Caetano, Rafaela Vital

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Caetano

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Rafaela Vital

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Rafaela Vital

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Rafaela Vital Caetano, PhD in Economics, is an Assistant Professor at the Economics and Management Department, Universidade Portucalense, and an Invited Assistant Professor at the University of Beira Interior. Rafaela is an integrated member at NECE-UBI, Research Unit in Business Science, and a collaborator at REMIT - Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies. Her research focuses on international economics, with more than ten papers published in international journals with high merit recognition. During her journey, Rafaela has actively participated in several international conferences, where her work has been distinguished with the IAEE Student Prize for the best article.

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5198-9929
FC11-16BA-BC05
57218825207
ACR-7799-2022

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REMIT – Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies
Centro de investigação que que tem como objetivo principal produzir e disseminar conhecimento teórico e aplicado que possibilite uma maior compreensão das dinâmicas e tendências económicas, empresariais, territoriais e tecnológicas do mundo contemporâneo e dos seus efeitos socioeconómicos. O REMIT adota uma perspetiva multidisciplinar que integra vários domínios científicos: Economia e Gestão; Ciências e Tecnologia; Turismo, Património e Cultura. Founded in 2017, REMIT – Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies is a research unit of Portucalense University. Based on a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective it aims at responding to social challenges through a holistic approach involving a wide range of scientific fields such as Economics, Management, Science, Technology, Tourism, Heritage and Culture. Grounded on the production of advanced scientific knowledge, REMIT has a special focus on its application to the resolution of real issues and challenges, having as strategic orientations: - the understanding of local, national and international environment; - the development of activities oriented to professional practice, namely in the business world.

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    Circularity in waste management system: An assessment of the recycling rate performance of developing countries
    2025-12-03 - Caetano, Rafaela Vital; Marques, António Manuel Cardoso; Afonso , Tiago Lopes
    Developing countries face many challenges, including waste management. As a general rule, those countries have limited public budgets, which inhibits investment in effective strategies for handling waste. At the same time, some developing countries are the world’s largest suppliers of goods. This latter fact has sparked concerns in developed countries regarding the pollution embodied in imports. Investments (particularly foreign investments) must, therefore, be directed towards countries aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals so that everyone can keep benefiting from international trade without neglecting the environment. To explore the issue of waste management, this study ranked developing countries according to their recycling rate performance by employing a Data Envelopment Analysis Model. In addition, using a Fractional Regression Model, this study analysed how developing countries can improve their performance. The results show a large disparity in performance between countries, with a standard deviation consistently above 0.33. Notable within-country variation was also observed, with some nations exhibiting marked improvements (e.g. Brazil rising from a score of 0.175 in 2015 and 1.000 from 2018 onwards). These patterns highlight both enduring structural differences and shifting national trajectories in waste management. Renewable energy production, control of corruption, and trade openness improve recycling performance in developing countries. However, a robust regulatory framework capable of tackling illegal waste dumping should also be a priority. Improved living standards seem to overburden developing countries’ recycling systems. Nevertheless, private investment—both domestic and foreign—in waste management infrastructure can help address the potential shortfalls in public funding and the lack of essential facilities.