2022
Authors
Almeida, F; Wasim, J;
Publication
SOCIETY AND BUSINESS REVIEW
Abstract
Purpose Eco-innovation has been identified as a source of gaining a competitive advantage on a global scale. To build upon that, this study aims to deepen the understanding of eco-innovation in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investigates the impact of having a clear eco-innovation strategy on a company's sustainability and performance. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 249 SMEs located in Portugal and the UK participated and structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to explore the relationship among the constructs. Findings The findings reveal that both internal and external factors influence the design of an eco-innovation strategy. However, the relevance of external factors seemed to be more significant for Portuguese SMEs. This study concludes that product/process eco-innovations and green innovation systems are determinants for sustainable performance in SMEs. In contrast, the environmental technologies and organisational eco-innovation dimensions are not determinants. This is observed both in Portuguese and UK SMEs. Originality/value Most studies in the field tend to explore the role of eco-innovation in large organisations. This study takes a different approach by exploring its impacts on the sustainable business performance of SMEs. Furthermore, it combines data from two countries, which constitutes a strength and gives the opportunity to explore this phenomenon empirically.
2022
Authors
Almeida, F; Wasim, J;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Abstract
This study aims to explore the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing data-driven solutions to address the direct and indirect challenges posed by COVID-19. A sample of six case studies of SMEs from the UK and Portugal were selected to explore in-depth the experience of these companies in proposing innovative solutions in the pandemic context. The findings reveal that the pandemic caused amplifying effects on the digitalization of organizations and the emergence of data-driven solutions. However, the development of a data-driven approach involves not only technologies but also the digitalization of processes and highly skilled human resources. The pandemic was also a catalyst for the emergence of collaborative initiatives that have enabled the development of solutions involving diverse players from science, business, and civilian society. This study offers innovative contributions by focusing exclusively on companies developing data-driven solutions supported by technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence.
2022
Authors
Almeida, F;
Publication
FORESIGHT
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the potential and growth of big data across several industries between 2016 and 2020. This study aims to analyze the behavior of interest in big data within the community and to identify areas with the greatest potential for future big data adoption. Design/methodology/approach This research uses Google Trends to characterize the community's interest in big data. Community interest is measured on a scale of 0-100 from weekly observations over the past five years. A total of 16 industries were considered to explore the relative interest in big data for each industry. Findings The findings revealed that big data has been of high interest to the community over the past five years, particularly in the manufacturing, computers and electronics industries. However, over the 2020s the interest in the theme decreased by more than 15%, especially in the areas where big data typically had the greatest potential interest. In contrast, areas with less potential interest in big data such as real estate, sport and travel have registered an average growth of less than 10%. Originality/value To the best of the author's knowledge, this study is original in complementing the traditional survey approaches launched among the business communities to discover the potential of big data in specific industries. The knowledge of big data growth potential is relevant for players in the field to identify saturation and emerging opportunities for big data adoption.
2021
Authors
Almeida, F; Costa, O;
Publication
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION FOR BUSINESS
Abstract
The increasing complexity of financial products and services requires a domain of information and knowledge in the financial area. This study explores the role of financial literacy in undergraduate students at a higher education institution in Portugal. A sample of 196 undergraduate students enrolled in six courses in the fields of engineering and social sciences was considered. The results reveal that the level of knowledge about financial literacy is quite heterogeneous. Formal and informal channels tend to coexist when they perform a financial decision. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the awareness of cryptocurrencies is high, while the adherence to digital platforms for the acquisition of these currencies remains low.
2024
Authors
Rocha, A; Almeida, F;
Publication
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to explore worldwide innovative solutions that have been proposed to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on people's mental health. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology is adopted, which performs an exploratory study considering the innovative projects identified by the Observatory for Public Sector Innovation framework. Additionally, the analysis of the relevance and characteristics of these projects are explored considering a multidimensional framework composed of five dimensions: novelty level; social need; improvement of society; sector neutrality; and level of emergence. Findings The findings reveal that the number of projects in the field of mental health is low, despite their strong relevance to their communities. These projects arise from a strong social need to protect especially the most vulnerable groups in this pandemic and involve a large number of partners in the public sector, business and civil society. The role of volunteering in the revitalization and growth of these initiatives is also recognized. Originality/value This study is relevant in both the theoretical and practical dimensions. It allows the exploration of these projects considering the dimensions of social innovation and offers practical implications that allow these projects to be replicated in other countries and regions.
2021
Authors
Almeida, F; Monteiro, JA;
Publication
CoRR
Abstract
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