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Article
Publication date: 27 October 2022

Danielle Pimentel de Oliveira and María Dolores Pitarch-Garrido

A synthetic indicator (SI) is developed to measure the sustainability of tourist destinations according to four proposed dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic…

Abstract

Purpose

A synthetic indicator (SI) is developed to measure the sustainability of tourist destinations according to four proposed dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic, environmental and political. Its purpose is to determine the most appropriate indicators for each type of tourist destination, i.e. which variables should be considered in each territory according to its typology (environmental, social, economic and tourism). To test the usefulness and employability of the SI, it has been applied in the Algarve (Portugal). Three destinations were analysed in this region: Albufeira, Faro and Lagos, all three good examples of the well-known sun and beach tourism model.

Design/methodology/approach

The SI is the result of a system of indicators. To reach the final result, a multi-criteria calculation has been used in which the most important variables that fit the territorial reality analysed have been included, based on an exhaustive analysis of more than 2,000 indicators proposed by various scientific studies and international organisations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The results of this analysis have been weighted according to the opinion of the population. A survey of more than 1,800 questionnaires was carried out in tourist destinations with high seasonality and dependence on tourism in the Algarve, Portugal. Finally, the SI has been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Findings

The level of sustainability and the level of social concern regarding tourism activity were defined. In the Algarve, tourism is transforming the landscape and the local economy, and overcrowding is perceived as an economic activity that negatively affects sustainability. The concerns of the resident population about the impacts of tourism have served to identify priority strategies to improve the level of sustainability of the destinations. The three territories analysed present different problems and therefore require different strategies for action, mainly of a local public nature. The final result indicates the level of sustainability of the destination, which allows specific actions for improvement in the short, medium and long term to be generated.

Practical implications

The results made it possible to develop lines of action aimed at improving the sustainable management of each tourist destination analysed. Involving the local population allows the residents of the destination to be part of tourism policies, assuming a bottom-up strategy. This research provides answers to destinations seeking to implement sustainable tourism, offering tourism sector managers tools for correct decision-making.

Originality/value

This research presents a SI based on a system of indicators adjusted to the needs of the territory to be analysed, takes into account the opinion of the local population as a weighting factor and is in line with the 17 SDGs.

目的

本文根据为可持续发展提出的四个方面:社会、经济、环境和政治, 开发了一个综合指标(SI)来衡量旅游目的地的可持续性。其目的是为每一类旅游目的地确定最合适的指标, 即根据每个地区的类型 (环境、社会、经济和旅游), 应考虑哪些变量。为了测试IS的有用性和可用性, 它被应用于阿尔加维 (葡萄牙) 。在这个地区, 有三个目的地。阿尔布费拉 (Albufeira)、法鲁 (Faro) 和拉各斯 (Lagos), 这三个地方都是著名的阳光和海滩旅游模式的例子。

方法

SI 是一个指标体系的结果。为了得出最终结果, 我们采用了多标准计算, 在对各种科学研究和国际组织(如世贸组织)提出的两千多个指标进行详尽分析的基础上, 将符合所分析的领土现实的最重要变量纳入其中。这一分析的结果已经根据民众的意见进行了加权处理。在葡萄牙阿尔加维(Algarve)季节性强且依赖旅游业的旅游目的地进行了1800多份问卷调查。最后, SI与可持续发展目标保持一致。

结果

本文定义了可持续发展水平和社会对旅游活动的关注程度。在阿尔加维, 旅游业正在改变景观和当地经济, 过度拥挤被认为是一种对可持续性产生负面影响的经济活动。居民对旅游业影响的关注有助于确定优先战略, 以提高目的地的可持续性水平。所分析的三个地区出现了不同的问题, 主要是地方公共属性方面的, 因此需要不同的行动策略。最终的结果表明了目的地的可持续发展水平, 并为短期、中期和长期的具体改进行动提供依据。

实际影响

这些结果帮助我们制定行动方针, 以改善所分析的每个旅游目的地的可持续管理。让当地居民参与进来这一种自下而上的战略, 可以让目的地的居民成为旅游政策的一部分。这项研究为寻求实施可持续旅游的目的地提供了答案, 为旅游管理者提供了正确决策的工具。

原创性/价值

这项研究提出了一个合成指标, 其基础是根据要分析的区域的需要而调整指标系统, 考虑到当地居民的意见作为加权因素, 并且与17项可持续发展目标一致。

Objetivo

Se desarrolla un indicador sintético (IS) para medir la sostenibilidad de los destinos turísticos según las cuatro dimensiones propuestas para el desarrollo sostenible: social, económica, medioambiental y política. Su objetivo es determinar los indicadores más adecuados para cada tipo de destino turístico, es decir, qué variables deben considerarse en cada territorio según su tipología (ambiental, social, económica y turística). Para comprobar la utilidad y empleabilidad del IS, se ha aplicado en el Algarve (Portugal). En esta región se analizaron tres destinos: Albufeira, Faro y Lagos, los tres buenos ejemplos del conocido modelo de turismo de sol y playa.

