Union politics.
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB247569
ISSN: 2633-304X
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Geographic
Topical
Gustavo Ferro, Carlos A. Romero and Exequiel Romero-Gómez
The purpose of this paper is to build performance indicators to assess efficiency for First Instance Federal Courts in Argentina and study the determinants of efficiency in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to build performance indicators to assess efficiency for First Instance Federal Courts in Argentina and study the determinants of efficiency in Criminal Instruction Courts.
Design/methodology/approach
The efficiency scores were determined using data envelopment analysis with a database for the period 2006–2010. Then, a search of the efficiency determinants in the Criminal Instruction Courts was performed. Four output-oriented models were developed based on various explanatory and environmental variables.
Findings
Workload is an environmental variable that significantly increased the average levels of efficiency. When analyzing explanatory factors of the efficiency levels of the Criminal Instruction Courts, surrogate judges and temporary staff are more efficient on average than tenured judges and staff.
Research limitations/implications
The method chosen permits flexibility in the analysis. Future research would be interesting to develop the underlying economic model using econometric methods.
Practical implications
This paper’s contribution is twofold: first, to estimate the relative efficiency for all First Instance Federal Courts in every jurisdiction; and second, to explain the differences in efficiency in the Criminal Instruction Courts.
Social implications
This study has the potential to greatly impact the discussion of how to structure judicial procedures (from the benchmarking between different branches of Federal justice) and in the design of incentives in a judicial career (e.g. tenured vs temporary judges and clerical employees, the role of seniority of judges and clerical employees and the impact of gender in performance).
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first scholarly article to measure efficiency in Argentine justice system using mathematical programming and econometric methods. It has academic interest since it advances on the comprehension of the underlying production function of justice service provision. The paper also has social and practical implications since it permits contributing to the institutional design and opens the discussion for further sequels with other methods and complementary purposes.
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Luis M. Romero-Rodríguez, María Soledad Ramírez-Montoya and Jaime Ricardo Valenzuela González
This paper aims to analyze the interrelationship that exists between expectancy-value and achievement goals as factors that are decisive for participants’ higher engagement in 12…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the interrelationship that exists between expectancy-value and achievement goals as factors that are decisive for participants’ higher engagement in 12 massive open online courses (MOOCs) on energy sustainability and to determine the profile of participants achieving higher success rates.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative–quantitative study of correlational and descriptive scope is carried out on two instruments based on pre- and post-tests of 6,029 participants, which is followed by a qualitative data analysis distributed by code families to identify participants’ main motivations to take MOOCs.
Findings
The results showed a positive moderate-high correlation between expectancy-value and achievement goals, which means in a practical sense that the participants’ subjective estimates of the possibility of reaching their goals prior to the beginning of the course were fulfilled, as the intentionality of the subjects-participants was positive with respect to the contents imparted.
Practical implications
The profiles of participants with a higher tendency to successfully finish the course and with high rates of engagement share the following characteristics: having previously and successfully finished more than one MOOC; taking the MOOC for work purposes (promotion, seeking better job opportunities, etc.); and having intrinsic motivation, that is, not depending on external factors such as obligations and certifications.
Originality/value
This research suggests that there are pre-educational factors that define the trend of successful completion of MOOCs, based on expectancy-value (e.g. previous experiences with other MOOCs) and achievement goals (e.g. job improvement), with external motivational issues such as completion certificates being less prevalent in the learning intention.
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Luis M. Romero-Rodriguez, Sabina Civila and Ignacio Aguaded
This study aims to review the theory based on «otherness» as a form of social exclusion and symbolic violence from the constructions of realities of the media, with particular…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the theory based on «otherness» as a form of social exclusion and symbolic violence from the constructions of realities of the media, with particular emphasis on the ethics and aesthetics of language and its role in materializing identity differences.
Design/methodology/approach
A search for specific criteria and boolean algorithms is carried out in Web of Science and Scopus on «otherness» [AND] «social exclusion», to then submit the emerging results to a co-occurrence matrix by citations with VOSViewer v. 1.6.13. From the relation tree of the most cited documents [min = 7] of the downloaded articles, a critical/analytical reading is made.
