DAU - Digital Archive of URL (Ramon Llull University)
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Employee-CSR Tensions: Drivers of Employee (Dis)Engagement with Contested CSR Initiatives
Get PDFFirms face mounting pressure to implement organization-wide CSR initiatives in order to address social issues such as climate change, poverty alleviation, and inequality. Such efforts hinge on the engagement of employees throughout the organization. Yet, involving more employees in CSR, as well as the magnitude of organizational change required to address pressing social issues, are likely to trigger employee-CSR (E-CSR) tensions, i.e., tensions between employees' personal preferences for organizational CSR initiatives and their perceptions of the actual organizational CSR initiatives. While prior research on micro-CSR has identified a range of employee engagement with CSR, it does not explain employees' CSR (dis)engagement when they experience E-CSR tensions. We draw on the literature on individuals' responses to paradoxical tensions to unpack how and why employees who experience E-CSR tensions (dis)engage differently with CSR initiatives. We develop a conceptual framework around the interplay of three drivers (type of tension, cognition, and organizational situatedness) to explain the employee response to E-CSR tensions in terms of different types of (dis)engagement with CSR initiatives. We contribute to the micro-CSR literature by explaining how and why employees (dis)engage differently with CSR initiatives with which they disagree, and to the microfoundations of paradox by challenging the dominant association between both/and thinking and generative outcomes vs either/or thinking and detrimental outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Questionnaire for the Assessment of Coparenting (CECOP): Development and Validation
Get PDFTaking coparenting into consideration is essential when assessing children and their relational environment, regardless of the family structure. This paper presents three studies we conducted with the aim of developing and validating a reliable instrument for the assessment of coparenting in Spanish. The first study consisted of developing the items to be included in the assessment tool and evaluation of this content by a panel of nine experts. In the second study, we explored both the psychometric properties and the factorial structure of the prototype instrument using a sample of 251 participants. The third study confirmed the factorial structure and tested measurement invariance, the reliability, and convergent and discriminant evidence of our tool in a general population sample of 312 participants. We obtained a 15-item unidimensional questionnaire, the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Coparenting (CECOP), with very good psychometric properties: excellent internal consistency with α of 0.97 and supported validity with the selected conceptually related metrics; convergent validity with the Instrument for the Assessment of Adaptation to Divorce–Separation’s (CADS) coparenting dimension and Questionnaire on Perceived Support from the Former Partner (CARE); and divergent validity with parenting and dyadic adjustment. Furthermore, the results in terms of measurement invariance across family structures and sex allowed us to assume the configural invariance between the groups. However, it was not possible to assume metric invariance. Finally, we also provide normative scores for its interpretation. The CECOP shows excellent psychometric properties and can be considered the first questionnaire in Spanish that assesses coparenting in any family structure, which also includes the triadic conceptualization of coparenting, providing valuable information on the relational environment in which children and adolescence live.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Exploring nurses’ experiences: Abandoning the profession and migrating for improved opportunities
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This study explores nurses' experiences in migration for employment and professional abandonment in Barcelona (Spain).
Methods
Employing a mixed-design approach comprising 1) a qualitative descriptive phenomenological study, followed by 2) a subsequent cross-sectional study, 20 and 225 nurses participated in each study, respectively. Qualitative data, gathered through 4 focus group discussions, underwent inductive thematic analysis, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines, while quantitative data were descriptively analyzed.
Findings
Three qualitative themes emerged: 1) Migration motives, such as improved job opportunities, permanent contracts, continuous training, and professional recognition; 2) Reasons for leaving or contemplating leaving the profession, including excessive workload, lack of recognition, limited development, and exhaustion; 3) Nurses' needs, encompassing more staffing, improved remuneration, permanent contracts, flexible schedules, greater autonomy, and career growth. The cross-sectional study revealed a 13.5 % professional abandonment rate at some point across all demographics and seniority levels. Migration trends varied by professional experience, with younger nurses seeking better conditions and opportunities elsewhere.
Conclusions
Multifactorial causes underlie job migration and professional abandonment, necessitating comprehensive interventions to improve nurses' working and professional conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
My money—My problem: How fear-of-missing-out appeals can hinder sustainable investment decisions
Get PDFCryptocurrencies (cryptos) have detrimental environmental effects due to their massive energy consumption. While several green crypto coins have been launched, the mainstream—environmentally unfriendly coins—still lead the market. In this study, we explore if influencer marketing, specifically fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) appeals, can contribute to promoting green crypto coin purchases to encourage sustainable investments. The results of five studies (two lab experiments using neurobiological sensors, two online experiments, and a discrete choice experiment) show that social media postings conveying FOMO appeals decrease (increase) green crypto (normal crypto) coin investments. The results further show that message congruence and emotional value perceptions mediate this effect. Finally, we demonstrate that the observed results hold when adding governance and regulatory crypto support as well as the crypto price path evolution to the choice. The results provide notable theoretical contributions and implications for policymakers concerned with fostering more sustainable consumption behavior in the crypto context.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Postnormal Trust: The Case of the Media
Get PDFThis article is the first installment of a two-part paper aimed at assessing whether the theory of postnormal times provides an appropriate framework for examining the evolution of public trust in the media. Building upon previous studies that have explored the applicability of postnormal times theory in explaining changes in the new century, this paper specifically examines communication as a new case study, delving into factors that either foster or impede trust in the media. This paper argues that communication, both as a theoretical disclipine and as a human activity, exhibits characteristics of postnormality. It contends that not only does communication adhere to the tenets of postnormal times, but it also serves as one of the principal indicators of postnormality on a global scale, particularly concerning trust in the media. The article evaluates the suitability of postnormal times theory to study the recent evolution of communication. It then conducts a review of existing literature on trust in the media and proposes a roadmap for constructing prospective scenarios through the Three Tomorrows’ approach.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Effect of bariatric surgery on HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity
Get PDFBackground: Bariatric surgery (BS) is the most effective intervention for severe obesity, leading to sustained weight loss, reduced obesity-related comorbidities, and cardiovascular mortality.
