Spanish Organizations Research Articles

Exploring barriers to Quality 4.0 implementation: a multivariate analysis

PurposeIndustry 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/approachThe 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).FindingsThe 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/implicationsThe 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/valueThe 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.

Differences Across Generations in the Perception of the Ethical, Social, Environmental, and Labor Responsibilities of the Most Reputed Spanish Organizations

The implementation of integrated corporate communications can be challenging for organizations owing to three main requirements: (i) genuinely committing with corporate social responsibility (CSR) beyond product profitability,(ii) effectively integrating the UN 2030 Agenda, and (iii) meeting the expectations of a wide variety of stakeholders, particularly those belonging to the younger generations. Generation Z is a particularly relevant generation marked by a context of ongoing technological, information, and social changes, as well as financial, pandemic, and war crises. The objective of this study is to analyze how the ethical, environmental, social, and labor responsibilities of the most reputed Spanish organizations are perceived by different generations, with a special focus on Generation Z. To do so, a nationwide survey was conducted among Spanish adults (N = 5,087) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was applied to identify dissimilarities across generations. Findings show that Generation Z assesses CSR dimensions more positively than the other three generations. Also, women of the two older generations (Boomers and Generation X) assess CSR dimensions more positively than men, while there are no significant gender differences in Millennials and Generation Z. From a Generation Theory perspective, these findings represent a turning point in thetheoretical rationale that correlates age with the acceptance of organizations’ labor and social commitment. From a Stakeholder Theory perspective, since this study is conducted on the most reputed Spanish organizations, reputation can be hypothesized to be a mediating variable when it comes to engaging with younger generations within the integrated communication paradigm. Although it is important to note that our study did not investigate the underlying reasons for these differences in perception, our findings demonstrate that generational and gender differences in CSR perception exist and that companies should take this into account when developing and communicating their CSR programs.

Predictive and mediation model for decision-making in the context of dynamic capabilities and knowledge management

PurposeDrawing on resource and capability theory, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the dynamic capabilities (DC), the knowledge management (KM) process (KMP) and results in customers and people. More specifically, the study argues that the KM process mediates the relationship between DC and the results outlined above. In addition, a predictive analysis is carried out that demonstrates the relevance of the KM process in the model.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample is made up of 118 Spanish organizations that have some kind of recognition of excellence awarded by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). Partial least squares methodology is used to validate the research model, the hypothesis testing and the predictive analysis.FindingsThe results show that organizations which leverage the DC through the KMP improve customer and people outcomes. Moreover, the predictive power is higher when the KMPmediates the relationship between the DC and the results.Originality/valueThere is no consensus in the literature on the relationship between DC, KM and performance. Moreover, there are also not enough papers that study KM or DC through the dimensions that define these constructs or variables. Given this need, this work considers the KMP according to the stages of knowledge creation, storage, transfer and application. Similarly, DC is dimensioned in sensing, learning, integrating and coordinating capabilities. These, as reconfigurators of knowledge assets, influence the KMP. Accordingly, the empirical model connects these knowledge domains and analyses their link to outcomes.

Relationship Marketing and the B2B Sales Force, Effects of Big Five Personality Traits

In this article, multiple regressions using the stepwise method were utilized to analyze the effect of Big Five personality traits on the work of business-to-business (B2B) salespeople. To achieve this objective, the relationship between the five personality traits and different aspects of B2B salespeople’s work was analyzed. The sample consisted of 274 salespeople from different Spanish organizations and from different business sectors. Specifically, the effects of Big Five personality traits on sales performance, role conflict and ambiguity, ethical behavior, adaptive behavior, and job performance were analyzed. Our results show that Big Five is useful for predicting sales jobs. The traits that most affect the work of B2B salespeople are extraversion and conscientiousness. Neuroticism was the least influential and most negative trait.

