A powerful technique for combining complex path models with latent variables

[EN] This article presents the use of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as a powerful technique for combining complex path models with latent variables. A case study is introduced together the estimation technique, the measurement scales, the hypothesis needed to relate the variables and the problems concerning the assessment and improvement of the model fit. The theoretical framework allows analyzing the relationships among the variables, which provides effective strategies in the decision-making process and problem solving.Llopis Albert, C.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2016). A powerful technique for combining complex path models with latent variables. International Journal on Advances in Education Research. 3(3):73-83. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/108469S73833

Inverse problems in engineering

[EN] An inverse problem in engineering is the process of obtaining from a set of observations the causal factors that produce those data. Contrary to forward problems, an inverse problem starts with the results and subsequently calculates the causes. They are widely applied in many engineering fields since they allows obtaining parameters that cannot be directly observed. Additionally, they play a major role in uncertainty, reliability and risk assessment. This paper discusses an uncertainty assessment about the environmental impacts of future scenarios of sustainable groundwater pumping strategies on the quantitative status of an aquifer.Llopis Albert, C.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2016). Inverse problems in engineering. International Journal on Advances in Education Research. 3(2):61-67. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/108475S61673

Inteligencia de negocio y propuesta de estrategia de internacionalización

[EN] Lack of trust, lack of references and the confidential nature of cybersecurity projects make internationalization in companies from the cybersecurity sector a great challenge. The development of lean methodologies over recent years has presented a method to reduce time and effort, measure performance in each step and pivot when it is necessary to apply a process to a different field. Considering that internationalization resembles entrepreneurship, because of uncertainty and risk in a new market where the value proposition should be validated, the Lean Start-up philosophy will serve as a theoretical framework in which to operate. The study of international challenges of cybersecurity companies and elaboration of an 'eight-step' internationalization mechanism based on Lean Start-up methodology will imply a cost-effective solution for cybersecurity enterprises that want to achieve profitability and higher return on investment in internationalization.[ES] La falta de confianza, la falta de referencias previas y la naturaleza confidencial de los proyectos de ciberseguridad hacen que la internacionalización de las empresas del sector sea un gran desafío. El desarrollo de metodologías lean en los últimos anos ¿ ha presentado un método para reducir el tiempo y el esfuerzo en el proceso de internacionalización y permitir medir el rendimiento en cada paso y pivotar cuando sea necesario. Teniendo en cuenta que la internacionalización se asemeja a la iniciativa empresarial, debido a la incertidumbre y el riesgo en un nuevo mercado donde se debe validar la propuesta de valor, la filosofía Lean Start-up servirá como marco teórico en el que operar. El estudio de los desafíos internacionales de las empresas de ciberseguridad y la elaboración de un mecanismo de internacionalización de ocho pasos basado en la metodología Lean Start-up implicará una solución rentable para las empresas de ciberseguridad que desean lograr rentabilidad y un mayor retorno de la inversión en internacionalización.Orero-Blat, M.; Palacios Marqués, D.; Garzón, D. (2021). Knowledge assets for internationalization strategy proposal. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge. 6(4):214-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2020.08.002S2142216

Setting B2B digital marketing in artificial intelligence-based CRMs: A review and directions for future research

[EN] The new business challenges in the B2B sector are determined by connected ecosystems, where data-driven decision making is crucial for successful strategies. At the same time, the use of digital marketing as a communication and sales channel has led to the need and use of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to correctly manage company information. The understanding of B2B traditional Marketing strategies that use CRMs that work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been studied, however, research focused on the understanding and application of these technologies in B2B digital marketing is scarce. To cover this gap in the literature, this study develops a literature review on the main academic contributions in this area. To visualize the outcomes of the literature review, the results are then analyzed using a statistical approach known as Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) under the homogeneity analysis of variance by means of alternating least squares (HOMALS) framework programmed in the R language. The research results classify the types of CRMs and their typologies and explore the main techniques and uses of AI-based CRMs in B2B digital marketing. In addition, a discussion, directions and propositions for future research are presented.In gratitude to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund: RTI2018-096295-BC22.Saura, JR.; Ribeiro-Soriano, D.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2021). Setting B2B digital marketing in artificial intelligence-based CRMs: A review and directions for future research. Industrial Marketing Management. 98:161-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2021.08.006S1611789

From user-generated data to data-driven innovation: A research agenda to understand user privacy in digital markets

