Browsing by Author "Mendes, Paula"
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- Balanced Scorecard as a management model in the waste sectorPublication . Mendes, Paula; Almeida, S.; Santos, Ana Carina; Ribau Teixeira, Margarida; Murta, E.; Silva, L.All Organizations recognize that internal methodologies and frameworks are very important to have a thorough knowledge of their potential, simultaneous increase competitiveness and, correspondingly, enhance and optimize the performance of their service. Waste management is a challenge of modern society, and there is awareness that responsibility of waste management should be shared by all community, to cooperate and ensure a sustainable development with the best principles and best management practices. It is a citizenship issue, where citizens contribute adopting preventative behaviours in the production of waste, as well as practices that facilitate waste recycling, reuse and recovery, which contribute to reduce the waste life cycle. This concern and the service improvement involve the minimization of the environmental impacts, the conservation of the natural resources, the reduction of pollutant emissions, as well as the design of the solutions for the collection, transfer and transport, treatment and waste final deposition, and the allocation of human and financial resources. The need for a sustainable management of resources has led to the design and development of management models in waste systems to assess in what extent the various tasks or activities are (or are not) carried out in accordance with the objectives established in advance and the efforts, decisions and operational actions developed by organisations to improve the quality of its work. Thus, given the problems and requirements of the waste sector, it is necessary to outline and plan sustainable strategies for the management system. Therefore, the objective of the present work is the application and study of key concepts related to design and implementation of a management model, the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). This is a management method based on critical success factors, which propose is to translate through a systemic approach, the mission and strategy of Organizations (private or public / nonprofit) in operational objectives, arranged into perspectives interconnected in a cause-effect relation. It connects the strategic objectives to measurable measures (performance indicators) that indicate the success or failure of the adopted strategy, contributing to a review. The BSC is a very useful and simple management tool, which perfectly suits the needs of the waste sector. It works as a measurement and management system, and a basis for the strategy communication to all elements of the system, and through a joint analysis, demonstrates of the importance of all stakeholders to the overall management, encouraging their involvement and motivation.
- Estratégia de sustentabilidade para a aplicação da análise do ciclo de vida à gestão de resíduos de construção e demolição em serviços municipaisPublication . Santos, Ana Carina; Mendes, Paula; Ribau Teixeira, MargaridaO sector da construção civil constitui uma actividade muito antiga que consome muitos recursos naturais e cuja gestão dos seus resíduos, Resíduos de Construção e Demolição (RCD), só recentemente começou a suscitar algumas preocupações. A significativa quantidade de RCD gerada pelo sector da construção civil é hoje um grande problema a ser enfrentado pelas empresas construtoras e pelos serviços municipais. A forma descontrolada como os RCD têm sido produzidos e geridos em Portugal, tem introduzido dificuldades acrescidas na obtenção de soluções conducentes à valorização/eliminação dos RCD como um todo. Urge reduzir e reciclar os RCD, adoptando uma atitude de uma forma preventiva, criar condições para uma intervenção mais criteriosa e sustentável. O presente trabalho visa discutir os aspectos relacionados com o diagnóstico da gestão de RCD através da Análise SWOT, para posterior aplicação da Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), apontando possíveis usos desta ferramenta na dinâmica urbana, providenciando informação necessária para aferir do estado da gestão dos RCD em serviços municipais, bem como ajudar na monitorização do progresso, através de uma gestão sustentável, como é o caso da Divisão de Higiene Urbana e Resíduos Sólidos (DHURS) da Câmara Municipal de Loulé (CML). Como resultado deste estudo, apresentam-se as linhas gerais prioritárias de actuação para o desenvolvimento da ACV.
- Forest fringe communities of the southwestern Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Quinto Canas, Ricardo; Mendes, Paula; Cano-Ortiz, Ana; Maria Musarella, Carmelo; Pinto-Gomes, CarlosIntroduction: Forest and pre-forest fringe communities in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula are semi-shaded perennial herbs of external fringe and open areas of evergreen or semideciduous woodlands and their pre-forestry mantles, linked to the Stachyo lusitanicae-Cheirolophenion sempervirentis suballiance. Objective: To evaluate the chorology, ecological features and floristic circumscription of the forest fringe communities of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Materials and methods: Forest fringe communities adscribed to the Stachyo lusitanicae-Cheirolophenion sempervirentis suballiance were analysed, using phytosociological approach (Braun-Blanquet methodology) and numerical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis). Results and discussion: The statistical and phytosociological analysis of six formerly described associations and the samples of this study lead us to propose a new forest fringe association: Picrido spiniferae-Cynarietum algarbiensis, dominated by Cynara algarbiensis Coss. ex Mariz. This forest fringe community is characteristic of the thermomediterranean to mesomediterranean, lower sub-humid bioclimate and occurs in the potential areas of the Quercus suber L. forests (Lavandulo viridis-Quercetum suberis), mainly in the Monchique Sierran District. Conclusion: The statistical and phytosociological analysis were useful in the evaluation of forest fringe communities in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Regarding the proposal of the new association Picrido spiniferae-Cynarietum algarbiensis, it is important to develop management strategies for the preservation of the endemic C. algarbiensis.
