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Publications

Publications by Ana Cristina Simões

2022

Scrum's Methodology adaptations to meet the teleworking needs experienced by Software Development Teams

Authors
Gama, LF; Simoes, AC;

Publication
2022 IEEE 28TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (ICE/ITMC) & 31ST INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MANAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, IAMOT JOINT CONFERENCE

Abstract
Among the different approaches to implementing Agility, the Scrum, created in the late 1980s, has stood out as the most used tool by the software development industry. Understand how the concepts underlying this approach, such as ceremonies and time boxes, have been adapted to meet the situation of telework imposed by social distancing to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, experienced by the elements of the software development teams, presents an opportunity to learn what are the most efficient ways to use its process. It was observed how Scrum was applied in practice by software development teams during the mandatory telework period and from there, it will be look for better ways to do it, either by developing new technological tools, or using existing tools, to support the ceremonies, or, by creating new processes to support such evolution on methodology's process.

2025

Exploring the impacts of Industry 4.0 technologies on the triple bottom line of sustainability in industrial companies

Authors
Almeida, D; Simoes, AC; Fernandes, A;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
Industrial companies operate in a context of dynamic technological innovation, in which new technologies are adopted with a high impact internally and externally, leveraging their competitive advantages. Usually, managers decide to adopt technologies, often without realising the impacts on the company, but mainly supported by a strategic vision and the pursuit of differentiation. This study aims to describe the impacts of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in industrial companies, focusing on sustainability's economic, social, and environmental dimensions and explaining which Industry 4.0 technologies contribute to each impact. This study used qualitative methodology, collecting data through interviews, internal documents, and observation. The results of this study identified new impacts in the three dimensions of sustainability, as well as the relationships between impacts and respective technologies. This study contributes to the literature by enriching and validating the impacts of adopting Industry 4.0 technologies on sustainability dimensions and linking these impacts with the technologies. In practice, it provides important insights to managers and decision-makers of manufacturing companies in making more informed decisions on adopting i4.0 technologies.

2026

Predictors for decision-making in collaborative robots adoption: evidence from the Brazilian manufacturing industry

Authors
de Sousa, PR; Bronzo, M; Torres, NT Jr; Vivaldini, M; Simoes, AC; de Jesus, TS; Couto, G;

Publication
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Abstract
As collaborative robots increasingly redefine industrial automation, understanding the factors that drive their adoption is essential to operations management. This study examines the main drivers of collaborative robot adoption in the Brazilian manufacturing sector by combining theory-driven framing with a machine learning classification approach. It was developed a Random Forest classifier to identify the strongest predictors of cobot adoption and to rank their relative importance. Data were collected from a sample of respondents-primarily managers and chief executive officers-representing 300 industrial companies. Grounded in the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and complemented by Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) and Institutional (INT) perspectives, the analysis shows that technological advantages, namely space efficiency, cost reduction, and ease of integration, are critical drivers of adoption. Organizational factors, including proactive managerial involvement and alignment with an innovation-oriented culture, significantly increase the likelihood of collaborative robot uptake. The model demonstrated robust predictive performance and produced interpretable variable importance scores that confirm the relative influence of technological and managerial factors. These findings provide a structured lens for understanding and guiding managerial decision-making on cobot adoption and translate into practical recommendations for managers.

2025

User Acceptance in Human-Robot Interaction: Exploring the Role of Anthropomorphic Mechanisms in Manufacturing Environments-A Systematic Literature Review

Authors
Pinto, A; Solovov, A; Simoes, AC; Menezes, P;

Publication
JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & ROBOTIC SYSTEMS

Abstract
In pursuing Industry 5.0's vision, which emphasises human well-being and the seamless integration of robots into manufacturing processes, understanding the role of anthropomorphic design is crucial. Anthropomorphic design, where robots exhibit human-like, animal-like, or even entirely novel traits (e.g. a display scrolling text), aims to improve human-robot interaction (HRI) and enhance human acceptance within manufacturing contexts. Understanding the optimal degree of human-readable characteristics in robots is essential for further advancements in this domain. This systematic literature review aims to identify anthropomorphic mechanisms in HRI and their effect on human acceptance in manufacturing. Using the PRISMA methodology, a systematic literature review was conducted across the WOS, EBSCO, and SCOPUS databases, resulting in the selection of four articles for final analysis. A quality assessment of the articles was conducted. On a scale of 0 to 16, article scores ranged from 10 to 15, with an average score of 13. The findings indicate that while current research provides valuable insights, it has predominantly focused on conventional anthropomorphic mechanisms from social robotics, such as basic human-like features (e.g., facial expressions, gestures), without exploring more advanced or novel traits. This highlights significant room for further exploration and innovation in industrial settings to enhance user acceptance and interaction. The study underscores the necessity for continued research and development to leverage advanced anthropomorphic designs that can better fulfil the goals of Industry 5.0.

2025

Human-Centred Technology Management for a Sustainable Future

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Rodrigues, JC; Simoes, A; Dalmarco, G;

Publication
Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics

Abstract

2026

Robotic Process Automation: A Qualitative Journey Through RPA's Impacts on Company Employees

Authors
Simoes, E; Simoes, AC; Rodrigues, JC; Lourenço, P;

Publication
ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. CYBER-PHYSICAL-HUMAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION AND BEYOND, APMS 2025, PT I

Abstract
Companies are increasingly adopting technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to reduce costs and improve productivity. RPA is deployed in areas like accounting, payroll, and finance to automate business processes. While RPA does not necessarily result in unemployment, it has notable effects on employees and company governance. This study explores the impact of RPA implementation on employees and company governance, using a qualitative methodology based on thirteen semi-structured interviews with RPA experts from four multinational companies. The results indicate that the impacts of RPA vary depending on the automation strategy adopted (task-oriented or process-oriented). In task-oriented strategies, citizen developers often play a central role, contributing to rapid implementation. In contrast, process-oriented strategies tend to rely on professional developers and require more structured governance. The findings also point out that RPA influences not only task execution but also employee upskilling, job role redefinition, and the evolution of governance models. The study proposes an integrated framework linking automation strategy, governance, upskilling, and employee adaptation, offering both practical insights and theoretical contributions to digital transformation research and for managing risks and enhancing workforce capabilities. It also advances academic understanding by linking real-world RPA implementations to organisational and technological impacts.

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