Statistical tests of symbolic dynamics

A novel general method for constructing nonparametric hypotheses tests based on the field of symbolic analysis is introduced in this paper. Several existing tests based on symbolic entropy that have been used for testing central hypotheses in several branches of science (particularly in economics and statistics) are particular cases of this general approach. This family of symbolic tests uses few assumptions, which increases the general applicability of any symbolic-based test. Additionally, as a theoretical application of this method, we construct and put forward four new statistics to test for the null hypothesis of spatiotemporal independence. There are very few tests in the specialized literature in this regard. The new tests were evaluated with the mean of several Monte Carlo experiments. The results highlight the outstanding performance of the proposed test. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Scalable Joint Detection and Segmentation of Surgical Instruments with Weak Supervision

Computer vision based models, such as object segmentation, detection and tracking, have the potential to assist surgeons intra-operatively and improve the quality and outcomes of minimally invasive surgery. Different work streams towards instrument detection include segmentation, bounding box localisation and classification. While segmentation models offer much more granular results, bounding box annotations are easier to annotate at scale. To leverage the granularity of segmentation approaches with the scalability of bounding box-based models, a multi-task model for joint bounding box detection and segmentation of surgical instruments is proposed. The model consists of a shared backbone and three independent heads for the tasks of classification, bounding box regression, and segmentation. Using adaptive losses together with simple yet effective weakly-supervised label inference, the proposed model use weak labels to learn to segment surgical instruments with a fraction of the dataset requiring segmentation masks. Results suggest that instrument detection and segmentation tasks share intrinsic challenges and jointly learning from both reduces the burden of annotating masks at scale. Experimental validation shows that the proposed model obtain comparable results to that of single-task state-of-the-art detector and segmentation models, while only requiring a fraction of the dataset to be annotated with masks. Specifically, the proposed model obtained 0.81 weighted average precision (wAP) and 0.73 mean intersection-over-union (IOU) in the Endovis2018 dataset with 1% annotated masks, while performing joint detection and segmentation at more than 20 frames per second

A note on the SG(m) test

López et al. (Reg Sci Urban Econ 40(2–3):106–115, 2010) introduce a nonparametric test of spatial dependence, called SG(m). The test is claimed to be consistent and asymptotically Chi-square distributed. Elsinger (Reg Sci Urban Econ 43(5):838–840, 2013) raises doubts about the two properties. Using a particular counterexample, he shows that the asymptotic distribution of the SG(m) test may be far from the Chi-square family; the property of consistency is also questioned. In this note, the authors want to clarify the properties of the SG(m) test. We argue that the cause of the conflict is in the specification of the symbolization map. The discrepancies can be solved by adjusting some of the definitions made in the original paper. Moreover, we introduce a permutational bootstrapped version of the SG(m) test, which is powerful and robust to the underlying statistical assumptions. This bootstrapped version may be very useful in an applied context

Museos y periodistas. Análisis de la sala de prensa virtual como espacio de relaciones públicas

Las rutinas de producción periodística se vieron alteradas con la aparición de Internet y la evolución de las fuentes 2.0. Se han extendido los espacios virtuales corporativos para los medios de comunicación, entendidos como herramienta básica de Relaciones Públicas. Los responsables de las organizaciones museísticas han entendido la necesidad de establecer un vínculo relacional con los periodistas en la red, a través de los sitios web oficiales de los museos. No obstante, concluimos que no facilitan los contenidos necesarios para transmitirlos de forma apropiada.News production routines were altered with the advent of the Internet and the evolution of the 2.0 technology sources. Corporate virtual spaces have broadly spread for the media, acting as a basic tool of Public Relations. Those who are responsible for museum organizations have understood the need for a relational link with reporters through the network, using the museums official websites. However, according to our results, we can conclude that these tools do not provide the appropriate content

Two Tests for Dependence (of Unknown Form) between Time Series

This paper proposes two new nonparametric tests for independence between time series. Both tests are based on symbolic analysis, specifically on symbolic correlation integral, in order to be robust to potential unknown nonlinearities. The first test is developed for a scenario in which each considered time series is independent and therefore the interest is to ascertain if two internally independent time series share a relationship of an unknown form. This is especially relevant as the test is nuisance parameter free, as proved in the paper. The second proposed statistic tests for independence among variables, allowing these time series to exhibit within-dependence. Monte Carlo experiments are conducted to show the empirical properties of the tests.This research is the result of the activity performed under the program Groups of Excellence of the Region of Murcia, the Fundación Seneca, Science and Technology Agency of the region of Murcia project under grant 19884/GERM/15. All remaining errors are our responsibility

Viunalikeviruses are environmentally common agents of horizontal gene transfer in pathogens and biocontrol bacteria.

