Online reputation of 4- and 5-star hotels

Purpose – The aim of this research is to analyse how hotels incorporate their online reputation on their official websites, the characteristics of that information, as well as the variables that may influence it. Design/Methodology/Approach – We analysed 503 websites of 4- and 5-star hotels in Andalusia (Spain). It was verified on a case-by-case basis whether the hotel publicized its online reputation, the type (numerical or non-numerical) and the source of its reputation (internal or external). In addition, a general profile was established for each establishment. After a descriptive analysis, possible dependent relationships between the online reputation and characteristics of the establishment were analysed. Findings – Over half of the hotels opted to publicize their online reputation on their own websites, and a little over half of those used the external online reputation sources. Both circumstances were related to factors such as modality and the hotel size. TripAdvisor ratings were a reference point among the hotels under analysis. Originality of the research – This study provides insight into the manner in which hotels are reflecting their online reputation on their official websites, the variables that may influence this behaviour and the extent to which the third-party reviews are visible on their websites

COVID-19 y el sector del alojamiento: primeras medidas y estrategias de comunicación en línea. Un estudio de casos múltiples en una provincia española

The aim of this paper is to analyse the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the accommodation sector by looking at the measures in place, prospects and future strategies. Using a multiple-case-study methodology, an electronically self-administered questionnaire was sent to the managers of 10 establishments located in the province of Huelva (Spain), between March and June 2020. Additionally, a thematic analysis was performed to compare the messages posted on social media over the same four-month period in both 2019 and 2020. The results showed that those establishments belonging to large chains diversified their strategies to obtain better chances of success. Also, reactions to the COVID-19 crisis appeared to differ by type of accommodation. An important change in the online communication strategy during the lockdown in relation to the same period in 2019 was observed. It was not just the different themes of the messages that were in different proportions, but so too were the levels of engagement expressed in each one. This study provides a snapshot of the effect that the economic shutdown had on Spain’s tourist accommodation and contributes to the thematic social media strategies deployed by the accommodation sector in situations of natural disasters and global pandemics.Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar los efectos de la crisis de COVID-19 en el sector del alojamiento, las medidas adoptadas, las perspectivas y las estrategias futuras. Se utilizó una metodología de estudio de casos múltiples para examinar 10 establecimientos de la provincia de Huelva (España), de marzo a junio de 2020. Para ello se envió un cuestionario auto administrado electrónicamente a los directivos de los alojamientos seleccionados. Además, se realizó un análisis temático para comparar los mensajes publicados en las redes sociales en el mismo periodo de 2019 y 2020. Los resultados mostraron que los establecimientos pertenecientes a grandes cadenas diversificaron sus estrategias para obtener mejores posibilidades de éxito. Asimismo, las reacciones a la crisis del COVID-19 parecen ser diferentes según el tipo de alojamiento. Se observó un cambio importante en la estrategia de comunicación online durante el periodo confinamiento, en relación con el mismo periodo de 2019. Los diferentes temas de los mensajes no sólo estaban en diferentes proporciones, sino también los niveles de interacción alcanzados en cada uno de ellos. Este trabajo proporciona una instantánea del efecto que el parón económico tuvo en los alojamientos turísticos españoles y contribuye a la investigación sobre las estrategias temáticas en medios sociales desplegadas por el sector del alojamiento en situaciones de catástrofes naturales o pandemias

La selección de carteras mediante programación por metas lexicográficas entera : una aplicación al mercado continuo español

Desde el nacimiento de la Teoría de Carteras en 1952, hemos sido testigos de una amplia proliferación de modelos destinados a buscar la combinación de títulos más adecuada para cada tipo de inversor. Sin embargo, la revisión de los mismos nos ha permitido descubrir que plantean serias dificultades en la resolución de este problema de inversión. Entre ellas podemos destacar las relacionadas con la metodología que utilizan, así como la consideración de la selección de carteras como un problema de carácter continuo. Con el propósito de solventar estos inconvenientes, proponemos la construcción de un modelo alternativo utilizando una técnica multiobjetivo denominada Programación por Metas Lexicográficas Entera. Además, y con objeto de facilitar su comprensión al igual que demostrar su validez empírica, lo aplicaremos a un caso real que utiliza valores que cotizan en el mercado continuo español.Since the birth of the Portfolio Theory in 1952, we have witnessed the appearance of numerous models aiming at identifying the best stock combination for every type of investor. However, our review of these models shows that their use for resolving investing problems presents serious difficulties. We can highlight those related to the methodology used, and the fact that they deal with the portfolio as a continous problem. In order to solve these two shortcomings, we suggest an alternative model using a multiobjective technique called Integer Lexicographic Goal Programming. In addition, an in order to facilitate understanding and demonstrate its empirical validity, we apply it to a real case using shares from the Spanish Permanent Market