Aim: To assess changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functions [cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) and anti-inflammatory capacity] at different follow-up times in patients with severe obesity undergoing BS.
Methods: A prospective observational study within a cohort of consecutively enrolled patients with severe obesity scheduled to undergo BS. In total, 62 participants (77% women), with a mean age of 42.1 years (SD 9.33 years) underwent BS. Regarding the surgical procedure, 27 (43.5%) underwent sleeve gastrectomy and 35 (56.5%) Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
Results: A decrease in body mass index and an improvement in the systemic lipid profile, indicated by reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), and remnant cholesterol, and an increase in HDL cholesterol (HDLc) was observed (all p trend < 0.001). Time-series comparisons vs. baseline showed that, in general, anthropometric measures, glycemia, total cholesterol, LDLc, and remnant cholesterol decreased at all follow-ups, whereas HDLc and triglyceride concentrations significantly improved vs. baseline from 6 months, reaching at 12 months the highest HDLc levels (29.6%, p < 0.001) and the lowest circulating triglycerides (−30%, p < 0.001). Although HDL's anti-inflammatory ability worsens after surgery, the HDL-mediated CEC linearly increased after surgery (for both p trend < 0.013).
Conclusion: BS improves the lipid profile both quantitatively and qualitatively after 1 year, specifically enhancing HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity, which may contribute to a reduced cardiovascular risk in individuals with severe obesity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Effects of the 2014 European reform on audit activity, the audit outcome and the audit market: the auditors’ view
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This paper aims to examine the effects of the 2014 European regulatory reform on auditors’ activity, the audit outcome and the audit market, with a focus on the Spanish market.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on in-depth, semistructured interviews with partners of the main audit firms operating in the Spanish market. This qualitative approach provides a precise identification of the cause-effect relationships of the new measures introduced by the European audit regulation.
Findings
The findings indicate that, based on auditors’ opinions, the costs of the main regulatory changes outweigh the benefits. The European Union (EU) Audit Regulation imposes more demanding provisions, such as an extended auditor’s report, mandatory audit firm rotation, more banned nonaudit services and stricter quality controls, resulting in substantial side effects on audit activity and the audit market. This could undermine the objective of enhancing the quality of audit services.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the effect of the 2014 EU regulatory reform on audit activity, audit market and audit outcome based on auditors’ perceptions. The findings may be of interest to academics, professionals and regulators alike, as they offer valuable insights for assessing the effectiveness of the new audit provisions. Additionally, the qualitative methodology used facilitates a causal analysis of the key elements introduced by the regulations, potentially paving the way for future research avenues.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Fuzzy Classification of the Maturity of the Orange (Citrus × sinensis) Using the Citrus Color Index (CCI)
Get PDFThe orange (Citrus sinensis) is a fruit of the Citrus genus, which is part of the Rutaceae family. The orange has gained considerable importance due to its extensive range of applications, including the production of juices, jams, sweets, and extracts. The consumption of oranges confers several nutritional benefits, including flavonoids, vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene, and dietary fiber. It is crucial to acknowledge that the primary quality criterion employed by consumers and producers is maturity, which is correlated with the visual quality associated with the color of the epicarp. This study proposes the implementation of a computer vision system that estimates the degree of ripeness of oranges Valencia using fuzzy logic (FL); the soluble solids content was determined by refractometry, while the firmness of the fruit was evaluated through the fruit firmness test. The proposed method was divided into five distinct steps. The initial stage involved the acquisition of RGB images. The second stage presents the segmentation of the fruit, which entails the removal of extraneous noise and backgrounds. The third and fourth steps involve determining the centroid of the fruit, and five regions of interest were obtained in the centroid of the fruit of the Citrus Color Index (CII), ranging from 3 × 3 to 11 × 11 pixels. Finally, in the fifth step, a model was created to estimate maturity, °Brix, and firmness using Matlab 2024 and the Fuzzy Logic Designer and Neuro-Fuzzy Designer applications. Consequently, a statistically significant correlation was established between maturity, degree Brix, and firmness, with a value greater than 0.9, using the Citrus Color Index (CII), which reflects the physical–chemical changes that occur in the orange.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparison of two peroxidases with high potential for biotechnology applications – HRP vs. APEX2
Get PDFPeroxidases are essential elements in many biotechnological applications. An especially interesting concept involves split enzymes, where the enzyme is separated into two smaller and inactive proteins that can dimerize into a fully active enzyme. Such split forms were developed for the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) already. Both peroxidases have a high potential for biotechnology applications. In the present study, we performed biophysical comparisons of these two peroxidases and their split analogues. The active site availability is similar for all four structures. The split enzymes are comparable in stability with their native analogues, meaning that they can be used for further biotechnology applications. Also, the tertiary structures of the two peroxidases are similar. However, differences that might help in choosing one system over another for biotechnology applications were noticed. The main difference between the two systems is glycosylation which is not present in the case of APX/sAPEX2, while it has a high impact on the HRP/sHRP stability. Further differences are calcium ions and cysteine bridges that are present only in the case of HRP/sHRP. Finally, computational results identified sAPEX2 as the systems with the smallest structural variations during molecular dynamics simulations showing its dominant stability comparing to other simulated proteins. Taken all together, the sAPEX2 system has a high potential for biotechnological applications due to the lack of glycans and cysteines, as well as due to high stability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio