Résumé.L'activité syndicale a‐t‐elle une influence sur les politiques des ressources humaines et la productivité dans les entreprises espagnoles? Pour répondre, les auteurs considèrent le concept d'influence syndicale et la façon dont celle‐ci affecte certains aspects du fonctionnement des entreprises. A partir de deux enquêtes réalisées en 1996 et 2007 dans les établissements de plus de cinquante salariés, ils cherchent à vérifier si l'influence syndicale se manifeste de façon conforme aux discours traditionnels des organisations syndicales ou si rhétorique et pratique diffèrent. Ils observent que l'influence syndicale reste surtout associée aux salaires et à l'absentéisme.
Resumen.Los autores estudian las relaciones existentes en las empresas españolas entre la actividad sindical, por un lado, y las políticas de recursos humanos y la productividad, por otro. Analizan el concepto de influencia sindical y en qué aspectos del funcionamiento de la empresa se hace sentir, basándose en dos encuestas realizadas en 1996 y 2007 a establecimientos de más de cincuenta trabajadores. Investigan si la influencia sindical opera como dicen los discursos tradicionales de las organizaciones sindicales o hay diferencias importantes entre la retórica al uso y la realidad. Encuentran que la influencia sindical guarda relación con los salarios y con el absentismo.
Abstract.Based on surveys conducted in 1996 and 2007, this article examines the relationship between trade union influence, as perceived by management, and human resource policy and productivity in Spanish enterprises with over 50 employees. It investigates whether trade unions use their influence to pursue the agenda they have traditionally professed to uphold or whether outcomes differ in practice. The authors identify positive correlations between trade union influence and both wages and absenteeism, but union influence appears to have no effect on the incidence of casual employment, the provision of training, work–life balance policies or information sharing within enterprises.
PurposeUpper echelons theory (UET) stands that cognitive bases of the CEO influence the field of vision and interpretation of the environment and affect its decisions about the firm. The main objective of the paper is to see if there are different CEO profiles, which can be associated with different strategic management choices.Design/Methodology/approachUsing a representative sample of 1,236 small firms in high- and medium-high-technology, both in industrial and service sectors, the authors identify five CEO typologies through cluster analysis. The classification is based on CEO's personal characteristics such as education, tenure in the company or entrepreneurial experience. Multivariate analysis is carried out to establish the possible association between belonging to these clusters and some strategic decisions such as orientation towards innovation, efficiency or internationalisation. The unit of analysis is the firm focusing on the CEO.FindingsThe authors conclude that it is possible to classify the CEOs of these companies into five well-differentiated groups, with specific profiles. We find a significant association between belonging to a CEO profile and strategic choices taken in the firm. Managers who have been CEOs in several companies and have some entrepreneurial experience frequently guide the company towards innovation and internationalisation. CEOs with a lot of experience but limited to a single company often look for process efficiency.Furthermore, it is observed that the belonging of these clusters is not evenly distributed in the group of companies analysed. Instead, depending on size and family / no family issues, the authors find a different presence of the CEO typologies.Originality/valueThe work provides relevant information in the field of small-, high- and medium-high-technology companies in relation to the profile of the CEO.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the possible causes of the heterogeneous productivity observed in Spanish firms, finding evidence of a link between managerial capability and higher productivity in the context of family firms. Also, innovative human resource policies are much more frequently found in companies where there is a high level of management capability.Design/methodology/approachProductivity differences in Spanish family firms are, for the first time, analysed from a managerial view, and using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA).FindingsThis paper proposes a way to measure managerial capability. Innovative human resource policies are much more frequently found in companies with high levels of management capability. The authors show that sustained competitive advantage is not just a function of single or isolated components, but rather a combination of human capital elements. Besides, a clear association between high managerial capability and performance in family firms is established. Thus, better management skills enable Spanish family firms to design the necessary strategies and internal structures to facilitate their adjustment to the business environment, and, thereby, achieve operational performance gains.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a way to measure managerial capability and its association with productivity in Spanish family firms using MCA. The authors also show a clear positive association between high managerial capability and performance in family firms. Thus, better management skills enable Spanish family firms to achieve operational performance gains.
In this article, we present a methodology to assess the risk incurred by a participant in an activity involving danger of injury. The lack of high‐quality historical data for the case considered prevented us from constructing a sufficiently detailed statistical model. It was therefore decided to generate a risk assessment model based on expert judgment. The methodology is illustrated in a real case context: the assessment of risk to participants in a San Fermin bull‐run in Pamplona (Spain). The members of the panel of "experts on the bull‐run" represented very different perspectives on the phenomenon: runners, surgeons and other health care personnel, journalists, civil defense workers, security staff, organizers, herdsmen, authors of books on the bull‐run, etc. We consulted 55 experts. Our methodology includes the design of a survey instrument to elicit the experts' views and the statistical and mathematical procedures used to aggregate their subjective opinions.
