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- The Impacts of the Entrepreneurial Conditions on Economic Growth: Evidence from OECD CountriesPublication . Gomes, Sofia; Ferreira, João José De Matos; Lopes, João; Farinha, LuísThis study aims to assess the impacts of entrepreneurial framework conditions on economic growth based on the level of economic development in transition-driven economies and innovation-driven economies. The data were organised into a panel (2000–2019) and obtained from the National Expert Survey (NES), the Global Monitor Entrepreneurship (GEM), and the World Bank. By applying the generalised method of moments (GMM) estimation, we found that R&D transfer has a negative impact on economic growth that is innovation-driven, but positively impacts transition-driven economies. The results further highlighted that regardless of the level of development of the country, business and professional infrastructure do not positively impact economic growth. However, taxes and bureaucracy and physical and service infrastructure were shown to positively impact only innovation-driven economies, as in transition-driven economies, they were shown to have negative impacts on economic growth. The present study contributes to a better understanding of the link between economic growth and the conditions for entrepreneurship in economies with different degrees of economic growth. This study can serve as a basis for policy makers to adjust or develop new policies to accelerate economic growth.
- The Key to Sustainable Economic Development: A Triple Bottom Line ApproachPublication . Nogueira, Elisabete; Gomes, Sofia; Lopes, JoãoConcerns about improving social, environmental, and economic living standards are the basis of the triple bottom line (TBL) link to economic development (ED). Aware of the importance of studying their relationship, this article analysed the influence of TBL on ED. A quantitative method ology was used. The sample comprised a panel of data from 2006 to 2019 for OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. Five multiple linear regression models were estimated by the generalised method of moments. The results of this study revealed that the social dimension of TBL boosts ED, the environmental dimension of TBL slows down ED, and the economic dimension of TBL contains conflicting synergies in ED. The Human Development Index (HDI) should now include indicators of environmental wellbeing. Governments should adopt policies to improve social wellbeing to boost ED, work to coordinate the objectives of environmental protection and ED, and combat vulnerabilities arising from public debt. As one of the first studies to assess the influence of TBL on ED at the country level, the present findings contribute to the reflection about the influence of TBL on a country’s ED and strengthens the discussion around the influence of different dimensions of TBL.
- The Role of Open Innovation, and the Performance of European Union RegionsPublication . Lopes, João; Gomes, Sofia; Oliveira, José Castro; Oliveira, MárcioThis research aims to detect the factors that best explain the performance of regional innovation in the European Union (EU), in the year 2019, and compare the obtained results with the factors used to elucidate the performance of regional innovation in the EU during the year 2016. This comparison allowed us to identify the variations that have occurred during these 3 years. The methodology used is quantitative and served to identify the factors that clarify the performance of regional innovation in the EU in 2019. The data collected was treated in the econometric software Eviews10. Estimations used a multiple linear regression method. The attained results show that with the implementation of the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3), the Leader and Strong Regions benefited from its implementation. On the other hand, Moderate and Modest Regions failed to improve their innovative performance with the implementation of RIS3. On the practical contributions, it provides suggestions to the actors of the triple helix (Academy–Government–Industry) to improve the performance of innovation. Furthermore, it contributes to the theory by updating the knowledge of the existing literature with new dimensions from the 2019 RIS database. This research is original as it allows to appraise the evolution of the open innovative performance of the regions, by using comparative data from 2019 and 2016.
- The New Times of Social Media Marketing in the B2B FrameworkPublication . Lopes, João; Oliveira, José CastroNowadays, we live in the age of Marketing 4.0. Historically, marketing has often depended on changing consumer habits and needs. Thus, it is necessary to understand the new habits and needs of the consumer to make companies more and more effective. Currently, social media marketing (SMM) is ubiquitous in organizations, and is seen as a tool to achieve strategic goals. Therefore, SMM is important for companies to adapt their approach to customer relationship management and advance new marketing competencies to enable customer satisfaction. To drive customer satisfaction and improve customer experience, managers are loading social media applications into their current customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This study seeks to understand the feasibility of implementing SMM in business to business (B2B) companies and how this affects CRM and customer knowledge management (CKM). For this study, data were collected from two Portuguese micro-companies. The methodology used was exploratory qualitative in nature through a multiple case study, wherein semi-structured interviews were applied. It was found that SMM cannot be used in the B2B companies under investigation because CRM needs are much more dependent on CKM than on the mass interactions and indirect communication with the customer that can potentially exist in SMM. In these companies, communication with the client can be adjusted on a case-by-case basis through SMM, without the need for mass communication with all clients. This paper provides implications for the management of micro-enterprises regarding social media marketing. It also contributes to the development of the literature on SMM, CRM and CKM.