[EN] In recent years, strategies focused on data-driven innovation (DDI) have led to the emergence and development of new products and business models in the digital market. However, these advances have given rise to the development of sophisticated strategies for data management, predicting user behavior, or analyzing their actions. Accordingly, the large-scale analysis of user-generated data (UGD) has led to the emergence of user privacy concerns about how companies manage user data. Although there are some studies on data security, privacy protection, and data-driven strategies, a systematic review on the subject that would focus on both UGD and DDI as main concepts is lacking. Therefore, the present study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the main challenges related to user privacy that affect DDI. The methodology used in the present study unfolds in the following three phases; (i) a systematic literature review (SLR); (ii) in-depth interviews framed in the perspectives of UGD and DDI on user privacy concerns, and finally, (iii) topic-modeling using a Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model to extract insights related to the object of study. Based on the results, we identify 14 topics related to the study of DDI and UGD strategies. In addition, 14 future research questions and 7 research propositions are presented that should be consider for the study of UGD, DDI and user privacy in digital markets. The paper concludes with an important discussion regarding the role of user privacy in DDI in digital markets.Saura, JR.; Ribeiro-Soriano, D.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2021). From user-generated data to data-driven innovation: A research agenda to understand user privacy in digital markets. International Journal of Information Management. 60:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102331S1136

¿Es posible medir el emprendimiento social en las empresas?

[EN] This study defines and proposes a measurement scale for social entrepreneurship (SE) in its broadest sense. The broad definition of SE covers for-profit firms that use social aims as a core component of their strategy. By pursuing social aims, these firms can boost the value of their products or services for consumers or exploit new business areas. Under this broad definition of SE, profit-seeking and the pursuit of social aims converge, thereby revealing a form of SE that has received little attention in either theoretical or empirical research. To fill this research gap, the present study proposes a measurement scale to measure broad SE in firms. The process used to build the scale draws upon research by Churchill (1979) and DeVellis (1991) and combines the Delphi technique, a pre-test questionnaire and structural equation modelling. The main aim of this research is to develop a scale capable of measuring broad SE in firms. The theoretical basis for the scale is supported by an empirical study in the hotel sector. The scale provides a valid, reliable instrument for measuring broad SE in firms. The scale meets all sociometric properties required of measurement scales in the social sciences, namely dimensionality, reliability and validity[ES] Este trabajo define el emprendimiento social (SE) en su dimensión más amplia y propone una escala de medición para el mismo. En lo que se refiere a la dimensión más amplia del SE, esta forma de emprendimiento se refiere a empresas for-profit que incluyen objetivos de carácter social como una parte central de su estrategia, ya que estos objetivos incrementan el valor de sus productos o servicios para los consumidores, o abren nuevas áreas de negocio. De este modo se produce una convergencia entre la búsqueda del beneficio y el cumplimiento de objetivos sociales, poniendo de manifiesto un forma de SE que no ha sido suficientemente definida en la teoría ni investigada en el nivel empírico. De ahí la propuesta de una escala de medición, que constituye el núcleo central de este artículo. En la construcción de la escala, se ha seguido un proceso basado en Churchill (1979) y DeVellis (1991), complementado con la técnica Delphi, un cuestionario pre-test y los modelos de ecuaciones estructurales. El objetivo principal es el desarrollo de una escala que mide el emprendimiento social en la empresa. Dicha metodología se apoya en un estudio empírico realizado en el sector de la hostelería. A través del estudio se obtuvo un instrumento válido y fiable para medir el emprendimiento social en las empresas, que satisface todas las propiedades sociométricas exigibles en las escalas de medición en las ciencias sociales: dimensionalidad, fiabilidad y validez.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia through the project Paid-06-12 (Sp 20120792).Peris-Ortiz, M.; Rueda Armengot, C.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2016). Is it possible to measure social entrepreneurship in firms?. Cuadernos de Gestión. 16(2):15-28. https://doi.org/10.5295/cdg.140469mpS152816

