Embargo
Can new knowledge be generated while solving a real company problem? Success factors for action research in operations management
(Taylor & Francis, 2024-12-20) Mediavilla, Miguel; Alfaro Tanco, José A.; Erro Garcés, Amaya; Mendibil, Kepa; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
The aim of this special issue is to contribute to the debate around the factors that impact the quality of action research in operations manegement, specifically the criteria of theoretical novelty; research rigour, practical relevance and usefulness; and applicability of the findings in other situations (Eden and Huxham 1996; Gummesson 2000; Coughlan and Coghlan 2002; Mediavilla, Errasti, and Mendibil 2015). In that respect, the scope of this SI goes beyond the description of specific cases in which AR was used and includes a discussion of those factors that can help the OM community when putting AR into practice.
Open Access
Catching the wave: Industry 4.0 in BRICS
(Emerald, 2020) Erro Garcés, Amaya; Aranaz-Núñez, Irene; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
Purpose – This research aims to conduct, to the best of our knowledge, the first systematic review of the implementation of Industry 4.0 in BRICS. This review facilitates the identification of main factors that affect the readiness to adopt Industry 4.0 in BRICS and the role of different agents, such as multinationals, the public sector or educative institutions. Design/methodology/approach – Key publications published from 2010 to 2019 have been analysed. A total of 61 papers have been selected from the systematic review. Findings – Three factors of convergence of BRICS to developed economies in terms of Industry 4.0 are identified: (1) the public initiatives that can also result in the attraction of talent from developed countries to BRICS; (2) the role of multinationals and (3) the implication of educational institutions. Research limitations/implications – This review has some limitations. First, some grey literature, such as reports from non-governmental organisations and front-line practitioners’ reflections, were not included. Second, only research studies in English were reviewed. Practical implications – The heterogeneity of BRICS amongst themselves affects the implementation of Industry 4.0 policies. Therefore, public policies should differ among countries to achieve the different readiness of companies within each country. Industry 4.0 cannot be understood as a manufacturing strategy against delocalisation, as emerging countries, such as BRICS, are also aware of the potential of automation. Originality/value – Based on a systematic review, this article shows that the strategy created by Germany to increase industrial productivity has been also introduced in BRICS countries as a critical factor to improve their competitiveness.
Open Access
Food security and social protection in times of COVID-19
(SAGE, 2022) Erro Garcés, Amaya; López Peláez, Antonio; Pérez García, Raquel María; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
From the perspective of social work, it is important to analyse food insecurity before and during the COVID-19, identify the best practices and how social work can contribute to improving living conditions. Using a meta-analysis, this article reviews how food security is addressed in the literature to better inform social policies from a social work perspective. A search of the literature revealed 217 articles between 2010 and 2021. The descriptors for the search were food security, food aid and social work. The main results are the identification of key aspects to inform social policies and promote sustainable social change worldwide.
Open Access
Seizing opportunities in Europe: a roadmap for efficient Big Data implementation in Spanish SMEs
(Emerald, 2022) Sánchez Huguet, Carla; Aramendia Muneta, María Elena; Erro Garcés, Amaya; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
Purpose: This paper aims to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to seize the potential of Big Data in their marketing strategies to leverage a competitive advantage in the rising digital marketplace and lead the post-pandemic economic recovery. However, Spanish SMEs have had serious difficulties in working with Big Data. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, a roadmap is designed to pave the way for a successful Big Data implementation. Findings: SMEs with updated information on how to access the historic funding opportunities might profit to this opportunity. It not only generates financing opportunities for SMEs but also grants continuity to their strategies by offering the most profitable techniques by which they can efficiently analyse data and gain consumer insights, thus overcoming the many problems they face when working with Big Data as well as helping them to monetise their marketing strategies. Originality/value: The main advantage of this research is its innovative approach to business strategy as it provides. The value added by this paper lies in its holistic and updated approach to supporting SME
Open Access
Spanish fishing industry within the common fishery policy
(Elsevier, 2024) Kozinski Radomska, Aleksander; Aramendia Muneta, María Elena; Erro Garcés, Amaya; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
The main objective of this article is to study the evolution of the Spanish fishing industry, with a specific focus on examining the correlation between actual catches by Spanish vessels and recorded landings against national Total Allowable Catches, which may contribute to improving the current state of the Common Fisheries Policy. Firstly, we offer an overview of the geographical, economic, and legal factors surrounding Spanish fisheries, along with an examination of the Common Fisheries Policy and relevant international agreements impacting these fisheries. Subsequently, we analyze three species, namely hake, anchovy, and cod as they are the most traded fish in the Spanish markets. Thirdly, we conduct an examination to provide information regarding the role of Common Fishery Policy quotas and to explore potential reasons behind the observed results. The main findings reveal the identification of a significant lack of alignment between the Common Fishery Policy and its resulting implementation through the Total Allowable Catches over the last decade.