Casos Múltiplos de Voluntariado Pró-Vida em uma Abordagem Ética Neoaristotélica

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the relationship between moral virtues and phronesis from volunteers of civil society organizations that work for the protection and assistance of pregnant women, known as pro-life. Theoretical framework: the perspective of virtue ethics is presented in the neo-Aristotelian approach as a theoretical framework, according to which human conduct is understood as based on the dispositions of character, the moral virtues, as well as through practical wisdom or phronesis, with the purpose (telos) of human flourishing. Method: the research strategy consists of a qualitative multiple case study approach in Brazilian (n = 2) and Spanish (n = 2) organizations, focusing on their volunteers (n = 17 participants). The field was accessed through participant observation, semi-structured face-to-face interview, and documentary research, thematically analyzing their content with the aid of NVivo software. Results: the results suggest how they act and learn virtues throughout their experience as volunteers - prudence (phronesis), temperance, courage, and hope - to know how to approach, advise, judge, or restrain judgment and help pregnant women establish priorities and perspectives for the future (foresight). Evidence supports the relationship of the phronesis-temperance and phronesis-hope relationship to balance current priorities and future expectations. Conclusion: different contexts may reveal similar virtues in volunteer practices. The results reinforce the assumption of the unity of virtues. Evidence, limitations, and research possibilities are discussed.

Transformational Leadership and Sick Leave: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Although prior research has established an association between transformational leadership and sick leave, there is still no clear evidence for a causal relationship between the two constructs. The present study contributes to this quest by developing and evaluating the effectiveness of a transformational leadership intervention in reducing employee sick leave. One hundred and seventeen leaders from two Spanish organizations were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 54) or control condition (n = 63). An ANCOVA analysis of 6 months of pre and post‐test sick leave data was used to examine the impact of the intervention. Results confirmed the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing total subordinate sick days, sick days due to long‐term spells and sick days of younger employees. No significant effect was found for follower sick days due to short‐term spells and sick days in older employees. As levels of sick leave rise, an evidence‐based and actionable tool is provided for organizations seeking to improve employee health.

The Female Advantage: A Group-level Phenomenon? A Field Analysis of Genuine Affect in Teams

While affective exchange processes are critical for teams, our understanding of emotional group dynamics, as well as their gendered nature, is limited. The current research examines whether and how women can improve team outcomes through emotional labor by identifying some of the team-level mechanisms through which these relationships occur. In particular, extending emotional contagion principles to processes of gendered emotional transfer in teams, we examine the mediating effect of deep acting as a group emotional mechanism, assuming it is more prevalent among groups with higher proportions of women. 437 male and female employees working in 92 teams in Spanish organizations responded to measures of emotional labor and team performance. Employees were nested in work teams, and data were analyzed using multilevel structural equation modelling. Results showed that proportions of women in the group are associated with higher levels of group deep acting, as well as team performance. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the female advantage at the meso level and the gendered nature of emotional exchange processes in group dynamics and outcomes. Mediation effects were confirmed at the group level, suggesting that future research should also more cautiously differentiate between individual and team levels of emotional analyses.

Sexual Assistance for People with Intellectual Disabilities: Proposal for a Service Delivery Model

The figure of the sexual assistant is increasingly demanded as a right in the disabilities field. This figure requires debate, adaptation to the characteristics of countries and cultures, as well as to the characteristics of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study presents the work carried out with representatives of Spanish organizations of people with intellectual disabilities to develop a proposal for the figure of support staff for sexual behavior. Together with a rights perspective, this proposal is aligned with the Supports paradigm to better meet the health and behavior needs of users. The figure is framed within the auto-erotic and therapeutic model of sexual assistance. This figure excludes characteristics of the erotic model that involves interaction or sexual exchange between the sexual assistant and the individual with a disability. Several advantages and disadvantages need to be carefully considered before implementing this support in a delivery service model. We argue that the proposed figure requires specific accreditation, training, and monitoring.

