ESTM - Comunicações em conferências e congressos internacionais
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- The Implementation of the Circular Economy R-Principles and Strategies: The Portuguese Hotel Industry PerspectivePublication . Costa, Berta; Rodrigues, Susana; Santos, NatáliaCircular Economy (CE) is a concept that has been gaining increasing importance in business circles and advocated by European Union, and by several governments worldwide. It is acknowledged that it has the potential to optimise resource efficiency, minimise production and consumption of greenhouse gas emissions, while simultaneously granting competitive advantage business prospects. Although it has been gaining momentum among academia, politicians, and practitioners, it is apparent some struggling when it comes to the design of a framework explaining how companies can embrace circularity and on how to adapt their business model to this new economic system. Despite its importance and applicability by the travel and tourism sector in general and the hotel industry in particular, it is insufficiently studied and examined. This empirical study investigates this concept on the Portuguese hotel industry perspective concerning the adoption of CE practices and CE R-principles through a survey instrument disseminated across the Portuguese hotel industry, with 78 valid responses. This article also introduces a new set of R-principles to the already existing ones, and contributes to the scientific research on the travel and tourism industry, and mainly to the one linked with the Portuguese hotel industry, which has been vaguely examined up to now. The results obtained indicate that these R-principles have been gaining importance, being adopted, and put into practice by the Portuguese hotel industry with special emphasis on the 3R-Principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) along with Repair. Findings also indicate that some initiatives that are in line with a Circular Economy paradigm, namely recycling, reducing water and energy consumption, and cleaning management policies, towel and bed linen programmes, staff and education programmes, green products, certifications, among others, are also being considered.
- A case study with PmatE in the learning of mathematical subjects at University levelPublication . Pais, Sónia; Cabrita, Isabel; Anjo, António BatelSince 1989, the Mathematics Education Project (PmatE - Projecto Matemática Ensino) has developed several strategies to increase the interest and improve the success of students in Mathematics. PmatE developed a platform of computer aided education (PCA), currently available only in the internet, including all grades since primary school. The main goal of this platform is to support teaching, being a tool that allows: the management of the groups involved; the elaboration of tests; the research of student performance; the analysis of results and other functionalities of management. The developed programs are a tool to support education, evaluation and learning. It's presented a case study with Science Food Engineering students. The major goal of the study is to evaluate the impact of the platform of computer aided education (PCA) developed for the PmatE in the learning of mathematical subjects at the University level. This paper describes how it is conceived as well as the main results.
- A Technological Proposal Using Virtual Worlds to Support Entrepreneurship Education for Primary School ChildrenPublication . Pereira, Angela; Martins, Paulo; Morgado, Leonel; Fonseca, Benjamim; Esteves, MicaelaThe importance of entrepreneurship education from elementary school through college is now recognized as an important aspect of children’s education. At the level of basic education, the development of entrepreneurial activities using Information and Communication Technologies, specifically three-dimensional virtual worlds, is seen as an area with potential for exploration. The research presented herein is a model that allows the development of entrepreneurial activities in virtual worlds with children attending primary education. This model allows the preparation, monitoring and development of entrepreneurship education activities in virtual worlds, including safe interaction in virtual worlds between the children and the community. For this, we identified a set of requirements that would allow the teaching and learning of entrepreneurship in virtual worlds, from which a technological model was implemented through an application, EMVKids (after the Portuguese expression “Empreendedorismo em Mundos Virtuais com Crianças”, entrepreneurship with children in virtual worlds).
- Morphology and Thermal Behaviour of New Mycelium-Based Composites with Different Types of SubstratesPublication . Alves, Rafael M. E.; Alves, M.L.; Campos, Maria J.The need for new green and sustainable materials has been fostering the development, research and introduction of biodegradable materials from natural and renewable sources. Commercially available biodegradable plastics, while minimizing their environmental impact and exhibiting a set of properties that enable the obtainment of industrial components, usually require complex processing methods, are costly and have limited applicability. A new growth of natural resources based paradigm applied as production process is increasing its relevance as an alternative production process. New materials that combine fungal mycelium with waste materials as coffee grounds or wood waste can be considered as promising to fulfill this new paradigm. This new biomaterial mycelium based composites present controllable and adjustable properties during their growth, being able to grow and penetrate organic substrates, thus forming a tangle of branched fibers and a structure that presents some thermo-mechanical properties similar to the ones of plastics. The aim of the present study was the selection of the optimal inoculation temperature, light, humidity and the best substrate for the fastest and consistent mycelium growth. Four types of mycelium were incubated, namely Pleurotus ostreatus (382), Hypsizygus ulmarius (420), Ganoderma lucidum (560) and Trametes versicolor (620). The influence of the three substrates (coffee grounds, pine waste and general wood waste) on the growth was analyzed both morphologically and thermo-mechanically by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray micro computed tomography (microCT).
