Lia Raquel Teixeira de Sousa, Carlos Sequeira, Carme Ferré-Grau and Odete Araújo
The purpose of this paper is to identify the difficulties and overload/burden experienced by family caregivers of older dependent people during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the difficulties and overload/burden experienced by family caregivers of older dependent people during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. This work was guided according to the Guideline strengthenin the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (EQUATOR checklist). The study included 65 family caregivers of older people with physical or mental dependence. Caregivers were selected by convenience sampling through a national association of informal caregivers. Participants responded to an online questionnaire, which aimed to assess difficulties and burdens experienced during the pandemic. Ethical principles were followed throughout the research.
Findings
The participants were mostly women, with an average age of 53 years, teleworking and cohabiting with the dependent elderly. Most caregivers reported that the pandemic has led to an increase in daily difficulties and associated burden. There was a statistically significant increase in hours devoted to care during the pandemic. Also, caregivers reported less time to take care of themselves and greater fatigue during this period.
Research limitations/implications
This study had some limitations. For example, the small sample size. The sample was collected through an online version, and many caregivers did not have the digital skills needed to complete the questionnaires, and most of them were busy (divided between teleworking and household responsibilities). Another limitation was related to the perceived priority of caregivers because the majority of them considered this was a time-consuming study and saw no immediate benefits. Furthermore, they considered that this study has taken their time to manage all the provision of care to the elder relative and other activities related to their children who were also in quarantine. Finally, to date, there is no sufficient evidence to compare our results with other national and international studies. Further research is needed to allow the scalability of results and to apply the best available knowledge to mitigate the known and potential effects of this pandemic.
Practical implications
This study highlighted that frontline caregivers suffered a negative impact on their physical and mental health, in addition to a significant economic burden during the pandemic outbreak. More research in this field is needed to plan, train and manage large-scale public health emergencies.
Social implications
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed physical distancing, which profoundly affected the physical and mental health of community-dwelling older people and their family caregivers. Because of the confinement and closure of some social support institutions, family caregivers found themselves in a complex situation, having to reconcile care and teleworking. Therefore, it is important to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the difficulties and burden of these caregivers to implement and develop social and health support measures.
Originality/value
This paper addresses an increasingly important issue – the burden and difficulties of family caregivers, in the light of a new reality – the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought new difficulties for this population.
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Luis V. Dominguez and Carlos G. Sequeira
Investigates export marketing performance and internationalisationstrategies of Central American firms engaged in non‐traditional exportsto developed countries. A five‐country…
Abstract
Investigates export marketing performance and internationalisation strategies of Central American firms engaged in non‐traditional exports to developed countries. A five‐country survey of Central American firms identified three patterns of export performance. Each performance pattern is associated with distinct marketing strategies and organisational characteristics. The evidence is consistent with the notion of a stage‐wise internationalisation process. The discussion points out how the transition from low‐price and cost‐oriented exporting to differentiated marketing poses hurdles which many currently successful exporters have yet to overcome.
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Examines the determinants of International Joint Venture marketing performance in Thailand. Uses the results from a survey of 1047 Thai‐foreign IJVs in Thailand from firms that…
Abstract
Examines the determinants of International Joint Venture marketing performance in Thailand. Uses the results from a survey of 1047 Thai‐foreign IJVs in Thailand from firms that were mainly engaged in agriculture, metal working, electrical and chemical industries. Applies exploratory factor analysis and discriminant analysis to identify these critical determinants as market characteristics, conflict, commitment, marketing orientation and organisational control.
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Military moves and economic gloom.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB243313
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Sandra Milena Santamaria-Alvarez, Maria Angélica Sarmiento-González and Luis Carlos Arango-Vieira
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of Colombian migrants’ transnational businesses (TBs) and their operations. To this end, the characteristics of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of Colombian migrants’ transnational businesses (TBs) and their operations. To this end, the characteristics of the entrepreneurs, their businesses and the patterns of their international operations are discussed and compared.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyses 14 cases developed from data from in-depth interviews with the same number of Colombian entrepreneurs who migrated to the USA. Similarly, the analysis includes secondary data sources.
Findings
TBs created by Colombian transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) aim to be successful through the best use of the resources of each market, allowing them to produce with lower costs and better quality in their country of origin while selling in more developed countries, such as the USA (their country of destination). The operations of those businesses are limited by their financial resources, small and fragmented networks, and their organic growth. The personal characteristics of the TE and their business comprise a nexus that helps to overcome business shortcomings.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to entrepreneurship, migration and international business literature by illuminating the nexus between the personal characteristics of the TE and the unique characteristics of their business, including the analysis of their international operations. Likewise, considering the characteristics of the context under study, the paper presents findings that are interesting for countries with similar social and economic difficulties.
