Internationalization strategies and methods of construction firms – a comparative study between Hong Kong - Chinese and Portuguese – European approaches

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau Mestre em Engenharia Civil – Perfil de Construção

O Planeamento Urbano e as estações de Ski na perspectiva do Marketing

O nascimento do conceito de marketing territorial tem a sua origem numa tripla evolução contemporânea. Em primeiro lugar; a concorrência entre conjuntos territoriais aumentou de forma espectacular nos anos 90, seja no que respeita à organização de manifestações desportivas, à implantação de parques de diversão, de infraestruturas ou simplesmente de emp resas. Em segundo lugar, os subconjuntos nacionais beneficiaram de uma maior autonomia pela via de uma desc entralização que atingiu todos os países. Esta descentralização p ermitiu uma repartição mais equilibrada dos poderes e forneceu aos actores locais, as bases do desenvolvimento territorial. Finalmente, o alargamento das competências orçamentais da União Europeia tornou possível a extensão da sua política territorial e engendrou uma corrida aos subsídios. O marketing territorial aparece pois como a forma geográfica da globalização e da liberalização das economias mundiais, uma vez que ele define como objectivo vender um conjunto territorial, pô-lo no mercado aplicando técnicas similares às utilizadas para vender um produto de consumo corrente. De qualquer forma, pela singularidade do produto em questão , temos que nos haver com uma abordagem de marketing sensivelmente diferente da abordagem clássica. Assim sendo, tentaremos definir esta especificidade e mostrar os meios de acção do marketing territorial.

Yellow fever virus isolated from a fatal post vaccination event: an experimental comparative study with the 17DD vaccine strain in the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

In order to investigate the pathogenicity of the virus strain GOI 4191 that was isolated from a fatal adverse event after yellow fever virus (YFV) vaccination, an experimental assay using hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) as animal model and YFV 17DD vaccine strain as virus reference was accomplished. The two virus strains were inoculated by intracerebral, intrahepatic and subcutaneous routes. The levels of viremia, antibody response, and aminotransferases were determined in sera; while virus, antigen and histopathological changes were determined in the viscera. No viremia was detected for either strain following infection; the immune response was demonstrated to be more effective to strain GOI 4191; and no significant aminotransferase levels alterations were detected. Strain GOI 4191 was recovered only from the brain of animals inoculated by the IC route. Viral antigens were detected in liver and brain by immunohistochemical assay. Histothological changes in the viscera were characterized by inflammatory infiltrate, hepatocellular necrosis, and viral encephalitis. Histological alterations and detection of viral antigen were observed in the liver of animals inoculated by the intrahepatic route. These findings were similar for both strains used in the experiment; however, significant differences were observed from those results previously reported for wild type YFV strains.

Comparative clinical and ultrasound study of egg-negative and egg-positive individuals from Schistosoma mansoni low morbidity endemic areas, and hospitalized patients with hepatosplenic disease

Two hundred and twenty three subjects from a Schistosoma mansoni low morbidity endemic area and nine hospitalized hepatosplenic patients were submitted to stool test and clinical examination and abdomen ultrasound assessments. According to stool examination and ultrasound results, they were grouped as follows: G1 - 63 Schistosoma mansoni egg-negative individuals; G2 - 141 egg-positive patients and without evidence of periportal fibrosis; G3 - 19 egg-positive patients with periportal echogenicity (3-6mm); and G4 - 9 hepatosplenic patients with periportal echogenicity (> 6mm). Hepatomegaly detected by physical examination of the abdomen evaluated in the midclavicular line was verified in G1, G2 and G3, respectively, in 11.1, 12.1 and 26.3%. In G1, G2 and G3, periportal thickening occurred only in schistosomal patients (8.5%). Mild pathological alterations in patients that cannot yet be detected by clinical examination were detectable in the liver by ultrasound and can be due to fibrosis. The degree of mild periportal fibrosis was diminished in 57.9% of patients 12 months after treatment of schistosomiasis with oxamniquine. At ultrasonography, the mean liver left lobe measurement of G3 was larger than that of G1, and that of G4 larger than that of G1 and G2. The mean size of the spleen of G4 was significantly larger than that of the other three groups, and that of G3 larger than that of G1 and G2.

Content Marketing: O Poder dos Conteúdos no Marketing Relacional – Estudo Aplicado ao Mercado de Bricolage

A presente investigação pretende demonstrar o poder dos conteúdos no processo de construção de relações entre marcas e consumidores. Se por um lado visa compreender de que forma é que a comunicação integrada de conteúdos – Content Marketing – pode ser uma ferramenta essencial para a empresa ganhar notoriedade, posicionamento e consequentemente receitas, por outro propõese analisar o papel do Content Marketing como uma das dimensões do Marketing Relacional. O estudo foca-se no mercado de bricolage, direccionado para a marca Leroy Merlin. Foi utilizado o método quantitativo através de inquéritos por questionário a uma amostra de 80 consumidores de bricolage em Portugal. Os resultados permitem concluir que no mercado estudado a qualidade intangível é a variável do marketing relacional com impacto na satisfação de clientes, sendo que para efeitos de fidelização, as variáveis significativas são: o compromisso, os factores do meio-envolvente e a notoriedade. O marketing de conteúdos revelou-se pouco significativo para a obtenção de satisfação e fidelização de clientes, no entanto apresentou um impacto indirecto através da notoriedade que depois terá relação com a satisfação e com a fidelização.

