2021
Authors
Costa, J; Castro, R;
Publication
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RESEARCH
Abstract
The recent emergence of e-commerce has brought a shifting paradigm into global markets. This revolutionary framework relying upon technological progress has conveyed a new era of commerce. More than ever, businesses are using digital marketplaces to stay relevant and competitive. Suddenly, buying online has become part of their daily routines. Accessibility, flexibility, and convenience make the internet the ideal platform for modern age consumers. Small and medium enterprises predominate in almost every industry generating employment, income, and sustainability. Nonetheless, e-commerce adoption among these organizations is yet to be widely undertaken. This article has a twofold objective: first, it gathers data regarding the emergence of e-commerce adoption by SMEs through a systematic literature review encompassing 32 indexed articles (published between 2003 and 2021). Secondly, it provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis identifying strategic options and guidelines for a smooth digital transition among these players. Lastly, some recommendations to policy makers were clipped to work as facilitators, given SMEs specificities. The future is digital and the struggle for e-commerce adoption and exploitation among these organizations is at the top of the agenda. It is central in maintaining the vibrancy of the business ecosystem, and is therefore a turnkey for economic recovery.
2021
Authors
Reis, J; Amorim, M; Melao, N; Cohen, Y; Costa, J;
Publication
INFORMATION
Abstract
The preliminary credibility assessment screening system (PCASS) is a US-based program, which is currently being implemented by intelligence units of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to make the initial screening of individuals suspected of infiltrating the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). Sensors have been instrumental in the PCASS, leading to organizational change. The aim of this research is to describe how the ANDSF adapted to the implementation of PCASS, as well as implemented changes since the beginning of the program. To do so, we have conducted a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive case study that allows one to understand, through the use of a series of data collection sources, a real-life phenomenon of which little is known. The results suggest that the sensors used in PCASS empower security forces with reliable technologies to identify and neutralize internal threats. It then becomes evident that the technological leadership that PCASS provides allows the developing of a relatively stable and consistent organizational change, fulfilling the objectives of the NATO and the ANDSF.
2021
Authors
Costa, J; Cancela, D; Reis, J;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Abstract
The 2015-2030 agenda framed Sustainable Development as a Universal venture. This decision has a great historic significance as it encompasses building a better future for the whole of humanity, enrolling the millions who have been denied the chance to live a decent, dignified and fulfilling life and to achieve their potential. For the first time, an entire generation will have the chance to succeed in ending poverty while being the last to have a chance of saving the planet. The world will be a better place in 2030 if humanity succeeds in this journey. However, there is hovering skepticism around the feasibility of this accomplishment. The article aims to empirically test the (in)compatibilities among these objectives even for developed economies such as the European Union countries, demonstrating that unless solid bridges are built promoting innovative networks at a transnational level, welfare and prosperity among those ecosystems will be compromised. The results show that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) pillars have heterogeneous determinants, which are to some extent incompatible. Moreover, policy makers need to further reinforce multi-country compensations if the environment is to be preserved.
2021
Authors
Reis, J; Cohen, Y; Melao, N; Costa, J; Jorge, D;
Publication
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Abstract
After the Cold War, the defense industries found themselves at a crossroads. However, it seems that they are gaining new momentum, as new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence are enabling the development of autonomous, highly innovative and disruptive intelligent systems. Despite this new impetus, there are still doubts about where to invest limited financial resources to boost high-tech defense industries. In order to shed some light on the topic, we decided to conduct a systematic literature review by using the PRISMA protocol and content analysis. The results indicate that autonomous intelligent systems are being developed by the defense industry and categorized into three different modes-fully autonomous operations, partially autonomous operations, and smart autonomous decision-making. In addition, it is also important to note that, at a strategic level of war, there is limited room for automation given the need for human intervention. However, at the tactical level of war, there is a high probability of growth in industrial defense, since, at this level, structured decisions and complex analytical-cognitive tasks are carried out. In the light of carrying out those decisions and tasks, robotics and artificial intelligence can make a contribution far superior to that of human beings.
