The importance of qualitative methodology in management empirical research

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of qualitative research within the scope of management scientific studies, referring to its philosophy, nature and instruments. It also confronts it with quantitative methodology, approaching its differences as well as its complementariness and synergies, with the purpose of explaining, from a more analytic point of view, the relevance of qualitative methodology in the course of an authentic and real research despite its complexity. Design/methodology/approach: Regardless of its broad application, one may attest the scarcity literature that focuses on qualitative research applied to the management scientific area, as opposed to the large amount that refers to quantitative research. Findings: The paper shows the influence that qualitative research has on management scientific research. Originality/value:. Qualitative research assumes an important role within qualitative research by allowing for the study and analysis of certain types of phenomena that occur inside organisations, and in respect of which quantitative studies cannot provide an answer.

Electroanalytical determination of oxadiazon and characterization of its base-catalyzed ring-opening products

The electrochemical behavior of the hydrolysis products of oxadiazon was studied by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry using a glassy carbon electrode. Maximum currents were obtained at pH 12.8 in an aqueous electrolyte solution containing 30% ethanol and the current did not decrease with time showing that there was little adsorption of the reaction products on the electrode surface. The hydrolysis products of oxadiazon were identi®ed, after isolation and puri®cation, as 1-trimethylacetyl-2-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-2-ethoxycarbonylhydrazine (Oxa1) and 1-trimethylacetyl-2-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl) hydrazine (Oxa2) with redox potentials 0.6Vand 70.1V (vs. Ag=AgCl), respectively. Based on the electrochemical behavior of 1-trimethylacetyl-2-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl) hydrazine (Oxa2) a simple electroanalytical procedure was developed for the determination of oxadiazon in commercial products used in the treatment of rice crops in Portugal that contain oxadiazon as the active ingredient. The detection limit was 161074 M, the mean content and relative standard deviation obtained for seven samples of two different commercial products by the electrochemical method were 28.4 0.8% (Ronstar) and 1.9 0.2% (Ronstar GR), and the recoveries were 100.3 5.4% and 101.1 5.3 %, respectively.

Electrochemical oxidation of propanil and related N-substituted amides

The electrochemical behaviour of propanil and related N-substituted amides (acetanilide and N,N-diphenylacetamide) was studied by cyclic and square wave voltammetry using a glassy carbon electrode. Propanil has been found to have chemical stability under the established analytical conditions and showed an oxidation peak at +1.27V versus Ag/AgCl at pH 7.5. N,N-diphenylacetamide has a higher oxidation potential than the other compounds of +1.49V versus Ag/AgCl. Acetanilide oxidation occurred at a potential similar to that of propanil, +1.24V versus Ag/AgCl. These results are in agreement with the substitution pattern of the nitrogen atom of the amide. A degradation product of propanil, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA), was also studied, and showed an oxidation peak at +0.66V versus Ag/AgCl. A simple and specific quantitative electroanalytical method is described for the analysis of propanil in commercial products that contain propanil as the active ingredient, used in the treatment of rice crops in Portugal.

Electroanalytical study of the pesticide asulam

The electrochemical behaviour of the herbicide Asulam was studied by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Asulam may be irreversibly oxidised at a glassy carbon electrode. Maximum currents were obtained at pH=1.9 in aqueous electrolyte solution. Based on the electrochemical behaviour of Asulam, two analytical methodologies were developed for its determination in water samples, using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and flow injection analysis (FIA) coupled with an amperometric detector. Limits of detection of 7.1x10-6 mol L-1 and 1.2x10-8 mol L-1 for SWV and FIA respectively, were achieved. Repeatability was calculated by assessing the relative standard deviation (%) for 10 consecutive determinations of one sample. The found values were 2.1% for SWV and 5.0% for FIA. Validation of the results provided by SWV and FIA methodologies was performed by comparison with results from an HPLC-DAD technique. Good relative deviations were found (<5%). Recovery trials were performed to assess the accuracy of the results and the obtained values were between 84% and 107% for both methods.

Linking entrepreneural orientation to export performance: the role of intangible resources and dynamic capabilities

Understanding the determinants of international performance, and in particular, export performance is key for the success of international companies. Research in this area focuses mainly on how resources and capabilities allow companies to gain competitive advantage and superior performance in external markets. Building on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Dynamic Capabilities Approach (DCA), this study aims at analysing the effect of intangible resources and capabilities on export performance. Specifically, this study focuses on the proposition that entrepreneurial orientation potentiates the attraction of intangible resources, namely relational and informational resources. Moreover, we propose that these resources impact export performance both directly and indirectly through dynamic capabilities.

Influence of entrepreneurial orientation in export performance

This study aims at investigating the influence that entrepreneurial orientation has on export performance of Portuguese footwear small and mediumenterprises (SMEs). Therefore, a quantitative methodological approach was used, conducting a descriptive, exploratory and transversal empirical study, having applied a questionnaire to a sample of Portuguese companies exporting footwear. The research results suggest that entrepreneurial orientation enhances export performance in the analysed SMEs, particularly innovation and proactiveness, through the amount of funds invested, human resources dedicated to this activity, number of new products or services introduced in the market and frequent change in product lines or services and materialization of a long-term perspective, which is accompanied by innovative activities or new businesses. Therefore, the findings sustain the necessity to invest in entrepreneurial orientation as a strategic determinant, which contributes to the growth of small firms in foreignmarkets. Finally, the main limitation of this study is related to the sample size, since it was difficult to find companies willing to collaborate with this kind of research.