- Sustainable tourism and the circular economy: A theoretical overviewPublication . Costa, Berta; Rodrigues, Susana; Moreno, PilarThe concept of sustainable tourism has become one of the most noteworthy topics among academics and practitioners and a hallmark in tourism discourse. During the last decades, tourism has developed into one of the largest socio-economic activities, and thus driving economic growth that most supports to the countries’ GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The world economic paradigm, and consequently the tourism industry, is configured according to the linear model of production and consumption, in which goods are discarded after usage, resulting in massive waste. Furthermore, the degrading impact of tourism, along with the assumption that natural resources are abounding, and that environment has unlimited means to absorb waste, need to be addressed without delay. Considering these premises, the principle of sustainable tourism arose with the objective of minimizing the negative effects of tourism related activities. From this standpoint, circular economy emerges as a solution, as it harmonizes economic development with the sustainable use of natural resources, and also enables the tourism industry to become more sustainable. The purpose of this article is to outline the conceptual dimensions of sustainable tourism and circular economy, and also scrutinize how these two constructs have evolved over the past decades and their correlation. A broad literature review was conducted, in order to draw attention to the constituent elements brought to discussion.
- XVI International Symposium on Marine Natural Products|XI European Conference on Marine Natural ProductsPublication . Pedrosa, Rui; Gaudêncio, Susana P.; Vasconcelos, VitorThe International Symposium on Marine Natural Products (MaNaPro) happened for the first time in 1975 in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, organized by Professor Ronald H. Thomson. The European Conference on Marine Natural Products (ECMNP) occurred for the first time in 1997 in Athens, Greece, organized by Professor Vassilios Roussis. The MaNaPro and ECMNP conferences have triennial and biennial frequencies, respectively. Since its first edition, the ECMNP has been set in the alternating years of the Gordon Conferences on Marine Natural Products. In 2019, it was the second time, in 44 years, that a joint organization of the MaNaPro and ECMNP meetings occurred. The first joint meeting of the MaNaPro and the ECMNP occurred in 2013 in Galicia, La Toja, Spain, organized by Dr. Carmen Cuevas from PharmaMar. Over the time, there have been 16 editions of the MaNaPro and 11 editions of the ECMNP held in several countries.
- Y.S.Y.D. - You Stay You Demand: User-centered design approach for mobile hospitality applicationPublication . Esteves, Micaela; Pereira, AngelaThe evolution and widespread use of mobile technologies has boosted the hotel industry to develop applications for these devices. Several tourism applications and services for mobile devices have been developed in recent times. However, many of these services are not oriented for hotel guest, rather than these services are more focused on delivering information instead of targeting the specific needs of guests. Based on a study carried out in Portugal by the researchers, were found that the most mobile hotel applications and websites are focused on dreaming, planning and booking stages rather than in experiencing and sharing. Some of these mobile applications are reproduction of websites, which do not bring added value to the guests during their stay. Thus, it was developed the mobile hotel application, You Stay You Demand (Y.S.Y.D.), with a User-Centered Design approach that makes easier the communication between guests and hotel staff for guest satisfaction. During the study were integrated the Nielsen's heuristic evaluation with user testing to assess the usability which created a user-centered interface.