The natural 15N/14N isotope composition ( 15 δ N) of a tissue is a consequence of its N source and N physiological mechanisms in response to the environment. It could potentially be used as a tracer of N metabolism in plants under changing environmental conditions, where primary N metabolism may be complex, and losses and gains of N fluctuate over time. In order to test the utility of 15 δ N as an indicator of plant N status in N2-fixing plants grown under various environmental conditions, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants were subjected to distinct conditions of [CO2] (400 vs. 700µmol mol−1 ), temperature (ambient vs. ambient +4 ◦C) and water availability (fully watered vs. water deficiency—WD). As expected, increased [CO2] and temperature stimulated photosynthetic rates and plant growth, whereas these parameters were negatively affected by WD. The determination of 15 δ N in leaves, stems, roots, and nodules showed that leaves were the most representative organs of the plant response to increased [CO2] and WD. Depletion of heavier N isotopes in plants grown under higher [CO2] and WD conditions reflected decreased transpiration rates, but could also be related to a higher N demand in leaves, as suggested by the decreased leaf N and total soluble protein (TSP) contents detected at 700µmol mol−1 [CO2] and WD conditions. In summary, leaf 15 δ N provides relevant information integrating parameters which condition plant responsiveness (e.g., photosynthesis, TSP, N demand, and water transpiration) to environmental conditions. ; This work was supported by the Spanish Economy and Competiveness ministry (AGL-2012-37815-CO5-05, AGL2011-30386-C02-02 and Ramón y Cajal research grant) and by the Portuguese FCT (PTDC/BIA-ECS/122214/2010). IA was supported by a postdoctoral Fellowship from the Government of Navarra (Anabasid outgoing Programme) and by a postdoctoral Fellowship from the Portuguese FCT (SFRH/BPD/90436/2012). ; Peer reviewed
The natural 15N/14N isotope composition (δ15N) of a tissue is a consequence of its N source and N physiological mechanisms in response to the environment. It could potentially be used as a tracer of N metabolism in plants under changing environmental conditions, where primary N metabolism may be complex, and losses and gains of N fluctuate over time. In order to test the utility of δ15N as an indicator of plant N status in N2-fixing plants grown under various environmental conditions, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants were subjected to distinct conditions of [CO2] (400 vs. 700 μmol mol−1), temperature (ambient vs. ambient +4°C) and water availability (fully watered vs. water deficiency—WD). As expected, increased [CO2] and temperature stimulated photosynthetic rates and plant growth, whereas these parameters were negatively affected by WD. The determination of δ15N in leaves, stems, roots, and nodules showed that leaves were the most representative organs of the plant response to increased [CO2] and WD. Depletion of heavier N isotopes in plants grown under higher [CO2] and WD conditions reflected decreased transpiration rates, but could also be related to a higher N demand in leaves, as suggested by the decreased leaf N and total soluble protein (TSP) contents detected at 700 μmol mol−1 [CO2] and WD conditions. In summary, leaf δ15N provides relevant information integrating parameters which condition plant responsiveness (e.g., photosynthesis, TSP, N demand, and water transpiration) to environmental conditions. ; This work was supported by the Spanish Economy and Competiveness ministry (AGL-2012-37815-CO5-05, AGL2011-30386-C02-02 and Ramón y Cajal research grant) and by the Portuguese FCT (PTDC/BIA-ECS/122214/2010). IA was supported by a postdoctoral Fellowship from the Government of Navarra (Anabasid outgoing Programme) and by a postdoctoral Fellowship from the Portuguese FCT (SFRH/BPD/90436/2012).
13 p., il., tablas y bibliografía ; Background: In plants, nitrate (NO3-) nutrition gives rise to a natural N isotopic signature (δ15N), which correlates with the δ15N of the N source. However, little is known about the relationship between the δ15N of the N source and the 14N/15N fractionation in plants under ammonium (NH4 +) nutrition. When NH4+ is the major N source, the two forms, NH4+ and NH3, are present in the nutrient solution. There is a 1.025 thermodynamic isotope effect between NH3 (g) and NH4+ (aq) which drives to a different δ15N. Nine plant species with different NH4+-sensitivities were cultured hydroponically with NO3- or NH4+ as the sole N sources, and plant growth and δ15N were determined. Short-term NH4+/NH3 uptake experiments at pH 6.0 and 9.0 (which favours NH3 form) were carried out in order to support and substantiate our hypothesis. N source fractionation throughout the whole plant was interpreted on the basis of the relative transport of NH4+ and NH3. Results: Several NO3--fed plants were consistently enriched in 15N, whereas plants under NH4+ nutrition were depleted of 15N. It was shown that more sensitive plants to NH4+ toxicity were the most depleted in 15N. In parallel, N-deficient pea and spinach plants fed with 15NH4+ showed an increased level of NH3 uptake at alkaline pH that was related to the 15N depletion of the plant. Tolerant to NH4+ pea plants or sensitive spinach plants showed similar trend on 15N depletion while slight differences in the time kinetics were observed during the initial stages. The use of RbNO3 as control discarded that the differences observed arise from pH detrimental effects. Conclusions: This article proposes that the negative values of δ15N in NH4+-fed plants are originated from NH3 uptake by plants. Moreover, this depletion of the heavier N isotope is proportional to the NH4+/NH3 toxicity in plants species. Therefore, we hypothesise that the low affinity transport system for NH4+ may have two components: one that transports N in the molecular form and is associated with fractionation and another that transports N in the ionic form and is not associated with fractionation. ; The authors wish to thank to Gustavo Garijo for technical assistance. This work was supported by the Spanish MICIIN (grant nos. AGL2006-12792-CO2-01 and 02 and AGL2009- 13339-CO2-01 and 02 [to P.A.-T. and C.G.M.] and AGL2007-64432/AGR [to J.F.M.]), by the Portuguese FCT (PTDC/BIA- BEC/099323/2008) and by the Basque Government IT526-10. IA was supported by a postdoctoral Fellowship from the Public University of Navarre. Technical support was provided by SGIker to the UPV/EHU researchers. ; Peer reviewed
