E-learning, vocational training and employability for the unemployed: survey design and validation

The paper analyses the effect of e-learning vocational training on the employability of the unemployed. Through a questionnaire survey of 5,265 people who took part in ane-learning training programme developed in 2009 by the Catalan Employment Service (SOC) and the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) to improve the employability of the unemployed, the study makes two main contributions. First,we describe the design of an 18-item scale. Second, the study analyses the factorial structure and psychometric properties of that scale. Three factors from the exploratoryfactor analysis, namely competencies developed (α1=0.93), applicability of training (α2=0.92) and satisfaction with the pedagogical design (α3=0.90), explain 71.5% of cumulative variance. The total scale reliability is 0.94. The statisticsobtained for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFI=0.94, NNFI=0.94, and RMSEA=0.08) indicate an acceptable fit of the proposed threefactor model (Chi-square=2.416, p=0.000). The coefficients of the estimates, all with valuesbetween 0.85 and 1.66, are significant at p<0.001.The study provides new evidence in the specific field of e-learning vocational training specifically for the unemployed, as well as new dimensions such as the structure and the pedagogical design of the programme. The analysis of a new edition of the programme in 2012 reveals the usefulness of e-learning for the unemployed withfewer formal qualifications

Job change without changing job? Exploring job crafting in Spain

The working paper explores job crafting and their convergent validity with work engagement and proactive personality in Spain. Based on the Job Demands- Resources model with four dimensions (increasing structural job resources, decreasing hindering job demands, increasing social job resources, and increasing challenging job demands) the working paper validates a job crafting scale using a sample of 896 employees working for firms in Spain. The results of the confirmatory factor and invariance analyses suggest that the four-factor model satisfactorily describes the dimensional structure of the 21-item scale, with Cronbach's alpha reliability indices between 0.70 and 0.79. Regarding convergent validity, the factors increasing structural job resources, increasing social job resources, and increasing challenging job demands correlate positively with the three sub-scales of Work Engagement (vigour, dedication and absorption) and with the Proactive Personality Scale. In contrast, the factor decreasing hindering job demands correlates negatively with the sub-scales of work engagement and not at all with proactivity. These results essentially point towards potential interventions that employees could make to influence their skills, learning and professional development; the interaction with and inspiration drawn from supervisors and colleagues; the proactivity in terms of developing new job demands; and reducing job-related mental and emotional intensity and difficulties

Adaptación al español de una escala de motivación emprendedora

This study follows the theoretical framework put forward by Robichaud on entrepreneurial motivation. The objective was to adapt the original French scale of 17 items into Spanish and to analyze its psychometric properties. The participants in the present study were 981 Spanish employees (46.5 % men and 53.5 % women). After carrying out exploratory factor analyses and ESEM (RMSEA = .06; CFI = .95 and TLI = .95), revealed a structure comprised of three factors: Family security (α =.82), Independence and autonomy (α =.83), and Intrinsic motivations (α =.77). These three factors displayed adequate reliability. We also found evidence of validity with regard to a series of external correlates and various scales that have to do with workaholism, irritation and burnout. The present scale may prove useful for adequately identifying entrepreneurial motivation.Este estudio sigue el marco teórico propuesto por Robichaud sobre motivación emprendedora. El objetivo fue adaptar la escala original francesa de 17 ítems al español y analizar sus propiedades psicométricas. Los participantes del presente estudio fueron 981 empleados españoles (46.5% hombres y 53.5% mujeres). Después de llevar a cabo el análisis factorial exploratorio y el ESEM (RMSEA = .06; CFI = .95 y TLI = .95), se determinó una estructura compuesta de tres factores: Seguridad de la familia (α =.82), Independencia y autonomía (α =.83) y Motivaciones intrínsecas (α =.77). Los tres factores muestran una fiabilidad adecuada. También se encuentran evidencias de validez respecto a una serie de correlatos externos y varias escalas que hacen alusión a la adicción al trabajo, la irritación y el burnout. La presente escala puede resultar adecuada para identificar adecuadamente la motivación emprendedora

Spanish Adaptation of the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument: Reflection on the Difficulty in Transferring the ad hoc Factor

[EN] The Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument is a common instrument for measuring organizational culture in English-speaking countries based on four factors: Clan, ad hoc, Market and Hierarchy. However, to date, there is no proper translation of the scale into Spanish. In this study, we describe the translation and adaptation of the instrument through Exploratory Factor Analysis with a Spanish sample (n(1) = 246; 69.9% men and 30.1% women) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis with a Peruvian sample (n(2) = 510; 70.4% men and 29.6% women). The result reduces the four-factor internal structure to a three-factor structure that retains the Clan, Market and Hierarchy factors, but completely excludes the ad hoc factor. Confirmatory Factor Analysis shows acceptable indicators, reliabilities are good and indication of validity is also confirmed. In conclusion, this study has given rise to the instrument in Spanish, called OCAI-12, which is suitable for evaluating organizational culture.The authors received financial support for the research and publication of this article from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.Assens-Serra, J.; Boada-Cueva, M.; Serrano-Fernández, M.; Villajos-Girona, E.; Boada-Grau, J. (2021). Spanish Adaptation of the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument: Reflection on the Difficulty in Transferring the ad hoc Factor. Frontiers in Psychology. 12:1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.817232S1101

