M.A. Marhuenda, Y. Marhuenda and D. Morales
In statistical inference, goodness of fit techniques are frequently used to decide if an observed sample X1=x1, … ,Xn=xn can be considered as independent realizations from a…
Abstract
Purpose
In statistical inference, goodness of fit techniques are frequently used to decide if an observed sample X1=x1, … ,Xn=xn can be considered as independent realizations from a proposed cumulative distribution function F0(x). When goodness of fit tests are based on categorized data, they usually rely on relative frequencies of intervals or on sample quantiles. In this paper, comparisons between frequency‐based and quantile‐based power divergence test statistics are presented to test the hypothesis of uniformity in the interval (0,1) against different families of alternatives and some recommendations are given.
Design/methodology/approach
Divergence test statistics proposed by Cressie and Read are used and Monte Carlo simulation experiments are carried out. Both methods of categorization are applied separately to test the hypothesis of uniformity in the interval (0,1) and power comparisons are done for the families of alternatives proposed by Stephens. Next, a combined analysis is performed with the test statistics which have given the best results in each kind of categorization.
Findings
Results obtained by using quantile categorization are better due to the fact that quantile categorization uses selected exact sample observations. On the other hand, frequency categorization is based on relative frequencies of intervals. For the last type of categorization, there are many samples with the same value at the test statistic, so its discrimination power is reduced.
Research limitations/implications
The recommendation is limited to the power divergence test statistics introduced by Cressie and Read with parameter λ=−2,−1,−1/2,0,2/3,1,2 and several values of m and n.
Practical implications
Among the two types of categorizations, quantile categorization is recommended for testing uniformity.
Originality/value
The paper gives useful recommendations to applied statisticians when testing for uniformity.
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María Inmaculada Sánchez-Queija, Laura Sánchez-García, Andrew T. Rothwell and Águeda Parra
The present study analyzes differences in self-perceived employability (SPE) among Spanish university and vocational education and training (VET) students. It also aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study analyzes differences in self-perceived employability (SPE) among Spanish university and vocational education and training (VET) students. It also aims to determine whether factors such as gender, work experience and perceptions of the precariousness of the job market have a differential effect on SPE in accordance with the training pathway chosen by emerging adults.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,715 university students (64.7% women) and 488 VET students (37.1% women) aged between 18 and 29 years completed a self-administered questionnaire that included measures of perceived employability and precarious employment.
Findings
The results indicate higher SPE among VET students than among their university counterparts. Female university students scored lower also than their male colleagues, an effect that was not observed among VET students. Prior work experience improved internal SPE among students on both training pathways. However, among university students, work experience and precarious employment reduced external SPE, an affect that was not observed among VET students.
Practical implications
The analysis of differences in SPE between university and VET students highlights the importance of an educational curriculum that includes practical competences for enhancing employability. The results also reflect the negative consequences of precarious employment on feelings of employability during this life stage, particularly among those studying at university.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies to analyze the perceived employability of emerging adults on two different training pathways in Spain.
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Elena G. Popkova, Aleksei V. Bogoviz and Julia V. Ragulina
The purpose of the chapter is to study peculiarities of formation of “green economy” in Russia and to substantiate the perspectives of its development by technological parks. The…
Abstract
The purpose of the chapter is to study peculiarities of formation of “green economy” in Russia and to substantiate the perspectives of its development by technological parks. The “green economy” is just appearing in Russia, as its volume is 4% of GDP as of now, with a downward trend for the recent 10 years. Favorable conditions for the formation of “green economy” are created in technological parks due to the attraction of the necessary volume of investments and increased state regulation. Technological park ‘Sinarsky’, West-Siberian innovational center (Tyumen technological park), and technological park of high-tech of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug show “green” initiatives. However, their share in the total structure of technological parks of Russia is only 2%. The volume of “green” investments in technological parks of Russia constitutes RUB 0.58 billion, and the volume of “green” production – RUB 9.153 billion, with 3,980 “green” jobs. The developed authors’ concept and the offered practical recommendations allow for the deeper study of the potential of technological parks in the context of the “green economy” in Russia. According to the forecast, their implementation will allow ensuring achievement of the share of “green” technological parks in their structure at the level of 30%, thus increasing the volume of “green” investments in Russia’s technological parks to RUB 7.888 billion: the volume of “green” production to RUB 124.48 billion, and the number of “green” jobs to 54,128. “Green” development of technological parks will allow increasing the volume of “green” economy in Russia by 3.2% until 2025.
