Arminda do Paço

“Green” segmentation: an application to the Portuguese consumer market

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify distinct market segments based on several environmental variables. Given the complexity and the range of variables that may determine the characterisation of these groups, as was made evident in the literature review, it was decided to focus this research mainly on analysing the environmental and demographic criteria.Design/methodology/approach – The data were collected through a survey of Portuguese consumers, aged over 18. The model of data collection was a survey conducted by self‐administered questionnaire. A total of 887 were considered valid (the final sample). The questionnaire is composed of two sections. In the first part, data are collected about the demographic characteristics of respondents. The second part examines the environmental dimension (concern, affect, knowledge, environmentally friendly behaviours, information search, activism, green products buying behaviour, sensitivity to price, waste separation/recycling, perceived efficiency, sc...

A model of entrepreneurial intention

Purpose – The field of entrepreneurship is dotted across different paradigms. Measuring entrepreneurial intention automatically needs to incorporate insights from the psychological approach and behavioural approach. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a comprehensive structural equation model which combines both psychological and behavioural perspectives aiming to identify what variables have influence on entrepreneurial intention of secondary students.Design/methodology/approach – This research was developed involving a sample of secondary students. The method of data collection was a survey by self‐administered questionnaire, to two secondary student classes, with several groups of questions related to demographic characteristics, behavioural and psychological constructs and entrepreneurial intention. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).Findings – The results show that need for achievement, self‐confidence, and personal attitude positively affect entrepreneurial int...

Entrepreneurship education and the propensity for business creation: testing a structural model

This study aims to identify the factors that contribute the most to the intention to start up a business. The research also aims to identify the profile of student who is a potential entrepreneur concerning several aspects: personal attributes, family, demographic variables and motivations. Based on a sample of university students, a structural model was tested. Research findings include the idea that entrepreneurship education is the most relevant factor in the propensity for business creation. On the other hand, personal characteristics have an important role in shaping the motivation to start up a business and perceived hurdles have a negative impact on the intention to start one up.

Corporate volunteering : A case study centred on the motivations, satisfaction and happiness of company employees

Purpose – Given the increased awareness about the social issues in organisations and the need for more research, particularly in the area of employee voluntary activities, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the motivations that lead employees to agree to participate in the corporate volunteering activities promoted by their companies, as well as to assess their level of satisfaction and happiness with the activity of volunteering. Design/methodology/approach – This research had the collaboration of a company to develop the case study about its volunteering programme and for the collection of data through an electronic questionnaire. Findings – The results indicate a similar hierarchical organisation of the motivations when compared with some previous studies. The volunteers’ experience is satisfactory in all aspects, and is positively related to feelings of happiness. However, the results evidence a weak/moderate relation between volunteers’ motivations and happiness/satisfaction. Practical implications – More efforts are needed to improve the volunteers’ training and formation, which was pointed as the less satisfactory aspect (similarly to other studies). Thus, it is necessary to question the methods usually used in the training provided, which may involve the restructuring of the training plan to adapt it to the employees’ needs and to guarantee the quality of the work. Originality/value – A great part of the existent research is focused on the motivations of “conventional” volunteers which collaborate occasionally with non‐profit organisations. Thus, present study will expand the research in the area of corporate volunteering, contributing to better understand what really motivates, satisfies and makes volunteers happy with this activity.

Integrative approaches to environmental sustainability at universities: an overview of challenges and priorities

The principles of sustainable development are becoming extremely relevant for organisations. In the case of universities, these institutions can act as agents in promoting these principles within society. The literature contains a wide range of studies which show how universities may play a critical role in disseminating sustainability principles on the one hand, and their translation into practice, on the other. At present, many higher education institutions are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment, and trying to understand the environmental needs and implications of their operations. Going further, some universities are incorporating sustainability principles into their activities. One of the questions that universities are now facing is how education for sustainable development can be translated into practice so that it can be effective in transforming society. This paper will discuss the need for and the usefulness of integrative approaches to implement sustainable development in higher education. In addition to a theoretical review of the state of the art, the paper will use case studies from the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and Bournemouth University (UK) to illustrate the effectiveness of integration of sustainable development principles in university research and teaching activities, and the many benefits integrative approaches may bring about.

