Strategic Planning and Organizational Effectiveness in Social Service Organizations in Portugal

This study aims to understand the reality of social service organizations, the level of implementation of the strategic planning as well as the impact of its application on organizational effectiveness. At first, we will group organizations in clusters according to the level of strategic planning implementation and its degree of effectiveness. Secondly, we will analyse all the different groups. Given the growing number of social service organizations and the consequent complexity of their structures, it turns out the need for these organizations adopt formal management techniques. Strategic planning is a valuable strategic management tool and one of its main objectives is to make organizations more effective. Therefore, the research has been conducted in order to determine if strategic planning is implemented in social service organizations and which effects has its application on organizational effectiveness. The survey, applied to 220 social service organizations, allowed us to gather them into different clusters, showing that different levels of strategic planning determine distinct degrees of organizational efficiency. Finally, it should be noted that findings of this research may be essential to decision makers of these organizations, because it was shown that the adoption of strategic planning has a positive influence on organizational effectiveness of social service organizations.

Proposal for shared services performance management model applied to portugueses public administration

Comunica����o apresentada no 8�� Congresso Nacional de Administra����o P��blica - Desafios e Solu����es, em Carcavelos de 21 a 22 de Novembro de 2011.

Knowledge management in higher education institutions: a framework to improve collaboration

The purpose of this paper is to present a framework that increases knowledge sharing and collaboration in Higher Education Institutions. The paper discusses the concept of knowledge management in higher education institutions, presenting a systematization of knowledge practices and tools to linking people (students, teachers, researchers, secretariat staff, external entities)and promoting the knowledge sharing across several key processes and services in a higher education institution, such as: the research processes, learning processes, student and alumni services, administrative services and processes, and strategic planning and management. The framework purposed in this paper aims to improve knowledge practices and processes which facilitate an environment and a culture of knowledge collaboration,sharing and discovery that should characterize an institution of higher education.

Balanced Scorecard

Mestrado Em Engenharia Mec��nica - Ramo Gest��o Industrial

Identidade visual corporativa enquanto recurso estrat��gico na competitividade entre organiza����es em Portugal

Disserta����o apresentada �� Escola Superior de Comunica����o Social como parte dos requisitos para obten����o de grau de mestre em Publicidade e Marketing.

Strategic environmental assessment in Tr��ia (Portugal)

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Coastal Conservation and Management in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, p. 91-98

Sustentabilidade dos Georrecursos: Proposta de Defini����o de ��ndice de Sustentabilidade para Pedreiras Produtoras de Agregados

As atuais pol��ticas industriais procuram conjugar os objetivos econ��micos com direitos sociais e ambientais atrav��s da aplica����o de pol��ticas de desenvolvimento sustent��vel. A gest��o coordenada destes tr��s cap��tulos visa contribuir para o bem���estar e progressiva melhoria da qualidade de vida dos cidad��os. Esta Tese de Mestrado tem por objetivo a aplica����o de um sistema de avalia����o de pedreiras produtoras de agregados partindo da an��lise integrada de indicadores setoriais nas ��reas econ��mica, social e ambiental. Deste modo �� proposto o desenvolvimento de um m��todo de avalia����o que permita proceder a uma an��lise qualitativa e quantitativa do desempenho de pedreiras do ponto de vista da sua sustentabilidade. Numa abordagem inicial, enquadradora das quest��es que se levantam com as pol��ticas de desenvolvimento sustent��vel, �� feita uma introdu����o relativa ��s correntes de pensamento dominantes sobre esta quest��o, tendo ainda sido feito um relacionamento entre as quest��es ligadas com o planeamento estrat��gico deste setor industrial e as quest��es ligadas com o ordenamento do territ��rio. Posteriormente, �� feita uma an��lise do enquadramento do setor extrativo relativo �� explora����o de pedreiras no ��mbito das pol��ticas econ��micas, sociais e ambientais da Comunidade Europeia e uma caracteriza����o da import��ncia deste setor industrial na economia portuguesa. Ap��s o desenvolvimento destas quest��es, �� dada sequ��ncia ao trabalho desenvolvido na ado����o e cria����o de indicadores econ��micos, sociais e ambientais adaptados �� situa����o particular das pedreiras produtoras de inertes portuguesas. Finalmente, �� proposto o desenvolvimento de um m��todo de c��lculo tendo em vista a cria����o de um ��ndice de Sustentabilidade a partir da an��lise dos resultados dos indicadores setoriais anteriormente referidos. Assim, �� apresentada uma s��mula de conclus��es sobre este tipo de abordagem, suas vantagens e inconvenientes relativamente aos m��todos tradicionais de avalia����o deste tipo de ind��stria. ��, por ��ltimo, apresentado um conjunto de sugest��es que permitam a utiliza����o na rotina, de forma acess��vel, desta nova ferramenta de an��lise.

