Sandrina Berthault Moreira

This study examines the determinants of increased competitiveness among companies applying to the SME Qualification Incentive Program, focusing on both firm and application characteristics. Three dimensions are considered: value added, internationalization, and financial structure. The results show that firm structural characteristics, particularly sector and regional location, play a dominant role in explaining value added. The application characteristics exhibit limited overall explanatory power, but remain relevant for specific outcome dimensions. Innovation-related variables emerge as key determinants, especially marketing innovation, which is positively associated with value added and financial structure but negatively associated with export intensity. Market-related variables and organizational factors primarily drive export intensity, whereas financial structure appears less directly explained by observable characteristics. The findings suggest that policy instruments may influence outcomes not only through firm selection but also through the characteristics of applications.

This study revisits the debate surrounding the impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA), also known as foreign aid, on two macro-indicators: economic growth and child mortality. Unlike previous studies, which assessed the interaction of aid with composite indicators of recipient countries, this study examines the impacts of individual recipient factors, such as corruption, democracy, income, wars and exports. To overcome the issue of an inverse causal relationship potentially existing between the amount of aid received and macro-performance, a model of donor aid allocation is specified within an instrumental variables framework. The results show that ODA is more likely to be positively associated with economic growth in countries with lower levels of corruption. This positive association is evident when the level of corruption is at least one standard deviation lower than the recipient’s average. The interaction of ODA with recipients’ levels of democracy, income, wars or exports does not show a significant association with growth. The association between ODA and child mortality appears to be generally more significant, with a positive sign, than that obtained for economic growth, although the magnitude is relatively modest.

Background/Objectives: Operational Assistants (OAs), as non-teaching staff responsible for playground supervision and school hygiene, play a vital role in ensuring safe and well-organized school environments. Despite their importance, research on their working conditions, job satisfaction, and well-being remains limited. This study aims to examine the quality of work life (QoWL) and job satisfaction (JS) of OAs in public schools in the Municipality of Setúbal, Portugal, and to explore their relationship with absenteeism. Methods: A quantitative research design was adopted using a survey questionnaire administered to Operational Assistants (N = 119). Data were collected on QoWL, job satisfaction, and absenteeism indicators to assess patterns and relationships among these variables. Results: Findings indicate that OAs experience significant challenges related to working conditions and health risks, which are associated with higher levels of absenteeism. Nonetheless, many participants report valuing the stability associated with public-sector employment. Conclusions: The results highlight the need for targeted interventions, including improved working conditions, enhanced training, and mental health support, to reduce absenteeism and promote employee well-being. This study contributes to a better understanding of an often-overlooked workforce and offers practical implications for policymakers and school administrators aiming to foster more supportive and sustainable school environments.

This article examines the possible role of Official Development Assistance (ODA), or foreign aid, in the development process of recipient countries, taking into consideration the contributions of a vast group of theoretical approaches. The arguments against and in favour of granting official aid, postulated by each of the theories, are presented, as well as the way aid should be primarily allocated to maximize its positive effects. This debate is particularly relevant in a context where recent shocks in the world economy have raised doubt about the feasibility of the pledge concerning the mobilisation of private flows for developing countries, highlighting once again the possible role of foreign aid and the importance of appraising its effects. The novelty of this article lies in establishing and systematizing in an integrated perspective, for the first time, the role of foreign aid within the different theoretical approaches to development.

This review examines the role of gamification and serious games in promoting environmental awareness and encouraging sustainable behaviors. By integrating insights from game design, behavioral science, and environmental studies, it explores how game-based strategies can effectively engage audiences and drive pro-environmental actions. The paper presents key theoretical concepts, examines case studies, and highlights the potential of these tools to align with global sustainability objectives, particularly the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to analyzing successful implementations, this study outlines the challenges and opportunities of applying gamified systems and serious games in real-world contexts. Recommendations for future research are provided, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches, empirical evaluation, and the integration of emerging technologies to enhance their educational and motivational impact.

This study examined European Union institutions’ strategic policy documents and social and solidarity economy (SSE) concepts to gain a bird’s‐eye view of the topics being dealt with in EU strategies. The research also included assessing the SSE’s role (i.e., its presence, absence, and relative importance) in policy and program instruments developed to meet challenges such as (un)employment, poverty, social inclusion, local development, community sustainability, and ecological transitions. Automated text mining techniques were applied to 74 EU policy documents to cluster employment, social affairs, and inclusion policies, and explore the SSE’s most critical—or potential—role. The results have important policy implications and suggest future research directions.

This chapter aimed to understand the relationship between motivation and happiness at work through a comprehensive literature review applied to the case study in the SME. The research explored the importance of work by identifying factors which may influence employees. Topics such as working conditions and organizational climate were addressed to understand their impact on individuals and the organization. Organizational happiness and role-specific happiness were analyzed, identifying key factors affecting workers' happiness in each dimension along with some antecedents of happiness at work. The dimension of motivation was then discussed, highlighting motivational theories to understand their application to the subject. Subsequently, a quantitative methodology was adopted using a questionnaire with previously validated scales applied to a specific organization. The questionnaire was answered by 85% of employees. The results suggest that the company has happy and motivated employees. Furthermore, a positive and bidirectional relationship between motivation and happiness was evidenced.