The antecedents of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions: An exploratory study of Angolan higher education students

Currently, economic recovery is being affected by the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate shocks, logistical interruptions in the supply of goods, global inflation, and rising commodity prices due to the war in Ukraine. By proposing a new modified conceptual model of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) oriented toward sustainability, this study aims to analyze, in an exploratory way, the influence of three new antecedents (propensity to take risks, perceived creativity, and proactive personality) on the dimensions of TPB and the sustainable entrepreneurial intention of Angolan students. A quantitative methodology was used by applying the Partial Least Square (PLS) method to a sample of 308 responses from Angolan students attending higher education in Angola. The results show that the TPB dimensions positively influence the sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions of students in Angola. Furthermore, the dimensions of the TPB may have as antecedents and, therefore, be explained by the risk-taking propensity, the proactive personality, and the perceived creativity, positively influencing the dimensions of the TPB and stimulating the sustainable entrepreneurial intention in Angola. We demonstrate through an extended TPB model that there are antecedents of TPB that can be learned and stimulated, positively influencing entrepreneurial intention and, as such, entrepreneurial activity in Angola. Thus, these results are particularly interesting for policymakers, higher education institutions, and students. This study proposes a new conceptual model oriented towards sustainable entrepreneurship that includes the TPB dimensions and three new personality factors as antecedents. In this work, we intend to contribute to accelerating economic growth in Angola, stimulating entrepreneurial activity, and simultaneously contributing to achieving the sustainable development goals set out in the 2030 Agenda.

Evolution of the Online Grocery Shopping Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Empiric Study from Portugal

Online 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.

Developing Knowledge of Supply Chain Resilience in Less-Developed Countries in the Pandemic Age

Background: 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.

International Open Innovation Strategies of Firms in European Peripheral Regions

The 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.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND VALUE CREATION IN NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS

The present study aims to assess the impact of strategic management on value creation in Non-Profit Institutions (NPOs). The research is based on an online questionnaire applied to 67 directors of NPOs in the district of Leiria, located in the central region of Portugal, whose functions are focused on the definition and implementation of the strategic management of these institutions to fulfil their missions. This quantitative study found that the formulation and implementation of strategies directly positively impact value creation and that the formulation of strategies has an indirect positive impact, when mediated by the implementation of strategic choices, on the value creation of these same organisations. This study reinforces the theoretical argument that points to the growing importance of strategic management in this type of organisation's performance and value creation. It can also serve as a benchmark for leaders and managers to fulfil these organisations' missions. Finally, it was possible to identify a set of indicators that, in each dimension of the strategic management studied, can help create the most value.

ALTERATIONS IN CONSUMER BEHAVIOR ON FOOD PURCHASE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

From the contributions of Kotler & Armstrong (2018), we can group the factors that influence the purchasing behavior of consumers into 4 types: cultural factors (including culture, subculture, and social classes), social factors (which integrate the reference groups, the family, the roles and the social positions), personal factors (including age, occupation, consolidation, economic aspects, lifestyle, and personality) and psychological factors (motivation, perception, learning, beliefs, and attitudes). [...]streamlining and distributing products or services according to their interests and desires, thus optimizing the characteristics of existing products and services and launching new ideas and proposals to the market (Silva, Castro, Nunes & Pinheiro, 2018). [...]global phenomena such as the rediscovery of homemade food (leading to an increased demand for basic ingredients) and the preference for small local groceries and online shopping are also considered to be relevant factors that affected food buying behaviors. In terms of the type of food to purchase, the study by Borsellino, et al., (2020) concludes that, despite price volatility and the concern about future family income, a significant proportion of consumers started to buy healthier and more sustainable foods.

COVID 19 IMPACTS ON DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF CATERING SMES IN PORTUGAL

Focusing the study's on the implementation of digital marketing strategies by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the catering sector in Portugal during the pandemic period COVID 19, the present investigation aims to understand the impact of this pandemic in the implementation of digital marketing strategies of SMEs, to investigate the depth of implementation of these strategies according to the digital marketing decalogue, and to propose a performance matrix for these SMEs that intend to start efforts in this direction. For this purpose, a qualitative study was carried out, using semi-structured interviews, in a sample collected under the snowball technique, composed of 9 SMEs. It was possible to notice that the current pandemic crisis implied changes in how digital marketing strategies are perceived and applied. It was also found that more than strategies, these SMEs adopted isolated initiatives that combine digital marketing strategies and traditional marketing, and it was also possible to proceed with a set of measures to be implemented by these SMEs that intend to start efforts in this direction.

