Pilar L. González-Torre and Eugenia Suárez-Serrano
This study aims to explore a holistic framework for implementing and reporting sustainable development goals (SDGs) in universities. The aim is to define elements of the content…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore a holistic framework for implementing and reporting sustainable development goals (SDGs) in universities. The aim is to define elements of the content as well as the context, which will allow us to understand and compare sustainable development processes at the university level. Using the 2030 Agenda context, this research describes a university profile which is accountable to its stakeholders, thus aligning its sustainability report with the SDGs.
Design/methodology/approach
This research has considered the entire Spanish university system and relies on data collection from sustainability reports published by 50 public universities and 34 private universities. Through an analysis of the contents of public reports, the aim is to build an index like the social responsibility dissemination index, but specific to the 2030 Agenda in the university context.
Findings
The holistic model, based on a dissemination index, showed diverse methods of implementing and reporting contributions to the SDGs, with varying degrees of depth, priority, reach, suitability and visibility. The proposed index was also used as a classification variable to group Spanish universities into two conglomerates, one that leads the contribution to the 2030 Agenda and another that follows the previous ones.
Research limitations/implications
This research work could be extended to include any European university educational systems. Case studies could add qualitative value to the implementation of the SDGs.
Originality/value
As a pilot study, the developed index can be used to analyse the sustainability reports of Spanish universities to determine the use of reporting to render accounts to stakeholders.
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Eugenia Suárez and Juan Ventura
Analyzes one of the three options of insurance against workplace accidents that Spanish companies can choose from: work accident and occupational disease mutual insurance…
Abstract
Analyzes one of the three options of insurance against workplace accidents that Spanish companies can choose from: work accident and occupational disease mutual insurance companies. Although the taking out of insurance cover is obligatory, the choice is totally voluntary. The fact that these entities manage 90 per cent of premiums destined towards workplace accident cover collected by the Department of Social Security, allows us to assume that user satisfaction must be, consequently, quite high. In order to explore this, a study was made of the incentives that the combination of competition, regulation and ownership generated in these entities, and a postal survey of 443 companies affiliated to mutuals was carried out. Our results confirm the high rate of user satisfaction, although they also reveal some of the limitations associated with managed competition.
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Arturo Calvo-Mora, Eugénia de Matos Pedro and Eva Suárez
Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this…
Abstract
Purpose
Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this context, this study aims to analyze the barriers organizations face when trying to implement Q4.0 and to examine whether there are significant differences according to size, sector, level of excellence and degree of readiness for Q4.0 implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprises 107 Spanish organizations with some form of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence recognition system. The methodology includes multivariate techniques (factor analysis and mean difference analysis).
Findings
The study has managed to summarize the ten main barriers to the implementation of Q4.0 identified in the literature in three groups: organizational (five barriers), knowledge (two barriers) and technological (three barriers). The main barriers are the high investment in technology required to implement Q4.0 and the need for more training and competence of workers. In addition, SMEs encounter more significant technological barriers when implementing Q4.0 than large companies. However, organizational and knowledge barriers are the same. Organizations in the service sector come across more organizational and knowledge barriers to implementing Q4.0 than industrial organizations; no differences were identified for technological barriers. The higher the EFQM seal of excellence achieved, the lower the knowledge barriers faced, with no differences in organizational and technological barriers. Finally, it is observed that the more prepared organizations are to implement Q4.0, the lower the barriers they face.
Research limitations/implications
The study helps managers identify the barriers they may encounter when implementing Q4.0, which helps design short- and long-term plans to mitigate or break down these barriers.
Originality/value
The study provides empirical evidence on an organization’s barriers to implementing Q4.0. On the other hand, the barriers are related to some of the relevant characteristics that define the organizations, such as their size, the sector of activity, their level of excellence and their degree of preparation for implementing Q4.0.
