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Article
Publication date: 9 January 2019

Orlando Gomes and Sónia Pereira

The academic literature is currently placing significant attention on the study of the socio-economic consequences of the observable fast automation of all sectors of economic…

Abstract

Purpose

The academic literature is currently placing significant attention on the study of the socio-economic consequences of the observable fast automation of all sectors of economic activity. The purpose of this paper is to systematize meaningful ideas on the economic impact of the rise of the robots.

Design/methodology/approach

With the goal of evaluating the channels through which the current wave of fast technological change affects the organization and performance of the economy and the behavior of agents, the paper is structured into two parts. The first part assesses the state of knowledge regarding the potential revolutionary role of robot use in production. The second part designs a model aimed at exposing the interplay between the most prominent features associated with the new economic reality.

Findings

The current wave of innovation has implications that escape conventional economic thinking. The evaluation and prediction of what the new phenomena brings is fundamental to design policies that prevent income inequality to widen and growth to slow down.

Research limitations/implications

The full macroeconomic impact of the fast, pervasive and irreversible automation of production is far from being completely assimilated. At this level, no benchmark model should be interpreted as a definitive framework of analysis, and economic thought should evolve alongside with empirically observed evidence.

Originality/value

We are facing an automation convulsion that replaces humans by machines at an unprecedented fast rate. This paper systematizes ideas about this process and offers a novel conceptual model to better understand what really is at stake.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1026-4116

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2012

Sonia Pereira

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the idea of the immobile immigrant worker, trapped in the bottom segments of the labour market, by exploring how immigrants and their…

1196

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the idea of the immobile immigrant worker, trapped in the bottom segments of the labour market, by exploring how immigrants and their descendants (sometimes designated second generation immigrants) develop re‐emigration strategies in their first country of settlement in Europe when faced with structural or conjunctural barriers to the advancement of their socio‐economic situation.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical evidence was collected through structured interviews aimed at capturing labour market and residential trajectories of workers of African origin and their descendants in Portugal, with a particular emphasis on the period between 1998 and 2006.

Findings

Findings suggest that in some cases, immigrants draw on social networks available to them to engage in processes of continued intra‐European mobility. International re‐emigration emerges as a work‐space mobility strategy for migrant workers and their descendants when there was no significant social mobility in the first destination. Similarly, international geographical mobility may constitute a self‐perpetuating strategy across generations to escape structural immobility faced by certain immigrant groups in destination contexts.

Research limitations/implications

Experiences reported are situated, so cannot be taken to represent those of all workers of African origin in Portugal.

Social implications

Findings presented in the paper highlight potential consequences of perpetuating geographical mobility throughout time, namely in terms of labour market conditions and family dynamics. They also highlight the need to look at socio‐economic mobility trajectories within Europe as integrated space and not just within national borders.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an encompassing view of migrants’ (im)mobilities over time, to include the conditions of their labour market incorporation and its links to further spatial, international, mobility.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to define a dashboard of indicators to assess the quality performance of higher education institutions (HEI). The instrument is termed SMART-QUAL.

Design/methodology/approach

Two sources were used in order to explore potential indicators. In the first step, information disclosed in official websites or institutional documentation of 36 selected HEIs was analyzed. This first step also included in depth structured high managers’ interviews. A total of 223 indicators emerged. In a second step, recent specialized literature was revised searching for indicators, capturing additional 302 indicators.

Findings

Each one of the 525 total indicators was classified according to some attributes and distributed into 94 intermediate groups. These groups feed a debugging, prioritization and selection process, which ended up in the SMART-QUAL instrument: a set of 56 key performance indicators, which are grouped in 15 standards, and, in turn, classified into the 3 HEI missions. A basic model and an extended model are also proposed.

