Vitor Lelio da Silva Braga
@estg.ipp.pt
Business Sciences
CIICESI; School of Technology and Management; Institute Polytechnic of Porto
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Vanessa Ratten, Paul Jones, and Vitor Braga
Wiley
AbstractArtificial intelligence is poised to transform international business through the adoption of new digital technology practices as part of the fourth industrial revolution. The how, when, and why of artificial intelligence implementation in international business is still somewhat unknown but will likely significantly influence performance outcomes, market interpretation, risk prediction, consumer interactions, and technology‐based metrics. With greater emphasis on artificial intelligence‐based tools, the future practice of international business will require digital literacy. This means business managers need to improve the way they analyze artificial intelligence in terms of appreciating its usefulness while maintaining privacy and mitigation strategies. In this editorial, we discuss the current developments regarding artificial intelligence in international business with the goal of identifying future research areas of importance.
Telma Mendes, Vitor Braga, and Carina Silva
Emerald
PurposeThis article aims to explore how cluster affiliation moderates the relationship between family involvement and speed of internationalization in family firms. The speed of internationalization is examined in terms of earliness and post-internationalization speed.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a sample of 639 Portuguese family businesses (FBs) created and internationalized between 2010 and 2018 that was retrieved from the Iberian Balance Analysis System – SABI database. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess the measurement and construct the model.FindingsThe results suggest that higher levels of family involvement in ownership and management make family firms enter on international markets in later stages of their development but, after the first international market entry, the firms are able to exhibit a higher post-internationalization speed. When considering the effect of cluster affiliation, the authors found that clustered FBs are more likely to engage in early internationalization and to accelerate the post-internationalization process than non-clustered FBs.Originality/valueThe study's findings are explained by the existence of socially proximate relationships with other cluster members, based on similarity, trust, knowledge exchange and sense of belonging, which push family firms to internationalize and increase their level of international commitment over time. The empirical evidence, therefore, highlights the primary role of industrial clusters in moderating the relationship between family involvement, earliness of internationalization and post-internationalization speed.
Aidin Salamzadeh, Vitor Braga, and Mirjana Radovic-Markovic
Frontiers Media SA
Eliana Costa e Silva, Raquel Francisco, Sandra P. Sousa, and Vítor Braga
Springer Nature Switzerland
Telma Mendes, Vítor Braga, Carina Silva, and Vanessa Ratten
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThe extant literature shows that innovation emerges from an interorganizational process, where a division of labor (both exploitation and exploration related) occurs among the actors within the cluster. Clustered firms are ambidextrous when they balance innovative activities that exploit existing competencies and are open to new technological approaches through exploration. In this context, we are interested in the role of clusters as supportive structures creating an atmosphere that encourages the development of interorganizational relationships, which assume a key relevance in explaining the ambidexterity and innovation of firms within the cluster. The question is whether there is an ideal combination to compete today (exploitation) while preparing to compete tomorrow (exploration), and if the networks developed in an industrial cluster play a role on determining innovative performance. Therefore, this study contributes to deepen the knowledge about the role of ambidexterity and network clustering on innovation. Specifically, by presenting a framework that explores the influence of external stakeholders and other clustered agents in the response of ambidextrous organizations to the challenges raised by environmental changes, we extend our discussion to a higher level of abstraction showing how ambidexterity can be the “black box” that connects the entrepreneurship, management, and innovation fields. The analysis of 1467 Portuguese firms suggests that network clustering has a direct positive impact on innovative performance, but also an indirect, mediated effect through exploration. Additionally, we found that a combination of exploitation and exploration (i.e., combined ambidexterity), and the trade-off between the two dimensions (i.e., imbalanced ambidexterity), leads to better innovation in agglomeration contexts. Our results, therefore, provide evidence that ambidexterity is the key to manage innovation strategic entrepreneurship’s tensions but, the way in which they are managed, is contingent on the clustered firms’ ability or inability to simultaneously pursue both exploitation and exploration.
