RCAAP Repository

Vivemos, hoje, numa sociedade de inquietação, modificações constantes e diversidade cultural. Em Portugal, recentemente, a Avaliação do Desempenho dos Docentes sofreu alterações que obrigaram a regulamentação própria. Assim, passou-se para um sistema mais complexo, onde o número de fontes e de instrumentos de avaliação aumentou, com a finalidade de se garantir, para além da promoção e progressão na carreira, o desenvolvimento profissional do docente e a melhoria dos resultados escolares dos alunos. Neste contexto, a sociedade exige aos professores que façam da escola um espaço atrativo onde seja possível motivar os alunos para a aprendizagem. Estimular a melhoria do desempenho profissional impõe uma atitude de corresponsabilização entre os pares, as instituições que estes integram e o público-alvo com quem interagem no quotidiano escolar. Então, neste contexto, supervisão é, fundamentalmente, interagir, informar, questionar, sugerir, encorajar e avaliar. (Alarcão e Tavares, 2003). Assim sendo, a avaliação de desempenho docente é uma área de atual interesse. Deste modo, sentiu-se a necessidade de aprofundar esta temática, beneficiando do contato de quem lida diretamente com ela, procurando saber se concorda ou discorda desta e, perceber os motivos pelos quais os docentes se debatem e o que sugerem para que esta possa ser melhorada. Este trabalho pretende, assim, apresentar a opinião de alguns professores sobre o atual modelo da Avaliação do Desempenho Docente; Identificar pontos fortes e fracos no atual modelo de Avaliação do Desempenho Docente e conhecer a importância da observação de aulas no processo de Avaliação de Desempenho Docente. O estudo empírico decorreu num agrupamento de escolas do Concelho de Viseu. Como principais conclusões podemos destacar que a avaliação deve ser realizada e analisada por uma equipa especializada. Que a observação de aulas deverá constituir um processo colaborativo entre o professor e o mentor ou supervisor. Ambos devem desempenhar papéis importantes – antes, durante e após a observação, de forma a assegurar benefícios mútuos no desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional; a avaliação obriga a refletir sobre o que se faz. É fundamental destacar o facto de os professores referirem que a formação especializada em supervisão pedagógica e avaliação de desempenho docente é o mais urgente, neste momento.

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of social networks on organizational learning. A qualitative study – simple case study - was used to collect data, via face-to-face interviews with key members that are the most involved in a Portuguese Bank. Data were analyzed with a qualitative technique based: content analysis. Results emphasize the impact of social networks, strength of ties and friendship on organizational learning. From the empirical evidences, we conclude that top management and directors at an organizational level need to pay careful attention to the social networks within which knowledge transfer efforts occur. Resources exchanged developed through social interactions must be designed to increase knowledge flows between collaborators. Finally, the paper links two bodies of research often studied separately in organizational research: literature on social networks and that on organizational learning. It is hoped that the paper contributes to a cross-fertilization of the two fields.

One constantly hears about the difficulties that Nonprofit Associations have in order to fulfil their mission because of the problems that are felt. These types of associations struggle with this problem daily, yet to solve it, it is necessary to develop the associations and to create useful projects that make the most of its potential and of the surrounding environment. This study aims to present a proposal to revitalize the League of Friends of Alpedrinha and promote its future through the collaboration with other organizations and individuals so that all may benefit from a common project. The proposed project, a tourist route, uses the resources of the association and the village of Alpedrinha to create a measurement which meets what PENT defines as one of the tourism products in which Portugal must venture, Cultural and Landscape Touring. The principal objective of this "Granite Route" is to promote and develop the League of Friends of Alpedrinha and all concerned entities so that together they can secure their future. It is also expected that the project will facilitate the increase of the number of artisans and craft sales, so that future generations can maintain a closer bond with their origins and benefit from a project designed to take advantage of the existing resources, but also to ensure its preservation.

Insofar as a start-up begins to grow comes a myriad of decisions that must be taken daily, preventing micro-management characteristic of these companies in early stages. The answer would be to create an organization with a business management systematically organized and intentional. Based on this argument, we decided by this case study at first to evaluate the corporate governance practices of the UDI-Laboflor Testing Center Physicians, incorporating the variables organizational culture and developing competitive strategies, and then assess the level of consensus that there is between means and ends so that the company can actually work in unison. Data were collected through unsystematic observations, provided external consultant, and through the application of semi-structured questionnaire to reviewers. The results pointed to the adoption of practices fledgling business management.

Balancing professional and family life is one of the great challenges in developing countries and is one of the main topics of discussion in the European Union. The majority of studies on the management of work and family roles focus on the negative aspects of this balance (the work/family conflict), rather than exploring the potentially positive results of good management of work and family roles (work/family enrichment).