Findings
«Otherness» is reviewed to a greater extent from a Western perspective, and more specifically, from a Eurocentric one. This implies that the study of «otherness» is not sufficiently analyzed by Asian or African authors, who are excluded from the analysis. In this sense, «otherness» is understood as a theoretical construct and as any symbolic construction of the other (phenotypically, but also in ideology, values and customs), but which carries a load of stereotypes that can become polarization, demonization, ergo and violence.
Originality/value
Revisiting «otherness» as an informative construct becomes imperative in light of the emergence of extremist groups and xenophobic parties, as well as separatist policies such as Brexit or the Catalan split in Spain. Few articles contribute to elaborating a complete conceptual construct on «otherness» as an epistemological category of communication and information, so this research effort attempts to compile its theoretical discussion.
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Mumbi Maria Wachira, Thomas Berndt and Carlos Martinez Romero
This study aims to explore factors influencing voluntary adoption of international sustainability and integrated reporting guidelines within a mandatory reporting framework. Given…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore factors influencing voluntary adoption of international sustainability and integrated reporting guidelines within a mandatory reporting framework. Given South Africa’s political history, the authors argue that accounting practice can be used to secure the legitimacy and transparency of businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
Two logistic regression equations are used to predict the likelihood of firms’ subscribing to either Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Integrated Reporting (<IR>) framework, respectively. The authors consider annual, sustainability and integrated reports issued for the financial year ended 2014.
Findings
The results show a statistically and significant positive association between the adoption of the GRI’s guidelines and the level of transparency of non-financial disclosures and environmental sensitiveness. The application of the <IR> framework is also associated with the level of a firm’s transparency score and with its respective analyst following, which acts as a measure for capital markets requiring a high information environment.
Originality/value
This paper illustrates the development of integrated and sustainability reporting (SR) practices within an emerging market. By drawing distinctions between locally developed South African codes of corporate governance, namely, King I-III and international guidelines proxied by the GRI’s guidelines for SR, and the <IR> framework, the authors show that South African firms still adopt international guidelines despite the mandatory framework in place.
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Lizette Huezo Ponce, Moisés Carbajal Marrón, Alberto Malpica Romero and Jorge Velarde Chapa
Thematic area and related topics. The general thematic area involves the organizational culture of micro-businesses and also addresses the following related topics…
Abstract
Subject area
Thematic area and related topics. The general thematic area involves the organizational culture of micro-businesses and also addresses the following related topics: entrepreneurship; formation of work teams; organizational development; and strategic planning. Courses where this case study may be applicable: enterprise pre-planning; development of entrepreneurs; and technological entrepreneurs.
Study level/applicability
MBA
Case overview
It puts forward the scenario of a young entrepreneur following a course of study in systems engineering (Nacho), who identified a business opportunity in the area of customized software development. In order to exploit this opportunity, Nacho formed a partnership with a group of colleagues who were engaged on the same course of study; unfortunately however, it soon became apparent that the lack of administrative experience of the members of the partnership would present difficulties. To summarize, the case seeks to illustrate the importance of the evaluation of critical factors in the formation of work teams, using the formation of the OpenGate enterprise as a vehicle. In addition, it seeks to illustrate the administrative challenges facing such enterprises where the founders do not have a formal business background.
Expected learning outcomes
To stimulate reflection on the part of students about the importance of considering the strengths and weaknesses of business partners instrumental in new enterprise start-up. To identify critical factors related to the success of an entrepreneurial team. To identify organizational challenges for start-up businesses. Specific teaching objectives: identification of the following entrepreneurial characteristics: professional characteristics; experience; tolerance of ambiguity; sensitivity to business opportunities; and personal values. Identification of the following elements in the new business start-up team: organizational structure; culture; strategy; client relationships; and provider relationships. To propose organizational alternatives for the business based on an analysis of the aforementioned elements (definition of position profiles). To identify critical points in the management of the business (leadership, culture, organization, etc.).
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email: support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
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Carlos Colón De Armas, Javier Rodriguez and Herminio Romero
This study examines the influence of the presidential elections on the behaviour of US investors according to the trading activity of two of the most popular investment vehicles…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the influence of the presidential elections on the behaviour of US investors according to the trading activity of two of the most popular investment vehicles: exchange-traded funds and close-ended funds.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the fact that investors in these two investment vehicles differ by, at least, two demographic factors that influence investment decisions, age and labour status, inferences are made about the degree of interest and the amount of trading activity that presidential elections provoke.