Originality/value

The paper provides a useful measure of quality performance of HEIs, showing a holistic view to monitor HEI quality from three fundamental missions. This instrument might assist HEI managers for both assessing and benchmarking purposes. The paper ends with recommendations for university managers and public administration authorities.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 40 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present and describe the main actions carried out in six different faculties and common areas such as cultural and research centres and administrative buildings in the Ferrol campus at the University of A Coruña to achieve the second green flag on a Galician University.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study describing the steps for implementing a green campus programme in a medium-size, young university campus integrated into a small city. An Environmental Campus Committee was created to assess the main factors that affect environmental footprint, discuss sustainability initiatives and develop a guide to action regarding different goals related to sustainable transport options, energy, water conservation and waste reduction. The actions included several fields such as education, circular economy and healthy life and involved the on and off-campus community.

Findings

The programme achieved a decrease in water consumption and electrical energy. An important change in educational values and behaviours regarding sustainability was observed in and out of the campus community. The measurements adopted mainly in waste management, mobility and education led the Ferrol campus to achieve a green campus flag on November 2019.

Originality/value

This experiment can serve as a guide to establish the Green Campus philosophy in other similar university campuses.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 21 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 September 2014

Cristina Sofia Coelho, Catarina Pereira Faria, Filipa Oliveira, Carla Vale Lucas, Sónia Vasconcelos and Luísa Soares

Tutoring or mentoring is a form of mutual and informal learning which has distant origins. This is a way of sharing knowledge and experience which has been proved to be extremely…

190

Abstract

Purpose

Tutoring or mentoring is a form of mutual and informal learning which has distant origins. This is a way of sharing knowledge and experience which has been proved to be extremely useful in educational settings, particularly where there is a peer that plays the role of tutor. Despite its informal characteristic, tutoring should be a structured process, with defined goals and clear roles for both: tutors and tutees, those who benefit from tutoring. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

As this paper aims to explore a pilot project, it was used as a reflexive and practical methodology, in a case study, analyzing the number of participants attending the project as well as the contents of the training course.

Findings

In this first project in a Portuguese university, 35 students attended as candidates to tutor, participating in the training course, showing interest in helping their colleagues.

Originality/value

This proposal for a tutoring program in a public higher institution aims to train college students to help other colleagues, giving academic support, helping in the adaptation to academic context, promoting autonomy in learning, sharing effective strategies and helping in maintenance of positive interpersonal relationships. These aspects are very important to promote academic success in higher education.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2023

Ana Lúcia Marôco, Sónia P. Gonçalves and Fernanda Nogueira

The purpose of this paper was to study the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Work–family balance (WFB) scale, developed by Carlson et al. (2009), as well as…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to study the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Work–family balance (WFB) scale, developed by Carlson et al. (2009), as well as demonstrating that the WFB is a different construct from the work–family conflict (WFC) and the family–work conflict (FWC). Additionally, this study intended to verify if the work–family balance construct is invariant in the different work regimes (face-to-face work, hybrid work, teleworking), and between men and women.

Design/methodology/approach

Snow-ball convenience sample of 224 workers; psychometric analysis of the different scales/constructs analyzed by confirmatory analysis using R/Lavaan.

Findings

The results obtained show that the WFB scale presents factor and convergent validity, and high reliability. The WFB construct is negatively correlated with the WFC and FWC constructs. The WFB is a different construct from the WFC and FWC. The WFB is invariant both in workers subjected to different work regimes, and sexes.

Originality/value

The conceptualization and measurement of the work–family relationship has been the subject of several studies. Among the different conceptual approaches to this relationship, WFB has been the least studied and, in terms of human resource management, it is the one that has the best relationship with sustainability and organizational performance. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to obtain a valid and reliable WFB measures, to be used by both academics and human resources professionals.