- STICKY COSTS IN THE CLASSROOM: RETHINKING MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING EDUCATION FOR REAL-WORLD FINANCIAL CHALLENGESPublication . Lucas, Ana; Azevedo, Graça; Oliveira, J; Lima Santos, LuísIn recent years, research on cost behavior in accounting has advanced significantly, particularly with the introduction of the concept of “sticky costs.” These costs exhibit asymmetry, meaning they increase more rapidly with rising activity levels than they decrease with falling activity. This phenomenon challenges cost management as it complicates earnings predictability and financial stability for organizations. While the concept has gained traction in management accounting literature, its integration into higher education curricula, specifically in degree programs in accounting and management, remains limited. This study aims to analyze the incorporation of the sticky costs concept into the curricula of management accounting courses within degrees in management and accounting at Portuguese universities. The empirical research will involve analyzing the course syllabi to assess how topics related to the asymmetrical behavior of costs are addressed, either explicitly or implicitly, and to determine how these concepts can be better integrated into academic programs to enrich student learning. The study will evaluate the extent to which new theoretical approaches to cost behavior are integrated into the curriculum, comparing them with traditional models that classify costs as either fixed or variable. Furthermore, this research will explore the pedagogical implications of teaching sticky costs within management accounting curricular units, discussing how this knowledge can improve students’ understanding of the cost dynamics within real-world organizations. The study will also assess whether properly addressing sticky costs can better prepare students to tackle the complex financial challenges faced by organizations, particularly in today’s dynamic economic environments. This study also contributes to the broader conversation around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. By integrating concepts such as sticky costs into management accounting curricula, the study seeks to promote a more relevant and practical education, equipping students with a deeper understanding of the financial challenges organizations face. Furthermore, by addressing the financial sustainability of organizations, this research indirectly supports SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, as well as increased productivity and decent work. The proposed curriculum updates not only enhance the quality of education in management accounting but also reinforce the role of higher education institutions as agents of change, fostering more responsible business practices aligned with global sustainability goals. This research will contribute to improving the academic formation of future professionals in accounting and management, providing both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for curriculum design. Ultimately, it seeks to align educational practices with the evolving needs of the business world, ensuring that students are equipped with the tools necessary for navigating complex financial landscapes and contributing to sustainable economic development.
- Seaweed harvesting and aquaculture: an overview of the past 70 yearsPublication . Mouga, TeresaIn the past decades seaweeds consumption changed from traditional uses such as food and fertilizer to other biotechnological applications, boosting a growing economic activity. Therefore, since the end of the Second World War, seaweeds’ aquaculture has been replacing the traditional harvest, accounting for 99.5% of the available biomass in 2020. Nevertheless, in different parts of the globe, this change has happened at different pace. On the other hand, commercial aquaculture only covers a little more than fifteen species, the ones that are economically viable. Asia, notably China, dominates the seaweeds cultivation with over 97.5% and 70% of the market share, respectively. Europe and America are still engaged in the harvesting of wild seaweeds, but this traditional activity has some sustainability implications for the resource. As to Portugal, the activity is still emergent, consistent with little interest among the population in consuming seaweeds. The ongoing investment in research and in the development of pilot scale farming projects in Europe, America, and parts of Africa, however, are enhancing commercial seaweed aquaculture. We expect that these innovative approaches may soon raise the attractiveness of seaweeds aquaculture outside Asia.
- Turismo no ensino superior português: a integração de línguas estrangeirasPublication . Cardoso, Paula; Pires, Ana; Chagas, LauraO crescimento do setor do Turismo em Portugal nos últimos anos tem contribuído de forma significativa para a economia do país, correspondendo a aproximadamente 20% do PIB, e estimando-se que haja atualmente cerca de 900.000 trabalhadores nesta área. A oferta de licenciaturas na área científica do Turismo e Lazer vem, por isso, responder às necessidades formativas dos profissionais de Turismo e as estatísticas demonstram que o número de vagas e estudantes tem vindo a crescer nos últimos anos, tanto a nível do ensino universitário como politécnico. De entre as diferentes áreas de conhecimento essenciais à formação destes profissionais, o ensino de línguas destaca-se pela sua importância para a comunicação com turistas internacionais. O presente estudo tem por objetivo caracterizar a atual oferta formativa de línguas estrangeiras nos cursos de licenciatura em Turismo, no sentido de se identificar a relevância atribuída a esta área científica. A partir da análise da oferta de cursos na área de Turismo, em funcionamento nas instituições de ensino superior público e politécnico no ano letivo de 2022/2023, conclui-se que existe uma crescente diversidade e relevância da oferta de línguas na área do Turismo, embora com alguma discrepância em aspetos formais, como as designações das Unidades Curriculares e do número de créditos atribuídos às diferentes línguas estrangeiras.