Search

In recent decades, pathological consumption has become a growing behavioral misbehavior. Impulsive consumption is governed by two internal behavioral mechanisms that respond fundamentally to the hedonism or Pascal effect and to the emulation or Veblen effect. Today's development of technology acts as a catalyst of consumption by increasing access and availability to products, as well as the advertisement impact. This paper presents a compartmental discrete matrix mathematical model that allows short‐term estimates of ordinary, impulsive, and pathological buyers in Spain in three different economic scenarios. The results show that impulsive and pathological buyers will increase in all the economic scenarios. Notable differences in the number of ordinary buyers are found for the group aged over 65 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings account 40% of the EU's total energy consumption. Therefore, they represent a key potential source of energy savings to fight, among others, against climate change. Furthermore, around 54% of the buildings in Spain date back before 1980, when no thermal regulation was available. The refurbishment of a façade of an old building is usually the most effective way to improve its energy efficiency, by adding layers to the external envelope in order to reduce its thermal transmittance. This paper deals with the problem of minimizing costs for the thermal refurbishment of a façade with thickness and thermal transmittance bounds and with an intervention both on the opaque part (wall) and the transparent part (windows). Among thousands, even millions of combinations of materials and thicknesses for the different layers to be added to the opaque part, types of frame, and combinations of glasses and air chambers for the transparent part, the aim is to choose the one that minimizes the cost without violating any restriction imposed to the thermal refurbishment, in particular the current energy efficiency regulations in the zone. To optimally solve this problem, it will be modelled as an Integer Linear Programming problem with binary variables. The case study will be Building 1B of the School for Building Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. It was built in the late 1960s and has had a very inefficient energy consumption record. The optimal solution will be found among more than 6 million feasible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the factors that determine the solvency of insurance companies operating in Spain. The selected time span, from 2008 to 2015, encompasses a period of economic instability characterised by record low interest rates and low or even negative economic growth. Using a dynamic panel data model, we conclude that actual solvency margins are positively related to profitability, underwriting risk and a mutual‐type organisation but inversely related to size, reinsurance use, longer‐tailed business and life insurance specialisation. We also find that less concentrated markets and the context of an economic crisis decrease solvency margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose the use of a multidimensional approach to the measurement of economic insecurity in three European countries. We combine six different unidimensional indicators proxying the subjective and objective determinants of economic insecurity into a single index based on a counting approach method, which allows us to measure the incidence and the intensity of the phenomenon. Using longitudinal data from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU‐SILC) from 2008 to 2016, we find that the incidence of insecurity falls as income grows, being significantly present in middle‐income households both in Spain and France but not in Sweden. Interestingly, in all three countries, the contribution of different dimensions to insecurity changes as household income grows, while for all income levels a higher education and being employed in a non‐fixed term contract are strongly related to a lower probability of being economically insecure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper we present is a biographical qualitative study on the school experience and its repercussions on the lives of young people. The paper has two aims: (1) to understand the repercussions of school experiences on the construction of personal identity, and (2) to incorporate the voices of alumni into a reflection on the present and future challenges facing primary education. The study is framed by the movement known as student voice. For this purpose, the interpretations ex-students were collected through in-depth interviews. The conclusions reveal the persistent effects of the school experience over the years as young people establish a sense of identity. The young people explain the attitudes and abilities that make up their way of living, and they relate this to what they learned in their early childhood and primary education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of online social networks and organizational learning capability on innovation performance. The paper is theory-confirming. Theoretical relationships were tested using an empirical study of 202 four-star and five-star Spanish hotels. Results confirm that the introduction of online social network use for internal and external cognitive processes positively affects innovation performance. This study highlights the potential as well as the limitations of online social networks and organizational learning capability in promoting innovation capability. Businesses must consciously manage the assimilation and use of online social networks to benefit from them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Reply aims to clarify and address many of the errors introduced to the discussion of our original paper (García-Santos and Bruijnzeel, 2011; referred to henceforth as GSB2011) in the comment by Ritter and Regalado (2012) (henceforth referred to as RRR2012) as explained more fully under replies nos. 1-6, 8-12 and 14-18 below. Two (largely inconsequential) shortcomings in our original paper as detected by RRR2012 are acknowledged (see replies nos. 7 and 13 below). It is concluded that the majority of the comments offered by RRR2012 are unfounded as well as unnecessary. In summary, the two errors in GSB2011 spotted by RRR2012 (see points 7 and 13 below) could easily have been addressed in an erratum. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst increasing mobility leads to people regularly experiencing new climatic conditions, understanding how people actually adapt to new regimes of heat in their everyday lives is currently under researched. It is often assumed that increased demand for air conditioning will be an automatic response to heat, but widespread international variation in the current use of cooling technologies suggests a more complex situation. As one means of exploring how thermal comfort is achieved under different climatic conditions, this paper reports on the findings of a pilot study exploring adaptive practices in relation to heat with people who have recently migrated to Spain. The paper explores how thermal comfort is accomplished through adaptation in everyday activities including cooling technologies, clothing and routines and rhythms. The paper emphasises the importance of attending to how new routines emerge in the context of relocation and highlights a need for further research to understand how changing climatic conditions may serve to reconfigure the production of comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: This paper analyses the differences between the wages received by workers in cooperative and capitalist firms in Spain using a sample constructed from administrative data. This paper shows that size and the sign of the wage gap depend on economic sector, type of cooperative and the wage distribution. This approach let us explain some contradictory results obtained in previous literature. Additionally, the wage gap decomposition used let us identify the causes for this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Job insecurity is a widespread workplace stressor that has been extensively investigated using quantitative approaches. With the use of a critical organisational psychology framework, we conducted a meta‐synthesis of 20 qualitative studies to investigate the experience of job insecurity among vulnerable employee groups (i.e., women and immigrants). The qualitative meta‐synthesis results suggest that there are meaningful differences. Specifically, whereas women were more concerned with and exposed to deteriorating working conditions, men experienced job insecurity as a threat to their identity. Among immigrants, the experience of job insecurity is viewed as largely intersecting with the legal system, impacting their ability to remain in their country and making them feel powerless. Thematic evidence also emerged regarding individual actions that participants use to attain security in contrast to corporate strategies that enhance job insecurity. We contribute to the critical organisational psychology literature by discussing how these results test common academic theories and neoliberal assumptions pervasive within the job insecurity literature: We highlight how organisations manufacture job insecurity, question the existence of harmonious social exchanges, discuss the use of job insecurity as a form of worker control, consider the role of the legal context in aiding worker exploitation and argue for an intersectional view of job insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work splits effective unemployment into two components: natural unemployment, and cyclical unemployment. For that purpose, an estimation of the stochastic cost frontier is performed. The study is focused on the 17 autonomous communities in Spain over the period 1982–2012. Results evidence greater importance of the natural component as the principal determinant of effective unemployment. When comparing these results with those obtained applying univariate filters, the distribution in the components of the effective unemployment changes, increasing the importance of cyclical unemployment. This result indicates that the policymakers should have a greater power to implement aggregate demand policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether related variety, among other types of spatial externalities, affected regional growth in Spain at the NUTS 3 level during the period 1995-2007. We found evidence that related variety matters for growth across regions, especially when using two new methods that measure revealed relatedness between industries. The first method is based on Porter's cluster classification while the second method uses the proximity index proposed by Hidalgo et al. Our analyses show that Spanish provinces with a wide range of related industries tend to show higher economic growth rates, once we control for other determinants of growth. Este artículo investiga si la variedad relacionada, entre otros tipos de externalidades espaciales, afectó el crecimiento regional en España a nivel NUTS 3 durante el periodo 1995-2007. Hallamos pruebas de que la variedad relacionada influye en el crecimiento entre regiones, especialmente al utilizar dos métodos nuevos que miden el grado de conexión manifiesto entre industrias. El primer método está basado en la clasificación de conglomerados de Porter, mientras que el segundo método utiliza el índice de proximidad propuesto por Hidalgo et al. Nuestros análisis muestran que las provincias españolas con un amplio rango de industrias relacionadas tienden a mostrar tasas de crecimiento económico más altas, una vez que se logra controlar otros factores determinantes del crecimiento. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RAS method extrapolates a single matrix to conform to new row and column totals. This paper proposes a cell-correction of RAS (CRAS) that uses the deviations of multiple RAS projections, to improve the projection of the input-output table (IOT) of a specific country or region. The new method is tested on eleven survey-based IOTs of Spanish regions for 1999-2005. CRAS is shown to outperform RAS when three to four survey IOTs are used that are close to the target IOT. When more IOTs are added, for most but not all regions, CRAS gradually becomes worse than applying RAS to the single best IOT. Resumen El método RAS extrapola una única matriz para que se ajuste a nuevos totales por fila y por columna. Este artículo propone una corrección de celdas de RAS (CRAS) que utiliza las desviaciones de proyecciones RAS múltiples, para mejorar la proyección de tablas input-output (TIO) de una región o país específicos. El nuevo método se prueba en once TIO basadas en muestreos de regiones españolas para el periodo 1999-2005. Se muestra como el método CRAS tiene un mejor desempeño que RAS cuando se utilizan TIO de tres a cuatro muestreos cercanos a la TIO objetivo. Para la mayoría de regiones, aunque no para todas, la aplicación de CRAS se comporta gradualmente peor cuando se añaden más TIO en comparación con la aplicación de RAS a la mejor TIO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do some local governments privatize water services, while others opt for public management? Economic literature has been unable to demonstrate that private management is more efficient than public management, so there must be other reasons that lead governments to privatize the service. But what are they? This paper presents the results of a study that analyses the factors behind the privatization of water services with data from 741 municipalities located in the South of Spain over a period dating from 1985 to 2006. A discrete choice model analyses the influence of each factor on the likelihood of privatization. One of the novelties of this paper is that we take the value of the explanatory variables at the time when water services are privatized. Among our findings, it is worth highlighting the importance of the size of municipalities, their financial burden and the neighbouring effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The