Vera Pedragosa | Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (original) (raw)

Papers by Vera Pedragosa

Journal of entrepreneurship in emerging economies, Apr 12, 2024

Purpose-This study aims to analyze the precursors of high and low intrapreneurial intentions amon... more Purpose-This study aims to analyze the precursors of high and low intrapreneurial intentions among fitness center employees, considering various variables (gender, age, organization size and job satisfaction). Design/methodology/approach-The study involved 166 fitness center employees of the Portuguese fitness center. The study used a two-part questionnaire to gather sociodemographic data and assess variables related to intrapreneurial intentions and job satisfaction among fitness employees. The first part collected basic demographic information, while the second used validated scales to measure intrapreneurial intentions (innovation and risk-taking) and job satisfaction (intrinsic and extrinsic). Findings-This study underscores intrapreneurship as key for the evolving global fitness sector, highlighting job satisfaction as critical for fostering intrapreneurial intentions. Age, organizational size and gender diversity are also significant, suggesting that fostering a diverse and satisfied workforce under transformational leadership can enhance fitness organizations' adaptability and growth. Social implications-This research supports the growth of the fitness sector by demonstrating how intrapreneurship, propelled by job satisfaction, can resolve challenges, benefiting fitness centers regardless of size, age or gender diversity. Originality/value-The study highlights the vital role of intrapreneurs in the fitness industry, advocating a nongender-biased approach to intrapreneurship and identifying job satisfaction as key to fostering intrapreneurial intentions, beneficial for all fitness centers.

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship

PurposeDespite to useful relevance to better understand how group-level identity develops, few st... more PurposeDespite to useful relevance to better understand how group-level identity develops, few studies have explored the identity theory in the esports field and, in particular, considering the impact of a fan's role identity. The current study aims to explore esports fan role-identity vis-à-vis the relationship with the sponsor and the sponsee so as to understand the effects on their behavioral intentions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 356 esports fans who attended the 2021 FPF eFootball Open Challenge, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) analyzed the psychometric properties of the constructs and a subsequent Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) examined the effects of fan identity on two types of behavioral intentions and sponsor–sponsee relationship.FindingsResults indicate that fans who highly identify with esports have the highest attachment to the event and tend toward having a positive word-of-mouth intention. Esports fans who have a higher brand identificati...

ERBE- European Review of Business Economics

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of member identity and its dimensions ... more PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of member identity and its dimensions of power, urgency, external legitimacy, internal legitimacy and interest, on satisfaction and behavioural intentions in fitness centres.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were designed. In Study 1, data were collected from fitness centre members (n = 225) and structural equation modelling used to examine the dimensions of fitness centre member identity and its subsequent effect on satisfaction and behavioural intentions. In Study 2, interviews exploring member identity were conducted with members (n = 9) and managers (n = 7) and a content analysis contrasted their perceptions of power, urgency, internal legitimacy, external legitimacy and interest.FindingsThe results of Study 1 support the multidimensional construct of member identity and its positive influence on both satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Satisfaction mediated the relationship between member identity and behaviou...

The Digital Transformation of the Fitness Sector: A Global Perspective

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Currently, the use of technological devices for monitoring physical activity and in other mobile ... more Currently, the use of technological devices for monitoring physical activity and in other mobile applications is widespread among sports users and is continuously growing. The aim of this study was the validation of the reliability of the use of Wearable Fitness Technology (WFT) in the context of fitness through quantitative analysis. Data collection was conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The sample consisted of 177 members of fitness centres who used MYZONE technology in Portugal. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) (Factor v10) and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (AMOS v22.0) were used to test the item fit. The results showed adequate fits, identifying a total of 14 items in a single factor to assess WFT in MYZONE users in fitness centres. The reliability of the scale showed adequate indices within the indicated limits. This study extends the current literature on WFT; provides information for providers, managers, and members; and aims to improve the fitne...

Motriz: Revista de Educação Física, 2015

Previous studies have suggested that consumption-related emotions are important to understand pos... more Previous studies have suggested that consumption-related emotions are important to understand post-purchase reactions. This study examines the relationship between fitness consumers' emotions and overall satisfaction. After an initial step of free-thought listing and content validity, followed by a pre-test, a survey was conducted among consumers of five different fitness centers (n=786). The questionnaire included measures to assess positive and negative emotions, as well as overall satisfaction with the fitness center. The results gathered through a structural equation model provide evidence that negative emotion experienced by consumers impacts negatively overall satisfaction, while positive emotion have a positive effect on overall satisfaction. These findings suggest managerial implications, such as the need to collect consumers' perceptions of both tangible and intangible aspects of the services, listen costumers' opinions in a regular basis, and provide regular tr...

Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de e... more Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de extrema importância, para o futuro da gestão do desporto, analisar e refletir sobre esta crise. A ideia central destas crónicas é problematizar os vários aspetos da situação complexa que, do nosso ponto de vista, têm diretamente a ver com a natureza do desporto, com a gestão nas organizações de desporto, e com o papel do profissional gestor de desporto na construção da nossa sociedade em 2020. Isto num período em que se vive uma pandemia e se têm de encontrar respostas para esta crise, perspetivando-se, em simultâneo, outros desafios, como as alterações climáticas e as restrições no acesso ao desporto por parte de muitas pessoas.

International Journal of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the intention of using fitness app made available ... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the intention of using fitness app made available by the fitness centre to its members and their relationship with overall customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe present study uses the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) as the base model. All the hypothesised relationships were tested through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), in a quantitative study with data from 1,676 fitness consumers from Portugal.FindingsThe results support the ability of UTAUT2 in predicting the customer´s intention to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit have a positive impact on behavioural intentions to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy and habit have the strongest relationships. Behavioural intentions are positively related both to the usage behaviour of the fitness app and to o...

Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de e... more Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de extrema importância, para o futuro da gestão do desporto, analisar e refletir sobre esta crise. A ideia central destas crónicas é problematizar os vários aspetos da situação complexa que, do nosso ponto de vista, têm diretamente a ver com a natureza do desporto, com a gestão nas organizações de desporto, e com o papel do profissional gestor de desporto na construção da nossa sociedade em 2020. Isto num período em que se vive uma pandemia e se têm de encontrar respostas para esta crise, perspetivando-se, em simultâneo, outros desafios, como as alterações climáticas e as restrições no acesso ao desporto por parte de muitas pessoas.

ABSTRACT A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma c... more ABSTRACT A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma crescente exigência de mais e melhor qualidade numa sociedade onde a informação é constante. As equipas de gestão têm de ser formadas com profissionais capazes de definir e desenvolver estratégias no sentido de responderem com eficácia aos problemas que surgem nestes espaços, de forma a se aproximarem o mais possível das expectativas criadas pelos clientes. Procurou-se identificar a existência de conceitos/mecanismos que a longo prazo proporcionam a fidelização dos sócios em health clubs, como variável chave de obtenção de lucro a longo prazo. Nesse sentido foram apresentados temas independentes mas de forte interligação, fechando no seu todo uma linha lógica que proporciona a fidelização nestes centros especializados. A qualidade dos serviços e as suas dimensões permitem a compreensão do conceito, assim como a análise das várias dimensões caracterizados por atributos através das quais os consumidores expressam a sua opinião. A satisfação do consumidor como medida de curto prazo, privilegiando o encontro com o serviço real, diferencia-se da qualidade de um serviço, definida como uma medida longo prazo, uma avaliação geral, um desempenho. A compreensão da temática atrás descrita reporta-nos para o fundamental do marketing relacional, e a sua aplicabilidade para as trocas de valor entre os agentes envolvidos no processo de fidelização – health club/sócio e vice-versa. A taxa de abandono, o último ponto a ser considerado, é visto como uma preocupação simultânea da fidelização, tendo em consideração a rentabilização do health club a longo prazo.

The Private Sport Sector in Europe

A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma crescente ... more A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma crescente exigência de mais e melhor qualidade numa sociedade onde a informação é constante. As equipas de gestão têm de ser formadas com profissionais capazes de definir e desenvolver estratégias no sentido de responderem com eficácia aos problemas que surgem nestes espaços, de forma a se aproximarem o mais possível das expectativas criadas pelos clientes. Procurou-se identificar a existência de conceitos/mecanismos que a longo prazo proporcionam a fidelização dos sócios em health clubs, como variável chave de obtenção de lucro a longo prazo. Nesse sentido foram apresentados temas independentes mas de forte interligação, fechando no seu todo uma linha lógica que proporciona a fidelização nestes centros especializados. A qualidade dos serviços e as suas dimensões permitem a compreensão do conceito, assim como a análise das várias dimensões caracterizados por atributos através das quais os consumid...