This article reflects over a number of ethical questions, aiming some considerations that allow to understand how ethics and its principles are connected and evolve in the practice of organizational actions and human behaviour. The ethical but also anti-ethical behaviours appear in a guided speech towards relations between participants and consequences to success or failure of people and organizations. More and more we speak of ethics, moral, citizenship and values in all institutions whether they are enterprises, government, social solidarity and others, all aiming for justice and people’s rights. The basis for ethics is in people, in their essence nature as human beings, their conscience and dignity. This article analysis at first the grounds for ethics and organizations; second the dimension of ethical-moral values; third ethics as an expression of human rights; fourth the way we see the creation of a speech around ethics and organizations and last, the fifth argument looks to seek for an approach to the importance of ethical codes in organizations. From the systematic review of literature was possible to underline the relevance of ethics when practiced by members of an organization. The principles connected to ethics: justice, honesty, truth, respect, dignity and human rights are often violated by the organizations in prejudice of people. Ethics is not only individual but general. It is in this context of arguments that we compelled that ethical challenges can contribute for a reflexive discussion of ethical-moral values in organizations.

This work aimed to study the circuits of proximity, that can be established between urban consumers in the municipality of Viseu, and producers of animal and vegetable origin, inhabiting the rural areas of the city. This study also aims to contribute to the opening of a space for debate, where ideas and projects that aim to promote the revitalization of these circuits of proximity can be released and discussed, in the context of wealth creation and its more equal distribution, and in the context of preserving the countryside and the rural life of our county. For this, it was elected a qualitative method of analysis of the information gathered through different interviews with farmers and urban customers. These players were chosen in a random manner, respecting only some parameters for its selection. It was demonstrated with this study that it is possible to strengthen relations between urban and rural areas of the municipality of Viseu, identifying gains that this relationship can bring to both parties. This value creation goes beyond the purely economic aspect, which by no means ceases to be decisive, promoting also the creation and strengthening of social ties between the two communities.

In recent decades entrepreneurship has been a thematic subject of academic interest. Its importance by being a strong driver of economic growth, to stimulate job creation and innovative products is recognized for being a means of access to the labor market and to generate changes that can lead to better living conditions for individuals and for society. Associated with the importance of entrepreneurship, we are seeing an increasing number of initiatives in education to promote entrepreneurship. This article discusses the history and concept of entrepreneurship as well as the concept and the characteristics of the entrepreneur and also presents some reasons that may lead individuals to engage in their professional careers. This article also shows up the importance that education has on the development of entrepreneurial skills. The present study was conducted in Viseu pole of the Portuguese Catholic University and 348 students were surveyed. The results showed that gender did not influence the business creation and perception of the professional future of students. However, the level of education attended was related to the preferred employment for students.

The teacher performance evaluation is, at present, widely seen as a strategy that promotes the efficacy of education systems. However, the implementation of evaluation models aiming at reconciling the professional development of teachers and the improvement and quality of student learning has generated debate about the purposes and legal provisions of performance evaluation. In this context, it is important to know the perspective of school principals regarding performance evaluation, since they have a special responsibility in the process. The aim of this study is to understand the perceptions of schools principals about teacher performance evaluation as well as the evaluation model implemented by the D.R. n.º 2/2010. The study is qualitative in nature and is based on semi-structured interviews with twelve school principals. It is concluded that school principals recognize the importance of performance evaluation and have positive expectations about its effects. However, in their perspective, the evaluation model of the D.R. n.º 2/2010 did not meet those expectations.

In the Portuguese school system, form tutors (FT) are an intermediate education management structure. The form tutor is responsible for a position of coordination and orientation with a threefold function: relationship with students; relationship with the student's family and relationship with other class teachers. The joint teaching of music is a part of the educational system in basic education. It is optional and provides musical and instrumental training to students who are interested in taking it. In order to achieve this, there is a system, subject to protocols, between general education schools and schools specializing in teaching music. There is also the position of FT in specialized schools and it also includes a threefold function, much like FTs in the previously mentioned teaching modality. However, these FTs have the additional role of representing music teachers at the class council which is held at the general education school. Therefore, they are under the direction of FTs who work at the general education school. Thus, in these cases, both FTs have a fourth joint area, between the music school and the general education school, which makes the relationship between them even more complex. Before we present and discuss data, we will approach the concepts of leadership and educational coordination as these are mentioned very often throughout this analysis and are the interpretative basis in this analysis. This communication is based on the analysis of empirical data obtained from the testimonies of FTs regarding their representations and experiences in leadership and the coordination of teachers among schools in which there is a joint teaching system. The aim of collecting narratives, lead us to reflect on the difficulties and opportunities of the (non)existing intermediate leaderships.

