Center for Advanced Studies in Management and Economics

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

Methodological research design for Industry 4.0: a service science approach

Publication . Silva, Agostinho; Dionísio, Andreia; Coelho, Luís

The challenge of this research is the conceptualisation, from the service science (S-S) perspective, of the methodological research guidelines for empirical case-studies and frameworks to describe and compare the value creation interactions of stakeholders when they evolve their operations from the current operations mode to Industry 4.0 (I4.0) mode. From the literature review we found some contact points between the pragmatist paradigm, I4.0 and service science theory. This philosophical approach is in line with the pragmatist paradigm, involving inductive and deductive logic and mixed methodology, using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The main goal is to provide a framework to better understand the problems raised from digital transformation, assuming, as much as possible, a posture that reflects social justice, collaborative networks and sustainability as basic principles.

2020Journal article

Restricted access

Is the Financial Report Quality Important in the Default Prediction? SME Portuguese Construction Sector Evidence

Publication . Costa, Magali; Lisboa, Inês; Gameiro, Ana

This work analyses whether financial information quality is relevant to explaining firms’ probability of default. A financial default prediction model for SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) is presented, which includes not only traditional measures but also financial reporting quality (FRQ) measures. FRQ influences the decision-making due to its impact on financial information, which has repercussions on the accounting ratios’ informativeness. A panel data of 1560 Portuguese SMEs in the construction sector, from 2012 to 2018, is analysed. First, firms are classified as default or compliant using an ex-ante criterion which allows us to identify signs of financial constraints in advance. Then, the stepwise method is employed to identify which variables are more relevant to explain the default probability. Results show that FRQ measures, namely accruals quality and timeliness, impact firms’ defaulting, supporting their relevance in predicting financial difficulties. Finally, using a logit approach, the accuracy of the model increased when FRQ variables were included. Results are confirmed using “new age” classifiers, namely the random forest methodology. This work is not only relevant to the extant financial distress literature but has also relevant implications for practice since stakeholders can understand the impact of financial reporting quality to prevent additional risks.

2022-06Journal article

Open access

Flexible-lean processes optimization: A case study in stone sector

Publication . Silva, Agostinho da; Dionísio, Andreia; Coelho, Luís

During the downturn in demand in Engineering and Construction Architecture (AEC) activities registered in 2007, the Cluster of Mineral Resources of Portugal (CPMR) put into practice an initiative to boost the Ornamental Stone sector, based on incorporating lean thinking concepts, combined with techniques and technologies to make production processes more flexible. This was called the leanstone hornbook (LH). Since then, the LH has been adopted by several Portuguese Ornamental Stone (OS) companies. For these companies, using the LH means changing their operations to a new model based on (i) their participation in R&D consortium projects, (ii) incorporating the resulting innovations, and (iii) combining innovation with lean thinking. Based on a convenience sample of OS companies, the objective of this research was to assess the economic-financial impact of leanstone operations on Portuguese OS companies. Through a methodological framework based on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Innovation Outcomes (IO), indexed to companies’ economic-financial performance, LH was found to generate a potentially positive impact in terms of sales volume, exports, investment capacity and net result.

2020Journal article

Open access

Towards INDUSTRY 4.0: a case STUDY in ornamental stone sector

Publication . Silva, Agostinho da; Almeida, Isabel

A movement to mobilize the Portuguese Ornamental (OS) sector to reduce waste and improve flexibility began in 2004. Boosted by R&D Mobilizing Projects in consortium and fostered by two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG9 and SDG12), this mobilization resulted in a new generation of technologies, concepts and innovative practices, matching the needs of Portuguese OS companies, stressing an integrated approach to European Competitiveness that should be fostered by a sustainable industrial policy, combined with innovation and skills. Bearing in mind that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, and considering the importance of following the goals and guidelines of SDGs 9 and 12 in the industrial processes optimization achievement in the Portuguese OS sector, the following research question arises: What is the impact of the R&D Mobilizing Projects on the efficiency and image of Portuguese OS companies?

2020Journal article

Restricted access

Enabling Cyber-Physical Systems for Industry 4.0 operations: A Service Science Perspective

Publication . Silva, Agostinho da; Dionísio, Andreia; Almeida, Isabel

Based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Technologies, manufacturing industries are witnessing the fourth Industrial Revolution, the Industry 4.0 (I4.0), and digital transformation is a keystone in this change. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are strategic in thoroughly digitalizing companies, and I4.0 operations depend on CPS efficiency. Digital plants are held by digital technologies that provide excellent tools for improving product security and supply chain security but requires structured information management to maintain the CPS in its highest level of efficiency. These systems are overly complex and hard to handle when several CPS need to be combined as in a large factory, where several machines must work together to achieve a common goal. This research addresses these issues, and we propose an information management framework of industrial CPS that, towards the industrial efficiency, affords an increase in value for all stakeholders. The framework structures the information through the introduction of two innovative value co-creation concepts: (i) Fingerprint (FP-I4.0), a virtual vehicle that can carry two types of structured information and (ii) Cockpit4.0, an interaction entity between the various service systems, applied from cradle-to-cradle. Validated through the Service Science Theory, we conclude that the proposed empirical framework may boost up CPS efficiency and, from it, I4.0 operations will be more effective

2020Journal article

Open access