Findings
The evidence demonstrates that, during the last four US presidential elections, exchange-traded funds' investors trade significantly more than close-ended funds' investors during several event windows centred on the day of an election in which a republican candidate is elected. Close-ended funds' investors are more active during the election of a democratic candidate, although the statistical evidence in that regard is weak. Thus, it appears reasonable to conclude that younger investors who are gainfully employed are induced to trade by a presidential election in which a republican candidate prevails. Apparently, a democratic victory does not provoke the same behaviour.
Originality/value
Although the relation between politics and economics is not an unexplored topic, it is not clear whether the presidential elections themselves constitute an event that triggers the trading behaviour of investors.
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Jorge Limon-Romero, Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz, Carlos Gastelum-Acosta, Jiju Antony, Yolanda Baez-Lopez and Guilherme Tortorella
This paper aims to provide new and valuable insights for organizations that have decided to implement Lean Six Sigma (LSS) as a strategy for continuous improvement in search of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide new and valuable insights for organizations that have decided to implement Lean Six Sigma (LSS) as a strategy for continuous improvement in search of business excellence. This objective is achieved through statistically modeling the causal relationships between the critical success factors (CSFs) of LSS for a successful deployment of this strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
A statistically validated questionnaire was used to collect information from LSS practitioners in manufacturing industries located on Mexico’s northern border. Some hypotheses for relationships between LSS CSFs are developed theoretically first and empirically tested later using the structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
Proposed relationships between LSS CSFs have been demonstrated to be statistically significant, making clear that this implementation should always begin with a strong and decided participation and commitment of top management. Later, other CSFs must be activated and put into operation in a specified order to increase the probability of a successful implementation reflected in well-executed continuous improvement projects and achieving the expected benefits.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a structural model which has been statistically validated with information directly collected from skilled practitioners who have developed continuous improvement projects using the LSS methodology. Further, some relationships between LSS CSFs that, to the best of the author’s knowledge, had not been demonstrated empirically are now explored and verified in our work.
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Carlos Colón-De-Armas, Javier Rodriguez and Herminio Romero
The purpose of this paper is to examine the shifts in investor sentiment around the last seven US presidential elections (1988 through 2012).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the shifts in investor sentiment around the last seven US presidential elections (1988 through 2012).
Design/methodology/approach
Investor sentiment is measured by changes in closed-end funds discounts, and the results are corroborated with three robustness tests, including an alternate measure of investor sentiment obtained from the survey conducted by the American Association of Individual Investors.
Findings
Closedend funds discounts are significantly diminished from two weeks before a US presidential election to a week before the election, and persist until the week after the election, suggesting an increase in investors’ optimism during that period, particularly when a Democrat is elected president. More than the particular party prevailing, however, investors appear to be more interested in avoiding the entrenchment of power since the results suggest that they become optimistic when a change in the ruling party takes place, but become pessimistic when there is power continuity in the White House. The increase in investor optimism that is observed around the time of US presidential elections is not replicated during non-election years, which seems to corroborate that the elections are indeed driving the results.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to formally examine the relation between investor sentiment and US presidential elections using closed-end funds discounts as the measure for sentiment.
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Oscar A. Martínez-Martínez, Carlos Andrade Guzmán, Javier Reyes-Martínez, Claudia Campillo-Toledano and María Beatriz Romero-González
Mexico is going through an accelerated increment of the older adults population, which added to the conditions of poverty, places them in a high degree of vulnerability. Bearing…
Abstract
Purpose
Mexico is going through an accelerated increment of the older adults population, which added to the conditions of poverty, places them in a high degree of vulnerability. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this paper is to identify which categories or factors generate the perception of subjective well-being (SWB) in older adults in Mexico.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study was carried out in four Mexican states: Mexico City, Tamaulipas, State of Mexico and Oaxaca. Each state presents different levels of social well-being. The study participants were selected using the snowball method. In total, 41 in-depth interviews were carried out, which were analyzed with a thematic analysis approach.
Findings
Results show that older people’s SWB is related to different elements like family bonds, having good physical and mental health, personal development and practicing religion.
Research limitations/implications
Results represent experiences only for people interviewed in the states in which interviews were conducted, not representing national scope. Future studies can expand the territorial scope to have a higher comprehension regarding SWB in older adults.
Originality/value
These findings have implications in the design of public policies and programs, for improving the delivery of social and economic services to older adults within the Mexican context.