Browsing by Author "Martins, Susana"
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- Competitiveness of the Medical Tourism Supply in PortugalPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Moreira, Jacinta; Castanho, Rui Alexandre; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, SusanaSince 2008, government and private hospitals, recognizing the growth potential of specialization in certain medical procedures, started to promote Portugal as a medical tourism destination. As a result, the country is internationally recognized in areas such as oncology, neuroscience, immunology, nanomedicine, and regenerative medicine, and as having an internationally accredited modern healthcare network based on innovation in therapeutic processes and products, qualified professionals, and state-of-the-art equipment. However, previous literature suggests that the lack of cooperation between the stakeholders is major obstacle to international performance. Moreover, the pandemic has caused restrictions to international travels, contributing to the decrease of demand for medical tourism. Thus, this paper analyzes the evolution of the competitiveness of the medical tourism supply during the pandemic. Using an unbalanced panel of 157 private hospitals, collected from SABI for 2011 to 2020, we calculated four performance indicators: market share, return on investment, productivity and talent retention. Results point to the possession of key factors to ensure the success and development of a consolidated supply of medical tourism. The paper makes recommendations on the strategies to increase competitiveness of medical tourism supply
- The Influence of Business Cycles on Corporate Performance: Evidence from Outdoor TourismPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Abreu, António; Pinto, Agostinho Sousa; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, SusanaTourism contributes substantially to economies and employment opportunities. In recent years, sustainable tourism has gained prominence, seeking to harmonize economic growth with environmental preservation and social equity. This concept revolves around minimizing tourism’s environmental impact while maximizing local community benefits. Consequently, assessing the economic sustainability of tourism firms becomes imperative for destinations aspiring to cultivate sustainable tourism practices, particularly in nature-based, cultural, and nautical activities. This study delves into the economic sustainability of outdoor tourism firms in Portugal, encompassing nature-based, cultural, and nautical activities, from 2013 to 2022 across diverse business cycles. Utilizing data from the National Tourism Registry and the SABI database, we scrutinize profitability and financial structures. Our findings underscore essential insights. Nature/adventure firms struggle to maintain consistent positive returns on assets, while cultural and nautical firms exhibit variable profitability linked to economic conditions. Nature/adventure firms display relatively strong current liquidity, hinting at potential financial resilience during economic downturns. Cultural firms consistently exhibit higher financial autonomy, indicative of distinct financial management practices. Debt ratios vary significantly among firms, reflecting diverse financing strategies and risk profiles. These findings hold implications for outdoor tourism sector managers and policymakers. Managers must prioritize risk management, financial strategies, and financing approaches to bolster financial resilience and long-term sustainability. Policymakers can offer targeted support and incentives to mitigate the adverse effects of business cycles, safeguarding the sector’s enduring viability.
- Informational Heritage and the Relation Between Information Science Museology: Information Professional Performance ProjectsPublication . Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana; Castro, Maria João; Santos, Eleonora; de Carvalho, Ana Branca SoeiroThe museum transforms objects into perceptible information as it is a repository of information. Therefore, Culture and Museology use information and communication technologies as mediating communication tools, enhancing the conservation and “socialization” of museum collections, promoting access to cultural information, through the interdisciplinarity required between the museologist and other professionals who, together, organize and disseminate the collections. The enhancement of Cultural Heritage is the link between Museology and Information Science and involves valuing the human action of creating, interpreting, using, selecting, and distributing knowledge products and records, thus creating a connection with the concept of information. Hence, information is central to the process of cultural development and it is important to highlight the role of the information professional who, using information and communication technologies, can act in areas based on informational heritage. This paper using literature review as a methodology by defining the theoretical framework and the conceptual structure that supports the article, which clarifies the relationship between Information Science, Heritage, and Museology, presenting the information professional as a partner of Museology, working the cultural object as a document with communicative properties, as a message intended for a specific audience and as information that impacts that audience. Projects are presented that demonstrate this connection and performance.
- Is There an Economic Bias in Academic Success?Publication . Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, SusanaThis paper analyses whether schools with better scores in National Exams are in regions NUTs III with greater purchasing power. Accordingly, we analyse the evolution of the ranking of schools considering the purchasing power of the regions where they are located. Using data collected in the media, related to school rankings by region for 2008 and 2014 and in Pordata database for regional purchasing power in 2007 and 2011, we calculate location and specialization measures and perform a regional shift-share analysis. The results show that schools located in regions with very high and high purchasing powers rank first, and both structural and regional changes are positive. A notable exception is the region of Alto Alentejo with a medium purchasing power. In contrast, regions with low purchasing power show negative structural and regional changes. These results indicate that, with an exception, the gap between regions of low and high purchasing powers has been perpetuated.
