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About

About

João Claro is Chairman and CEO of INESC TEC, and Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). He is also Director of the PhD in Engineering and Public Policy at FEUP, and President of the Academic Council and Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Porto Business School (PBS). His area of focus is Technology Management and Policy.

He currently serves as Scientific Director of the UT Austin Portugal Program. In recent years, he has worked closely with Carnegie Mellon University, namely as the National Director of the Carnegie Mellon Portugal Program, and with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, namely as a visiting scholar.

He was a member of the Board of the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO) between 2020 and 2023.

João Claro holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from FEUP (2008), an MSc in Quantitative Methods in Management from PBS (2002), and an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from FEUP (1993). Prior to returning to the University, he was a software engineer and information systems project manager at Edinfor (1994-1998).

Details

Details

  • Name

    João Claro
  • Role

    Chairman of the Board
  • Since

    01st February 2000
  • Nationality

    Portugal
  • Contacts

    +351222094040
    joao.claro@inesctec.pt
013
Publications

2024

A configurational perspective for the generalisation of healthcare innovations: The case of a new screening programme

Authors
Rodrigues, JC; Barros, AC; Claro, J;

Publication
TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Abstract
This paper analyses the process of generalisation of an innovative government-led public practice in the healthcare sector. The scaling and embedding involved in this generalisation process are assumed to be dependent on the multiple implementation processes (consecutive or simultaneous) that lead to a routine use of the innovation in different adopters. This paper, therefore, proposes the use of a configurational theory approach to conceptualise each implementation of the innovation during the generalisation process and shed light on the generalisation's scaling and embedding efforts. It suggests a set of recommendations and practices for generalisation managers, most notably: i) they should regard generalisations as organic processes where their main role is to create space for experimentation, learning and negotiation, and ii) they should adopt different modes of governance to identify adequate mechanisms and strategies and guide their actions. This configurational perspective allows them to monitor and manage the evolution of implementations, informs the valuable learning processes that take place in a generalisation and has been found to be a useful tool to support the crucial collaboration among the actors involved in a generalisation.

2024

Towards user-centered design of medical devices for SUDEP prediction and prevention: Insights from persons with epilepsy and caregivers

Authors
Ferreira, J; Franca, M; Rei, M; Peixoto, R; Larsen, SA; Bernini, A; Lopes, L; Conde, C; Claro, J;

Publication
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR

Abstract
Objectives: As epilepsy management medical devices emerge as potential technological solutions for prediction and prevention of sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP), there is a gap in understanding the features and priorities that should be included in the design of these devices. This study aims to bridge the gap between current technology and emerging needs by leveraging insights from persons with epilepsy (PWE) and caregivers (CG) on current epilepsy management devices and understanding how SUDEP awareness influences preferences and design considerations for potential future solutions. Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were designed to survey PWE and CG on medical device design features, SUDEP awareness, and participation in medical device research. Data analysis included both qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative statistical analysis. Results: The survey revealed that among 284 responses, CG were more aware of SUDEP than PWE. Comfort was identified as the primary concern regarding wearable medical devices for epilepsy management with significant differences between PWE and CG regarding acceptance and continuous use preferences. The thematic analysis identified integration with daily life, aesthetic and emotional resonance, adaptability to seizure characteristics, and user-centric design specifications as crucial factors to be considered for enhanced medical device adoption. The integration of a companion app is seen as an important tool to enhance communication and data sharing. Discussion: This study reveals that while SUDEP awareness can promote the development of future SUDEP predictive and preventive medical devices, these should be designed to mitigate its impact on daily life and anxiety of both PWE and CG. Comfort and acceptance are seen as key priorities to support continuous use and are seen as a technical requirement of future medical devices for SUDEP prediction and prevention. Widespread adoption requires these technologies to be customizable to adapt to different lifestyles and social situations. A holistic approach should be used in the design of future medical devices to capture several dimensions of PWE and CG epilepsy management journey and uphold communication between healthcare professionals, PWE and CG. Conclusion: Data from this study highlight the importance of considering user preferences and experiences in the design of epilepsy management medical devices with potential applicability for SUDEP prediction and prevention. By employing user-centered design methods this research provides valuable insights to inform the development of future SUDEP prediction and prevention devices.