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Fernando Marhuenda, Ignacio Martínez and Almudena Navas
This article investigates the formation of vocational identities of workers in the sector of tourism in the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain. Major challenges and conflicts shape…
Abstract
This article investigates the formation of vocational identities of workers in the sector of tourism in the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain. Major challenges and conflicts shape the sector of tourism as a particular labour space. Emerging issues relate to the need for diversifying the offer of services to face seasonality, strategies of entrepreneurial merging and demands for mobility and flexibility of the workforce. For the individual worker, a complex combination of related factors lead to tensions and contradictions, particularly in terms of changes in work organization, flexibility and how vocational identities of workers are shaped. An active policy for social dialogue and the improvement of working conditions seem to be vital in order to avoid flexibility becoming a synonym for precariousness of employment. Furthermore, the promotion of continuing training, greater recognition of formal vocational education and the development of an entrepreneurial culture are key elements that would enhance opportunities to develop a professional career in tourism.
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Garazi Yurrebaso, Igone Arostegui and Maria Villaescusa
The transition of people to the ordinary market after completing the due process of a work integration social enterprise is a critical moment that exposes their vulnerability…
Abstract
Purpose
The transition of people to the ordinary market after completing the due process of a work integration social enterprise is a critical moment that exposes their vulnerability. This paper aims to present the results of an intervention programme designed to support job search efforts and identify the main factors that contribute to this transition.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data on the programme results were collected through administrative documentation and the Employability Factors Scale. Qualitative data were gathered using focus groups and questionnaires to understand participants’ perspectives.
Findings
The levels of employment achieved, improvement in employability and participants’ assessment provided evidence of the programme’s effectiveness. Likewise, having an individual’s support, systematisation of the program and intermediation with ordinary companies were the factors that most influenced the programme results. Therefore, this study confirms the need for personal, systematic, personalised and sustained support over time to facilitate the transition from work integrated social enterprises to ordinary markets.
Originality/value
There are few studies on transitioning from work integration social enterprises to ordinary companies. This study offers a unique view of implementing an employment support programme and its impact on people.
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Laura Guerrero Puerta and Rocío Lorente García
This article explores the perceptions of professionals on the implementation and impact of Dual Vocational Training (Dual VET) in the Spanish education system.
Abstract
Purpose
This article explores the perceptions of professionals on the implementation and impact of Dual Vocational Training (Dual VET) in the Spanish education system.
Design/methodology/approach
The study involves interviews with various professionals in the education and employment sectors and two discussion groups.
Findings
Results reveal positive views on Dual VET’s ability to enhance employability and reduce the education-to-employment gap. However, challenges like the involvement of small and medium enterprises and the need for continuous curriculum evaluation and adaptation are recognized. Additionally, the study highlights a lack of acknowledgment of antecedent programs to Dual VET, despite their recognition by experts as highly influential in facilitating the school-to-work transition for young individuals.
Originality/value
The study emphasizes the importance of promoting awareness among stakeholders and emphasizes the role of collaboration between educational institutions and the business sector to ensure Dual VET’s success in Spain.
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The analysis of strategic groups has important implications in marketing in the identification of a firm’s competitive position. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that…
Abstract
The analysis of strategic groups has important implications in marketing in the identification of a firm’s competitive position. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that differences in the performance between the strategic groups within an industry exist. The initial hypothesis is that mobility barriers between the groups mean that their members have a relative advantage over other participants in the sector as far as expenses regarding imitation are concerned. Therefore, differences in profits tend to be maintained on a medium‐ and long‐term basis. However, the majority of empirical studies do not show the differences in the perfomance in a clear way. The methodology used consists of different multivariant statistical techniques. On their application to the Spanish savings banks, a limited support for this relation is obtained for some variables.
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Adrian Pavel Pugna, Sabina Alina Potra and Romeo Negrea
The present study aims to further research the theory of attractive quality for new offers by analyzing the HWWP (Health, Weapon, Wealth, Prospect) model and testing its…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to further research the theory of attractive quality for new offers by analyzing the HWWP (Health, Weapon, Wealth, Prospect) model and testing its uniformity. The purpose is to extend and refine the HWWP model based on meridian elasticity curves with the final scope of building a map for better understanding the potential value of the quality attributes in new product or strategic service design.
