary information available and fed into scenarios regarding possible adoption trajectories. The findings of AI capabilities in augmenting predictive analytics, automating processes, and enabling personalization can emerge as a foundational enabler of managing SCM challenges. This study contributes to AI in SCM discourse by revealing actionable strategies that organizations can adopt to make effective use of its potential. Concluding the gradual evolution of AI adoption is likely, with transformative impact contingent upon foundational barriers being addressed, and technological capabilities aligned with organizational objectives.
- Circular economy in the fashion industry : the case of Patagonia and its challengesPublication . Henning, Tim Cassian; Cruz, Nuno Moreira daThe fashion industry, a global powerhouse, is also one of the most polluting sectors. In recent years, numerous strategies have been proposed to steer the industry towards a more sustainable path. Central to these efforts is the concept of the circular economy, which offers a transformative alternative to the prevailing linear 'take-make-dispose' model. As one of the world's most sustainable and circular companies, the journey of American fashion company Patagonia is explored as a best practice example of circular fashion. Through sustainable manufacturing initiatives, sophisticated reverse supply chain capabilities and advocacy, Patagonia has redefined the life cycle of apparel, providing valuable insights into the feasibility of a circular textile economy. This case analyses Patagonia's efforts and reveals that the transition to a circular economy is a complex task, hampered by systemic barriers such as technological limitations, economic constraints and consumer behaviour patterns, and provides an outlook on the structural changes required for meaningful industry transformation. The theoretical framework discusses the concept of the circular economy as understood by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and provides an overview of the dynamics and inherent challenges of the circular fashion industry. Students will gain an understanding of the intricacies of circularity, including the interplay between environmental responsibility and financial profitability. In addition, by examining the critical barriers to circularity, this case enables students to evaluate real-world strategies and solutions for achieving sustainable and scalable change in the fashion industry.
- Adapting to challenges : Sanner’s strategic journey through a period of crisesPublication . Hahn, Jakob; Cardeal, NunoThis dissertation examines the adaptive strategies introduced by the Sanner Group during a period of crises, including the climate crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian war, which illustrates the growing impact of such crises on corporate strategy development. Following a pedagogical research approach, the constructed case study examines how Sanner, global market leader for desiccant closures and effervescent tablet packaging, adapted to changing environments by exploiting dynamic capabilities. Extensive research was conducted to analyse the impact of the crises on the business and its strategic responses. Additional evidence was gathered through interviews with the company's management team, which offered insights into the internal processes driving adaptive strategies. The teaching notes provide a structured proposal for effective knowledge transfer, enabling instructors to enhance students' understanding of related theoretical concepts through application to the case example. The findings indicate that Sanner effectively recognized and interpreted external developments by continuously monitoring the macroeconomic environment. Based on this, the company was able to take timely strategic action and leverage valuable resources and capabilities, facilitated by its organizational adaptability. As a result, Sanner not only managed the immediate crises successfully, but also engaged in a strategic renewal, which improved the company's resilience and competitiveness. The work thus highlights the critical role of dynamic capabilities in mitigating the adverse effects of crises and achieving long-term organizational success.
- Balancing privacy, trust and innovation in autonomous vehicles : a study in the Portuguese contextPublication . Rodrigues, Diana Alexandra Valente; Fioravante, RosaThis thesis explores the interplay between General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, privacy concerns, and trust in the context of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Portugal. It examines how GDPR awareness, transparency, and privacy-by-design principles influence consumer perceptions and their willingness to trade privacy for enhanced safety and functionality. Employing a quantitative research approach, the study surveyed Portuguese residents to assess GDPR awareness, privacy concerns, and trust in data handling by AV companies. The findings reveal that while GDPR awareness fosters trust, it paradoxically heightens privacy concerns, underscoring the ambivalence of transparency. High support for privacy-by-design principles demonstrates a consumer preference for integrating proactive privacy safeguards directly into AV systems. Furthermore, regional, and demographic analyses highlight disparities in trust and GDPR awareness, pointing to the need for tailored educational campaigns and transparency mechanisms. By addressing these dynamics, the research suggests actionable insights for AV manufacturers, policymakers, and regulators seeking to balance innovation, compliance, and consumer trust. It emphasizes the potential of strategic privacy integration to enhance consumer confidence, balancing ethical adoption of AV technologies with needs of market expansion.
- Building supply chain resilience in times of crisis : the case of Toyota’s adaptive strategies during the 2011 earthquake and tsunamiPublication . Quintero, Nicolas Briceno; Cardeal, NunoThis dissertation explores Toyota’s strategies of change regarding the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, 2011 to understand the company’s ability to recover from significant scale supply chain disruptions and improve future resilience. The analysis carried out through the lens of a qualitative case study examines the cessation of production, involvement of suppliers, and reshuffling of resources through Toyota’s actions in the short term. The research discusses how, after a disaster, Toyota modified its supplier relations by diversifying them and investing in flexible production systems, as well as introducing the concept of strategic buffering inventories, which helped to bring a balance between the JIT model of production management and improved risk management. It has been established that Toyota’s critical contingency plans enhanced organizational resilience for future disturbances. They should be a worthy lesson for global manufacturers to consider geographical diversification and product versatility. Also, the case application adopts risk management procedures and supply chain best practices to attain a sustainable supply chain model. Through exploring and developing different strategies and their relationships with supply chain risk management practices, the dissertation provides insights into the existing literature on supply chain resilience and how organizational strategy can be used in volatile settings. To promote the development of a more resilient supply chain for the crisis conditions, the study suggests the need for more studies in various industries to learn different forms of adaptive strategies.