- Developing Knowledge of Supply Chain Resilience in Less-Developed Countries in the Pandemic AgePublication . Lopes, João; Gomes, Sofia; Mané, LassanaBackground: The constraints imposed by the pandemic COVID-19 increased the risks of the disruption of supply chains, bringing new challenges to companies. These effects were felt more intensely in less-developed countries, which are highly dependent on imports of products and raw materials. This study aims to assess the impact of supply chain resilience in a less-developed country (Guinea-Bissau) using complex adaptive system theory. Methods: We used a qualitative methodology through multiple case studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four companies. The semi-structured script contains questions about supply chain disruptions, vulnerabilities and resilience. Results: The main results show that the companies in Guinea-Bissau, due to their dependence on the outside world and the absence of formal, larger and more diversified supply chains, suffered serious consequences with the disruption imposed by the pandemic. It was also concluded that the more resilient the supply chain, the fewer the impacts of crisis events and that the resilience of companies at this level depends on their obtaining competitive advantages over their competitors. Conclusions: The main practical implications of this study are the need to formalize the supply chain, diversify the supply of services and products of companies dependent on the exterior, adopt metrics that allow for the early detection of situations of supply chain disruption, effectively manage stocks and promote proactive crisis resolution strategies. Studies on the impact of resilience on supply chains in crises are scarce, especially on companies located in underdeveloped countries.
- How Can Gamified Applications Drive Engagement and Brand Attitude? The Case of Nike Run Club ApplicationPublication . Rodrigues, Ivo; Lopes, João; Borges, Ana Pinto; Oliveira, José; Oliveira, MárcioThis research aims to analyze the feasibility of gamified applications as a tool to promote engagement and brand attitude. To accomplish this, this research was developed using a quantitative methodology. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed and the model hypotheses were tested by a structural equation modeling (SEM). A questionnaire was applied to Portuguese consumers who use the “Nike Run Club” application, from which 203 valid responses were received. The results confirm the influence of social circles and their impact on the intention to interact with the brand. For theoretical contributions, this research contributes to the existing literature and academic knowledge in the areas of marketing and gamification, providing a suggestion for the TAM model to be used in this type of research. It also contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between gamification and marketing, demonstrating that the use of gamified applications as engagement tools can have a positive impact on the brand attitude. On the practical side, it contributes as a consultation tool for brands, application designers, and marketers when defining engagement strategies, allowing a better understanding of the factors that may or may not influence the public’s relationship with the brands and what dynamics they should use in the development of new Gamified marketing solutions
- Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3): Past, Present and Future ResearchPublication . Lopes, João; Ferreira, João José de Matos; Farinha, LuísThe recent change in the regional development strategy of the European Union (EU) results in an important need to the terms of change and their respective implications. This study seeks, through a bibliometric analysis, to ascertain the developments taking place in studies on research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3) to identify shortcomings and opportunities for future research. This bibliometric review drew upon the Scopus database with the sample selected containing all the articles containing the keywords “Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation” or “RIS3.” This correspondingly reports how some authors maintain that the path the EU should take involves imitative innovation. Meanwhile, others propose that each region should specialise in those industries that are already established there and thus avoid targeting any areas they do not already know/specialise in. Our findings detail six clusters in RIS3 research, which help in contextualising the literature review: (a) business discovery; (b) smart specialisation; (c) innovation; (d) specialisation; (e) regional policies; and (f) regional development. This study furthermore sets out perspectives for future lines of research and correspondingly seeks to convey a vast theoretical basis that may serve as the point of departure for future studies.