Open Access
Pushing limits in higher education: inclusion services' perspectives on supporting students with learning disabilities in Spanish universities
(Taylor & Francis, 2023) Torre Martínez, Rocío de la; Calleja, Gema; Erro Garcés, Amaya; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
The unprecedented growth of universities in recent years has meant that there are more students with learning disabilities attending courses. Consequently, universities have had to adapt, improve and create new resources to ensure greater inclusivity. These resources, their design, and development are managed by inclusion support services, aiming to the full inclusion of students with disabilities and the promotion of community awareness. This article aims to shed light on the current role of inclusion services in supporting students with learning disabilities, and the link these services have with the different university stakeholders, using a thematic analysis from the experiences of this services staff in eight Spanish universities. The results show that: i) there is no uniformity in the support services; and ii) more resources and work are needed to ensure increased inclusion and awareness. The discussion and conclusions drawn highlight the trends, challenges, and opportunities for universities improving their inclusion.
Open Access
Teleworking in the context of the Covid-19 crisis
(MDPI, 2020) Belzunegui Eraso, Ángel; Erro Garcés, Amaya; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
This article aims to analyze the implementation of teleworking as a security practice to face the crisis resulting from the Covid-19 disease. The present paper provides both theoretical and practical results. From a theoretical standpoint, the Baruch and Nicholson approach is extended with environmental, safety, and legal factors that explain telework. From a practical perspective, a database of companies that have introduced telework as a measure to face coronavirus in a crisis context has been obtained. In short, the Covid-19 crisis demonstrates how teleworking has been used by companies to ensure their employees' safety and to provide continuity to economic activity. Consequently, safety factors are relevant in the study of teleworking and should be considered in further research.
Open Access
Industry 4.0: defining the research agenda
(Emerald, 2019) Erro Garcés, Amaya; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
Purpose. Industry 4.0 implies that global challenges exist within the manufacturing sector. Both theoretical and empirical research has been developed to support these transformations and assist companies in the process of changing. The purpose of this paper is to gather previous articles through an updated review and defines a research agenda for future investigation based on the most recent studies published in the field. Design/methodology/approach. Key articles on the subject are analysed. The articles were published in 39 journals from which 107 papers dating from 2005 to 2018 have been selected. Findings. The main findings imply the definition of a research agenda where: a common terminology should be created; the levels of implementation of Industry 4.0 should be defined; the stages of the development of Industry 4.0 should be identified; a lean approach for this industry is defined and the implications of Industry 4.0 in either a sustainable or circular economy should be understood; the consequences of human resources should be analysed; and the effects of the smart factory in the organisation are the areas identified and studied in the mentioned research agenda. Research limitations/implications. This review has some limitations. First, a number of grey literature, such as reports from non-governmental organisations and front-line practitioners' reflections, were not included. Second, only research studies in English and Spanish were reviewed. Practical implications. This review helps practitioners in their implementation of Industry 4.0. Moreover, the identified future research areas may help to define priorities in this implementation. Originality/value. After examining previous research, this paper proposes a research agenda covering issues about Industry 4.0. This research agenda should guide future investigations in the smart industry.
Open Access
Operational and strategic decisions in hospitality. Lessons from an action research process
(Springer, 2019) Erro Garcés, Amaya; Ramírez Ávila, Laura; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
The aim of this article is to find measures that reduce personnel costs in a catering company through the optimization of routes and tasks for staff to increase the efficiency of the company, and to transfer these measures to the sector as a whole. This paper is based on action research methodology which facilitates both taking action and creating knowledge or theory about the action analysed. Findings demonstrate that the solution focused on minimization of the workers’ operations and optimization of routes does not solve the problems identified in the company. The flexibility of action research allows adaptation of the focus on the needs of the company, and both the problem and solution are redefined. Thus, a discovered relationship between operational and organizational management is the main outcome obtained in the research. As a result, six proposals are described: clarifying task assignments, improving organizational management and the estimation of provisions, optimizing routes, reducing personal services, and improving human resources policy. It is concluded that the performance of both manager and employees is influenced by the organizational strategy.
Open Access
Do you prefer logging in?: the relevance of the experience of telework for wellbeing
(Emerald, 2024) Urien Angulo, Begoña; Erro Garcés, Amaya; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
Purpose –The swift and unanticipated integration of telework by European companies due to COVID-19 gave rise to distinct features of telework. These attributes underscore the necessity of analysing its impact on employees’ well-being. This paper explores how telework experiences impact well-being by influencing work– life balance and job satisfaction. Additionally, it investigates whether employee preferences for telework are a contributing factor. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the data provided by the “living, working and COVID-19” e-survey, structural equation models (SEM) were used to test the hypotheses. Specifically, a multiple-mediation approach and path analyses were applied to measure the relationship between the variables under study. The moderating role of preference for telework was also tested. Findings – Key findings support that telework experience has a positive impact on well-being, both directly and indirectly, particularly via work–life balance. Although preference for telework strengthens the relationship between telework experience and well-being, it does not enhance the predictive power of the mediated model. Practical implications – These results have important implications from an applied perspective. Human capital departments as well as managers should design telework programmes to create a positive experience since this will ensure a positive influence on the perception of work–life balance, job satisfaction and well-being. Originality/value – COVID-19 as a sudden environmental constraint forced the implementation of telework without proper planning and training. Thus, how the employees experience this major change in their working conditions has affected their well-being. The present paper contributes to clarifying how the proposed variables relate under such constraints.