Service quality strategy implementation : a model and the case of the Algarve hotel industry

This is the third of a series of papers addressing the problem of service quality strategy implementation. The first paper focuses on service quality as a function of quality gaps and proposes a comprehensive model that amplifies the areas where to look for service quality gaps (Cândido & Morris, 2000). The second paper focuses on strategy implementation and proposes three interrelated models: a static model of the organisation; a dynamic model of the strategy process; and a mixed model, which integrates static and dynamic models (Cândido & Morris, 2001). Taken together, the four models can help to implement a service quality strategy that simultaneously avoids quality gaps and resistance to change. Now, this paper undertakes a tentative validation of the models. Sample data has been collected through two complementary questionnaires, both implemented in the population of four and five star hotels of the Algarve (FFSHA). Data analysis involves descriptive statistics and statistical tests. In general, the descriptives and the statistical tests do not provide evidence against the models thus supporting their validity. Descriptives have also raised concerns about some possible inconsistent management practices during the implementation of a quality strategy. The paper concludes with insights to managers interested in implementing such a strategy

ISO 9001 maintenance, decertification and recertification: A systematic literature review

Previous research on ISO 9001 certification maintenance, decertification and recertification is fragmented and lacks an integrated theoretical framework. Thus, the aims of this study are to provide an overview of current research, develop an integrated framework and identify research gaps. The research methodology consists of a systematic literature review (SLR) which starts with the definition of a research protocol, proceeds with searches in Web of Science and Scopus, and selects a final sample of 32 articles for analysis. Results show that the research interest in certification maintenance, decertification and recertification is growing, but is still scarce. Extant research focuses on certification maintenance factors, benefits and frameworks; decertification reasons and consequences, and recertification impact on efficiency. There is a lack of consensus on these topics, but the data extracted from the literature is used to develop a theoretical framework of what companies do in the post-certification period. The framework identifies the main variables involved in certification maintenance, decertification and recertification, and establishes the main relationships between them. This is the first SLR conducted on these topics, which provides the first integrated framework of the research phenomena, a comprehensive list of research gaps to guide future studies, and relevant management recommendations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora