Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-11-13"
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- Factors Influencing Hotel Revenue Management in Times of Crisis: Towards Financial SustainabilityPublication . Lima Santos, Luís; Gomes, Conceição; Malheiros, Cátia; Crespo, Catarina; Bento, Carla(1) Background: Facing the challenges of a post-pandemic period and the Ukraine War and recognising the gap in scientific research on the application of revenue management (RM) in the Portuguese hotel industry, the main objective of this study is to identify the most effective and least appropriate RM practices for use in periods of low demand and crises, reflecting the financial sustainability perspective. The theoretical framework of this study focuses on the main RM practices, grouping them into price and non-price strategies. (2) Methods: A quantitative methodology was employed, collecting information from Portuguese hotels through an online questionnaire, and statistical analysis using Mann–Whitney and Chi-square tests was conducted. (3) Results: Hotels offered discounts during the pandemic, but room rates were reduced during the recovery period. These findings also revealed that commonly used techniques were the best available rate (BAR) and rate fences, particularly during the pandemic. Quality, brand image, strategic partnerships, and marketing actions are recognised as essential. However, loyalty programs, length of stay (LOS) control, rate parity, and bundled services are not commonly implemented despite their importance during periods of low demand. Larger hotels, five-star hotels, and members of international chains applied more RM practices than smaller four-star independent hotels. (4) Originality: This study provides original and valuable insights into increasing hotel revenues and occupancy rates during future periods of low demand, which benefit financial sustainability.
- Proteção de PMEs no Ciberespaço: Aplicação de CIS Controls para resposta ao Selo de Maturidade Digital em CibersegurançaPublication . Crespo, Lúcio Miguel Brites dos Santos; Gomes, Ricardo Jorge Pereira; Maximiano, Marisa da SilvaOs ciberataques direcionados a organizações de todos os tamanhos e geografias, aumentam todos os anos. A cibersegurança envolve a utilização de métodos defensivos para detetar e impedir os atacantes de serem bem-sucedidos, centrando-se na tríade CIA. Assim a importância da cibersegurança cresce exponencialmente à medida que a sociedade se digitaliza. As empresas estão cada vez mais interligadas e dependentes umas das outras, aumentando a exposição a riscos e ameaças. Este trabalho explora diversas frameworks e modelos de avaliação de cibersegurança, com o objetivo de compreender e implementar boas práticas adequadas às PMEs portuguesas. O foco está em aumentar a resiliência dessas empresas, protegendo os seus ativos e cadeias de abastecimento, essenciais para a economia. As PMEs muitas vezes possuem recursos limitados, tornando difícil a implementação de práticas robustas de cibersegurança. Muitas destas, também operam em setores regulamentados onde a conformidade com normas de segurança é essencial, mas dispendiosa e complexa. A falta de acesso à consultoria especializada e a diversidade de normas existentes podem ser desafiantes para as PMEs. Com este trabalho pretende-se disponibilizar um guia prático com instruções claras e executáveis para ajudar as empresas. Este deve ser acompanhado da sensibilização da gestão de topo, pois líderes e executivos desempenham um papel fulcral na definição de prioridades e alocação de recursos. Através deste trabalho, foi possível mapear os requisitos dos Selo de Maturidade Digital em Cibersegurança (Bronze e Prata), com safeguards do CIS Controls. Pretende-se que ao serem implementadas as recomendações apresentadas no guia, as empresas se encontrem aptas a se submeterem à certificação de Maturidade Digital em Cibersegurança para a obtenção do nível Prata. Para uma melhor perceção do panorama real das PMEs, foi realizado um estudo junto de 21 PMEs da Região de Leiria, onde foram avaliadas as suas práticas atuais, perceção de vulnerabilidades e capacidades de resposta a incidentes de cibersegurança. Com a análise dos resultados, destaca-se a necessidade de maior foco na formação e conscientização dos colaboradores, exposto a componente humana como uma das maiores vulnerabilidades identificadas, assim como a necessidade de um maior investimento nas áreas de deteção e resposta a incidentes.
- Development of a retractable landing gear for an aircraftPublication . Amorim, Rodrigo Gaspar; Coelho, Luis Manuel de Jesus; Alves, Maria Leopoldina Mendes Ribeiro de SousaThe focus of this project is the development of a retractable landing gear system for an aircraft, with the goal of improving overall efficiency, safety and performance. The project emphasizes in dimensioning a realistic solution for an initial draft of an aircraft, with several parameters defined taking into account current market requirements. The project encompasses various critical aspects such as the landing gear arrangement, retraction movements, shock absorption solutions and braking systems while also referring to regulations and guidelines. In order to dimension an initial solution for the landing gear, a thorough research was conducted regarding the current solutions as well as any up-and-coming alternatives that may be more suitable for the project. With all the information gathered, a set of requirements was then obtained taking into account market demands, which would be further applied to the methodology developed, helping in the development of an initial solution. As a result, several findings were obtained, regarding the position, movement and requisites for the components of the landing gear structure. For the landing configuration, a tricycle layout was selected and then dimensioned through a series of steps in order to find the best position for both the main and front landing gear, ensuring a reliable maneuverability and safe structure. In regard to the retraction movement, a forward retractable system was suggested as the best option, mainly due to the restrictions in payload areas in the fuselage, with the usage of additional wheel bays as the most suitable solution for storage. For the shock absorption, an oleo-pneumatic solution was deemed the most appropriate, and then dimensioned to have at least a stroke of 8.8 in and a diameter of 0.105 ft. At last, the braking requirements resulted in a brake capable of absorbing at least 98578 ft.lbf of energy and capable of producing more than the minimum value of torque, at 525.95 lbf.in. These findings and results, serve as an introduction towards the development of a full landing gear structure, with a long series of steps still needed to be taken into account before the final solution is ready.