2023
Autores
Falcao, R; Carneiro, MJ; Moreira, AC;
Publicação
COGENT BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
Abstract
Despite the increasing importance of business angels (BAs) as crucial players in the growth of high-potential early-stage startups, their motivations are not fully understood. Many of the perceptions of BAs deviate significantly from more conventional views of conventional economic and financial models. To gain a comprehensive understanding of BAs' goals, qualitative techniques from marketing and consumer behaviour as additional lenses (including laddering and means-ends chains) were employed to allow currently active BAs to articulate their goals in ways that forced-choice, quantitative methods do not achieve. Additionally, to determine if entrepreneurs perceive BAs in the same way BAs see themselves, entrepreneurs were asked to provide their perspectives on why BAs choose to become angel investors, based on their experiences with BAs. The findings reveal that traditional financial viewpoints do not adequately capture the depth and driving force behind BAs' goals, while entrepreneurs appear to be overly influenced by conventional assumptions about these goals. The study also provides valuable insights into the relationships and hierarchy among BAs' goals, and on the relevance of each goal. The paper ends with reflections on the practical implications of this research for BAs, entrepreneurs and policymakers.
2023
Autores
Navaia, E; Moreira, A; Ribau, C;
Publicação
ECONOMIES
Abstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in economic and development growth, particularly in developing countries. Their success depends on the expansion of their markets across borders, based on the strategies adopted, in which differentiation strategies and positional advantages play an important role. As an emerging country, Mozambican SMEs face a lack of resources and business environmental challenges in deploying their unique advantages when competing abroad. As such, the objective of this paper is to study the impact of differentiation strategies on the export performance of Mozambican SMEs, and the mediating effect of positional advantage on the relationship between the differentiation strategy and export performance of SMEs. To achieve this objective, an empirical study was conducted, based on a sample of 250 Mozambican firms, to test a theoretical model that applied Structural Equation Modeling using the Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) algorithm, based on SmartPLS software version 3.3.6 (SmartPLS GmbH, Oststeinbek, Germany). The results show that differentiation strategies positively impact the export performance of SMEs and that positional advantage mildly mediates the relationship between the differentiation strategy and export performance. This suggests that Mozambican SMEs may not be properly taking advantage of the positional advantage of the differentiation strategies, as the added value generated by the positional advantage is relatively modest. As such, Mozambican SMEs still need to support their positional advantages to overcome fierce international competition. This study contributes to the knowledge about the consequences of adopting differentiation strategies and positional advantages on the export performance of SMEs, particularly in the context of emerging countries.
2023
Autores
Ines, A; Diniz, A; Moreira, AC;
Publicação
CLEANER ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Abstract
As being environmentally responsible is a potential source of competitive advantage, incorporating genuine environmental practices across the supply chain may help firms capitalize on the growing demand for corporate accountability and consumer awareness. Therefore, it is important to understand to what extent firms are using greenwashing to mislead their stakeholders in the supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature regarding greenwashing in supply chain management (SCM) to shed light on the main thematic groups addressed in the literature, understand its challenges and develop a framework that highlights the key drivers that companies need to tackle to prevent greenwashing in supply chains. For this purpose, we have conducted a systematic literature review, following a three-stage method. It was possible to identify possible solutions to prevent greenwashing across four main dimensions of SCM: consumers/customers; relationships between focal firms and suppliers; certification programs and reporting assessment; and corporate leadership. We provide a framework to help firms develop their sustainable strategy and prevent greenwashing along the supply chain. This paper synthesizes the challenges that firms face when implementing a sustainable supply chain, suggests solutions to prevent greenwashing and provides future research avenues.
2023
Autores
Falcao, R; Moreira, AC; Carneiro, MJ;
Publicação
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
Abstract
Besides the extraordinary impact of Business Angels (BAs) as the leading contributors to fund entrepreneurship at the early stage, the value BAs perceive from their investment activity has not yet been fully explored. Based on a new holistic perspective resulting from marketing and consumer behaviour, this article builds on the concept of perceived investment value to create a new instrument that measures the overall value perceived by BAs in their investing activity. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire with 849 BAs from 79 countries. The instrument created was tested through Structural Equation Modelling. The results reveal that: (i) BAs are not purely financial investors and expect more than just money from their activity, as self-esteem, entrepreneurship, emotion and altruism are the main dimensions that explain angel perceived investment value (APIV), with economic and functional dimensions being the least influential; (ii) APIV positively influences their job satisfaction; and (iii) angels satisfied with their jobs are more likely to reinvest their money and engage in positive word-of-mouth. A multigroup comparison was implemented, validating the results for males and females, novices and veterans and light and heavy investors.
2023
Autores
Inês, A; Moreira, AC;
Publicação
POLISH JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Abstract
The consumption of plant-based beverages has seen a substantial increase in Portugal, which reflects the consumers changing eating habits, due to their growing ethical and environmental concerns. This study takes into account a specific Portuguese brand of plant-based beverages and empirically tested, using the PLS-SEM technique, a conceptual model to analyze the impact of perceived value, brand equity and satisfaction on loyalty intentions of Portuguese plant-based beverages' consumers. Based on 216 responses to a survey questionnaire, both the perceived value and the brand equity of this plant-based beverage brand explain satisfaction and loyalty intention. Moreover, brand equity mediates the relationship between perceived value and satisfaction and loyalty intention being this indirect effect more relevant than the direct one.
2023
Autores
Moreira, AC; Pereira, CR; Lopes, MF; Calisto, RAR; Vale, VT;
Publicação
CUADERNOS DE GESTION
Abstract
Although city branding is not new, the importance of sustainability and environmental demands is placing an enormous chal-lenge in city/place branding activities. As such, the aim of this article is to analyze how sustainable/green city/place branding is understood and what its main idiosyncrasies are. For that an exploratory literature review was implemented and 32 articles were analyzed. It is possible to conclude that there are three main strands covering the topic related to green, sustainable, and slow city (cittaslow) or place branding. Moreover, green resources are dealt with seeking to improve the image of the city, the quality of urban life, and the green spaces supporting the city as a tourism destination. Complementarily, sustainabil-ity embraces also economic and social aspects, which are not fully covered in the previous strand. Finally, the cittaslow perspective follows a sustainable perspective more closely than the green/environmental one. The three strands are very segmented and the stage of development is still in a growing up stage. The stakeholders play an important role in disclosing the natural resources, the environmental challenges for a city/place to develop a positive sustainable reputation. Finally, there is an important role from the public policy perspective to position the city as a green, sustainable place destination.
The access to the final selection minute is only available to applicants.
Please check the confirmation e-mail of your application to obtain the access code.