Human resource practices and employee wellbeing from a gender perspective: The role of organizational justice

Introduction/objective: HR practices have been widely studied in the literature. However, critical research gaps remain unexplored. Little attention has been paid to the relationship between HR practices and well-being, or the mechanisms that explain the effect of HR on employees’ wellbeing, and the role of gender in this relationship. Hence, this study aims to examine the relationship between HR practices and well-being (eudemonic and hedonic) through organizational justice, taking into account gender. Method: A convenience sampling technique was used in a correlational design. The sample was composed of 1647 employees from 42 Spanish organizations. Our measures were HR practices, organizational justice, and hedonic and eudemonic wellbeing. Multi-group structural equation models were computed. Results: The results supported our hypothesis, which mainly stated that (1) organizational justice (distributive, procedural and interactional justice) mediated the relationship between HR practices and eudemonic and hedonic well-being; (2) there were differences between men and women in this mediation. Conclusions: Human resource practices and organizational justice offer tools to HR managers in order to maintain and improve employees’ well-being levels within their organizations.

Comunicación Integral y transparencia en las organizaciones del tercer sector / Integral Communication and transparency of the third sector organizations

Third sector organizations are organizational structures that contribute to the countries social welfare. This type of organizations requires their audiences support and understanding in order to accomplish their organizational objectives and, to obtain such support, they must communicate in a transparent form with their audiences. Transparency must be understood as a third sector organizations ethical duty with a view to announce their audiences not only detailed information about the use of financial resources but also to keep them informed about their actions, decisions and daily behaviors. Third sector organizations must manage their transparency and best practices not as designed action within a logistical or merely operational plan, but as the core idea of a strategic plan that allows them to create bonds of trust with strategic audiences such as: collaborators, donors, volunteers, government, other third sector organizations and society. When the audiences notice that a third sector organization puts their transparency and best practices into practice as an ethical and voluntary attitude for making visible and explaining each one of their actions, decisions, projects, profits and results, they will not hesitate to participate with it and offer their unconditional support. Comprehensive communication plays a fundamental role in the transparency strategic management of the third sector organizations, since it is through it that the audiences are able to know in detail the organization actions. Owing to, currently, digital media own a great reach, third sector organizations transparency and best practices must be communicated using digital media in a proper form. That is, organizations must not only design strategies to strengthen their transparency, but they also must communicate them with their audiences. With that said, the objective of this research was to analyze and to compare through a content analysis the comprehensive communication level in digital media owned by the third sector organizations from Mexico and Spain with NGO certification accredited to communicate their transparency and best practices to their audiences via their website and official social media: Facebook and Twitter. The third sector organizations sample was of 104 Spanish organizations and 104 Mexican organizations. This research was performed through a quantitative content analysis. Such analysis is digital and it was carried out in the official website and in two social media: Facebook and Twitter. It is a cross-sectional research, since the information gathering was performed during the period January-August, 2020. The research stages were: definition of the sample, definition of variables, information coding and analysis and interpretation of results. The study categories were determined from the nine transparency and best practices principles of Lealtad y Confío foundation; indications based on international standards recommended by the ICFO (International Committee on Fundraising Organizations). The main findings were that the communication level in the Spanish third sector organizations was better than in the Mexican organizations; however, both organizations have the challenge to efficiently communicate their transparency using digital media. Although it is true that Spain owns a better level of transparency and best practices comprehensive communication in digital media compared to Mexico, it has merely focused in taking advantage of its website, leaving the advantages of social media, Facebook and Twitter, aside.

Do psychosocial factors mediate the appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms? Evidence of an empirical study about the role of mental workload in computer workers.

The emergence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) in computer workers is a relevant occupational health problem. This study tests a multilevel model of analysis of risk factors in the appearance of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in computer workers that integrates indicators from different areas: temporal usage patterns, ergonomic factors, psychosocial factors, and individual variables, specifically testing the possible mediating role of the mental workload. A cross-sectional study was performed through online registration with a non-probabilistic sample of 1198 workers from Spanish organizations. The results show that mental workload has a higher association than the rest of the factors with the onset of pain and discomfort in various body areas: neck in men, neck, shoulders and upper back in women. They also support the mediation role of mental workload in the relationship between usage patterns and the appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms. The use of multilevel theoretical models that adequately consider the complexity of the relationships between the different risk factors is necessary for a better understanding and intervention on MSSs in computer workers.