R&D management paradigms of research and technology organizations (RTOs) have been discussed in the past. Academics have analysed their strategic challenges in view of the new demands posed by new competitive environments for their SME clients. New innovation models proposed recently have captured the attention of policy makers. The objectives of this paper are to analyse these models in the case of a particular model of RTO: the R&D units in the Basque Country in Spain, launched with the aim of improving R&D and technology transfer efficiency. This paper is based on an empirical study of a group of specialized RTOs (R&D units) and its objective is to analyse a new paradigm of RTO and propose a model to identify the critical elements that influence performance and strategic alignment between R&D performers (RTOs) and their partners (in most cases SMEs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hirsch's h index is becoming the standard measure of an individual's research accomplishments. The aggregation of individuals' measures is also the basis for global measures at institutional or national levels. To investigate whether the h index can be reliably computed through alternative sources of citation records, the Web of Science (WoS), PsycINFO and Google Scholar (GS) were used to collect citation records for known publications of four Spanish psychologists. Compared with WoS, PsycINFO included a larger percentage of publication records, whereas GS outperformed WoS and PsycINFO in this respect. Compared with WoS, PsycINFO retrieved a larger number of citations in unique areas of psychology, but it retrieved a smaller number of citations in areas that are close to statistics or the neurosciences, whereas GS retrieved the largest numbers of citations in all cases. Incorrect citations were scarce in Wos (0.3%), more prevalent in PsycINFO (1.1%), and overwhelming in GS (16.5%). All platforms retrieved unique citations, the largest set coming from GS. WoS and PsycINFO cover distinct areas of psychology unevenly, thus applying different penalties on the h index of researches working in different fields. Obtaining fair and accurate h indices required the union of citations retrieved by all three platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between foreign sourcing and productivity at the firm level. To organise the empirical work, we rely on Antràs and Helpman’s model (2004), which predicts that high-productivity firms engage in trade (foreign sourcing) and low-productivity firms do not source abroad. The paper performs productivity comparisons between groups of firms sourcing abroad and firms which do not source abroad, applying non-parametric procedures to a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms. Our results indicate the existence of large and significant differences in productivity between firms that source abroad and those that do not. The productivity premium of foreign sourcing firms is robust to other characteristics that are associated with firm productivity. Furthermore, the evidence reported is consistent with self-selection of the most productive firms into the practice of sourcing abroad. The ex ante productivity distribution of firms that engage in foreign sourcing stochastically dominates the distribution of firms which do not source abroad. Finally, our estimates suggest that changing the intensity of foreign sourcing is a technology shifter for firms, and this has a direct impact on their total factor productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of a currency union with nominal rigidities to explain the sources of inflation differentials between the Economic Monetary Union (EMU) and one of its member countries, Spain. The paper finds that productivity shocks account for 85% of the variability of the inflation differential. Demand shocks explain a large fraction of output growth volatility but not variability in inflation differentials. In addition, the estimated model finds evidence that inflation dynamics are different across countries in the nontradable sector only. Finally, the Balassa–Samuelson effect does not appear to be an important driver of the inflation differential during the EMU period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses an interregional input output model to estimate the economic impact of the EU structural funds received by the Spanish regions during the period 1995–1999. We attempt to cast further light on the interregional effects that the funds have produced in terms of output, value added and employment, not just in the regions where they were originally allocated, but also in the rest of the regions. This analysis offers additional information than the one attained using macroeconomic models which do not take interregional spillovers into account. The results are relevant regarding the discussion about the effectiveness of EU cohesion policy, and the share of output effects that are captured by the richest regions through their intersectoral linkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Knowledge Society, along with the non‐stop growing technological evolution, entails university students acquiring new competences for them to be successful in society. These are called 21st‐century competences that come as high‐skill competences – higher‐order thinking capacities and teamwork competences – and information and communication technologies (ICT) competences – technological, pedagogical and ethical. This study aims to determine the link between ICT competences and high‐skill competences. A correlational study was conducted whose sample was formed by 983 students studying degrees at the Universidad de Valencia (Spain), selected by non‐probabilistic incidental sampling and collecting information with two questionnaires. The results indicate a positive and statistically significant relation between ICT competences with the other two considered sets: higher‐order thinking capacities and teamwork competences. Moreover, pedagogical competences are more related with the two high‐skill competence sets. This suggests the need for training plans that favour learning 21st‐century competences and for stressing pedagogical competences in ICT. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: University students require new competences to face a changing society.21st‐century competences are made up of ICT competences, higher‐order thinking capacities and teamwork competences.The empirical relation between ICT competences with higher‐order thinking capacities and teamwork competences has been little addressed.Few empirical studies have determined the contribution of each of the competence dimensions in that relation. What this paper adds: There is a positive relation between ICT competences and higher‐order thinking capacities and teamwork competences.Pedagogical competences –ICT competences‐ are more closely related to the two sets of high‐skill competences.Problem solving and the two teamwork competences contribute more to the relation with ICT competences. Implications for practice and/or policy: University system have to development training plans in the 21st century competences for the university student.University system have to promote specific training in pedagogical competences ‐ICT competences‐ for university student. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The focus of this paper is on the improvement of substance use disorder (SUD) screening and measurement. Using a multi‐dimensional item response theory model, the bifactor model, we provide a psychometric harmonization between SUD, depression, anxiety, trauma, social isolation, functional impairment and risk‐taking behavior symptom domains, providing a more balanced view of SUD. The aims are to (1) develop the item‐bank, (2) calibrate the item‐bank using a bifactor model that includes a primary dimension and symptom‐specific subdomains, (3) administer using computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and (4) validate the CAT‐SUD in Spanish and English in the United States and Spain. Design Item bank construction, item calibration phase, CAT‐SUD validation phase. Setting: Primary care, community clinics, emergency departments and patient‐to‐patient referrals in Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) and the United States (Boston and Los Angeles). Participants/cases: Calibration phase: the CAT‐SUD was developed via simulation from complete item responses in 513 participants. Validation phase: 297 participants received the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the CAT‐SUD. Measurements A total of 252 items from five subdomains: (1) SUD, (2) psychological disorders, (3) risky behavior, (4) functional impairment and (5) social support. CAT‐SUD scale scores and CIDI SUD diagnosis. Findings Calibration: the bifactor model provided excellent fit to the multi‐dimensional item bank; 168 items had high loadings (> 0.4 with the majority > 0.6) on the primary SUD dimension. Using an average of 11 items (four to 26), which represents a 94% reduction in respondent burden (average administration time of approximately 2 minutes), we found a correlation of 0.91 with the 168‐item scale (precision of 5 points on a 100‐point scale). Validation: strong agreement was found between the primary CAT‐SUD dimension estimate and the results of a structured clinical interview. There was a 20‐fold increase in the likelihood of a CIDI SUD diagnosis across the range of the CAT‐SUD (AUC = 0.85). Conclusions: We have developed a new approach for the screening and measurement of SUD and related severity based on multi‐dimensional item response theory. The bifactor model harmonized information from mental health, trauma, social support and traditional SUD items to provide a more complete characterization of SUD. The CAT‐SUD is highly predictive of a current SUD diagnosis based on a structured clinical interview, and may be predictive of the development of SUD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator service is essential for successful sexual reproduction and long‐term population persistence of animal‐pollinated plants, and innumerable studies have shown that insufficient service by pollinators results in impaired sexual reproduction ("pollen limitation"). Studies directly addressing the predictors of variation in pollinator service across species or habitats remain comparatively scarce, which limits our understanding of the primary causes of natural variation in pollen limitation. This paper evaluates the importance of pollination‐related features, evolutionary history, and environment as predictors of pollinator service in a large sample of plant species from undisturbed montane habitats in southeastern Spain. Quantitative data on pollinator visitation were obtained for 191 insect‐pollinated species belonging to 142 genera in 43 families, and the predictive values of simple floral traits (perianth type, class of pollinator visitation unit, and visitation unit dry mass), phylogeny, and habitat type were assessed. A total of 24,866 pollinator censuses accounting for 5,414,856 flower‐minutes of observation were conducted on 510 different dates. Flowering patch and single flower visitation probabilities by all pollinators combined were significantly predicted by the combined effects of perianth type (open vs. restricted), class of visitation unit (single flower vs. flower packet), mass of visitation unit, phylogenetic relationships, and habitat type. Pollinator composition at insect order level varied extensively among plant species, largely reflecting the contrasting visitation responses of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera to variation in floral traits. Pollinator composition had a strong phylogenetic component, and the distribution of phylogenetic autocorrelation hotspots of visitation rates across the plant phylogeny differed widely among insect orders. Habitat type was a key predictor of pollinator composition, as major insect orders exhibited decoupled variation across habitat types in visitation rates. Comprehensive pollinator sampling of a regional plant community has shown that pollinator visitation and composition can be parsimoniously predicted by a combination of simple floral features, habitat type, and evolutionary history. Ambitious community‐level studies can help to formulate novel hypotheses and questions, shed fresh light on long‐standing controversies in pollination research (e.g., "pollination syndromes"), and identify methodological cautions that should be considered in pollination community studies dealing with small, phylogenetically biased plant species samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assist higher education institutions in meeting the challenge of limited student engagement in the implementation of Learning Analytics services, the Questionnaire for Student Expectations of Learning Analytics (SELAQ) was developed. This instrument contains 12 items, which are explained by a purported two‐factor structure of "Ethical and Privacy Expectations" and "Service Feature Expectations." As it stands, however, the SELAQ has only been validated with students from UK university, which is problematic on account of the interest in Learning Analytics extending beyond this context. Thus, the aim of the current work was to assess whether the translated SELAQ can be validated in three contexts (an Estonian, a Spanish, and a Dutch University). The findings show that the model provided acceptable fits in both the Spanish and Dutch samples, but was not supported in the Estonian student sample. In addition, an assessment of local fit is undertaken for each sample, which provides important points that need to be considered in future work. Finally, a general comparison of expectations across contexts is undertaken, which are discussed in relation to the General Data Protection Regulation (2018). Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: Accounting for student expectations allows for a service that is meaningful.SELAQ measures student expectations towards Learning Analytics services.The 12 items of the SELAQ can be explained by a two‐factor structure (Ethical and Privacy Expectations and Service Feature Expectations). What their paper adds to this: Validation of the SELAQ in three contextsA discussion of localized sources of strainAn assessment of measurement quality in each contextA general comparison of student expectations across contexts The implications of study findings for practitioners: SELAQ can be used with Spanish and Dutch students.SELAQ responses provide a much needed input from end‐users in Learning Analytics implementations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐resolution topographic models have revolutionized monitoring of river changes by comparing sequential river topographic surveys (i.e. change detection). Nevertheless, much more may be obtained from this innovative quantification of changes. In this paper, we enhance the interpretation of geomorphic processes by presenting a new method for understanding of sources and sinks of sediment, river sediment transfers and functional sediment connectivity. Repeat digital elevation models (DEMs) obtained by photogrammetry were used to quantify topographic change after two floods by creating a DEM of difference (DoD) of a 6.5 km‐long reach of Rambla de la Viuda stream, an ephemeral gravel‐bed river in eastern Spain. The proposed method involved dividing the channel into 10 m‐long longitudinal strips that were used to systematically draw boundaries between the erosional and depositional areas of the DoD. The analysis objectively: (i) drew a series of erosional and depositional segments, from 120 to 1360 m in length; (ii) estimated ranges of source‐to‐storage sediment transport distances, 320–670 m in the upstream and middle reaches and up to 2030 m in the lower reach; and (iii) obtained values of functional connectivity (i.e. the ratio between the sediment exported (erosion) and retained (deposition), ranging from 103 to 10−3). The variability in these three parameters along the river was found to be related to the level of channel disturbance by in‐stream mining during the 1990s and 2000s. Additionally, this method indicates that the main process responsible for self‐adjustment of the present morphosedimentary conditions is intra‐reach erosion of banks and channel beds. Thus, this study proposes a new methodology to characterize morphological change, sediment transfer and connectivity that may serve as environmental indicators of the hydromorphological integrity of rivers with potential application to the European Water Framework Directive. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the association between open inbound knowledge strategies and the performance of eco‐innovative firms in the food and beverage industry. We propose a mixed framework based on the eco‐innovation literature and the open innovation approach. We consider the characteristics in a traditional sector based upon a resource‐based perspective. Three types of firms are distinguished in terms of their sales growth in the Spanish food industry from the least to the most successful eco‐innovators. Using multinomial logistic regression models, it is shown that the diversity of collaborators (breadth of external sources of knowledge) and joint adoption of product and process eco‐innovations are positively associated with the probability of achieving high sales growth. Moreover, we find an inverted U‐shaped relationship between the breadth of the external search and firm performance, but only for the group of the most successful firms. Moreover, operational flexibility, knowledge‐based capabilities and company size are also positively related to the group of successful eco‐innovators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although environmental innovation studies have traditionally focused on manufacturing firms, the distinctive features of eco‐innovation activities carried out by service firms require special attention. Using the Spanish Commumity Innovation Survey (CIS), this paper determines which are the main drivers of undertaking eco‐innovation and investigates the similarities and differences between service and manufacturing firms within the five sub‐groups of services (supplier dominated, scale intensive physical networks, scale intensive information networks, science‐based, and others). The results confirm that the main eco‐innovation triggers are similar—technological push factor orientation (internal R&D and persistence) and firm size—while the impact of market pull factors and public environmental legislation differ within the services sub‐groups. In addition, we find a high degree of heterogeneity within service firms. In contrast to traditional service firms, those in the groups involving R&D activities, information networks, and scale‐intensive physical networks exhibit intensive eco‐innovation performance and show a high level of green indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Chronic hepatitis delta is a severe liver disease with rapid progression to cirrhosis. The impact of hepatitis delta virus (HDV)‐RNA on disease progression and interferon treatment in a real‐world cohort has been barely explored. Aim: To assess the development of clinical events in a cohort of chronic hepatitis delta patients according to the presence or absence of HDV‐RNA Methods: Multicentre study at four academic hospitals in Spain included anti‐HDV‐positive patients with compensated liver disease with a follow‐up ≥12 months. Results: Among 2888 HBsAg‐positive subjects, 151 (5.2%) tested positive for anti‐HDV, and 118 were included (58% men; median age, 49 years; 73% detectable HDV‐RNA and 30% cirrhosis, most often in subjects with HDV‐RNA). After a median follow‐up of 8 years, subjects with initially detectable HDV‐RNA were more prone to developing cirrhosis (31% vs 0%, P =.002) and/or liver decompensation (28% vs 3%, P =.019). Mortality rate was 0.44 per 1000 person‐months. The probability of a clinical event was 6%, 25%, and 80% according to initial baseline‐event‐anticipation score. HDV‐RNA became undetectable in 21 (24%) subjects either due to interferon or spontaneously (48% vs 52%, P =.29). Liver decompensation was reduced in interferon‐treated patients (13% vs 38%, P =.026). Conclusions: Subjects with persistently positive HDV‐RNA had a worse prognosis in terms of clinical events. Baseline‐event‐anticipation score is useful in predicting the risk of developing liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon was beneficial in reducing liver decompensation, even in the absence of virological response. LINKED CONTENT This article is linked to Sonneveld and de Knegt and Palom et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15549 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15558. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Antipode is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The natural resource curse hypothesis predicts that natural resource windfalls can reduce the long run level of income per capita by crowding out manufacturing, slowing down the accumulation of human capital, damaging institutions and increasing inequality. This paper explores some of the central tenets of the natural resource curse literature by exploiting variation in mineral resources in Spain from 1860 to 1936. The conclusions of the paper are that, contrary to the natural resource curse hypothesis, natural resources had a positive, sizeable effect on industrialisation by 1920 and that they did not reduce real wage growth in the period 1860–1920. Moreover, extractive industries did not slow down the accumulation of human capital. When I look at the very long run by analysing real income per capita convergence from 1930 to 2000, there are no significant costs of early specialisation in extractive industries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the existing literature on industrial location by discussing the territorial levels that are used in location analysis. We use data for new manufacturing firms and analyse the advantages and disadvantages of performing location analyses at three levels: municipality, county and travel-to-work areas. We show that location determinants vary according to the territorial level used in the analysis and conclude that the level at which the investigation is performed should be carefully selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents abstracts of various research papers related to statistics and economics. The article "Semiparametric Estimation of a Duration model," proposes a model to consider the logarithm of the integrated baseline hazard function as constant. Another research titled "Break Point Estimation and Spurious Rejections with Endogenous Unit Root Tests," examines the accuracy of break point estimation. The paper "Innovational Outlier Unit Root Tests With an Endogenously Determined Break in Level," which is proposed to be corrected through a simple modification of the test procedure. The research titled "Unionization and the Pattern of Nonunion Wages: Evidence for the UK," discusses the possible implications of unionization. Another research paper discusses gender bias in labor employment in Spain under the heading "Promotions in the Spanish Labour Market: Differences by Gender." Its findings indicate that women receive fewer promotions than men with the same qualifications due to differential treatment in the market.

The aim of the paper is to examine the commuting behaviour of self‐employed workers in Spain as well as its relationship with satisfaction with jobs and housing. According to our results although conventional estimations indicate that commuting trips are shorter among the self‐employed, the differences with employees vanish when the potential endogeneity of self‐employment is controlled for. We also show that the job and housing satisfaction levels of the self‐employed are less sensitive to commuting than those of employees, and that in fact no significant effect is observed for relevant segments of the former group, what gives partial support to the theoretical model that we propose where imperfect information problems affect the employees but not the self‐employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The framework of Positive Youth Development (PYD) arose from a strength‐based conception of the transition to adulthood. Although previous literature has provided evidence for some PYD correlates, little is known about gender differences in PYD and its outcomes in thriving and social engagement, which could improve interventions" effectiveness. Thus, this study aimed to examine gender differences in PYD dimensions (i.e., competence, confidence, connection, caring, and character), individual thriving (i.e., psychological adjustment, academic adjustment, and healthy lifestyles) and social engagement, and to examine the associations between them. Data from the 'PYD in a Cross‐National Perspective Project" in Spain were collected by administering a paper‐based self‐report to students from high school and university. Results showed greater scores in connection, caring, and character in women, as well as greater social engagement and academic adjustment. Men presented higher competence and confidence, more frequent physical activity and better psychological adjustment. In addition, more PYD was related to greater social engagement, better psychological and academic adjustment, and healthier lifestyles. Some practical implications for program design may be derived, which underscore the need to promote the five PYD dimensions equally in female and male youths in order to improve their individual thriving and social engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Regional Science Policy & Practice is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Demand‐side multipliers have ruled within multisectorial models as the main indicators for policy effectiveness and key‐sector determination both in linear interindustry analysis and in non‐linear applied general equilibrium models. In this paper we shift the perspective to supply‐side injections by studying the effects of marshalling additional primary factors (K, L) that give rise to a general resource reallocation. We obtain estimates of supply multipliers by numerically approximating the underlying and unobservable general equilibrium Jacobian matrix. These estimates provide complementary information to standard demand multipliers. We illustrate the methodology using an empirical general equilibrium model for the region of Andalusia, Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact over international propensity of past negative entrepreneurial experience for those who re‐enter into entrepreneurial activity; referred to as resilient serial entrepreneurs. We first hypothesise on the effects over entrepreneurial re‐entry that such negative past experience may have and highlight the link between the past entrepreneurial experience of resilient entrepreneurs and their subsequent propensity towards international markets. Building on insights from the generative experiential learning process of entrepreneurial activity and from cognition theories, we propose that resilient entrepreneurs who re‐enter business despite having faced negative entrepreneurial experiences in the past benefit from enriched cognitive schemas leading them to greater export propensity. The proposed hypotheses are tested on a unique sample drawn from a Spanish adult population survey. Results from the sequential deductive triangulation analysis reveal that practical experience is an essential prerequisite for entrepreneurial learning, and that the resilience of those with negative entrepreneurial experience induces the generative entrepreneurial learning especially suitable for subsequent internationally oriented ventures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Royal Artillery Factory of Seville in Spain originated from pre‐existing private bronze foundries dating from the 16th century. The paper analyses the stratigraphy of wall cladding in the areas traditionally known as the 'Old Foundry' and the 'New Foundry', through its