Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
Publications

Publications by Manuel Au-Yong Oliveira

2024

Expanding Qualitative Research Horizons: The Development and Application of Intuitive Field Research (IFRes)

Authors
Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Kuehnel, K; Gil Andrade-Campos, A;

Publication
Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods

Abstract
This article is a study introducing a new qualitative research methodology - Intuitive field research or IFRes - involving words and the narrative and relying on the experience and intuition of the [experienced practitioner] researcher (Stein, 2019). Though similar, it is different to autoethnography as the latter’s focus is seen to be on culture (ethnography) whilst IFRes may focus on any aspect – including, also, machine-type interactions. IFRes is a six-step process, described herein, which seeks to take advantage of considerable previous work experience, in the field, to answer a research question posed following a literature review. It is an iterative process which seeks to perfect the knowledge produced (Baldacchino, Ucbasaran & Cabantous, 2023). Intuitive Field Research (IFRes) emerges as a pioneering qualitative research methodology that capitalizes on the nuanced intuition and rich field experiences of researchers to uncover deep insights into complex phenomena (Stein, 2019). Distinct from autoethnography, IFRes introduces a structured six-step process designed to systematically harness and refine these insights for academic and practical application. Originating at the University of Aveiro, this method represents a significant departure from conventional research methodologies by valuing experiential knowledge and intuitive understanding as critical components of the research process. In the context of business and management, IFRes holds particular promise for addressing the intricate challenges of contemporary business environments. These environments demand an agile and nuanced understanding that transcends traditional quantitative analyses, making the case for methodologies that can capture the subtleties of consumer behavior, organizational culture, and innovation dynamics. By enabling researchers and practitioners to integrate their intuitive judgments with rigorous academic inquiry, IFRes offers a unique approach to exploring and solving pressing business and academic issues. This article delineates the foundation of IFRes, its methodological underpinnings, and its potential applications within business and management, illustrating how intuitive insights can drive innovation, strategic decision-making, and transformative organizational practices. Through this expanded lens, IFRes not only contributes to academic discourse but also provides practical frameworks for businesses seeking to navigate the complexities of modern markets and organizational challenges. A practical example of applying Intuitive Field Research (IFRes) in business and management could involve a multinational corporation seeking to enhance its customer experience across diverse markets. By employing IFRes, the corporation's research team could immerse themselves in different cultural contexts, using their intuition and experience to gather nuanced insights into consumer behavior and preferences (Gorry & Westbrook, 2013). This approach would allow them to identify subtle, culturally specific factors influencing customer satisfaction that traditional surveys or data analysis might miss. These insights could then inform tailored strategies for each market, leading to improved customer engagement and loyalty. This example illustrates how IFRes' emphasis on intuitive understanding, combined with rigorous analysis, can address complex challenges in global business environments, leading to innovative solutions and competitive advantages. This article on Intuitive Field Research (IFRes) significantly impacts research by offering a novel method that blends intuitive insights with rigorous academic inquiry. It addresses the need for methodologies that go beyond traditional quantitative analysis to capture the complexities of human behavior and organizational dynamics (Ganzarain, Ruiz & Igartua, 2019). By emphasizing experiential knowledge and intuitive judgment, IFRes empowers researchers and practitioners to uncover deeper understandings of complex issues. This approach fosters innovation, enhances strategic decision-making, and facilitates transformative practices in various fields, thereby enriching academic discourse and offering practical solutions for real-world challenges.

2024

Fintech: Evidence of the Urgent Need to Improve Financial Literacy in Portugal

Authors
Costa, M; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Moreira, A;

Publication
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES

Abstract
Fintech has revolutionized the financial sector, providing a new way of providing banking services. Since Fintech can provide the same services as traditional banks but entirely online, it is a competitor. As a result, consumers' relationships with banking have inevitably changed, and it is therefore relevant to analyze these changes. The main objective of this study is to understand people's perceptions of Fintech, their level of knowledge about it, and the impact of its emergence on traditional banking. The study sample consisted of 174 participants. A quantitative methodology was used to test the hypotheses formulated. The results show that participants who know about Fintech and perceive it as safe have a greater intention of changing banks. On the other hand, they perceive that supervision and regulation in traditional banks is higher than in Fintech. Among the reasons for becoming a Fintech customer, the most mentioned were lower costs and the fact that they provide greater convenience and ease of use. It will be in Fintech's interest to continue working with regulators so that the sector makes progress in this area and consumers can recognize greater equality between traditional banks and Fintech in the future.

2024

Determinants of Academic Satisfaction: An Empirical Analysis of a Brazilian National Institute

Authors
Walter, CE; Vasconcelos, SA; Ursino Júnior, OC; Franco, MKA; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Veloso, CM;

Publication
Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental

Abstract
Objective: The present investigation aims to identify the explanatory factors for academic satisfaction, as well as the influence that the identified factors have on the degree of academic satisfaction in its global context and on the chances of the institution's recommendation to friends and family.   Method: The investigation was conducted with a sample of 290 students from the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Piauí (FIEPI-Campus Oeiras). The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The statistical techniques used were of a descriptive, exploratory, and multivariate nature for the treatment, analysis, and validation of the results.   Results and Discussion: The results indicate that Academic Satisfaction is determined by the factors (1) Teaching Environment and (2) Structural Environment and that there is a significant decrease in Academic Satisfaction when students move from the group from High School to Higher Education due to the determinants satisfaction.   Research Implications: The development of strategies for the maintenance and attraction of new students by FIEPI-Campus Oeiras and other educational institutions must be based on academic satisfaction considering their specificities, namely, concerning the different perceptions and expectations generated by students about educational services.   Originality/Value: The relevance of this investigation is based on the fact that the measurement of student satisfaction by a given educational institution becomes essential for it to understand the perception of its students about its products and services, enabling the identification of new ways of generating satisfaction and loyalty.

