Mário Raposo

“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...

Stakeholder theory: issues to resolve

Purpose – The objective of this paper is to collate and debate the main issues driving the stakeholder theory academic debate.Design/methodology/approach – First, a discussion of the stakeholder concept is set out before moving on to the history and nature of stakeholder theory. The work proceeds with an attempt to bring together systematically the points of divergence among researchers interested in stakeholder theory, and, finally, there is a brief discussion of these theoretical loopholes in conjunction with a proposed research agenda for the field.Findings – Based on the unification of the theoretically problematic issues, research agenda are put forward with the objective of clarifying doubts and resolving the controversies ongoing among academics. As regards the formulation of stakeholder theory, one question requiring resolution is that of the stakeholder concept itself. Additionally, further research should focus on the boundaries as to what constitutes a stakeholder group as well as defining the ...

Conceptual Model of Student Satisfaction in Higher Education

Abstract To try and understand the factors which influence student satisfaction in higher education, as well as consequences of it, this study tests an explanatory model of student satisfaction in higher education. The model was tested through the utilization of structural equations and showed that the variable which has the most influence in student satisfaction in higher education is the variable – image followed by value and afterwards quality perceived. The conclusions of this study also mention the existence of a negative influence from the variable – expectations. It was also noticeable that the main consequence of satisfaction was student loyalty caused by word of mouth from student to student.

The influence of university image on student behaviour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of image on student satisfaction and loyalty.Design/methodology/approach – In order to accomplish the objectives proposed, a model reflecting the influence of image on student satisfaction and loyalty is applied. The model is tested through use of structural equations and the final sample is of 2,687 students.Findings – The model shows that image is the construct that most influences student satisfaction. The influence of image is also relevant on student loyalty.Research limitations/implications – In this paper, the constructs of image resulted in a reliability level of 0.846; future research is needed in order to find more reliable image measurement indicators.Practical implications – If higher education institutions have to compete through image, the first step to take is to measure the university image held by its students. It is proven by this paper that the construct which most influences student satisfaction in higher education is the ...

A PLS Model to Study Brand Preference: An Application to the Mobile Phone Market

Brands play an important role in consumers’ daily life and can represent a big asset for companies owning them. Owing to the very close relationship between brands and consumers, and the specific nature of branded products as an element of consumer life style, the branded goods industry needs to extend its knowledge of the process of brand preference formation in order to enhance brand equity.

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...

A model for stakeholder classification and stakeholder relationships

Purpose – This paper aims to develop a new model of stakeholder classification and a model for explaining the relationship between the organization and its respective stakeholders.Design/methodology/approach – The new proposed model is based on an empirical study that comprises an exploratory study based on 15 interviews and a confirmatory study based on 684 questionnaires answered by staff of 11 public universities. The main variable deployed is the stakeholders respective level of influence from the organizations management perspective, that is, their level of legitimacy, power and urgency.Findings – The new model proposes six stakeholder types (regulator, controller, partner, passive, dependent and non‐stakeholder). To explain the relationship between the stakeholder and the organization, the traditional needs‐satisfaction vision was expanded. The variables of relevance, mutual influence and participation were found to be important in explaining the organization and stakeholder relationship. This stu...

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.

Barriers to innovation faced by manufacturing firms in Portugal: how to overcome it for fostering business excellence?

This paper aims to identify the barriers to innovation that influence the innovation capability of Portuguese manufacturing firms. The literature review about innovation makes use of two reference approaches: (1)the systemic and (2) the networks and interorganisational relationships. The database is obtained through the Community Innovation Survey II (CIS II) conducted by the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT). Furthermore, from the results, several public policies are proposed in order to overcome the restraining factors of the entrepreneurial innovative capability and to promote business excellence at the firm level, especially alternative financing sources, incentives for innovation activities and open innovation networks.

Student Satisfaction Index in Portuguese Public Higher Education

This study intends to measure students satisfaction with Portuguese higher education, through the estimation of an explicative model of the students opinion formation process. In terms of conclusions, it was verified that the student satisfaction index of Portuguese public higher education is only of 54 on a scale from 1 to 100. This value constitutes a reference mark that universities in Portugal can use to compare with their own performance.