characterization by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM‐EDX), micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (μ‐XRF) and micro‐X‐ray diffraction (μ‐XRD), in order to analyse the metal deposits that have accumulated since the 17th century. The data obtained allowed the verification of the available historiographical information and the location of the original bronze smelting furnaces. The analysis of patinas deposited on the overlapping layers of lime also confirmed that neither the raw materials nor the composition of the alloys used presented any substantial changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the performance effects associated with different alliance portfolio configurations in terms of geographical location and partner type. Based on these distinctions, the authors hypothesize that more diverse alliance portfolios enable firms to gain and exploit innovation opportunities. Additionally, the mediating effects of R&D human and social capital on the R&D alliance portfolio diversity–innovation performance relationship are explored. The authors reason that the absorptive capacity of R&D intellectual capital determines a firm's potential gains from highly diverse alliance portfolios. From panel data of manufacturing firms in Spain for the period 2008–2013, the results confirm the inverted U‐shaped relationship between alliance portfolio diversity and firm innovation performance, implying that both insufficient and excessive alliance portfolio diversity may be detrimental to firm innovativeness. Additionally, R&D human and social capital partially mediates the R&D alliance diversity–innovation performance relationship, emphasizing the importance of internal capabilities to leverage the benefits of highly diverse alliance portfolios. These findings add a dynamic dimension to the conceptualization of alliance portfolios and how firms create value by balancing explorative and exploitative alliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on gender diversity on the boards of Spanish agricultural cooperatives. Specifically, it examines the effect that gender diversity on the board exerts on returns, debt level, and economic risk. Cooperatives differ significantly from investor‐owned firms because cooperative members are producers, agents, and customers of the cooperatives. In Spain, there is an ongoing debate about the importance of women in business management. Spain is also a pioneer in terms of enacting specific legislation for the social economy. The sample examined includes 672 agricultural cooperatives. The results show that firms with greater female representation on their boards have higher returns and operational risk and lower levels of debt. [EconLit Classifications: J16, J54, Q13]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores which are the drivers and their interactions that can lead organizations to adopt radical sustainable innovation (SI) in unfavorable contexts. We identify external and internal drivers of SI adoption, and we conceptualize sustainable intrapreneurship as an additional driver. We report and discuss the findings from a case study in the water sector based on interviews and secondary data collected among eleven water utilities in Israel, Italy, and Spain. We provide new insights on how interactions between external and internal drivers can generate dynamic cycles that gradually shift utilities from a reactive to an embedding and system change approach in adopting SI. Within this process, networks and sustainable intrapreneurship act as interactive drivers that catalyze internal and external drivers. The study links testable propositions in a conceptual model describing the dynamics triggering SI adoption and argues for the relevance of sustainable intrapreneurship for addressing the systemic nature, complexity, and ambiguity of SI adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Propagation campaigns are carried out at different frequencies and geographical areas to characterize the slant‐path propagation channel. One of the objectives of the Alphasat Propagation Experiment is to evaluate the performance of satellite links that operate in the Q/V band. Since March 2014, the copolar level of the Alphasat Q‐band beacon signal has been measured at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain. The fade dynamics—fade and inter‐fade durations—results for three complete years (March 2014 to February 2017) of measurements are presented in this paper. Moreover, the experimental setup and receiver characteristics are described in detail. The collected data (with a mean availability of 97%) can be used to evaluate the atmospheric propagation impairments with a very good degree of accuracy. The probability of occurrence and the fraction of time of fade duration for an average‐year have been compared with the ITU‐R and CRC models with moderate agreement. For this reason, a modeling effort has been made leading to the conclusion that there is room for improvement in the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation projects of information systems, particularly in the logistics field, are usually long, complex processes requiring a good deal of resources. As an alternative to an exclusively technical viewpoint, the contribution by the users themselves to the design and implementation of these information systems may facilitate better final results. With this participative approach in mind, this paper proposes a methodology for implementing information and communication technologies (ICTs) that includes the recommendations put forward in the literature, which also involves the authors of the paper themselves as agents for change in companies, in line with the ‘action research’ approach. In order to illustrate the potential of this methodology, which may be of interest to the academic and professional world, analysis is made of the successful cases of two Spanish companies in the food sector that have recently applied this methodology in ICT implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When sediments are removed from aquatic bottoms, they turn into dredged material that must be managed, taking into account its environmental impact. In Part II of this 2-part paper addressing sediment quality assessment and dredged material management in Spain, legislation and criteria used to regulate dredged material disposal at sea in different European countries are reviewed, as are action levels (ALs) derived by different countries used to evaluate management of dredged sediments from Cádiz Bay located on the South Atlantic coast of Spain. Comparison of ALs established for dredged material disposal by different countries reveals orders of magnitude differences in the values established for the same chemical. In Part I of this 2-part paper, review of different sediment quality guideline (SQG) methods used to support sediment quality assessments indicated a great heterogeneity of SQGs, both with regard to the numeric values for a particular chemical and the number of substances for which