2013
Authors
Moreira, AC; Silva, PM;
Publication
Trziste
Abstract
The main purpose of this article is to study the antecedents (internal market orientation) and the consequences (innovation, organizational commitment and performance) of market orientation in industrial SMEs. This article follows a new approach: instead of analyzing the responses of CEOs to a questionnaire, commercial and marketing functional managers were addressed. Consequently, this is the first study of its kind involving industrial SMEs addressing those who implement the marketing strategy instead of those who define it. Based on 154 valid answers, the conclusions are that, at a signifi cant level of 1%, the internal market orientation infl uences positively the external market orientation, the external market orientation infl uences innovation and innovation, in its turn, infl uences business performance. Moreover, market orientation and organizational commitment only infl uence performance at a 5% signifi cance level.
2013
Authors
Santos, MS; Moreira, AC; Vieira, ES;
Publication
International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics
Abstract
This study analyses the relationship between ownership concentration and firm value. Our findings, based on a dynamic panel data analysis, show that there is a quadratic relationship between the company's value and its ownership concentration. Additionally, our evidence suggests that for countries where investor protection is low, the relationship follows an inverted 'U' shape, while for countries where investor protection is high, the relationship is positive and nearly linear. Moreover, the influence of blockholders depends on their identity. This paper highlights the superior performance of family firms in controlling agency problems, a situation which contrasts vis-'-vis institutional shareholders. Finally, we report that the family effect is nonlinear. Indeed the positive effect starts to taper off at around 30% of ownership being somewhat smaller and less statistically significant between 30% and 50% of ownership. Moreover, in contrast to recent studies, the family effect is more pronounced in majority-controlled firms. © 2013 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
2013
Authors
Moreira, AC; Moutinho, VF; Pereira, JD;
Publication
RBGN-REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GESTAO DE NEGOCIOS
Abstract
The rapid and all-encompassing changes in regional and world wine markets have stimulated us to carry out this study. Accordingly, based on the competitiveness of an important Port wine producer in Portugal, this article analyzes a strategic alliance between this company and another important multinational one that is present in many different worldwide distribution markets. Basically, the article seeks to understand, on the one side, the impact of a strategic alliance on a small Port wine producer when becoming involved with a multinational company, and, on the other hand, to identify differences, before and after the alliance, to the markets where the small company was made present. This work is centered on a case study and involves the use of econometrics methodologies that analyze panel data, in order to grasp differences of strategic pre- and post-alliance actions. The conclusions are important, since they allow one to compare, on one hand, difference between the company's performance over two different time horizons. On the other hand, econometrics methods are robust, since they allow one to come to relational conclusions, keeping the case study in mind.
2013
Authors
Santos, MS; Moreira, AC; Vieira, ES;
Publication
Journal of Management and Governance
Abstract
This study analyses the distribution of power among the several blockholders of a firm and the identity of those blockholders as a determinant of firm leverage. Using a sample of 694 firms from 12 Western European countries, our results support a negative relationship between ownership concentration in the hands of the main blockholder and firm leverage. Moreover, we detect that the presence of a second and third large shareholder (beyond the first blockholder) has a significant positive effect on the leverage ratio. In addition, the results show that contestability in family firms plays a more relevant role. Finally, we show that family firms do have significant impact on firm leverage level, and this impact varies depending on the legal framework and institutional environment. In our main sample the results show family firms negatively affect market leverage, supporting the theory that family firms are more averse to an increase in the debt level due to the risk of bankruptcy and financial distress as a result of having an under-diversified portfolio. In contrast, the opposite effect is found in the sample that excludes the United Kingdom. This last result cannot be explained by agency theory, given that family businesses are those that suffer less from Type I agency problems. This result suggests either some difficulty in financing their investments by issuing new equity or the need to use debt as a signal of the quality of its investments. Our results prove to be stable against a battery of robustness tests. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.
2013
Authors
Duarte, N; Diniz, F;
Publication
WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics
Abstract
In the present paper we analyzed the behavior of firms in the construction and manufacturing sectors, located in the region of Vale do Sousa, in the north of Portugal. From the literature, even revising some disagreements, it is possible to conclude that planning is crucial for firms' survival and growth. Co-operation is another aspect that the literature presents as an important factor for firms sustainability. It also plays a major role in competition, since firms are adopting coo-petition strategies. By studying a sample of 251 firms, it was possible to realize, that the majority started their business without a formal planning, and they keep going without using it. In cooperation aspects, there is a lack of cooperation. It was possible to verify, that existing cooperation has some evidence but at a vertical level. These vertical relations were also identified in stakeholder's involvement.
2013
Authors
Carneiro, D; Novais, P; Gomes, M; Oliveira, PM; Neves, J;
Publication
SOFT COMPUTING MODELS IN INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS
Abstract
This paper describes an approach for assessing the level of stress of users of mobile devices with tactile screens by analysing their touch patterns. Two features are extracted from touches: duration and intensity. These features allow to analyse the intensity curve of each touch. We use decision trees (J48) and support vector machines (SMO) to train a stress detection classifier using additional data collected in previous experiments. This data includes the amount of movement, acceleration on the device, cognitive performance, among others. In previous work we have shown the co-relation between these parameters and stress. Both algorithms show around 80% of correctly classified instances. The decision tree can be used to classify, in real time, the touches of the users, serving as an input to the assessment of the stress level.
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