Metodología

El IS es el resultado de un sistema de indicadores. Para llegar al resultado final se ha utilizado un cálculo multicriterio en el que se han incluido las variables más importantes que se ajustan a la realidad territorial analizada, a partir de un análisis exhaustivo de más de dos mil indicadores propuestos por diversos estudios científicos y organismos internacionales como la OMC. Los resultados de este análisis se han ponderado según la opinión de la población. Se ha realizado una encuesta de más de 1.800 cuestionarios en destinos turísticos con alta estacionalidad y dependencia del turismo en el Algarve – Portugal. Por último, el IS se ha alineado con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

Resultados

Se definió el nivel de sostenibilidad y el nivel de preocupación social respecto a la actividad turística. En el Algarve, el turismo está transformando el paisaje y la economía local, y la masificación se percibe como una actividad económica que afecta negativamente a la sostenibilidad. La preocupación de la población residente por los impactos del turismo ha servido para identificar las estrategias prioritarias para mejorar el nivel de sostenibilidad de los destinos. Los tres territorios analizados presentan problemas diferentes y, por tanto, requieren estrategias de actuación distintas, principalmente de carácter público local. El resultado final indica el nivel de sostenibilidad del destino, lo que permite generar acciones específicas de mejora a corto, medio y largo plazo.

Implicaciones practices

Los resultados permitieron desarrollar líneas de actuación dirigidas a mejorar la gestión sostenible de cada destino turístico analizado. Involucrar a la población local permite que los residentes del destino formen parte de las políticas turísticas, asumiendo una estrategia ascendente. Esta investigación aporta respuestas a los destinos que buscan implementar un turismo sostenible, ofreciendo a los gestores del sector turístico herramientas para una correcta toma de decisiones.

Originalidad/valor

sta investigación presenta un indicador sintético basado en un sistema de indicadores ajustado a las necesidades del territorio a analizar, tiene en cuenta la opinión de la población local como factor de ponderación y se ajusta a los 17 ODS.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 20 July 2022

Víctor Ernesto Pérez León, Flor Mª Guerrero and Rafael Caballero

This study aims to present diverse proposals for the measurement of tourism destination competitiveness that serve as alternatives to the travel and tourism competitiveness index…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present diverse proposals for the measurement of tourism destination competitiveness that serve as alternatives to the travel and tourism competitiveness index (TTCI).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposal includes principal component analysis, the DP2-distance method, goal programming, data envelopment analysis and the Borda count. The study evaluates 17 destinations from Central America and the Caribbean.

Findings

These include the feasibility that the methodologies provide reliable competitiveness rankings and the possibility of using less information due to the strength of the statistical methodologies. International tourist arrivals, income from international tourism and travel and tourism contribution to the gross domestic product could be used as approximations of tourism destination competitiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is the absence of major destinations from the region that constitutes fierce competitors.

Practical implications

New aggregation methods can build composite indicators for competitiveness measurement and their presentation in a more comprehensible way.

Social implications

The results serve as an alternative for countries that have yet to be considered in international tourism competitiveness comparisons.

Originality/value

A better explanatory power of the proposed index is given, thanks to their decomposition capacity and the reduction of the limitations of the original TTCI. Moreover, the proposals facilitate the inclusion of external information or the execution of a completely objective methodology.

目的

本研究旨在为衡量旅游目的地竞争力提出多样化的建议, 并作为旅行和旅游竞争力指数的替代方案。

设计/方法/方法

该提案包括主成分分析、DP2 距离方法、目标规划、数据包络分析和 Borda 计数。 该研究评估了中美洲和加勒比地区的 17 个目的地。

调查结果

结果包括这些方法提供可靠的竞争力排名的可行性, 以及由于统计方法的优势而使用较少信息的可能性。 国际旅游人数、国际旅游收入以及旅行和旅游对 GDP 的贡献可以用作旅游目的地竞争力的近似值。

