An approach to employees’ job performance through work environmental variables and leadership behaviours

This study examines how the combined effects of work environmental factors and leadership behaviours lead to the presence (or absence) of industrial employees job performance by applying fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). A sample composed of supervisor-subordinate dyads was used to test the propositions of this study. The results show that the most important variables are transformational leadership and social support. Employee empowerment and task significance seem to play a secondary role in leading to employee job performance. These findings support the need for managers to use positive leadership to manage human resources. This paper contributes to the advancement of the knowledge of employee job performance through the identification of the combinations of conditions that can lead to the presence or absence of this important organizational outcome. Directions for future studies are commented on at the end of the paperS

Complementary music therapy for cancer patients in at-home palliative care and their caregivers: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Background Patients with advanced cancer, receiving at-home palliative care, are subject to numerous symptoms that are changeable and often require attention, a stressful situation that also impacts on the family caregiver. It has been suggested that music therapy may benefit both the patient and the caregiver. We propose a study to analyse the efficacy and cost utility of a music intervention programme, applied as complementary therapy, for cancer patients in palliative care and for their at-home caregivers, compared to usual treatment. Method A randomised, double-blind, multicentre clinical trial will be performed in cancer patients in at-home palliative care and their family caregivers. The study population will include two samples of 40 patients and two samples of 41 caregivers. Participants will be randomly assigned either to the intervention group or to the control group. The intervention group will receive a seven-day programme including music sessions, while the control group will receive seven sessions of (spoken word) therapeutic education. In this study, the primary outcome measure is the assessment of patients' symptoms, according to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, and of the overload experienced by family caregivers, measured by the Caregiver Strain Index. The secondary outcomes considered will be the participants' health-related quality of life, their satisfaction with the intervention, and an economic valuation. Discussion This study is expected to enhance our understanding of the efficacy and cost-utility of music therapy for cancer patients in palliative care and for their family caregivers. The results of this project are expected to be applicable and transferrable to usual clinical practice for patients in home palliative care and for their caregivers. The approach described can be incorporated as an additional therapeutic resource within comprehensive palliative care. To our knowledge, no previous high quality studies, based on a double-blind clinical trial, have been undertaken to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of music therapy. The cost-effectiveness of the project will provide information to support decision making, thereby improving the management of health resources and their use within the health system

Organizational Capabilities and Profitability: The Mediating Role of Business Strategy

The resource-based view (RBV) posits that the sustainability of a firm’s success depends upon the creation, development, and implementation of a given organization’s unique resources and capabilities. Based on this theoretical framework, this article analyzes the relationship between organizational capabilities, business strategy, and profitability in the Portuguese textile industry. The strong relationship between these variables suggests that the organizational capabilities and the choice of business strategy may be the key to increase the profitability in this study context. So, the ability of the Portuguese textile organizations to change their business strategy based on their organizational capabilities affects profitability in a number of ways. Concretely, the results of this study highlight the importance of the choice of the business strategy as a partial mediator between the organizational capabilities and the profitability, a point that is crucial to understanding the success of a given organization and how resources and capabilities contribute to the process. The article concludes with a number of managerial implications and directions for future research.S

Tacit knowledge and firm performance relationship : the role of product innovation and the firm level capabilities

Based on knowledge-based theory of organizational capabilities and dynamic capabilities theory, this paper tries to establish the linkages between tacit knowledge resources, its integration into firm level capabilities, product innovation and firm performance. In this way, the paper analyses the relationships between some of the most relevant variables to the organizations in order to remain competitive. The conceptual model is tested using a sample of organizations in the industrial sector, using SEM and hierarchical regression analysis. Results show a positive relationship between tacit knowledge and firm performance, tacit knowledge and product innovation, and product innovation and firm performance. A partial mediating effect of product innovation on the tacit knowledge firm performance relationship is established. Also, technical capabilities have a moderator effect on tacit knowledge firm performance relationship. At the end of the paper managerial implications are commented, as well directions for future studiesS

La situación actual y de futuro de un vino joven: la denominación de origen Rías Baixas