Versión española de la escala job crafting

This paper presents the translation, adaptation and validation of a scale to measure job crafting behaviors (i.e. the Spanish Job Crafting Scale - SJCS; Tims, Bakker, & Derks, 2012). Methods: The scale was applied to a sample of 896 employees in Spain (52.26% women and 47.4% men). We tested the reliability and factorial validity of the 21-item instrument. Results: After confirmatory factor analysis (CFI=.858, TLI= .838, IFI= .860, RMSEA= .067), the results show a structure consisting of four factors: Increasing structural job resources; Decreasing hindering job demands; Increasing social job resources; Increasing challenging job demands. These four factors demonstrate adequate reliability and evidence of validity with others scales that refer to Engagement at Work and Proactivity. Conclusion: The questionnaire may be a useful tool for the assessment of job crafting and for future research in Spanish speaking countries.Este artículo presenta la traducción, adaptación y validación de una escala para medir el comportamiento del job crafting (Spanish Job Crafting Scale -SJCS; Tims, Bakker, & Derks, 2012). Método: la escala fue aplicada a una muestra de 896 empleados (52,6% mujeres y 47,4% hombres). Se han testeado la fiabilidad y la validez factorial de un instrumento con 21 ítems. Resultados: después de realizar análisis confirmatorio (CFI= .858, TLI= .838, IFI= .860, RMSEA= .067), los resultados obtenidos confirman una estructura constituida por cuatro factores: aumento de los recursos estructurales del empleo, Disminución de las demandas de trabajo, aumento de los recursos sociales del empleo, Creciente demanda de desafíos en el trabajo. Estos cuatro factores tienen una fiabilidad adecuada y se constatan evidencias de validez con otras escalas que hacen referencia al Engagement en el trabajo y la Proactividad. Conclusiones: el cuestionario puede ser una herramienta útil para la evaluación del job crafting y para su uso en la investigación en el contexto de los países de lengua española

Variables predictivas de la calidad del sueño en conductores profesionales.

Background: Professional drivers often have problems sleeping or resting properly. This may be due to various factors, both personal and specific to their working conditions. In this study, we set out to develop a predictive model for the quality of sleep in professional drivers using the following indicators: Age, Gender, Seat Comfort, Seat Suspension, Adjustable Lumbar Support of the Driver’s Seat, Driving Hours, Musculoskeletal Problems, Driver Stress, Irritation, Resistant Personality, Burnout, Safety Behaviors and Impulsivity. Method: The participants were 369 professional drivers from different transport sectors, obtained through non-probabilistic sampling. The SPSS 25.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: The predictive capacity of certain variables that affect drivers’ sleep quality is determined. Conclusions: Sleep quality can be predicted by means of certain variables, the best predictor of which is Exhaustion (Burnout). This research contributes to the body of knowledge on sleep quality and on improving the health of professional drivers.Antecedentes: Los conductores profesionales suelen padecer problemas para dormir o descansar correctamente. Esto puede deberse a diversos factores tanto personales como específicos de las condiciones laborales. En el presente trabajo nos hemos planteado desarrollar un modelo predictivo sobre la calidad del sueño en conductores profesionales utilizando los indicadores siguientes: Edad, Género, Confort del asiento, suspensión del asiento, Soporte lumbar ajustable del asiento del conductor, Horas de conducción, Problemas musculoesqueléticos, Drivers Stress, Irritación, Personalidad resistente, Burnout, conductas de seguridad e Impulsividad. Método: Los participantes han sido 369 conductores profesionales, de distintos sectores del transporte, obtenidos mediante un muestreo no probabilístico. Se han utilizado el programa SPSS 25.0. Resultados: Se determina la capacidad predictiva de algunas variables que afectan a los conductores sobre la calidad del sueño. Conclusiones: La calidad del sueño se puede predecir a través de determinadas variables, siendo la mejor predictora Exhaustion (Burnout). Esta investigación contribuye a un mayor conocimiento de la calidad del sueño y a la mejora de la salud de los conductores profesionales

Estudio correlacional-predictivo de las variables antecedentes de la Pasión por el Trabajo

