Support policies for the renovations and restructuration of mature tourist destinations: a retrospective evaluation from case studies

La necesidad de reformulación del modelo de desarrollo turístico asociado a la fórmula sol y playa en el litoral mediterráneo español ha estado presente en la política turística a lo largo de los últimos veinte años, lo que ha conducido a la puesta en marcha de diferentes estrategias y programas de actuación dirigidos a la mejora y renovación de los destinos turísticos maduros del litoral a desarrollar por parte del sector público y privado. Bajo este planteamiento, el análisis de las últimas y más emblemáticas iniciativas y proyectos emprendidos resulta de interés para la mejor ilustración de la compleja realidad en la que se desenvuelven los procesos de reestructuración y renovación de los destinos turísticos costeros. Por esta razón, el presente trabajo analiza y elabora una síntesis integradora de los cuatro proyectos piloto de reconversión de destinos maduros impulsados por la Administración turística con el propósito de reflexionar sobre su naturaleza, y nivel de ejecución de las propuestas contempladas, de forma que pueda realizarse una evaluación de la efectividad y alcance de esta política. Las experiencias piloto analizadas han demostrado tener efectos positivos en la renovación aunque lejos ha quedado el cumplimiento de los objetivos de mayor envergadura, poniéndose así de manifiesto el gap existente entre lo proyectado desde el ámbito de la política y lo efectivamente conseguido en su ejecución. Este trabajo trata de evaluar desde una visión crítica, objetiva y de conjunto el desempeño de dichos proyectos.The need for a reformulation of the touristic development model associated to the “sun and beach” formula in the Spanish Mediterranean coast have been present in the touristic policy over the last twenty years, which conducted to has led to the implementation of various strategies, programs and actions aimed at the improvement and renewal of the mature tourist destinations on the coast by the public and private sector. Along these lines, the analysis of the latest and most emblematic initiatives and projects undertaken is of interest for the best illustration of the complex reality in which processes of restructuring and renovation of coastal tourist destinations operate. For this reason, this paper discusses an analysis and inclusive synthesis for the four pilot restructuring projects promoted by the Tourism Administration in order to reflect on its nature, the execution level of its initial proposals and, at the same time, facilitate an easier understanding and assessment of the support policy for the mature destinations conversion. Analyzed pilot experiences have demonstrated positive effects in the renewal yet far from the fulfillment of large magnitude objectives, revealing the existing gap between what is projected from political arena and what is actually achieved in its implementation. This work tries to evaluate in a pioneer manner from a critical, objective and overall perspective, the performance of these projects.El presente trabajo se enmarca en el proyecto de investigación “Metodología, criterios y aplicaciones para la configuración de clusters en áreas turísticas consolidadas: innovación, complementariedad y competitividad territorial” (CSO2011-26396), financiado por el Plan Nacional de I+D+i del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad

Ergonomic Redesign Model to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in a cluster of SMEs in the clothing accessories sector

The Peruvian manufacturing industry is one of high impact in Latin America with excellent quality materials and massive productive quantities making it an important industry for the country itself. Even so, with this sector being so significant, the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remains high for companies with little capital and no investment capacity, such being the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the industry. Either due to mishandling of machinery or repetitiveness of labor, musculoskeletal disorders are a prevalent problem for manufacturing industries with little to no information on ergonomic ways of control as well as having a Lean focus to add value to the process. This paper seeks to find the validity of a model to reduce absenteeism and exposure to musculoskeletal disorders using ergonomic and Lean tools to promote safe practices and the preservation of health in turn with work productivity on SMEs from the clothing accessory sector. This model was able to reduce exposure to MSDs by 67.27% and reduced the company's absenteeism rate by 52.85% getting to considering levels for industry standards and validating the effectiveness of similar models

Valoração de uma experiência de intervenção com tecnologias socialmente apropriadas em Santiago del Estero (Argentina)