Decision making with Dempster-Shafer belief structure and the OWAWA operator

[EN] A new decision making model that uses the weighted average and the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator in the Dempster-Shafer belief structure is presented. Thus, we are able to represent the decision making problem considering objective and subjective information and the attitudinal character of the decision maker. For doing so, we use the ordered weighted averaging ¿ weighted average (OWAWA) operator. It is an aggregation operator that unifies the weighted average and the OWA in the same formulation. This approach is generalized by using quasi-arithmetic means and group decision making techniques. An application of the new approach in a group decision making problem concerning political management of a country is also developed.We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for valuable comments that have improved the quality of the paper. Support from the Spanish Ministry of Education under project JC2009-00189 , the University of Barcelona (099311) and the European Commission (PIEFGA-2011-300062) is gratefully acknowledgedMerigó, JM.; Engemann, KJ.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2013). Decision making with Dempster-Shafer belief structure and the OWAWA operator. Technological and Economic Development of Economy. 19(sup 1):S100-S118. https://doi.org/10.3846/20294913.2013.869517SS100S11819sup 1Antuchevičienė, J., Zavadskas, E. K., & Zakarevičius, A. (2010). MULTIPLE CRITERIA CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT DECISIONS CONSIDERING RELATIONS BETWEEN CRITERIA / DAUGIATIKSLIAI STATYBOS VALDYMO SPRENDIMAI ATSIŽVELGIANT Į RODIKLIŲ TARPUSAVIO PRIKLAUSOMYBĘ. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 16(1), 109-125. doi:10.3846/tede.2010.07Brauers, W. K. M., & Zavadskas, E. K. (2010). PROJECT MANAGEMENT BY MULTIMOORA AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR TRANSITION ECONOMIES / PROJEKTŲ VADYBA SU MULTIMOORA KAIP PRIEMONĖ PEREINAMOJO LAIKOTARPIO ŪKIAMS. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 16(1), 5-24. doi:10.3846/tede.2010.01Dempster, A. P. (1967). Upper and Lower Probabilities Induced by a Multivalued Mapping. The Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 38(2), 325-339. doi:10.1214/aoms/1177698950ENGEMANN, K. J., MILLER, H. E., & YAGER, R. R. (1996). DECISION MAKING WITH BELIEF STRUCTURES: AN APPLICATION IN RISK MANAGEMENT. International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge-Based Systems, 04(01), 1-25. doi:10.1142/s0218488596000020ENGEMANN, K. J., FILEV, D. P., & YAGER, R. R. (1996). MODELLING DECISION MAKING USING IMMEDIATE PROBABILITIES. International Journal of General Systems, 24(3), 281-294. doi:10.1080/03081079608945123Engemann, K. J., & Miller, H. E. (2009). Critical infrastructure and smart technology risk modelling using computational intelligence. International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 1(1), 91. doi:10.1504/ijbcrm.2009.028953Fodor, J., Marichal, J.-L., & Roubens, M. (1995). Characterization of the ordered weighted averaging operators. IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 3(2), 236-240. doi:10.1109/91.388176Han, Z., & Liu, P. (2011). A FUZZY MULTI-ATTRIBUTE DECISION-MAKING METHOD UNDER RISK WITH UNKNOWN ATTRIBUTE WEIGHTS / NERAIŠKUSIS MAŽESNĖS RIZIKOS DAUGIATIKSLIS SPRENDIMŲ PRIĖMIMO METODAS SU NEŽINOMAIS PRISKIRIAMAIS REIKŠMINGUMAIS. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 17(2), 246-258. doi:10.3846/20294913.2011.580575Keršulienė, V., Zavadskas, E. K., & Turskis, Z. (2010). SELECTION OF RATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION METHOD BY APPLYING NEW STEP‐WISE WEIGHT ASSESSMENT RATIO ANALYSIS (SWARA). Journal of Business Economics and Management, 11(2), 243-258. doi:10.3846/jbem.2010.12Liu, P. (2009). MULTI‐ATTRIBUTE DECISION‐MAKING METHOD RESEARCH BASED ON INTERVAL VAGUE SET AND TOPSIS METHOD. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 15(3), 453-463. doi:10.3846/1392-8619.2009.15.453-463Liu, P. (2011). A weighted aggregation operators multi-attribute group decision-making method based on interval-valued trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(1), 1053-1060. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2010.07.144Merigó, J. M. (2011). A unified model between the weighted average and the induced OWA operator. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(9), 11560-11572. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.03.034Merigó, J. M. (2012). The probabilistic weighted average and its application in multiperson decision making. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 27(5), 457-476. doi:10.1002/int.21531Merigó, J. M., & Casanovas, M. (2009). Induced aggregation operators in decision making with the Dempster-Shafer belief structure. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 24(8), 934-954. doi:10.1002/int.20368Merigó, J. M., & Casanovas, M. (2010). The uncertain induced quasi-arithmetic OWA operator. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 26(1), 1-24. doi:10.1002/int.20444MERIGÓ, J. M., & CASANOVAS, M. (2011). THE UNCERTAIN GENERALIZED OWA OPERATOR AND ITS APPLICATION TO FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING. International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making, 10(02), 211-230. doi:10.1142/s0219622011004300MERIGÓ, J. M., CASANOVAS, M., & MARTÍNEZ, L. (2010). LINGUISTIC AGGREGATION OPERATORS FOR LINGUISTIC DECISION MAKING BASED ON THE DEMPSTER-SHAFER THEORY OF EVIDENCE. International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge-Based Systems, 18(03), 287-304. doi:10.1142/s0218488510006544MERIGO, J., & GILLAFUENTE, A. (2009). The induced generalized OWA operator. Information Sciences, 179(6), 729-741. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2008.11.013Merigó, J. M., & Gil-Lafuente, A. M. (2010). New decision-making techniques and their application in the selection of financial products. Information Sciences, 180(11), 2085-2094. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2010.01.028Merigó, J. M., & Wei, G. (2011). PROBABILISTIC AGGREGATION OPERATORS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN UNCERTAIN MULTI-PERSON DECISION-MAKING / TIKIMYBINIAI SUMAVIMO OPERATORIAI IR JŲ TAIKYMAS PRIIMANT GRUPINIUS SPRENDIMUS NEAPIBRĖŽTOJE APLINKOJE. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 17(2), 335-351. doi:10.3846/20294913.2011.584961Podvezko, V. (2009). Application of AHP technique. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 10(2), 181-189. doi:10.3846/1611-1699.2009.10.181-189Reformat, M., & Yager, R. R. (2007). Building ensemble classifiers using belief functions and OWA operators. Soft Computing, 12(6), 543-558. doi:10.1007/s00500-007-0227-2Srivastava, R. P., & Mock, T. J. (Eds.). (2002). Belief Functions in Business Decisions. Studies in Fuzziness and Soft Computing. doi:10.1007/978-3-7908-1798-0Torra, V. (1997). The weighted OWA operator. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 12(2), 153-166. doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-111x(199702)12:23.0.co;2-pWei, G.-W. (2011). Some generalized aggregating operators with linguistic information and their application to multiple attribute group decision making. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 61(1), 32-38. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2011.02.007Wei, G., Zhao, X., & Lin, R. (2010). Some Induced Aggregating Operators with Fuzzy Number Intuitionistic Fuzzy Information and their Applications to Group Decision Making. International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems, 3(1), 84-95. doi:10.1080/18756891.2010.9727679Xu, Z. (2005). An overview of methods for determining OWA weights. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 20(8), 843-865. doi:10.1002/int.20097Xu, Z. (2009). A Deviation-Based Approach to Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making. Group Decision and Negotiation, 19(1), 57-76. doi:10.1007/s10726-009-9164-zXu, Z. S., & Da, Q. L. (2003). An overview of operators for aggregating information. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 18(9), 953-969. doi:10.1002/int.10127Yager, R. R. (1988). On ordered weighted averaging aggregation operators in multicriteria decisionmaking. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 18(1), 183-190. doi:10.1109/21.87068YAGER, R. R. (1992). DECISION MAKING UNDER DEMPSTER-SHAFER UNCERTAINTIES. International Journal of General Systems, 20(3), 233-245. doi:10.1080/03081079208945033Yager, R. R. (1993). Families of OWA operators. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 59(2), 125-148. doi:10.1016/0165-0114(93)90194-mYager, R. R. (1998). Including importances in OWA aggregations using fuzzy systems modeling. IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, 6(2), 286-294. doi:10.1109/91.669028Yager, R. R. (2004). Generalized OWA Aggregation Operators. Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making, 3(1), 93-107. doi:10.1023/b:fodm.0000013074.68765.97Yager, R. R., Engemann, K. J., & Filev, D. P. (1995). On the concept of immediate probabilities. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 10(4), 373-397. doi:10.1002/int.4550100403Yager, R. R., & Kacprzyk, J. (Eds.). (1997). The Ordered Weighted Averaging Operators. doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-6123-1Yager, R. R., Kacprzyk, J., & Beliakov, G. (Eds.). (2011). Recent Developments in the Ordered Weighted Averaging Operators: Theory and Practice. Studies in Fuzziness and Soft Computing. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-17910-5Yager, R. R., & Liu, L. (Eds.). (2008). Classic Works of the Dempster-Shafer Theory of Belief Functions. Studies in Fuzziness and Soft Computing. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-44792-4Zavadskas, E. K., & Turskis, Z. (2011). MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION MAKING (MCDM) METHODS IN ECONOMICS: AN OVERVIEW / DAUGIATIKSLIAI SPRENDIMŲ PRIĖMIMO METODAI EKONOMIKOJE: APŽVALGA. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 17(2), 397-427. doi:10.3846/20294913.2011.593291Zavadskas, E. K., Vilutienė, T., Turskis, Z., & Tamosaitienė, J. (2010). CONTRACTOR SELECTION FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS BY APPLYING SAW‐G AND TOPSIS GREY TECHNIQUES. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 11(1), 34-55. doi:10.3846/jbem.2010.03Zeng, S., & Su, W. (2011). Intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted distance operator. Knowledge-Based Systems, 24(8), 1224-1232. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2011.05.013Zhang, X., & Liu, P. (2010). METHOD FOR AGGREGATING TRIANGULAR FUZZY INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY INFORMATION AND ITS APPLICATION TO DECISION MAKING / NUMANOMŲ NEAPIBRĖŽTŲJŲ AIBIŲ TEORIJA IR JOS TAIKYMAS PRIIMANT SPRENDIMUS. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 16(2), 280-290. doi:10.3846/tede.2010.18Zhao, H., Xu, Z., Ni, M., & Liu, S. (2010). Generalized aggregation operators for intuitionistic fuzzy sets. International Journal of Intelligent Systems, 25(1), 1-30. doi:10.1002/int.20386Zhou, L.-G., & Chen, H. (2010). Generalized ordered weighted logarithm aggregation operators and their applications to group decision making. 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Uncertain generalized aggregation operators. Expert Systems with Applications, 39(1), 1105-1117. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.07.11

Setting Privacy "by Default" in Social IoT: Theorizing the Challenges and Directions in Big Data Research

[EN] The social Internet of Things (SIoT) shares large amounts of data that are then processed by other Internet of Thing (IoT) devices, which results in the generation, collection, and treatment of databases to be analyzed afterwards with Big Data techniques. This paradigm has given rise to users' concerns about their privacy, particularly with regard to whether users have to use a smart handling (self-establishment and self-management) in order to correctly install the SIoT, ensuring the privacy of the SIot-generated content and data. In this context, the present study aims to identify and explore the main perspectives that define user privacy in the SIoT; our ultimate goal is to accumulate new knowledge on the adoption and use of the concept of privacy "by default" in the scientific literature. To this end, we undertake a literature review of the main contributions on the topic of privacy in SIoT and Big Data processing. Based on the results, we formulate the following five areas of application of SIoT, including 29 key points relative to the concept of privacy "by default": (i) SIoT data collection and privacy; (ii) SIoT security; (iii) threats for SIoT devices; (iv) SIoT devices mandatory functions; and (v) SIoT and Big Data processing and analytics. In addition, we outline six research propositions and discuss six challenges for the SIoT industry. The results are theorized for the future development of research on SIoT privacy by "default" and Big Data processing.In gratitude to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Uni-versities and the European Regional Development Fund: RTI2018-096295-B-C22.Saura, JR.; Ribeiro-Soriano, D.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2021). Setting Privacy "by Default" in Social IoT: Theorizing the Challenges and Directions in Big Data Research. Big Data Research. 25:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bdr.2021.100245S1122

Challenges in the business model of low-cost airlines: Ryanair case study

In recent decades, low-cost airlines have proliferated in the European market offering cheap tickets and increasing popularity. This business model, characterised by cost leadership, has been studied on numerous occasions. The case of the Irish airline Ryanair has presented different challenges over the last few years in relation to its stakeholders, who are shaping the sustainability of the current era of air travel. This business model should be adapted to the current demands of the market, such as corporate social responsibility or care for the environment. The functioning of low-cost airlines regarding the use they make of ERP management systems is also analysed. They aim to balance their cost strategy with the development of internal resources and capabilities for the company's long-term strategy. A major current challenge for low-cost airlines is the implementation of ERP management systems to make strategies oriented to the customer, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility

A case analysis of a product lifecycle information management framework for SMEs.

Information management during the product lifecycle has received a great deal of attention over the last few years, mainly because firms work in a complex business environment characterized by information overload, high levels of competitiveness and the acceleration of technological change. In this context, Product Lifecycle Management(PLM) software has been evolving rapidly and,today, powerfultools in the market enable high levels of information to be managed. However, commercial PLM software is mostly oriented towards large-sized firms, which poses a big challenge for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address this issue, SMEs can develop their own Product Lifecycle Information Management (PLIM) Frameworks for managing data and information throughout the product lifecycle processes. This article presents a successful example of a PLIM Framework: the case of Pladomin’s PLIM Framework