The tourist potential of the Minho-Lima region (Portugal)

Visions for Global Tourism Industry: Creating and Sustaining Competitive Strategies

Determinants of environmental disclosure in the annual reports of large companies operating in Portugal

Similarly to what has happened in other countries, since the early 1990s Portuguese companies have developed corporate environmental reporting practices in response to internal and external factors. This paper is based on empirical research directed to both the study of environmental reporting practices developed by Portuguese companies and the identification of the factors that explain the extent to which these companies disclose environmental information. This study focuses on the environmental disclosures made in the annual reports by a sample of 109 large firms operating in Portugal during the period 2002-04. Using the content analysis technique we have developed an index in order to assess the presence of the environmental disclosures in companies��� annual reports and their breadth. Based on the extant literature, several characteristics relating to firms��� attributes were selected and their influence on the level of environmental disclosure was tested empirically. The selected explanatory variables were firm size, industry membership, profitability, foreign ownership, quotation on the stock market and environmental certification. The results reveal that, in spite of the fact that the level of environmental information disclosed during the period 2002-04 is low, the extent of environmental disclosure has increased as well as the number of Portuguese companies that disclose environmental information. Moreover, the firm size and the fact that a company is listed on the stock market are positively related to the extent of environmental disclosure. This study adds to the international research on environmental disclosure by providing empirical data from a country, Portugal, where empirical evidence is still relatively unknown, extending the scope of the current understanding of the environmental reporting practices.

Factores determinantes del grado de informaci��n medioambiental divulgada en las grandes empresas que operan en Portugal: un an��lisis univariante

El presente trabajo tiene un doble objetivo: por un lado, analizar el grado en que una muestra de grandes empresas que operan en Portugal divulgan informaci��n medioambiental en sus informes anuales y su evoluci��n durante el per��odo 2002-2004 y, por otro, identificar los factores que influyen en dicho grado de divulgaci��n, a trav��s de un an��lisis univariante. A partir del an��lisis de contenido de los informes anuales, se elabor�� un ��ndice de Divulgaci��n Medioambiental (IDMA). Los resultados obtenidos indican que, si bien el valor medio del IDMA es relativamente bajo, ��ste ha evolucionado positivamente durante el per��odo analizado. El an��lisis univariante ha permitido identificar la existencia de una asociaci��n significativa entre el IDMA y las variables tama��o, cotizaci��n en bolsa, posesi��n de certificaci��n medioambiental y pertenencia a un sector considerado ���cr��tico���.

Organizational and accounting change within the context of the environmental agenda: evidence from Portugal

Purpose ��� The purpose of this paper is to explore the process of organizational change undergone by a large Portuguese business group within the context of the environmental agenda and the role of accounting as a mechanism for change. Design/methodology/approach ��� The paper reports the results of a case study conducted between 2006 and 2009. Information was obtained from semi-structured interviews and secondary sources. Organizational changes were analyzed using Laughlin���s model in order to identify which category reflected most of the changes introduced to address environmental matters. Findings ��� This paper offers evidence that change is not a homogeneous phenomenon. Additionally, it confirms previous studies��� findings which found that accounting did not play a significant role in the process of organizational change within the context of the environmental agenda. Originality/value ��� This paper seeks to complement the research in this area by integrating observations from a case study into an existing model of levels of organizational change according to how a Portuguese business group incorporated environmental issues into its processes, policies and corporate culture.

Factores Determinantes na Implementa����o do Balanced Scorecard em Portugal

O Balanced Scorecard (BSC) �� reconhecido, quer no mundo acad��mico quer no mundo empresarial, como uma das mais poderosas ferramentas de Contabilidade de Gest��o Estrat��gica. Neste sentido, desenvolvemos um estudo emp��rico, consubstanciado num question��rio, em Outubro de 2004, aplicado ��s 250 maiores empresas portuguesas, com o objectivo de averiguar qual o n��vel de conhecimento, utiliza����o e caracter��sticas das empresas que adoptam este instrumento de gest��o. As principais conclus��es retiradas foram que apesar da maioria dos inquiridos conhecer o BSC e de o considerar mais como uma ferramenta de gest��o estrat��gica do que como um sistema de avalia����o do desempenho, a sua utiliza����o em Portugal ainda �� reduzida e recente. �� semelhan��a do registado em outros pa��ses, o BSC em Portugal ainda est�� numa fase inicial. O estudo revelou tamb��m s��o essencialmente as empresas pertencentes ao sector secund��rio que mais utilizam o BSC. N��o obstante, ao contr��rio de outros estudos, n��o obtivemos evid��ncia emp��rica sobre a influ��ncia de vari��veis como a localiza����o geogr��fica, dimens��o e internacionaliza����o na utiliza����o e conhecimento do BSC em Portugal.

