Spanish Regions Research Articles

Entrepreneurial education and opportunity entrepreneurship: the mediation of self-efficacy belief

This paper studies the mediating role of self-efficacy belief in explaining the effect of entrepreneurial education on opportunity-driven entrepreneurship. The influence of education on entrepreneurship is a top concern of both researchers and policymakers, who often struggle to understand how this influence occurs. Looking through the theoretical lens of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study contributes to a better understanding of the nomological network of opportunity-driven entrepreneurship. Data from the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey yielding a sample of 1,008 entrepreneurs from various Spanish regions with diverse levels of development were used. The results of this study show that self-efficacy belief represents the generative mechanism by which entrepreneurial education influences opportunity-driven entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the results provide evidence of the importance of supporting entrepreneurship education. Policymakers should be focused on reinforcing those skills and competencies that increase self-efficacy belief, enable the individual capability for action and provide a better understanding of business opportunities in the contemporary environment.

Evaluating the use of a Net-Metering mechanism in microgrids to reduce power generation costs with a swarm-intelligent algorithm

The micro-generation of electricity arises as a clean and efficient alternative to provide electrical power. However, the unpredictability of wind and solar radiation poses a challenge to attend load demand, while maintaining a stable operation of the microgrids (MGs). This paper proposes the modeling and optimization, using a swarm-intelligent algorithm, of a hybrid MG system (HMGS) with a Net-Metering compensation policy. Using real industrial and residential data from a Spanish region, a HMGS with a generic ESS is used to analyze the influence of four different Net-Metering compensation levels regarding costs, percentage of renewable energy sources (RESs), and LOLP. Furthermore, the performance of two ESSs, Lithium Titanate Spinel (Li4Ti5O12 (LTO)) and Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), is assessed in terms of the final $/kWh costs provided by the MG. The results obtained indicate that the Net-Metering policy reduces the surplus from over 14% to less than 0.5% and increases RESs participation in the MG by more than 10%. Results also show that, in a yearly projection, a MG using a VRFB system with a 25% compensation policy can yield more than 100000$ dollars of savings, when compared to a MG using a LTO system without Net-Metering.

The elasticity of substitution and labor-saving innovations in the Spanish regions

The elasticity of substitution and labor-saving innovations in the Spanish regions

Characterization and Classification of Spanish Honey by Non-Targeted LC–HRMS (Orbitrap) Fingerprinting and Multivariate Chemometric Methods

A non-targeted LC-HRMS fingerprinting methodology based on a C18 reversed-phase mode under universal gradient elution using an Orbitrap mass analyzer was developed to characterize and classify Spanish honey samples. A simple sample treatment consisting of honey dissolution with water and a 1:1 dilution with methanol was proposed. A total of 136 honey samples belonging to different blossom and honeydew honeys from different botanical varieties produced in different Spanish geographical regions were analyzed. The obtained LC-HRMS fingerprints were employed as sample chemical descriptors for honey pattern recognition by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The results demonstrated a superior honey classification and discrimination capability with respect to previous non-targeted HPLC-UV fingerprinting approaches, with them being able to discriminate and authenticate the honey samples according to their botanical origins. Overall, noteworthy cross-validation multiclass predictions were accomplished with sensitivity and specificity values higher than 96.2%, except for orange/lemon blossom (BL) and rosemary (RO) blossom-honeys. The proposed methodology was also able to classify and authenticate the climatic geographical production region of the analyzed honey samples, with cross-validation sensitivity and specificity values higher than 87.1% and classification errors below 10.5%.

Evaluating the design of integral urban regeneration plans: combining policy evaluability and plan quality approaches to analyse complex urban policies

Integral urban regeneration exemplifies complex urban policies that combine goals across different policy sectors, involving public and non-public actors, and simultaneous implementation in different territories. Their policy design is an essential element in acquiring knowledge about their achievements. Nevertheless, this aspect has received less attention than their implementation or impact. This article introduces a proposal combining policy evaluability and plan quality evaluation approaches. We suggest two main dimensions (readiness and internal consistency) and indices to measure them, providing information to assess plans according to different evaluative aims. The designs of seventy-eight local plans for a southern Spanish region are studied.