2023

Characterising wildfire impacts on ecosystem services: A triangulation of scientific findings, governmental reports, and expert perceptions in Portugal

Authors
Pacheco, RM; Claro, J;

Publication
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY

Abstract
Fire has major impacts on forest ecosystems, with heightened relevance in a Mediterranean country such as Portugal, which within Europe features the highest number of wildfires and the second larger burnt area. After each significant wildfire, the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) assesses the main environmental impacts and proposes emergency stabilisation measures following specific regulations. This study seeks to improve such assessments by using a data triangulation approach to characterise the impacts of wildfires on ecosystem services in the country. First, a systematic literature review is performed to identify the scientific studies that address the issue. Next, a document analysis of all the emergency stabilisation reports and technical reports available on ICNF's website is performed. Finally, a survey of experts' perceptions on the topic completes the analysis. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity definitions of ecosystem services were employed to compare the different findings. The results indicate that the experts perceive wildfires to significantly impact all ecosystem services, even though the literature has so far only focused on 12 of them, and ICNF has so far only focused on 7 in its reports. The potential underlying motives are discussed. In particular, some important impacts identified in the literature, as is the case of Climate regulation, a topic of the highest priority in the European environmental agenda, have not so far been a topic of focus in ICNF's reports, which suggests relevant opportunities for enhancing its reporting process in the future.

2023

Configurational model for the process of alignment in technology implementations

Authors
Rodrigues, JC; Barros, AC; Claro, J;

Publication
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Abstract
The full realization of the potential of a technology requires good understanding of its imple-mentation. During implementations, lack of compatibility between technology and its adopters require dynamic sequences of alignment. This process is understood to be central to the success in technology assimilation. This paper proposes a configurational model to explain and predict the alignment process during technology implementations, derived from a multiple case research of the implementation of a retinopathy screening program in networks of healthcare providers. It builds on and expands previous research capturing in a holistic way the alignment process and its nature of adaptation over time.

2023

Perceptions of Forest Experts on the Impact of Wildfires on Ecosystem Services in Portugal

Authors
Pacheco, R; Claro, J;

Publication
Environmental Science and Engineering

Abstract
In Mediterranean Europe, one of the expected consequences of climate change is the intensification of wildfire events. Given the importance of forests in helping regulate climate and the many ecosystem services they provide, it is crucial to identify how wildfires might impact them. In this context, the present work aims to identify the wildfire impacts caused to the ecosystem services in Portugal. This is done through a survey directed to Portuguese fire experts. Using The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) definitions, experts were asked to share their perceptions on the fire impacts to forest ecosystem services in the short and long-term and indicate which services they feel require more policies to mitigate the impacts. The results showed that all ecosystem services are impacted to various degrees and different lengths of time. Regulating services were overall the most affected group and the most in need of specific policies. This study helped identify fire impacts, policy needs, and priorities in the perception of the experts in Portugal, which is valuable for guiding future research in various knowledge fields, especially related to raising awareness about behavioral adaptation to prevent and mitigate wildfire impacts in a changing climate. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.

Supervised
thesis

2023

Comparing a resource level and activity level control approach: modelling and simulating corrective actions for resource uncertainty

Author
Jonas Verspeelt

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

A Method for KPI Selection and Dashboard Design applied in a Book Editor

Author
Manuel Santana Rebelo

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

Avaliação e Melhoria da Gestão de Portfólio de Aplicações no Setor Energético em Contexto Internacional

Author
Tiago Santos Cavadas

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

A Medical Device to prevent Sudden Death in Epilepsy: From the Bench to the Market

Author
João Manuel Pinto de Almeida Ferreira

Institution
UP-FEUP

2023

Claim Journey Transformation in the Insurance Industry: A Portuguese Company's Motor Loss Assessment Process

Author
Fernanda Carina Meireles Sousa

Institution
UP-FEUP