Talent management in Spanish SME hotel sector

(English) Hospitality has a great role in economy of Spain as the second most visited country in the world. Human resources (HRs) are the most important resources in this industry. Talented employees can be competitive advantage of hospitality organizations and specially hotels as a key sub-sector of the industry. For managing talents, effective practices should be used for high potential and high performing employees, to fill in key positions. There is still a need to study talent management in certain sectors and small and medium-sized enterprises such as hospitality. Following the research question “Which are the talent management practices in SME hotels?”, we considered various objectives. The first ones describe the meaning of Talent and Talent Management by different hotel stakeholders. After that formal and informal talent management practices were identified in hotel sector. Comparing the different approaches and perceptions for talent management and corresponding practices in hotels was another objective that we followed up. Furthermore, Methodology is a critical part in research. Methodology of our research is empirical inductive and exploratory. Qualitative research was done. The sampling methods were a combination of handpicked, volunteering, and convenience models. We collected data from SME hotel HRs by semi structured interviews. We used platforms such as SABI and LinkedIn to reach the samples of research. The interviews were done based on a defined interview protocol. We used the software of Excel for data analysis. Regarding Ontology and Epistemology of research we can say that our effort was to find out what the truth is about talent management in hotels. What followed led us to search for a suitable method to understand how the impact of talent management is in hotels. Due to the nature of our research, interpretivism was more appropriate among other philosophical research paradigms. On the other hand, we used grounded theory and thematic analysis in the research. We started data analysis by defining demographics and doing initial data analysis including data cleaning, data screening and documentation. Following these steps, detailed data analysis was conducted based on grounded theory and thematic analysis. It is important to note that we have been assured of quality of the research by following the appropriate strategies of Trustworthiness, Validity and Reliability. Regarding the results, we can assert that concepts mentioned in literature review were compared with the results of interviews. We found the commonalities and differences of the concepts. Therefore, we prepared a list of key HR positions in hotels. Characteristics of talented people were discussed. Besides, a classified list of suitable practices for attraction, selection, training and performance of talented employees in hotel sector was provided from the perspective of various stakeholders. Goals of talent management were discussed. Finding people in charge of talent management tasks was another result achieved. In addition, we uncovered the factors influence talent management practices. From our point of view, responding to the research objectives is the most important part of research conclusions. Regarding the implications of the research, hotels especially small and medium sized ones can improve the situation of their talents and increase organization efficiency using the results of this project. The data collected and analysed can help managers to be more aware of the subject and to choose best fit practices in talent positions of their organization. In other words, the results increase job satisfaction and provide talented employees a better work situation. Furthermore, the results from interviews which are not justified in literature review are like new hypothesis that can be studied in the future research. Recommendations for researchers, practitioners and governments is another part we discussed.(Català) Hospitalitat juga un paper important en l'economia d'Espanya com el 2n país més visitat del món. Els RRHH són el pilar fonamental en aquesta indústria. Els empleats amb talent poden ser un avantatge competitiu en hospitalitat i especialment els hotels com a subsector. Per gestionar el talent, cal utilitzar pràctiques efectives per a empleats d'alt potencial i rendiment, per omplir posicions clau. Encara hi ha la necessitat d'estudiar la gestió del talent en determinats sectors i en petites i mitjanes empreses (PIME). Partint de la pregunta de recerca “Quines són les pràctiques de gestió del talent en hotels PIME?”, els primers objectius de recerca descriuen el significat de Talent i gestió del talent segons els diferents grups d'interès dels hotels. Després es van identificar pràctiques formals i informals de gestió del talent. Comparar les diferents percepcions de la gestió del talent i les pràctiques corresponents als hotels va ser un altre objectiu que seguim. D'altra banda, la metodologia és una part crucial en la investigació. La metodologia de la investigació és empírica, inductiva i exploratòria. Es va dur a terme una investigació qualitativa. Els mètodes de mostreig van ser una combinació de diferents models. Recollim dades dels responsables de RRHH d'hotels PIME mitjançant entrevistes semiestructurades. Utilitzem plataformes com SABI i LinkedIn per arribar a les mostres de la investigació. Les entrevistes es van fer seguint un protocol d'entrevista definit. Pel que fa a l'ontologia i epistemologia de la investigació, podem dir que el nostre esforç va ser descobrir quina és la veritat sobre la gestió del talent als hotels. Això ens va portar a buscar un mètode adequat per entendre com impacta la gestió del talent als hotels. A causa de la naturalesa de la nostra investigació, l'interpretativisme va ser el més apropiat entre altres paradigmes filosòfics de recerca. Comencem l'anàlisi de