En el marco de las discusiones sobre el cambio tecnológico, las tecnologías socialmente apropiadas surgieron como una alternativa al modelo de transferencia modernizante que predominó durante muchos años en Latinoamérica. Sin embargo, a pesar del tiempo transcurrido desde su creación conceptual, no es sencillo encontrar estudios que valoren procesos de intervención realizados con este tipo de abordaje. Este trabajo busca aproximarse al tema mediante el análisis de una experiencia de estercolado de cultivos prediales con estiércol de cabra, en Santiago del Estero (Argentina). A pesar de contar con un diseño socialmente apropiado a priori, la tecnología no fue replicada por todos los experimentadores. Para abordarlo, se utilizó un enfoque cuantitativo y cualitativo de dos etapas: en la primera se prestó atención a las variables de estructura de cada experimentador y se hizo una correlación con las ocasiones en las que reiteró la práctica, y en la segunda se analizó el funcionamiento predial, mediante estudios de caso. Los resultados indican que una estructura predial determinada no garantizó un resultado en lo que se refiere a la adopción de una tecnología socialmente apropiada, así como que el funcionamiento predial y la estrategia de sobrevivencia de cada familia otorgaron al predio una dinámica propia, que muchas veces resultó determinante en el momento de adoptar la propuesta. Además, en la experiencia estudiada, no resultó suficiente diseñar la tecnología empleando recursos con control local ni presentar una única propuesta para la totalidad de los experimentadores. Los múltiples ajustes utilizados por los productores sugieren investigar los procesos de innovación local.In previous discussions about technological change, appropriate technologies emerged as one of the alternatives to the modernizing technology transfer model that prevailed for many years in Latin America. However, despite the time elapsed since its conceptual creation, it is not easy to find studies assessing interventions carried out with this type of approach. This paper addresses this subject by analyzing a technology transfer experience using goat manure as a fertilizer for household crops in Santiago del Estero (Argentina). Despite having an appropriate a priori design, the technology was not replicated by all the experimenters. A quantitative and qualitative two-stage approach was used to address it: the first approach explored structure variables used by each experimenter and correlated these with the times that he/she repeated the practice; and in the second one, an analysis of the farm operations through casestudies was carried out. The results indicate that a particular farm structure did not guarantee a result in terms of adoption of an appropriate technology,and that the operation and the survival strategy (or peasant strategy) of each family gave the farm an individual dynamic that often was decisive inadopting the proposal. In addition, at least for the current experience, technology design using locally controlled resources and the presentationof a unique proposal for all the experimenters was not enough. The multiple adjustments used by peasants suggest the need to investigate local innovation processes.Fil: Díaz, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Sperat, Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo Social. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Humanidades Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud. Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo Social; ArgentinaFil: Paz, Raul Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Effect of Phytosanitary Irradiation on the Quality of Chandler Pummelo (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.)

In this study, we evaluated the chemical and physiological effect of low-dose gamma irradiation on the post-harvest quality of Chandler Pummelos (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.), an emerging crop of interest in the U.S. Chandler pummelos from a local grower in California were irradiated at target doses of 150 Gy and 1000 Gy. Irradiated and untreated pummelos were stored at 12 °C for 3 weeks and at 20 °C for the 4th week to reflect three weeks of sea shipment at ideal temperature for storage of pummelos and an additional week of retail under ambient conditions. Irradiation reduced hardness of the pummelo rind and firmness of the flesh. Rind hardness decreased during the 3 weeks of storage at 12 °C, however, during storage at 20 °C for 1 week, hardness increased, most likely due to moisture loss from the surface of the fruit. Although, a decrease in the firmness of the pummelo flesh was observed immediately following irradiation, storage did not lead to additional softening. The external appearance of pummelos was negatively impacted by higher irradiation dose, longer storage time and higher temperatures as pitting and mold growth were evident on pummelos treated at 1000 Gy and following storage at 20 °C. When stored at ideal temperature, pummelos irradiated at 150 Gy appeared to maintain similar quality as untreated pummelos. The results suggest that Chandler pummelo quality is compromised at 20 °C and 1000 Gy treatment but irradiation with 150 Gy can serve as a potential phytosanitary treatment for Chandler pummelos

