Marta Zárraga-Rodríguez and M. Jesús Álvarez
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether or not companies committed to quality management within the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether or not companies committed to quality management within the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model framework use and manage the information in an efficient way, i.e., they have developed information capability. In particular, this research investigates the links between information capability and the EFQM Excellence Model.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is an extension of previous work by Zárraga-Rodríguez and Alvarez (2013), which was a first qualitative approach to the subject. In that work the EFQM Excellence Model criteria were analysed to see if somehow they illustrate practices associated to a company’s information capability, self-analysis reports of a set of quality award winners were reviewed and interviews were conducted with members of those companies. The present research adopts a quantitative approach to gain deeper knowledge. Through a questionnaire survey the perceptions of managers in companies committed to the EFQM Excellence Model with respect to information capability-related practices and about the information they managed are captured.
Findings
The analysis shows evidence that many information practices are common practices among companies committed to the EFQM Excellence Model and reveals information practices that should be improved.
Originality/value
Practices that lead to efficient use and management of information have not been studied in detail in companies committed to quality management within the EFQM Excellence Model framework. Companies that are aware of the importance of handling quality information when making the decisions will find in this study a set of practices they can implement in order to achieve excellent performance based on the use and management of information.
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M. Jesús Alvarez, Carmen Jaca, Elisabeth Viles and Anna Colomer
The purpose of this paper is to see how quality management is carried out in hotels in the Basque Country, a region in the north of Spain with a long tradition in the tourist…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to see how quality management is carried out in hotels in the Basque Country, a region in the north of Spain with a long tradition in the tourist sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The objective of the study was to establish what approaches to quality management are utilised by hotels in the region. The data were collated from information gathered via a survey conducted by e‐mail.
Findings
A large percentage of surveyed hotels implement a quality management system that has been designed in‐house. A figure of note, is the fact that 79 per cent of participants claim their quality management system has been introduced successfully. The study also indicated that a significant number of hotels implement a policy of continuous improvement to the system, as hotels believe in the effectiveness of quality management systems and think that such systems have resulted in an increase in customers and profit.
Research limitations/implications
The hotels that responded to the survey could be those that are committed to quality management. That fact could introduce a bias that makes it seem that the situation is better than it really is.
Originality/value
This study offers an understanding on the philosophy of quality management adopted by hotels in the Basque Country. Moreover, it provides empirical evidence on the perceived results of the implementation of quality management in hotels.
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Chi-Kuang Chen, Lidia Reyes, Jens Dahlgaard and Su Mi Dahlgaard-Park
This paper aims to review total quality management (TQM) literature in the past three decades to identify the quality related key terms, to analyse their linkage among the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review total quality management (TQM) literature in the past three decades to identify the quality related key terms, to analyse their linkage among the identified key terms and their developmental trends.
Design/methodology/approach
Bibliometric and statistical methods are used to analyse article titles published in the Total Quality Management and Business Excellence journal during 1990–2019. The current research is based on a search from the ProQuest academic database and the journal’s website, resulting in 2,452 articles collected. The VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel were then used for the analyses.
Findings
A total of 52 key terms were extracted from the journal’s 2,452 article titles, the top three key terms in terms of occurrences were “quality,” “total quality management” and “service quality.” Five themes were then proposed from clustering the 52 key terms: “frameworks/models,” “essentials/enablers,” “methods/techniques,” “culture/characteristics” and “effects/results.” Trend analyses were also conducted regarding the five themes in an attempt to highlight the patterns of research publications from 1990 to 2019. It is found that the research publications for “essentials/enablers,” “methods and techniques” and “effects/results” have steadily increased during the analysis period, while “frameworks/models” and “culture/characteristic” have slightly decreased. These insights provide implication for the historical evolution of quality from “quality control,” “total quality management” and “service quality,” combining with the development of “service sciences.”