2021
Authors
Costa, J; Pita, M;
Publication
JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS RESEARCH
Abstract
Purpose The entrepreneurial initiative is believed as being a prosperity engine. Islamic organizations are presently committed to promoting entrepreneurship to generate economic growth, provide job opportunities, reduce government centrality, enhance innovation and sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to identify which factors affect Islamic entrepreneurial endeavors with particular emphasis on the role of gender. Additionally, how education, age, moral constraints, self-perception and social support will affect those entrepreneurial intentions based on Islamic principles. Once identified, policy actions will help to overcome extant gaps, reinforcing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Design/methodology/approach Determinants of the entrepreneurial initiative will be appraised in the set Islamic countries present in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data set from 2016. Following the Organization of Islamic Cooperation list, 14 countries were identified establishing a total sample of 36,407 individuals. Using a set of predictors included in the theoretical framework a statistical analysis was performed followed by logit estimations. The significance of explanatory variables such as gender, age and social context toward entrepreneurial propensity reinforced the importance of specific tools rather than broad policies. Findings An entrepreneurial propensity is affected by three branches of factors: individual characteristics, individual behavior and individual perceptions along with the economic environment. The analysis shows that holding equal conditions, Islamic women in the sample are less prone to start a business compared to their male counterparts. Knowing other entrepreneurial endeavors enhance the entrepreneurial initiative. Fearing failure unconstraint entrepreneurial projects, but the self-perception of skills strongly triggers these initiatives. Research limitations/implications The empirical analysis relates to the GEM database, and, as a consequence, only 14 countries were considered, but it covers 36,407 individuals whose representativeness cannot be statistically proved, however, due to sample dimension the robustness is granted. Second, the sample is sectional covering the 2016 year, as a consequence results may be classified as exceptional.Finally, other factors such as institutional and behavioral determinants were not considered, despite their theoretical importance, due to their absence in the database. Still, the empirical results reinforce the theoretical debate and offer robust evidence to build a policy package, adapted to the Islamic singularities. Practical implications Still, the empirical results reinforce the theoretical debate and offer robust evidence to build a policy package, adapted to the Islamic singularities. Originality/value The paper identifies gender differences in entrepreneurial propensity among Islamic economics. The potential enhancers of the entrepreneurial initiative are first put in theoretical terms followed by an empirical analysis, encompassing descriptive analysis and econometric estimations. The results allow identification of gender gaps, as well as other individual and context characteristics affecting entrepreneurial endeavors. Empirical evidence casts light on policymakers elaborating accurate policy packages fostering gender equality in entrepreneurship in Islamic economics, aiming to increase overall entrepreneurial activity and leveraging socio-economic development. Finally, the study addresses recommendations to overcome gender differences relating to entrepreneurial activity considering the singularities of the context.
2021
Authors
Neves, AR; Costa, J; Reis, J;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENTERPRISE INFORMATION SYSTEMS / INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT / INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES 2020 (CENTERIS/PROJMAN/HCIST 2020)
Abstract
Open innovation is a hot topic which currently facilitates the establishment of links between Universities and Industry. Thus, the primary goal of this research is to synthetize the existing literature by establishing a University-Industry relationship with Open Innovation. In this scenario, we also identify the extent to which open innovation is improving innovation ecosystems in terms of promoting smart and responsible innovation. To do so, we have used a systematic literature review, which is considered an adequate method to study the state of the art of a given topic. In light of the above, we performed 1) a quantitative assessment of 50 articles by using bibliometric tools and 2) a qualitative analysis of the literature to identify meaningful relationships between articles. As a result, the literature evidenced a trinomial relationship between Universities, Society and Industries, which are interestingly far more exploited than the Education and Research. Given the noticeable importance of producing knowledge and dissemination of that information, we believe Universities will continue to have a prominent centrality in society in that regard; however, current data leads us to believe that the Universities success of producing knowledge highly depends on the efficiency of each countries to establish effective political actions. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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