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The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the role of entrepreneurial artisan products in regional tourism competitiveness.

This study applies secondary data from different sources (Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira, the Madeira Institute of Wine, Embroideries and Handicrafts) covering a temporal period spanning the last 15 years (2001-2015). This deployed quantitative data analysis through an econometric approach with recourse to regression models and the Pearson’s correlation technique.

According to the results, it is suggested that in terms of external support and funding, there should be a greater role and a boost in the number of projects carried out not only under the auspices of the European Union but also under the Autonomous Region of Madeira. Thus, participant companies may invest in greater business efficiency and entrepreneurship, in innovation, promotion and the internationalisation of their products, and thereby obtain greater overall regional competitiveness.

The generalisation of results remains to a certain extent limited, given the findings stem from only one particular region. The exclusive utilisation of secondary data may also undermine the robustness of the results obtained.

The study provides empirical evidence that helps in identifying the role of artisan products within the capacity for regional tourism sector entrepreneurship and competitiveness. Furthermore, this also contributes to the knowledge of the scientific community particularly interested in artisan and cultural entrepreneurship and regional competitiveness in the tourism sector.

This paper discusses the development of Madeira's tourism and its continuous action on aspects of sustainability.

The paper analyses the evolution of tourism in the region in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and how an investment in sustainability and on the certification of the archipelago as a sustainable tourist destination is a key move for stakeholders, in particular residents, companies and tourists.

To return to normality, and thus overcome the 2019 difficulties, Madeira continues to develop promotional activities in various international markets and develop sustainable tourism, supported by practices and policies that optimize the use of environmental resources. In so doing, sociocultural identity and authenticity is secured, while providing socioeconomic benefits for all stakeholders.

The approaches and solutions presented are those of the regional Government of Madeira, illustrated by the efforts and decisions that led to the certification of the archipelago as a sustainable tourist destination.

The purpose of this study involves analysing the factors of and barriers to innovation and their respective impacts (directly and indirectly) on the competitiveness of both destination and their host companies.

Based on primary data collected by questionnaire from a sample of 119 companies operating in the tourism sector in the autonomous region of Madeira (Portugal), the authors applied a quantitative methodology with recourse to econometric models and multiple linear regression.

Comprehensive results based on a conceptual model are obtained through the analysis of competitiveness tourism-based and innovation factors. The study identifies and empirically tests the existing and underlying relationships between innovation (factors and barriers) as the means of leveraging the competitiveness of destinations and their companies.

The results hold important theoretical and practical implications contributing towards innovation for competitiveness and filling a shortcoming identified in the literature.

This study aims to analyze the contribution of tourist event and satisfaction with tourism events as a product of regional tourism competitiveness, as well as evaluate factors of competitiveness.

The research followed a quantitative methodology by conducting a questionnaire on the four largest tourist events in Madeira (Carnival, Flower Festival, Atlantic Festival and Wine Festival), an insular island located in Portugal.

The sample consisted of 2,262 tourists surveyed during the year 2017 and structural equation models were used as the statistical method. Results showed that satisfaction is reflected in the client's loyalty to the choice of a tourist destination and also contributes directly and indirectly to the regional tourist competitiveness.

This study contributes to the valorization of local and regional events, perceived by the level of satisfaction and loyalty of tourists, as products of regional competitiveness of a tourist destination.

This paper aims to study the competition problems and market failures in the Canary Islands and propose an alternative management model for the telecommunication transmission network. This model is based on a wholesale-only open-access transmission network, available to all the retail service providers of this region, and managed by a unique entity subject to regulation with cost-based prices. The proposal hopefully will help to debate about the implementation of certain regulatory models in the network industries, concerning telecommunication submarine cables connecting archipelagos.

An empirical approach has been used, based on the observation and analysis of the regulatory policies applied to the wholesale transmission networks in the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira archipelagos.

Results show a persistent margin squeeze situation on the retail broadband market in the Canary Islands, due to the pricing strategy on the Spanish mainland-Canaries wholesale market, which is, in turn, delaying the entry of alternatives and the level of development and efficiency of competition. The risk of duopoly collusion is also present on this wholesale market. Additionally, public aids will be needed to replace the systems connecting with the non-capital islands and to provide redundancy to El Hierro. The alternative proposal might help preventing the above. Eventually, several insights are considered for further investigation.

Little attention has been paid to this topic in the literature, regarding the analysis of regulatory policies applied over fiber optic submarine cable infrastructures in fragmented territories like archipelagos. Consequently, an empirical analysis has been accomplished to emphasize this research work, based on the regulatory policies adopted.

The purpose of this paper is to get insights on a real-life portfolio of events from a demand-centred prospective, based on the identification of factors influencing the degree of attendee’s satisfaction, with the ultimate aim of identifying commonalities and prospective cross-leverage strategies among events.

