Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability

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Publications

Internal social responsibility as a tool to prevent absenteeism and turnover rates

Publication . Afonso, Liliana; Ferreira-Oliveira, Ana Teresa; Correia, Ricardo Jorge; Campos, Susana

In today's competitive business environment, organizations increasingly recognize the significance of Internal Social Responsibility (ISR) in fostering a productive workforce. ISR refers to the commitment of companies to uphold ethical practices, prioritize employee welfare, and create a supportive work culture. Numerous studies suggest that effective ISR strategies can significantly reduce absenteeism and turnover rates, enhancing overall workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction. Organizations that prioritize ISR often experience higher levels of employee engagement. Engaged employees are more likely to be committed to their work, leading to lower absenteeism and turnover rates. A recent study indicates that organizations with high employee engagement show lower absenteeism and lower turnover (Taiwo and Nwogwugwu, 2024). One of the primary benefits of ISR is its focus on employee well-being. Research consistently shows that employees experiencing high levels of stress and poor health are more likely to miss work. The American Psychological Association notes that workplace stress leads to a 30% increase in absenteeism and a 50% increase in turnover (APA, 2019). A supportive workplace culture that values employee input and feedback can significantly impact attendance. When employees feel heard and respected, they are more inclined to show up for work (Radu, 2023).

2024Conference object

Open access

Pulmonary and Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Small Ruminant Autochthonous Breeds from Centre Region of Portugal—A Cross Sectional Study

Publication . Pereira, Maria; Vila-Viçosa, Maria João M.; Coelho, Catarina; Santos, Carla; Esteves, Fernando; Cruz, Rita; Gomes, Liliana; Henriques, Diogo; Vala, Helena; Nóbrega, Carmen; Mega, Ana; Melo, Carolina de; Malva, Madalena; Braguez, Joana; Mateus, Teresa

The production of small ruminant autochthonous breeds in the Centre region of Portugal is practiced in a semi-extensive husbandry system, exposing animals to parasitic infections. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and identify risk factors. Fecal samples of 203 goats and 208 sheep from 30 herds were collected per rectum and subjected to the modified Baermann test. The overall prevalence of infection was 57.7%, significantly higher in goats (95.6%) than in sheep (20.7%) (p < 0.001). According to the binary logistic regression model, sheep dewormed with albendazole, mebendazole plus closantel, or ivermectin plus clorsulon presented a risk of Protostrongylidae infection 29.702, 7.426, or 8.720 times higher, respectively, than those dewormed with eprinomectin. Additionally, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated in 307 fecal samples using Mini-FLOTAC (R). The overall prevalence of infection was 86.3%, also significantly higher in goats (93.2%) than in sheep (79.9%) (p < 0.001). Strongyle-type eggs were the most frequently identified, both in sheep (69.8%) and goats (87.8%), followed by Eimeria oocysts (40.3% in sheep and 68.9% in goats). Considering the high prevalence and the burden of lungworm parasitic infection, it is urgent to determine its economic impact and the repercussions in animal health in the Centre region of Portugal to establish appropriate therapeutic guidelines.

2024Journal article

Open access

Institutional trust as a driver of product boycotts in Europe

Publication . Baptista, Nuno; Dos-Santos, Maria; Mata, Fernando; Silva, Natacha Jesus

Despite the significant growth in consumer boycotts, research has devoted insufficient attention to the institutional factors that may motivate consumers to engage in such behaviour. This article aims to address this research gap. The main objective is to analyse the factors that affect consumer boycotts from an institutional sustainability perspective, by focusing on a specific dimension of institutional sustainability: institutional trust. Information and data came from the 2023 round of the European Social Survey, a cross-national survey covering 25 Countries. The article applies a binomial univariable logit model to test the influence of institutional trust and other potential drivers on boycott decisions and a multivariable binomial logistic regression to explore possible interrelationship between independent variables. The results confirm that boycotts are affected by institutional trust and other factors including demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the consumers, consumers’ perception of ICT, satisfaction with public institutions, and consumers’ evaluation of personal well-being. This article contributes to political consumerism literature by focusing on the impact of institutional trust in boycotting behaviour. This relationship is underexplored in existing literature, since most literature researches consumer boycotts from a triple-bottom perspective and neglects the effects of the institutional dimension of sustainability in consumer behaviour. The article brings new insights into the motivations of consumers at the political and institutional levels and opens new directions for future research to explore institutional sustainability related to the good practices of governance.

2024Journal article

Open access

Eco-labelling food products as an integral part of the transition to a sustainable food system

Publication . Borges, Eduardo; Campos, Susana; Teixeira, Mário Sérgio; Lucas, Maria Raquel; Correia, Ricardo Jorge

Purpose | The eco-labelling of food products is an integral part of the transition to a sustainable food system, as it allows consumers to make informed, healthier and more sustainable choices. It reinforces the reputation of companies, showing that they are socially responsible and concerned about environmental issues. The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of the purchase of eco-labelled food products in the Portuguese context. Methodology/Approach | An online questionnaire was carried out among the Portuguese population over 18 years old. Data analysis techniques including descriptive analyses, parametric and non-parametric tests, linear correlation and regression analysis were applied. Expected Results | We expect to identify a positive correlation between consumers' attention to companies' Green Marketing communication and green purchasing behaviour, as well to obtain a positive correlation between the Communicated Socio-environmental Use (CSU) of the producer's declared commitment and green purchasing behaviour. These results are valuable for companies’ managers to develop and evaluate specific communication and marketing actions to the markets, taking into account current consumer preferences.

2024Conference object

Open access

Chemical composition and industrial applications of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) bark and other non-wood parts

Publication . Alonso-Esteban, José Ignacio; Carocho, Marcio; Barros, Diana; Velho, Manuela Vaz; Heleno, Sandrina A.; Barros, Lillian

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) is native to the western Mediterranean basin and has an economic importance in southwestern Europe. This importance is based on the use of its wood in the construction, furniture, and paper industries. Bark and other parts of the plant, such as resin, needles, and cones, are by-products with potential industrial application. These parts of the tree stand out because of the presence of secondary metabolites, the main ones being phenolic compounds and terpenes. Bark contains both, while other parts of the plant are mainly composed of terpenes. All these compounds have biological potential, mainly antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The bark has the widest range of industrial applications, and it can be used to obtain dietary supplements and functional foods, adsorbents, and bio-based resins and foams. Resin has a prominent industrial role too, especially in chemical industry. In this manuscript, an overview of these applications is described, opening an innovation opportunity for enterprises to use the by-products and residue of maritime pine. Still, albeit the described application, maritime pine has further applications that are right now being studied under the premises of circular economy.

2022Journal article

Open access