研究局限/影响

主要局限是该地区没有竞争激烈的主要目的地。

实际意义

新的聚合方法可以为竞争力测量建立综合指标, 并以更易于理解的方式呈现。

社会影响

结果可作为国际旅游竞争力比较中, 衡量尚未考虑国家的替代方案。

原创性/价值

由于其分解能力和原始 TTCI 限制的减少, 所提出的指数具有更好的解释力。 此外, 这些建议有助于纳入外部信息及执行完全客观的方法。

Propósito

El presente estudio busca presentar diversas metodologías para medir la competitividad de los destinos turísticos, de modo que sirvan como alternativa al Índice de Competitividad de Viajes y Turismo.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

La propuesta incluye Análisis de Componentes Principales, el método de distancia DP2, Programación por Metas, Análisis Envolvente de Datos y el Recuento de Borda. Se analizan 17 destinos de Centro América y el Caribe.

Hallazgos

Estos incluyen la validez de las metodologías para obtener rankings de competitividad fiables y la posibilidad de emplear menor cantidad de información, dadas las fortalezas de los procedimientos estadísticos propuestos. Las Llegadas de Turistas Internacionales, los Ingresos por Turismo Internacional, y la Contribución del Turismo al PIB podrían ser buenas aproximaciones para medir competitividad turística

Limitaciones/implicaciones

La principal limitación es la ausencia de destinos importantes de la región, que se consideran importantes competidores.

Implicaciones prácticas

Novedosos procedimientos de agregación para crear indicadores sintéticos para medir la competitividad turística y su presentación de un modo más comprensible.

Implicaciones sociales

Los resultados sirven como alternativa para otros destinos que aún no han sido considerados en comparaciones internacionales de competitividad turística.

Originalidad

Un mejor poder explicativo de los índices propuestos, gracias a su capacidad de descomposición, y la reducción de las limitaciones del índice del WEF. Además, las propuestas facilitan la inclusión de información externa o la ejecución de un método completamente objetivo.

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2021

Yully Marcela Sepúlveda-Alzate, María Antonia García-Benau and Mauricio Gómez-Villegas

This paper aims to propose a measurement of the materiality of environmental, social and governance information (ESG) reported by listed companies belonging to sensitive…

1200

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a measurement of the materiality of environmental, social and governance information (ESG) reported by listed companies belonging to sensitive industries in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. This analysis is carried out from the insights of stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and institutional theory. The research questions addressed are: What type of information is considered as material by Latin American companies? Does this information respond to the environmental and social issues within the context of Latin American companies and the needs of their stakeholders?

Design/methodology/approach

A materiality index is developed from principal component analysis and factor analysis, which are multivariate analysis statistical techniques used in various fields to develop indices. The designed index examines materiality in the sustainability reports of 65 companies for 2017 and 67 companies for 2018. These firms belong to the energy, mining, chemical, construction, construction materials and public services industries in Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Findings

The results show medium-high materiality indices, mostly in Chilean, Mexican and Colombian companies. In addition, issues such as water management, climate change and occupational health and safety are particularly interesting for companies. For the two years studied and from the perspective of material aspects for the company and its stakeholders, energy, mining and utilities (drinking water and sewage) sectors obtained the highest scores. This shows that the disclosure of ESG information is higher in industries related to the exploitation of natural resources that cause adverse effects on the environment such as extractive industries. Both the analysis presented in this paper and the materiality measurement developed, allow social responsibility managers to have a standard on the level of importance allotted to the different topics disclosed in sustainability reports. Additionally, this study provides a perspective of the material issues recognized by sensitive industries with great environmental impact. Similarly, an analysis of the issues considered material by stakeholders is provided. This allows such issues to be compared, identifying similarities and differences among the issues regarded as material by a company and its stakeholders.

Practical implications

The paper opens the debate is open as to whether the information disclosed response to the needs of stakeholders or whether, on the contrary, the materiality analysis is a process that emerges simply from the interests of the company. These demands for qualitative and field research to complement quantitative studies such as this one to research the stakeholders’ engagement processes in context.

Social implications

The paper’s purpose a challenge for future research is to strengthen the use of various methodologies that allow knowing the participation processes in the definition of materiality in the ESG information and the companies’ engagement with stakeholders. This stimulates research in the region, which is still in its infancy.

Originality/value

The international literature contains few studies related to the assessment of materiality for sustainability reporting. So this paper contributes proposes measurement of materiality for ESG information.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 May 2007

Juana Domínguez-Domínguez and José Javier Núñez-Velázquez

In the typical study comparing the evolution of economic inequality among different territorial units, an inequality indicator is chosen, and its value is calculated from sample…

Abstract

In the typical study comparing the evolution of economic inequality among different territorial units, an inequality indicator is chosen, and its value is calculated from sample data. Thus, the problem turns out to be the selection of the inequality indicator.