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María Eugenia Ruiz Molina, Sergio Belda-Miquel, Anni Hytti and Irene Gil-Saura
Sustainable food practices have been recognised as a key issue in efforts to improve and report sustainable tourism practices, given the importance of the social, environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable food practices have been recognised as a key issue in efforts to improve and report sustainable tourism practices, given the importance of the social, environmental and economic impacts of the food industry throughout its entire chain of production – from farm to fork. From this standpoint, the aim of the present paper is to propose a comprehensive framework for reporting or making decisions concerning sustainable food management in hotels, taking into account the various facets of the food supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
Several dimensions are proposed for dealing with sustainable food management, involving all aspects of food supply chains that may be relevant for hotel decision-making. Furthermore, some key criteria for creating and using indicators of different types (qualitative and quantitative) to address these various dimensions of sustainable food management are suggested. Subsequently, the proposed framework is validated with the sustainability criteria and indicators provided by the top eight hotel groups, according to the 2019 SAM Annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment.
Findings
Hotels neglect a number of aspects of sustainable food management identified in the framework. The quality and the quantity of the information provided by hotels are limited.
Practical implications
There is a need to improve sustainability in food management in the hotels under analysis in several areas. A comprehensive framework such as that proposed in this paper may be of great value in seeking to remedy this situation. It may also assist users of hotel services and communities in making more informed decisions.
Originality/value
The proposed framework may be beneficial in advancing academic debate towards a more embracing and relevant understanding of sustainable food management in hotels and on the indicators required in this regard.
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Eugenia Lima Devile, Celeste Eusébio and Andreia Moura
The aim of this study is to identify the travel constraints of people with special needs (PwSN) and the strategies used to overcome them. The article also intends to analyze the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to identify the travel constraints of people with special needs (PwSN) and the strategies used to overcome them. The article also intends to analyze the differences in travel constraints and negotiation strategies according to the type of disability and/or special need.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative study was conducted in which a sample of PwSN (people with disabilities – mobility, sensory and cognitive – seniors and people with food allergies) were interviewed in depth.
Findings
PwSN face a wide range of constraints when engaging in tourism activities. These constraints are very diverse and influence people with different intensity and have to be overcome using different negotiation strategies. However, differences in the constraints were observed according to the type of special needs.
Practical implications
One of the most significant practical implications of this research is the need for raising awareness regarding human diversity among tourism stakeholders. It is critical to link sectoral policies that are reflected in the social and business reality, creating public–private partnerships to raise the sharing of knowledge, equipment and services. By addressing the constraints that prevent PwSN from traveling, the tourism sector can create more opportunities for them to participate in social activities, improving their quality of life and contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive industry.
Originality/value
Traveling can present significant challenges for people with special needs, which affect the quality of their tourism experience. Despite growing academic attention to this issue in recent years, research in this field has primarily focused on specific aspects of disability. This study seeks not only to identify the barriers to travel faced by people with different special needs but also to explore the negotiation strategies used to overcome these barriers and the differences according to the type of special need.
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Maria‐Eugenia Ruiz‐Molina, Irene Gil‐Saura and Beatriz Moliner‐Velázquez
In the context of relationship marketing, it is highly important for providers to identify the main buyer relational benefits influencing satisfaction and loyalty so that a…
Abstract
Purpose
In the context of relationship marketing, it is highly important for providers to identify the main buyer relational benefits influencing satisfaction and loyalty so that a continuous and satisfactory business relationship is guaranteed. Since it has been reported that information technology (IT) might constitute a source of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, this paper aims to test the moderating role of IT in the relationships between perceived benefits, satisfaction and loyalty in a business‐to‐business (B2B) setting.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equations model was empirically tested. Additionally, the moderating role of IT in the relationships between perceived relational benefits, buyer satisfaction and loyalty towards the main supplier was tested through a multi‐sample analysis.
Findings
The results show that IT contributes to strengthen the link between satisfaction and loyalty. In contrast, the relationship between social benefits and buyer satisfaction is only observed for suppliers with low technological intensity.
Practical implications
While IT helps suppliers to turn satisfied customers into loyal customers, it hinders the relationship between social benefits and buyer satisfaction. Therefore, a series of recommendations on the use of IT solutions by service providers are proposed.