- International Open Innovation Strategies of Firms in European Peripheral RegionsPublication . Lopes, João; Gomes, Sofia; Oliveira, José Castro; Oliveira, MárcioThe involvement of companies in different open innovation activities, through knowledge outputs and inputs, has become increasingly important for the success of companies. However, the existing literature on open innovation is scarce concerning the internationalization process of companies. The internationalization of companies is fundamental in the continuous search to increase the performance of companies externally. The objective of the present research is to explain the strategic processes in the internationalization of companies located in peripheral regions at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of dynamic capabilities. The sample used for this research is composed of seven Portuguese companies. The methodology of qualitative nature is exploratory and uses a case study approach. Regarding the foremost modes of operation in international markets and strategies, we find that (1) companies have partnerships with local distributors or appoint exclusive importers/distributors, and (2) companies prefer to place their products in the market through their brand, “co-branded” projects with retailers, or “private label” projects. Of the seven companies under study, six use a standardization strategy, and one opts for a configuration-coordination strategy. Our findings clarified the literature on export and internationalization strategies in a peripheral country, allowing a closer incept of the organizational and dynamic capabilities and an overview of the supporting tools these companies have to compete in the global market. Our study is original because few articles study the internationalization strategies of companies at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and in peripheral regions of Europe.
- ICT Access and Entrepreneurship in the Open Innovation Dynamic Context: Evidence from OECD CountriesPublication . Gomes, Sofia; Lopes, JoãoIn recent decades, entrepreneurship has become increasingly important for innovation and economic growth. However, few studies demonstrate the role of information and communication technology systems (ICT) in promoting entrepreneurship, and even fewer studies show that ICT is a crucial resource for entrepreneurs. This study examines the direct influence of ICTs on entrepreneurial activity in OECD countries in the context of the open innovation dynamic. Based on an unbalanced dynamic longitudinal panel of data, we conclude that access to ICTs (mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions, individuals using the internet, and fixed-broadband subscriptions) positively influences Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA). However, the importance of ICTs for entrepreneurial activity is not equal, with mobile-cellular telephones having the strongest influence on the rate of new firm creation, followed by fixed-broadband, and internet access. This study contributes to the rationale of resource-based theory by demonstrating that ICTs are a valuable resource for boosting the capabilities for creating, collecting, processing, and interpreting information, which is vital for entrepreneurial activity. On the other hand, this study attempts to suppress an existing gap in the literature due to the still scarce studies demonstrating how macro-level ICTs affect the creation of new firms in countries. Finally, it contributed to empirically substantiating the relationship between open innovation dynamic and entrepreneurship, as very few studies do.
- Evolution of the Online Grocery Shopping Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Empiric Study from PortugalPublication . Gomes, Sofia; Lopes, JoãoOnline shopping has intensified in the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed circulation limitations and more restrictive behaviors on consumers due to fears of contracting the virus, boosting online grocery shopping. This study aims to assess the relationship between the online food purchasing experience during the pandemic and the intention to purchase food online after the pandemic. The sample of this quantitative study is composed of 358 Portuguese consumers who carried out grocery shopping online during the pandemic and was collected through an online questionnaire. First, a cross-sectional description of the variables was applied to this sample and then an analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out using the partial least squares method. Due to health concerns, food and beverage consumption behaviors changed positively during the pandemic compared to before. Healthier consumer behavior towards food and beverages during the pandemic, compared to before the pandemic, may influence a greater propensity for online grocery shopping. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, income) were also determinants of the propensity to shop online during the pandemic. Specifically, the results of this study demonstrate a positive influence of young male consumers, with higher levels of education and income, regarding the online supermarket shopping experience. The results also demonstrate that a good online shopping experience during the pandemic can positively influence online shopping intentions after the pandemic. This study makes it possible to identify determinants of the online food shopping experience, serving as guidance and preparation for strategic marketing for retail grocery companies that wish to position themselves online. It also helps marketers and policymakers understand the potential influence of sociodemographic characteristics such as age, income, and education on building a relationship with consumers. Finally, the relationship between personal characteristics and the online grocery shopping experience requires further substantiation and this study contributes to this gap in the literature.