podNECE

The 19th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how risk and uncertainty shape the adoption of advanced digital technologies among retail firms across European Union member states. Utilizing a multi-method research design combining regression analysis, machine learning models, and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, the research distinguishes between identifiable adoption barriers and market unpredictability. The findings reveal that while known risks negatively affect digital adoption, market uncertainty can act as a positive stimulus for implementation. Furthermore, the interaction between these factors demonstrates that known barriers weaken the positive association between uncertainty and technology integration. Ultimately, the sources highlight that successful digital transformation depends on balancing perceived unpredictability with organizational capabilities, financial access, and external ecosystem support.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103557

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 18th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE examines the necessary conditions for driving high performance in university entrepreneurial ecosystems (UEEs) across the United Kingdom, focusing on patent grants and university spin-off turnover. Utilizing Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) alongside longitudinal data from the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction survey, the researchers evaluate whether certain institutional elements act as absolute prerequisites rather than mere compensatory factors. The findings reveal that the total number of academics and patent stock operate as essential "must-have" constraints with large effect sizes, indicating that institutional scale and accumulated intellectual property are critical for maximizing commercial outcomes. Furthermore, contract research income emerges as a vital medium-effect bottleneck, whereas other variables like consultancy and facility leasing play a comparatively minor role. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that ecosystem requirements vary depending on strategic performance ambitions, offering valuable insights for higher education managers and policymakers seeking to remove systemic bottlenecks. 

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-026-10373-4

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 17th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that develops a composite index designed to measure tourism sustainability across 27 countries from 2011 to 2022. Using Principal Component Analysis, the authors evaluate performance across four key pillars: economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. The research identifies that resource productivity and innovation investment significantly improve sustainability scores, while high air emissions cause measurable damage. Additionally, the text examines the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that the crisis harmed the economic sector but yielded unexpected benefits for social metrics. Ultimately, the source serves as a tool for policymakers to foster long-term resilience through balanced environmental and technological strategies.

https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2026.2709575 

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 16th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how quantified sustainability data influences fashion purchases by combining a choice-based conjoint experiment with eye-tracking technology. The authors demonstrate that numerical claims, such as specific counts of recycled bottles, significantly increase consumer preference and willingness to pay compared to vague, non-numerical messages. Eye-tracking data reveals that these precise figures act as stronger marketplace signals by capturing more visual attention and encouraging a broader evaluation of product attributes. Interestingly, the effectiveness of these numerical signals remains consistent regardless of a shopper's level of environmental awareness. Ultimately, the study suggests that specific metrics help bridge the gap between sustainability communication and final choice by facilitating a more thorough construction of product value.

https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70243 

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 15th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how family businesses across the 27 European Union member states integrate environmental and social sustainability into their operations. By analyzing over 2,500 firms, the authors identify four distinct adoption profiles, ranging from "advanced implementers" to "non-implementers," alongside three country-level groupings that reflect regional variations. The study highlights that smaller, older companies with moderate turnovers are often the most active in adopting these measures, frequently prioritizing social initiatives over environmental ones. Using frameworks like socioemotional wealth and stakeholder theory, the text explains that family firms' long- term perspectives and values drive this strategic heterogeneity. Ultimately, the findings suggest that policymakers should avoid one-size-fits-all approaches, instead favoring strategies that account for the diverse characteristics and geographic contexts of family-run enterprises.

https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.71222

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 14th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates consumer acceptance of insect-based food in the European market through a pioneering mix of traditional surveys and neuroscience techniques. Researchers measured the physiological responses of participants consuming a protein bar, utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) to capture nonconscious reactions like arousal and attention. While initial surveys revealed low awareness and complex feelings of surprise, fear, and disgust, the experimental data showed that processed insect products elicited high levels of interest and were often preferred over traditional cereal bars. The findings suggest that nutritional and sustainability communication is essential to normalize entomophagy and reduce the "novelty" barrier. Ultimately, the authors recommend marketing strategies such as free samples and tasting trials to foster familiarity and drive the adoption of sustainable protein alternatives.

https://doi.org/10.1037/npe0000215

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 13th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how digital influencers in Portugal communicate sustainability on Instagram and how these messages are perceived by Generation Z. The research utilizes a dual-method approach, combining a multimodal video analysisof 200 Reels with focus group discussions involving young consumers. Findings indicate a clear divide between influencer tiers: while high-reach "mega" influencers often commodify green values into luxury lifestyles, smaller "nano" and "micro" creators engage in more authentic, politicized storytelling. For Generation Z, trust is not built through high production quality but through aesthetic coherence and perceived sincerity. Ultimately, the authors argue that digital sustainability functions as an affective performance where emotional resonance and stylistic simplicity determine credibility. This work highlights the complex symbolic economy of social media, where ethical living is curated as a marketable identity.

https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051251408946 

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 12th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how professional accounting organizations (PAOs) in Portugal shape the competencies of practitioners by influencing both the supply and demand of the labor market. Through a qualitative analysis of three major bodies—OCC, OROC, and APOTEC—the authors examine how these institutions perceive emerging shifts like digital transformation and sustainability reporting. The study categorizes PAO influence into four pillars: certification and regulation, professional development, oversight, and advocacy. By interacting with higher education institutions and regulatory bodies, PAOs act as critical intermediaries that define professional standards and entry requirements. Ultimately, the paper provides a refined conceptual framework to help scholars and policymakers understand how these organizations align educational outcomes with evolving industry expectations.

https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-12-2024-0408

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 11th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that provides a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of research surrounding Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3), particularly within the European Union. By examining 68 key publications, the authors identify a strategic shift toward place-based innovation policies that leverage local knowledge to foster economic growth and diversification. The study maps the evolution of the field into four primary clusters—knowledge, policy, innovation, and specialization—while highlighting the entrepreneurial discovery process as a vital bottom-up mechanism for identifying competitive advantages. Furthermore, the work addresses six critical implementation challenges, such as the risk of favoring established interest groups and the difficulties faced by structurally weaker regions. Ultimately, the sources synthesize a decade of practical experience to suggest how multi-level governance and collaborative leadership can better support sustainable regional development.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-025-02736-3

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.

The 10th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how Vietnamese manufacturing firms utilize open innovation to enhance their economic and environmental performance. By integrating the Natural Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study identifies proactive environmental strategy as a more dominant driver than entrepreneurial orientation for fostering innovation. The findings reveal that adaptive capacity serves as a vital internal mechanism that translates environmental strategies into open product innovation, which ultimately boosts firm results. Conversely, while entrepreneurial orientation supports open process innovation, it does not significantly improve a firm's overall ability to adapt. Ultimately, the study highlights that product-focused collaboration is more effective for sustainable value creation in emerging economies than process-oriented openness.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2026.100733

podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.