O Balanced Scorecard em Portugal: Evid��ncia Emp��rica em Organiza����es P��blicas e Privadas

Nas ��ltimas d��cadas desenvolveram-se novos modelos e ferramentas de controlo de gest��o que combinam medidas financeiras e n��o financeiras de desempenho com o objectivo de melhorar a vincula����o entre a estrat��gia e a medi����o do desempenho como �� o caso do Balanced Scorecard (BSC). A popularidade desta ferramenta �� indiscut��vel, tanto no mundo acad��mico como no mundo dos neg��cios, tanto em organiza����es privadas como em organiza����es p��blicas. Tal constata����o coloca a quest��o de sabermos se as organiza����es p��blicas e privadas portuguesas est��o a acompanhar esta evolu����o. Assim, no sentido de averiguarmos se conhecem e est��o a adoptar o BSC enviamos um question��rio a 591 organiza����es p��blicas e 549 organiza����es privadas portuguesas, com uma taxa de resposta de 31,3%. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que embora a maioria dos inquiridos conhe��a o BSC, a sua utiliza����o em Portugal �� reduzida e muito recente, principalmente no caso das organiza����es pertencentes ao sector p��blico.

Factors Influencing the Implementation of the Balanced Scorecard in Portugal: Empirical Evidence From Privately Owned and Publicly Owned Organizations

In this paper we aim to identify and analyze a set of variables that can potentially influence the adoption and knowledge of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in Portugal. Hypotheses were tested using data obtained from a questionnaire sent to 591 publicly-owned organizations (local governments, municipal corporations and hospitals) and 549 privately-owned organizations (large companies and small and medium enterprises) in Portugal. The results allow us to conclude that although the majority of respondents claimed to know the BSC, its use in Portugal is still limited and very recent, particularly in the public sector organizations. However, it should be noted that its use has increased in Portugal in recent years. The study also reveals that in spite of the noticeable differences between public and private sector, the BSC is used in the public sector after a few adjustments to the traditional model. Using as theoretical framework the contingency and institutional theories, we found that decentralization, vertical differentiation and the degree of higher education are associated with the implementation of the BSC.

A Influ��ncia da Dimens��o Organizacional e da Internacionaliza����o na Implementa����o do Balanced Scorecard em Portugal

O forte reconhecimento do Balanced Scorecard (BSC), no mundo acad��mico e no mundo empresarial, permite-nos classific��-lo como uma das mais poderosas ferramentas de Contabilidade de Gest��o Estrat��gica. Neste sentido, desenvolvemos um estudo emp��rico, consubstanciado num question��rio, aplicado ��s 250 maiores empresas portuguesas, com o objectivo de averiguar qual o n��vel de conhecimento e utiliza����o do BSC em Portugal. As principais conclus��es retiradas foram que apesar da maioria dos inquiridos conhecer o BSC, a sua utiliza����o em Portugal ainda �� reduzida e recente. �� semelhan��a do registado em outros pa��ses, o BSC em Portugal ainda est�� numa fase inicial. O estudo revelou tamb��m que s��o essencialmente as empresas pertencentes ao sector secund��rio que mais utilizam o BSC. N��o obstante, ao contr��rio de outros estudos, n��o obtivemos evid��ncia emp��rica sobre a influ��ncia de vari��veis como a localiza����o geogr��fica, dimens��o e internacionaliza����o na utiliza����o e conhecimento do BSC em Portugal.

A Gest��o Estrat��gica de Custos e as Perspectivas do Balanced Scorecard: Uma An��lise Emp��rica em Portugal

Actualmente �� cada vez mais evidente a necessidade das empresas gerirem estrategicamente o seu desempenho, nomeadamente os seus custos. Assim, para al��m de conhecimentos e de uma vis��o estrat��gica, tornam-se necess��rios m��todos que apoiem a tomada de decis��o. Como tal, sugerimos a Gest��o Estrat��gica de Custos (GEC) e o Balanced Scorecard (BSC) como o ponto de partida para o aumento das hip��teses de sucesso e de sobreviv��ncia. Neste sentido, desenvolvemos um estudo emp��rico, consubstanciado num question��rio, aplicado ��s 250 maiores empresas portuguesas, com o objectivo de averiguar qual o n��vel de conhecimento e utiliza����o do BSC em Portugal, bem como a associa����o entre as perspectivas do BSC e a forma como as empresas gerem os seus custos. Os resultados sugerem que, apesar da maioria dos inquiridos conhecer o BSC, a sua utiliza����o em Portugal �� reduzida e que a rela����o entre as perspectivas do BSC e a GEC apresentou-se inconclusiva.

The Knowledge and Use of the Balanced Scorecard in Portugal: Empirical Evidence of the 250 Largest Companies

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is recognized, both in the academic and business world, as one of the most powerful strategic management accounting tools. Thus, we launched in October 2004 a questionnaire survey applied to the 250 largest Portuguese companies aiming at observing the knowledge, use, and companies��� characteristics which are adopting this management instrument. Despite the majority of the companies inquired recognize BSC more as a strategic management tool than a performance valuation system, the results show that there is still a reduced and recent utilization of BSC in Portugal. Similarly to other countries Portugal is still in the initial state of BSC utilization. Our work has shown that the companies that use more BSC belong mainly to the secondary sector of industry. Nevertheless, unlike other studies, we did not get empirical evidence on the influence of variables such as geographical localization, dimension and internationalization, in the use and knowledge of BSC in Portugal.