This paper shows that there is no need for a selection of a single inequality indicator. A whole set of inequality indicators are considered and calculated for the European Countries, using income data from European Community Household Panel (ECHP). The information they provide is then collapsed into a composite inequality indicator, through an adaptation of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We analyze the conditions needed to make longitudinal comparisons possible. Results obtained with this composite indicator are used to compare and analyze the trends in economic inequality in the EU Countries.

Details

Inequality and Poverty
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-7623-1374-7

Article
Publication date: 2 June 2022

María López-Martínez, Prudencio José Riquelme Perea and Manuel de Maya Matallana

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current situation of the European Union in terms of gender equality, researching the possible existence of models differentiated by…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current situation of the European Union in terms of gender equality, researching the possible existence of models differentiated by groups of countries or conglomerates. For this, the indicator offered by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has been used, which includes six dimensions: work, money, knowledge, time, power and health.

Design/methodology/approach

The Gender Equality Index is compared with an alternative indicator that has been developed using the same dimensions but with a different methodology. Specifically, the DP2 distance measure has been applied, the use of which is common in studies focusing on well-being and quality of life. In addition, a cluster analysis has been carried out that allows classifying the EU member states and obtaining groupings of countries according to the proximity between them in terms of equality between men and women.

Findings

The results show that the most egalitarian countries are those of northern Europe, but without finding the typical north–south classification. Thus, in the group of the least equal are many eastern countries that have recently joined the EU, along with other southern countries that have been part of the EU since its creation, such as Italy. The classification of the countries resulting from applying one or the other methodology is not identical although there are hardly any significant changes. The groups obtained in the years for which information is available are also not altered, which reflects the structural nature of gender equality.

Originality/value

This paper shows a division into four groups of countries according to gender equality, using different indicators and methodologies. The typology of countries has hardly altered during the last decade.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 42 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2024

Ana Belén Mudarra-Fernández, Elia García-Marti, Charles Ramendran Spr and José Luis Durán-Román

The objective of this study is to determine the efficiency of tourist accommodation companies located in the main tourist area of southern Europe as one of the three elements of…

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to determine the efficiency of tourist accommodation companies located in the main tourist area of southern Europe as one of the three elements of the local sustainable development triangle.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis, carried out using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology on 130 companies, has obtained that from the CCR perspective (results-oriented method when companies present constant returns on the input variables).

Findings

The companies involved are quite inefficient, while which from the BCC perspective (where the input and output variables used in the company respond to a variable and not constant scale) are quite efficient. The efficiency of these companies in the seven provinces of Andalusia has also been analysed to determine if there are patterns that differentiate them and thus be able to propose strategies that improve the sustainability of these territories. The conclusions of the study indicate the need to improve the operational efficiency of rural accommodation companies.

Originality/value

The analysis of efficiency in the hotel sector and even more so in the rural tourism sector is relatively scarce in the literature, especially in Spain. More specifically, Rubio and Román (2006) have demonstrated the existence of scale inefficiencies in hotels, but no evidence has been found in previous studies that this behaviour carries over to accommodation establishments located in the destinations under study.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 December 2017

Idoya Ferrero-Ferrero, María Ángeles Fernández-Izquierdo, María Jesús Muñoz-Torres and Lucía Bellés-Colomer

The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of stakeholder engagement in the context of sustainability reporting (SR) for higher education institutions (HEIs)…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of stakeholder engagement in the context of sustainability reporting (SR) for higher education institutions (HEIs), together with the materiality principle and stakeholder expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses an exploratory approach based on content analysis, a case study and descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

Three key findings come out of this research. First, the results indicate that HEIs use diverse criteria for grouping stakeholders and that stakeholder engagement is a heterogeneous process. Second, the expectations of internal stakeholders align with the material aspects of SR. Finally, among internal stakeholders, students and academics disagree on the prioritisation of some sustainability aspects, with non-academic staff adopting an intermediate position.

Practical implications

This analysis improves our knowledge of stakeholder engagement in HEIs. It helps to identify the relevant impacts of stakeholder engagement, enhances the quality of reporting and encourages a real dialogue with stakeholders.