Relationship between ISO 9001 certification maturity and EFQM business excellence model results

Purpose: This exploratory research evaluates if there is a relationship between the number of years since an organization has achieved ISO 9001 certification and the highest level of recognition received by the same organization with the EFQM Business Excellence Model. Methodology/Approach: After state of the art review a detailed comparison between both models was made. Fifty two Portuguese organizations were considered and Correlation coefficient Spearman Rho was used to investigate the possible relationships. Findings: Conclusion is that there is indeed a moderate positive correlation between these two variables, the higher the number of years of ISO 9001 certification, the higher the results of the organization EFQM model evaluation and recognition. This supports the assumption that ISO 9001 International Standard by incorporating many of the principles present in the EFQM Business Excellence Model is consistent with this model and can be considered as a step towards that direction. Research Limitation/implication: Due to the dynamic nature of these models that might change over time and the possible time delays between implementation and results, more in-depth studies like experimental design or a longitudinal quasi-experimental design could be used to confirm the results of this investigation. Originality/Value of paper: This research gives additional insights on conjunct studies of both models. The use of external evaluation results carried out by the independent EFQM assessors minimizes the possible bias of previous studies accessing the value of ISO 9001 certification.

Strategic Drivers for Implementing Sustainability Programs in Portuguese Organizations��� Let���s Listen to Aristotle: From Triple to Quadruple Bottom Line

This article describes a study that investigated the main strategic drivers that influence the implementation of sustainability/social responsibility programs. An online survey was administered to managers of Portuguese organizations with certified management systems. The findings suggest that the implementation of such programs is mainly correlated to: 1.) the approach to understanding and working toward the satisfaction of the community���s needs (in the broad sense of social responsibility); 2.) how systematically sustainability within the organization is identified and managed (e.g., pollution prevention, improved environmental performance, and compliance with the applicable environmental laws); and 3.) the degree to which the organization tries to understand the needs of the employees and works toward satisfying them. In addition to the survey, five interviews with top managers of the surveyed organizations provided some useful insights. There was no consensus on the meaning of sustainability and social responsibility: some described it as an instrumental approach for obtaining better organizational results, while others regarded it as the right thing to do (i.e., it is values driven). In all cases, however, the managers supported a kind of umbrella construct under which different size corporations use different models (for example, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), ISO 14001 environmental management systems), although some managers reported that they simply do not know what to do. All of those surveyed agreed that the lack of a systematic approach could represent a major threat to their organization, making them willing to pay more attention and take more action on the issue of sustainability. An additional suggestion made by managers was to change from a triple bottom line (economic dimension, environmental dimension, social equity dimension) to a quadruple bottom line by adding another dimension: personal and family happiness. This fourth dimension was recognized by the Greek philosopher/thinker Aristotle (384-322 BCE) who thought of happiness as the highest good (virtue) and ultimate goal and purpose of life, achieved through living well, in harmony. Such harmony suggests a balance and a lack of excess���in other words a sustainable existence.

