What does the field of International Relations look like in South America?

Abstract This article provides a comprehensive picture of IR in South America by applying content analysis to 7,857 articles published in 35 journals from six South American countries from 2006 to 2014 in order to discover what the predominant theories, methods and research areas in this field are, how scholars tend to combine them in their research designs, and what the profiles of regional journals are, regarding their epistemological, methodological and subject preferences. The findings reveal a predominantly Positivist and largely Qualitative discipline, resembling North American and European IR.

Accessing movies based on emotional impact

Emotions play a central role in our daily lives, influencing the way we think and act, our health and sense of well-being, and films are by excellence the form of art that exploits our affective, perceptual and intellectual activity, holding the potential for a significant impact. Video is becoming a dominant and pervasive medium, and online video a growing entertainment activity on the web and iTV, mainly due to technological developments and the trends for media convergence. In addition, the improvement of new techniques for gathering emotional information about videos, both through content analysis or user implicit feedback through user physiological signals complemented in manual labeling from users, is revealing new ways for exploring emotional information in videos, films or TV series, and brings out new perspectives to enrich and personalize video access. In this work, we reflect on the power that emotions have in our lives, on the emotional impact of movies, and on how to address this emotional dimension in the way we classify and access movies, by exploring and evaluating the design of iFelt in its different ways to classify, access, browse and visualize movies based on their emotional impac

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.

Accounting and the “Doctor-Manager Relationship”

The adoption of the “new public management” in the hospital sector brought about greater presence and power to professional managers in hospitals, thus increasing the risk of conflict in the doctor-manager relationship. Aiming to enrich the discussion on the factors that could be the bases for this conflict and considering the role of accounting, the study presented here corresponds, basically, to what we call “content analysis” of qualitative studies. The results demonstrate that the Portuguese doctors as the sample studied accept, in essence, the principles of enterprise management and recognize the use of accounting information in the scope of their functions as long as they are called to participate as legitimate actors, and authorities respect their desires to preserve a practice which they consider of quality.

FATORES DETERMINANTES DA DIVULGAÇÃO DE INFORMAÇÃO SOBRE RISCO DE LIQUIDEZ: EVIDÊNCIA EMPÍRICA NO SISTEMA FINANCEIRO PORTUGUÊS

The objectives of this empirical study are, on the one hand, to evaluate the level of disclosure, about liquidity risk, practiced by fourteen banking institutions that operate in Portuguese financial system, and, on the other hand, to assess the determinants of that disclosure. To this end, we have used content analysis, as data collection technique, and have examined the information disclosed in the annual reports of the fourteen banks, for the period between 2007 and 2011. For this purpose we have constructed a disclosure index, based on the recommendations of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and have defined a set of potentially explanatory variables related to the level of disclosure. The results demonstrated that size and financial year were the variables that showed up as statistically significant in explaining the level of disclosure.

Ex-ante evaluation by the media of the Guimarães 2012 European Capital of Culture

The nomination of Guimarães to host the 2012 European Capital of Culture (ECC) has put on the agenda of the city the need of measuring the effects that the implementation of this mega event could have in it and in the municipality a whole. The balance of the benefits and costs and an extended community involvement tend to reduce negative impacts and enhance positive ones. This chapter analyzes the involvement of population and local associations in the planning and organization of the 2012 Guimarães European Capital of Culture, using the coverage made during 2011 by local and national press of the mega event. A content analysis of the news published covering the period between January and December 2011 and using three newspapers was conducted. From those, two were local and weekly newspapers and one was a national daily one. Looking to data results, it can be concluded that it was poor the community involvement and, also, the one of the cultural associations in the organizations of the 2012 ECC. A strong negative reaction to the model choose to plan the mega event conducted by official organizers was found, which has cast doubts on the desirable participation of the residents and, consequently, on the success of the mega event, especially in a perspective of a medium and long term effects.