- Modelo de integração de instrumentos de gestão aplicado aos resíduos sólidos urbanos em serviços municipaisPublication . Mendes, Paula; Teixeira, Margarida Ribau; Perna, FernandoA gestão de resíduos urbanos (RU) é uma área onde se procura assegurar um desenvolvimento sustentável com melhores princípios e práticas de gestão e onde as autarquias desempenham um papel fundamental. As autarquias atuam de acordo com a estratégia definida pela Nova Gestão Pública, que dá grande ênfase às necessidades dos utentes e à melhoria do desempenho e alocação de recursos. A presente dissertação teve como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia de implementação de um modelo de gestão, conhecido como Balanced Scorecard, o qual foi aplicado ao setor de recolha de RU na Divisão de Higiene Urbana e Resíduos Sólidos (DHURS) da Câmara Municipal de Loulé. Propõese a utilização do BSC como modelo integrador, tendo sido adaptado ao setor público: dá-se maior importância à satisfação do cliente e cumprimento da missão, servindo a perspetiva Financeira como meio para concretizar os fins. Os resultados indicam um desempenho global para 2009 e 2010 respetivamente, de 51,70% e 66,05%, considerado positivo. Na perspetiva Clientes, com um coeficiente de ponderação de 25,00% do desempenho global, o desempenho evoluiu entre 2009 e 2010, de 12,50% para 25,00%, respetivamente. Nas perspetivas dos Processos Internos e de Aprendizagem e Crescimento, com pesos no desempenho global respetivamente de 50,00% e 15,00%, alcançaram-se os valores de 37,20% e 0% em 2009 e 31,05% e 6,00% em 2010. A perspetiva Financeira, com um peso de 10,00% no desempenho global, passou de 2,00% em 2009 para 4,00% em 2010. A aplicação do modelo de gestão, na DHURS, permitiu: contribuir para os preceitos de gestão pública dos resíduos desenvolvendo serviços com qualidade e criando valor para os clientes; desenvolver e conjugar de forma sustentável competências e recursos com processos de inovação para aproveitamento de sinergias; garantir o desempenho por um processo de monitorização e alinhamento da estratégia. A metodologia poderá ser aplicada em qualquer outro setor da Administração Pública.
- Monitorização e medição do desempenho no sector dos resíduos sólidos: aplicação de indicadores no município de LouléPublication . Mendes, Paula; Santos, Ana Carina; Ribau Teixeira, Margarida; Murta, E.; Guerreiro, J.Nos dias que correm, independentemente do tipo de organização, tanto do sector público como do privado, a informação e o tratamento da mesma através de Indicadores de Desempenho (ID) assume cada vez mais um papel fulcral. A monitorização, medição e avaliação do desempenho através de ID permite não só desenvolver acções e tomadas de decisão racionais devidamente sustentadas, mas também fornece informações essenciais para a melhoria ou manutenção dos serviços, reflectindo os níveis do serviço nas várias componentes de gestão. O presente artigo tem como objectivo apresentar a aplicação e análise de um conjunto de indicadores de desempenho integrado no modelo de gestão Balanced Scorecard (BSC) aplicado ao sector dos resíduos urbanos na Divisão de Salubridade e Resíduos Sólidos (DSRS) pertencente ao Departamento de Ambiente e Serviços Urbanos (DASU) da Câmara Municipal de Loulé (CML). Verificou-se através da análise dos ID do BSC, no período de referência de 2007 a 2009, uma evolução positiva no cumprimento dos seus objectivos. Foi possível sintetizar informação e identificar tendências positivas tanto internamente como comparativamente com outras entidades, bem como a necessidade de empreender medidas que auxiliem na melhoria do seu desempenho e produtividade.
