Purpose Global market pressure drives companies to innovate, leading them to partner with universities for knowledge transfer. This study investigates the effects of knowledge transfer (KT) on companies' innovative activities and the moderating effect of absorptive capacity (AC) on the relationship between KT and innovative capacity. The analysis was done to distinguish the knowledge acquired nationally and internationally. Design/methodology/approach The methods employed are logistic regression, using a sample of 100058 observations from 14 countries in the Eurostat Community Innovation Survey dataset. Findings Both national and international knowledge transfer (KT) have a positive influence on product and process innovation. AC is an essential source of competitive advantage, although it negatively moderates the relationship between national KT and innovation (of products and processes). On the other hand, research also shows that AC does not significantly affect the relationship between international KT and innovations, whether in products or processes. Originality/value This study contributes to the knowledge-based view by clarifying the nuanced roles of KT and AC in innovation. It offers comparative insights into national and international KT and highlights the conditional role of AC, providing implications for companies, universities, and policymakers.
Regulations of next-generation networks (NGNs) have played a central role in the transition from copper networks to broadband networks in Fiber to The Home (FTTH), also allowing for a reduction in asymmetries between incumbent operators and their competitors. Despite common European Union directives, telecom infrastructure development varies across countries due to differences in regulation, investment models, legacy networks, operators’ behavior, and public policies. This study analyzes the evolution of Very High-Capacity Networks (VHCNs), focusing on the implementation of FTTH in four European countries (Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany), and in South Korea. The latter was included as a benchmark in government-driven broadband development. The analysis considers key factors influencing FTTH development, including infrastructure regulation, fiber investment incentives, incumbent strategies, infrastructure sharing and co-investment, rural coverage plans, and demographic differences of each country. The results show that regulatory measures directly influence the pace of FTTH installation; but its effectiveness also depends on investment incentives, market competition, and demand factors. Portugal, Spain, and France have high FTTH coverage despite different regulatory and investment models. In contrast, Germany relied on xDSL over copper networks for a long time, causing significant delays, with an FTTH coverage rate of 42.5% and a penetration rate of only 12.3%, putting the European Union’s 2030 goal of universal 1 Gbps coverage at risk. South Korea shows that long-term public policies, demand-side incentives, and high digital adoption accelerate mass FTTH adoption and turn telecommunications infrastructure into a key driver of economic and technological development.
Introdução: A comunicação da dor em contexto de cuidados ao doente crítico é frequentemente limitada por dificuldades de expressão verbal, comprometendo a avaliação clínica e a tomada de decisão. Neste âmbito, foi concebida uma ferramenta visual para apoiar a caracterização multidimensional da dor e melhorar a precisão da comunicação entre doente e profissionais de saúde. Objetivos: Desenvolver e descrever uma ferramenta gráfica que auxilie doentes com limitações comunicacionais a expressar a sua perceção dolorosa, contemplando dimensões essenciais da dor e promovendo uma linguagem partilhada com a equipa de saúde. Material e Métodos: Estudo exploratório em três etapas: (i) World Café para identificação de barreiras, facilitadores, estratégias e dificuldades na comunicação da dor; (ii) revisão narrativa da literatura sobre comunicação da dor no doente crítico; (iii) cocriação da ferramenta “Roleta da Dor”, composta por seis circunferências coloridas representando localização, intensidade, tipo de dor, horário/evolução, fatores de alívio e impacto nas atividades de vida diária. A aplicação piloto foi realizada em 83 participantes da população geral, com recolha de perceções de utilidade e sugestões de melhoria. Resultados: A ferramenta integra imagens e escalas que operacionalizam cada parâmetro (mapas corporais, escalas numéricas/quantitativas/de faces, ícones de tipos de dor, representações temporais, fatores farmacológicos e não farmacológicos e atividades de vida diária). A maioria dos participantes considerou-a útil ou muito útil, destacando-se a relevância para pessoas com dificuldades de expressão verbal. Foram apontadas limitações na clareza de algumas imagens e sugeridas melhorias (inclusão de órgãos adicionais, gráfico de evolução da dor e maior detalhe nas atividades quotidianas). Conclusões: A “Roleta da Dor” configura um instrumento inovador e potencialmente aplicável na prática clínica para a caracterização multidimensional da dor e para a melhoria da comunicação entre doentes e profissionais. Os resultados da aplicação piloto sustentam a utilidade percebida e orientam ajustes gráficos e de conteúdo; o instrumento encontra-se em fase de validação.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for elite athletes, disrupting training routines and affecting mental health. This study examined the impact of social isolation on training, sleep, motivation, and psychological well-being among Portuguese Paralympic athletes. Methods: Forty-five athletes (31.36 ± 10.81 years) from the Paralympic Preparation Program participated, divided into the Paralympic Preparation Project (PPP; n = 21) and the Paralympic Hopes and Talents Project (PHTP; n = 24). Training routines before and during social isolation were compared. Sleep duration, training motivation, and mental health were assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). The analysis employed paired and independent t-tests and a multiple linear regression (Enter method) to examine predictors of mental health. Results: Daily training duration declined by 34.3% (p < 0.001), though weekly frequency remained stable (p = 0.061). PPP athletes reported higher mental health scores than PHTP athletes (66.24 vs. 60.37; p = 0.048). The regression model explained 42.8% of the variance in mental health (R2 = 0.428). Sleep duration was positively associated with mental health and showed the highest standardized coefficient in the regression (β = 0.351; p = 0.008), followed by PPP status (β = 0.315; p = 0.024) and motivation (β = 0.278; p = 0.041). Conclusions: Maintaining biological routines, particularly sleep and motivation, supports mental health under social isolation. Higher well-being among PPP athletes underscores the need for targeted interventions for less experienced athletes. Sports organizations should prioritize sleep hygiene and psychological support to mitigate vulnerability during crises.
The growing importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has intensified academic and organizational interest in tools that support their achievement. Business Intelligence (BI), as a data-driven decision-support technology, emerges as a strategic ally in this context. This article aims to systematically analyze the existing scientific literature that links BI to the SDGs, identifying trends, gaps, and contributions to digital sustainability. The methodology is based on a systematic literature review following the PRISMA protocol, with 11 articles selected after a rigorous screening process across academic databases. The analysis shows that most studies focus on using BI to monitor sustainability indicators, support strategic decision-making, and optimize processes in public and private organizations. However, a lack of robust empirical research and limited critical assessment of the real impact of BI tools on the SDGs were noted. The findings highlight BI’s potential as a catalyst for sustainable, data-driven practices, with relevant implications for public policy development and organizational strategies. This study contributes to the understanding of BI’s role in promoting sustainability and points to opportunities for further research.
