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Publications

Publications by CITE

2023

Traditional agri-food products and sustainability - A fruitful relationship for the development of rural areas in Portugal

Authors
Pato, ML; Duque, AS;

Publication
OPEN AGRICULTURE

Abstract
The protection of agri-food regional products is taking on growing importance in a market dominated by global companies and brands, often with no personality. Thirty years ago, the European Union (EU) agricultural product quality policy introduced the protection of geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products and foodstuffs, with the aim of highlighting the quality of products resulting from a specific origin, therefore helping their communication and positioning in the market. This is important in countries with a considerable percentage of rural regions, as is the case of Portugal. Bearing this in mind, the purpose of this study is to see what are the drivers of the spatial distribution of traditional products (protected geographical indications, protected designations of origin, and traditional speciality guaranteed) in Portugal. For this purpose, the distribution of traditional products by regions and categories in Portugal will be presented. Also, Portugal's position will be analysed and compared to the other EU countries, regarding the number of traditional products. Results show that Portugal is the country with the fourth biggest number of traditional certified products in EU territory. In the national territory, the Northern Region of Portugal has the biggest percentage of protected products, followed by Alentejo and the Centre Region of Portugal. Also, in Portugal, looking at the type of products, from a list of ten different categories of GIs, the ranking is dominated by (1) fresh meat, (2) meat products (cooked, salted, or smoked), and (3) cheese and milk-based products. If we consider that many of the aforementioned products are produced in less favoured regions, these results constitute an opportunity for their sustainable development. This benefits not only the producers, but also consumers who increasingly seek authentic and more natural products.

2023

Institutional arrangements for water reuse: assessing challenges for the transition to water circularity

Authors
Riazi, F; Fidelis, T; Matos, MV; Sousa, MC; Teles, F; Roebeling, P;

Publication
WATER POLICY

Abstract
Water scarcity and security drive attention to water reuse in policy and business. However, water reuse may generate new water loops and challenge water governance with new and different types of water, risks, involved actors, and responsibilities. These challenges demand robust institutional arrangements related to water governance. This article assesses the institutional arrangements associated with four case studies in Spain, Italy, Croatia, and Israel. The findings reveal that the more diverse the water uses and users, the more challenges and risks, particularly those associated with institutional arrangements such as quality standards, sanctions, and conflict prevention, are likely to emerge. The weaknesses of governance models and regulations to deal with changes, uncertainties, and public resistance call for special attention to the design of the institutional arrangements before the adoption. Independent of the type of technology adopted, governance may be improved by ensuring internal and external water monitoring; integrating water management with spatial concerns; improving training, expert engagement, and civil society awareness; and reducing water reuse costs. In addition, alternative models that guarantee the efficiency of governance in attaining objectives and assuring the participation of new water users in the management of water reuse loops may also improve governance.

2023

Assessing policy and planning contexts for the transition to water circular economy: Examples from Southern Europe

Authors
Fidélis, T; Matos, MV; Sousa, MC; Miranda, AC; Riazi, F; Teles, F; Capela, I;

Publication
Water Management and Circular Economy

Abstract
The transition to a circular water economy by water reuse has many drivers and barriers. Facing them requires integrated approaches where new water users and producers are considered under a water–land nexus. Policies, regulations, and plans foreseeing water circularity are critical factors for a successful transition. However, little is known about how policy and planning contexts consider water circularity. This chapter develops an analytical framework based on a typical decision-making arena and a set of enabling factors used to analyze selected policy and planning documents, namely circular economy action plans, water and spatial planning frameworks, and water and spatial plans. This analytical framework is then applied to assess how the current policy and planning the set-up of three municipalities located in southern European countries, namely Almendralejo (Spain), Lecce (Italy), and Omis (Croatia), are prepared to facilitate new water circular economy initiatives. The findings bring to the fore very different settings. Although the policy, regulations, and plans recognize the water–land nexus, the integration of circularity codes still needs to be fostered. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2022

The Front-End of R&D at Non-profit Research Centers - How Does Research Produce Impact?

Authors
Castro, RN; Ferreira, JJP;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Abstract
This study reviewed the literature to understand how does research produce impact?. Despite all discussion threads in the literature, it was clear that management of the Front-end of Innovation (FEI) of non-profit research centers has received little attention. As a result, this study was a first step toward proposing a model that describes the Front-End of R&D at non-profit Research Centers. This paper is an Integrative Literature Review that follows the PRISMA statement methodology. Building on FEI2O's High-Level Ontology, this paper's contribution elicited relevant constructs from the literature and took the first steps to extend it to the Front-End of R&D. New research-related concepts such as the RESEARCH CONCEPT, the INFLUENCING FACTORS, and the RESEARCH PROJECT were introduced. The RESEARCH PROJECT produces RESULTS that may have an IMPACT ON SOCIETY. All these concepts are interconnected through a feedback loop that feeds the FEI2O: STRATEGIC PURPOSE of the non-profit research center, contributing to the advancement of its research strategy, objectives, and goals. The current work contributed to understanding a domain of knowledge that is of interest to researchers, research managers, and those interested in bringing new scientific research results to society.

2022

The Role of Intrapreneurship in Portuguese Startups

Authors
Almeida, F; Miguel Oliveira, J;

Publication
Periodica Polytechnica Social and Management Sciences

Abstract
Intrapreneurship is becoming a key factor in the growth of a company in a highly dynamic and progressively more competitive business environment. The idea of intrapreneurship is to encourage greater employee involvement within the organisation in which they work, giving them the freedom to innovate and experiment in a proactive, creative, and innovative way. In the startups, the role of intrapreneurship is of great relevance knowing that startups are designed to scale and grow exponentially in a short time and with few resources. Innovation is at the core of a startup and intrapreneurship initiatives allow leveraging this capacity in startups. Accordingly, this study seeks to explore the phenomenon of intrapreneurship in startups, seeking to understand how formal and informal intrapreneurship initiatives are taken on by startups, and also exploring the role played by existing resources to support these initiatives. The results of the study allow us to conclude that startups value intrapreneurship initiatives despite financial constraints that overlap with time constraints that affect what can be allocated to these activities. Finally, medium-sized startups and those with more qualified human capital tend to value and support intrapreneur initiatives more intensely. In contrast, startups with less academically qualified human capital offer worse conditions and support to intrapreneur activities.

2022

Practical Approach for Apps Design in Compliance With Accessibility, Usability, and User Experience

Authors
Almeida, F; Bernardo, N; Lacerda, R;

Publication
Advances in Web Technologies and Engineering - App and Website Accessibility Developments and Compliance Strategies

Abstract
There is a huge proliferation of digital products on the market today for both large enterprises and small businesses. Most of these companies have experienced the development of software products for the mobile market and have been faced with the major challenge of capturing the customer's attention. There is a great focus on making a great first impact and providing the audience with the best possible digital experience. Accordingly, issues related to usability, accessibility, and user experience are extremely relevant. This chapter addresses how these practices can be used in practice by building an app that offers car cleaning services. Several approaches based on building app interfaces that increase user engagement and retention levels are explored and discussed.

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