Propósito

El propósito de este trabajo fue estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa de la escala de equilibrio trabajo-familia (WFB), desarrollada por Carlson et al. (2009), así como demostrar que el WFB es un constructo diferente del conflicto trabajo-familia (WFC) y del conflicto familia-trabajo (FWC). Además, pretendíamos verificar si el constructo equilibrio trabajo-familia es invariable en los diferentes regímenes de trabajo (trabajo presencial, trabajo híbrido, teletrabajo), y entre hombres y mujeres.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Muestra de conveniencia bola de nieve de 224 trabajadores; Análisis psicométrico de las diferentes escalas/constructos analizados mediante Análisis Confirmatorio utilizando R/Lavaan.

Conclusiones

Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la escala WFB presenta validez factorial y convergente, así como una alta fiabilidad. El constructo WFB correlaciona negativamente con los constructos WFC y FWC. El WFB es un constructo diferente del WFC y del FWC. El WFB es invariante tanto en trabajadores sometidos a diferentes regímenes de trabajo, como en sexos.

Originalidad

La conceptualización y medición de la relación trabajo-familia ha sido objeto de diversos estudios. Entre los diferentes enfoques conceptuales de esta relación, el WFB ha sido el menos estudiado y, en términos de gestión de recursos humanos, es el que mejor relación tiene con la sostenibilidad y el desempeño organizacional. Por lo tanto, es de suma importancia obtener una medida válida y fiable del equilibrio trabajo-familia, que pueda ser utilizada tanto por académicos como por profesionales de los recursos humanos.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 August 2020

Tamara Belver-Delgado, Sonia San-Martín and Rosa M. Hernández-Maestro

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of booking website (hotel or third-party) characteristics and hotel star-rating classification, as signals of quality, on…

5544

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of booking website (hotel or third-party) characteristics and hotel star-rating classification, as signals of quality, on travelers’ relationships with hotels or hotel chains, taking into account the moderating effect of travelers’ tendencies to seek variety.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesized relationships, structural equation modeling was performed. A multi-group analysis was also conducted to test the moderating effect of travelers’ variety seeking.

Findings

Both booking website quality and star rating improve customer satisfaction with specific experiences at hotels and behavioral intentions toward hotels. The results also show that travelers’ variety-seeking levels (low/high) exert a moderating effect on their overall relationships with hotels, and quality signals are more relevant for those who are less inclined to seek variety in their travel experiences.

Originality/value

This paper analyzes the importance of quality signals on travelers’ relationships with hotels in an electronic shopping environment. Furthermore, the influence of travelers’ variety-seeking in the hotel sector in particular is studied. For hotel managers, a better knowledge of this personality trait can help to apply successful segmentation strategies.

Propósito

Este estudio analiza la influencia de las características del sitio web de reserva -web propia del hotel o de un tercero- y del número de estrellas del hotel, como señales de calidad, en la relación del cliente con el hotel o cadena, teniendo en cuenta el efecto moderador de la tendencia del viajero a buscar variedad.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Para probar las hipótesis, se llevó a cabo un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). También se realizó un análisis multi-grupo para probar el efecto moderador de la búsqueda de variedad del viajero.

Resultados

Tanto la calidad del sitio web de reserva como las estrellas favorecen la satisfacción del cliente con la experiencia concreta en el hotel y, finalmente, las intenciones de comportamiento hacia el hotel. Además, el análisis muestra que el nivel de búsqueda de variedad del viajero (bajo/alto) ejerce un efecto moderador en su relación global con el hotel y que las señales parecen ser más relevantes para los individuos con menor tendencia a buscar variedad en sus experiencias de viaje.

Originalidad/valor

Este trabajo analiza la importancia de las señales de calidad en la relación de los viajeros con los hoteles en un entorno de compra electrónica. Además, se estudia la influencia de la búsqueda de variedad de los viajeros en el sector hotelero en particular. Un mejor conocimiento de este rasgo de la personalidad puede ayudar a los gerentes de hotel a aplicar estrategias de segmentación exitosas.

