Current marketing practices and market orientation in the context of an emerging economy: the case of Uruguay

This research explores the link between contemporary marketing practices, market orientation and business performance in Uruguay, an emergent country that has recovered from an economic crisis. These approaches seem to be related, but there is no existing evidence to confirm this impression. Lessons can be learned from understanding how effective is the adoption of marketing practices under a crisis scenario. Using data from interviews with 143 micro and small enterprises’ managers, we identify three clusters dependant on the combination of marketing practices: a multi-marketing cluster, a medium-level relationship marketing cluster and a transactional cluster. A model relating market orientation components and various performance measures is tested for the three clusters, showing that the multi-marketing and transactional clusters are more effective in translating efforts and resources into business outcomes.Contemporary marketing practices, Market orientation, Performance, Clusters, Structural equation modeling, Uruguay

Management of Tourist Destinations: the Expectations of Guests on eWOM Generation in Maldonado (Uruguay)

[Abstract] The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of exceeding the expectations of guests to generate greater satisfaction, in order to offer an unforgettable experience and generate more comments on the Web 2.0 in the context of tourism. Structural equation models were used. The data for the analysis were obtained from a sample of residents of the Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation (Uruguay), who were asked about their last overnight stay. The proposed structural equation model was tested using the partial least square (PLS) technique. The results show that exceeding the expectations of guests is essential for the clients’ experience and very important for the satisfaction with the stay at the hotel. The generation of online comments (electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM)) is also strongly influenced by emotional experiences. Exceeding the expectations of trained clients and surprising them with new services and experiences is the essence of luxury offers. The main practical implication is that exceeding expectations is the key to eWOM, and this means that managers must be involved in a perpetual process of service innovation

Difficulties for enjoyment of public spaces by residents: Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation

[Abstract]: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the various types of negative impacts have an effect on the general attitude toward tourism and the difficulty for the enjoyment of public spaces. Design/methodology/approach – It is a quantitative study that analyzes the causal relationships between variables through structural equation models. This study uses data from a sample of 420 residents from Maldonado and Punta del Este. Findings – The result obtained shows that only the cultural loss is significant to explain the residents’ attitudes. On the other hand, the cultural loss, the environmental deterioration and the saturation are significant to explain the difficulties for the enjoyment of public spaces. Research limitations/implications – The main limitations are the fact of performing the analysis in a specific destination with peculiarities that may affect the results and the representativeness of the sample used. Practical implications – The enjoyment of public spaces is a good indicator of the perception of negative impacts, so managers of urban tourist destinations can use this element as an indicator of quick consultation on residents’ attitudes. Originality/value – It is a study that focuses on the negative impacts of tourism and its effect on the public spaces. The importance of public spaces in tourist destinations is under studied

Residents’ attitudes towards different tourist offers: Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation (Uruguay)

The study of residents' attitudes is fundamental for tourist destinations managers. Residents form their attitude towards tourism through a cost-benefit analysis based on their perception of tourism impacts. The objective of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the perception of the different types of impacts, the general attitude toward tourism and various types of tourism offer: sport tourism, maritime tourism, nature tourism and sun and beach tourism. The analysis of the data was performed using Partial Least Squares on a sample of 420 residents of the Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation, interviewed in 2016. The strongest causal relationship is between general attitude and acceptance of sun and beach tourism, the traditional offer in the region. The main conclusion is that a more favourable attitude to tourism does not imply greater support for any type of tourism. It is not possible to generalize the support to tourism to any tourism project, and tourist destinations managers must take it into account

Environmental and Economic Concerns in Residents’ Attitudes in Punta del Este (Uruguay)

[Abstract] The objective of this article is to determine the importance of environmental concern on residents’ perceptions and attitudes in the case of the Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation. To relativize the importance of this concern, economic concern was introduced into the model. Punta del Este is located next to the city of Maldonado, capital of the homonymous department, and is the most important sun and beach destination in Uruguay. For this analysis, a sample of 420 residents from the Maldonado-Punta del Este conurbation was used. The questionnaire contained several items using a5-point Likert scale and a section including socio-demographic questions. Analysis of the data was carried out through Partial Least Squares (PLS) SEM regression. The results suggest that residents form their attitudes towards tourism based on tourism’s economic benefits and socio-cultural costs. Residents of Punta del Este show concern for the environment but not for the economy. This concern is mainly related to the perception of environmental costs, but the causal relationship could be the opposite

Posibles causas del apoyo de los residentes a un aumento de llegadas turísticas en Punta del Este (Uruguay)

El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar las posibles causas directas e indirectas del apoyo de los residentes a un aumento en las llegadas turísticas a Punta del Este. Los datos corresponden a una muestra de 360 residentes de la conurbación de Maldonado-Punta del Este. El análisis se realizó mediante Regresión de Mínimos Cuadrados Parciales. Entre los resultados obtenidos, se puede mencionar que: la preocupación por la economía local tiene un efecto positivo sobre la valoración de los beneficios económicos; la percepción de los beneficios económicos aumenta la percepción de los otros beneficios; la percepción de los otros beneficios mejora la actitud general de los residentes; y la actitud general de los residentes tiene un efecto positivo sobre el apoyo a la llegada de más turistas. Destaca la importancia explicativa de los otros beneficios (mejora en el entorno urbano y en los servicios públicos)

