“Comunica UPT” spoke with Mário Andrade, author of the study “The Economic Power of Organizational Happiness”. He has a degree in Economics, a Master in Management and currently manages an SME in the field of furniture.

Comunica UPT: How did the theme of organizational happiness arise in your research?
It came naturally. Organizational and human capital issues have always aroused a particular interest that has grown with professional experience. Because I believe that happy employees induce economic power and differentiation for companies, I decided to proceed with the investigation, with the expectation of obtaining relevant results.

What are the main surprises that the study gave you?
The fact that there were studies on organizational happiness at the beginning of the 20th century. About 100 years ago, researchers were already studying the topic. On the other hand, some of the main conclusions of the study, which resulted from a long process of analytical convergence (about two years), from which emerged conclusions that I consider quite important.

To what extent did the master’s “change” your life or what teachings did you give?
With regard to the curricular component, there was a clear addition of value in personal and professional terms. As for the dissertation challenge, it allowed me to develop and apply a wide range of skills and knowledge that contributed greatly to the final result.

How do you understand or translate happiness in the workplace?
Happiness at work is, first of all, a scarce variable, with an increasing power of influence in organizations. Its construction is based on a temporal process, usually of medium or long term, which generates important competitive advantages. Companies with the best management practices consider the differentiating power of happiness at work, taking advantage of their endogenous resources with remarkable efficiency – knowledge, skills, cooperation, etc. There are only happy organizations with equally happy employees. To achieve this objective, specific factors of strategic, organizational and human differentiation must be adopted that contribute, as a whole, to developing a humanistic organizational climate, of professional, family and social balance, as well as a continuous development of skills and recognition of meritorious performances.

Was there a particular moment or person that marked you when you entered the job market?
Entering the job market is a unique moment in our lives. First of all, because one enters the active life, to which new responsibilities, skills and opportunities are associated. When I entered the job market and at later times, I met some people with responsibilities in top management who, by their example, left a deep impression on me. I obtained directly and indirectly important lessons in terms of planning, strategy, rigor, demand, objectivity, speech, posture and work capacity.

What is your analysis of Management in Portugal?
The quality of the Economy depends to a great extent on the good management practices of companies and the State. In Portugal, there are very high quality management practices that are associated with a small number of companies. It appears, however, that the vast majority of companies have a low quality of management, something that is extensible to state organizations. In the private sector there is much to improve, not least because there are excellent schools and management courses in Portugal that produce differentiating knowledge that is clearly underutilized. With regard to the public sector, everything is purposefully complex, with the main decisions being far from meritocracy and, in many cases, from the public interest. It is important to assume that Portugal, under the terms in which it has been managed (governed), for several decades, if it were a macro company, had already entered into insolvency proceedings.

What characteristics do you consider essential to win in the current competitive and global job market?
The demands at that level are enormous. We are going through moments of great difficulty that trigger unrestrained competition. It is important, first of all, that those who are employed have the exact notion that they must safeguard their job, contributing as much as possible with their skills and performance to obtain positive results. In addition, it is important that employees bear in mind that the monthly contribution they make to the company must be well above the return they receive from it. The current job market demands differentiating skills that add value to the company in an evident way, as well as multidisciplinary knowledge that lead to innovative solutions, a strong work capacity and some ingenuity and resilience.

In the current context of crisis that affects, in particular, the youth labor market, in what areas should students and recent graduates invest?
Young people must continue to believe in their vocation. Betting on a training area with the expectation of easy entry into the job market or apparent profitability, can result in a dissatisfied professional, therefore less productive and far from personal fulfillment. I believe that if young people acquire training, within the scope of their best skills – many of them innate -, they will be professionals of the future, helping to make the Portuguese economy more competitive and society happier.

What are the main pieces of advice you would give to a recent graduate and an active professional looking to be recruited?
In this matter, the human component assumes a particular relevance, accompanied by each one’s credentials and professional experience. I consider it essential that the candidate presents himself / herself with transparency, shows his / her strengths, the professional experience he / she may have, as well as any skills that are decisive for the job. In addition, you should keep in mind that the labor market is looking for employees who find effective solutions and that can boost the company’s business, making it more productive and competitive. This means that most companies look for those who make a difference within the organization, assuming a multidisciplinary role in their area of action that mobilizes and adds value.

At this moment, who inspires you?
Pope Francis for his immense courage and humility, for always trying to be an “equal among equals”, and for his reformist attitude.

Do you have a life motto?
“Not being a straight line, life must be lived with the utmost straightness”