Directiva (UE) 2019/790 del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo sobre los derechos de autor y derechos afines en el mercado único digital y por la que se modifican las directivas 96/9/CE y 2001/29/CE

Recently, the Proposal for a Directive on copyright in the digital single market has been approved. This is a legislative initiative initiated several years ago by the European Commission, which aims to adapt the legislation on copyright to a new reality marked by the evolution of digital technologies, establishing a uniform legal framework that allows adequate protection of intellectual property in the digital environment of the European Union. However, this new chapter of adaptation of the regulation on intellectual property to technological change, as in previous occasions, is marked by the complexity that characterizes and surrounds this issue of copyright. So much so that the Proposal for a Directive has met with numerous obstacles from the very beginning of its processing to its final approval, motivated by both the existing pressures and the rejection it has suffered from public opinion, which considered that some of their proposals posed a threat to freedom of expression on the Internet. After its final approval, once it has been transposed into the national legislations of the different member states, it will remain to be seen what consequences its application will have in the digital environment.Recientemente ha sido aprobada la Propuesta de Directiva sobre derechos de autor en el mercado único digital. Se trata de una iniciativa legislativa iniciada varios años atrás por la Comisión Europea, con la que se pretende adaptar la legislación sobre derechos de autor a una nueva realidad marcada por la evolución de las tecnologías digitales, estableciendo un marco legal uniforme que permita la protección adecuada de la propiedad intelectual en el entorno digital de la Unión Europea. Sin embargo, este nuevo capítulo de adaptación de la normativa sobre propiedad intelectual al cambio tecnológico, al igual que en ocasiones precedentes, está marcado por la complejidad que caracteriza y rodea a esta temática de los derechos de autor. Tanto es así que la Propuesta de Directiva se ha encontrado con numerosos obstáculos desde el mismo inicio de su tramitación hasta su definitiva aprobación, motivados tanto por las presiones existentes como por el rechazo que ha sufrido de parte de la opinión pública, que consideraba que algunas de sus propuestas suponían una amenaza a la libertad de expresión en Internet. Tras su definitiva aprobación, una vez sea objeto de transposición a las legislaciones nacionales de los diferentes Estados miembro, quedará por ver qué consecuencias tendrá su aplicación en el entorno digital

Los espacios naturales protegidos litorales de la Comunidad Valenciana: una oportunidad para la diversificación de los destinos turísticos consolidados de sol y playa

