CATÓLICA-LISBON's Business and Economics Research Unit (CUBE) was founded in 1997 and has since become a mature and impactful research unit. It has consistently been given an ‘Excellent’ rating by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation’s (FCT), and it aims to be among the top research groups in Europe.
One of CUBE’s main objectives is to create an environment conducive to cutting-edge research. Whether it is academic publications, scientific projects, educational initiatives, or scientific services, we strive for the highest quality and impact. Reflecting this, our researcher members have continuously published their work in prestigious journals around the world.
In April 2023, Wilson Bastos, Associate Professor of Marketing at CATÓLICA-LISBON, was appointed as CUBE director. Professor Bastos’ research focuses on experiential versus material purchases, happiness, consumer-to-consumer verbal sharing (word-of-mouth), and branding. Professor Bastos also brings to CUBE managerial experience from companies like Monaco International, and Black & Decker/DeWALT.
Read below the interview with the new Director of the CATÓLICA-LISBON's Business and Economics Research Unit:
As a researcher on happiness what do you think you can bring from theory to practice in the management of researchers and staff at CUBE?
It is always interesting to ponder how you can use research findings for the good of organizations and society at large, and I am glad to see that the researchers comprising CUBE are often generating this type of impactful knowledge. With regards to research in happiness, we know that a sense of purpose, of pursuing meaningful objective is central for satisfaction at work. Also, much of our happiness comes from having healthy social relationships. Further, people experience happiness when they feel they have a positive impact on others. CUBE members are strong in all these dimensions, and because I believe in them too, I might help strength the beliefs. This should lead to more satisfaction of CUBE staff and researchers.
What do you think are the main strengths and challenges of CUBE?
I am delighted to join the CUBE team. This is a group of experienced people who have helped CUBE achieve much since its creation in 1997. For example, CUBE has been instrumental in the productivity of CATÓLICA-LISBON's researchers. Our more than 70 researchers representing 14 different nationalities have produced top-level knowledge for years. If we consider for example the period between 2020 and 2022, our researchers published 101 scientific papers in peer-reviewed international journals. Importantly, this is knowledge that can improve businesses, the government, and society at large. That is because there are people doing research in all types of relevant areas, including consumer well-being, retailing, responsible business and leadership, technological and social innovations, policy design, and sustainability, to list a few. And here is an interesting point, we are able to produce this amount of top-quality knowledge only because business and government leaders entrust us with their funds. We are extremely grateful to a large number of institutions, including FCT, POAT, PRR, Canergie Mellon University, the Patrick & Lina Drahi Foundation, BP and EFACEC, LA CAIXA, VdA, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Bondstone, Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos, Jerónimo Martins, Delta, GALP ENERGIA, SA., and SANTANDER. One of CUBE’s major tasks is to responsibly manage the valuable resources these private and governmental institutions provide us. And this is not a simple process, but one that CUBE has thriven at. And the team is excited to keep improving. It is especial to work with a team with such experience and track record. Whatever challenges come our way, we are confident that we can tackle them.
Being the CUBE director means balancing research and teaching time with managerial tasks, what were your motivations to accept this role?
It is really about taking the baton from my predecessors and continuing to contribute to the institution like they did. Obviously, research is a critical component of the school and, personally, is one of the most amazing parts of being an academic. Thus, being involved more directly is appealing to me.
What impact are you expecting to have as CUBE director?
My goal is to build on what has been achieved before me. That includes continuous improvements in attracting and making productive use of research resources, being accountable to our supporters, facilitating research productivity, and disseminating the research accomplishments of our members, to mention a few. It is also important to me that each person in my team gets credit for their accomplishments and finds a sense of purpose in what they do. I want them to experience their job as meaningful to them. Work is a major part of our lives, and a positive work environment can only help make life that bit happier. That’s important to me.
The CUBE director works in close collaboration with the Management Office who promotes knowledge transfer and science communication activities, expertise in project funding applications, manages projects and coordinates human resources, assist in strategic planning and reporting, coordinates events such as research seminar and conferences and hosts visiting researchers.