Abstract
This study explores the contribution of serious game teaching technology, such as FLIGBY, to the development of entrepreneurial learning outcomes in the context of an entrepreneurship course in higher education. The sample is composed of 551 students through the construction of a randomized pretest-posttest control group. A quantitative methodology is adopted through the development of a structured equation model that seeks to assess the effectiveness of FLIGBY in the development of three constructs related to the development of entrepreneurial skills, reduction in the perception of barriers associated with entrepreneurial activity and increase the entrepreneurial intention. The findings reveal that FLIGBY can effectively contribute to the development of the first two constructs. However, we found that it has no effect on the third construct because it was not possible to identify significant differences in the entrepreneurial intention of FLIGBY students with those of the control group. The results of this study are relevant in extending the understanding of the impact of adopting a serious game in the context of entrepreneurship education and also supports their role in the development of more immersive and student-centered training.

Abstract
Digital transformation in entrepreneurship education is an activity that has been taking place in higher education institutions, namely, through digital access to resources, simulations, and serious games. These activities have contributed to greater student engagement and to fostering personalized learning. Despite the recognized success of these activities, entrepreneurship education is still seen as an isolated and internally implemented activity, with few synergies with other institutions and external stakeholders. This study presents a proposal for an innovative technological platform that enables entrepreneurial projects to include students from various higher education institutions helping to build businesses worldwide. The proposed approach also involves integration with investors who can invest and offer mentoring services. A prototyping methodology was employed which provides benefits in terms of rapid iteration and feedback, enabling early visualization and testing of ideas, leading to improved design, functionality, and alignment with user needs. The results of this study show that the implemented solution addresses the critical success factors (CSFs) in the implementation of a crowdsourcing platform such as usability, scalability, transparency, security, monetary compensation, and social recognition. Finally, this study is mainly relevant for higher education institutions to revolutionize their higher education processes by adopting a collaborative approach that allows them to interact with several players on a global scale. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

Abstract
Sustainable development is crucial to ports due to the interconnection between port activities, the economy, and the environment. This study aims to explore how port digitalization initiatives played the role of promoting sustainable development. To this purpose, the author/authors adopted a mixed methods approach using as database the World Ports Sustainability Program, which features 74 port digitalization initiatives. The first step focused on a quantitative analysis of the distribution of said initiatives in terms of sustainable development goals, followed by a thematic analysis to explore their contribution. The findings indicate that more than 72% of ports addressed sustainable development goals 8, 9, 13, and 17. Digitalization initiatives in ports have mainly focused on improving their infrastructure and operational performance, enabling them to address climate change challenges. This work also recognized the role that partnerships can play in achieving this goal.

Abstract
Scrum was originally projected for environments with small teams working in the same place, where collaboration and physical proximity are key for success. Accordingly, it becomes relevant to explore how scrum can be implemented in geographically distributed teams. This study aims to identify a set of different types of practical distributed scrum implementation using three case studies with Portuguese software companies. Furthermore, it explores the main motivations for this migration, the challenges posed by the geographical dispersion of teams, and the benefits brought by this approach to organisations. The findings reveal three approaches for implementing distributed scrum considering the geographical location of the employees and the challenges that are posed in terms of communication, collaboration and coordination. These approaches enhance the theoretical knowledge in the field and help software companies to migrate from traditional scrum environments to large-scale distributed environments. Copyright © 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract
The literature on the impact of research output (RO) on economic growth (EG) has been rapidly expanding. However, the single growth processes of technological laggard countries and the mediating roles of human capital (HC) and structural change have been overlooked. Based on cointegration analyses and Granger causality tests over 40 years (1980-2019) for Portugal, five results are worth highlighting: (1) in the short run, RO is critical to promote EG; (2) the long run relation between RO and EG is more complex, being positive and significant in the case of global and research fields that resemble capital goods (Life, Physical, Engineering & Technology, and Social Sciences), and negative in the case of research fields that resemble final goods (Clinical & Pre-Clinical Health, and Arts & Humanities); (3) existence of important short run mismatches between HC and scientific production, with the former mitigating the positive impact of the latter on EG; (4) in the long run, such mismatches are only apparent for 'general' HC (years of schooling of the population 25 + years), with the positive association between RO and EG being enhanced by increases in 'specialized' HC (number of R&D researchers); (5) structural change processes favouring industry amplify the positive (long-run) association and (short-run) impact of RO on EG. Such results robustly suggest that even in technologically laggard contexts, scientific production is critical for economic growth, especially when aligned with changes in sectoral composition that favour industry.