Comunicación presentada en el XIII Congreso Internacional de Turismo Universidad y Empresa: Renovación de Destinos Turísticos Consolidados, Castellón, 6-8 mayo 2010.En las dos últimas décadas, la política turística ha tenido entre sus objetivos la diversificación y diferenciación de los destinos turísticos a la par que la calidad de la oferta como mejores estrategias para garantizar la competitividad del turismo español. Aunque durante estos años, España ha conseguido mantener su liderazgo como destino turístico gracias a su abultada oferta basada en el producto sol y playa, las actuaciones emprendidas hasta ahora parece que no han conseguido imprimir un verdadero cambio en la dinámica de la actividad turística, capaz de responder a los nuevos patrones por los que se rige la demanda y dar respuesta al reto de la sostenibilidad. Por ello, en el contexto actual de renovación de los destinos turísticos consolidados, se plantea insistir en la cualificación de la oferta a partir de una nueva puesta en valor de sus componentes territoriales y, en particular, se propone el análisis de recursos que por el momento no han merecido una atención adecuada en su configuración y diseño. Entre ellos, se incluye el conjunto de espacios naturales protegidos de la Comunidad Valenciana que en la actualidad resisten el avance de la urbanización y constituyen el negativo de nuestros destinos turísticos. De hecho, durante más de medio siglo, la construcción de edificaciones ligadas a la creación de nuevas plazas en alojamientos turísticos y a la promoción inmobiliaria dirigida al turismo residencial, ha ido en detrimento de nuestros espacios naturales y de una progresiva pérdida de valor ambiental y paisajístico del frente litoral. Esta comunicación presenta el diagnóstico y las conclusiones obtenidas acerca del papel que pueden desempeñar estos espacios naturales protegidos en la diversificación de la oferta turística, a partir del aprovechamiento de sus posibilidades de uso público.In the last two decades, the tourism policies in Spain have had as a priority objective the diversification and differentiation of the tourist destinations together with the improvement of the quality services and infrastructures as the best strategies to guarantee the competitiveness of the tourism activity. Despite the fact that Spain has managed to maintain its leadership as a sun and sand tourist destination, the strategies undertaken to the present time have not fully achieved a substantial change in the tourism dynamics to respond to the new demand trends and the challenge of sustainability. In this respect, in the context of apparent need of renovation, the mature tourist destinations should insist on a qualitative tourist supply through the enhancement of the territorial components and particularly of those protected areas in the Valencia Region which have still survived to the urban process that has characterised most tourist destinations. In fact, the urbanisation and the processes of creating new accommodation infrastructure and residential homes have seriously threaten the protected area’s natural environment and has mainly contributed to the environmental impact of the coastal areas. This paper aims to present the diagnosis and conclusions obtained about how the protected areas may serve to strengthen the mass tourism product by offering opportunities for diversification.La presente comunicación se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto de investigación Renovación de los destinos turísticos consolidados del litoral: nuevos instrumentos para la planificación y gestión (RENOVESTUR), del Plan Nacional I+D+I 2008-2011, del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, en el que participan investigadores de las Universidades Jaime I de Castellón, Valencia y Alicante, y cuyo investigador principal es J. Fernando Vera Rebollo

The Impact Of The Current Economic Crisis On The Demand For Higher Education: An Analysis Of Spanish Distance Education Universities

Spain is currently experiencing a difficult economic situation, and in recent years a significant change has been observed in the behavior of the demand for educational programs as a result of this situation. Recent studies reveal a change in student demand that does not have the same effect on all academic institutions. Bearing this behavior in mind, the present study focuses on providing an overview of the situation of the Spanish distance education university system over a six-year period, from the 2007/08 to the 2011/12 academic year, analyzing the different variables that influence the demand and new enrollment in official degree programs. We also conduct a comparative analysis of the patterns these variables follow depending on the methodology applied by the different universities examined in our study, making a distinction between classroom and distance education universities

Effect Of Continuous Assessment Tests On Overall Student Performance In The Case Of The Spanish National Distance Education University (UNED)

This study aims to analyze the effect of the use of different types of continuous assessment tests on students participation, performance and final grades. To this end, it examines the case of a second-year course from the degree program in Business Administration and Management offered by the Faculty of Economics at the Universidad Nacional de Educaci a Distancia (National Distance Education University, UNED) in Spain during the first two academic years it was available (2011/12 and 2012/13). This period offered two distinct scenarios, with a total of 1,450 students participating the first year and 1,809 in the second, due to the use of two online continuous assessment tests with different scoring systems. The goal was to analyze the influence of each of the continuous assessment systems used on student participation in both the continuous assessment test itself and the final exam, as well as on the grades earned on these tests, and students overall performance in the course. As a result of this research, conclusions were reached regarding the educational nature of these tests and their suitability as a true tool for monitoring and assessment at a distance university

Business Objectives For Trade Shows Aimed At Final Consumers

An exhibitors' attendance at any trade show calls for designing and developing a preliminary plan, which must in turn be a part of the company's overall marketing plan, so that the decisions that are taken before, during, and after attending the trade show are in keeping with the company's sales and overall objectives. To achieve the desired sales and business performance, trade show objectives have to be set and defined as part of the strategic plan for attending the event, and this definition can have an influence on the final outcome the company achieves after the show. Taking this into account, and bearing in mind the particular case of trade shows aimed at final consumers, this paper describes a study based on cluster analysis aimed at grouping the different objectives that lead companies to attend trade shows and determine which of these objectives are most important for participating firms