The Creation of Branded Content Teams in Spanish News Organizations and Their Implications for Structures, Professional Roles and Ethics

Over the last decade, top media organizations have restructured their newsrooms and created branded content teams, or studios, devoted entirely to the production of new native advertising formats in order to leverage this business opportunity. The goal of this exploratory study is to analyse how news organizations in Spain implement this strategy and create branded content teams, changing the structure of their newsrooms and shaping the practices and roles of the editors and journalists involved. Semi-structured interviews with professionals (n = 11) who work at news outlets (n = 8) were carried out in order to explain their structural, professional and ethical challenges. The results show that branded content teams can be classified into three organizational models (integrated, autonomous and emerging) and they are usually formed by hybrid professionals, linking commercial, editorial and design practices. The study participants justify the new practice adopting the role of norm entrepreneurs. Despite the warnings and risks, the interviewees asserted that by inserting an appropriate disclaimer in these new formats, credibility and transparency are not endangered. They also believe that sponsored content will become a fundamental pillar for the business models of their news organizations.

Socio-family support for parents of technology-dependent extremely preterm infants after hospital discharge.

Parents of extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks of gestation) report high levels of stress and anxiety related to daily needs after hospital discharge. Social support has a significant role in reducing the negative psychological impact of preterm birth and parents' adaptation to caregiving. We conducted a hermeneutic phenomenological study using Gadamer's approach to explore and describe the experiences of parents of technology-dependent extremely preterm infants of socio-family support after hospital discharge. The study was conducted in four several Spanish organizations for families with preterm infants. It includes 17 semi-structured interviews (12 mothers and 5 fathers). Three main themes emerged from the analysis: post-discharge formal support for extremely preterm infants and families, home neonatal care: family support, and a thread of hope: parent-to-parent support. The parents' main support resources to deal with everyday difficulties are healthcare professionals, their partners, grandmothers, and peer parents of extremely preterm infants. The findings may be used to guide healthcare professionals in the creation of a support program according to preferences and needs of parents.

Applicability of a knowledge management model that considers organizational memory in Spanish organizations

PurposeDespite the interrelationship between knowledge management and organizational memory, there is a gap in the literature of knowledge management implementation models that consider the characteristics of organizational memory. In view of this situation, a knowledge management implementation model focused on the characteristics of organizational memory has been developed, and the purpose of this paper is to analyze the applicability of this model in Spanish organizations.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to a literature review on the main concepts involved, interviews were conducted with managers of Spanish organizations. The research is of a qualitative nature, characterized as descriptive and exploratory, whose universe of research is the companies of the meat sector in Salamanca, Spain. The qualitative technique of content analysis was used as the research methodology.FindingsAfter the interviews, it is concluded that the proposed model is a valid and necessary instrument for the implementation of knowledge management focused on organizational memory.Originality/valueThe originality of this study is due to the demonstration of the applicability of a knowledge management model that considers, in a direct way, the characteristics of the organizational memory, indispensable for the adequate application of knowledge management in organizations.

Análisis de la organización de los intangibles en las empresas cotizadas de España

Purpose: This article presents the results of an investigation whose main objective has been to know the status of the communication department and, more specifically, how the areas that deal with intangible assets of listed companies in Spain are distributed. Design / Methodology / Approach: For this objective, a review of national and international bibliographic sources has been carried out, as well as in-depth interviews with those responsible for these areas in organizations. Results: The results show an ideal organizational chart proposal to acknowledge the indicated place to establish those functions, as well as the main mistakes that are usually incurred. It ends by identifying the communication function as the one indicated to manage these resources, with the CCO leading the role, as well as a series of obstacles that prevent the consolidation of the imanagement of intangible assets within Spanish organizations. Limitations / Implications: This article provides visibility to the areas in charge of managing intangible assets and resources within large organizations, as well as their weight in corporate organization charts. However, there is still work to be done in small and medium-sized companies, which have very different resources and realities. Originality / Contribution: The role and structure of the people and departments in charge of managing intangible assets are analyzed not only from the literature review but also from the daily activities of companies, thus exploring their use in a precise and practical way.

