Susana Leal

Psychological capital and performance of Portuguese civil servants: exploring neutralizers in the context of an appraisal system

The literature suggests that psychological capital (PsyCap: self-efficacy, hope, optimism, resilience) predicts work performance. Our case study, carried out in the context of a performance appraisal system (SIADAP) recently implemented in the Portuguese Public Administration, does not corroborate this prediction. In the research 278 civil servants self-reported their performance and PsyCap and their supervisor-rated performance scores according to the SIADAP procedures. The main findings are: (a) no PsyCap dimension predicts supervisor-rated performance; (b) PsyCap predicts 39% of the variance of self-reported performance; and (c) there is no significant relationship between self- and supervisor-rated performance. The findings call attention to SIADAP features that may neutralize the impact of PsyCap on individual performance, or even make it irrelevant. Alternatively, it is suggested that PsyCap influences performance, but the supervisor-rated performance scores do not reflect real worker performance, which means that the SIADAP may actually reward the ‘wrong’ workers.

Toward Sustainability Through Higher Education: Sustainable Development Incorporation into Portuguese Higher Education Institutions

This study aims to investigate how sustainable development (SD) has been incorporated into Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs). A review of literature and the analysis of the available documentation in institutional webpages of the different HEIs were conducted to establish the theoretical framework and validating the current state of integration of sustainability in Portuguese HEIs (how SD is integrated in the practices of HEIs). We analyzed the two types of Public HEIs (Universities and Polytechnics) and we found the existence of different ways of approaching SD. The SD dimensions analyzed were the environmental, economic, social/cultural, and institutional/political/educational ones (e.g., Leal Filho et al. in Int J Sustain High Educ 16:112–129, 2015; Lozano in Int J Sustain High Educ 12:67–78, 2011; Segalas et al. in J Cleaner Prod 18:275–284, 2010; Waas et al. in Sustainability, 3, 1637–1661, 2011). We have also researched the different stages that HEIs are in the incorporation, dissemination, and institutionalization of SD. We have reviewed all the institutional websites for the 34 Public Portuguese’s HEIs, which 20 of them are polytechnics and 14 universities. The majority of HEIs communicate their SD practices actively. It was also pointed out that SD practices vary considerably from one HEIs to another. However, the results show that SD in Portuguese HEIs is still in its early stages.

UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development: Perceptions of Higher Education Institution’s Stakeholders

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the main stakeholders of Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) perceive the commitment of HEIs related to: (a) teaching sustainable development Sustainable Development (SD) across all courses, (b) encouraging research and dissemination of SD knowledge, (c) implementing green campuses and supporting local sustainability efforts, and (d) engaging and sharing information with international networks (as defined in Higher Education Sustainability Initiative, United Nations). Through a qualitative approach (semi-structured interviews and content analysis), we explore the perspectives of twenty stakeholders from four Portuguese public HEIs (leaders, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders). The results show that all stakeholders see teaching SD across all courses as a necessity, but they have different visions about how to implement it. Concerning the research and dissemination of SD knowledge, they defend that both should be encouraged and transversal to all HEIs. About implementing green campuses and supporting local sustainability efforts, stakeholders agree that is important, but the practical results, in the Portuguese HEIs analysed, fail to achieve an acceptable degree. As a long term objective, the motivation for engaging and sharing information with international networks is latent.

The implementation of sustainability practices in Portuguese higher education institutions

Purpose The purpose of this work is to analyze the current state of implementation of sustainability development (SD) in Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to measure the level of implementation of SD practices in HEIs as well as the number of rankings, certifications and declarations of these institutions. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all rectors, presidents, directors of faculties, departments and schools of Portuguese universities and polytechnics. A sample of 53 leaders was obtained. Findings Portuguese HEIs are mainly engaged in the social dimension of sustainability. The economic dimension emerges in second place and the institutional in third; the environmental dimension is the least developed. Except for a few specific topics (e.g. related to research on SD, and the offer of degree courses in SD), there are no significant differences between universities and polytechnics in the implementation of SD practices. Only 11 per cent of HEIs are innovators in the implementation of SD practices, and a majority of HEIs have implemented less than 34 per cent of the SD practices studied. Research limitations/implications This research has a national scope, and the results should be interpreted only in the Portuguese context. Future studies should include a larger range of institutional actors within the faculty. Practical implications This study provides valuable insights and theoretical and methodological guidance for future implementation processes supporting the transition to sustainability in HEIs. Originality/value This is the first study conducted in Portuguese HEIs with the aim of determining their efforts to implement and promote sustainability.

Developing and validating an instrument for measuring managers’ attitudes toward older workers

Abstract Three studies were carried out to develop and validate an instrument for measuring managers’ attitudes toward older workers. In the first study we explore (a) managers’ attitudes toward older workers, and (b) retirees’ perceptions about their last experiences before retirement. In the second study, 51 items emerging from the first study and from the literature were developed. The corresponding questionnaire was then applied to a sample of 224 Portuguese managers who were also invited to make decisions in three scenarios involving younger and older workers. The third study replicated the second one with a sample of 249 Brazilian managers. The main findings are: (a) five types of managers’ attitudes toward older workers were identified (adaptability, value of older workers’ competencies, organizational conscientiousness, social capital/generosity and performance); (b) these attitudes predict how managers select older vs. younger workers in hiring and selecting employees to participate in training; (c) the empirical patterns identified in the Portuguese and Brazilian samples are similar; (d) in spite of recognizing positive qualities in older workers, managers discriminate against them; (e) managers develop different attitudinal profiles toward older workers, which has consequences for how they make decisions about those workers.