Áurea Sousa

University of the Azores | UAc · Department of Mathematics and Statistics

From the affinity coefficient between two discrete probability distributions proposed by Matusita, Bacelar-Nicolau introduced the affinity coefficient in a cluster analysis context and extended it to different types of data, including for the case of complex and heterogeneous data within the scope of symbolic data analysis (SDA). In this study, we...

This research aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 on businesses operating in the tourism industry in the Azores. The objective of this survey, conducted in 2021 and 2022, was to investigate the preventive and management measures implemented by the tourist firms, in this outermost region of Portugal, in response to the pandemic, along with the ef...

The current preliminary study analyzes the Azores Region's Touristic Companies Entrepreneurs’ perception about how their activity meets the rural tourists’ expectations. The study has an explanatory focus and employs methods of descriptive statistics. Most entrepreneurs in the tourism sector who participated in the present preliminary study operate...

This research paper focused on tourists' experiences after engaging in a rural tourism experience, the activities developed during that period, and the relevant factors they considered when planning the holidays. We collected data in the Azores, a region known to implement rural tourism. Therefore, the collected data were analyzed using mainly summ...

Innovation, the globalization of markets, changing living standards, and increasing average life expectancy are among the factors influencing work activity and impacting workers' performance. Within this context, the significance of time management (TM) is underscored as a critical means of rationalizing a limited and valuable resource, namely time...

This preliminary study intends to assess the Azorean entrepreneurs' perceptions regarding the potential for rural tourism development in the Azores Region. Based on this assumptions, the research used an exploratory methodology that allowed the assessment of the entrepreneurs' opinions of this insular territory. Consequently, the research showed th...

If we focus on the actual scenario, sustainable development is one of the regional territories' fundamental concerns and ambitions. In this regard, new typologies of Tourism activities, as Rural Tourism, are seen as catalysts for regional sustainable development and growth. The present preliminary study intends to assess the decision-makers' opinio...

During 2020, in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, many touristic destinations noticed a drop above 70% of tourists compared to the previous year-2019. Moreover, some destinations registered a drop in more than 80% in overnight stays compared to 2019. Therefore, in the current period of economic crisis, residents' perceptions of the impacts of touri...

It has become evident that rural tourism grew significantly during the pandemic compared to mass tourism. However, at this time, all the forecasts were wrapped in considerable uncertainty regarding travel, which is not without the elevated associated risk. Therefore, we assessed the perceptions of the entrepreneurs in relation to rural tourism acti...

The experiences that higher education students have with technology and learning with the support of technological resources can generate feelings of stress and anxiety. Understanding whether or not students are ill-adapted to technology is of utmost importance to understand the extent to which changes are needed in the teaching and learning proces...

The current preliminary research aims to assess the Azorean decision-makers’ and entrepreneurs’ opinions about the potential for rural tourism development in this Ultra-peripheral Region. Consequently, considering these assumptions, the study used testing tools that enabled assessing the decision-makers’ and entrepreneurs’ opinions of this Portugue...

Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) are specific regions that mainly depend on tourism industry and sector. The pandemic of COVID-19 has strongly affected the tourism management in these areas. In this study, we aim to design and test recovery strategies to represent practical solutions based on the concept of risk perception as a significant is...

The singular Azorean Landscapes require conscious and comprehensive monitoring and data assessment for the proper design of future regional planning policies. Consequently, realizing the significance of this issue in understanding sustainability principles, those planning strategies should be sustained by multidisciplinary research fields to compre...

In tourism activities, rural tourism has a critical function in reaching regional and territorial sustainability. Bearing in mind the actual sanitary crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 and its horizontal impacts, as is the case of the impacts on the tourism sector. This article aims to understand the perceptions of entrepreneurs of establishments rela...

Structured Abstract Purpose. This research aims to produce extra in-depth knowledge of the ongoing multidisciplinary strategies and projects to achieve sustainable development in the Azores Archipelago. Theoretical framework. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council describes a sustainable tourism destination as the one which implementing a multi-yea...

The theme of Time Management (TM) has been attracting growing attention from contemporary societies, with several authors having proposed different TM models. To improve TM skills, Training in Time Management (TTM) is recommended, which allows the development of cognitive skills. In practice, it translates into thought processes that allow the indi...

In this period of Covid-19 pandemic, in which there were sudden changes in education, with the transition from traditional education to e-learning, it is essential to analyze the impacts related to access and use of technology in the context of e-learning, in the perception of higher education students. In this context, all students were forced to...

Resumo: Considerando que o turismo é um dos motores do desenvolvimento dos territórios periféricos, é imprescindível compreender as opiniões e perceções dos principais atores regionais, de forma a desenhar, coerentemente, planos regionais de desenvolvimento sustentável. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho estudou as perceções dos empreendedores atra...