- Sustainable Enablers of Knowledge Management Strategies in a Higher Education InstitutionPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, SusanaBy facilitating the capture, organization, and dissemination of knowledge within and beyond the institution, knowledge management (KM) in higher education institutions (HEIs) fuels innovation, enhances research impact, and strengthens collaboration, ultimately leading to the creation of new knowledge and its valuable exchange. However, there is still much to explore in terms of the enablers of knowledge creation, sharing, and transfer. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the enablers of effective KM in the Polytechnique University of Leiria, which serves as a benchmark for other higher education institutions due to its leadership role in RUN-EU, a consortium of European universities. To achieve this, a narrative analysis based on information from SCOPUS and the institute’s website, focusing on innovation, research, and development strategies, is proposed. The findings suggest that for KM initiatives to be successful, they need to be strategically designed, culturally supported, technologically enabled, and integrated into existing workflows.
- Sustainable Water Management: Understanding the Socioeconomic and Cultural DimensionsPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, SusanaWith the pressing challenges of water scarcity and pollution, achieving sustainable water management is imperative for promoting long-term development. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the socio-economic and cultural factors that shape the sustainability of water management strategies in Brazil and Portugal. This study highlights various factors that influence water management, including robust legal frameworks, socio-economic disparities, cultural practices, agricultural water usage, knowledge sharing, public participation, climate change resilience, water scarcity risks, industrial water consumption, and urbanization. By conducting a SWOT analysis of water management strategies, this research synthesizes information through an extensive literature review, encompassing the legal frameworks, policies, and implemented strategies in both countries. Additionally, it investigates comparative studies among Brazil, Portugal, and other European nations to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences in water management practices. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with water management strategies in Brazil and Portugal, thereby guiding the development of tailored policies and strategies that foster sustainability in water resource management. Additionally, the research highlights the role of digital transformation in optimizing water management practices. By integrating socio-economic, cultural, and digital factors, this study contributes to effective and sustainable water management in Brazil and Portugal, ensuring responsible utilization and preservation of water resources.
- The Fisherman's Route - Project of sustainability and pedagogical practicesPublication . Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana; Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Ana Branca Soeiro deThe Fisherman's Route is a collaborative project implemented through training and pedagogical innovation and the integration of final year students from LCTDI (ISCAP-P.Porto) in the curricular unit of Internship for the application of the skills of the Information Professional (IP) for the 21st century. Informational heritage makes it possible to create and enrich tourist activities based on local culture, promoting sustainable and local economic development, as well as safeguarding heritage, through the transfer of knowledge from the IP skills acquired at LCTDI. Through semi-structured interviews with members of the fishing communities of Caxinas and Poça da Barca and the analysis of documents, a survey of the informational heritage linked to fishing practices was carried out. The results of the project are presented, which is assumed as a model for local development, valuing traditions and preserving the informational heritage linked to the fishing activity. The importance of the competences that the IP holds in different work realities is inferred.
- The Use of Social Networks as a Strategic Tool: The Case of Cuca Monga Discos and Its Presence on TikTokPublication . Lobo, Rafaela; Martins, Susana; Carvalho, Milena; Abreu, António; Castro, Maria João; Santos, Eleonora; Branca, AnaThe increased presence of brands and organizations on digital social networks has led to the need to understand and characterize their strategies and engagement with the public. The present study is an exploratory-descriptive investigation based on a literature review and the analysis of alternative metrics with the general objective of knowing how the publisher Cuca Monga Discos used TikTok between 2019 and 2022. It is assumed that engagement and participation are essential for the cultural industry hence the importance of promoting an environment of interaction between actors on social networks. It is concluded that the publisher uses Tik Tok and interactivity strategies and that adopting strategies that actively encourage followers to interact more will be beneficial.
- Tourist Preferences in Latin AmericaPublication . Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana; Carvalho, Ana Branca; Castro, Maria João; Mesquita, Anabela; Silva, PaulinoIn today's era of digital transformation, understanding tourism preferences is crucial for enhancing the travel experience. The way travelers get, analyze, and apply information to plan their trips has been completely transformed by information and communication technologies (ICTs). Features like accessibility, attractions , amenities, and prices influence travelers' choice regarding their destination and according to the Information Search Theory, travelers look up a lot of information in order to lower uncertainty and improve the quality of their decisions. This study examines the intricate interplay of factors influencing tourist preferences in Latin America, focusing on the role of hotel ratings, location, attractions, and accessibility. Drawing on regression analysis of data from Booking.com across six Latin American countries , including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil, the research identifies distinct tourist profiles and their preferences. Novel findings include a preference for lower-rated hotels among certain segments, a trade-off between accessibility and destination characteristics, and a prioritization of accessibility over the diversity of attractions for some travelers. These insights have significant implications for tourism management, suggesting targeted marketing strategies, product development initiatives, infrastructure investments, and collaborative partnerships to enhance the overall visitor experience and promote sustainable tourism development in the region.