Originality/value
Although relational benefits have been studied in the scope of tourism companies in their relationships with end customers, there is still little evidence in the context of B2B relationships. This paper sheds additional light on this issue as well as analyzing the impact of IT on these relationships.
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Ruben Suarez-Hernandez, Jose G. Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Gloria F. Dominguez-Patiño and Alberto Martinez-Villafañe
The purpose of this investigation is to study the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (CS) using a “green” inhibitor, Opuntia ficus-indica, in an aerated, 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this investigation is to study the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (CS) using a “green” inhibitor, Opuntia ficus-indica, in an aerated, 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at different concentrations and temperatures.
Design/methodology/approach
Weight loss determinations, surface studies, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization were applied during the investigation.
Findings
It was observed that Opuntia ficus-indica extract can decrease the corrosion rate of CS, and its efficiency increases with increasing concentration up to 1,000 ppm and with time, but decreases with increasing the temperature from 25 to 600C. The inhibitory activity is due to the presence of phenolic compounds in its chemical structure.
Research limitations/implications
The work was done under static conditions, whereas in acid cleaning conditions, there is a dynamic system. However, the findings may apply to both the systems.
Practical implications
CS is used in acidic environments in the acid cleaning industry.
Social implications
Results of this work show that it is possible to reduce the cost of repair of equipment and the environmental impact of corrosion.
Originality/value
There are very few investigations on the study of Opuntia ficus-indica leaf extract as a green inhibitor in an acidic environment.
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Inocencia María Martínez-León, Isabel Olmedo-Cifuentes and M. Eugenia Sanchez-Vidal
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of work-life balance (WLB) practices on the financial results of Spanish accounting audit SMEs.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of work-life balance (WLB) practices on the financial results of Spanish accounting audit SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data from 148 Spanish accounting audit SMEs, a regression analysis was developed to estimate the direct effects of WLB practices on firms’ financial results (return on capital employed and return on assets). Firm age and size are considered as control variables.
Findings
Senior managers should foster some WLB practices (time-reduction and flexible-work practices) so as to enhance SME audit firms’ financial results. Work-leave practices should be analyzed so as to promote some positive outcomes for firms, through internal reorganization or by reorienting employees to resorting to the most beneficial practices.
Practical implications
Not all WLB practices have positive effects on the business results of SMEs. Therefore, managers may try to reduce these negative effects or redirect employees to WLB practices that have more positive effects on their firms’ financial results. Strategic information is also provided to employees and public institutions about fostering WLB in SMEs.
Social implications
The availability of WLB practices has been deemed fundamental not only for policy makers and society, but also for the organizational culture and for human resource management practices.
Originality/value
This study is the first to investigate the association between the availability of WLB initiatives in SMEs and firms’ financial results.
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Beatriz Moliner-Velázquez, María-Eugenia Ruiz-Molina and Teresa Fayos-Gardó
The purpose of this paper is, first, to analyze the direct effects of the relationship chain “causal attributions and recovery efforts → satisfaction with service recovery �…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is, first, to analyze the direct effects of the relationship chain “causal attributions and recovery efforts → satisfaction with service recovery → conventional and online word-of-mouth intentions” and, second, to study the moderating role of age in the relationship between satisfaction and subsequent word-of-mouth. Consumer assessment and behavior associated with service recovery is a topic of considerable interest for both academics and practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
From an empirical perspective, this paper uses a sample of 336 individuals who experienced service failure at a retail store to estimate a structural equation model. Additionally, a multigroup analysis allows testing the existence of a moderating effect of age on the hypothesized relations.
Findings
Results allow to confirm the direct effects of causal attributions and recovery efforts on satisfaction with service recovery, and the impact of the latter, in turn, on conventional and online word-of-mouth intentions. Furthermore, the multigroup analysis reveals that age moderates the relationship between satisfaction and online word-of-mouth.
Practical implications
In service recovery situations, retailers should concentrate their efforts at providing evidence of the failure as temporary and inevitable as well as offering material or economic compensation.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the identification of the most relevant variables influencing customer satisfaction with service recovery in a retail context. In addition to this, these results provide support to the importance of age on online word-of-mouth behavior.