Use of health care services according to functional performance in community-dwelling older adults in Spain. An approach using GAMLSS models.

Functional performance in older adults is a predictor of survival and other health outcomes and its measurement is highly recommended in primary care settings. Functional performance and frailty are closely related concepts, and frailty status is associated with the use of health care services. However, there is insufficient evidence on the utilization of services profile according to the functional performance of older adults. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between functional performance and the use of a wide range of health services in community-dwelling older adults. Generalized additive models for location, scale and shape were used to study these complex data of services utilization, from primary to hospital care. A total of 749 participants from two Spanish regions were followed up for 2 years. Of those, 276 (37%) presented low functional performance and 473 (63%) normal performance according to the Timed Up and Go test. The results showed that even after adjusting for burden of comorbidity and polypharmacy, participants with low functional performance used primary and secondary care health services more intensively, visited emergency rooms more often, and were hospitalized more frequently and for longer periods of time. A negative binomial distribution and a variant thereof were found to be the best models to describe health service utilization data. In conclusion, functionality should be considered as an important health indicator for tailoring the provision of health services for older adults.

Off-Line SPE LC-LRMS Polyphenolic Fingerprinting and Chemometrics to Classify and Authenticate Spanish Honey.

The feasibility of non-targeted off-line SPE LC-LRMS polyphenolic fingerprints to address the classification and authentication of Spanish honey samples based on both botanical origin (blossom and honeydew honeys) and geographical production region was evaluated. With this aim, 136 honey samples belonging to different botanical varieties (multifloral and monofloral) obtained from different Spanish geographical regions with specific climatic conditions were analyzed. Polyphenolic compounds were extracted by off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) using HLB (3 mL, 60 mg) cartridges. The obtained extracts were then analyzed by C18 reversed-phase LC coupled to low-resolution mass spectrometry in a hybrid quadrupole-linear ion trap mass analyzer and using electrospray in negative ionization mode. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were employed to assess the pattern recognition capabilities of the obtained fingerprints to address honey classification and authentication. In general, a good sample discrimination was accomplished by PLS-DA, being able to differentiate both blossom-honey and honeydew-honey samples according to botanical varieties. Multiclass predictions by cross-validation for the set of blossom-honey samples showed sensitivity, specificity, and classification ratios higher than 60%, 85%, and 87%, respectively. Better results were obtained for the set of honeydew-honey samples, exhibiting 100% sensitivity, specificity, and classification ratio values. The proposed fingerprints also demonstrated that they were good honey chemical descriptors to deal with climatic and geographical issues. Characteristic polyphenols of each botanical variety were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS in multiple-reaction monitoring mode to propose possible honey markers for future experiments (i.e., naringin for orange/lemon blossom honeys, syringic acid in thyme honeys, or galangin in rosemary honeys).

Relationship between Insulin Resistance Risk Scales and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Fibrosis Scales in 219,477 Spanish Workers.

Insulin resistance (IR) has been identified as a key factor in the appearance of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as it is related through a complex molecular biochemical and immunological mechanism. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between different scales that estimate the risk of IR and scales that determine the risk of NAFLD. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in 219,477 Spanish workers from different sectors and Spanish regions. The prevalence of high values of all the IR scales increases as the values of the NAFLD and liver fibrosis scales increase. In the multivariate analysis, the risk of presenting high values in the IR scales increases greatly as the values of the NAFLD and hepatic fibrosis scales increase, with particularly high OR values when using the Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR) scale (LAP high OR 42.20 (95% CI (39.10-45.56) and FLI high OR 32.35 (95% CI 31.10-33.61)). We can conclude that there is a direct relationship between the values of the IR scales and the NAFLD and liver fibrosis scales in our population.