Main Causes of the Attitude of Residents: Comparison between Two Beach Destinations

[Resumen]: Desde los noventa, se han propuesto modelos causales que buscan explicar las actitudes de los residentes a partir de los beneficios y costes percibidos. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si existen diferencias significativas entre dos destinos parecidos. La comparativa fue realizada entre Ibiza (418 residentes) y Maldonado-Punta del Este (360 residentes). Para el análisis del modelo causal propuesto el método estadístico utilizado fue la regresión de Mínimos Cuadrados Parciales (PLS). El análisis multigrupo encontró diferencias significativas en uno de los efectos causales analizados. En dos relaciones causales la diferencia era importante, aunque no lo suficientemente significativa para concluir que existían diferencias entre ambos destinos. La principal conclusión es que los modelos causales no son generales y las prioridades de los residentes varían de un destino a otro.[Abstract]: Since the nineties, have been proposed causal models that seek to explain the attitudes of residents on the basis of perceived benefits and costs. The aim of this study is to determine if there are significant differences between two similar destinations. The comparison was made between Ibiza (418 residents) and Maldonado-Punta del Este (360 residents). To analysis the causal model proposed the statistical method used was the regression Partial Least Squares (PLS). Multi-group analysis found significant differences in one of the causal effects analyzed. In two causal relationships the difference was important, although not significant enough to conclude that there were differences between both destinations. The main conclusion is that causal models are not generals and priorities of residents vary from one destination to another

Perception of socio-cultural impacts in Punta del Este (Uruguay)

El turismo depende de las actitudes de los residentes, siendo fundamental el apoyo al desarrollo del sector. Los impactos del turismo son de tres tipos: económicos, socioculturales y medioambientales. Este trabajo se centra en conocer la percepción que poseen los residentes en relación a diversos impactos sociales y culturales. La cultura se define como las costumbres y formas de pensar que caracterizan un grupo de personas o comunidad. En este caso la región estudiada es Punta del Este (Uruguay), mediante un estudio descriptivo de los datos obtenidos en el trabajo de campo realizado en 2013 y 2014. Los resultados muestran que los residentes valoran positivamente los impactos culturales generados por el turismo. Los residentes están muy orgullosos de que tantos turistas quieran visitar y conocer Punta del Este. La conservación del patrimonio histórico y cultural no es una preocupación significativa. El hecho de que la mayoría de los turistas sean de Argentina explicaría los resultados. Los habitantes de Uruguay y Argentina tienen grandes similitudes y el impacto cultural es mínimo.Tourism depends on the residents’ attitudes, being fundamental support for the development of the sector. The impacts of tourism are of three types: economic, socio- cultural and environmental. This paper focuses on understanding the perception that residents have in relation to different social and cultural impacts. Culture is defined as the customs and ways of thinking that characterize a group of people or community. In this case the region studied is Punta del Este (Uruguay), through a descriptive study of the data obtained in the field work carried out in 2013 and 2014. The results show that residents positively value cultural impacts generated by tourism. Residents are very proud that so many tourists want to visit and learn about Punta del Este. The conservation of historical and cultural heritage is not a significant concern. The fact that most of tourists are from Argentina could explain the results. The inhabitants of Uruguay and Argentina have great similarities, and cultural impact is minimal

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

VIII Encuentro de Docentes e Investigadores en Historia del Diseño, la Arquitectura y la Ciudad

Acta de congresoLa conmemoración de los cien años de la Reforma Universitaria de 1918 se presentó como una ocasión propicia para debatir el rol de la historia, la teoría y la crítica en la formación y en la práctica profesional de diseñadores, arquitectos y urbanistas. En ese marco el VIII Encuentro de Docentes e Investigadores en Historia del Diseño, la Arquitectura y la Ciudad constituyó un espacio de intercambio y reflexión cuya realización ha sido posible gracias a la colaboración entre Facultades de Arquitectura, Urbanismo y Diseño de la Universidad Nacional y la Facultad de Arquitectura de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba, contando además con la activa participación de mayoría de las Facultades, Centros e Institutos de Historia de la Arquitectura del país y la región. Orientado en su convocatoria tanto a docentes como a estudiantes de Arquitectura y Diseño Industrial de todos los niveles de la FAUD-UNC promovió el debate de ideas a partir de experiencias concretas en instancias tales como mesas temáticas de carácter interdisciplinario, que adoptaron la modalidad de presentación de ponencias, entre otras actividades. En el ámbito de VIII Encuentro, desarrollado en la sede Ciudad Universitaria de Córdoba, se desplegaron numerosas posiciones sobre la enseñanza, la investigación y la formación en historia, teoría y crítica del diseño, la arquitectura y la ciudad; sumándose el aporte realizado a través de sus respectivas conferencias de Ana Clarisa Agüero, Bibiana Cicutti, Fernando Aliata y Alberto Petrina. El conjunto de ponencias que se publican en este Repositorio de la UNC son el resultado de dos intensas jornadas de exposiciones, cuyos contenidos han posibilitado actualizar viejos dilemas y promover nuevos debates. El evento recibió el apoyo de las autoridades de la FAUD-UNC, en especial de la Secretaría de Investigación y de la Biblioteca de nuestra casa, como así también de la Facultad de Arquitectura de la UCC; va para todos ellos un especial agradecimiento