Design/methodology/approach
After a thorough analysis of the HWWP model for prepurchase value judgment, it has been observed that the classical form often presents a concentration of the quality attributes in its graphic representation, which limits managerial decision making. This paper presents a new methodology for testing the uniformity of the current HWWP model and a generalized approach for understanding the potential lifecycle of the new offer's features.
Findings
The results of the presented case study validate the novel tool’s applicability and can serve as a reference for managers to adequately classify customer requirements as the first step toward strategic design.
Originality/value
The author’s main contributions are: to have analyzed the current HWWP model and observed the limitations of this approach; to have proposed a statistical simple method used to test the uniformity of the HWWP model; to have developed a generalized new HWWP model that adequately explores each feature value and potential lifecycle base on meridian slices and elasticity orbits.
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Krishna Reddy, Muhammad Ali Jibran Qamar, Nawazish Mirza and Fangwei Shi
The purpose of the study is to examine overreaction effect in the Chinese stock market after the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2007 for all the stocks listed in Shanghai Stock…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to examine overreaction effect in the Chinese stock market after the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2007 for all the stocks listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Composite 50 index.
Design/methodology/approach
To capture overreaction effect in the stock listed at SSE 50 Index, a time series analysis of average cumulative abnormal return within a unified framework is applied for the period of January 2009 to December 2015. From these loser and winner portfolios, contrarian strategy is applied to build arbitrage portfolio, which is the difference of mean reversions between loser and winner portfolios. The portfolio construction is based on a 12-month formation period and 6-month testing period for intermediate-term analysis and. for short-term analysis, 6 month formation and 3 month testing periods. The authors also applied regression analysis to test a return reversal effect for the sampled period.
Findings
Results show that contrarian strategy yields positive excess returns for the arbitrage portfolio for most of the testing periods. The intermediate baseline case shows the arbitrage portfolio producing an average excess return of 14.1%, while even the short-term one produces 4%, which is statistically significant at the 5% level. The study finds asymmetrical overreactions in the SSE especially for loser portfolios. The biggest winner and loser portfolios follow the mean reversal effect. Moreover, before-after test for the biggest winner and loser portfolios shows that the losers recovered and beat the market immediately.
Practical implications
The study could benefit government, policy makers and regulators by studying how presence of more individual investors than institutional investors of China stock market leads to more irrational decisions giving rise to volatility. The regulators could build favourable policies for institutional investors to give them incentive to invest more than individual investors through which market volatility could be controlled.
Originality/value
This research contributes to market behaviour research, showing how working under hypotheses of overreaction; gains can be made with contrarian investment strategy through arbitrage portfolios. The authors provide specific additional support for the short and medium-term overreaction in the SSE for the period 2009–2015 using regression analysis.
Contribution to Impact
This research contributes to market behaviour research, showing how working under hypotheses of overreaction; gains can be made with contrarian investment strategy through arbitrage portfolios. We provide specific additional support for the short and medium-term overreaction in the SSE for the period 2009–2015 using regression analysis.
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Reina Ferrández-Berrueco and Lucía Sánchez-Tarazaga
The aim of this paper is to report the motivations and perceived benefits of companies that collaborate with universities by offering student work-placement positions.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to report the motivations and perceived benefits of companies that collaborate with universities by offering student work-placement positions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study follows a mixed methodology based on (1) a literature review on the topic, (2) a case study survey including companies that collaborate with one Spanish university in student work-placements and (3) meetings with collaborating companies in different countries and universities.
Findings
The most important reasons for collaborating in student work-placements were related to social duty, the opportunity of training students in company needs and as a source of staff recruitment. Conversely, the less rated motivators were improving the company's position within the sector, benefitting from university services and saving time in the selection of personnel.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should include a bigger corpus of the number of universities and companies, as well as the type of collaborations with universities, in order to identify any resulting differences.
Practical implications
The conclusions highlight the need to define/improve the mechanisms that contribute to a win-win context. This is the only way that collaboration can advance towards a genuine partnership that will provide an effective framework for universities and companies to effectively share the same objectives in training future employees.
Originality/value
These results are relevant because of the lack of quantitative and qualitative research on this topic.