CiTUR - Comunicações em conferências com publicação em atas
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- 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 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Game-Based Learning in Higher Education: A Comparative Study In Tourism DegreesPublication . Pais, Sónia; Chagas, Laura; Pires, AnaNew strategies regarding student-centered approaches have emerged in higher education contexts, in order to promote student motivation and engagement towards the learning process. Online quiz platforms such as Kahoot! seem to contribute to the consolidation of learning, particularly through content review. A quantitative survey was conducted among 86 students from a higher education institution offering undergraduate degrees in the area of Tourism, specifically within the subjects of English and Statistical Analysis. Following a consistent application of Kahoot! quizzes in class for reviewing purposes, the survey was implemented in order to allow for an examination of how the students perceived the usage of this game-based learning tool. Results show that most students consider the use of Kahoot! in classes to make learning more challenging and dynamic, while positively contributing to content consolidation.. However, the results obtained evidence that further studies are needed to confirm the effect on the use of Kahoot! in student performance.
- 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.
- Account for variation by field in publication: Bibliometric databases’ analysis in a Portuguese Higher Education InstitutionPublication . Malheiros, Cátia; Gomes, Conceição; Campos, Filipa; Eurico, SofiaThis study seeks to examine the variation by field in publication practices in a Portuguese Higher Education Institution (HEI), where both research in Social Sciences and in Hard Sciences is conducted. The intention is to raise the issue of the suitability of bibliometrics for the Professors/researchers’ evaluation considering their areas of research, as well as understanding the sort of use they make of these instruments. Different bibliometric Databases were managed to analyze the use given to them by all the researchers in this HEI and to find out the main differences in its use according to the researched field of study. These results might represent a valuable source of information for HEIs in the process of finding the balance between the different procedures and format for the evaluation of researchers, to identify their in/ability to proficiently use these tools and to study the suitability of each tool to different profiles.
- Using an escape room activity to enhance the motivation of undergraduate life science students in mathematics classes: A case studyPublication . Pais, Sonia; Sousa, Ana; Pires, AnaMathematics is one of the school subjects where demotivation, dislike and failure are frequent concerns. To address this, it is important to actively engage students in the classroom and employ resources that make math classes more appealing and captivating, leading to meaningful learning experiences. Active, cooperative, and participative learning methods should be prioritized over traditional didactic teaching and the mere transmission of knowledge. Active learning methods offer alternative approaches to the conventional lecture format, actively involving students in the learning process. The concept of an escape room, a gaming experience where participants must solve challenges to escape from a locked room, has gained popularity in educational contexts. The educational escape room is an extension of this concept, aiming to promote real-time problem-solving, teamwork, and discovery of clues and mysteries to facilitate active learning. By engaging in various tasks within a room, students work together in teams, fostering an active learning environment. The educational escape room offers several benefits, including the enhancement of problem-solving skills, student performance, and motivation. By incorporating gamification strategies into teaching and learning processes, this approach proves to be an effective way of promoting active learning in mathematics. In this paper, we present a case study that explores the use of an educational escape room with first-year undergraduate students from a Portuguese higher education institution, with the goal of improving their mathematical problem-solving skills. The study aims to evaluate how escape rooms can contribute to increased student motivation. To assess the perception of students regarding this escape room methodology, a quantitative survey was conducted. The findings indicate that using the escape room as an educational approach effectively increased student interest and improved learning outcomes in mathematics.
- Pedagogy in digital age after the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study with undergraduate life science studentsPublication . Pais, S.; Bernardino, S.; Pires, A.Technologies are part of the daily lives of young people, especially those who were born in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the so-called "Generation Z", and it is imperative to reflect on what their needs are, how they learn, the role of technologies and the type of pedagogies to adopt. After the generalized lockdown imposed by the Covid19 pandemic, millions of students and teachers faced new challenges as they progressively come back to their face-to-face school activities. Despite all the constraints caused by the pandemic, this is an opportunity to move towards an innovative and transformative educational model for the future, which must avoid sending us back to the negative aspects of past educational practices. During the lockdown, with emergency remote teaching (ERT) being put into practice, the teachers involved in this study were faced with the need to adapt activities and didactic materials to be used remotely. This included the promotion of asynchronous tasks/activities, which could be developed autonomously by students. Technologies have multiple benefits in the field of Education, such as improving student performance and motivation. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are tools that may be used to innovate the way Biochemistry is taught and they may facilitate students' learning. Being aware of these benefits, one of the authors of this work decided to adapt and introduce part of the activities and teaching materials prepared for the ERT, in the face-to-face teaching of her lecture classes after lockdown, more specifically with the use of videos for content development and using an active learning methodology, in which students use their mobile phone or personal laptop to do research and perform mini-assessment tests. To understand how these changes were perceived by the students, a quantitative survey was conducted. The participants in the study are undergraduate students from a Portuguese higher education institution enrolled in the curricular units of Metabolic Biochemistry and Biochemistry I, from the 2nd year, 1st semester of Marine Biology and Biotechnology and Biotechnology degrees, respectively. The didactic approach adopted by the teacher and the activities developed made the learning process more interesting and promoted a more positive attitude towards Biochemistry.