Originality/value
This paper highlights the concept of quality since its meaning has changed and evolved over time from quality control, TQM to service quality. And it is emerging in the present and future development of service sciences because of both of TQM and service sciences having the same nature of multidisciplinary background and characteristics. Also the authors can conclude that quality and service sciences are in fact two sides of the same coin because both of them having the same duality of “tangible-intangible” and “physical-virtual” faces which are the important topics that TQM should focus on.
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Jesus David Gomez Diaz, Alejandro I. Monterroso, Patricia Ruiz, Lizeth M. Lechuga, Ana Cecilia Conde Álvarez and Carlos Asensio
This study aims to present the climate change effect on soil moisture regimes in Mexico in a global 1.5°C warming scenario.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present the climate change effect on soil moisture regimes in Mexico in a global 1.5°C warming scenario.
Design/methodology/approach
The soil moisture regimes were determined using the Newhall simulation model with the database of mean monthly precipitation and temperature at a scale of 1: 250,000 for the current scenario and with the climate change scenarios associated with a mean global temperature increase of 1.5°C, considering two Representative Concentration Pathways, 4.5 and 8.5 W/m2 and three general models of atmospheric circulation, namely, GFDL, HADGEM and MPI. The different vegetation types of the country were related to the soil moisture regimes for current conditions and for climate change.
Findings
According to the HADGEM and MPI models, almost the entire country is predicted to undergo a considerable increase in soil moisture deficit, and part of the areas of each moisture regime will shift to the next drier regime. The GFDL model also predicts this trend but at smaller proportions.
Originality/value
The changes in soil moisture at the regional scale that reveal the impacts of climate change and indicate where these changes will occur are important elements of the knowledge concerning the vulnerability of soils to climate change. New cartography is available in Mexico.
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This chapter explores how long-distance truckers in the contemporary United States navigate work and family obligations. It examines how Christianity and constructions of…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter explores how long-distance truckers in the contemporary United States navigate work and family obligations. It examines how Christianity and constructions of masculinity are significant in the lives of these long-haul drivers and how truckers work to construct narratives of their lives as “good, moral” individuals in contrast to competing cultural narratives which suggest images of romantic, rule-free, renegade lives on the open road.
Methodology/approach
This study is based upon ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, observations of long-haul truckers, and participation in a trucking school for eight months in 2005–2006 and an additional four months in 2007–2008. Using feminist grounded theory, I highlight how Christian trucking provides avenues through which balance is struck between work and family and between masculinity and other identities.
Findings
Christian truckers draw upon older ideas about responsible, breadwinning fatherhood in their discourse about being good “fathers” while on the road. This discourse is in some conflict with the lived experiences of Christian truckers who simultaneously find themselves confronted by cultural narratives and expectations of what it means to be a good “worker” or a good “trucker.”
As these men navigate both work and social locations, gender expectations are challenged and strategies to ameliorate the work/family balance are essential.
Originality/value of chapter
The chapter contributes to discourse on gender studies as well as to the reshaping of ideology and practices of work and family in contemporary American culture.
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Galia Fuchs, Maria D. Alvarez and Sara Campo
The purpose of this paper is to propose a model of relationships for conflict-ridden destinations that include variables concerning the dispute and their effect on key constructs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a model of relationships for conflict-ridden destinations that include variables concerning the dispute and their effect on key constructs that shape visitation decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical model is examined for two conflict-ridden Eastern Mediterranean destinations, Israel and Turkey, which suffer from ongoing armed conflicts, using two samples of potential tourists residing in the USA (n = 1,581) and India (n = 1,383).
Findings
The relationships are stable for both destinations and cultural contexts. Animosity is a strong factor in tourists’ decisions, whereas perceived risk has a relatively insignificant impact. Knowledge of the conflict is also found to influence decisions about visiting conflict-ridden destinations.
Originality/value
The study investigates the role of variables related to the conflict as antecedents of animosity and perceived risk, thus contributing to the understanding concerning decisions to visit conflict-ridden destinations. The model is generalized for varied destinations and cultures.