Bacteriophages have been used as natural biocontrol and therapeutic agents, but also as biotechnological tools for bacterial engineering. We showed recently that the transducing bacteriophage ϕMAM1 is a ViI-like phage and a member of the new genus, 'Viunalikevirus'. Here, we show that four additional ViI-like phages and three new environmentally isolated viunalikeviruses, all infecting plant and human pathogens, are very efficient generalised transducers capable of transducing chromosomal markers at frequencies of up to 10(-4) transductants per plaque-forming unit. We also demonstrate the interstrain transduction of plasmids and chromosomal markers, including genes involved in anabolism, genes for virulence and genes encoding secondary metabolites involved in biocontrol. We propose that all viunalikeviruses are likely to perform efficient horizontal gene transfer. Viunalikeviruses therefore represent useful agents for functional genomics and bacterial engineering, and for chemical and synthetic biology studies, but could be viewed as inappropriate choices for phage therapy.This research was supported by the EU Marie-Curie Intra-European Fellowship for Career Development (FP7- PEOPLE-2011-IEF) grant number 298003.This is the version of record of the article "Viunalikeviruses are environmentally common agents of horizontal gene transfer in pathogens and biocontrol bacteria" published in ISME Journal on August 2104 under the NPG Open Access option. The published version of record is available on the journal website at http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2014.15

Intracluster Red Giant Stars in the Virgo Cluster

We have used the WFPC2 camera of the Hubble Space Telescope to obtain deep F814W images of a blank field in the Virgo Cluster located 41 arcmin northwest of M87. We perform star counts in that field, and in another Virgo field observed by Ferguson, Tanvir & von Hippel (1998), and show that, when compared to the Hubble Deep Field North and South, the Virgo Cluster contains an excess of objects with magnitudes I > 27. We attribute this excess to a population of intracluster red-giant branch (IC-RGB) stars. By modeling the luminosity function of these stars, we show that the tip of the Virgo RGB is at I = 27.31 +0.27/-0.17 and that the cluster contains a small, but significant, excess of stars that are up to ~1 mag brighter than this tip. If this luminous component is due entirely to stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), it implies an age for the population of > 2 Gyr; if foreground RGB stars contribute to the luminous tail, then the derived age for the stars is older still. The luminosity function also suggests that most of the intracluster stars are moderately metal-rich (-0.8 < [Fe/H] <-0.2), a result consistent with that expected from stars that have been tidally stripped from intermediate luminosity galaxies. Additionally, a comparison with the planetary nebulae in our field also supports this view, although the existence of a more metal-poor population (from stripped dwarfs) cannot be ruled out. Our derived average surface brightness, mu_I = 27.9 +0.3/-0.5 mag/arcsec^2 for Virgo's diffuse component suggests that intracluster stars contribute 10% to 20% of the cluster's total I-band luminosity.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures included, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

The university training in CSR communication: an analysis of the degrees specialized in CSR in Spain (2017-18)