Comparative study of survivor and nonsurvivor sepsis patients in a university hospital

To determine parameters associated with the evolution of sepsis, a five-year retrospective study was conducted in a university hospital. One hundred and four consecutive sepsis patients were evaluated, of whom 55.8% were men. The mortality was 68.3% and was associated with older age (p<0.05). Chronic comorbidities and infection site were not associated with prognosis. Gram-positive bacteria were more frequently identified in survivors (p<0.05), while non-detection of the germ was associated with mortality (p<0.01). Appropriate use of antibiotics (germ sensitive to at least one drug administered) was associated with survival (p<0.0001) while inappropriate use (p<0.05) or empirical use (p<0.01) were more frequent in nonsurvivors. Leukocytosis was the main abnormality (54.8%) detected on diagnosis, from the leukocyte count. During the evolution, normal leukocyte count was associated with survival (p<0.01) and leukocytosis with mortality (p<0.05). In conclusion, mortality was associated with nondetection of the pathogen, leukocytosis during the evolution of the sepsis and inappropriate or empirical use of antimicrobials. Evidence-based treatment that is directed towards modifiable risk factors might improve the prognosis for sepsis patients.

O papel das Redes Sociais como ferramenta de Marketing: Um estudo das empresas B2B nacionais

O objetivo deste estudo é explorar o impacto e benefícios das redes sociais no setor business-to-business (B2B) – um fenómeno recente e que, por isso, constituiu uma área ainda pouco explorada em termos académicos, particularmente em Portugal. Com base num inquérito realizado a 100 empresas portuguesas a operar em contexto B2B, este estudo demonstra claramente que os benefícios das redes sociais não são exclusivos das empresas business-to-consumer (B2C), contrariando assim a convicção que a aposta nestas plataformas constitui um desperdício para os mercados B2B. As empresas foram aliás unânimes em reconhecer a importância das redes sociais, contudo, nem todas parecem beneficiar ao máximo destas plataformas. Concluiu-se que, mais do que a área ou setor de atuação, fatores como o planeamento e compromisso determinam os resultados obtidos nas redes sociais. Evidência disso mesmo é o facto de 70% das empresas que atualizam o perfil do Facebook diariamente afirmarem já ter conseguido novas oportunidades de negócio com base em contactos feitos através das redes sociais, sendo que esta percentagem diminui consideravelmente (37%) quando se consideram as restantes empresas, com atualização menos frequente. Contudo, fica claro também que as empresas B2B portuguesas parecem não utilizar as redes sociais como veículo primordial para alcançar novas oportunidades de negócio, mas sim para desenvolver a notoriedade e imagem da marca, bem como aumentar o envolvimento e as experiências positivas com os clientes e potenciais clientes. Este estudo revela assim que, em contexto B2B, as empresas portuguesas encontram-se ativamente a fazer negócios através das redes sociais, embora exista ainda margem para se desenvolverem e tirarem ainda mais partido destas plataformas.

Comparative biology of the two sister species of Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

INTRODUCTION: Triatoma pseudomaculata and T. wygodzinskyi (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) are two Brazilian vectors of Chagas disease. The first is an arboricolous species in sylvatic environment and considered a vector of T. cruzi in peridomestic structures; the second, a rupicolous species in the wild environment of no epidemiological importance. In order to test the assumption that sister species share biological traits, comparative studies of their development cycle and blood ingestion were conducted. METHODS: Eggs laid by five field females of each species were randomly selected. The nymphs were observed daily and fed on mice weekly. The time required to pass through the different stages to adulthood was recorded in days. The triatomines were weighed individually before and after feeding. The mortality rate according to each nymphal stage was calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the results shows that they display only minor biological differences even though they exhibit a distinct ecology. This suggests that the biological traits are important criteria to determine the relationship between species.

Social media: The new tool in firms’ marketing strategies

In this work project we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social media as a marketing tool. Four international cases were analyzed to provide anecdotal evidence of how social and viral marketing have been used by four firms in very different industries. We reviewed empirical evidence on the topic to discuss the main components of viral marketing. We concluded that positive (electronic) word of mouth, short response time and seeding through high network value customers are the main drivers of the success of a viral marketing campaign. We also conducted a study of the Portuguese telecommunications industry, in particular, the mobile segment. We found that the three main players operating in this market have been using social media successfully as a marketing tool in a strategic approach to the 14-25 years old segment.

Use of multi-sensory marketing techniques and its influence on brand experience in retail and HORECA sector

Double degree. A Work Project presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA- School of Business and Economics and Warsaw School of Economics

Marketing plan: How to benefit from the European population ageing and attract the affluent senior segment to choose Lisbon as a tourism destination?

NSBE - UNL

Being ahead of its time the consumer resistance phenomenon: A comparative case study research

Double Degree.

The determinants of Foreign Direct Investments attraction in Portugal and Spain: A comparative analysis

Double Degree. A Work Project presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Master Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics and a Master Degree in Business Engineering from Louvain School of Management

FPC current marketing strategy

Direct Research Internship Course