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Publications

2025

Hypotheses Engineering in Software Startups: From Business to Architecture

Authors
Guerra, E; Melegati, J; Montesin, D;

Publication
Advances in Software Startups

Abstract

2025

Mobile-Depots and Cargo Bikes Towards a Sustainable Last-Mile Future

Authors
Silva, V; Amaral, A; Fontes, T;

Publication
TRANSPORT TRANSITIONS: ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE MOBILITY, TRA CONFERENCE, 2024, VOL 4

Abstract
E-commerce growth is driving the need for novel, more sustainable last-mile delivery strategies. One potential strategy is based on setting up a mobile-depot from where last-mile deliveries are conducted using cargo bikes. This research explores the impacts of this strategy through a microscopic traffic simulation based on a medium-sized European city. The strategy was evaluated at three levels: operational (route length and duration), energy consumption, and emissions. The results showed that adopting a last-mile delivery strategy based on a mobiledepot and cargo bikes leads to significant benefits in terms of energy consumption and emission, which decrease by more than 80 %, but imply lengthier (+49 %) and more time-consuming (+14 %) routes compared to a traditional parcel delivery strategy.

2025

Entity-Relationship Mapping of 184 SME Internationalization Success Determinants for AI Feature Engineering: Integrating CSR, Deep Learning, and Stakeholder Insights

Authors
Calheiros-Lobo, N; Palma-Moreira, A; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Ferreira, JV;

Publication
SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is increasingly shaping the pathways of Small Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study presents an entity-relationship diagram (ERD) approach to 184 determinants of SME internationalization success, in order to provide structured inputs for Deep Learning (DL) Recommenders that can support CSR-aligned internationalization strategies. Employing Visual Paradigm 17.2 Professional software for modeling, the research synthesizes state-of-the-art findings on foreign market entry, and export performance, into ERDs. Then the market adoption drivers for such a DL tool are explored through semi-structured interviews with twelve stakeholders. The results reveal a propensity to adopt the DL recommender, with experts highlighting essential features for engagement, pricing, and implementation. The discussion contextualizes these findings, while the conclusion addresses gaps and future directions. The study's focus in Portugal/Germany may limit worldwide extrapolation, yet it advances knowledge by consolidating success determinants, validating platform requirements, exposing gaps, and suggesting research in both CSR, AI and SME internationalization.

2025

Analyzing Many Simulations of Hybrid Programs in Lince

Authors
Arrieta, R; Proenca, J; Yomsi, PM;

Publication
ELECTRONIC PROCEEDINGS IN THEORETICAL COMPUTER SCIENCE

Abstract
Hybrid systems are increasingly used in critical applications such as medical devices, infrastructure systems, and autonomous vehicles. Linceis an academic tool for specifying and simulating such systems using a C-like language with differential equations. This paper presents recent experiments that enhance Lince with mechanisms for executing multiple simulation variants and generating histograms that quantify the frequency with which a given property holds. We illustrate our extended Linceusing variations of an adaptive cruise control system.

2025

Generative Artificial Intelligence for Software Engineering—A Research Agenda

Authors
Nguyen-Duc, A; Cabrero-Daniel, B; Przybylek, A; Arora, C; Khanna, D; Herda, T; Rafiq, U; Melegati, J; Guerra, E; Kemell, K; Saari, M; Zhang, Z; Le, H; Quan, T; Abrahamsson, P;

Publication
Software: Practice and Experience

Abstract
ABSTRACTContextGenerative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools have become increasingly prevalent in software development, offering assistance to various managerial and technical project activities. Notable examples of these tools include OpenAI's ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Amazon CodeWhisperer.ObjectiveAlthough many recent publications have explored and evaluated the application of GenAI, a comprehensive understanding of the current development, applications, limitations, and open challenges remains unclear to many. Particularly, we do not have an overall picture of the current state of GenAI technology in practical software engineering usage scenarios.MethodWe conducted a literature review and focus groups for a duration of five months to develop a research agenda on GenAI for software engineering.ResultsWe identified 78 open research questions (RQs) in 11 areas of software engineering. Our results show that it is possible to explore the adoption of GenAI in partial automation and support decision-making in all software development activities. While the current literature is skewed toward software implementation, quality assurance and software maintenance, other areas, such as requirements engineering, software design, and software engineering education, would need further research attention. Common considerations when implementing GenAI include industry-level assessment, dependability and accuracy, data accessibility, transparency, and sustainability aspects associated with the technology.ConclusionsGenAI is bringing significant changes to the field of software engineering. Nevertheless, the state of research on the topic still remains immature. We believe that this research agenda holds significance and practical value for informing both researchers and practitioners about current applications and guiding future research.

2025

Exploring Twitch Viewers' Donation Intentions from a Dual Perspective: Uses and Gratifications Theory and the Practice of Freedom

Authors
Magano, J; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Sánchez-Bayón, A;

Publication
INFORMATION

Abstract
This study examines the factors that motivate viewers to financially support streamers on the Twitch digital platform. It proposes a conceptual framework that combines the uses and gratifications theory (UGT) with Michel Foucault's concept of the practice of freedom (PF). Using a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 560 Portuguese Twitch users, the model investigates how three core constructs from UGT-entertainment, socialization, and informativeness-affect the intention to donate, with PF acting as a mediating variable. Structural equation modeling confirms that all three UGT-based motivations significantly influence donation intentions, with socialization exhibiting the strongest mediated effect through PF. The findings reveal that Twitch donations go beyond mere instrumental or playful actions; they serve as performative expressions of identity, autonomy, and ethical subjectivity. By framing PF as a link between interpersonal engagement and financial support, this study provides a contribution to media motivation research. The theoretical integration enhances our understanding of pro-social behavior in live streaming environments, challenging simplistic, transactional interpretations of viewer contributions vis-& agrave;-vis more political ones and the desire to freely dispose of what is ours to give. Additionally, this study may lay the groundwork for future inquiries into how ethical self-formation is intertwined with monetized online participation, offering useful insights for academics, platform designers, and content creators seeking to promote meaningful digital interactions.

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