目的

摘要

本研究的目的是分析作为品质判断因素的预订网站(酒店或第三方)特征和酒店星级评分分类对游客与酒店或连锁酒店关系的影响,并考虑游客寻求多样性倾向的调节作用。

文章设计/研究方法

为了检验假设的关系,我们进行了结构方程建模。本研究还采用多组分析的方法来检验旅客的多样性寻求的调节作用。

研究结果

预订网站的质量和星级评分都可以提高客户对酒店具体体验的满意度和对酒店的行为意向。结果还表明,游客的多样性寻求水平(低/高)对他们与酒店的整体关系具有调节作用,而质量因素对那些不太倾向于在旅行体验中寻求多样性的人更相关。

本文独创性/价值

本文分析了在电子购物环境下,品质因素对游客与酒店关系的重要性。此外,本文还特别研究了游客的多样性寻求对酒店行业的影响。对于酒店管理者来说,更好地了解这一个性特征有助于成功地应用细分策略。

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2014

Giovana da Silveira Marques Pereira, Charbel Jabbour, Sonia V.W. Borges de Oliveira and Adriano Alves Teixeira

This study examined the relationship between environmental management practices developed at a campus of a Brazilian university (University of Sao Paulo) and the greening of its…

1272

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between environmental management practices developed at a campus of a Brazilian university (University of Sao Paulo) and the greening of its organizational culture. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents a theoretical background based on the concepts of environmental management, organizational culture and environmental management in higher education institutions. The main framework of this research is the model proposed by Harris and Crane.

Findings

The studied university has an environmental management program that is sometimes constrained in the following ways: the university bureaucracy and hierarchy; the main performance indicators for lecturers and professors are based on scientific production and publication, giving them little time for complementary activities; and some units develop their own environmental management practices, but they are not disseminated as best practices for use by other units. Some academic units showcase the proactive actions of professors who incorporate environmental management into their daily activities. The general perception is that the phrase “environmental management” is almost synonymous with “solid waste management”.

Originality/value

This research details the first Brazilian application of the Harris and Crane model. It contributes an original analysis of environmental management and “green” organizational culture of a Brazilian university, an organizational type that has seldom been studied to date.

Details

International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-6370

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Sónia Ferreira Gomes, Teresa Cristina Pereira Eugénio and Manuel Castelo Branco

The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive comprehensive analysis of sustainability reporting (SR) and assurance in Portugal after the onset of the most recent economic…

2564

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive comprehensive analysis of sustainability reporting (SR) and assurance in Portugal after the onset of the most recent economic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze 290 sustainability reports for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and find those that include assurance statements and characterize them.

Findings

The authors present evidence supporting the view that the Portuguese sustainability reporting assurance (SRA) market follows the international trends and suggest that the most recent economic crisis had a negative effect in terms of publication of sustainability reports but not in terms of its quality and assurance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors merely provide descriptive evidence of SR and the assurance thereof in Portugal.

Originality/value

The authors contribute significantly to the literature on SRA in peripheral countries and in the period of crisis.

Details

Corporate Governance, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 August 2017

Nuria Recuero Virto, Maria Francisca Blasco López and Sonia San-Martín

This research aims to provide evidence of the impacts of market orientation, customer value approach (through prestige, value for money and reputation for quality) and innovation…

1069

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to provide evidence of the impacts of market orientation, customer value approach (through prestige, value for money and reputation for quality) and innovation on museum sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is analysed through partial least squares (PLS-SEM), using a sample of 549 European museums.

Findings

The results reveal that reputation for quality, prestige, innovation and value for money positively and significantly influence museum sustainability. Interestingly, the most meaningful linkage is between market orientation and innovation.

Practical implications

This research helps museums that need to increase their customer value and innovativeness so as to ensure museum sustainability. It proves that museum managers have to increase employees’ involvement in decision-making processes.

Originality/value

By using a wide sample of European museums, this study suggests that museum managers need to consider the impact of marketing strategies and customer value perceptions on the economic and social sustainability of museums.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 72 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

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