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- Strategic Decision-Making in Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Small and Medium- Sized EnterprisesPublication . Ferreira, Neuza Cláudia Melo Quintino Freitas; Ferreira, João José de MatosThis doctoral thesis encompasses five studies that collectively delve into the realm of sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Each of the studies aims to address specific objectives, that collectively seek to achieve the main purpose, which is to support strategic decision-making for SE strategies in SMEs through the development of multi-criteria decision models that allow for the identification of SE determinants and their respective causal relationships. To map the landscape of SE research in SMEs, the first study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) coupled with bibliometric analyses of 206 articles published in refereed academic journals spanning from 1987 to 2022. Through bibliographic coupling and co-citation methods, it identifies influential studies, thematic clusters, and determinants of SE in SMEs. The main contributions of the study are threefold. First, the analysis identifies thematic clusters related to SE in SME contexts, helping to pinpoint key gaps in the existing literature and set the stage for future research directions. The six major thematic clusters are: (1) sustainable entrepreneurial orientation; (2) performance; (3) innovation and networks; (4) sustainable business models; (5) commitment to sustainability; and (6) green entrepreneurship and circular economy. Second, the study aims to identify SE determinants and initiatives specific to SMEs. The dimensions that drive and/or inhibit SE in SMEs are: (1) sustainable entrepreneurial orientation (SEO); (2) organization; (3) performance; (4) networks; (5) context; and (6) sustainable practices. Last, the use of both co-citation and bibliographic coupling methods provides a comprehensive and dynamic approach to analyzing the literature, capturing a broader range of insights and ensuring the reliability of the findings. Building upon the foundational insights provided by the SLR, the second study analyzes the relationships between SEO, context, organization, networks, sustainable practices, and performance within Portuguese SMEs. Using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression, it identifies key determinants impacting sustainable practices and performance. The main findings include that the most impactful determinants are: (1) SEO; (2) partner networking; (3) contexts with government support; (4) joint product design through networks; and (5) employee well-being within organizations offering actionable insights for decisionmakers and policymakers. The main contributions of this study are both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, it extends existing literature by proposing an integrated approach to understanding the interactions among six variables within the context of SE in SMEs. Practically, the findings offer insights for entrepreneurs on aligning SME practices with the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs), aiding policymakers in bridging the gap between global SDGs and national implementation, assisting local governments in creating supportive initiatives, and promoting awareness and adoption of sustainable business practices on a societal level. In alignment with the global agenda set by the SDGs, the third study identifies and analyzes internal initiatives that SMEs can implement to enhance their SE indices. Through a mixed-method approach integrating cognitive mapping and decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), the results comprise a multi-criteria decision support analysis system of critical initiatives for enhancing SE indices. The study offers a comprehensive inventory of sustainable initiatives and their causal relationships, enhancing the understanding of SE in SMEs within the academic realm. From a practical perspective, the study provides a cognitive structure for decisionmaking, offering valuable guidelines for SMEs. It presents a holistic view of the causeand-effect relationships among sustainable initiatives, aiding decision-makers in identifying crucial initiatives and prioritizing their implementation effectively. Recognizing the challenges faced by SMEs in aligning with sustainability principles, the fourth study employs an innovative approach in this context, combining cognitive mapping, DEMATEL, and neutrosophic logic to analyze the cause-and-effect relationships among SE initiatives. By comparing the results with and without the use of neutrosophic logic, it seeks to enhance decision-making precision and address uncertainty and indeterminacy, offering valuable insights for academia, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. The main contributions of this study are threefold. First, the study offers a novel approach to understanding the dynamics of sustainable initiatives in this study context. Second, the decision support system developed can guide SMEs in identifying and implementing sustainable initiatives across various operational and strategic areas, striving for a balanced approach encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Third, the study highlights several contributions of implementing sustainable initiatives, advancing both theoretical understanding and practical application of SE in SMEs, while also emphasizing the positive societal impacts of these initiatives. Finally, the fifth study introduces a multi-criteria evaluation model to assess sustainable initiatives in SMEs. By combining cognitive mapping, the best-worst method (BWM), and the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), this study develops a robust evaluation system capable of incorporating both objective and subjective elements into the evaluation process. This evaluation system enables SMEs to monitor their progress toward sustainability, identify critical areas, and prioritize initiatives for future improvements. Together, these five studies provide a holistic and detailed perspective on SE in SMEs, offering theoretical insights, methodological innovations, and practical recommendations to advance sustainability agendas in the business landscape.
- Funcionamento cognitivo, qualidade de vida e relação com a prática do exercício físico em sobreviventes de cancro da mamaPublication . Lourenço, Rita Vanessa Mateus; Oliveira, Jorge Manuel da Costa; Carvalho, Paula Susana Loureiro SaraivaA doença oncológica é uma realidade com um crescimento progressivo na população mundial sendo que, em Portugal, o cancro da mama é o mais prevalente. O presente estudo surge no sentido de contribuir para a melhor compreensão do impacto do cancro da mama no funcionamento cognitivo, percebido e objetivo, e na qualidade de vida e a relação com a prática do exercício físico nesta população. A amostra de sobreviventes de cancro da mama da Beira Interior foi recolhida por conveniência e inclui um grupo com intervenção, com prática de exercício sistemático específico para esta população e um grupo de controlo equivalente. Foi constituída por 41 mulheres sobreviventes de cancro da mama, com idades entre os 39 e os 68 anos (M = 53.95; DP = 7.82). Foi realizada entrevista semiestruturada guiada por questionário sociodemográfico e clínico, e aplicados os seguintes instrumentos: Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Código – Tarefa de codificação, Testes de fluência verbal (TFV), Memória de dígitos, Stroop, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) e The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function-Version 3 (FACT-Cog-v3). Os resultados revelam que a amostra não apresenta deterioração do funcionamento cognitivo, percebido e objetivo, nem da qualidade de vida, ao invés, a memória imediata apresenta uma média amostral que se encontra acima do intervalo normativo da população portuguesa, não reunindo condições para testar se esta diferença é estatisticamente significativa. São visíveis correlações positivas entre o funcionamento cognitivo percebido (PCA) e objetivo (avaliado pelo TFV e pelo Código) com os anos de escolaridade e entre a qualidade de vida e o funcionamento cognitivo objetivo (avaliado pelo AVLT e pela Memória de Dígitos). Também são observáveis várias correlações entre o funcionamento cognitivo percebido e a qualidade de vida. No que concerne à comparação entre o grupo de controlo e o grupo com intervenção apenas se verificaram diferenças significativas relativamente ao funcionamento cognitivo objetivo (avaliado pelo AVLT), revelando uma valorização da memória no grupo com intervenção, e ao funcionamento cognitivo percebido baseado nos comentários de outras pessoas (FACT-Cog-Oth), que se apresenta mais elevado no grupo de controlo. A discussão dos resultados e as implicações clínicas e de investigação são apresentadas neste trabalho.