La selección de proveedores internacionales : la metodología AHP

La selección de un proveedor internacional es un proceso marcado por su complejidad, no sólo por la presencia de factores adicionales, tan importantes como las diferencias culturales o lingüísticas sino, también, por la necesidad de evaluar a los diferentes suministradores en función de criterios tanto de carácter cuantitativo como cualitativo y que, a menudo, pueden entrar en conflicto unos con otros. Aunque, tradicionalmente, muchos gerentes y ejecutivos de empresas dedicadas al comercio internacional piensen que estos problemas deben ser resueltos mediante la utilización de técnicas sofisticadas, nosotros proponemos emplear un método, tan fácil de usar y de tan reconocido éxito empírico como el AHP que, además de solventar los inconvenientes anteriores, aporta numerosas ventajas tal y como tendremos ocasión de comprobar mediante el desarrollo de una sencilla aplicación práctica

Las matemáticas para la empresa : un reto pendiente

El fracaso académico en las asignaturas relacionadas con las Matemáticas en la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales de la Universidad de Huelva es una realidad ampliamente contrastada. La falta de una base sólida para afrontar los nuevos conocimientos, unida a la ausencia de un esfuerzo personal diario y a una aversión generalizada entre nuestros alumnos hacia las Matemáticas, sean quizás las causas principales de esos resultados adversos. Hemos realizado un estudio, mediante un cuestionario elaborado para tal fin y contestado por los alumnos el primer día de clase, sobre los conocimientos matemáticos básicos con los que llegan éstos al primer curso de nuestra Facultad. El objetivo es establecer un marco de actuación adecuado para enfrentarnos a la docencia de nuestras asignaturas e intentar paliar, en lo posible, las carencias del alumnado

Evaluation of non-financial information and its contribution to advancing the sustainable development goals within the Spanish banking sector

Non-financial information and its contribution to the achievement of each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) are assuming great relevance in the business world, in which it is not enough to be economically sustainable without also being sustainable from ethical, environmental, and social points of view. An analysis of how the financial sector contributes to the achievement of the SDGs is crucial in two ways. Firstly, due to the relevance and the magnitude of this sector itself; secondly, and more importantly in our view, because of the financial leverage of the banking sector that has a mandate to facilitate the transition of all economic sectors towards sustainability, guided by the 2030 Agenda. However, despite the expectations placed on banking entities, there is a research gap on their disclosure practices and on the SDG-related information that they report. In addition, the academic literature centered on the analysis of SDG-related disclosures through artificial intelligence is very scarce. To fill this gap, the objective of our study is, on the one hand, to analyze whether there is greater homogeneity in the disclosure of non-financial information in the Spanish banking sector following the transposition of Directive 2014/95/EU into Spanish Law. On the other hand, it is to evaluate the contribution of banking entities to the SDGs. To do so, the non-financial information reports of 12 Spanish banks are analyzed, completing a comparative evaluation and using artificial intelligence to identify mentions of each SDG and its targets. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was also used to rank the banking entities in accordance with their contribution to each SDG. The results reflected the plurality, in both breadth and quality, in the disclosure of non-financial information and in the contribution to the SDGs. The only point in common between all the entities that were studied was the use of the GRI disclosure framework and the identification of the priority SDGs, positioning SDGs 8, 13, and 4 in priority positions. The banks with higher bank capitalization levels occupied the top of the ranking of contributions to the SDGs. Differences were presented for all other aspects, even to the point of highlighting that some entities or independent verifiers had not offered all the information. In conclusion, greater efforts to improve the quality of non-financial reporting and further development of the common regulatory framework will be fundamental for better comparability between the reports from banking entities. Furthermore, this study shows that natural language processing can be applied to better measure companies’ alignment with the SDGs based on the text of their non-financial report

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

La selección de carteras mediante programación por metas lexicográficas entera: una aplicación al mercado continuo español