Although rare in prevalence, Rare Diseases (RDs) have a considerable impact when we realise that, all together, affect a significant percentage of the population. Considering that these diseases substantially reduce the quality of live of the affected children and their families, education professionals need to be alert and prepared to deal with this reality. Regarding the impact of the Rare Disease (RD) in the student´s academic life, the support provided would benefit from a holistic approach from the education team, concerning not only the students and their families’ difficulties and needs, but also their educational potential. Recent studies suggest an educational intervention based on etiology, in order to enhance the teaching-learning process among children with RD.

Teachers are the key elements in a constantly-changing society. They are an important factor in the education of the new generations. It is a profession of great responsibility where the human, scientific and pedagogical components belong together, where the training of these professionals is being given more and more value and thought. The year of training, to which has been given special emphasis, is the one when the students, for the first time, play the role of teachers, applying all the knowledge they have acquired in the university. It is a special moment in their education, a moment when they acquire all the necessary and available information to learn how to teach and it is the supervisors’ duty to integrate these training groups in the educational environment to help them with this task.This learning is not simply to know how to plan lessons or to apply the latest pedagogical strategies. It also requires some attitude to live in an educational community where it is important to get on well with others, in an atmosphere of sharing, mutual help, ability to promote and carry out cultural activities.It is also important to provide them with some knowledge of administrative organization, legislation and a rigorous commitment to continuous training.This article presents a guide to the training year, successfully tested, which can be used as a basis bythe Pedagogical Supervisor of any school, together with his/her trainees, in the organization and planning of the school year.The set of topics and activities presented make it possible the adjustment to the different types of school contexts. The chronological sequence presented is the one that usually occurs throughout a school year. The evolution of progression and pedagogical praxis are enhanced together with the importance of the school atmosphere, of the interpersonal relationships and continuous training. A variety of topics, enabling teachers to enlarge their knowledge and empowering them with the necessary skills to perform different tasks are also suggested.

The goal of this study was to understand how the presence of Informal Caregivers affect positively or negatively the rehabilitation of the patients. The Unity of Continuous Care in Long-Term care service and Maintenance belongs to Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Mangualde, place where this study was conducted, and it holds dependent patients, mostly elders. The elders dependence brings an overcharge to the caregivers due to physical, psychological and social care that they have to give them. Take care implies affection, treatment knowledge and awareness of caretaker limits. This person emerges mainly from family environment, being the spouse or sun the most common caregivers. Dealing with the disease and dependence has implications both for patient and family, primarily psychological, as they adapt to the new way of living. If all those around the patient accept and understand positively the situation, the patient himself will feel supported and will adapt better to his new way of life. Taking the caretaker into the rehabilitation process brings additional motivation to the patient and creates a feeling of support and comfort from his dear ones. For this study, thirty-three inquiries were realised in direct contact with the Informal Caregivers from the Unity of Continuous Care in Long-Term care service and Maintenance of Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Mangualde. From this study, in generic terms, we can say that the Informal Caretaker influence positively the patients rehabilitation only if they're ok with their presence.

Since the beginning of modernity many measures have been implemented by European public authorities with the aim of resolving the problems of security that have arisen as a result of vulnerability attribute of a crowd of miserable released and not absorbed by the industry. Among those measures, we would like to pay particular attention to the movement of enclosure. This is a movement that, despite being characteristic of other areas of Europe, in France it has developed more deeply, as a social precautionary measure. Thus, it will be our intention to show how, from the second half of the 17th century and by more than a century, the General Hospital of Paris is crystallized as the sine qua non condition for the promotion of safety of the social body. That is, we seek to expose how, during this period, the hospital, surpassing the functions that were initially defined, has become the ultimate symbol of confrontation of social risks in France.

Globalization has been done under the auspices of a combination of several factors. Among these we highlight the trade liberalizations, the creation of an international financial market, the new technologies of information and communication and also a political action coordinated by the major economies (G8 and G20). Nevertheless, in the eyes of the public opinion, this coordination does not result in a substantial decrease of social injustice and a better control of the 4 big crises: economic, financially, social and ecological. The path of global interdependence seems, however, with no return. In this context, it is necessary to promote the action of social actors, in order to combine economic and social activity (multilateral and public) with the local areas, developing the human resources and fighting social exclusion, based on the management of organizations, adapted to work on networks, under the leadership of specialized agencies in the emergence of a local integrated project of a culture program.

The present reflection is a result of experiences within the framework of two projects in the health sector in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (RGB): "Postgraduate Training Course for Doctors" - 1997-2006, supported by the World Bank (WB); and "Reorganization and Management of Simão Mendes National Hospital ", coordinated by the African Development Bank (AfDB). A brief description of the two projects is presented, highlighting the importance of organization, planning and management in health within the context of very limited resources in a Sub-Saharan African country: the Simão Mendes National Hospital (HNSM), Bissau. Strategies to reorganize several areas of hospital activity were redefined in close collaboration with local groups. A particular focus was given to management training, professional development, resource allocation, information systems, logistics support and involvement of several stakeholders. This paper analyses the various professional apprenticeships and how knowledge can be used as a reflection for action: (i) the issues associated with cooperation initiatives and human rights; (ii) human resources as a factor for development in the African context; and (iii) health networks as solutions suitable for adaptation to the reality of developing countries. Our conclusions focus on issues we consider essential for cooperation initiatives based on ethics, reciprocity of rights between states and the dignity of its people, in which human resources and networking in healthcare are a key factor for human development.