How Can Gamified Applications Drive Engagement and Brand Attitude? The Case of Nike Run Club Application

This 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.

Physical Health of Food Consumers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The present research aims to analyze the habits observed in the perception of the general physical health condition of Portuguese food consumers in the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation is focused on indicators such as weight, physical activity, and consumption habits through the adoption of healthy and not healthy food. Centered on a quantitative approach, the research is based on the application of a questionnaire to a sample of 741 Portuguese consumers, between November 2020 and February 2021, a period during which the most severe measures of social isolation were imposed by the Portuguese government, since the beginning of the pandemic. Moreover, the questionnaire was applied to consumers over 18 years old. According to this population, and considering a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of 4%, the sample has a minimum of 601 responses. Being so, the results of this research are representative for the Portuguese food consumers. The theoretical model was estimated using Partial Least Squares (PLS) in the Smart PLS 3.0 software. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that the Portuguese perception of their weight did not change in the pandemic, despite showing that in general, the pandemic had a negative impact on their physical condition. On the other hand, the results show that the Portuguese associate the practice of physical exercise with physical well-being. Respondents also confirm a positive relationship between “positive eating behaviors (such as consumption of fruits and vegetables, low saturated foods and rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats” and water consumption) and “the perception of physical health in general”. On the contrary, respondents’ perception of the choice of negative eating behaviors (measured by the consumption of products with a high content of salt and sugar, snacks, and processed frozen and pre-cooked foods) have a negative impact on the “assessment of physical health, in the COVID-19 pandemic”. Hence, it was concluded that the Portuguese consider that an eventual increase in weight does not necessarily correspond to a perception of worse physical health;the practice of physical exercise and good eating habits corresponds to a perception of better physical health;the adoption of bad eating habits corresponds to the perception of bad physical health.

Entrepreneurial Intention before and during COVID-19—A Case Study on Portuguese University Students

The present research aims to compare the entrepreneurial intention of university students before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. For this purpose, some dimensions were analyzed, such as the availability of this target audience to undertake an activity at their own risk, the preference for a future while employed by others, their perception of the values that society places on entrepreneurship, and the entrepreneurial abilities/skillsets. A comparative study of a quantitative nature was used, associating two samples composed of students of higher education in Portugal, the data were obtained before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the results permits us to conclude: (1) in the circumstances of macroeconomic changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurial activity does not decrease;(2) respondents are less interested in being employed by others and more attracted to being entrepreneurs;(3) there is a growing concordance with the values that society places on entrepreneurship;and (4) there is now a greater aptitude for entrepreneurial activity. The present research is original, as it compares data obtained in different contexts of economic and social stability. It contributes to theory and practice, in the sense that it points to conclusions in the opposite direction of other studies carried out in situations of disasters of another nature, and can serve as a reference for the development of strategies to promote entrepreneurship, within higher education institutions and official entities to publicize and promote new public policies.

Opening the “Black Box” of University Entrepreneurial Intention in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This research aims to study the determinants of entrepreneurial intention in academia and compare the outcomes from two different moments, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a quantitative methodology was used, whereby a questionnaire was given to higher education students in these two chronological moments. From the obtained results, it was possible to ascertain that, given the motivational dimension, the attitude towards behavior and perceived behavioral control are having a positive impact on entrepreneurial intentions during the pandemic and that subjective norms have a negative impact on entrepreneurial intentions. This relationship of influences is unchanged, either before or during the pandemic. Regarding the environmental dimension, both of the variables under analysis are having a negative impact on entrepreneurial intention during the pandemic period, which corresponds to an aggravation or loss of positive influences when compared to the context before the pandemic, and the next assessment had a positive impact on entrepreneurial intentions. On the theoretical contributions, the findings are very important, as they strengthen the literature on entrepreneurial intentions, and in specific contexts of social and economic instability. As for practical contributions, this research suggests actions to agents with an important intervention role in the community, one of these agents is Higher Education Institutions, which play a determining role by creating a positive environment to support their students’ entrepreneurial intent. This research is original, as far as we are informed, and it is the first to study entrepreneurial intention in academia during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Portuguese context. Moreover, we suggest that the obtained results should be succeeded by further studies to confirm the evolutionary trends now identified on the subject under analysis.