2024
Authors
Bôto, JM; Neto, B; Miguéis, V; Rocha, A;
Publication
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Abstract
The adoption of sustainable dietary patterns that consider simultaneously nutritional well-being and reduced environmental impact is of paramount importance. This paper introduces the Dietary Pattern Sustainability Index (DIPASI), as a method to assess the sustainability of dietary patterns by covering the environmental, nutritional, and economic dimensions in a single score. Environmental indicators include carbon footprint, water footprint, and land use, the nutritional quality is evaluated through the Nutritional Rich Diet 9.3 score, and the economic aspects are considered using diet cost. DIPASI measures the deviation (in %) of an individual's diet in relation to a reference diet. The case study utilized dietary data from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016), which included 2999 adults aged 18 to 64. The Portuguese dietary patterns (covering 1492 food products consumed), were compared against the reference Mediterranean diet. Results indicated that the Portuguese dietary pattern had a higher environmental impact (CF: 4.32 kg CO2eq/day, WF: 3162.88 L/day, LU: 7.03 m(2)/day), a lower nutritional quality (NRD9.3: 334), and a higher cost (6.65 euros/day) when compared to the Mediterranean diet (CF: 3.30 kg CO2eq/day, WF: 2758.84 L/day, LU: 3.67 m(2)/day, NRD9.3: 668, cost: 5.71 euros/day). DIPASI reveals that only 4% of the sample's population does not deviate or presents a positive deviation (> - 0.5%) from the Mediterranean diet, indicating that the majority of Portuguese individuals have lower sustainability performance. For the environmental sub-score, this percentage was 21.3%, for the nutritional sub-score was 10.9%, and for the economic sub-score was 34.2%. This study provides a robust framework for assessing dietary sustainability on a global scale. The comprehensive methodology offers an essential foundation for understanding and addressing challenges in promoting sustainable and healthy dietary choices worldwide.
2024
Authors
Monteiro, C; Rocha, A; Miguélis, V; Afonso, C;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Continuous improvement (CI) have been recognised as one of the most effective ways to improve organisational performance. However, there is a lack of research on this topic from a food service perspective. Thus, the aim of this work is to explore the adoption of CI-focused methodologies in food services and to understand how they contribute to improving the performance of these services. Critical success factors and barriers to the implementation of CI are also analysed. This systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology and a total of 43 studies were included in the analysis. This review shows that CI is effective in improving operations and performance, as well as increasing stakeholder satisfaction in the food service sector. Additionally, the review reveals that CI-focused tools are mainly used in problem identification, waste identification, planning, operations, and logistics. Human-related issues are the most frequently mentioned when it comes to the factors determining the success or failure of CI in food services.
2024
Authors
César, I; Pereira, I; Rodrigues, F; Miguéis, VL; Nicola, S; Madureira, A; Reis, JL; Dos Santos, JPM; De Oliveira, DA;
Publication
IEEE ACCESS
Abstract
The intrinsic challenges of contemporary marketing encourage discovering new approaches to engage and retain customers effectively. As the main channels of interactions between customers and brands pivot between the physical and the digital world, analyzing the outcome behavioral patterns must be achieved dynamically with the stimulus performed in both poles. This systematic review investigates the collaborative impact of adopting multidisciplinary fields of Affective Computing to evaluate current marketing strategies, upholding the process of using multimodal information from consumers to perform and integrate Sentiment Analysis tasks. The adjusted representation of modalities such as textual, visual, audio, or even psychological indicators enables prospecting a more precise assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed technique, glimpsing future applications of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence in Marketing. Embracing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis as the research method to be applied, this article warrants a rigorous and sequential identification and interpretation of the synergies between the latest studies about affective computing and marketing. Furthermore, the robustness of the procedure is deepened in knowledge-gathering concerning the current state of Affective Computing in the Marketing area, their technical practices, ethical and legal considerations, and the potential upcoming applications, anticipating insights for the ongoing work of marketers and researchers.
2024
Authors
Camanho, AS; Silva, MC; Piran, FS; Lacerda, DP;
Publication
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Abstract
This paper presents a literature review on Data Envelopment Analysis assessments of economic efficiency, covering methodological developments and empirical applications. We review the seminal models for economic efficiency measurement, involving the optimization of cost, revenue, and profit. The applications of the different modelling approaches are also discussed. Based on a content analysis of papers published between 1978 and 2020 in various sectors, the main areas of study are identified, and the pathways of research developments are discussed. Most studies are based on disaggregated quantity and price data. In addition, the use of panel data is prevalent compared to cross-sectional studies. There is a preponderance of input -oriented studies focused on cost efficiency rather than revenue or profit efficiency. Informed by the historical evolution of economic efficiency assessments portrayed in this review, we suggest directions for future developments. (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
2024
Authors
Vilarinho, H; Barbosa, F; Nóvoa, H; Silva, JG; Yamada, L; Camanho, AS;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Abstract
A significant challenge in asset management is the selection of investment projects for infrastructures, which often relies on subjective judgement and lacks structured decision support methods. This challenge is particularly complex in water systems due to the diverse and heterogeneous nature of the components requiring investment. While the infrastructure value index (IVI) is widely used to characterise assets and support investment decisions in the water sector, its application in optimisation models for generating efficient project portfolios remains unexplored. To address this research gap, this study introduces optimisation models for generating investment portfolio plans in water systems' asset management. The proposed approach includes two mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models that determine optimal solutions and an evolutionary algorithm that offers sub-optimal alternative investment selection plans to provide decision-makers with additional choices for balancing optimal outcomes. The primary contribution of this research is the combined utilisation of MILP and evolutionary algorithms, integrating the IVI into the decision-making process. These tools provide decision-makers with structured methods for defining investment plans and minimising the subjective elements typically associated with such processes. To illustrate the effectiveness of the models, a case study is presented involving a pumping station of a Portuguese water company. The results demonstrate the practical application and benefits of the proposed approach in optimising investment decisions. This research contributes to advancing asset management practices by integrating quantitative optimisation techniques and leveraging the IVI, thereby enhancing the objectivity and efficiency of investment planning in water systems' asset management.
2024
Authors
Vilarinho, H; Pereira, MA; D'Inverno, G; Nóvoa, H; Camanho, AS;
Publication
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLANNING SCIENCES
Abstract
This work delves into the crucial role of service quality in the water supply and sanitation sectur. Despite extensive research and implementation of quality management practices in this sector, a universally accepted definition of quality is still lacking, resulting in varikoza service quality assesunent procedures that are difficult to compam. To address this issue, the World Bank launched the Thility of the Future' (UoF) programme, aiming guide water service providers in their efforts to become future-focused utilities that offer reliable, safe, Inclusive, transparent, and resposesive services through best-fit practices. Building upon the Damework provided by the lof programme, this study proposes the Water Utility Service Quallity Index (WUSOI) composite Indicator that reflects the quality of service provided by water supply and sanitation utilities from a customer perspective. Based on Data Envelopment Analysis, the Benelli-of-the-Douht appenach is employed to assign weights for aggregating the indicators representing the diverse performance dimensions. The study operationalines the WUSOI to assess the quality of Purtuguese wholesale water and wastewater companies using data enflected by the national regulator of water and waste services. A Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis technique, the Deck of Cands method, is used to specify an indicator of transparency from the information made available by the regulated utilities. The results show the effectiveness of this tool for evaluating and measuring service quality at the company level. Additionally, the findings highlight areas for Improvement in the utilities' performance. By enabling companies and regulators to identify areas for improvement, the WUSOI can support the delivery of high-quality services to customers.
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