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Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Juan-Francisco Martínez-Cerdá, Joan Torrent-Sellens and Inés González-González

The purpose of this paper is to prove that e-learning, in union with another variable, builds a statistically significant relationship for estimating improvements in employment…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prove that e-learning, in union with another variable, builds a statistically significant relationship for estimating improvements in employment security, i.e., transition to employment of the same or higher job security as the previous year.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from Eurostat 2007-2013 in 28 European countries, and after carrying out analysis of 261 regression models between the e-learning variable, along with another variable related to working conditions, education, or e-skills levels of citizens.

Findings

This study provides evidence about: there is a statistically significant relationship (p-value<0.05) between employment security (dependent variable), e-learning and another variable (independent variables) in 60.7 percent of 28 European countries analyzed (p-value<0.05 for at least one of these two independent variables); and there is a statistically significant relationship (p-value<0.05) in 75 percent of 28 countries (p-value<0.1 for at least one of these two independent variables). Consequently, a set with the minimum number of useful indicators for calculating the employment security is proposed: e-learning, labor transition, tertiary education, temporary employees, e-job search and e-skills.

Practical implications

Moreover, several similarities between studied countries are found, helping to formulate various recommendations based on complementarities between being an employee and using lifelong e-learning systems as a way for improving employment security.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to provide evidence of the relationship between e-learning and job security in Europe, in view of this, it should be considered as a key element and essential to any European policy related to work.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2023

Pilar Ficapal-Cusí, Joan Torrent-Sellens, Pedro Palos-Sanchez and Inés González-González

Due to the crisis originated by the COVID-19 pandemic, an important number of workers have been incorporating the telework modality. In this context, the distance from the…

1060

Abstract

Purpose

Due to the crisis originated by the COVID-19 pandemic, an important number of workers have been incorporating the telework modality. In this context, the distance from the workplace generates new dilemmas for work performance. In the paper the authors study the role of some individual and social antecedents on telework outcomes. In particular, they empirically investigate the direct relationship between trust (TR) and telework performance (PER) and explore mediators of that relationship such as social isolation (SI) and fatigue (FA).

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model with three main hypotheses is proposed and tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study sample, of an exploratory nature, consists of a dataset of 201 teleworkers working in Spanish companies.

Findings

The relevance of the proposed model is demonstrated and FA is found to be the factor that most affects (negatively) PER, followed by TR (positively) and SI (negatively). Beyond the direct effects, the results provide support for the role of SI and FA in mediating the relationship between TR and PER.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the PER dilemma and proposes and tests a background model that may be useful for future research. The results are of interest to human resource managers, consultants, academics and telework tool developers and managers. Practices are proposed to improve TR or to reduce feelings of SI or FA. The research provides a practical evaluation tool for telework implementation.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 45 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2018

Pilar Ficapal-Cusí, Angel Díaz-Chao, Milagros Sainz-Ibáñez and Joan Torrent-Sellens

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyse gender differences in job quality during the first years of the economic crisis in Spain.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyse gender differences in job quality during the first years of the economic crisis in Spain.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses microdata from the Quality of Working Life Survey. A representative sample of 5,381 and 4,925 Spanish employees (men and women) in 2008 and 2010, and a two-stage structural equation modelling (SEM) are empirically tested.

Findings

The study revealed three main results. First, the improvement in job quality was more favourable to men than it was to women. Second, the gender differences in the explanation of job quality increased considerably in favour of men. Third, this increase in gender-related job inequality in favour of men is explained by a worsening of 4 of the 5 explanatory dimensions thereof: intrinsic job quality; work organisation and workplace relationships; working conditions, work intensity and health and safety at work; and extrinsic rewards. Only inequality in the work-life balance dimension remained stable.

Research limitations/implications

The availability of more detailed microdata for other countries and new statistical methods for analysing causal relationships, particularly SEM-PLS, would allow new approaches to be taken.

Social implications

Public policy measures required to fight against gender inequalities are discussed.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to enrich the understanding of the multidimensional and gender-related determinants of job quality and, in particular, of studying the effects of the first years of the economic crisis.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2007

Jordi Vilaseca‐Requena, Joan Torrent‐Sellens and Ana Isabel Jiménez‐Zarco

This paper seeks to explore the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays in the processes of product innovation and marketing – as an element that…

5630

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the role that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays in the processes of product innovation and marketing – as an element that strengthens the cooperation and communication among agents within the innovation project, reducing the obstacles to innovation and enhancing the development of differentiated products as well.

Design/methodology/approach

The study of a sample of 2,038 companies from all sectors of economic activity in Catalonia allows the contrast of initial hypotheses and establishes a profile of an innovative company based on the significant relationships that exist between innovation and ICT use in marketing and cooperation.

Findings

Two ideas stand out from the analysis. First, intensive ICT use in marketing makes the company more innovative, as it perceives that its usage breaks down barriers to innovation and speeds up processes that in turn become more efficient. Second, increasing ICT use in marketing encourages company predisposition to collaborate with and integrate particular agents within the business environment in the development of the innovation process, improving the degree of adaptation of the new product to market demands.

Research limitations/implications

The use of dichotomic scales to measure variables, or restricting the study sample to any type of new product regardless of its degree of novelty or intangibility in company and market terms perhaps limits the usefulness of the paper.

Practical implications

The study shows the relationship between ICT use, cooperation and the innovation process.

Originality/value

This study offers important contributions, and draws conclusions for those directors involved in the development of new products. A new framework is presented for identifying the role that intensive ICT use in marketing plays as an element that strengthens the cooperation and communication relationships in new product development processes. On the other hand, the application of the CHAID analysis allows us to identify the principal traits that define an innovation company.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 45 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Article
Publication date: 27 April 2010

James R.K. Kagaari, John C. Munene and Joseph Mpeera Ntayi

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for managers of public universities to pay attention to performance management practices and information communication…

32300

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for managers of public universities to pay attention to performance management practices and information communication technology (ICT) adoption in order to achieve successful managed performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a disproportionate stratified purposive approach, a sample of 900 employees was drawn from four public universities in Uganda.

Findings

The results revealed that performance management practices that are vested in agency relations and goal setting with ICT adoption are necessary in the achievement of managed performance in public universities.

Practical implications

Building a positive employer‐employee relationship and involving employees in setting goals and targets is crucial for successful management of organisations. ICT adoption will further facilitate service quality, service delivery and cost reduction.

Originality/value

This paper calls for a new approach to managing employees in public universities in developing countries and Uganda in particular.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

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