Originality/value

The study examines stakeholder engagement and how the materiality principle is adopted by HEIs through SR. Furthermore, it compares these results with stakeholder expectations, considering the discrepancies between stakeholders. The results open the way to future research to explore the potential conflicts and collaborations between and within stakeholders to advance towards more sustainable institutions in the higher education sector.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

María José Rodríguez-Gutiérrez, Pilar Moreno and Pilar Tejada

The purpose of this paper is to examine both the sources of competitiveness of small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) in the services industry measured by their capability to…

3398

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine both the sources of competitiveness of small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) in the services industry measured by their capability to grow, and the relative importance of each of these sources. More specifically, the resources and capabilities of Spanish SMEs in the services industry that may become sources of competitive advantage are analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve this objective, this paper is organized as follows. First, a concise overview of prior research on determinants of performance of SMES is provided, outlining the role of factors regarding resources and capabilities. Second, a set of lineal regression models are performed to test the hypothesis research. In line with several previous studies, competitive success and performance of the company are approached through the recent evolution of firms in terms of employment, turnover and productive investment. The data set comes from a survey on Spanish SMEs operating in the services industry that was carried out between the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011.

Findings

The findings reveal that entrepreneur characteristics, firm features and managerial attributes have significant effect on the business performance. The results from the empirical analysis indicate that competitive success of the Spanish SMEs in the service industry is conditioned by macroeconomic and social factors related to the general business environment and especially by business factors concerning the entrepreneurial orientation of the firm, these findings are consistent with those of earlier research conducted at both an international level a national level.

Originality/value

The fundamental contribution of SMEs to the overall performance of the economy constitutes a crucial motive for researchers to investigate and examine the key success factors behind these enterprises. This issue has been analysed exhaustively for the manufactured goods industry, but has scarcely been addressed for the services industry. Thus, further research is needed to clarify the variables explaining survival and success for services SMEs. Furthermore, since this research is focused on the microeconomic level, by considering the firm as the unit of analysis, it contributes towards complementing previous research on this topic that has been conducted from a macroeconomic approach. Thus it attempts to provide certain empirical evidences for support the traditional academic debate between economic and administrative disciplines concerning the appropriate unit of analysis for the understanding and explanation of businesses competitiveness.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2013

Alejandro López-González, Rubén C. Lois-González and Rubén Fernández-Casal

This paper evaluates the effect of Spain's regulatory framework on Mercadona's expansion. Mercadona is the main company in this commercial distribution sector and so we have taken…

1477

Abstract

Purpose

This paper evaluates the effect of Spain's regulatory framework on Mercadona's expansion. Mercadona is the main company in this commercial distribution sector and so we have taken the North American company Wal-Mart as a classic example of the sector on a world scale. In Spain the regulatory framework is characterized by the high grade of autonomy of the regional governments over the development of business regulation. In other words, the main objective is to check the extent of competitive bias resulting from regulatory risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The article discusses the stores and retailers of Mercadona. Through the use of quantitative indicators the degree of concentration-dispersion is studied, which is reflected graphically with a series of maps. It also discusses the normalisation constraints by quantitative data analysis from a region with trade liberalisation criteria (Madrid) and another with criteria for restricting the construction of large retail outlets (Barcelona)

Findings

In the commercial distribution sector, certain firms stand out due to their rapid expansion, firms that have been successful in implementing widely different business philosophies. This article interprets the course and the immediate challenges for Mercadona, taking Wal-Mart as a reference, since this company is already at a more advanced stage of development: the conversion of an operator on an international scale.

Originality/value

The study described helps in understanding the process of forming a large commercial distribution chain in Southern Europe. This example in turn allows an understanding of business concentration processes in this sector.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Federico R. León, Oswaldo Morales, Juan D. Ramos, Álvaro Goyenechea, Paul A. Rojas, José Meza and Andrés Burga-León

Call centers generate stress and absenteeism in staff and the literature suggests that people-oriented leadership is the right way of supervision for such a situation. This study…

2184

Abstract

Purpose

Call centers generate stress and absenteeism in staff and the literature suggests that people-oriented leadership is the right way of supervision for such a situation. This study compared its effects versus those of other types of leadership.

Methodology

Absentee data of 379 representatives of customer services of a Peruvian call center were analyzed and the representatives answered a questionnaire about the Framework of Values in Competition and its four types of leadership. Day and night work shifts were compared.

Results

It was observed that absenteeism declines with people-oriented leadership, although only during the day shift, and the addition of leadership oriented to change, results and control devalues models.

Limitations/implications

Future studies should cover the performance of the worker. The findings suggest a need to re-focus the theoretical focus on environmental contingencies that affect leadership effectiveness.

Originality/value

Leadership theorists will ask themselves in what circumstances the multiple leadership is effective. Call center managers will appreciate the organizational value of people-oriented leadership at the first level of supervision.

Details

Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Science, vol. 22 no. 43
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2077-1886

Keywords

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