Texto dispoñible en galego e españolEspaña é un dos países de Europa occidental que conta cunha maior tradición vitivinícola. A gran variedade de solos e de climas incentivou unha extensa gama de viños, cada un deles marcado por unha personalidade diferente. Todas esas circunstancias determinaron no seu día a necesidade de regulamentar estes viños con denominacións de orixe para protexelos, regula-la producción e garanti-la calidade. O maior patrimonio da denominación de orixe Rías Baixas radica en ser capaces de proporcionar viños dunha enorme calidade, o que lles permite competir cos mellores e máis prestixiosos viños brancos do mundo. O esforzo colectivo e a busca de calidade fixo posible que en 1988 se aprobase o regulamento da denominación de orixe Rías BaixasSpain is one of the countries of Western Europe with greatest wine tradition. The great variety of grounds and climates has stimulated an extensive wine range, each one of them marked by a different personality. All those circumstances determined the necessity to regulate these wines with Designations of Origin to protect them, in order to regulate the production and to guarantee the quality. The greatest patrimony of the Designation of Origin Rías Baixas is to be able to provide wines of enormous quality, which allows them to compete with best and most prestigious white wines in the world. The collective effort and the search of quality made possible that in 1988 the regulation of the Designation of Origin Rías Baixas was approvedEspaña es uno de los países de Europa occidental que cuenta con una mayor tradición vitivinícola. La gran variedad de suelos y de climas ha incentivado una extensa gama de vinos, cada uno de ellos marcado por una personalidad diferente. Todas esas circunstancias determinaron en su día la necesidad de reglamentar estos vinos con denominaciones de origen para protegerlos, regular la producción y garantizar la calidad. El mayor patrimonio de la denominación de origen Rías Baixas radica en ser capaces de proporcionar vinos de una enorme calidad, lo que les permite competir con los mejores y más prestigiosos vinos blancos del mundo. El esfuerzo colectivo y la búsqueda de calidad hizo posible que en 1988 se aprobase el reglamento de la denominación de origen Rías BaixasS

Mobbing victim profile in Galicia: special attention to gender differences

Texto dispoñible en galego e españolEste traballo analiza o perfil da vítima de “mobbing” entre unha mostra da poboación asalariada de Galicia, prestándolles especial atención ás diferenzas de xénero. Neste sentido, os resultados mostran diferenzas significativas entre os homes e as mulleres en relación coa taxa de incidencia de “mobbing” e co tipo e gravidade das condutas sufridas. En concreto, as mulleres vense máis afectadas polos procesos de acoso psicolóxico que os homes, padecendo un maior número de condutas nocivas, pero de xeito menos intenso. No caso das mulleres, as condutas sufridas están máis relacionadas coa esfera persoal, mentres que os homes sofren condutas relacionadas co traballo. En ambos os dous casos, as vítimas sinalan a envexa como a causa do “mobbing”, optando por actuar de xeito pasivo ante os ataques do agresor ou da agresora, normalmente un/unha superior/a xerárquico/aEste trabajo analiza el perfil de la víctima de “mobbing” entre una muestra de la población asalariada de Galicia, prestando especial atención a las diferencias de género. En este sentido, los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre hombres y mujeres en relación con la tasa de incidencia de “mobbing” y con el tipo y gravedad de las conductas sufridas. En concreto, las mujeres se ven más afectadas por los procesos de acoso psicológico que los hombres, padeciendo un mayor número de conductas nocivas, pero de forma menos intensa. En el caso de las mujeres, las conductas sufridas están más relacionadas con la esfera personal, mientras que los hombres sufren conductas relacionadas con el trabajo. En ambos casos, las víctimas señalan la envidia como la causa del “mobbing”, optando por actuar de forma pasiva ante los ataques del agresor o de la agresora, normalmente, un/una superior/a jerárquico/aThis paper analyzes the victim profile of mobbing among a sample of Galician working population, with special attention to gender differences. The results show significant differences between men and women in relation to the mobbing incidence and the type and seriousness of the behaviours suffered. In particular, women are more affected by the processes of psychological harassment than men and they suffer a greater number of behaviours although less intense. In the case of women, the behaviors suffered are more related to the personal sphere, while men suffer work-related behaviours. In both cases, the victims indicate envy as a cause of mobbing, who choose to act passively to attack the aggressor, normally a superiorS

Los mapas de arquitectura como herramienta de conocimiento y disfrute

La elaboración de un mapa arquitectónico del Campus de la Universidad de Alicante propicia una doble oportunidad. Por un lado, desde el punto de vista de las autoras y autores, dada la condición abstracta que un mapa supone, implica una reflexión crítica sobre la realidad, y sobre el modo de acercarse a ella. Para la docencia por lo tanto, explicita un modo de ver la arquitectura y por lo tanto, un modo de contarla. Y por otro lado, desde el punto de vista del usuario y usuaria del documento, incide en un recurso básico para el aprendizaje de la arquitectura: la necesidad de la experiencia directa de la misma. En definitiva tanto por los procesos de elaboración, como por los procesos de uso, se plantea aquí el recurso del mapa arquitectónico como herramienta de innovación docente en el proceso de comprensión de la arquitectura