As expetativas das mães face à inclusão de crianças com Trissomia 21 no primeiro ano do ensino básico nas escolas da Região Autónoma da Madeira

Partindo da análise do conceito de inclusão de crianças com Síndrome de Down no primeiro ano do ensino básico nas escolas da Região Autónoma da Madeira, após a intervenção da Equipa de Intervenção Precoce, fazendo referência às expetativas das mães, este estudo aborda os principais fatores que poderão influenciar esta temática. Tem como objetivos analisar as expetativas das mães sobre o processo inclusivo de crianças com Trissomia 21 na transição do pré-escolar para o 1.º ciclo e compreender em que medida a Intervenção Precoce contribui para a existência de expetativas positivas ou negativas face à inclusão dos seus filhos. Ao mesmo tempo procura constatar-se quais as principais preocupações em relação à entrada dos seus filhos no primeiro ciclo. Este trabalho assenta numa abordagem qualitativa: os dados foram recolhidos através da realização de sete entrevistas a mães de crianças com Trissomia 21. Para a análise de informação recolhida, utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo com categorias definidas à posteriori. Concluiu-se que as mães têm expetativas positivas em relação à inclusão dos seus filhos tendo, no entanto, expetativas negativas em relação aos serviços prestados pelas equipas de Intervenção Precoce no que se refere à adequação de serviços, nomeadamente, o tempo destinado ao apoio da Terapia da Fala que foi considerado insuficiente pela maioria das mães. Relativamente à entrada no primeiro ciclo, as principais preocupações prendem-se com a comunicação oral que o(a) seu (sua) filho(a) irá estabelecer com os professores e colegas, com a eventual falta de sensibilização dos docentes face à problemática da T21 e, no que se refere à aprendizagem, as maiores preocupações passam pelo acompanhamento do ritmo de trabalho dos colegas e com a capacidade, ou não, de ler e escrever.

Is the International Business Environment the actual context for international business research?

The International Business Environment (IBE) has been argued to be the essential context for international business (IB) studies and the distinguishing factor from other management studies and studies of large enterprises. Two content analysis show that many papers published in top tier IB journals either lack reference to any dimension of the IBE or tend to be uni-or bi-dimensional when addressing the IBE; it is not a surprise that the cultural dimension is the most often used. We suggest that: (a) there is need to developed more uni-and multi-dimensional environmental constructs; (b) a more holistic view of the IBE provides richer insights on the actual complexity underlying IB research. Future studies that provide more comprehensive models of the IBE that overcome the usual broad classifications of the international environment as undefined and uncontrollable factors are warranted to advance conceptual and empirical research.

Shopping for apparel: how can kiosk systems help?

When shopping for apparel, many consumers seek advice from friends and family or store personnel. In-store kiosk systems might serve as an alternative decision support system. In the present study we address the key question of how such kiosk systems are evaluated by consumers. We conducted three focus group discussions with regular apparel shoppers aged between 23 and 39 years. In sum, qualitative information from 15 participants was subject to a qualitative content analysis with the aim of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of how apparel shoppers experience the shopping process. Getting a more in-depth understanding of the needs and wishes associated with the apparel shopping process gives a basis for evaluating the potential acceptance of electronic decision support systems in apparel shopping. Although our study is exploratory in nature, we are able to draw an initial picture of how kiosk systems could be used in apparel shopping.

As TIC e a Nova Metodologia de Análise Textual

Revista Lusófona de Línguas, Culturas e Tradução

O estágio supervisionado no curso de Educação Física da UEPB/Brasil: concepções e contribuições na formação dos(as) alunos(s)

RESUMO: A formação profissional em Educação Física vem sofrendo mudanças significativas ao longo da história. Após a década de 1980, com a Lei de Directrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (LDBEN, Nº9394, de 20 de Dezembro de 1996), emergiram novos olhares para o curso. Neste novo contexto, o curso de Educação Física da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba – UEPB – vem redimensionando sua prática com vista na formação de um profissional comprometido com a educação em sua dimensão ética, política, social e cultural. Assim, tivemos como objectivo, investigar a contribuição do Estágio Supervisionado na formação inicial do licenciado em Educação Física. A pesquisa molda-se como um estudo de caso, com abordagem qualitativa. A unidade selecionada para o estudo foi o Curso de Licenciatura em Educação Física da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Paraíba-Brasil. Participaram da pesquisa dez alunos(as) egressos(as) do referido curso. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas e analisadas a partir da Análise de conteúdo. Os resultados apontam a persistência da dicotomia teoria e prática no estágio docente; deficiências no trabalho de supervisão do estágio, bem como na insatisfação dos(as) entrevistados(as) frente aos aspectos teórico-práticos do referido curso para atuação no mercado de trabalho . ABSTRACT: Vocational training in physical education hás undergone significant changes throughout history. After the 80’s, with the Lei de Directrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (LDBEN) nº 9.394/96, nem perspectives have emerged for the course. In this new context the course of Physical Education, State University of Paraiba – UEPB – redefined its practice in order to promote the formation of a professional committed to education in its ethical, political, social and cultural aspects. Thus, we aimed to investigate the extent to which supervised training has a relevant contribution for the initial degree in Physical Education. This research project is a case-study using a qualitative approach. The participants were ten students from Bachelor of Physical Education, State University of Paraiba, Brazil. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed through content analysis. The findings indicate that the dichotomy between theory and practice in teacher training is quite evident. The results also demonstrated deficiencies in the supervision of the training and a level of dissatisfaction concerning the applicability of the theoretical and practical aspects the course for the labour market.