dades definint les dades demogràfiques i realitzant una anàlisi inicial, incloent-hi la neteja, el cribratge i la documentació de dades. Després d'aquests passos, es va fer una anàlisi de dades basada en grounded theory i l'anàlisi temàtica. És important destacar que assegurem la qualitat de la investigació seguint estratègies apropiades de fiabilitat, validesa i fiabilitat. Pel que fa als resultats, podem afirmar que els conceptes esmentats a la revisió de la literatura es van comparar amb els resultats de les entrevistes. Trobem les similituds i diferències entre els conceptes. Per tant, preparem una llista de posicions clau de RH. Es van discutir les característiques de les persones amb talent. A més, es va proporcionar una llista classificada de pràctiques per a l'atracció, la selecció, la formació i el rendiment dels empleats amb talent en hotels des de la perspectiva de diversos grups d'interès. Es van discutir els objectius de la gestió del talent. Trobar les persones responsables de les tasques de gestió del talent va ser un altre resultat aconseguit. A més a més, descobrim els factors que influeixen en les pràctiques de gestió del talent. Des del nostre punt de vista, respondre als objectius de la investigació és la major part de les conclusions de la investigació. Pel que fa a les implicacions de la recerca, els hotels, especialment els de mida petita i mitjana, poden millorar la situació dels seus talents i augmentar l'eficiència de l'organització utilitzant els resultats d'aquest projecte. Les dades recollides i analitzades poden ajudar els directius a tenir més consciència del tema ia triar les pràctiques adequades per a les posicions clau. En altres paraules, els resultats augmenten la satisfacció laboral i proporcionen als empleats amb talent una situació de treball millor. A més, alguns resultats poden servir de base per a estudis futurs.(Español) Hospitalidad desempeña un papel importante en la economía de España como el 2º país más visitado del mundo. Los RRHH son el pilar fundamental en esta industria. Los empleados con talento pueden ser una ventaja competitiva en hospitalidad y especialmente los hoteles como un subsector. Para gestionar el talento, deben utilizarse prácticas efectivas para empleados de alto potencial y rendimiento, para llenar posiciones clave. Aún existe la necesidad de estudiar la gestión del talento en determinados sectores y en pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME). Partiendo de la pregunta de investigación "¿Cuáles son las prácticas de gestión del talento en hoteles PYME?", Los primeros objetivos de investigación describen el significado de Talento y gestión del talento según los diferentes grupos de interés de los hoteles. Luego se identificaron prácticas formales e informales de gestión del talento. Comparar las distintas percepciones de la gestión del talento y las prácticas correspondientes en los hoteles fue otro objetivo que seguimos. Por otra parte, la metodología es parte crucial en la investigación. La metodología de la investigación es empírica, inductiva y exploratoria. Se llevó a cabo una investigación cualitativa. Los métodos de muestreo fueron una combinación de diferentes modelos. Recogimos datos de los responsables de RRHH de hoteles PYME mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Utilizamos plataformas como SABI y LinkedIn para llegar a las muestras de la investigación. Las entrevistas se realizaron siguiendo un protocolo de entrevista definido. En cuanto a la ontología y epistemología de la investigación, podemos decir que nuestro esfuerzo fue descubrir cuál es la verdad sobre la gestión del talento en los hoteles. Esto nos llevó a buscar un método adecuado para entender cómo impacta la gestión del talento en los hoteles. Debido a la naturaleza de nuestra investigación, el interpretativismo fue el más apropiado entre otros paradigmas filosóficos de investigación. Empezamos el análisis de datos definiendo los datos demográficos y realizando un análisis inicial, incluyendo la limpieza, cribado y documentación de datos. Tras estos pasos, se realizó un análisis de datos basado en grounded theory y el análisis temático. Es importante destacar que aseguramos la calidad de la investigación siguiendo estrategias apropiadas de fiabilidad, validez y confiabilidad. Por lo que respecta a los resultados, podemos afirmar que los conceptos mencionados en la revisión de la literatura se compararon con los resultados de las entrevistas. Encontramos las similitudes y diferencias entre los conceptos. Por tanto, preparamos una lista de posiciones clave de RRHH. Se discutieron las características de las personas con talentos. Además, se proporcionó una lista clasificada de prácticas para la atracción, selección, formación y rendimiento de los empleados con talento en hoteles desde la perspectiva de varios grupos de interés. Se discutieron los objetivos de la gestión del talento. Encontrar a las personas responsables de las tareas de gestión del talento fue otro resultado conseguido. Además, descubrimos los factores que influyen en las prácticas de gestión del talento. Desde nuestro punto de vista, responder a los objetivos de la investigación es la mayor parte de las conclusiones de la investigación. En cuanto a las implicaciones de la investigación, los hoteles, especialmente los de pequeño y mediano tamaño, pueden mejorar la situación de sus talentos y aumentar la eficiencia de la organización utilizando los resultados de este proyecto. Los datos recogidos y analizados pueden ayudar a los directivos a tener mayor conciencia del tema ya elegir las prácticas adecuadas para las posiciones claves. En otras palabras, los resultados aumentan la satisfacción laboral y proporcionan a los empleados con talento una mejor situación de trabajo. Además, algunos resultados pueden servir de base para futuros estudios.DOCTORAT EN ADMINISTRACIÓ I DIRECCIÓ D'EMPRESES (Pla 2019