Journal of entrepreneurship in emerging economies, Apr 12, 2024

Purpose-This study aims to analyze the precursors of high and low intrapreneurial intentions amon... more Purpose-This study aims to analyze the precursors of high and low intrapreneurial intentions among fitness center employees, considering various variables (gender, age, organization size and job satisfaction). Design/methodology/approach-The study involved 166 fitness center employees of the Portuguese fitness center. The study used a two-part questionnaire to gather sociodemographic data and assess variables related to intrapreneurial intentions and job satisfaction among fitness employees. The first part collected basic demographic information, while the second used validated scales to measure intrapreneurial intentions (innovation and risk-taking) and job satisfaction (intrinsic and extrinsic). Findings-This study underscores intrapreneurship as key for the evolving global fitness sector, highlighting job satisfaction as critical for fostering intrapreneurial intentions. Age, organizational size and gender diversity are also significant, suggesting that fostering a diverse and satisfied workforce under transformational leadership can enhance fitness organizations' adaptability and growth. Social implications-This research supports the growth of the fitness sector by demonstrating how intrapreneurship, propelled by job satisfaction, can resolve challenges, benefiting fitness centers regardless of size, age or gender diversity. Originality/value-The study highlights the vital role of intrapreneurs in the fitness industry, advocating a nongender-biased approach to intrapreneurship and identifying job satisfaction as key to fostering intrapreneurial intentions, beneficial for all fitness centers.

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship

PurposeDespite to useful relevance to better understand how group-level identity develops, few st... more PurposeDespite to useful relevance to better understand how group-level identity develops, few studies have explored the identity theory in the esports field and, in particular, considering the impact of a fan's role identity. The current study aims to explore esports fan role-identity vis-à-vis the relationship with the sponsor and the sponsee so as to understand the effects on their behavioral intentions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 356 esports fans who attended the 2021 FPF eFootball Open Challenge, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) analyzed the psychometric properties of the constructs and a subsequent Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) examined the effects of fan identity on two types of behavioral intentions and sponsor–sponsee relationship.FindingsResults indicate that fans who highly identify with esports have the highest attachment to the event and tend toward having a positive word-of-mouth intention. Esports fans who have a higher brand identificati...

ERBE- European Review of Business Economics

International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of member identity and its dimensions ... more PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of member identity and its dimensions of power, urgency, external legitimacy, internal legitimacy and interest, on satisfaction and behavioural intentions in fitness centres.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were designed. In Study 1, data were collected from fitness centre members (n = 225) and structural equation modelling used to examine the dimensions of fitness centre member identity and its subsequent effect on satisfaction and behavioural intentions. In Study 2, interviews exploring member identity were conducted with members (n = 9) and managers (n = 7) and a content analysis contrasted their perceptions of power, urgency, internal legitimacy, external legitimacy and interest.FindingsThe results of Study 1 support the multidimensional construct of member identity and its positive influence on both satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Satisfaction mediated the relationship between member identity and behaviou...

The Digital Transformation of the Fitness Sector: A Global Perspective

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Currently, the use of technological devices for monitoring physical activity and in other mobile ... more Currently, the use of technological devices for monitoring physical activity and in other mobile applications is widespread among sports users and is continuously growing. The aim of this study was the validation of the reliability of the use of Wearable Fitness Technology (WFT) in the context of fitness through quantitative analysis. Data collection was conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The sample consisted of 177 members of fitness centres who used MYZONE technology in Portugal. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) (Factor v10) and a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (AMOS v22.0) were used to test the item fit. The results showed adequate fits, identifying a total of 14 items in a single factor to assess WFT in MYZONE users in fitness centres. The reliability of the scale showed adequate indices within the indicated limits. This study extends the current literature on WFT; provides information for providers, managers, and members; and aims to improve the fitne...

Motriz: Revista de Educação Física, 2015

Previous studies have suggested that consumption-related emotions are important to understand pos... more Previous studies have suggested that consumption-related emotions are important to understand post-purchase reactions. This study examines the relationship between fitness consumers' emotions and overall satisfaction. After an initial step of free-thought listing and content validity, followed by a pre-test, a survey was conducted among consumers of five different fitness centers (n=786). The questionnaire included measures to assess positive and negative emotions, as well as overall satisfaction with the fitness center. The results gathered through a structural equation model provide evidence that negative emotion experienced by consumers impacts negatively overall satisfaction, while positive emotion have a positive effect on overall satisfaction. These findings suggest managerial implications, such as the need to collect consumers' perceptions of both tangible and intangible aspects of the services, listen costumers' opinions in a regular basis, and provide regular tr...

Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de e... more Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de extrema importância, para o futuro da gestão do desporto, analisar e refletir sobre esta crise. A ideia central destas crónicas é problematizar os vários aspetos da situação complexa que, do nosso ponto de vista, têm diretamente a ver com a natureza do desporto, com a gestão nas organizações de desporto, e com o papel do profissional gestor de desporto na construção da nossa sociedade em 2020. Isto num período em que se vive uma pandemia e se têm de encontrar respostas para esta crise, perspetivando-se, em simultâneo, outros desafios, como as alterações climáticas e as restrições no acesso ao desporto por parte de muitas pessoas.

International Journal of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the intention of using fitness app made available ... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the intention of using fitness app made available by the fitness centre to its members and their relationship with overall customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe present study uses the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) as the base model. All the hypothesised relationships were tested through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), in a quantitative study with data from 1,676 fitness consumers from Portugal.FindingsThe results support the ability of UTAUT2 in predicting the customer´s intention to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and habit have a positive impact on behavioural intentions to use the fitness app. Performance expectancy and habit have the strongest relationships. Behavioural intentions are positively related both to the usage behaviour of the fitness app and to o...

Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de e... more Perante as dificuldades e os novos desafios que a COVID-19 trouxe para o desporto mundial, é de extrema importância, para o futuro da gestão do desporto, analisar e refletir sobre esta crise. A ideia central destas crónicas é problematizar os vários aspetos da situação complexa que, do nosso ponto de vista, têm diretamente a ver com a natureza do desporto, com a gestão nas organizações de desporto, e com o papel do profissional gestor de desporto na construção da nossa sociedade em 2020. Isto num período em que se vive uma pandemia e se têm de encontrar respostas para esta crise, perspetivando-se, em simultâneo, outros desafios, como as alterações climáticas e as restrições no acesso ao desporto por parte de muitas pessoas.

ABSTRACT A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma c... more ABSTRACT A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma crescente exigência de mais e melhor qualidade numa sociedade onde a informação é constante. As equipas de gestão têm de ser formadas com profissionais capazes de definir e desenvolver estratégias no sentido de responderem com eficácia aos problemas que surgem nestes espaços, de forma a se aproximarem o mais possível das expectativas criadas pelos clientes. Procurou-se identificar a existência de conceitos/mecanismos que a longo prazo proporcionam a fidelização dos sócios em health clubs, como variável chave de obtenção de lucro a longo prazo. Nesse sentido foram apresentados temas independentes mas de forte interligação, fechando no seu todo uma linha lógica que proporciona a fidelização nestes centros especializados. A qualidade dos serviços e as suas dimensões permitem a compreensão do conceito, assim como a análise das várias dimensões caracterizados por atributos através das quais os consumidores expressam a sua opinião. A satisfação do consumidor como medida de curto prazo, privilegiando o encontro com o serviço real, diferencia-se da qualidade de um serviço, definida como uma medida longo prazo, uma avaliação geral, um desempenho. A compreensão da temática atrás descrita reporta-nos para o fundamental do marketing relacional, e a sua aplicabilidade para as trocas de valor entre os agentes envolvidos no processo de fidelização – health club/sócio e vice-versa. A taxa de abandono, o último ponto a ser considerado, é visto como uma preocupação simultânea da fidelização, tendo em consideração a rentabilização do health club a longo prazo.

The Private Sport Sector in Europe

A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma crescente ... more A proliferação de health clubs desencadeou uma forte concorrência, o que incentiva uma crescente exigência de mais e melhor qualidade numa sociedade onde a informação é constante. As equipas de gestão têm de ser formadas com profissionais capazes de definir e desenvolver estratégias no sentido de responderem com eficácia aos problemas que surgem nestes espaços, de forma a se aproximarem o mais possível das expectativas criadas pelos clientes. Procurou-se identificar a existência de conceitos/mecanismos que a longo prazo proporcionam a fidelização dos sócios em health clubs, como variável chave de obtenção de lucro a longo prazo. Nesse sentido foram apresentados temas independentes mas de forte interligação, fechando no seu todo uma linha lógica que proporciona a fidelização nestes centros especializados. A qualidade dos serviços e as suas dimensões permitem a compreensão do conceito, assim como a análise das várias dimensões caracterizados por atributos através das quais os consumid...