Cultural adaptation and validation of the Family Nursing Practice Scale (FNPS) for use with Spanish-speaking Nursing Degree students

Aim. The task proposed was to conduct a cultural adaptation of the Family Nursing Practice Scale and to assess the psychometric properties of the resulting instrument. Background. Nursing students must obtain sufficient personal competence and confidence to act with patients and their families. For this purpose, an assessment scale is needed to inform teachers of the student’s progress and to determine whether further training or changes in teaching methods are required. Design. A cross-sectional study design was used. Methods. The researchers conducted this study with 202 students of nursing at two Spanish universities. In the cultural adaptation, the following steps were followed: definition of concepts, translation, back translation, expert group review and implementation by a pilot group with a subsequent cognitive interview. Internal consistency was determined by Cronbach’s alpha. Reliability was verified by an initial application of the scale, followed by a repetition after seven days, analysing the results obtained in terms of the intraclass correlation coefficient, the construct validity (by Spearman’s non-parametric correlation test) and confirmatory factor analysis (using JASP 0.16.4 statistical software). Results. Cronbach’s alpha resulted in 0.95. Spearman's correlation coefficient Family Nursing Practice Scale total with the course year was –0.26 < 0.001. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total score of the scale was 0.91. The confirmatory factor analysis was performed on a model in which the total score for the scale was considered in relation to the two subscales, and each subscale in relation to its constituent ítems […] Conclusions. These results indicate that the Spanish version presents good internal consistency, construct validity and reliability. Moreover, the confirmatory factor analysis confirms that it presents a good fit to the model initially proposed for this scale for Nursing Degree students.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Intervention to improve quality of sleep of palliative patient carers in the community: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Background: Sleep disorders are commonly experienced by community caregivers for persons with cancer, with at least 72% reporting moderate to severe disorders. A consequence of this condition, which is associated with the presence of overload in the caregiver, is the increased risk of clinical depression. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of music on the sleep quality achieved by informal caregivers for cancer patients receiving home palliative care. In addition, we will assess the influence of specific variables that could modify these effects, analyse the correlates related to nocturnal wakefulness and consider the diurnal consequences according to the sleep characteristics identified. Methods: This single-blind, multicentre, randomised clinical trial will focus on informal providers of care for cancer patients. Two samples of 40 caregivers will be recruited. The first, intervention, group will receive seven music-based sessions. The control group will be masked with seven sessions of therapeutic education (reinforcing previous sessions). Outcomes will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a triaxial accelerometer, EuroQol-5D-5L, the Caregiver Strain Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. The caregivers' satisfaction with the intervention performed will also be examined. Discussion: This study is expected to extend our understanding of the efficacy of music therapy in enhancing the sleep quality of caregivers for patients receiving home palliative care. To our knowledge, no reliable scientific investigations of this subject have previously been undertaken. Music is believed to benefit certain aspects of sleep, but this has yet to be proven and, according to a Cochrane review, high-quality research in this field is necessary. One of the main strengths of our study, which heightens the quality of the randomised clinical trial design, is the objective assessment of physical activity by accelerometry and the use of both objective and subjective measures of sleep in caregivers. Music therapy for the caregivers addressed in this study is complementary, readily applicable, provokes no harmful side effects and may produce significant benefits

Effects of Music on the Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Terminal Cancer Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to self-chosen music on the quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients receiving palliative home care. A total of 82 family caregivers were assigned either to the intervention group (n = 41) or to the control group (n = 41) in this double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial. The recruitment period was between July 2020 and September 2021. The intervention group received individualised pre-recorded music in daily 30 min sessions for 7 consecutive days. The control group was given a recorded repetition of the basic therapeutic training education also in 30 min sessions for 7 consecutive days. The primary endpoint assessed was the caregivers’ quality of life (Quality of Life Family Version and European Quality of Life visual analogue scale) before and after the intervention. The secondary endpoint was their perceived satisfaction with the intervention (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire). The music intervention was successful, producing a tangible improvement in the caregivers’ quality of life (p < 0.01) and satisfaction with the care provided (p = 0.002). The intervention was not only effective but produced no adverse effects. This study encourages the use of self-chosen music as a complementary intervention in nursing care for family caregivers of palliative cancer patients