Travelers often idealize and develop individual expectations for their adventure experiences through a romanticized “adventure mythology”. The research has focused primarily on the motivations (why); on the feelings of the participants during this type of experience (what); and on their satisfaction and future behaviour. Studies on how tourists exp...

It is understood that some types of tourism, as is the case of rural tourism, have an even more relevant role in achieving regional sustainability. Considering the actual COVID-19 sanitary crisis and its horizontal impacts over all the society and economy spheres, along with the relevance of rural tourism over the regional development, the current...

Specialized adventure tourism providers are facing challenges when delivering experiences due to tourists’ unrealistic expectations. The literature has highlighted that a “romantic blur” has been covering tourists’ perceptions in this regard, creating difficulties in the experiencescapes. The need to have a better understanding of how tourists idea...

Regional planning policies are an essential instrument for allowing the local inhabitants' necessary life quality standards. Those planning tools support future living prosperity in that territory, encouraging the ending of spatial and social inequalities as an incentive instrument for the so-desired sustainable development. Thereby, this paper aim...

Regional policies could profoundly shape the territories. In the same sense, these public policies could have a significant impact on activities, like tourism. Also, in regions with a socioeconomic basis strictly connected to tourism, such policies could present even more significant effects on the territories. Therefore, through the assessment of...

Tourism shows to be one of the most affected activities by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (responsible for COVID-19) outbreak. This situation is not only to because of the cancelled flights but also to the fear of being infected with the virus. In this regard, a study was carried out intending to define and analyse the consequences of SARS-CoV-2...

The remarkable richness and singularity of the Azorean Region (located 38° North) and its landscapes require a sharp, well-defined, and comprehensive planning policy. Bearing in mind the significance of this issue in the enlightenment of sustainability, planning strategies should be based and supported by different studies and thematic domains to u...

Tourism planning is increasingly a fundamental process for qualifying and increasing the competitiveness of tourist destinations, especially when it is required to take into account the new needs of tourists and the global trend towards meeting the principles of sustainable tourism. This study aims to analyse the improvements that, in the opinion o...

Resumo: O presente estudo tornou evidente como a crise pandémica de COVID-19 afetou o turismo dos residentes nos Açores bem como as suas preferências e perceções. Desta forma, os autores acreditam que os dados obtidos através da investigação podem ser fundamentais para o adequado desenho e implementação de estratégias regionais para enfrentar a cri...

Transportation and infrastructures’ Sustainability in insular territories is pivotal for regional success. Moreover, it is a fact these issues have clear impacts on the regional economy, including consequences on resource efficiency, population density, internal market dynamics, and the necessity to have multiple structural infrastructures, such as...

The particular richness and singularity of Azorean Landscapes demand a strong, well-defined, and extensive conservation policy planning. Accordingly, and recognizing the importance of the problem in the enlightenment of the sustainability thought, those planning approaches should be based and sustained by multiple studies and thematic fields to ful...

Tourism is an important activity to achieve territorial sustainability. In fact, a properly planned long-term tourism activity is critical for the regional planning to reach the desired living conditions capable of attracting new residents in the future. Thereby, the present research aims to assess the perceptions of the managers of tourist compani...

Time management (TM) is conceptually relevant, but it can also be translated into an effective method to maximize time, as a limited resource, and provide gains in efficiency and productivity. Considering its importance, we intend to evaluate TM, through an analysis of behaviors referring to self-employed professionals and employees legally linked...

Aim: After a contagious disease outbreak, as is the case of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), societal dynamics shift on an unconventional level. In the lack of a vaccine, social distancing and massive lockdowns are acquired as the most effective strategies to contain this new virus. In this regard, the present study was...

Previous research has shown that student plagiarism is the product of interplay between individual and situational factors. The present study examined the relationship between these two sets of factors with a particular focus on variables linked to students’ academic context namely, their perception of peer behaviors, their experience of adversitie...

The current research aims to better understand the students’ attitudes towards Statistics and Technology and to identify the main factors that can affect these attitudes. This empirical study gives a special attention to the relationship among statistical competencies and technology using the Students’ Attitudes toward Statistics and Technology sca...

La Organización Mundial del Turismo (World Tourism Organization) ha adoptado la clasificación de turismo de Aventura otorgada por la Asociación de Comercio de Viajes de Aventura (ATTA-Adventure Travel Trade Association). Ellos lo reconocen como un viaje que implica al menos dos de los tres elementos siguientes: (i) actividad física; (ii) entorno na...

Actualmente, nuestras ciudades están experimentando una verdadera transformación digital que requiere una atención inmediata en energía, transporte, movilidad, comunicación, seguridad, educación, turismo y aspectos sociales, así como fomentar todas aquellas actuaciones que persigan mejorar la calidad de vida y el desarrollo económico-ambiental sost...