Telma Mendes, Vítor Braga, Aldina Correia, and Carina Silva
Emerald
PurposeDrawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and knowledge-based view (KBV) theories, this study contributes to deepen the knowledge that corporate social responsibility (CSR) exerts on firms' innovation, considering the role played by cooperation. The research also seeks to ascertain the factors that influence the development of business cooperation.Design/methodology/approachThe database used is the Community Innovation Survey (CIS, 2014) applied in the European Union (EU) during the time period 2012–2014. A sample of 7083 Portuguese firms were analyzed through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results suggest that CSR positively relates with firms' innovation, and business cooperation partially mediates this relationship. The outcomes also reveal that investing in certain types of innovation activities increases the firms' willingness to cooperate.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to encourage an open innovation strategy as an easy and effective way to cope with rapid trends and changes, since it demonstrates the complementary between innovation and cooperation, as sources of value creation. From a triple bottom line (TBL) perspective, it also highlights that CSR must include social, economic and environmental initiatives, and should be a part of the firms' innovation strategy. As a result, managers who intend to contribute for society in the long term should plan, monitor and manage all CSR dimensions.
Diana Machado, Vítor Braga, Aldina Correia, Alexandra Braga, and Carina Silva
Wiley
AbstractThis study sought to analyze the role female entrepreneurship plays in the internationalization and innovation process of firms. Additionally, this study aims to contribute to a better understanding of how the countries of Europe and Central Asia are grouped in terms of female entrepreneurship. Our analysis used secondary data collected from the Enterprise Surveys—The World Bank database to which multivariate statistical analysis were applied. The results suggest a non‐significant statistical relationship between female entrepreneurship and internationalization, which may be explained by high capital access constraints female entrepreneurs face. There are cultural and social barriers that affect the decision of women entrepreneurs to internationalize. Our results also show interdependence between internationalization and innovation. The results also suggest that the countries of Europe and Central Asia can be divided into two clusters. The difference between the two clusters can be justified by the role of women in the countries concerned. The originality of this article is related to the analysis of the possible contribution of women entrepreneurship to the internationalization of firms, which is still an understudied area, because of the exclusion of women entrepreneurs from the market due to the male norms that dominate the socioeconomic contexts. Additionally, the findings of this research can contribute to the implementation of a strategic policy framework to encourage female entrepreneurship.
Tânia Martins, Alexandra Braga, Marisa R. Ferreira, and Vitor Braga
Wiley
Abstract“Start today and finish yesterday” wants to emphasize the importance and the potential urgency of social innovation and its positive impacts, since there is a clear impact of social innovation on society and the welfare of individuals, and for that reason, there is a need to gain in‐depth knowledge on the topic. Social innovation can be seen as enhanced forms of action, new ways of doing things, or new social inventions, and by addressing different issues through a social innovation lens, we can expect to contribute to the well‐being and prosperity of the community, potentially leading to a more sustainable and equitable future. The present research aims to understand how the context, market, potential human performance, and competitive advantage strategies, interfere with the process of social innovation and foster the creation of social value for the community. The case study was the method used, with semi‐structured interviews that enabled the comparison of five social innovation projects. Our main conclusions show the importance of contextual factors and the strong presence of the market as important impacts on social projects. Social innovation often stems from the efforts of motivated individuals who strive to bring about change and are willing to take on risks. Evaluating and communicating the social value generated by social innovation projects is vital, but can be difficult to quantify. Finally, the credibility of these projects plays a crucial role in their recognition and competitiveness, and government support through legislation promoting value‐sharing and sustainable development can help legitimize them.
Aidin Salamzadeh, Samira Mortazavi, Morteza Hadizadeh, and Vitor Braga
Emerald
PurposeThe onset of a crisis demands that businesses respond quickly and effectively. So, it might be helpful to examine the effect of business model innovation and how to increase its impact on better crisis management. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is applied in terms of aim and a quantitative descriptive survey regarding the data collection method. The structural equation model with the partial least squares approach and Smart PLS 3 software was used for the structural analysis of the questionnaire.FindingsThe findings revealed that business model innovation could lead to better crisis management. In addition, the components of entrepreneurial capability, resilience and business performance played a mediating role.Research limitations/implicationsSome factors may mediate the effect of business model innovation on crisis management. Thus, future research can investigate them and identify their impact.Practical implicationsThe present study suggests that managers should re-examine business model processes and make them innovative to improve crisis management.Originality/valueThe present study examines the factors that affect crisis management with an emphasis on innovation, assesses the impact of mediating factors in this regard and attempts to provide a model to facilitate better crisis management.