[ES] Existe unanimidad en la literatura consultada en cuanto al papel determinante que juegan las relaciones públicas y la comunicación en la difusión de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC). Partiendo de esta base, nuestra investigación identifica y analiza los planes  de estudio de la formación superior de grado y de master especializada en RSC en España, en el curso 2017-2018, con la finalidad de comprobar si aparecen en ellos  contenidos específicos sobre relaciones públicas y comunicación. En total, hemos identificado cuatro asignaturas de master vinculadas directa o tangencialmente con las relaciones públicas y la comunicación,  por lo que ambos conceptos presentan una presencia muy fragmentada y prácticamente residual en los planes de estudio analizados. Una realidad contraria a los principios propugnados por los académicos y a las necesidades crecientes del sector profesional de la comunicación.[EN] There is unanimity in the literature regarding the decisive role played by public relations and communication in the dissemination of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Starting from this base, our research identifies and analyzes the curricula of the degrees and master degrees specialized in CSR in Spain during the academic year 2017-2018, in order to check any presence of specific subjects on public relations and communication in them. Altogether, we have identified only four master-degree’s subjects directly o tangentially related to public relations and communication. In short, we can state that both concepts have a very fragmented and practically residual presence in the curricula of the Spanish higher education specialized in CSR. This reality is contrary to the principles advocated by academics and to the growing needs of the communication professional sector.Compte-Pujol, M.; Matilla, K.; Marca-Francès, G. (2019). La formación universitaria en comunicación de la RSC: Análisis de las titulaciones especializadas en RSC en España (2017-18). REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 17(2):177-196. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2019.10470OJS177196172Acquier, A. (2010). CSR in search of a management model: a case of marginalization of a CSR initiative. En: Craig Smith, Bhattacharya, Vogel y Levine (eds.). Global Challenges in Responsible Business. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 107-129. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511777660.006Albors-Alonso, M., y Paricio-Esteban, P. (2016). La comunicación de la prevención de salud en los programas de responsabilidad social corporativa de empresas farmacéuticas implantadas en España. El caso de Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Grifols. Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas, 11(6), 47-72. https://doi.org/10.5783/RIRP-11-2016-04-47-72Álvarez, M. (2017). De la comunicación a la rendición de cuentas: cómo comunicar la RSC. PRNoticias.com, 14-09-2017. Disponible en: http://prnoticias.com/comunicacion/prcomunicacion/20164741-de-la-comunicacion-a-la-rendicionde-cuentas-comunciar-rsc-reponsabilidad-socialAsif, M., Searcy, C., Zutshi, A., y Fisscher, O. (2013). An integrated management systems approach to corporate social responsibility. Journal of Cleaner Production, 56, 7-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.10.034Berelson, B. (1952). Content Analysis in Communication Research. New York: Free Press.Bonner, J., y Friedman, A. (2012). Corporate Social Responsibility: Who's Responsible? Finding an Organizational Home for an Increasingly Critical Function. New York University. Disponible en: http://apps.prsa.org/intelligence/PartnerResearch/Partners/NYU_SCPS/CorporateSocialResponsibility.pdfBowd, R., Bowd, L., y Harris, P. (2006). Communicating corporate social responsibility: an exploratory case study of a major UK retail centre. Journal of Public Affairs, 6, 147-155. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.220Boynton, J. (2012). Why Communication Should Be at the Heart of Any CSR Strategy. TriplePundit.com, 25/07/2012. Disponible en: https://www.triplepundit.com/2012/07/communications-be-heart-csr-strategy/Burgos-Romero, C. (2014). La Responsabilidad Social Empresarial "RSE" en Chile: causas de su tardía difusión. Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas, 7(4), 95-116.Camilleri, M.A. (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility Communication in the Digital Era. TriplePundit.com, 28/04/2017. Disponible en: https://www.triplepundit.com/2017/04/corporate-social-responsibility-communication-digital-era/Canyelles, J.M. (2014a). El quadre de comandament integral, eina fonamental de la RSC estratègica. Barcelona: UOC.Canyelles, J.M. (2014b). Lideratge i desenvolupament humà. Barcelona: UOC.Capriotti, P., y Moreno, A. (2007). Communicating corporate responsibility through corporate websites in Spain. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 12(3), 221-237. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563280710776833Carroll, A. (2015). Corporate social responsibility: The centerpiece of competing and complementary frameworks. Organizational Dynamics, 44, 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2015.02.002Carroll, A. (2018). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Performance (CSP). En: R.W. Kolb. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society. Thousand Oaks: SAGE, 746-754.Casado, A., y Cuadrado, F. J. (2014). La reputación corporativa: Un nuevo enfoque de las competencias transversales en el EEES. REDU: Revista de docencia universitaria, 12(1), 353-371. https://doi.org/10.4995/redu.2014.6432Castillo, I. (2010). Una aproximación al estado de la RSE en la enseñanza en España. Madrid: Club de Excelencia en Sostenibilidad.Cátedra Javier Benjumea (2009). Observatorio académico de la RSE y la ética empresarial en la educación superior en España. Madrid: CJB.Chaudhri, V. (2016). Corporate Social Responsibility and the Communication Imperative: Perspectives from CSR Managers. International Journal of Business Communication, 53(4), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/2329488414525469Chaudhri, V., y Wang, J. (2007). Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility on the Internet. A Case Study of the Top 100 Information Technology Companies in India. Management Communication Quarterly, 21(2), 232-247. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318907308746Clark, C. (2000). Differences Between Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility: An Analysis. Public Relations Review, 26(3), 363-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0363-8111(00)00053-9Conrad, A. (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility Communications: A Framework for PR Practitioners. PRSA-Public Relations Society of America, 22/07/2013. Disponible en: https://www.prsa-ncc.org/corporate-social-responsibility-communicationsframework-pr-practitionersCoombs, T. (2019). Transmedia storytelling: a potentially vital resource for CSR communication. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 24(2), 351-367. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-11-2017-0114Crane, A., y Glozier, S. (2016). Researching Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: Themes, Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Management Studies, 53(7), 1223-1252. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12196Currás Pérez, R. (2018). Responsabilidad social corporativa y marketing: ¿Oxímoron o instrumento para empoderar a los consumidores? Razón y Fe, 277(1431), 63-73.Dobers, P., y Springett, D. (2010). Corporate Social Responsibility: Discourse, Narratives and Communication. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 17, 63-69. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.231Du, S., Bhattacharya, C.B, y Sen, S. (2010). Maximizing Business Returns to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The Role of CSR Communication. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 8-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00276.xDurán-González, A.M., y Mosquera-López, P. (2016). Correspondencia de los Modelos de Relaciones Públicas a distintos contextos evolutivos de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas, 11(6), 91-112. https://doi.org/10.5783/RIRP-11-2016-06-91-112Dutot, V., Lacalle-Galvez, E., y Versailles, D.W. (2016). CSR communications strategies through social media and influence on e-reputation. An exploratory study. Management Decision, 54(2), 363-389. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-01-2015-0015ECOPSI-European Communication Professional Skills and Innovation Programme (2013). Communication Management Competencies for European Practitioners. Executive Summary. Disponible en: http://www.ecopsi.org.uk/~/media/files/ecopsi/Ecopsi_CMC_Booklet.pdf.Elving, W., Golob, U., Schultz, F., Nielsen, A., Thomsen, C., & Podnar, K. (eds.) (2011). CSR Communication Conference 2011: Conference Proceedings. Ljubljana: University of Ljubljana.Fernández-Fernández, J. y Melé, D. (2015). Spain: From a Paternalistic Past to Sustainable Companies. En: A. Habisch, J. Jonker, M. Wegner, y R. Schmidpeter (eds.). Corporate Social Responsibility Across Europe. Berlin: Springer, 289-302.GA-Global Alliance (2016). From the Global Body of Knowledge (GBOK) to a global capabilities framework. Disponible en: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/561d0274e4b0601b7c814ca9/t/574ae46707eaa010521f0d31/1464525936413/08_GBOK+Progress+report+%26+global+capabilities+framework+May+2016.pdf.García-Rosell, J. (2016). A Discursive Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility Education: A Story Co-creation Exercise. Journal of Business Ethics, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3399-9Heath, R., y Waymer, D. (2016). Unlocking corporate social responsibility. Minimalism, maximization, and neo-institutionalist resource dependency keys. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 22(2), 192-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-12-2015-0084Hernández-Corchete, S. (2017). Relaciones Públicas, Responsabilidad Social Corporativa y Universidad. Análisis de la RSU del Centro Universitario de la Defensa de Zaragoza. Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas, 13(7), 199-226.Humlen, A. (2014). CSR Communication Goal Should Be Impact, not Information. HuffingtonPost.com. 27/10/2014. Disponible en: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anneliza-humlen/csr-communication-goal-sh_b_5724560.htmlKim, S. (2019). The process model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication: CSR communication and its relationship with consumers' CSR knowledge, trust and corporate reputation perception. Journal of Business Ethics, 4, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3433-6Larrán-Jorge, M., y Andrades-Peña, F.J. (2014). Determinants of corporate social responsibility and business ethics education in Spanish universities. Buiness Ethics: A European Review, 23(2), 139-153. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12041Lindgreen, A., y Swaen, V. (2010). Corporate Social Responsibility. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00277.xMaon, F., Swaen, V., y Lindgreen, A. (2010). Impact of CSR En: N.C. Smith, C.B. Bhattacharya, D. Vogel, y D. Levine (eds.). Global Challenges in Responsible Business. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 161-190.Matten, D., y Moon, J. (2004). Corporate Social Responsibility Education in Europe. Journal of Business Ethics, 54, 323-337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-004-1822-0Moon, J., y Orlitzky, M. (2011). Corporate social responsibility and sustainability education: A trans-Atlantic comparison. Journal of Management & Organization, 17, 583-603. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1833367200001279Morsing, M., y Schultz, M. (2006). Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: Stakeholder information, response and involvement strategies. Business Ethics: A European Review, 15(4), 323-338. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8608.2006.00460.xNiño-Benavides, P., y Cortés Cortés, M.I. (2018). Comunicación estratégica y Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, escenarios y potencialidades en la creación de capital social: Una revisión de la literatura. Revista Prisma Social, 22, 127-158.Okpara, J., Koumbiadis, N., e Idowu, S. (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility in Business Education: A Review of Current Status of American Business Schools Curriculum. En: J. Okpara y S. Idowu. Corporate Social Responsibility: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for 21st Century Leaders.New York: Springer, 219- 234. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40975-2_13Pérez-Chavarría, M. (2009). Responsabilidad social corporativa (RSC) y comunicación: la agenda de las grandes empresas mexicanas. Signo y Pensamiento, 55(28), 201- 217.Pérez, A., y Rodríguez del Bosque, I. (2015). Corporate Social Responsibility Communication in the Spanish Hospitality Sector. Cuadernos de Turismo, 36, 485-489.Pineda-Martínez, P. (2013). Relaciones Públicas online de excelencia: Las empresas energéticas del IBEX 35 ante el reto de comunicar su conducta responsable en un contexto abierto e interactivo (Mayo-Julio de 2012). Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas, 5(3), 189-208. https://doi.org/10.5783/RIRP-5-2013-11-189-208Podnar, K. (2008). Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility. Journal of Marketing Communications, 14(2), 75-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527260701856350Reputation Institute (2017). ¿Son las compañías conscientes de la creciente importancia de gestionar sus activos intangibles?. Reputation Institute.com, Mayo. Disponible en: https://www.reputationinstitute.com/research/value-intangible-assets-blackrockRuiz-Mora, I. (2012). Las relaciones con los públicos y su reflejo en las memorias de Responsabilidad Social. Revista Internacional de Relaciones Públicas, 4(2), 173- 200. https://doi.org/10.5783/RIRP-4-2012-08-173-200Saxton, G., Gomez, L., Ngoh, Z., Lin, Y., y Dietrich, S. (2019). Do CSR Messages Resonate? Examining Public Relations to Firms' CSR Efforts on Social Media. Journal of Business Ethics, 155(2), 359-377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3464-zSchaefer, S.D., Terlutter, R., y Diehl, S. (2019). Talking about CSR matters: employees' perception of and reaction to their company's CSR communication in four different CSR domains. International Journal of Advertising, In press. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2019.1593736Setó-Pamies, D., Domingo-Vernis, M., y Rabassa-Figueras, N. (2011). Corporate social responsibility in management education: Current status in Spanish universities. Journal of Management and Organization, 17, 604-620. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1833367200001280Skard, S., y Thorbjornsen, H. (2014). Is Publicity Always Better than Advertising? The Role of Brand Reputation in Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 124, 149-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1863-3Slavova, I, y Bankova, Y. (2015). Corporate social responsibility in Business Management university education: The relevancy to the business practices in Bulgaria. European Journal of Business and Economics, 10(2), 57-64. https://doi.org/10.12955/ejbe.v10i2.697Stonkute, E., Vveinhardt, J., y Sroka, W. (2018). Training the CSR Sensitive Mind-Set: The Integration of CSR into the Training of Business Administration Professionals. Sustainability, 10(3), 754-768. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030754Strategic Direction (2015). Understanding corporate social responsibility: Four key contributions from communication studies. Strategic Direction, 31(9), 9-11. https://doi.org/10.1108/SD-07-2015-0099Sulemena, A. (2017). Communicating corporate social responsibility via telecommunications websites: A cross-country analysis. Information Development, 33(5), 512-524. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666916671772Tench, R., Sun, W., y Jones, B. (2014). Introduction: CSR Communication as an Emerging Field of Study. En: R. Tench, W. Sun, y B. Jones (eds.). Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility: Perspectives and Practice (Critical Studies on Corporate Responsibility, Governance and Sustainability, Volume 6. Bingley (UK): Emerald Group, 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2043-9059(2014)0000006025Trittin, H., Fieseler, C., y Maltseva, K. (2019). The Serious and the Mundane: Reflections on Gamified CSR Communication. Journal of Management Inquiry, 28(2), 141- 144. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492618790920Vázquez, J.L., Lanero, A., y Licandro, O. (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility and Higher Education: Uruguay University Students' Perceptions. Economics & Sociology, 6(2), 145-157. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-789X.2013/6-2/13Walker, M., Kent, A., y Vincent, J. (2010). Communicating Socially Responsible Initiatives: An Analysis of U.S. Professional Teams. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 9, 187-195.Walter, B.L. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: Towards a Phase Model of Strategic Planning. En: R. Tench, W. Sun y B. Jones (eds.). Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility: Perspectives and Practice (Critical Studies on Corporate Responsibility, Governance and Sustainability, Volume 6. Bingley (UK): Emerald Group, 59-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2043-9059(2014)000000602

