João Pedro Almeida Couto

Knowledge management: An overview of European reality

Purpose – This paper aims to determine whether the implementation of knowledge management (KM) is linked to e‐business performance and to identify the nature of the relationship existing in the different components of knowledge‐sharing and application and internet‐based KM. Design/methodology/approach – This paper establishes a new model of the practices and results of the KM which has been tested in European companies. For that purpose, a structural equation modelling analysis was used. Findings – The results show that product innovation and external employees’ access to databases have a strong positive effect on the maximization of internet‐based KM and that internet‐based KM has also a positive impact on e‐business performance. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of this study include the need for more research into the KM cycle. This paper contributes to the research on this topic with new evidence in a broad sample. Practical implications – These results point to KMs usefulness in improving every day e‐business processes. Therefore managers should be aware of these benefits. Originality/value – The present study advances knowledge on the nature of the relative importance of different components of internet‐based KM as drivers of e‐business performance.

National Culture and Research and Development Activities

This paper examines the effect of national culture on the process of innovation and research and development activities in the subsidiaries of multinational companies. For this purpose, we use a sample of 222 subsidiaries for five European countries. The paper has drawn up two important findings. Firstly, cultural dimensions such as individualism, masculinity, power distance and uncertainty avoidance influence research and development activities of the subsidiaries. Secondly, the type of management model, defined according to the location of the parent company, influence the organization of the research and development activities.

The triple helix model and dynamics of innovation: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the dynamics of the triple helix model in less favoured regions, examining the role of three spheres: universities, firms, and government. The paper identifies profiles of behavior in terms of triple helix model performance from the firms perspective and recognizes key factors for successful innovation dynamics in a less favored region of Portugal.Design/methodology/approach – A brief bibliographic revision regarding development of the triple helix model in the innovation process is followed by a description of the role of the helixes and the presentation of a model, after which the hypotheses are defined for testing. The methodology consists of a survey involving companies in a less favored region of Portugal and the application of multivariate statistical analysis “k‐means clusters” to detect behavioral patterns in terms of performance and dynamics of the triple helix model from the firms viewpoint. In order to verify the hypotheses, tests of multiple ...

An analysis of Internet Banking in Portugal: the antecedents of mobile banking adoption

In recent years, mobile operations have gained wide popularity among mainstream users, and banks tend to follow this trend. But are bank customers ready to move forward? Mobile banking appears to be a natural extension of Internet banking, . Thus, to predict consumer decisions to adopt mobile banking, it’s useful to understand the pattern of adoption of Internet banking (IB). This investigation seeks contribute to an expansion of the knowledge regarding this matter by researching Portuguese consumers’ patterns and behaviors concerning the acceptance and use intention of IB as a foundation for establishing growth strategies of mobile banking. For data collection, we used an online “snowball” process. The statistical treatment used included a factor analysis in order to allow examination of the interrelationships between the original variables. The analysis was made possible by developing a set of factors that expresses the common traits between them. The results revealed that the majority of respondents did not identify problems with the use of and interaction with the IB service. The study generated some interesting findings. First, the data generally supports the conceptual framework presented. However, some points need to be made: (i) trust and convenience, from all the elements referenced in the literature as relevant from the client’ perspective, continue to be a very important elements; (ii) the results did not support the paradigm that the characteristics of individuals affect their behavior as consumers, (iii) individual technological characteristics affect consumer adoption of IB service; (iv) consumer perceptions about the IB service affect their use, as reveal by the existence of three types of customers that show different practices and perceptions of IB; and (v) intention to use IB is dependent upon attitudes and subjective norms regarding the use of IB.

The Missing Link between Virtual CRM and e‑business Performance

Purpose of this paper - Customer relationship management is becoming increasingly relevant in corporate agendas and has been broadly studied by academic researchers. In the last few years with the development of the digital economy, a new paradigm has emerged: virtual customer relationship management (virtual CRM). Our aims are to determine whether the implementation of virtual CRM is linked to e‑business performance and to identify the nature of the relationship that exists in the different initiatives of CRM. Design/methodology/approach - This paper establishes a new model of the practices and results of the virtual CRM which has been tested in European companies. For that purpose, we used a structural equation modelling analysis. Findings - The results show that all the initiatives considered have a positive impact on the maximisation of e‑CRM competencies and that e‑CRM also has a positive impact on e‑business performance. Research limitations/implications - As limitations of the study we consider the need for more research into the e‑CRM field and the inclusion of new elements such as technological readiness and management support. This paper contributes to the research on this topic with new evidence in a broad sample. Practical implications - The results point to e‑CRMs usefulness in improving everyday e‑business processes. Therefore managers should be aware of these benefits. Originality/value - The present study advances knowledge on the nature of the relative importance of different components of internet-based CRM as drivers of e‑business performance and reinforces its importance as an integrated e‑business tool.