Luis Moreira, Anderson Rei Galvão, Vitor Braga, Alexandra Braga, and Jaime Teixeira
MDPI AG
The textile industry sector is classified as the most polluting sector and has the greatest direct impact on the life of the entire ecosystem. The main objective of this article is to study the role of sustainability (eco-innovation and circular economy) in the internationalization of the textile industry in Portugal. For this, a qualitative methodology was used, through semi-structured interviews applied to four managers of the textile sector, in the north of Portugal. The results of the interviews were submitted to a content analysis and data coding system using the NVIVO software. The results show that sustainability is a pillar of direct and/or indirect internationalization, either through the demand of the consumer for sustainable products or through the availability of the products produced by companies; this is motivated mainly by customers, even if the high price of these products when they reach the market is concerning. With the results achieved, this article shows that the determining factor for eco-innovative and recycled products is the price factor. The high price that eco-innovative and recycled products have when they reach the market is the main concern that the companies interviewed have in terms of investing more in this type of product. However, they claim that there is a clear increase in demand for these products and that it is a differentiating factor in international markets. It also became evident that the existence of products from the circular economy increases the companies’ value and acceptance in international markets. This article provides empirical evidence that shows that the transition from a linear to a circular economy requires large investments in most cases; however, it is currently a competitive advantage and a positioning in a differentiating sector, increasing the brand’s social responsibility.
Anabela Oliveira, Vítor Braga, and Eliana Costa e Silva
Inderscience Publishers
Telma Mendes, Vítor Braga, Carina Silva, and Alexandra Braga
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThis article aims to explore how innovation activities and cluster affiliation moderate the relationship between family involvement and post-internationalization speed in family firms. Based on a sample of 639 Portuguese family businesses (FBs) created and internationalized between 2010 and 2018, we show that, all things being equal, higher levels of family involvement in ownership and management lead to a lower post-internationalization speed. When considering the effect of cluster affiliation, we found that clustered FBs have a lower propensity to slow down the post-internationalization process than their non-clustered counterparts. Likewise, when we account for the interactive effect of innovation activities, the results confirm that innovative FBs are less likely to slow down the post-internationalization process compared to non-innovative FBs. In addition, the concern of family firms in developing innovation was particularly pronounced when they belong to clusters. This finding is explained by the existence of socially proximate relationships with other cluster members, based on similarity, trust, knowledge exchange, and sense of belonging, which push family firms to innovate to counteract the detrimental effects of a higher family involvement in the post-internationalization speed. Our study, therefore, stresses the importance of clusters and innovation activities in moderating the relationship between family involvement and post-internationalization speed.
Mehdi Tajpour, Aidin Salamzadeh, Yashar Salamzadeh, and Vitor Braga
Emerald
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate social capital's effect on family business development in selected family media firms.Design/methodology/approachThe statistical population includes 100 individuals who run a family business in this industry. Eighty individuals are selected as the research sample through the stratified random sampling method. The data are collected using a questionnaire. The authors used structural equation modelling method for data analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that social capital affects the development of family businesses in media firms. According to the results obtained from the structural equation test, the effect of the relational dimension of social capital on trust and the effect of the cognitive and structural dimensions of social capital on trust are supported, while the effect of the relational dimension of social capital on commitment as well as the effect of the cognitive dimension of social capital on trust are not supported.Practical implicationsThis research could help family firms in media industries improve trust and commitment by paying attention to different aspects of social capital. Besides, it shows that even the impact of relational and cognitive social capital, respectively, on commitment and trust, are not supported; these two could affect trust and commitment, respectively.Originality/valueThe paper is among the first studies that investigate family firms in media industries. Besides, the relationships between relational, cognitive and structural aspects of social capital and trust and commitment are rarely studied in the literature as two determinants of family business development.