On the stability of linear mappings between essential Banach modules

We establish the generalized Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of the linear mappings between essential Banach modules over Banach algebras with bounded approximate identity and over $C^*$-algebras

New approach to an old concept: Quality of Working Life in Small and Medium-Sized Organizations

Quality of working life (QWL) is an old concept in human resource strategy which has a significant impact on motivation level of employees and their productivity. As Asia-Pacific Decent work decade reaches to its end, Iran has not prepared a plan for improving working life quality. There are plenty of QWL determinants, defined by researchers worldwide, still each country should prepare specific and tailored model of QWL on its own. Iran in one hand is a multi-cultural country, with variety of ethnics and languages, which could trigger conflicts and discrimination at work. In the other hand Iran, has a traditional management style, which tries to wipe out women from job market, by putting more obstacles in their way, which again has a bad influence on country's competitiveness. These facts show the complexity of QWL concept in Iran. This research was done to shed the light to this concept by defining determinants of QWL in Small and medium sized firms (SME). We put our effort on SME(s), because they are non-governmental and more flexible and also play a vital role in developing a knowledge based economy. In Iran, 98% of non-oil products, are exported by SME(s) .Extensive search done to collect most QWL determinants from different research papers, then experts votes used to filter variables, based on their applicability in SME(s). A questionnaire was prepared based on remaining variables and ethnic discrimination, sexuality and self-esteem added as personal moderating variables. Questionnaire used among white collars in SME(s). The results analyzed by SPSS and SamrtPLS and a model proposed for QWL in SME(s). Also, the effect of ethnic discrimination, sexuality and self –esteem to the individual's perception of QWL supported.

New approach to an old concept: Quality of Working Life in Small and Medium-Sized Organizations

Quality of working life (QWL) is an old concept in human resource strategy which has a significant impact on motivation level of employees and their productivity. As Asia-Pacific Decent work decade reaches to its end, Iran has not prepared a plan for improving working life quality. There are plenty of QWL determinants, defined by researchers worldwide, still each country should prepare specific and tailored model of QWL on its own. Iran in one hand is a multi-cultural country, with variety of ethnics and languages, which could trigger conflicts and discrimination at work. In the other hand Iran, has a traditional management style, which tries to wipe out women from job market, by putting more obstacles in their way, which again has a bad influence on country's competitiveness. These facts show the complexity of QWL concept in Iran. This research was done to shed the light to this concept by defining determinants of QWL in Small and medium sized firms (SME). We put our effort on SME(s), because they are non-governmental and more flexible and also play a vital role in developing a knowledge based economy. In Iran, 98% of non-oil products, are exported by SME(s) .Extensive search done to collect most QWL determinants from different research papers, then experts votes used to filter variables, based on their applicability in SME(s). A questionnaire was prepared based on remaining variables and ethnic discrimination, sexuality and self-esteem added as personal moderating variables. Questionnaire used among white collars in SME(s). The results analyzed by SPSS and SamrtPLS and a model proposed for QWL in SME(s). Also, the effect of ethnic discrimination, sexuality and self –esteem to the individual's perception of QWL supported.

Novel hemostatic patch achieves sutureless epicardial wound closure during complex cardiac surgery:A case report

Treatment of damaged cardiac tissue in patients with high bleeding tendency can be very challenging, damaged myocardial tissue has a high rupture risk when being sutured subsequently on-going bleeding is a major risk factor for poor clinical outcome. We present a case demonstrating the feasibility in using a novel haemostatic collagen sponge for the management of a myocardial wound. This report is the first description in cardiac surgery where Hemopatch (R) sponges are used to successfully seal a left ventricle wound. Our patient was diagnosed with endocarditis, had a low pre-operative haemoglobin count and underwent cardiac surgery for multiple valve repairs. The procedure was performed on cardiopulmonary bypass, which meant our patient had to be heparinized. Despite these major risk factors for bleeding Hemopatch (R) managed to contain bleeding and seal the wound, no sutures were needed