- Performance indicators matrix as a methodology for energy management in municipal water servicesPublication . Ribau Teixeira, Margarida; Mendes, Paula; Murta, Eurico; Nunes, L.Holistic management of water and energy resources is critical for municipalities facing increasing energy prices and stringent regulatory requirements. Management for energy efficiency in water supply and wastewater collection systems demands evaluation of how energy is consumed and how efficiently such energy is spent. The present work proposes a performance indicators matrix that allows the evaluation and monitoring of energy consumption, energy costs and CO2 emissions, leading to the identification of opportunities for performance improvement for continuous and sustainable development in municipalities. The methodology for the development of the indicators performance matrix was based the application of the activities from integrated management systems the integrated management energy (ISO 50001), quality (ISO 9001) and environment (ISO 14001) systems. A set of criteria and performance indicators adapted from international guidelines and literature indicators, which complement energy efficiency measure by municipalities, were chosen by consensus between experts and stakeholders. Indicators were classified according to their strategic objective in four categories: environmental (E), technical (T), social (S) and governance (G). The indicator matrix was tested in a case study, namely the municipality of Louie in Portugal. Results showed that experts and stakeholders attribute more importance to indicators from the strategic objectives Environmental protection and Promote efficient use of water resource (34.3%), meaning that most of the chosen indicators are directly related with energy efficiency. Results of meta-evaluation of the tool showed optimal performance for most of the indicators. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Social life cycle analysis as a tool for sustainable management of illegal waste dumping in municipal servicesPublication . Santos, Ana Carina; Mendes, Paula; Ribau Teixeira, MargaridaSome wastes are illegally dumped on public/private areas, causing several aesthetic, environmental,economic and social negative impacts and representing a public hazard. These sites need to be treatedand managed and this task is often a responsibility of municipalities, representing high costs. However,there is a lack of strategies for the municipal management of these degraded areas that minimize costs,restore the ecological value of the area and eliminate the public hazard. This work proposes a conceptualmodel for the management of illegal dumping degraded areas by municipal services, based on a sociallife cycle assessment (SLCA). The model proposed is an open-participatory management tool whichsupplies the information needed for the waste management strategy for illegal waste deposit sites.Methods to evaluate and apply SLCA in this context are scarce. Therefore, SLCA is presented as a tool thatcan be applied to organisations in strategic analysis and structuring complex decision-making processesin order to identify optimisation potentials. It combines an environmental and a socio-economicassessment, contributing to the full assessment of products and services within the context of sustain-able development. The framework intends to promote the improvement of social conditions and thesocio-economic performance of a product throughout its life cycle for all the stakeholders involvedwithin the context of sustainable development. Illegal deposits sites of Construction and DemolitionWastes (CDW) in municipalities are used as a case study for model implementation. The outputs of thismodel are: i) understanding the real situation of the illegally deposited wastes; ii) management practicescomparing and integrating environmental, social, and economic objectives; iii) open-participatorymanagement; iv) orientations to strategy definition; v) use of the life-cycle product principle contrib-uting to a circular economy; and vi) assisting with municipalities performance.
- Stakeholders’ perceptions of new digital energy management platform in municipality of Loulé, Southern Portugal: a SWOT-AHP analysisPublication . Gago, David; Mendes, Paula; Murta, Pedro; Cabrita, Nuno; Ribau Teixeira, MargaridaThis study aimed to develop a multi-stakeholder analysis to identify the best strategies for the integration of a new Digital Energy Management Platform (DEMP). The municipality of Loulé (South of Portugal) was used as a case study. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework combined with an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework and a TOWS Matrix was employed to analyse the stakeholder’s perceptions to propose strategies for integrating the DEMP. Five focus stakeholder groups were involved. Results showed that stakeholders considered that the positive aspects of DEMP outweigh the negative aspects by approximately 36%. Strengths were ranked with 34.4%, Opportunities with 33.8%, Weaknesses with 20.2%, and Threats with 11.6%. The sequence of factors with the highest overall score by stakeholders was O1(12.7%) > S2(11.1%) > W2(7.4%) > T3(4.1%). Based on stakeholder perceptions, the most suitable strategies were those that use Strengths and Opportunities of the system (SO strategies), and strategies that take advantage of Opportunities while dealing with Weaknesses (WO strategies), achieving a prevalence compared with the other strategies of 34% and 27%, respectively. Therefore, the participation process involving stakeholders’ groups in the implementation and monitoring of the DEMP provided an action plan and consensus capable of meeting the environmental and municipal energy management challenges.
- The balanced scorecard as an integrated model applied to the Portuguese public service: a case study in the waste sectorPublication . Mendes, Paula; Santos, Ana Carina; Perna, Fernando; Ribau Teixeira, MargaridaMunicipal solid waste management is an area where improvements are needed, in accordance with European Union regulations, in order to ensure sustainable development principles and best management practices. In this context, Portugal implemented a strategy in 2003 under the title “New Public Management”, the main objective of which is to create value for citizens, with a particular focus on improving performance in the public management of wastes and allocating resources. This strategy is based on the introduction of market mechanisms, thus adopting management tools common in the private sector. The objective of this paper is to propose and implement a management tool the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) suited for the needs of the Public Administration (PA) service in the waste sector. The BSC was applied to the Urban Hygiene and Solid Waste Division of the Loulé Municipality in the south of Portugal. Four perspectives were used, namely, clients, internal processes, learning and growth and finances. Results indicate an overall management performance of 52.45%, which was considered a good result since it was the first implementation approach. Out of the four BSC perspectives, the learning and growth perspective (15% weighting of overall management performance) and the financial perspective (10% weighting) had the smaller achievement performances, of just 4% and 1.75% of the indicators achieved, respectively. The internal process perspective (50% weighting) and the client perspective (25% weighting) had higher achievement performances at 34.2% and 12.5%, respectively. Overall, in the Portuguese PA service, the BSC is able to: i) contribute to the precepts of modern public waste management; ii) focus on the strategic management of the cliente customer relationship; iii)guarantee the best combination of improvement in service, through monitoring and a follow-up process; and iv) achieve management objectives.