Social Network Measures for Nosduocentered Networks, their Predictive Power on Performance

Our purpose in this article is to define a network structure which is based on two egos instead of the egocentered (one ego) or the complete network (n egos). We describe the characteristics and properties for this kind of network which we call “nosduocentered network”, comparing it with complete and egocentered networks. The key point for this kind of network is that relations exist between the two main egos and all alters, but relations among others are not observed. After that, we use new social network measures adapted to the nosduocentered network, some of which are based on measures for complete networks such as degree, betweenness, closeness centrality or density, while some others are tailor-made for nosduocentered networks. We specify three regression models to predict research performance of PhD students based on these social network measures for different networks such as advice, collaboration, emotional support and trust. Data used are from Slovenian PhD students and their supervisors. The results show that performance for PhD students depends mostly of the emotional network, because it is significant for all three models. Trust and collaboration networks are significant for two models and advice is not significant for any model. As regards network measures, classic and tailor-made measures are about equally good. Measures related to the total intensity of contacts (e.g., density, degree centralization and size) seem to work best to predict performance.nosduocentered network; academic achievement; performance; network measures

Managing induced tourism image: Relational patterns and the life cycle

The tourism image is an element that conditions the competitiveness of tourism destinations by making them stand out in the minds of tourists. In this context, marketers of tourism destinations endeavour to create an induced image based on their identity and distinctive characteristics.A number of authors have also recognized the complexity of tourism destinations and the need for coordination and cooperation among all tourism agents, in order to supply a satisfactory tourist product and be competitive in the tourism market. Therefore, tourism agents at the destination need to develop and integrate strategic marketing plans.The aim of this paper is to determine how cities of similar cultures use their resources with the purpose of developing a distinctive induced tourism image to attract tourists and the extent of coordination and cooperation among the various tourism agents of a destination in the process of induced image creation.In order to accomplish these aims, a comparative analysis of the induced image of two cultural cities is presented, Girona (Spain) and Perpignan (France). The induced image is assessed through the content analysis of promotional brochures and the extent of cooperation with in-depth interviews of the main tourism agents of these destinations.Despite the similarities of both cities in terms of tourism resources, results show the use of different attributes to configure the induced image of each destination, as well as a different configuration of the network of tourism agents that participate in the process of induced image creation

Price Management in a hotel Revenue Management system online

La informatización de los sistemas de Revenue Management (RM) en el turismo es creciente en los últimos años, así como su utilización en empresas turísticas y su transformación hacia la gestión en línea. Aunque el sector hotelero parece ir a una velocidad de implementación de estos sistemas menor que otros sectores como el aéreo o el marítimo, las aplicaciones de RM aplicadas al sector hotelero también tienden a cumplir las tres premisas básicas: 1) que no sea estándar y pueda personalizarse, 2) que pueda aplicarse a todo tipo de hoteles e incluso a otros sistemas de alojamiento, y 3) que sirva para la fijación de precios que pueda relacionarse con sistemas en línea. Por este motivo el principal objetivo de este trabajo se basa en desarrollar un sistema de gestión de precios que cumpla las tres premisas básicas y además sea adaptable al entorno hotelero de venta en línea.The computerization of the Revenue Management (RM) systems in the tourism industry has increased in recent years, as well as their uses in tourism companies. Moreover, these systems turned into the on-line management. Although the hotel sector seems to drive a slower speed of implementation of these systems than other sectors like the aerial or the maritime, the applications of RM applied to the hotel sector tend to fulfill three basic premises, 1) not being standard and with a self-made structure, 2) that can applicable to all kind of hotels and even to other systems of accommodation, and 3) that can be used for the on-line price establishment. Due to this the main aim of this paper is based on developing a system of pricing management that fulfils these basic premise

La formación de la imagen turística inducida: un modelo conceptual

: Teniendo en cuenta que la imagen turística ha sido reconocida como uno de los elementos más influyentes para la competitividad de los destinos turísticos, el principal objetivo de este artículo es construir un marco conceptual que muestre la influencia de la red relacional del destino en su imagen emitida. En este contexto, se asume que la imagen turística es una construcción social resultante de la interacción de los distintos agentes que intervienen en el destino turístico (administraciones públicas, instituciones locales, empresas turísticas, etc.); y se propone un modelo teórico para mostrar los efectos de la red relacional del destino turístico en la calidad de la imagen turística creada en términos de conocimiento generado y, por tanto, en su competitividad.Taking into account that tourism destination image has been considered one of the most influential elements on the competitiveness of tourism destinations; the main aim of this paper is to elaborate a conceptual framework depicting the influence of the tourist destination network on its emitted image. By assuming that the image of a tourism destination is nothing more than a social construction resulting from the interactions of various intervening agents, such as public administration, local institutions, tourist businesses, etc., we propose a model in order to map the effects of the relational networks of a local tourist destination on the ‘quality’ of its induced image as a type of knowledge asset, and therefore, on its competitiveness

Effect of Background, Attitudinal and Social Network Variables on PhD Students’ Academic Performance. A Multimethod Approach

The aim of this paper is to predict the academic performance of PhD students understood as publications and presentations at conferences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We use a multimethod approach, a quantitative web survey of PhD students and their supervisors and in-depth interviews. We surveyed all PhD students at the University of Girona (Spain) in their 4th and 5th year, who held either a PhD grant or a teaching position at the university. RESULTS: The explanatory variables of PhD performance are of three types: characteristics of the PhD students’ research groups understood as social networks, background variables and attitudinal characteristics. The quantitative analyses show the importance of some background and attitudinal variables like supervisor performance, having a grant, or motivation. The qualitative results show networking to be also important. Policy implications are drawn at country and university level. DISCUSSION: Policy implications are drawn at country and university level