In the European Union (EU) there are nine outermost regions (ORs), among which are the Autonomous Regional of the Azores (ARA) and the Autonomous Region of Madeira (ARM). The ORs have several specificities that limit their economic and social development, but its strategic importance is significant compared to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), so...

The current globalized working context, the complexity of organizations, the existence of teams with heterogeneous knowledge and skills, multidisciplinary academics, knowledge workers, and the uniqueness of labour, make it necessary for the employee to have prior self-recognition in favour of better time management (TM). The main objective of this...

In this sixth volume, a committed set of authors explore the Psychology field, therefore contributing to reach the frontiers of knowledge. Success depends on the participation of those who wish to find creative solutions and believe in their potential to change the world, altogether, to increase public engagement and cooperation from communities. P...

Tourists' intentions show many changing dynamics, both in terms of destination and accommodation selection. These changes in dynamics are seasonal and significantly affected by trends. Therefore, after an infectious disease outbreak, as is the case with COVID-19 caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, these dynamics change on an entirely dif...

The Portuguese autonomous region of Azores is one of the Outermost Regions of the European Union. Despite the many challenges this insular region present, the geographical location of the islands has also granted exciting opportunities for regional development. One of the examples is the Adventure Tourism, which has a high potential in the territor...

Public policies directed to territorial management governance strategies could have a significant influence on activities, like tourism. In fact, such policies could profoundly shape the regions. Besides, in territories with a socioeconomic basis depending on tourism, such policies could present even more meaningful consequences in the region. Thus...

Governments sponsor sports events as a way of developing, promoting, and combating the seasonality of a tourist destination, in order to enhance the image of a tourism destination. This study analyzes the impacts stemming from the realization of sport tourism events, focusing on the case of the world famous and spectacular Red Bull Cliff Diving Wor...

In a society in which technology and changes are increasingly fast, the role of Statistics has become increasingly important. The students' attitudes towards Statistics, according to the literature review, are very interrelated with the affective and cognitive components and with the value attributed to this discipline in terms of its importance an...

Currently, sustainable development is not just a wish but a necessity. This typology of development and growth, transversal to all disciplines and fields related to management and territorial governance, is based on a strategic planning process. In fact, in ultraperipheral territories, as is the case of islands, this issue gains additional emphasis...

Através de políticas públicas regionais é possível moldar profundamente os territórios, provocando impactos, por vezes significativos, em atividades como o turismo. Esta problemática é ainda mais evidente em regiões com uma base socioeconómica estritamente ligada ao turismo. Neste sentido, desenvolveu-se uma análise das perceções públicas através d...

Throughout history, times of crisis have always been preceded by periods of change. In fact, the current moment of health, economic, and social crisis that we are experiencing seems to be no exception. Tourism seems to be one of the most affected activities by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis-due not only the cancelled flights but also to the fear of b...

This paper discloses the strategic tourism planning process carried out in the Municipality of Ribeira Grande. This is an important municipality of the Azores, although with a poor tourism performance. Recognizing this gap, Ribeira Grande was the first municipality in the Region to develop a strategic tourism development plan. The process included...

Bearing in mind the growth in regions with socioeconomic bases dependent on tourism, studies that analyze spatial planning processes, regional public policies, and their relationship with tourism activities are essential to achieve the so-desired sustainable territorial development. Through case study research methods, territorial impact analysis,...

Considerando que as estratégias de coping são utilizadas pelos sujeitos para lidar com as demandas provenientes de situações adversas e stressoras, que a resiliência se refere à capacidade de ser resistente face às adversidades e que a entrada e a adaptação ao Ensino Superior têm sido reportadas como potencialmente stressoras, neste estudo procurou...

Autism is a disorder of the neuro-development which is characterized by persistent difficulties in communication, speech, cognitive processes, social interaction and also by restrict interests and repetitive and stereotyped behaviours. This syndrome points to the importance of having trained and qualified staff, investing in physical and material r...

In Higher Education some early experiences may make it difficult to get engaged in the new academic setting. This study analyzes the relationship between the perception of entering higher education and student engagement. 784 higher education students answered to a sociodemographic questionnaire, a BES´ subscale and the EAE-E4D. The BES´ subscale i...

Este estudo visa comparar as perceções dos estudantes à entrada e à saída do 1º ciclo do ensino superior acerca da sua satisfação com o suporte social, tendo em consideração variáveis sociodemográficas. Participaram no estudo 301 estudantes do 1.º e 3.º anos do ensino superior. Os questionários utilizados, além de outras variáveis, contêm a Escala...