Raquel Francisco, Eliana Costa e Silva, Sandra P. Sousa, and Vítor Braga
AIP Publishing
Carla Susana Marques, Vitor Braga, João J. Ferreira, and Helen Lawton Smith
Wiley
AbstractMinority groups contribute to the economic growth and development of local, regional, and national economies.
Tânia Martins, Alexandra Braga, Marisa R. Ferreira, and Vítor Braga
MDPI AG
This paper aims to map and analyze the scientific production of social innovation, resulting in a contribution to the literature review and guidelines for future research. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore the trends on the topic. The primary objectives are (1) to identify how the literature defines the concept of social innovation and to track its evolution; (2) to measure productivity and identify key authors and scientific journals with the highest impact in the field and the association networks between their respective institutions and countries of origin; (3) to analyze and map citations, co-citations, and research topics to pinpoint the topics and dimensions related to social innovation in order to propose future research. Our paper clarifies the concept of social innovation, reports the progresses achieved within this research field, and measures the productivity on this specific topic.
Carla S. Marques, Cândido Lopes, Vitor Braga, Vanessa Ratten, and Gina Santos
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Yashar Salamzadeh, Taofeek Adeyemi Sangosanya, Aidin Salamzadeh, and Vitor Braga
Elsevier BV
José Pereira, Alexandra Braga, Marisa R. Ferreira, Vítor Braga, and Amélia Carvalho
Inderscience Publishers
Diana Machado, Marisa R. Ferreira, Amélia Carvalho, Alexandra Braga, and Vítor Braga
Academic Conferences International Ltd
To upcycle is to take something already made and then improve upon it, or turn it into a fresh item, so fashion upcycling is a process of using excess or waste clothing and textiles to generate new products, as an unconventional and new practices, which can successfully tackle concerns on excessive consumption of resources. The project "From Granny to Trendy" works with fashion upcycling and, in addition to the issue of sustainability, promotes the empowerment of unemployed women over 50 years. The main objective of our paper is to analyze social partnerships, particularly the social impact on the individual level, so a case study was conducted, exploring the benefits and difficulties of the project that belongs to a local nonprofit organization (NPO). The study is based on a qualitative (seven focus groups) and quantitative data analysis - two questionnaires, in two distinct moments: moment one corresponding to the beginning of the training and moment two corresponding to the end of the training, in a total of 100 questionnaires, 50 in each moment. Our study explores the project impact at the micro-level, and concludes that participants gain benefits through the acquisition of new instrumental/technical knowledge/capabilities (e.g., new insights about fashion design) and psychological benefits (e.g., improvement of self-confidence).
Vanessa Ratten, João Leitão, and Vitor Braga
Springer International Publishing
Anderson Galvão, Carla Mascarenhas, Carla Marques, and Vitor Braga
Springer International Publishing
João Leitão, Vanessa Ratten, Vitor Braga, and Roberto Antunes
Springer International Publishing
Anderson Rei Galvão, Carla Mascarenhas, Carla Susana Marques, Vitor Braga, Luis Moreira, Pedro Ferreira, and Tiago Castro
MDPI AG
For the manufacturing industry in particular, networks lead to an increasing interaction between different actors representing a complementary response to insecurity arising from internationalization subjects. The aim of this study is to understand how cooperation networks contribute to the international sustainability of the manufacturing industry. To carry out this study, a qualitative methodology was chosen through semi-structured interviews with eight companies in the manufacturing sector from different areas. The interviews were handled with NVIVO software support. Regarding the findings, it is unanimous that cooperation networks are essential for the internationalization of the manufacturing industry. In general, the companies that participated in the study believe that the networks helped to reduce costs and to have access to certain resources that were essential for the success of internationalization. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the size of the country and the low purchasing power were some of the substantial factors that triggered the process of searching for new markets. It also became evident that there are barriers that need to be taken into account at the time of internationalization and that cooperation with other companies can help to overcome them. This study provides empirical evidence on the importance of cooperation networks for the internationalization of companies in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the main motivations, strategies and barriers for these companies to internationalize.