Factors affecting energy saving behaviour: a prospective research

The purpose of this study is to outline the theme of saving energy resources and its relationship with the preservation of the environment, as well as the importance of green marketing in achieving sustainability. The model of data collection was a survey conducted by self-administered questionnaire. After collection, the data were statistically analysed and interpreted. Most individuals claim to be concerned about environmental problems, with 68% of these belonging to the ‘Savers’ group. However, even though they may be concerned with environmental problems, the vast majority of individuals do not have any system of renewable energy in their homes, despite claiming that renewable energies are a viable option for protecting the environment. Women display behaviour that is more favourable to the saving of energy resources than do men. Educational levels are not significant for distinguishing the more pro-environmental individuals from the others.

Evaluating the engagement of universities in capacity building for sustainable development in local communities.

Universities have the potential to play a leading role in enabling communities to develop more sustainable ways of living and working however, sustainable communities may only emerge with facilitation, community learning and continual efforts to build their capacities. Elements of programme planning and evaluation on the one hand, and capacity building on the other, are needed. The latter entails approaches and processes that may contribute to community empowerment; universities may either lead such approaches, or be key partners in an endeavour to empower communities to address the challenges posed by the need for sustainable development. Although capacity building and the promotion of sustainable development locally, are on the agenda for universities who take seriously regional engagement, very little is published that illustrates or describes the various forms of activities that take place. Further, there is a paucity of studies that have evaluated the work performed by universities in building capacity for sustainable development at the local level. This paper is an attempt to address this need, and entails an empirical study based on a sample of universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and Brazil. The paper examines the extent to which capacity building for sustainable development is being undertaken, suggests the forms that this might take and evaluates some of the benefits for local communities. The paper concludes by reinforcing that universities have a critical role to play in community development; that role has to prioritise the sustainability agenda.

Entrepreneurial intention among secondary students: findings from Portugal

This paper aims to identify some factors that may be explaining differences among secondary students in start-up intentions. For that, the study develops an entrepreneurial intention model sustained by the use of Azjens theory of planned behaviour (TPB). This theory is considered as a relevant tool to model the development of entrepreneurial intention through pedagogical processes and learning contexts. Using a sample of students aged between 14 and 15 years old, it was administrated a questionnaire based on the Linan and Chens entrepreneurial intention questionnaire (EIQ). Data was collected before the entrepreneurship education programme. The purpose is to test a model of entrepreneurial intention using structural equations, before the educational experience.

Environmental knowledge and attitudes and behaviours towards energy consumption

Numerous investigations have arisen in order to study and characterise environmentally friendly consumer profiles, with some authors applying the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and behaviour to this end. The present research approach, based upon the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), seeks to verify the existence of relationships between knowledge and attitudes and between knowledge and environmental behaviour. In this instance, data collection involved a questionnaire aimed at assessing the overall environmental knowledge of respondents as well as their attitudes and behaviours regarding energy issues (savings, consumption, interest, use). The results pointed to the lack of relationship between knowledge and attitudes, and between knowledge and behaviour whilst the relationship between attitudes and behaviour proved to be only weak. The results also found that males, older students and those studying Engineering and the Social and Human Sciences are those reporting higher levels of environmental knowledge. However, when it comes to attitudes and behaviours, females seem to display more awareness around these issues.

The Effect of an Entrepreneurial Training Programme on Entrepreneurial Traits and Intention of Secondary Students

One of the earliest discussions in entrepreneurship literature is whether to be an entrepreneur can be learned or not. This discussion reflects two extreme positions: in one side there are those who defend that “entrepreneurs are born”, on the other side there are those who believe that “entrepreneurs can be made”. In the confront of these positions it seems to win the line that defends that it is possible to learn to be an entrepreneur making use of differentiated policies and instruments in education. The support for this view comes from a widely literature review of entrepreneurship and business creation, which suggest important links between entrepreneurship education, business creation and entrepreneurial performance.