Data from attendees to three major events taking place in Funchal, the capital city of Madeira, were analysed based on multivariate statistics and categorical regression owing to the overwhelming presence of categorical data in the database. The econometric analysis pursued in this paper is based on a sample of 1,830 tourists.

The research demonstrates that the impact of the socio-economic variables and travel arrangements on attendees’ satisfaction is rather irrelevant, irrespective of the event under analysis, with cross-cutting factors defining the overall quality of any event (mainly technical aspects such as aesthetical elements, organization and opening hours) determinant in predicting the overall degree of satisfaction. Another key finding relates to the existence of a number of commonalities among events, in terms of tourists’ profiles, market orientation, themes and resources laying ground to define ready-to-apply cross-leverage strategies.

The analysis concentrated on three major events taking place in the capital city of a peripheral region. The content of the questionnaire co-developed with the destination management organization with order to get access to a large sample of respondents.

Lessons to be learnt in terms of managing a disparate collection of events developed over time in an ad hoc manner. A few examples of cross-leverage strategies are put forward.

The analysis and empirical content portrayed in this study contribute to the literature on event portfolio via description of real-life case examples of how to develop competencies based on post-event analysis in a proactive manner.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of gender (F/M), at the management level, on the family company’s performance.

Company size, age, region and business sector were used as control variables in order to confirm the adjustment of the model to the theory. GMM dynamic panel models were used in order to control for: endogeneity; time-invariant characteristics; possible collinearity between independent variables; effects from possible omission of independent variables; elimination of non-observable individual effects; and the correct estimation of the relationship between the dependent variable in the previous and current periods. The study used data from 199 Portuguese family companies, from 2006 to 2014.

The results confirm the hypothesis from corporate governance literature, which argues that board diversity is potentially positively related to firm performance, showing that the presence of a female element in family firms’ direction has positive impacts on their performance, compared to those with only male elements. Also, the results show that region and sector of activity are factors influencing family firm performance. Finally, the study confirms that company size and age are variables helping to explain these companies’ life-cycle.

The study contributes to the literature on family firms regarding the effect of gender on family firm performance. The use of dynamic panel data models will make a strong contribution to this, as the problem of endogeneity is dealt with correctly here through using these models, and the possible collinearity between independent variables and correct estimation of the relationship between the dependent variable in previous and current periods.

This paper aims to understand how the different stakeholders assess the adequacy of smart specialization policies defined for their regions.

This paper has followed a quantitative methodology through the application of questionnaire surveys to stakeholders of the various territorial regions in Portugal.

As a result, from the “resource-based view” approach applied to the various regions, the attained results highlight that the suitability of smart specialization policies defined for the Portuguese regions is not unanimous among its stakeholders.

The research can be used as a tool to assist regional policymakers in strategic reflection when defining and adjusting smart specialization strategies in their territories.

Learning to be someone in today’s world requires training, knowledge, adaptive skills, differentiated skills, and mastery of instrumental and advanced technological tools to manage complex, new, and crucial problems that societies face. Citizens need to satisfy their basic needs, and they want to feel fulfilled. These are determinants of mental health/health, essential goods for the growth and evolution of humanity, and for the survival of the planet that shelters it.

The objectives of this chapter are: (1) reflect on the influence of mental health/health in high-level training processes, which require the student to mobilize physical and mental capabilities and functions; (2) realize to what extent the use of digital technology is an essential tool for learning and developing skills for higher education students; (3) addressing the question: Are higher education institutions (HEIs) and professors prepared for the challenges they face today? And, at the confluence of the previous three: (4) analyze the health/mental health interconnections, the use of digital technologies and training paths, as pillars of human development and the progress of societies.

In HEIs, there is evidence of the intersection of students’ learning abilities with the contexts that are favourable to them, namely, due to the possibility of finding space to create, develop potentials, acquire high-level knowledge and skills, present themselves to society as reliable, credible, and promising professionals for success in the organizations they form part of.

For the preparation of this exploratory and reflective chapter, the collaboration of some higher education teachers in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM) was requested, also basing it on their own experience and knowledge acquired as a teacher, researcher, and expert in the field of mental health.

The perspective presented for reflection and analysis is limited by the look and the way we interrogate and interpret the realities where we operate, for these same reasons, imbued with subjectivity.

The main aim of this paper is to introduce the articles of this theme issue and explain the pertinence of the strategic question.

A brief context for the strategic question is provided, as well as the issue alignment and a content analysis of the articles selected.

The profile of current and future tourists is changing. Travel consumers now want and expect accurate information to guide their choices, and these are increasingly based on quality, experimentation, willingness to undertake active holidays and to travel to sites with diverse and unique tourism products.

Collectively, the articles in this theme issue provide rich insights on key trends impacting the worldwide tourism industry, as well as suggestions on how to explore the opportunities arising from the highly competitive tourism markets. Proposals on scanning the tourism business environment are also presented and their importance discussed and illustrated.

From various angles of analysis, the final articles for this issue explore the trends and issues affecting the tourism industry, as well as approaches to scan the tourism business environment.