Center of Organizational and Social Studies of Polytechnic of Porto

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

The Fisherman's Route - Project of sustainability and pedagogical practices

Publication . Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana; Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Ana Branca Soeiro de

The 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.

2022-10Journal article

Open access

Informational Heritage and the Relation Between Information Science Museology: Information Professional Performance Projects

Publication . Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana; Castro, Maria João; Santos, Eleonora; de Carvalho, Ana Branca Soeiro

The 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.

2023Book part

Restricted access

The Use of Social Networks as a Strategic Tool: The Case of Cuca Monga Discos and Its Presence on TikTok

Publication . Lobo, Rafaela; Martins, Susana; Carvalho, Milena; Abreu, António; Castro, Maria João; Santos, Eleonora; Branca, Ana

The 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.

2024-11-30Book part

Open access

The Influence of Business Cycles on Corporate Performance: Evidence from Outdoor Tourism

Publication . Santos, Eleonora; Abreu, António; Pinto, Agostinho Sousa; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana

Tourism 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.

2024-04-02Book part

Restricted access

Tourist Preferences in Latin America

Publication . Santos, Eleonora; Carvalho, Milena; Martins, Susana; Carvalho, Ana Branca; Castro, Maria João; Mesquita, Anabela; Silva, Paulino

In 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.

2025-10-01Book part

Restricted access