Municipal solid waste management system: decision support through systems analysis

Thesis submitted to the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering

The relationship between knowledge acquisition on international assignments and career development: an exploratory study with portuguese repatriates

This paper explores the relationship between the expatriates��� knowledge acquisition (KA) and their career development after an international assignment (IA). The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of expatriates in KA and transfer within International Portuguese multinational corporations. Furthermore, with this empirical study we try to analyse how the knowledge that is acquired and transferred translates into a basis for career development after the IA. This phenomenon has a special relevance in the Portuguese context, because this country is known a growing process of globalization in recent years. Furthermore, (a) there are no empirical studies concerning knowledge transfer and career development of repatriates from Portuguese companies; (b) little is known about the repatriates��� contributions to their home company after IA. This paper is one of the first to focus specifically on the repatriates��� role in KA and transfer from the host company to their Portuguese home company. A qualitative research methodology is used, specifically through an exploratory case study approach, which examines how knowledge management (KM) acquisition or transferring during IA are important for the repatriates��� career development in the Portuguese home company. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews to 42 Portuguese international assignees and 18 organizational representatives from nine Portuguese companies. Preliminary results show that KA and transfer made by Portuguese expatriates contributes directly to their career development. Moreover, evidence reveals that not all repatriates were promoted after their IA; rather some repatriates were even demoted after their IA. Furthermore, the results obtained suggest that the type of knowledge which acquired or transferred plays a central role in the career development after repatriation. According to these results, the paper discusses the major theoretical and practical implications. Suggestions for future research are also presented.

Generic competencies and practices of managing by competencies: an exploratory study in different organizational contexts

Given the increasingly demanding labor market, today���s professional should act according to certain generic competencies, which allows him to perform as required by the contemporary world. In parallel, human resource management (HRM) current trends, highlight the importance that managing by competencies has in the organizational context, in the sense that it impels a more strategic and integrated HRM. The evidence of the theoretical and practical pertinence of this theme resulted in an exploratory study of a qualitative nature, which findings lead us to conclude that the most valued generic competencies by firms are flexibility, interpersonal relationship, adjustment to change and teamwork. Another finding is that HRM managing by competencies practices is characterized by informality. Managing by competencies is more frequent presence in processes as: recruitment, retention and in the employees��� development plans.

Lean, agile, resilient and green supply chain management interoperability assessment methodology

Disserta����o para obten����o de grau de Mestre em Engenharia e Gest��o Industrial (MEGI)

Otimiza����o da opera����o de picking em armaz��ns

A Log��stica, vista como uma perspetiva integradora entre os parceiros de neg��cio, com objetivos comuns de proporcionar ao cliente mais-valias e aspetos diferenciadores perante os outros concorrentes, contribui em muito na manuten����o das empresas na globaliza����o atual, que se torna cada vez mais flex��vel. Atrav��s de uma boa gest��o de processos cr��ticos de neg��cio, boa localiza����o dos materiais, sejam eles quais forem, produtos finais, mat��rias-primas ou produtos em vias de fabrico e atrav��s do transporte a log��stica cria utilidade temporal e diferenciadora. De facto, a log��stica poder�� assumir um papel fundamental em proporcionar valor acrescentado ao disponibilizar, a tempo, os servi��os que os clientes necessitam ou esperam. Enquadrando-se na tem��tica de gest��o dos armaz��ns, o presente projeto consistiu no estudo de opera����es de picking com a finalidade de otimiza����o dos processos de picking no armaz��m do operador log��stico AR ��� Servi��os de Log��stica, localizado em Ribeir��o, Vila Nova de Famalic��o. O trabalho inicial passou pelo levantamento do funcionamento das opera����es do processo de picking na empresa e posteriormente confront��-los com as tecnologias e procedimentos atuais no mercado. Com base nos resultados obtidos, foi poss��vel definir e implementar m��tricas enquadradas nas finalidades estrat��gicas e operacionais do operador log��stico. As solu����es passaram tamb��m pela melhoria da aplica����o de gest��o de armaz��ns (WMS), reavalia����o dos indicadores previamente estabelecidos e na aquisi����o de equipamentos para automatiza����o das opera����es picking e localiza����es. Os registos e informa����es relacionadas com os m��dulos fulcrais s��o armazenados e tratados na base de dados de suporte �� aplica����o com contributo de melhoria cont��nua aos procedimentos log��stico da empresa e sua rela����o com os stakeholders na estrat��gia global de neg��cio com o operador log��stico. Finalmente, foi poss��vel analisar os resultados obtidos em modo real em rela����o as estimativas calculadas e definidas na fase de implementa����o e desenvolvimento.