SQGs have been derived. The analysis highlighted the absence of SQGs for priority substances identified in current European Union water policy. Here, in Part II, the ALs are applied to dredged sediments from Cádiz Bay (South Atlantic coast of Spain), evidencing that the heterogeneity of ALs implemented in the reviewed countries could determine different management strategies. The application of other measurements such as bioassays might offer information useful in identifying a cost-effective management option in a decision-making framework, especially for dredged material with intermediate chemical concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous paper, Delgado, Fariñas and Ruano (2002) report TFP differences between exporters and non-exporters on the basis of a sample of Spanish manufacturing firms. In this paper, we extend the previous analysis in three directions using a similar data set. First, we investigate additional economic performance differences between exporters and non-exporters. Second, we measure TFP differences estimating production functions that control for unobserved heterogeneity and simultaneity bias. Third, we explore the self-selection and learning-by-exporting hypothesis as explanations for the greater performance of exporters. With respect to the results, we confirm that many indicators of economic performance such as productivity, size, wages and innovation are greater in exporting firms. Furthermore, TFP differences between exporters and non-exporters estimated with parametric methods are remarkably similar to those estimated using index numbers. Finally, performance differences and transition patterns between the export market and the domestic market indicate higher performance for entering exporters with respect to non-exporters at the moment of entry. We find evidence of selection in the entry and the exit side of the export market. One of the basic results that we obtain indicates that after controlling for self-selection, the productivity growth of entering exporters does not significantly change with respect to non-exporters. As the evidence we find indicates no systematic changes in performance between non-exporters and exporters after entry takes place, we do not confirm the learning-by-exporting hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last two decades, many rural localities of Navarre (northern Spain) have experienced an increase of population related to the counterurbanisation phenomenon. This reflects the growing lure that rural localities have as residential environments for urban people, especially those coming from Pamplona, the county town of the region. Nevertheless, beyond this restructuring process, a plurality of profiles of migrants and reasons for moving to the country are found. This paper attempts to analyse this diversity through the analysis of the discourses of rural newcomers as expressed in diverse indepth interviews. Whereas most of the academic literature regarding counterurbanisation studies is based on conceptual categories defined prior to the encounter researcher/migrant, this paper explores the possibility of inverting the approach to the study of the phenomenon by considering the starting point as the lowest common denominator; how one experiences an urban-to-rural migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses environmental reporting practices found in the annual reports published by 51 large companies operating in Spain, with the aim of determining which factors in the firms analysed – belonging to ecologically sensitive sectors – explain the quantity and characteristics of the environmental information published and its evolution. Moreover, the paper takes into account the implementation of the Spanish compulsory accounting standard of 25 March 2002 and its impact on the environmental reporting behaviour. The results of the content analysis for the period 2001–02 show a significant increase in the environmental information compared with the 1992–94 period. For the first year in which the environmental accounting standard was in force (2002), the results show a high percentage of environmental disclosures in the notes to the annual accounts, although the degree and level of disclosures is very heterogeneous, in both form as well as quantity and quality. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Social Capital theoretical framework, territorial agglomerations of firms, such as in the industrial district, can be identified as dense strong-tie networks and are thus suitable for exploiting activities. This paper addresses the possible exploring limitations of these clustered firms. Following alternative explanations, such as the structural holes and weak tie approaches, it is proposed that local institutions may play a role as intermediary agents between external disperse networks and internal dense networks, therefore enabling these firms to deal with the requirements of an ever-changing environment. The paper also develops an empirical section where the Spanish ceramic tile industrial district is described in order to illustrate theoretical arguments. Findings suggested a number of ways in which local institutions may facilitate the creation of value for firms. Particularly, local institutions interact with many external firms and institutions and undertake research projects with local firms. In addition, some quantification of the participation of firms in the activities carried out by institutions is offered, suggesting explanations for the barriers that prevent firms from gaining direct access to external networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the effect of collective bargaining on within-firm wage dispersion for the case of Spain. What is relevant in the Spanish case is to compare the effect of the two basic levels of bargaining (firm and sector) on wage dispersion. By using the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition, this paper concludes that collective agreements at firm level have a negative effect on wage dispersion. At the same time, firms that have signed these types of agreements show greater wage dispersion than those covered by agreements at the sector level, owing to the positive and compensating effect of firms’ and workers’ features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the governance of the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation (MCC) within the context of the expanding globalisation process. After a brief introduction about globalisation and cooperative degeneration theories, the first part of the paper begins by giving a brief description of MCC and examining its current situation. In the second part, we analyse the governing structure of the nucleus of MCC, i.e., the MCC Congress, the Standing Committee and the General Council. The third part is about the different types of employment generated by MCC and the participation of employees in management. The paper ends up with a discussion of the organisational implications of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]