Identifying Risks for Better Project Management between Two Different Cultures: The Chinese and the Spanish

Business globalization causes all project managers, sooner or later, to face the challenge of understanding cultural differences. Identifying the risks associated with these differences has become an essential task today when discussing international projects. This paper shows how to improve the management of projects carried out in China by Spanish organizations, identifying risks related to differences between societies. To determine this set of risks, the cultural dimensions of Hofstede and Meyer were analyzed for the case of China and Spain, as well as the most critical values of the World Value Survey between both cultures. From there, and thanks to work done with a focus group formed of 29 Spanish project managers who are experienced in working in projects developed in China, risks were identified and classified into categories considering cultural dimensions. The results obtained show a record of risks of great interest for organizations working in international contexts, mainly in China. They reveal, in addition, the importance of considering this type of risks related to cultural differences, which have rarely been treated before.

Employee Innovation Using Ideation Contests: Seven-Step Process to Align Strategic Challenges with the Innovation Process

Overview: Researchers and practitioners have shown great interest in crowdsourcing for problem solving. Although scholars have developed several conceptual frameworks that outline the fundamentals of crowdsourcing, few studies provide a detailed process to successfully implement it. Our results from a multiple case study comprising four major Spanish organizations that have implemented ideation contests—Madrid City Hall, Sabadell Bank, Endesa, and Repsol Group—show how internal ideation contests can foster a culture of innovation in which employees can feel accomplished and receive recognition by presenting new ideas and innovative possibilities. We present a seven-step process that describes the key analytical and decision-making components required to lead the design and rollout of internal ideation contests for which the goals are to align strategic challenges with the innovation process.

The incremental effect of Dark personality over the Big Five in workplace bullying: Evidence from perpetrators and targets

The current study analyzes the relationship between workplace bullying (self-reported experience of being a target and perpetration of bullying behaviors), Big Five and Dark Tetrad personality traits. The sample comprised 613 employees (54% female) from different Spanish organizations. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that neuroticism and Machiavellianism were positively related to being a target to bullying-related behaviors, whereas narcissism was negatively related. In the case of perpetrators, narcissism and sadism were positively, and agreeableness negatively related to workplace bullying behaviors. We conclude that personality traits are different in targets and perpetrators and should always be considered when investigating workplace bullying.

Environmental management certification and environmental performance: Greening or greenwashing?

AbstractThis article analyzes the contribution of certifiable environmental management standards—such as ISO 14001 and the Eco‐Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)—to corporate environmental performance. Based on a content analysis of 414 third‐party‐verified environmental statements from EMAS‐registered Spanish organizations, which included information for around 6,700 detailed indicators, a weak improvement in environmental performance was found. Less than half of the analyzed indicators—namely, 48.27%—revealed a net improvement. Similarly, analysis of the justifications of the registered companies for the lack of improvement points to a rather symbolical adoption of the certification, intended to do only the bare minimum. These findings call into question the prevailing opinion about the positive impact of voluntary certifiable environmental management standards on environmental greening. Implications for managers and public policy makers, as well as for other stakeholders, are discussed.

La cooperación científica entre España e Iberoamérica en revistas españolas

Se estudia la cooperación científica entre España y América Latina, a partir de los trabajos publicados en revistas españolas de ciencia y tecnología. El estudio comprende los años 1980-1989. Chile y Argentina destacan por su colaboración con España. Se determinan los indicadores bibliométricos que permiten caracterizar las áreas científicas prioritarias analizadas en los trabajos. Se estudia el carácter internacional o local de la investigación abordada. Se identifican los centros de investigación españoles y latinoamericanos que participan en estas colaboraciones. Asimismo, se especifican los principales títulos de revistas científicas españolas seleccionadas por los autores para la difusión de sus trabajos.