Plano estrat��gico ���Empowering Lab ESEIG���

Os jovens ao longo do seu percurso escolar t��m aspira����es e expetativas elevadas quanto ao valor de empregabilidade dos diplomas a que tiveram acesso em todos os graus de ensino. Contudo, no recente contexto de crise econ��mica, essas aspira����es e expetativas socialmente nutridas pela escola e pela fam��lia t��m sido em grande medida frustradas pelas crescentes dificuldades que os jovens portugueses de hoje t��m vivido nos seus processos de inser����o profissional. A n��vel individual, um jovem que passe um longo per��odo inativo tem grandes probabilidades de sofrer de baixa autoestima, exclus��o social ou de um ���wage scar���, isto ��, de no futuro ter um rendimento abaixo do rendimento m��dio de pessoas com forma����o e experi��ncia equivalentes al��m de desenvolverem uma atitude passiva e falta de participa����o social, o que no longo prazo acaba por ter implica����es negativas para a sociedade como um todo. Conscientes desta realidade e sabendo que as incubadoras de neg��cios podem transmitir confian��a �� comunidade financeira e apoiar as startups, promovendo uma cultura de empreendedorismo e agindo como um catalisador para o desenvolvimento de estruturas de suporte de neg��cios mais amplas, partimos para o estudo da incuba����o de neg��cios com o intuito de tra��ar um plano estrat��gico para a Escola Superior de Estudos Industriais e de Gest��o (ESEIG) que permitisse desenvolver a cultura empreendedora da sua comunidade e por esta via dar o seu contributo para a resolu����o da crise econ��mica que o pa��s atravessa. Come��amos por fazer um enquadramento te��rico da incuba����o de neg��cios e rapidamente percebemos que, sendo a ESEIG uma institui����o de ensino superior, era importante incluir no estudo os conceitos de empreendedorismo e inova����o e perceber ao n��vel te��rico como funciona a rela����o Universidade-Empresa. De seguida, fomos para o ���terreno��� e percebemos que a solu����o para este desafio passaria por capacitar os alunos da ESEIG com as compet��ncias empresariais e empreendedoras necess��rias para o desenvolvimento de qualquer empreendimento autonomamente. Faltava agora perceber qual a melhor forma de concretizar este ambicioso objetivo. Ap��s um pouco mais de estudo, percebemos que, a paix��o est�� no centro de empreendedorismo juntamente com outras dimens��es afetivas e emocionais e pode estimular a criatividade e o reconhecimento de novos padr��es de informa����o fundamental para a descoberta e explora����o de oportunidades promissoras. Por sua vez, a alegria local (escolas, cidades, regi��es, pa��ses) est�� associada a uma maior atividade empreendedora, o humor e sentimentos positivos, bem como a satisfa����o de vida geram efeitos ben��ficos, como melhor desempenho nas tarefas e produtividade, evolu����o na carreira e sucesso pessoal e maior propens��o para assumir riscos. Percebemos ent��o que �� necess��rio desenvolver uma cultura de positividade, pelo que, sugerimos a implementa����o do novo quadro conceptual PROSPER (Positivity; Relationships; Outcomes; Strengths; Purpose; Engagement; Resilience) que tem o potencial de ser usado como uma ferramenta organizacional para a implementa����o dos sete principais componentes de bem-estar. Cientes de que o objetivo final �� aumentar a inten����o empreendedora dos estudantes, bem como o n��mero efetivo de empreendedores, definimos como objetivos, promover o valor do empreendedorismo na cria����o de oportunidades e no desenvolvimento das compet��ncias dos estudantes (Engaging), fornecer aos estudantes oportunidades de aprendizagem empresarial (Empowering) e apoiar os estudantes na cria����o e no desenvolvimento de neg��cios (Equipping). Neste sentido, sugerimos diversas a����es que materializam estes objetivos. Para finalizar, utilizamos um Lean Canvas com o intuito de concretizar a nossa proposta estrat��gica para ESEIG, que culmina com a cria����o do Empowering Lab ESEIG.