Desde el nacimiento de la Teoría de Carteras en 1952, hemos sido testigos de una amplia proliferación de los destinados a buscar la Combinación de títulos más adecuada para cada tipo de inversor. Sin embargo, la revisión de los mismos nos ha permitido descubrir que plantean serias dificultades: en la resolución de este problema de inversión. Entre ellas podemos destacar las relacionadas con la que utilizan, así como la consideración de la selección de carteras como un problema de carácter continuo. Con el propósito de solventar estos inconvenientes, proponemos la construcción de un modelo alternativo utilizando una técnica multiobjetivo denominada Programación por Metas Lexicográficas Entera. Además, y con objeto de facilitar su comprensión al igual que demostrar su validez empírica, lo aplicaremos a un caso real que utiliza valores que cotizan en el mercado continuo español

Motivators, barriers and communication channels for blood donation in relation to students at a university in Spain

Background Targeting young people to donate blood is a particularly promising option. The aim of this work was to know the motivators, barriers and preferred communication channels for blood donation among university students, and to determine the factors that explain why donors give blood. Materials and methods A questionnaire was distributed to 420 students (response rate: 88.3 %) attending the University of Huelva (Spain). Data were gathered on sociodemographic variables, blood donation history, motivators and barriers to donation, and communication channels. Non-parametric contrasts were used to determine possible differences in the sociodemographic characteristics or donation history, and logistic regression to determine the factors associated to donation. Results 67.38 % of the students surveyed were non-donors, 12.94 % were first-time donors, 11.05 % were infrequent donors and 8.63 % were frequent donors. “Solidarity” was the main motivator for donating blood (40 %). “Lack of information on where and how to give blood” was the main barrier for non-donors (26.4 %), with “medical reasons” cited by first-time donors (22.2 %). 93.8 % of donors wished to be notified about their next donation appointment. The majority of those surveyed preferred e-mail to receive alerts and information on donation campaigns. The factors that explained blood donation were over 26 years of age and place of residence. Conclusion The study identified differences in the motivators, barriers and choice of communication channel among the university students in terms of blood donation, and the factors that explain blood donation. This knowledge is a useful source of information when designing blood donation campaigns that target young people.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBU

Do hospitality businesses retain and renew their quality management system certifications?

La certificación de los sistemas de gestión de calidad ha tenido un fuerte crecimiento a lo largo de los años y ha venido demostrando su eficacia como elemento diferenciador al contribuir a mejorar la imagen de los establecimientos turísticos. Sin embargo, las certificaciones como la ISO 9001 o la “Q de calidad” han llegado o están llegando a un punto de saturación que parece indicar que no las hace atractivas como señales de calidad. Tomando como referencia todos los hoteles, apartamentos y servicios de restauración de Andalucía a los que se otorgó la certificación ISO 9001 o la “Q de calidad” entre 2006 y 2018, en este trabajo se analiza la evolución de estas dos certificaciones, incidiendo en la tasa de abandonos y en el grado de fidelidad a las mismas. Los resultados mostraron que los alojamientos tenían una mayor predisposición a elegir la ISO 9001, mientras que la restauración prefería la “Q de calidad”. Además, el análisis de la fidelidad nos mostró que, en ambos subsectores, el abandono de certificaciones es mucho mayor en el caso de la ISO 9001, incluso cuando se simultánea con la “Q de calidad”, lo que es más habitual en los alojamientos. El análisis temporal individualizado de los establecimientos, reflejó que no ha habido un trasvase claro de certificaciones entre las dos normas. Como conclusión se plantea que los establecimientos de alojamiento y de restauración pueden estar manteniendo los procedimientos de los sistemas de gestión sin volverse a certificar.Quality management systems certification has grown strongly over the years and has proved its effectiveness as a differentiating element by supporting the improvement of the image of tourism establishments. However, certifications such as ISO 9001 or the ‘Spanish Q for Quality in Tourism’ have reached, or are reaching, a saturation point that seems to indicate they are no longer attractive as an indication of quality. Taking as a reference all the hospitality and restaurant services in Andalusia to which the ISO 9001 or the Q certifications were granted between 2006 and 2018, this paper analyses the evolution of these two certifications, in particular abandonment and retention rates. The results show that accommodation establishments were more inclined to choose ISO 9001, while the restaurant industry preferred the Q certification. Furthermore, the loyalty analysis reveals that, in both subsectors, abandonment of certification is much greater in the case of ISO 9001, even when combined with the Q brand, as is more common in accommodation. The individualized temporal analysis of the establishments shows that there has been no clear transfer from one certification to the other. In conclusion, the findings suggest that hospitality and restaurant establishments may be willing to retain their quality management system certifications but are not pursuing recertification