Socio-Occupational and Health Conditions in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

Objective: The aim of this research is to analyze the socio-occupational and health conditions of Intensive Care Units (ICU) health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. In addition, with regard to the working conditions (availability of personal protective equipment—PPE, workload and patient/professional ratio), this research aims to analyze the possible differences depending on the Spanish region that was sampled and their professional category, as well as their relationship with the characteristic symptoms of COVID-19 (myalgias and respiratory distress). Method: A cross-sectional study performed with an online questionnaire, which was spread throughout all of the Spanish autonomous communities/regions. Results: The sample consisted of 461 ICU professionals in Spain, of whom, 94% reported an increase in their workload, and 43% reported a patient/professional ratio that was higher than it usually is. The median professional experience in the ICU was 9.73 years, with 47% of them having less than 5 years of experience in it. About 80% had undergone some diagnostic tests. There is a significant difference in ‘Serology (+)’ in terms of sex, with males having a serology (+) in 26% of the cases and females having it in 13% of the cases (p = 0.011). Most of the professionals (80%) were concerned about a possible infection, and up to 96% were worried about infecting their family members. The most common COVID-19 symptom was a headache, with there being a higher incidence of this in women. Significant differences were observed with respect to the availability of appropriate PPE depending on the Spanish region (i.e., Cataluña had best rate of PPE availability) (p = 0.005). The higher incidence of myalgias and respiratory distress were associated with a lower availability of PPE and a higher patient/professional ratio. Conclusions: The ICU staff reported an increase in their workload, with an increase in the amount of staff who had less experience. A high percentage of them have suffered symptoms, although the proportion of positive tests was low. The most characteristic symptoms of COVID-19 seem to be related to the working conditions. The results show the socio-occupational and health conditions of Spanish ICU professionals during the pandemic and point to the need to establish occupational risk-prevention measures.

Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Spanish Burnout Inventory Among Professionals Across 17 Countries and Regions

Studies on the prevalence of burnout in professionals in service organizations who work in direct contact with the clients or users of the organization have concluded that burnout is a serious health disorder that has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant advantage of the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) over other instruments is that it provides a broader conceptualization of burnout by including feelings of guilt as a dimension of burnout to explain its development. However, the measurement invariance of the SBI across countries has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to test the measurement invariance of the SBI among professionals across 17 countries and regions in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and in different languages. All the countries showed a good fit to the four-factor model, except the Indian sample, which was excluded from the measurement invariance study. Using the alignment method, it was possible to verify the scalar measurement invariance of the four SBI factors across 15 countries and one Spanish region (16 samples). The comparison of estimated latent means indicates that France is the country with the lowest scores on the Enthusiasm factor and the highest scores on the negative factors (Exhaustion, Indolence, and Guilt). In contrast, the Andean countries, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, show the highest latent means on the Enthusiasm factor and the lowest means on the negative factors. These results support the validity of the SBI in the countries and regions in Europe and Latin America included in this study.

Prevalence of Child Contact Sexual Abuse in the Spanish Region of Andalusia

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Andalusia, Spain’s most populated region. A sample of 817 adults (281 male; M age = 34.7; SD = 13.86) completed the Child Sexual Abuse Experiences Questionnaire. Because the sample was unbalanced, we performed post-stratification by gender, resulting in 562 participants (50% male). Overall, 38.8% of the sample reported at least one type of contact abuse experience, with prevalence ranging from 22% for being fondled to 3.9% for being forced to perform a sexual act involving penetration. The first episode of CSA most commonly occurred between age 6 and 11 years, except for penetration. The majority of reported experiences were repeated and perpetrated by a male. More than half of the victims did not label their experience as sexual abuse, and this apparent lack of awareness about what constitutes abuse was particularly evident among male victims. The prevalence of CSA in Andalusia is higher than for Spain as a whole, highlighting the need to raise public awareness through prevention programs.