提议
该研究提出了一个针对有冲突目的地的关系模型, 其中包括与冲突有关的因素以及对旅游访问决策的关键概念的影响。
设计/方法/重点
使用基于美国(n = 1,581 )和印度(n = 1,383)的潜在游客样本, 本文的理论模型检验了两个东地中海目的地, 以色列和土耳其, 该目的地遭受了持续的武装冲突。
调查结果
获得的关系在两个目的地和文化背景下都是稳定的。敌意是影响游客决策的重要因素, 然而风险感知的影响相对较小。研究还发现了对冲突的认知会影响有关访问目的地的决定。
原创性/价值
该研究调查了与冲突相关的因素作为敌意和感知风险的前因变量, 从而有助于我们理解关于访问有冲突的目的地的决策, 该模型适用于不同的目的地和文化。
Propuesta
La investigación propone un modelo de relaciones para destinos en conflicto que incluye variables relacionadas con el conflicto y su efecto en conceptos clave para las decisiones de visita del turista.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se examina el modelo teórico para dos destinos del Mediterráneo oriental, que sufren conflictos armados en curso, Israel y Turquía, utilizando dos muestras de turistas potenciales que residen en los Estados Unidos (n = 1.581) y la India (n = 1.383).
Resultados
Las relaciones obtenidas son estables tanto para los destinos como para los distintos contextos culturales. La animosidad es un factor importante en las decisiones de los turistas, mientras que el riesgo percibido tiene un impacto relativamente insignificante. También se ha encontrado que el conocimiento del conflicto influye en las decisiones de visita al destino en conflicto.
Originalidad/valor
El estudio investiga el papel de las variables relacionadas con el conflicto como antecedentes de la animosidad y el riesgo percibido, contribuyendo así a nuestra comprensión sobre las decisiones de visitar destinos en conflicto. El modelo es generalizable a distintos destinos y culturas.
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This paper aims to engage nine women English teachers in exploring their personal memories centered around the perception of their raced, classed and gendered teacher bodies, and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to engage nine women English teachers in exploring their personal memories centered around the perception of their raced, classed and gendered teacher bodies, and led them to conceptualize teaching as invasion.
Design/methodology/approach
The process of collective memory work (CMW), a qualitative feminist research method, was used to structure collaborative sessions for the nine women English teachers. In these sessions, the group took up the CMW process as the memories were written, read, analyzed and theorized together.
Findings
The analyses of two memories from our group's work builds understanding of how the use of new materialism and a conceptualization of emotions as social, collective and agentic, can expand the understanding of the teacher bodies and disrupt normalizing narratives of teaching and learning. The post-humanist concept of intra-action leads one to better understand the boundaries in the teacher – student relationships that is built/invaded, and to see the ways materials, humans, emotions and discourses are entangled in the teaching encounters.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates how sustained and collective research methodologies like CMW can open space for teachers to more fully explore their identities, encounters and relationships. Further, unpacking everyday classroom moments (through the framework of literacy-as-event) can yield deep and critical understanding of how bodies, emotions and non-human objects all become entangled when teaching becomes an act of invasion.
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Gabriela Citlalli Lopez-Torres, Salomón Montejano-García, Francisco Javier Alvarez-Torres and Marcelo de Jesus Perez-Ramos
This paper aims to present a systematic review of the literature on sustainability for the competitiveness of firms to identify the state of the art, significant discussions and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a systematic review of the literature on sustainability for the competitiveness of firms to identify the state of the art, significant discussions and new research directions. Recently, due to the negative impacts that traditional and unsustainable practices of companies have caused the Planet (e.g. climate change, sanitary crisis), national and international research urgently calls for the assessment of sustainable practices in firms. However, progress seems slow due to a poor understanding of the necessary changes that companies must make in their specific reality. Competitiveness has remained as firms’ primary strategy to endure. Some have associated sustainability with an increment of costs, sometimes with a negative impact on its competitiveness. Sometimes generating oppositions from stakeholder and institutions regulations, it is important to explore how these behaviors and dynamics of this relationship between sustainability and competitiveness affect the pursued transition to sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of the literature, which is a scientific tool, is used in this research. It allows reliably and accurately analyzing and constructing conclusions from a broad database. The search was leaked over the 10 years, from 2010 to 2019. As a basis, 182 scientific articles were identified and revised based on methodology selection criteria and 51 articles were revised in detail.