The aim of this study was to conduct a correlational-predictive study of the antecedent variables of Passion towards Work. The participants were 513 workers (48.1% male, 51.9% female), obtained through non-probability sampling. We used the FACTOR 7.2 and SPSS 22.0. In the results we find that variables such as Personality, Engagement, Self-efficacy, obsessive-compulsive component, Life satisfaction and Lifestyle were predictive of Passion towards Work. In conclusion Passion towards Work can be predicted as follows: The variables Dedication, Growth, Physical activity, Satisfaction with life and Excessive responsibility were direct predictors of Harmonious Passion whereas Vigor was an inverse predictor. Similarly, the variables Absorption and Excessive responsibility were predictors of Obsessive Passion, whereas Satisfaction with life, Openness to experience and Kindness were negative predictors.Antecedentes: El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar un estudio correlacional-predictivo de las variables antecedentes de la Pasión por el trabajo. Método: Los participantes han sido 513 trabajadores (48,1 % hombres, 51,9 % mujeres), obtenidos mediante un muestreo no probabilístico. Se han utilizado los programas FACTOR (versión 7.2) y SPSS 20.0. Resultados: se determina la capacidad predictiva de variables como Personalidad, Engagement, Autoeficacia, ICO, Satisfacción por la vida y Estilo de vida sobre la Pasión por el trabajo. Conclusiones: La Pasión por el Trabajo se puede predecir de la siguiente manera: La Pasión Armoniosa de forma directa con las variables Dedicación, Crecimiento, Actividad física, Satisfacción con la vida y Responsabilidad excesiva, y de manera inversa con el Vigor. Mientras que la Pasión Obsesiva a través de las variables Absorción y Responsabilidad excesiva y de manera negativa la Satisfacción con la vida, la Apertura a la experiencia y la Amabilidad

Salud y seguridad laboral en la industria del transporte (TRANS-12): estructura factorial, fiabilidad y validez

Background: This study sets out the psychometric properties of the TRANS-18 scale and of a shorter version, the TRANS-12, both designed to detect safe behaviors (personal and vehicle-related) and psychophysiological disorders among professional drivers. Method: The investigation was divided into Study 1, into the factorial structure, reliability and validity of the TRANS-18, and Study 2, looking into the same aspects of the TRANS-12. The participants in both studies were resident in Spain. 272 professional drivers took part in Study 1, while Study 2 had 326 participants. Results: A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out for both studies. The results for Study 1 confirm an internal structure of three factors related to psychophysiological disorders and personal and vehicle-related safety behaviors, but the original TRANS-18 is discarded because it does not fit the model. With regard to Study 2, the results show a good fit of the three-factor model, appropriate reliability and evidence of validity. Conclusions: We conclude by considering the suitability of the psychometric properties of the TRANS-12 and its utility for identifying safe behaviors in work in the transport industry.Antecedentes: Este estudio expone las propiedades psicométricas de la escala TRANS-18 y de una versión más corta, el TRANS-12, ambos diseñados para detectar conductas seguras (personales y relacionadas con el vehículo) y trastornos psicofisiológicos entre conductores profesionales. Método: La investigación se divide en dos. Estudio 1, estructura factorial, fiabilidad y validez del TRANS-18, y Estudio 2, se estudian los mismos aspectos en el TRANS-12. Los participantes en ambos estudios fueron residentes en España. 272 conductores profesionales participaron en el Estudio 1, mientras que el Estudio 2 participaron 326 conductores. Resultados: Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio para ambos estudios. Los resultados del Estudio 1 confirman una estructura interna de tres factores relacionados con los trastornos psicofisiológicos y las conductas de seguridad personales y con el vehículo, pero el TRANS-18 original se descarta por no ajustarse al modelo. Con respecto al Estudio 2, los resultados muestran un buen ajuste del modelo de tres factores, la fiabilidad apropiada y la evidencia de validez. Conclusiones: Concluimos considerando la idoneidad de las propiedades psicométricas del TRANS-12 y su utilidad para identificar comportamientos seguros en el trabajo en la industria del transporte

La curiosidad como variable moderadora entre la Impulsividad y la Orientación Emprendedora

The objective of the present study is to analyze whether the variable Curiosity is a moderating variable between Impulsivity and Entrepreneurial Orientation. The multi-occupational sample of 883 Spanish and Colombian employees (49% men, 51% women) was obtained through non-probabilistic sampling. The data collected were processed with the SPSS 23.0 program. Statistically significant correlations were found among all the research variables except for Functional Impulsivity. Finally, empirical evidence indicates that Curiosity-D plays a moderating role between Dysfunctional Impulsivity and Entrepreneurial Orientation in the sense that Curiosity-D (understood as a quantitative variable) affects the intensity of the relationship between Dysfunctional Impulsivity (predictor variable) and Entrepreneurial Orientation (criterion variable).El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar si la curiosidad es una variable moderadora entre la Impulsividad y la Orientación Emprendedora. Se utiliza una muestra multiocupacional de 883 empleados españoles (49 % hombres, 51 % mujeres), obtenidos mediante un muestreo no probabilístico. Se ha utilizado el programa SPSS 23.0. Se encontraron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre todas las variables de la investigación a excepcion de la impulsividad Funcional. Finalmente, la evidencia empírica indica que la Curiosidad-D tiene un papel moderador entre la impulsividad Disfuncional y la Orientación Emprendedora mostrada, en el sentido de que la Curiosidad-D (entendida como una variable cuantitativa) afecta la intensidad de la relación entre la Impulsividad Disfuncional (variable predictora) y la Orientación Emprendedora (variable de criterio)