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Rafaela Barros Paiva, Ana Neves, Vera Sequeira, Carlos Cardoso, Narcisa Bandarra, Leonel Serrano Gordo and Maria Leonor Nunes
There are very few studies that characterize the properties of the edible part from deep‐water fish species which constitute a new target for developing fisheries. Therefore this…
Abstract
Purpose
There are very few studies that characterize the properties of the edible part from deep‐water fish species which constitute a new target for developing fisheries. Therefore this paper aimed to examine the balance between health benefits and risks associated to the birdbeak dogfish consumption, with a special emphasis on the assessment of the risks of toxic metal intake.
Design/methodology/approach
Between September 2008 and May 2009, 82 individuals were analysed. The chemical composition (moisture, ash, protein and lipid content), essential elements (zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na)), toxic elements (mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)) and fatty acid composition were determined using standard procedures.
Findings
The species is a lean fish (fat content <2.0 per cent) and for both females and males the mineral concentration in descending order was K>Na>Mg>Fe>Zn>Cu. The edible part of birdbeak dogfish is a good source of several minerals, namely K and Na, reaching respectively ca 18 and 36 per cent of the recommended daily intakes for a 150 g muscle portion. Polyunsaturated fatty acids prevail in the fatty acid composition of both sexes and significant differences between females and males were only found in palmitic acid, arachidonic acid and omega 6. Females attained larger length and higher Hg values. The risk assessment was established for three different consumption scenarios (one and two portions of 150 g per month and one portion of 150 g per week) and showed that only a regular consumption of one portion of a female dogfish per week posed a higher health risk (15 per cent).
Practical implications
This study presents the information about the quantity of shark muscle (in g) to be ingested in terms of the PTWI allowing each consumer to have access to the risks and benefits in eating this fish.
Originality/value
No data existed for fatty acid profile and risk assessment yet and this is the first information on the essential and toxic elements for the European waters.
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Anderson Galvão, Carla Susana Marques and Carlos Peixeira Marques
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to research on individual entrepreneurial intention (IEI) by assessing the importance of entrepreneurship education to students in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to contribute to research on individual entrepreneurial intention (IEI) by assessing the importance of entrepreneurship education to students in vocational training programmes and using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to analyse these students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The family background of the students and their exposure to entrepreneurship subject matter were included as antecedents of TPB components and IEI.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the research model, the primary data were collected with questionnaires distributed to students in their last year of vocational training programmes with and without entrepreneurship coursework, in a region of Northern Portugal. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results show that TPB dimensions substantially contribute to explaining students’ IEI. However, their family background makes only a minor contribution, and exposure to entrepreneurship education has no influence on IEI.
Research limitations/implications
Given these results, the authors propose a broader discussion is needed of the importance of introducing business classes into the curricula of vocational training programmes.
Originality/value
This research’s results show that IEI models need to assign greater importance to variables related to previous exposure to entrepreneurial experiences through direct family members. The findings contribute to a fuller understanding of IEI and the factors that precede the formation of this intention among students in training programmes.
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María de-Miguel-Molina, Daniel Catalá-Pérez, Blanca de-Miguel-Molina and Virginia Santamarina-Campos
Costa Rican electricity prices.
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB229672
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Cory Hallam, Gianluca Zanella, Carlos Alberto Dorantes Dosamantes and Cesar Cardenas
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of temporal construal theory on entrepreneurial intention models using a three-country study. Inclusion of temporal…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of temporal construal theory on entrepreneurial intention models using a three-country study. Inclusion of temporal construal theory in intent models would suggest path dependent influence on intent, and more specifically, that intent may be subdivided into temporally based categories, broadly codified as short-term and long-term intent.
Design/methodology/approach
A quasi-experimental study of 1,046 university students in business and engineering from the USA, Mexico, and Spain was conducted. A temporal construal model of intent is proposed, including measures of short-term and long-term intent. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), part of the perceived behavioral control in the theory of planned behavior, is utilized to structure the model antecedents.
Findings
The results suggest the existence of differences in individual entrepreneurial intent measures depending on the individual’s perception of when the entrepreneurial event is anticipated to occur in their lives. Utilizing an ESE construct, the authors demonstrated that short-term entrepreneurial intent significantly mediates the effect of ESE on long-term entrepreneurial intent. Furthermore, the results identify a mediating model that does not depend on regional country differences, thus supporting the generalizability of the findings.
Originality/value
The paper bridges temporal construal theory and entrepreneurial intentions to qualify the path dependent effects of this psychological phenomena and its impact on identifying nascent entrepreneurs. The multi-country results indicate the ability to generalize the findings into a more complete theoretical model of entrepreneurial intention and suggests potential improvements in predictive models that currently use single or averaged measures of entrepreneurial intent.