Modeling the Diffusion of Energy Performance Contracting

The Portuguese Energy Policy considers the development of a commercially viable and competitive market for energy performance contracting (EPC) as a main mechanism to achieve the objectives of energy efficiency improvement. This paper proposes a study to investigate how to achieve widespread adoption of energy performance contracting by means of system dynamics modelling and simulation. To explore and gather insights on this question, a system dynamics model representing the system of the Portuguese EPC market at industry level will be created. The simulation of that model will provide a helpful basis for analysing and explaining the development of key variables, and accelerating learning on the managerial, organizational and political adaptation processes that foster the diffusion of EPC adoption. The first phase of this research project aims at identifying and analysing the key factors and critical cause-effect relations that drive the adoption of EPC. With this purpose, a qualitative content analysis on relevant documents was performed and a set of interviews was conducted. That data was analysed to capture the critical variables and its interrelation to formulate a preliminary representation of the system structure as stock and flow diagrams.

The process of implementing answerability in contemporary Brazil

Abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize the trajectory of answerability in Brazil. In the light of studies based on the historical neo-institutionalism approach, formal institutional changes adopted at federal level between 1985 and 2014, and which favor the typical requirements of answerability - information and justification - were identified and analyzed through the content analysis technique. The conclusion is that the trajectory of answerability in contemporary Brazil can be characterized as continuous, primarily occurring through the layering strategy, and whose leitmotif, since its origin, has consisted of matters of financial and budgetary nature. Nevertheless, a recent influence of deeper democratic subjects on it has been observed.

The convergence of the Central American countries to International Accounting Standards

Abstract: In the last few decades, Central American countries are making a significant effort in order to modernize their governments' legislation both on financial management and systems of financial information. In this sense, these countries aim to enhance the quality of public financial information in order to improve decision-making processes, decrease the level of corruption, and keep citizens informed. In this context, the purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to assess the degree of similarity of the financial information that is being developed by Central American governments with regard to the recommendations set up by Ipsas, and secondly, to analyse the efforts and the strategies that those countries are carrying out in the process of implementing those standards. To determine the differences in the information containing the annual financial statements issued by national public authorities and the recommendations set up by Ipsas we conducted a deductive content analysis. In view of the results we can say that the quality of annual financial statements presented by the countries in Central America, in comparison to the recommendations by the Ipsas concerning Ifac information, is not enough. Hence, in order to operate significant changes, it is still necessary to create new strategies for the implementation of the Ipsas.

A perceção dos chefs sobre o conceito de alimentação saudável e sua influência no bem-estar das pessoas : um estudo exploratório

As artes culinárias, os seus intervenientes e a envolvente associada às mesmas, assumem hoje um interesse crescente por parte dos consumidores, podendo funcionar como uma ferramenta de educação, tornando os consumidores mais recetivos à influência da alimentação na saúde. Por outro lado, o entretenimento direcionado para alimentação poderá conduzir o consumidor a um desvio das suas práticas alimentares saudáveis, envolvendo os espetadores numa fantasia e glamour, de cenários encenados que parecem reais em particular para pessoas sem qualificações em artes culinárias. Esta investigação pretende aferir a perceção dos Chefs sobre o conceito de alimentação saudável e a sua influência no bem-estar das pessoas na região da grande Lisboa. Metodologicamente, realizaram-se entrevistas a Chefs, privilegiando o método qualitativo. A informação recolhida foi tratada recorrendo-se à análise de conteúdo, utilizando-se o software QSR Nvivo 10®. As entrevistas seguiram um guião pré-estabelecido, incidindo sobre os seguintes temas: i) hábitos alimentares dos Chefs em casa; ii) perceção sobre alimentação saudável; iii) práticas em contexto de trabalho. Os Chefs percecionaram corretamente o conceito de alimentação saudável e associaram o bem-estar como o principal benefício associado à sua prática. Porém, nos seus locais de trabalho, os Chefs referem que se sentem pressionados pelas questões economicistas aquando da elaboração das suas receitas. Importa pois promover uma oferta alimentar atrativa e simultaneamente saudável, contribuindo para o bem-estar das pessoas.