Rectal prolapse as an initial presentation of colorectal cancer:a systematic review

Background: Colorectal cancer rising incidence still pose a public health challenge. In the present systematic review, we aimed to study the colorectal cancer patients with initial presentation of rectal prolapse. Method: The study protocol was developed (PROSPERO CRD42017060473). We searched Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus to identify case reports of rectal Prolapse as a chief compliant of colorectal cancer. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta- Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for screening and data extraction. Results: Thirty-one case reports were included in this review. More than half of the patients were females over 65 years old and mean ± SD age of the cases were 64 ± 17.9 years and, the female gender were mentioned in 17 (56%) case reports. The majority (64.5%) of the identified cancer belong to rectum and recto-sigmoid origin's location. In the history retained from the cases, rectal bleeding and constipation were the most frequent reported accompanied symptoms in colorectal cancer cases with initial presentation of rectal prolapse. 67.7% of all identified cases in this review published at 2015 and later. Conclusion: Rectal prolapse can be an initial presentation of colorectal cancer, which is more prevalent in female more than 65 years old. The most common symptoms accompanied rectal prolapse were rectal bleeding and constipation. According to rising published case reports on colorectal cancer patients with initial presentation of rectal prolapse in recent years, further work-up is recommended for patients without predisposing factors for a concomitant tumor.</p

The role of metalloproteinase and hypoxia conditions in endometrial cells and embryo implantation

In the process of implantation, metalloproteinase enzymes play a key role in basement membrane degradation and endometrial extracellular matrix. The activity of these enzymes is impeded by binding Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase (TIMP). The oxygen concentration in the mammalian uterus at the time of implantation is about 2-5%. It is seen that the imposition of hypoxia on cancer cells increases the expression of metalloproteinase enzymes and reduces the expression of metalloproteinase inhibitors, resulting in increased cell invasion. To know the effect of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) and other related factors, we decided to evaluate hypoxic conditions on endometrial epithelial cells of the uterus and roll of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) on angiogenesis and invasion of the embryo during implantation. In this study, human and mouse endometrial epithelial cells were incubated for 24-48 hours in hypoxic conditions. Subsequently, the expression level of TIMP-1 was measured in mouse and human epithelial cells by Real-Time PCR technique. The cell viability in hypoxic conditions was evaluated by MTT assay. Our results demonstrated that hypoxia reduced the quantitative gene expression of TIMP-1 in the human and mouse endometrial epithelial cells compared to the control group. It can be concluded that applying hypoxic conditions by reducing the TIMP-1 expression and consequently increasing MMP expression, may improve the embryo implantation rate

Obstructive sleep apnea in middle age male smokers

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea. This was designed to establish the relationship between smoking and obstructive sleep apnea. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from August 2018 to November 2018 (dates mentioned in methods are different) and comprised of males aged 30-50 years. Participants were divided into two groups of smokers and non-smokers and Berlin questionnaire was used to collect data employing systemic random sampling. SPSS 22 was used for analysis. Results:There were 768 male participants in the study equally split between smokers and non-smokers. Mean age was 39±5.76 years. Percentage of high-risk group among smokers was 36.5% and among non-smokers was 16.7%. Percentage of low risk group among smokers was 63.5% and among non-smokers was 83.3%. The odds ratio of obstructive sleep apnea was 2.87 times more in smokers than non-smokers. Conclusion:Long term smoking had a strong association with obstructive sleep apnea

Wastewater treatment by local microalgae strains for CO2 sequestration and biofuel production

Currently, the scientific community is keenly working on environmental-friendly processes for the production of clean energy and sustainable development. The study was conducted to cultivate microalgae in raw institutional wastewater for water treatment, enriched production of biomass and CO2 sequestration. The strains which were used in this study are Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. which were isolated from Kallar Kahar Lake, Pakistan. Both strains were cultivated in synthetic growth medium (Bold's Basal Medium) to enhance biomass production. Afterward, microalgae cultures were inoculated in wastewater sample in mixotrophic mode under ambient conditions. The impurities in wastewater were successfully removed from the original sample by the 7th day of operation. COD 95%, nitrate 99.7% and phosphate 80.5% were removed by applying Scenedesmus sp. Meanwhile, Chlorella sp. reduced 84.86% COD, 98.2% nitrate and 70% phosphate, respectively. Interestingly, sulfates were removed from wastewater completely by both strains. Besides being useful in wastewater remediation, these microalgae strains were subsequently harvested for lipid extraction and potential biofuel production was determined. Therefore, the applied method is an environmentally safe, cost-effective and alternative technology for wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the achieved biomass through this process can be used for the production of biofuels