Enrique Bonsón‐Ponte, Tomás Escobar‐Rodríguez and Francisco Flores‐Muñoz
The objective of this study is to measure the navigation quality of the corporate webpages of the principal European financial entities, given the vital importance of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to measure the navigation quality of the corporate webpages of the principal European financial entities, given the vital importance of the accessibility of online content for the successful execution of their operational activities.
Design/methodology/approach
The web quality model proposes a structure that allows the quality of corporate webpages to be analysed according to the three main quality criteria of content, presentation and ease of navigation (navigability). Bonsón et al. take this theoretical framework as their point of departure for analysing the webpages of the principal European financial entities, and they measure the quality of their content in the context of the extra significance these webpages will acquire when the new Basel II international regulations enter into force in the imminent future. In this study, a joint analysis is made of the results of both studies in order to classify European financial entities according to the strategy adopted for their web sites.
Findings
The size of the entity behind the corporate webpage is revealed as the key variable that explains better navigability. There is also a positive relationship between the navigability and the content presented, which shows that companies' strategies for improving the quality of their web site tend to be harmonised in respect of these two criteria.
Practical implications
The approach of most of the entities to their web presence can be characterised as informational in the sense that they are making substantial efforts to improve the content, driven by impending new regulation. However, they are still not utilising various devices available to make their web sites easier to navigate. Better navigability would improve user access to the enhanced information provided.
Originality/value
The resources have been determined that are needed to improve navigability so that these entities can advance their web site strategies and provide a harmonious combination of adequate content and fast, easy access to that content.
Details
Keywords
Enrique Bonsón Ponte, Elena Carvajal-Trujillo and Tomás Escobar-Rodríguez
The purpose of this paper is to provide an initial assessment of corporate Facebook use by Spanish hotel chains. Two aspects are considered: communication activity and stakeholder…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an initial assessment of corporate Facebook use by Spanish hotel chains. Two aspects are considered: communication activity and stakeholder engagement through this social media platform.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a content analysis, data on 109 Spanish hotel chains are collected to describe current practices and identify significant relationships among different variables.
Findings
The main findings include that their Facebook presence, audiences and levels of activity are positively related to hotel size, while stakeholder engagement is higher in small hotel chains and seems to be influenced by content and media types.
Originality/value
This research contributes to previous research by providing an assessment of corporate Facebook in the hospitality industry (Spanish hotel chains). The paper considers two aspects: communication activity and stakeholder engagement through this social media platform.
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Enrique Bonsón‐Ponte, Tomás Escobar‐Rodríguez and Francisco Flores‐Muñoz
The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of an information submission model based on OWL (Web Ontology Language) that permits the subsequent implementation of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of an information submission model based on OWL (Web Ontology Language) that permits the subsequent implementation of knowledge‐sharing systems, such as the Set of Experience Knowledge Structure, among the various EU banking supervisors.
Design/methodology/approach
Recent theoretical advances in the use of semantic web languages are introduced and put theoretically into force in the context. Additionally, a first‐hand questionnaire is directed to the supervisors, measuring the value compatibility of the semantic technology with the needs of the existing European banking environment.
Findings
The results illustrate that there exists a good level of value compatibility between the normative challenge and the new technology. Although there are some differences, these would perhaps not make the implementation of this technological framework particularly difficult, in that they focus on the same points that the regulators must consider to achieve success in the new European environment, for example, the balance between normative and practical approaches.
Originality/value
This is the fist time that an ontology‐based system has been proposed for banking supervision in Europe.
Details
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Enrique Bonsón‐Ponte, Tomás Escobar‐Rodríguez and Francisco Flores‐Muñoz
The objective of the present work is to analyse the web pages of the principal European financial entities, with the aim of assessing the degree to which they are already…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of the present work is to analyse the web pages of the principal European financial entities, with the aim of assessing the degree to which they are already disseminating information by internet in preparation for implementing the new requirements for transparency introduced by the New Capital Agreement of the Bank of International Settlements of Basel (Basel II).
Design/methodology/approach
The study takes as its reference the literature existing on the examination of the quality of web pages, in particular the provisions of the Web Quality Model (WQM), and the importance of the content as a key variable in the quality of web pages. The normative requirements are converted into a disclosure index that is used to score the corporate web sites of all the banks quoted on the EuroStoxx Index. A linear regression analysis is performed in search for a relationship between size and degree of web transparency in the financial entities analysed.
Findings
The analysis of these entities shows that, to a certain degree, they have anticipated Basel II, and their web pages present a significant proportion of the information that will shortly be required. They seem to recognise the advantages of anticipating these new rules, in particular, and of greater transparency in general.
Practical implications
The banking sector is responding efficiently to the requirements of the digital society, by greater transparency on the web and, in consequence, its image and the confidence of depositors are improving.
Originality/value
Transparency in the banking sector is a topic of great interest in the current turbulent business environment. In these studies a systematised analysis is offered, to give a preview of the situation of generalised transparency that is coming closer through the requirements of Basel II.
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Francisco Flores, Enrique Bónson‐Ponte and Tomás Escobar‐Rodríguez
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the capacity of response of the banking sector's information systems (IS), in the light of the new requirements of Basel II (Basel Bank for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the capacity of response of the banking sector's information systems (IS), in the light of the new requirements of Basel II (Basel Bank for International Settlements) on the measurement and control of operational risk (OR).
Design/methodology/approach
By means of a structured case, developed with a Spanish savings bank of medium size, an analysis is made of the practices and structures that may need to be modified to prevent a loss of competitive position. Lastly specific improvements are proposed to facilitate the implementation of an operational risk information system (OR‐IS).
Findings
The paper concludes that there still exists a considerable distance between the current IS in use and an OR‐IS compatible with the model proposed under Basel II, for that kind of entities, and indicates the opportunities and incentives that would arise in the attempt to reduce this distance.
Practical implications
The IS of a bank should evolve towards the achievement of an OR‐IS that enables the bank's competitive position to be strengthened. In addition, the bank should aspire to obtain the external validation of its supervisory authority, which certifies the OR‐IS implemented and classifies it as an advanced measurement approach (AMA) under Basel II. An analysis is made of the principal organisational weaknesses and necessities that should be rectified, with a view to applying the methodologies designated the AMA to OR in the Basel II agreement.
Originality/value
Basel II has given increased visibility to the “OR” variable and there has been little explicit research into the process by which managers and organisations at medium sized entities decide to develop IS capable to measure and mitigate this new risk.