Entrepreneurial Orientation in Family Firms: Looking at a European Outermost Region

This study addresses a current debate in the family business literature involving the extent to which the family business context hinders or promotes entrepreneurial behavior. The empirical evidence is provided by 155 small-sized firms, 82 family-controlled and 73 nonfamily-controlled, operating in an outermost region, the Autonomous Region of the Azores. This study analyzes the differences between family and nonfamily firms in regard to entrepreneurial orientation and how it is influenced by family participation. Results show that there are differences in entrepreneurship orientation and in two of its three dimensions, while revealing that family participation is negatively associated with entrepreneurial orientation and its three dimensions.

It's hard to be green: Reverse green value chain.

Firms have recently discovered that it is not enough to optimize internal processes and relationships with partners along the value chain to create a sustainable competitive market position. A clear customer orientation, which acknowledges that consumer buying behavior is complex and includes many elements implied in the value chain, is required. As companies offering green products are no exception to this rule, this study analyzes consumer behavior in Europe from a reserve green supply chain management perspective, using descriptive analyses and a structural equation model, with data collected by Flash Barometer comprising 26,573 responses from 28 European countries. The results suggest that European consumers are conscious of the green concept, but are not willing to buy or pay more for these products since the value is unclear. Companies offering green products must therefore rethink their strategies, especially in terms of value proposition, communication strategies, and eco-labeling.

The adoption of communication and information technologies and the local development

This paper examines the imbalances in the availability and usage of communication and information technology infrastructure. These imbalances could be broadly attributed to differences in funding, management and technical expertise, exposure and awareness of available technologies, training, and other infrastructures like R&D institutions. In our sample, the imbalances could be broadly attributed not only to differences in such factors as industry, dimension, management education, but also to lack of cooperation, workers mobility and reduced markets which are common factors in disfavoured regions.

Pharmaceutical Marketing STAR

Social media networks have become essential to the modern business world, and are especially a new channel for firms to connect with their clients and to establish a social customer relationship. Pharmaceutical firms can engage with health professionals and patients providing information and also obtaining feedback and referrals for online communities. This can be a powerful tool to build on with much more potential to explore. This work analyzes the social media profile and content created by pharmaceutical companies to develop a model for social media use. Their social media activity on both Facebook and Twitter was analyzed, and as a result, storytelling, triggers, amusement and reaction (STAR) model was proposed. The adoption of this model can enhance engagement online and therefore increase brand value and connectivity with consumers.

Fast or slow? Decision-making styles in small family and nonfamily firms

The purpose of this paper is to explore differences in the decision-making styles between family and nonfamily firms, while assessing how family participation relates to the use of decision-making styles within family firms.,The empirical evidence is provided by a sample of 155 firms, located in the Azores, Portugal, 82 family controlled and 73 nonfamily controlled firms. All firms included in the sample are small-sized privately owned enterprises. Business owners and managers responded to a decision-making styles questionnaire, followed, in the case of family firms, by the report of the number of family members actively involved in the business.,Results show that there are no differences in the use of rational decision making between family and nonfamily firms. However, nonfamily firms show higher levels of experiential decision making than family firms. Results also show that family participation plays a key role in guiding the decisional process, by promoting the use experiential decisions and inhibiting the adoption of a rational decision-making styles in family firms.,From a theoretical perspective, this study opens the door to new research on an under investigated topic in the family business literature. It contributes with initial notions that may help profile the decisional style within small family firms, while revealing how family participation affects it. Thus, creating a fertile ground of discussion that can be an impulse for more research in this area.,From an applied perspective, assessing the influence of family participation in the adoption of a decisional style is potentially valuable for practitioners as well as for owners and managers. Providing them with clues that may help them better understand the basis of their decisions which can benefit their relations with other family members, as with customers, partners and suppliers that play a key role in the firm’s growth, profitability and adaptability.,From a social point of view, showing that family firms tend to be rational in their decisions may help create a more reputable and credible image surrounding these firms that are sometimes perceived as less professional than nonfamily firms. Thus, a more solid reputability can help improve their relationship with important partner institutions (e.g. financial, governmental), becoming more attractive to private and public investment, which can translate into win-win situations.,This study responds to a gap in the literature, by exploring the use of experiential vs rational decision-making styles in small family and nonfamily firms. This study also contributes to the understanding of the decision making within family firms, by assessing the role of family participation in the adoption of a decisional style.