Search

Purpose This article aims to analyze the determinants of the performance of Portuguese companies in the light vehicle trade, through specific characteristics, corporate governance, and macroeconomic conditions Methodology: To achieve this aim, 2.304 Portuguese companies were analyzed, for the period 2015 – 2021, using the panel data methodology, specifically the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM system) estimation method Results: The results suggest that performance factors depend to some extent on the perception of different stakeholders. It is a sector very dependent on the macroeconomic conditions of the country, with difficulties in treasury management and highly indebted where it is the larger companies that can best take advantage of economies of scale to achieve better levels of performance. The results also admit that the levels of ownership concentration are relevant in explaining performance and that on the one hand managers need supervision to align their interests with those of the shareholder creating business value; on the other hand, from the perspective of the shareholder with an interest in ROE, as concentration increases, asymmetric information is greater and the abuse of shareholder power also grows, decreasing the company's performance levels. Finally, the results suggest that the social concerns of this sector are still sparse Originality: This work is original and can contribute to various stakeholders in that as far as we know it is the first to treat this specific sector with high representativeness in the economy considering three types of variables; business-specific, governance, and macroeconomic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In automotive sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) usually have lack of resources and all the legal and financial restrictions involved in this process are additional barriers imposed. In order to survive, SMEs in this sector can turn to the formation of partnerships with other firms and even innovate organisationally. Given the shortage of studies showing the role of inter-firm partnerships in the implementation of organisational innovation activities within the SME sector, this paper seeks to contribute to the field of SME management. In this way, the central question to be answered is: Will the formation of partnerships have an influence on the organisational innovation process? To achieve this objective, quantitative cross-section research was adopted, resorting to a questionnaire directed to owners-managers of a sample of SMEs in the automotive sector in Portugal. Based on the empirical evidence, the study concludes that the motives for partnership formation influence the implementation of organisational innovation activities, but only partially, as of the four factors of motives for partnership formation (efficiency, innovation and learning, market opportunities, technology and competition) only technology and competition showed a positive and significant influence on organisational innovation. In terms of theory, this study contributes to the field of research on SMEs in the automotive sector. It pursues a new approach applying variables related to partnership formation in general, and among SMEs in the automotive sector in particular. Some scales on the motives for partnership formation and the organisational innovation process were also implemented in this specific context of analysis. In practical terms, the results show the extent to which the motives for partnership implementation, such as those connected to technology and competition, have a strong influence on organisational innovation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innovation is a key driver for national and international economic development and growth nevertheless, especially during the period of crisis, companies and Governments stress the resource rationalization, limiting the investments in research and innovation. Literature has developed a series of studies on innovation, focusing on product and process innovations and the company's attitude, influenced by the company size, the economic sector and company's strategic approach to environmental changes. Existing literature has also dealt with the topic of innovation in family businesses. Some authors argue that family firms are more conservative, less inclined to risks and so less attracted by product and processes innovation. However, a part of international literature sees family firms as a source of growth, development and economic stability, as well as a dominant business model. The objective of this study is to verify whether a strategy of innovation in terms of products and processes might offer a competitive advantage to family businesses operating in the automotive sector, that is highly representative of the Italian economic context. The research methodology, at first, focuses on a review of international literature dealing with the management of innovation in family businesses. Then, basing on the literature evidences, it was selected and examined a significant case study. It was decided to describe an explanatory single case study, represented by an internationally successful Italian family firm, the Rolfo S.p.A., leader in the European vehicletransport sector. Over the last years, the crisis has strongly affected this sector, increasing the average life of commercial vehicles. In order to survive and thrive over this rough period and in contrast with other companies' behavior, the family owner has adopted a proactive approach, based on a strategy focused on innovation. In particular, the company has studied and developed product and process innovations, through a greater variety of new products, the introduction of lean production logics or the re-engineering of the distribution processes. These innovations enabled the company to expand the business beyond Europe as in the Russian and in emerging markets, with a greater vitality and a lower saturation, and to survive over this rough period, characterized by the exit of many competitors. This paper adds some specific aspects related to the management of innovation in family firms, contributing to extend the literature on innovation in family businesses, also providing some useful insights. Future researches could involve a multiple case study method and, as regards the technique, the number of interviews might also involve employees working within the company, as opposed to family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work is considered that new methodological procedures for the evaluation and recycling procedures of solid waste from the automotive industry are needed. Thus it proposes the implementation of an effective system for the inventory of waste generated during the process, which add actions of training in an eco-efficient environmental management. The paper presents an evaluation of the environmental performance, justifying the need for a tool to measure this performance. The tool offers a collaborative approach to the inventory of waste generated during the process. The environmental indicators are: solid waste, sewage, air emissions, use of natural resources, being that one of the main opportunities for environmental improvement is the recycling of solid industrial waste. The general objective of the work is the development of procedures for assessing economic and environmental recovery of waste from the automotive industry to be adopted in a process of environmental management in order to reduce the cost of its final disposal, prospecting the recycling and reuse of solid waste for the development of other materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]