podNECE

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.

The 9th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that investigates how digital maturity, social and environmental practices, and external collaboration influence innovation within both social economy enterprises (SEE) and conventional firms (NSEE). By analyzing European survey data, the authors demonstrate that while both types of organizations benefit from these drivers, their effectiveness depends on the specific organisational logic of the enterprise. Digital maturity and environmental practices are consistent catalysts for innovation, but digitalization yields higher returns for mission-oriented SEEs than for profit-driven entities. The study reveals that external partnerships do not directly spark innovation on their own; instead, they act as an amplifier for social practices specifically within social economy contexts. Ultimately, the source argues that sustainable innovation is not a universal formula but a result of internal commitments and external openness tailored to a firm’s core mission.

https://www.doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2025-1385

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

The 8th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that introduces a specialized decision-support model designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) successfully navigate digital transformation. By integrating cognitive mapping with the Best–Worst Method (BWM), the authors identify and prioritize 173 criteria that influence how technology adoption impacts firm performance. The study emphasizes that governance and leadership are the most critical determinants for success, outweighing traditional market factors. Expert validation from COTEC Portugal confirms the model’s practical utility in bridging the gap between theoretical innovation and real-world business application. Ultimately, the framework serves as a strategic tool for managers to evaluate their digital readiness and optimize resource allocation in a competitive landscape.

https://www.doi.org/10.1007/s10479-025-07023-7

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