Attitudes toward working conditions: are European Union workers satisfied with their working hours and work-life balance?

Objective: To describe the satisfaction with working hours and satisfaction with work-life balance and their association in the European Union (EU-28). Method: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the Flash Eurobarometer 398 among workers of the EU-28 from 2014 (n = 13,683). We calculated percentages and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). We also applied a multi-level generalised linear model using the Poisson family, to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of satisfaction with work-life balance based on working hours. All analyses were stratified by individual, employment and welfare regime country classification. Results: The satisfaction with working hours and work-life balance was 80.62% and 74.48%, respectively, and was significantly higher among women. The highest percentages of satisfaction were found in the Nordic welfare regime countries (90.2% and 85.3%, respectively). There was a statistically significant association between satisfaction with working hours and work-life balance (aPR: 2.63; 95%CI: 2.28-3.04), and the magnitude of the association differed in individual, employment and welfare regime country classifications. The main reasons declared for dissatisfaction were "excessive working hours" (48.7%), "shift work" (27.9%), and "inability to influence the work schedule" (28.3%). Differences were observed according to sex and type of welfare regime. Conclusion: The differences found in the association between satisfaction with work-life balance and working hours according to sociodemographic characteristics and welfare regime show that there are inequalities in the working conditions in the EU countries. (C) 2017 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U