Rural development programmes: Lessons learnt, and knowledge advancement. A case study in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)

Since the LEADER (Liaisons Entre Activités de Developpement de l'Economie Rural) method was launched in 1991, through its Rural Development Programmes, it has tried to support rural areas by promoting the creation of opportunities, strengthening rural territorial resilience and holding back depopulation processes. It has also introduced social considerations such as gender and age and has fostered the knowledge economy. One aspect of particular interest is employment: rural areas that offer employment opportunities can trigger a set of processes and dynamics that are positive for rural resilience in that they strengthen competitive, socially dynamic and economically viable spaces. The purpose of this article is to define the profile of a LEADER project that can generate and/or consolidate employment in the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha during the current 2014–2022 programming period. This is done by means of a study using ordered probit of the 4 465 projects by the Local Action Groups (LAGs). The study points to the preponderance of agro-industrial activity and the large size of the municipalities where employment is generated. It also finds that a very large proportion of the jobs created are for young people and that many women have found jobs in projects funded by the LAGs.

Integration of biocoal in distributed energy systems: A potential case study in the Spanish coal-mining regions

Energy has an essential role in socio-economic development, particularly in European coal-mining regions undergoing a transition process which implies searching for alternative fuels to coal. Forestry wastes provide a large amount of biomass that has the potential to be transformed into biocoal to produce solid biofuels. The present work aims to analyse the feasibility of integrating biocoals as a renewable solid fuel, produced by torrefaction and further mechanical densification, in the currently existing coal-consuming facilities. The methodology proposed evaluates existing forest waste resources and their potential conversion into biocoal pellets for use in thermal and electrical energy production. An analysis of the results indicates a potential overall production of 280 kt/year of torrefied pellets in the seven coal-mining regions in Spain evaluated in the study, with the potential to produce 78 MWe or 470 MWth, respectively, and avoid 582 kt/year of CO2 emissions. The average cost for torrefied pellets production would be 148 €/t and require an emission cost of approximately above 45 €/tCO2 to be cost-competitive with coal for direct use in currently existing energy systems. The use of biocoal is shown from resource to energy management for energy conversion systems in the pathway of the energy transition.

Tax autonomy mitigates soft budget constraint: evidence from Spanish Regions

AbstractWithin the framework of the soft budget constraint problem, this article investigates the impact of a legislative reform that increased regional tax autonomy on the propensity of Spanish regional governments to incur a deficit. For this purpose, a dynamic panel data model is estimated, using data for the period 1984–2019. The sample shows a breakpoint in 2002, when the reform of the regional financing system came into force, providing Spanish regions with greater tax autonomy, more fiscal competency, and lower intergovernmental transfers. Results show that the budget constraint has hardened, as regions have fewer incentives to accumulate budgetary deficits with the expectation of future compensations from the central government. A comprehensive review of the evolution of other factors previously identified as determinants of soft budget constraints, and the analysis of two regions not included in this financing system, suggest no other possible explanation for these results.

In-person school reopening and the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the second wave in Spain.

We investigate the effects of school reopening on the evolution of COVID-19 infections during the second wave in Spain studying both regional and age-group variation within an interrupted time-series design. Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities reopened schools at different moments in time during September 2020. We find that in-person school reopening correlates with a burst in infections in almost all those regions. Data from Spanish regions gives a further leverage: in some cases, pre-secondary and secondary education started at different dates. The analysis of those cases does not allow to conclude whether reopening one educational stage had an overall stronger impact than the other. To provide a plausible mechanism connecting school reopening with the burst in contagion, we study the Catalan case in more detail, scrutinizing the interrupted time-series patterns of infections among age-groups and the possible connections between them. The stark and sudden increase in contagion among older children (10–19) just after in-person school reopening appears to drag the evolution of other age-groups according to Granger causality. This might be taken as an indirect indication of household transmission from offspring to parents with important societal implications for the aggregate dynamics of infections.