A Gest��o Estrat��gica de Custos em Portugal: Uma An��lise Explorat��ria

Ao longo dos tempos t��m-se registado transforma����es importantes nas organiza����es, derivadas das inova����es tecnol��gicas, da globaliza����o e das mudan��as ocorridas no comportamento dos consumidores. Para sobreviver neste ambiente cada vez mais din��mico e competitivo �� fundamental a Gest��o Estrat��gica de Custos (GEC) que dever�� ser encarada como um processo de mudan��a em termos estruturais, comportamentais e culturais, na procura da melhoria cont��nua e na cria����o de valor para o cliente. A combina����o equilibrada da an��lise da cadeia de valor, do posicionamento estrat��gico e das causas dos custos s��o as bases em que se fundamenta a GEC. Assim, no sentido de averiguarmos se as empresas portuguesas est��o a gerir estrategicamente os seus custos e se integram esta gest��o com outras ferramentas t��o em voga nos dias de hoje, nomeadamente com o Balanced Scorecard (BSC), enviamos um question��rio ��s 250 maiores empresas portuguesas. Os resultados revelam que as empresas portuguesas preocupam-se com a gest��o dos seus custos de forma estrat��gica e que embora nem todas as empresas integrem o seu sistema de c��lculo de custos com o BSC classificam-no como um pilar fundamental da GEC.

Utiliza����o e Conhecimento do Balanced Scorecard em Portugal: Uma An��lise Explorat��ria

O Balanced Scorecard (BSC) aparece no panorama empresarial como uma poderosa ferramenta para enfrentar a forte concorr��ncia. Tal constata����o coloca a quest��o de sabermos se as empresas portuguesas est��o a acompanhar esta evolu����o. Assim, no sentido de averiguarmos se conhecem e est��o a adoptar o BSC, quais as principais motiva����es para a sua aplica����o e como est�� a ser implementado, enviamos um question��rio ��s 250 maiores empresas portuguesas. Os resultados revelam que embora exista um conhecimento elevado e correcto sobre esta ferramenta, a taxa de utiliza����o �� baixa e muito recente.

Factores Determinantes na Implementa����o do Balanced Scorecard em Portugal

Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is recognized, both in the academic and business world, as one of the most powerful strategic management accounting tools. Thus, we launched in October 2004 a questionnaire survey applied to the 250 largest Portuguese companies aiming at observing the knowledge, use, and companies��� characteristics which are adopting this management instrument. Despite the majority of the companies inquired recognize BSC more as a strategic management tool than a performance valuation system, the results show that there is still a reduced and recent utilization of BSC in Portugal. Similarly to other countries Portugal is still in the initial state of BSC utilization. Our work has shown that the companies that use more BSC belong mainly to the secondary sector of industry. Nevertheless, unlike other studies, we did not get empirical evidence on the influence of variables such as geographical localization, dimension and internationalization, in the use and knowledge of BSC in Portugal.

Planning Considerations for Tourism in the Minho-Lima Region (Northwest Portugal)

In administering their territories, most local municipalities aim to preserve their natural, historical and ethnographical resources while simultaneously using them to increase revenue and employment. In order to efficiently promote the products and services available and attract tourists, decision makers, private and public, need to know and incorporate tourists��� preferences in their marketing strategies. In this chapter we illustrate the use of stated preferences as an instrument to identify national and foreign tourists��� preferences regarding the products and services that the touristic destination of the Minho-Lima region (Northwest Portugal) should offer. As a starting point, we have taken the three general groups of touristic resources mentioned above as attributes. We take Ponte de Lima, a municipality in this region that has a strong cultural tourism potential as an example to identify possible future tourism scenarios for this territory. We believe the previously identified methodology can be a valuable instrument in the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the selected territory and, thus, support the decision making process behind its future tourist development and marketing strategies.

Agencification in Latin countries: Portugal

This chapter provides a broad look at the Portuguese process of agencification in the last two decades. As with most of the remaining chapters in this book, we cover the basics by describing the administrative landscape, its changes in organizational make-up, the delicate balance between control and autonomy in the ministry-agency relationship, perceptual changes in efficiency and performance measurement in public management, based on a comprehensive survey (COBRA survey of the CRIPO research group) sent to all public-sector organizations under public law with some degree of autonomy (see Chapter 1, Table 1.1). Portugal is undergoing the most pervasive politico-economic crisis in its short democratic history. The administrative mapping conducted in 2007 which served as the basis for the administration of the COBRA survey is already undergoing change.