Attitudes toward working conditions: are European Union workers satisfied with their working hours and work-life balance?

Objective: To describe the satisfaction with working hours and satisfaction with work-life balance and their association in the European Union (EU-28). Method: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the Flash Eurobarometer 398 among workers of the EU-28 from 2014 (n = 13,683). We calculated percentages and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). We also applied a multi-level generalised linear model using the Poisson family, to calculate the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of satisfaction with work-life balance based on working hours. All analyses were stratified by individual, employment and welfare regime country classification. Results: The satisfaction with working hours and work-life balance was 80.62% and 74.48%, respectively, and was significantly higher among women. The highest percentages of satisfaction were found in the Nordic welfare regime countries (90.2% and 85.3%, respectively). There was a statistically significant association between satisfaction with working hours and work-life balance (aPR: 2.63; 95%CI: 2.28-3.04), and the magnitude of the association differed in individual, employment and welfare regime country classifications. The main reasons declared for dissatisfaction were "excessive working hours" (48.7%), "shift work" (27.9%), and "inability to influence the work schedule" (28.3%). Differences were observed according to sex and type of welfare regime. Conclusion: The differences found in the association between satisfaction with work-life balance and working hours according to sociodemographic characteristics and welfare regime show that there are inequalities in the working conditions in the EU countries