Distance, Regional Identities and Parties: A Comparative Analysis of Castilla-La Mancha, Andalusia and the Canary Islands

This article examines how geographical distance affects how political parties articulate regional identities at the subnational level. This is done by applying construal-level theory, hypothesizing that the further away a region is from the center, the more distinct and unique peripheral identities will tend to be framed by these political actors. Qualitatively analyzing regional party manifestos issued for the regional elections held during 1999–2015 in the Spanish regions of Castilla–La Mancha, Andalusia, and the Canary Islands, the results show that regional identities are formulated in a more distinct and unique way as distance from the center increases.

Advertising and Pr-Technologies Influence on Creation and Promotion Russian and Spanish Regions Image as Tourist Destinations

Advertising and Pr-Technologies Influence on Creation and Promotion Russian and Spanish Regions Image as Tourist Destinations

Headaches and Dizziness as Disabling, Persistent Symptoms in Patients with Long COVID-A National Multicentre Study.

Background: Currently, about 15% of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients are affected by Long COVID worldwide; however, this condition has not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of symptom persistence as well as clinical and socio-demographic variables in a cohort of people with Long COVID. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of a sample of adult patients from different Spanish regions presenting with Long COVID. Data collection was conducted between April and July 2021. Functional status and dependency were assessed. Results: A multivariate linear regression was performed, and the model was statistically significant (F (7; 114) = 8.79; p < 0.001), according to the overall ALDQ score. The variables with a statistically significant effect on the degree of dependence were age (p = 0.014), time since diagnosis (p = 0.02), headaches (p = 0.031), and dizziness (p = 0.039). Functional status post-COVID showed a positive and significant relationship with the percentage of dependence (p < 0.001). Conclusions: People affected by Long COVID showed moderate dependency status and limitations in functionality. Those with neurological symptoms, such as dizziness and headaches, as well as older age, showed a higher degree of dependency. Improvements in dependency status occurred with increasing time since diagnosis.

Individual, job, and organizational dimensions of work engagement: evidence from the tourism industry

PurposeThis qualitative study investigates how employees and managers perceive work engagement and the role of intangible factors (e.g. task variety, support, and clarity) involved in the motivational process of engagement.Design/methodology/approachA sample of employees working in four organizations in the tourism industry were interviewed. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the results.FindingsThe results reveal that several intangible and contextual factors (e.g. challenging and varied tasks, good relationships at work, and inspiring leaders) are more relevant to work engagement than extrinsic motivators. Engaged individuals are positive, show a personal attachment to their work roles and colleagues, and have a cognitive aspect derived from their effort.Originality/valueAn integrated model of work engagement–disengagement underpinned by factors at the individual, job, and organizational level is suggested as a synthesis of the main research results and can serve as a solid foundation for creating better future workplaces. This study contributes to the understanding of employee behaviors and organizations at work by discussing and empirically exploring the role of work engagement as a driver of differentiation among companies in the tourism industry in Galicia (Spanish region).

Inclusive candidate selection and corruption: evidence from Spanish regions

High corruption perceptions among voters have been shown to have dire consequences for political participation, trust in institutions and ability to solve collective action problems. Research on corruption focussed on macro- and micro-level explanations to explain persistent corruption in developed countries. This article adds a new meso-level variable to the picture: party primaries. While until recently selection of candidates was the privilege of narrow party elites, many Western European parties have introduced primaries to select candidates for public offices. This study posits that this attempt at increasing intraparty democracy has negative consequences regarding corruption perceptions and suggests three mechanisms through which primaries increase corruption perceptions among supporters of parties that use them. First, primaries can be perceived as a means of ‘window-dressing’, second, primaries can suffer from vote buying, and third, candidates in primaries have incentives to campaign on anti-elitism to distinguish themselves from party elite candidates, increasing corruption salience. The theoretical argument is tested using a novel dataset on primaries in Spanish regions and corruption perceptions in a difference-in-difference design. The results support the hypothesis that primaries increase corruption perceptions among supporters of parties that use them and hint that this result is driven by the process of competitive primaries rather than a restriction of competition.