A highly simplistic way of explaining the operation of organizations in the market is to say that those offer products and/or services according to the market needs in a profitably way. But from a strategic point of view, provide just what the market needs, even if it is better than competing organizations at any given time, it can be a sustainable competitive advantage? After analysis of the automotive industry and Nokia's case, it was clear that balance with market forces offering what the market needs in a profitably way, often leads organizations to a bed state in which the same strategies that in the past have worked, continue to be chosen as the main tool of action against the dynamics and uncertainty of their environment, in the hope that what worked in the past will continue to be so in the present and in the future. It is not enough to provide just what the market needs, even if it is better than the competing organizations at a given time. The key to competitive advantage lies in continuous innovation coupled with discontinuous innovation.

In recent years, several studies have shown that the sense of emotions in health has been progressively enhanced, and that the Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the one that best meets the demands of today's healthcare systems. Aim: Assess the Emotional Intelligence of health professionals of the National Network for Integrated Continuous Care (NNICC) and verify the extent to which socio demographic, family and professional variables have significant effects on that Intelligence. Methodology: This is a quantitative, non-experimental, transverse study in a descriptive and correlational logic of analysis. The sample consists of 106 health professionals who work in internment units NNICC in the center of the country. The instrument for data collection adds a sociodemographic questionnaire, a professional characterization questionnaire, the Family Apgar Scale and finally the Emotional Competence Questionnaire (ECQ). For the statistical analysis we used SPSS version 19. Results: The sample is mostly female, married with an age average of 34.13 years. The most represented professional categories are the medical, nursing and physiotherapy. Data collected Data showed significant associations between EI and the profession, the academic degree, training and family functionality. The other study variables did not influence EI in our sample. As predictive variables of EI we assessed the number of members of the household and family functionality, the latter being the one with the greatest predictive weight. Conclusion: Given this evidence, it is clear that health professionals should focus on upgrading academic qualifications and the NNICC should promote the training of their formal caregivers. Furthermore, the familiar functionality of health professionals should be encouraged in order to make them provide emotionally intelligent care contributing to the humanization of the health care.

The theme explored in this article “Communication as a process of interaction and connection in the Family system” has the main goal of analysing, in one hand, the communication as a factor of interaction and connection of family members in the family group dynamics, on the other hand, underline the importance of family values as instruments of quality in internal relations in the system. Family is, in fact, by its nature, the guidance basis to create citizens for today and tomorrow, which demonstrates its importance. Family life determines the society quality of life. As stronger the Family is in its communication and connection processes, better conditions are provided to its members, so that each one fulfils, in its specificity, a task as a father, as a mother and as a son. Communication in the Family allows learning about values, behaviour patterns that can sometimes be positive or negative in relations that maintain family system balanced/unbalanced. Therefore this article gathers some reflections about family communication relation; communication in family system; nowadays challenges to families about children integration and finally family communication as a reference of values. Family should revalue and consolidate its values, not only for its wellbeing, but also to the social wellbeing. This way, this article wants to answer some vulnerable questions in communication as well as in family relations.

Background: Over the last few years, there has been a rising concern towards keeping elder people in their own homes instead of sending them to private institutions giving rise to home support services. The aim of this service is to act with the subject’s family (when present) in order to prevent him from falling apart from society and from feeling joy for living. Feeling joy for living is to which one relates at any given phase of his life, even through the old age. The joy for living is influenced by several components such as personal, social and psychological. Objectives: To identify the satisfaction levels towards life in the case of elder people with home support services and in what way it relates to socio-demographic and psychosocial variables. Methods: The investigation approach used is of the quantitative type, non-experimental, descriptive, correlative, retrospective and transversal. 66 elder people took part as subjects for this study. The gathering of data integrates the following sections: Personal factors, Situational factors, Family functionality scale evaluation and the Life satisfaction scale. Results: The most of the subjects for this study are above 70 years old married women. They don´t have nearly much studies, are retired due to old age and have limited financial resources. They benefit from home support services for between one to eight hours per week and their perception of the response to emergency, disease or financial situations is very positive. Most of the subjects find their family to be moderately dysfunctional and to have had a moderate or high level of engagement towards them. That most elder people are unsatisfied or moderately satisfied with their life in general, however, no statistic correlation was established between this last result and the sociodemographic and psychosocial variables.