2024

Innovation's Performance: A Transnational Analysis Based on the Global Innovation Index

Authors
Coutinho, EMO; Au Yong Oliveira, M;

Publication
ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES

Abstract
The pandemic marked the beginning of a succession of events on a global scale (not the least of which is a greater concern for the environment and for quality of life/distance work) with a major impact on the economy. Innovation plays a key role in meeting the challenges of the future, but despite investment in innovation, global economic growth has fallen short of the expected performance. The aim of this study is to identify the factors with the greatest impact on the performance of innovation ecosystems based on the performance of the innovation ecosystems of 64 countries assessed by the Global Innovation Index 2022. The methodology consists of multiple hierarchical linear regressions, in which the impact factors on innovation ecosystems, measured through indicators, are the independent variables and innovation performance, in knowledge and technology and in creativity, are the dependent variables in an iterative process, using STATA/MP 18.0 data analysis software. The results indicate that human capital and research (the basis of business and innovative products aimed at filling gaps in the market are people with a good higher education, which is also linked to local university rankings) and business sophistication (highly qualified work, leveraging strategic partnerships, and with knowledge absorption capacity) are the main pillars determining innovation performance at a global level. Education (an educated workforce is of growing importance in the knowledge era), R&D investment (including support from the state in the form of tax incentives for whoever invests in R&D), innovation partnerships (for a faster, more open innovation effort), ecological sustainability (a new reinforced priority after COVID-19) and knowledge absorption (to absorb one must first detain valuable knowledge in the area) are the variables with the greatest impact on innovation performance. The work provides guidance on which areas should be prioritized in the development of policies and strategies to accelerate innovation in countries. The study is limited by the time frame and reveals, by comparison with pre-pandemic studies, that the determinants of innovation can be dynamic, varying according to the countries and, consequently, the global context of the analysis.

2024

The NEXUS story and its Stakeholder Analysis: Digitalising Multimodal Logistics and the Associated Value Chain Worldwide

Authors
Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Marinho, C; Chkoniya, V;

Publication
European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Abstract
The NEXUS project involves innovation and entrepreneurship. The first task of the project team, which is eclectic and includes several different profiles (research assistants, researchers, managers, engineers, designers and marketing specialists) was to do a stakeholder analysis, which involved doing some field work – six unstructured interviews – as well as some secondary data analysis (scientific articles on the Scopus database; Google searches; among others). The main concerns were to: unlock value through stakeholder engagement; move from concept to collaboration – for sustainable port development; and to connect ports worldwide which will involve international stakeholder collaboration and synergies for sustainable innovation. A Stakeholder analysis is a process consisting of identifying the individuals or groups that have a specific interest in a project, which can affect them, or be affected by them, including large groups such as customers and suppliers; employees; shareholders and investors. It is necessary to sort them according to their impact and consequences regarding the project. It is essential to manage stakeholder expectations when making decisions, especially in a project with thirty-five partners and with a global reach. The initial funding is around 92 million euros (approved by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP)), to ensure the ambitious implementation of the new NEXUS platform and other related products. To minimize backlash, early as well as ongoing stakeholder involvement is a prerequisite. Strategy formulation should not occur in an “ivory tower” and involvement is key. For effective and efficient decision-making, to minimize risks, which need to be identified as well as all the connections and relationships to be created and nurtured. The research question at the outset was: How may we successfully implement a multi-partner project which involves considerable investment, and which aims to digitalize maritime ports worldwide? The theme is, currently, without precedent as the impact intended is for there to be a positive impact on all stakeholders involved – a win-win situation all around. The project will finish in 31-12-2025 and will produce 28 innovative solutions for commercialization. NEXUS is a green and digital project which is up to date as regards the latest sustainability norms and regarding overall operational efficiency in multimodal logistics. Work Package 10 is a specific exploitation, internationalization, promotion, and dissemination package.

2024

Technology and the Generation Gap: How E-Expertise Present in Youths Positively Affects Online Purchases

Authors
Magano, J; Au-Yong-Oliveira, M; Fernandes, JPT;

Publication
ADVANCED RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGIES, INFORMATION, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, PT 2, ARTIIS 2023

Abstract
This cross-sectional study addresses Portuguese online shoppers' behavior toward Chinese online retailers, assessing the impact of financial, product, and time-convenience risks and demographic traits on their willingness to buy from those e-stores. The research relies on a survey of 1,432 participants who have shopped online at least once. Approximately half of the sample already buys from Chinese websites; age, financial, and time-convenience risks explain 21.5% of the variance of their purchase intention. On the other hand, participants who buy on Chinese websites present significantly lower values of all risks and the intention to buy from Chinese websites, possibly reflecting a satisfactory transaction experience. Furthermore, a generation gap is evident as younger people feel more confident in dealing intuitively with and solving online issues, giving them the confidence necessary to purchase online from Chinese e-stores - perhaps geographically and ideologically distant - but brought closer by e-expertise (online dexterity).

  • 19
  • 35