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Publications

Publications by Fernando Luís Almeida

2021

Exploring the role of a serious game in developing competencies in higher tourism education

Authors
Almeida, F; Buzady, Z; Ferro, A;

Publication
JOURNAL OF HOSPITALITY LEISURE SPORT & TOURISM EDUCATION

Abstract
Higher education institutions are looking for new educational models that encourage actions that contribute to the transformation of society. In the development of these competencies, the active methodologies assume a relevant role. This study addresses this challenge and explores the adoption of a serious game as an active methodology in the development of competencies for the labor market in the tourism sector. The study uses a mixed-methods methodology in which student performance is measured according to 18 indicators and the perception of the development of these competencies is complemented by the adoption of semi-structured interviews.

2021

Performance metrics in scrum software engineering companies

Authors
Almeida F.; Carneiro P.;

Publication
International Journal of Agile Systems and Management

Abstract
Finding effective ways to evaluate the process and a team in software engineering is not a trivial task. Therefore, it is pertinent to study metrics that can be used in Scrum environments to monitor and evaluate the team's progress and support the implementation of improvements. This study explores the relevance of 12 specific metrics applied in a Scrum environment and explores their importance considering multiple dimensions through the adoption of a quantitative methodology based on a survey that received 137 valid answers from Portuguese Scrum professionals. The results allowed us to conclude that the metrics related to the business value delivered and sprint goal success are the most relevant. Furthermore, factors like the number of years of experience of individuals, their role in the Scrum team, and the size of the organisation are factors that influence the perception of the importance of these metrics.

2021

Open Data's Role in Social Innovation Initiatives to Fight COVID-19

Authors
Almeida, F;

Publication
CENTRAL EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT JOURNAL

Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to explore the role open data assumes in social innovation initiatives that combat the effects of Covid-19, in which quantitative information about these projects is complemented with the analysis of open data innovation capabilities. Methodology: A mixed methods approach is adopted. Initially, quantitative data regarding the number of innovative projects is extracted from the OPSI framework. Then, in a second phase, qualitative data from each project is explored to explore the open data innovation capabilities offered by each initiative. Results: The results reveal that most social innovation initiatives focus on the area of data visualization dashboards and open datasets. However, some projects address other areas, e.g. hackathons, service availability, and tourism information. Implications: Covid-19 profoundly affects the lives of people and businesses, and open data can assume a determinant role in mitigating these effects and improve information transparency and collaboration between public and private entities. Originality/Value: This study is relevant for the establishment of supportive public policies that promote the emergence of open-data-driven initiatives to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 in several areas such as the economy, education, and leisure.

2021

Perceptions and role of university spin-offs on the employment of young graduates

Authors
Almeida, FL; Santos, JD;

Publication
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management

Abstract
This study intends to characterise and analyse the role that university spin-offs play in the employability of recent graduates and their function in opposing youth unemployment. For that purpose, this study uses empirical data from Portugal to analyse the evolution of the population with higher education levels, the evolution of the unemployment rate and the geographical distribution of university spin-offs. Additionally, a survey was adopted to collect data from 117 Portuguese university spin-offs to identify the main advantages and difficulties in hiring young graduates. The results indicate that the number of young graduates in these companies is small, representing only 11.8% of their total employees. The main advantages of hiring young graduates include their learning ability and new knowledge brought from abroad. By contrast, the main difficulties are their low capacity in dealing with pressure, low autonomy, and difficulties in taking responsibilities.

2021

Social movements in a time of pandemic: The case of Tech4Covid19 in Portugal

Authors
Almeida F.;

Publication
European Public and Social Innovation Review

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on Portuguese society and raised the need for new technological projects to help frontline professionals in the fight against coronavirus and its effects on the local population and economic agents. It is in this context that the Tech4Covid19 movement was founded by Portuguese technological startups. This initiative brings together more than 5000 volunteers and offers technological solutions in the areas of health, education, and local economy. This study aims to understand and explore the organizational model and dynamics of Tech4Covid19 through the adoption of qualitative methods based on primary and secondary sources that have allowed the movement to be explored from multiple perspectives. The findings reveal that Tech4Covid internally promotes the development of its own projects, but also accepts projects proposed by external entities that are aligned with the principles and values of the movement. The organization of the movement is supported by autonomous self-managed teams regarding each project, and there is a coordination group responsible for the aggregate management of the various initiatives and for establishing communication with partners, the media, and social networks.

2022

The Role of Intrapreneurship in Portuguese Startups

Authors
Almeida, F; Miguel Oliveira, J;

Publication
Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences

Abstract
Intrapreneurship is becoming a key factor in the growth of a company in a highly dynamic and progressively more competitive business environment. The idea of intrapreneurship is to encourage greater employee involvement within the organisation in which they work, giving them the freedom to innovate and experiment in a proactive, creative, and innovative way. In the startups, the role of intrapreneurship is of great relevance knowing that startups are designed to scale and grow exponentially in a short time and with few resources. Innovation is at the core of a startup and intrapreneurship initiatives allow leveraging this capacity in startups. Accordingly, this study seeks to explore the phenomenon of intrapreneurship in startups, seeking to understand how formal and informal intrapreneurship initiatives are taken on by startups, and also exploring the role played by existing resources to support these initiatives. The results of the study allow us to conclude that startups value intrapreneurship initiatives despite financial constraints that overlap with time constraints that affect what can be allocated to these activities. Finally, medium-sized startups and those with more qualified human capital tend to value and support intrapreneur initiatives more intensely. In contrast, startups with less academically qualified human capital offer worse conditions and support to intrapreneur activities.

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