The combination of unique and differentiating aspects and the concentration of a substantial proportion of accommodation and tourism-related companies has made Ponta Delgada the most developed tourism destination in the Azores. A questionnaire was structured to evaluate tourist satisfaction with the municipality as a tourism destination. The data w...

Esta obra de divulgação científica abrange diversos temas: Robôs, indústria 4.0, blockchain, sistemas de recomendação e privacidade, O ensino, a aprendizagem e a utilização da Estatística: da teoria à prática, Números admiráveis, Origem e evolução da Internet, Mulheres na Matemática: do preconceito à igualdade intelectual, À descoberta do interesse...

São mostradas as estruturas classificatórias mais relevantes, obtidas com a Análise Classificatória Hierárquica de um conjunto de dados retirado da literatura da análise de dados complexos, referentes a modelos de carros (Car data set), com base no coeficiente de afinidade generalizado, ponderado, centrado e reduzido pelo método de Wald e Wolfowitz...

A promoção do empreendedorismo pelas instituições de ensino superior assume um papel preponderante. Um dos objetivos deste trabalho é o de aferir o modo como a Universidade dos Açores pode estimular o interesse dos alunos na criação de negócios. Pretende-se, ainda, relacionar as principais dificuldades subjacentes à criação de um negócio próprio co...

Este estudo visa comparar as perceções dos estudantes à entrada e à saída do 1º ciclo do ensino superior acerca da sua satisfação com o suporte social, tendo em consideração variáveis sociodemográficas. […]. Os questionários utilizados, além de outras variáveis, contêm a Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social (ESSS) […]. Foram aplicados diversos...

[…]. A presente investigação tem como principal objetivo relacionar o bem-estar subjetivo dos colaboradores com o comprometimento organizacional com base num estudo empírico. […]. Os trabalhadores da amostra global percecionam níveis satisfatórios de auto-comprometimento organizacional global, sendo de salientar, ainda, a existência de uma relação...

Esta obra de divulgação científica abrange diversos temas: Os dados de todas as coisas, A Estatística e as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação no âmbito da investigação Científica, Geometria – arte e criatividade, A segurança informática, A versatilidade da Matemática, A relevância da Estatística nas Ciências Sociais e Humanas e A Matemática e...

The effects of Multiple Autonomy Support (MAS), meaning the autonomy support provided by two or more sources, is an overlooked topic in social development literature. The aim of this study is to understand how two types of MAS, Total Multiple Autonomy Support (TMAS) and Multiple Autonomy Support Attunement (MASA), are related to early adolescents’...

A Estatística abrange diversos métodos e técnicas e tem um papel fundamental a nível da investigação científica em todas as áreas em que há recolha de dados, numa sociedade cada vez mais competitiva, em que uma grande parte das instituições públicas e privadas possuem bases de dados, que necessitam de ser analisados e sintetizados, utilizando métod...

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/4705

Investigou-se a resiliência em estudantes no Ensino Superior, com e sem vivência da praxe, e a relação entre resiliência e integração social. Participaram 163 estudantes do 1.º ano da Universidade dos Açores. Usou-se um questionário de dados pessoais, académicos e familiares, a Escala de Resiliência de Wagnild e Young, o Questionário de Vivências d...

Investigaram-se variáveis académicas e familiares, procurando-se descortinar a sua relação com o posicionamento dos estudantes face às vivências da praxe, a nível da sua integração académica. 163 estudantes do 1.º ano do Ensino Superior responderam a um questionário e à subescala “Integração” do Questionário de Vivências da Praxe. O “Tempo de estud...

Este trabalho procura elementos que contribuam para um melhor entendimento da expressão tendencialmente positiva face à praxe académica, por parte de estudantes caloiros de uma instituição de ensino superior em Portugal. Participaram no estudo 163 estudantes de 1.º ano e de ambos os sexos que responderam ao Questionário de Vivências da Praxe (QVP),...

A entrada para o Ensino Superior, a sua saída e as perspetivas de entrada no mercado de trabalho comportam desafios. Os jovens veem-se confrontados com a necessidade de ingressarem num mundo mais competitivo, onde as competências pessoais e interpessoais se afiguram tão importantes quanto as técnico-científicas. Pretende-se aferir se a frequência d...

Esta obra de divulgação científica aborda temas tão diversos como: Ciência dos dados, Estatística e Análise de dados, Antologia Matemática, Métodos de Ensino da Matemática, Codificação da Informação, Números e Cálculo Matemático. Tem como objetivo sensibilizar o público em geral para a importância da ciência na sociedade e estimular o interesse pel...

Mathematics develops numerous competences in children, namely stimulates discovery, develops autonomy, makes easier everyday life, that is, helps them in various activities, such as: counting coins and identifying the geometrical shapes of the objects. Mathematics even contributes to development of rationality in children and helps them to concentr...