Back to the future: challenges of European tourism of tomorrow

Purpose–The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the most recent (or emerging) trendslikely to have a major impact in shaping the future of tourism in Europe. Design/methodology/approach–The methodology of this paper involved in-depth literature review ofEuropean Union policies, initiatives and programs. Also, semi-structured interviews were conducted withkey individuals/organisations, mainly at a European level, but also including pertinent global and nationaltourism organisations. Moreover, an online survey was also conducted and circulated to a wide range oforganisations from all 28 EU Member States. Nvivo was used to analyse the documents as well as toconduct a content and thematic analysis of the interviews. Findings–This paper identifies five trends associated with the future of tourism in Europe. Those maintrends are: evolving visitor demand; marketing; stakeholders and tourism governance; new technologies;and sustainable and responsible tourism. Originality/value–This trends paper provides five useful recommendations for the future of tourism inEurope, including: sustainable tourism development, investment in technology, effective tourismgovernance, enhance Europe’s overall destination brand and marketing strategy, and the need for newskills and training

Coordinación global y regulación del turismo: una radicalización del cosmopolitanismo de Kant

Tourism is a complex phenomenon in scale and scope. Interrelated with other systems (ecological, social, economic, political) from the local to the global, its impacts and effects transcend borders, making coordination and regulation highly challenging. Global mobilities (both physical and virtual) and neoliberal globalization further complicate enabling just and sustainable tourism. New forms of governance are needed to address global threats like climate change and pandemics. This paper explores Immanuel Kant’s transcendental perspective on “perpetual peace” and traces his evolving cosmopolitanism over a decade of essays. We then turn towards what appears to be a contradictory, immanent posthumanist approach from Gilles Deleuze. Radicalizing Kant using Deleuze leads to a different concept of ‘normativity’, grounded in an ideal of perpetual self-critique and self-creation. Such a critical, affirmative ethic opens possibilities for situated approaches to cosmopolitan rights and global justice, rather than global regulatory structures to coordinate effective and proactive actions. El turismo es un fenómeno complejo tanto en términos de escala como de alcance. Interrelacionado con otros sistemas (ecológicos, sociales, económicos, políticos) de lo local a lo global, sus impactos y efectos trascienden fronteras, lo cual hace que su coordinación y regulación sea un enorme reto. La movilidad global (tanto física como virtual) y la globalización neoliberal complican aún más la posibilidad de un turismo justo y sostenible. Se requieren nuevas formas de gobernanza para poder abordar amenazas mundiales actuales como son el cambio climático y las pandemias. Este artículo explora primero la perspectiva trascendental de Immanuel Kant sobre la «paz perpetua» y traza su evolución del cosmopolitanismo durante una década entera de ensayos. Seguidamente, se adopta un enfoque poshumanista e inmanente como el de Gilles Deleuze. La radicalización que hace Deleuze de Kant conduce a un concepto diferente de «normatividad», basado en un ideal de autocrítica y autotransformación perpetua. Una ética crítica y afirmativa como esta abre nuevos caminos hacia una aproximación más situacional a los derechos cosmopolitas y la justicia global, en lugar de simplemente profundizar en estructuras regulatorias globales, para la coordinación de acciones más efectivas y proactivas.&nbsp

Gestión de precios en un sistema de Revenue Management hotelero en línea

La informatización de los sistemas de Revenue Management (RM) en el turismo es creciente en los últimos años, así como su utilización en empresas turísticas y su transformación hacia la gestión en línea. Aunque el sector hotelero parece ir a una velocidad de implementación de estos sistemas menor que otros sectores como el aéreo o el marítimo, las aplicaciones de RM aplicadas al sector hotelero también tienden a cumplir las tres premisas básicas: 1) que no sea estándar y pueda personalizarse, 2) que pueda aplicarse a todo tipo de hoteles e incluso a otros sistemas de alojamiento, y 3) que sirva para la fijación de precios que pueda relacionarse con sistemas en línea. Por este motivo el principal objetivo de este trabajo se basa en desarrollar un sistema de gestión de precios que cumpla las tres premisas básicas y además sea adaptable al entorno hotelero de venta en línea

Social Network Measures for Nosduocentered Networks, their Predictive Power on Performance

Our purpose in this article is to define a network structure which is based on two egos instead of the egocentered (one ego) or the complete network (n egos). We describe the characteristics and properties for this kind of network which we call "nosduocentered network", comparing it with complete and egocentered networks. The key point for this kind of network is that relations exist between the two main egos and all alters, but relations among others are not observed. After that, we use new social network measures adapted to the nosduocentered network, some of which are based on measures for complete networks such as degree, betweenness, closeness centrality or density, while some others are tailormade for nosduocentered networks. We specify three regression models to predict research performance of PhD students based on these social network measures for different networks such as advice, collaboration, emotional support and trust. Data used are from Slovenian PhD students and their supervisors. The results show that performance for PhD students depends mostly of the emotional network, because it is significant for all three models. Trust and collaboration networks are significant for two models and advice is not significant for any model. As regards network measures, classic and tailor-made measures are about equally good. Measures related to the total intensity of contacts (e.g., density, degree centralization and size) seem to work best to predict performance