Findings
This paper identifies critical variables analyzed in the selected articles, sustainability strategies for competitiveness, strategies for sustainability, organizational aspects for sustainability and competitiveness, measurement of sustainability, models, moderating factors for sustainability and new future research directions.
Originality/value
This paper presents state of art about sustainability for competitiveness and identifying key themes and future research directions.
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José Ernesto Amorós, Marcelo Leporati and Alfonso Jesús Torres-Marín
The main objective of this research is to exploratorily analyse different factors that influence the decision of the senior population (+50 years) to engage in entrepreneurship…
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this research is to exploratorily analyse different factors that influence the decision of the senior population (+50 years) to engage in entrepreneurship activities in a group of Latin American countries. This study considers the motivations for entrepreneurship (opportunity and necessity) and the level of development of the countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) with a sample of 22,139 observations of senior individuals in seven Latin American countries surveyed between 2013 and 2017. The authors also used the Human Development Index to capture the relevance of the level of development. The authors employed a multilevel logistic regression model to test the study hypotheses.
Findings
The study results show that individual factors such as personal income, education and occupation have a significant influence on the probability of entrepreneurship of senior individuals. Related to contextual factors, the level of human development of a country has a negative influence mainly on opportunity-based entrepreneurs.
Originality/value
Because of the rapidly ageing population in Latin America, understanding senior entrepreneurs and their motivations is very relevant not only in terms of theoretical development but also for policy and practical implications, primarily those related to labour markets and social protection.
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A growing body of research suggests the detrimental impact animosity will likely have on destination image and intentions to visit. The purpose of this study is to conduct a…
Abstract
Purpose
A growing body of research suggests the detrimental impact animosity will likely have on destination image and intentions to visit. The purpose of this study is to conduct a state-of-the-art literature review to account for observed mixed findings by putting forth research propositions to be tested in future studies. This paper also aims to develop a future research agenda based on gaps identified in the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic quantitative method is adopted to review the consumer animosity literature published in tourism journals.
Findings
This paper identifies several gaps in the literature and suggests several avenues for future research.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the first to conduct a state-of-the-art review of the literature dating back to the seminal consumer animosity research conducted in a tourist setting in 2014.
目的
越来越多的研究表明, 敌意可能会对目的地形象和访问意图产生不利影响。本文的主要目的是进行先进的文献综述, 通过提出在未来研究中测试的研究命题来解释观察到的混合结果。本文还旨在根据文献中发现的空白制定未来的研究议程。
设计/方法论/途径
采用系统的定量方法来回顾旅游期刊上发表的消费者敌意文献。
研究结果
本文指出了文献中的几个空白, 并提出了未来研究的几个方向。
原创性/价值
据作者所知, 本文是第一篇自 2014 年在旅游学科中进行的开创性消费者敌意研究以来的文献回顾。
Objetivo
Un número creciente de investigaciones sugiere el impacto perjudicial que probablemente tendrá la animadversión en la imagen de los destinos y en las intenciones de visitarlos. El objetivo principal del presente ensayo es llevar a cabo una revisión bibliográfica actualizada que refleje los resultados mixtos observados, planteando propuestas de investigación que se pondrán a prueba en futuros estudios. El ensayo también pretende desarrollar una futura agenda de investigación basada en las lagunas identificadas en la bibliografía.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
se adopta un método cuantitativo sistemático para revisar la literatura sobre la animadversión de los consumidores publicada en revistas de turismo.
Resultados
El ensayo identifica varias lagunas en la bibliografía y sugiere varias vías para futuras investigaciones.
Originalidad/valor
Hasta donde sabe el autor, este ensayo es el primero que realiza una revisión actualizada de la bibliografía que se remonta a la investigación seminal sobre la animadversión del consumidor realizada en un entorno turístico en 2014.