Knowledge Services

Turn knowledge intro strategic action

At Porto Business School’s Innovation X Hub (IXH), we help organisations transform insights into impact. Through research-driven services and diagnostic tools, we support business leaders in understanding their challenges, anticipating change, and navigating complexity.

Case Studies
Understand and share your transformation journey.
We work with companies to document real-world challenges and strategic decisions, turning them into practical, high-impact case studies. These can be used to reflect on leadership choices, improve internal learning, or contribute to business education.
Impact Studies
Prove your value to the world.
Our team helps quantify your social, economic, and environmental contributions through data-backed impact analysis. These reports boost reputation, unlock funding opportunities, and attract investors or partners.
Future Studies
Stay ahead of disruption.
We help organisations explore future scenarios and long-term trends, enabling strategic foresight
and innovation planning. Use our insights to seize new opportunities and build future-ready strategies.
Applications include: scenario planning, innovation roadmaps, and trend analysis.
Risk Studies
Build resilience in a complex world.
From geopolitical uncertainty to sector-specific risks, we support businesses in identifying and
addressing vulnerabilities. Our analyses help leaders anticipate threats and make informed,
strategic decisions. Recent projects have covered supply chain disruption, regulatory volatility, and ESG risk.

Industry Pulse 2025

National Diagnosis of Industrial Transformation

A study conducted within the scope of Industry Club which provides a detailed diagnosis of industrial maturity in Portugal, evaluating Digitalization, Data-Driven Management, Artificial Intelligence, and Energy Efficiency. The analysis highlights significant asymmetries between SMEs and large companies, pointing to the urgency of an integrated transformation that combines technology and sustainability to strengthen national competitiveness.

Acess full report

Geopolitical Risk Barometer for Businesses

2025 Results

Analyzes how business leaders perceive the main geopolitical risks and their impact on companies over 1- and 3-year horizons. Produced by the Geopolitical Risk Observatory for Businesses team at Porto Business School, it provides a rigorous analysis to support strategic decision-making in an increasingly uncertain global context.

Acess full report

Impact of the Digital Economy in Portugal

Digital transformation as a key driver of development

This study examines the digital economy in Portugal and assesses its contribution to production, employment, and fiscal revenue. The territorial and sectoral analysis reveals a digital ecosystem that is expanding and becoming structurally relevant, while still marked by disparities in technological adoption, digital skills, and the integration of advanced technologies. The findings confirm that the digital economy now functions as a core economic infrastructure, driving competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth across the country.

Acess full report

Economic Impact Study of Penafiel (2015–2025)

Assessment of investment effects on the municipality’s development

This study examines the economic, social, and fiscal impacts of public and private investments in Penafiel over the past decade. Through a rigorous approach, it identifies direct, indirect, and induced effects, highlighting the role of strategic investment in driving local and national growth. Download the Full Report.

Acess full report

Diagnostic Tools & Strategic Projects

We offer exclusive tools co-developed with industry experts to guide transformation:

Why work with IXH?

Deep academic insight combined with business pragmatism
Experience across sectors and geographies
Customisable tools and expert support
Access to a powerful innovation ecosystem

Applied Research at IXH

Bridging Knowledge and Action: Applied Research at IXH

At IXH, our Knowledge Services are rooted in rigorous applied research. Every diagnostic tool, case
study, and strategic project is backed by the academic depth and critical inquiry of Porto Business
School’s research ecosystem.

We don’t just deliver insights – we co-create them with our research centres, faculty, and partner
organisations. Our work reflects real-world complexity, enabling companies to make evidence-based
decisions with clarity and confidence.

What makes our Applied Research unique?

Collaborative – We work directly with companies to co-design research questions with strategic
relevance.
Interdisciplinary – We draw on fields such as strategy, economics, data science, organisational
behaviour, and sustainability.
Actionable – Every study is geared toward implementation, not just publication.
Globally aware, locally grounded – We integrate international trends with the specific challenges of
Portuguese and European markets.

IXH transforms applied research into practical tools and decision support frameworks that leaders
can use today.