Performance appraisal: dimensions and determinants

Abstract

Using a sample of Spanish establishments in the manufacturing sector, this article analyses the determinants of the dimensions of performance appraisal. The dimensions examined are performance measures, who evaluates performance and frequency. The results show that the degree of autonomy of the workforce affects positively the use of subjective criteria. It is also more likely that performance appraisal is carried out by the supervisor in the presence of teams and internal promotions. Regarding the explanation of the frequency, teams affect negatively this dimension of performance appraisal.     

Nutrient composition of selected fresh and processed fish species from lake Malawi: a nutritional possibility for people living with HIV/AIDS

Nutrition is important for both healthy and sick people. Unfortunately for sick people, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, the emphasis has mostly been on drugs at the expense of nutritional aspects. People living with HIV/AIDS and related diseases need a lot of protein and energy‐rich foods together with vitamins and minerals. Fish are particularly rich in these nutrients. In Malawi, fish are harvested in large numbers and to avoid deterioration, some are smoked, sun dried or partially boiled and then sun dried. Since the nutrient contents of the fresh and processed fish may differ, a study was carried out on four different fresh and processed fish species (Copadichromis inornatus, Rhamphochromis ferox, Engraulicypris sardella and Oreochromis lidole) in order to determine which species was the more nutritive. The results showed that E. sardella and C. inornatus species, fresh or processed, had relatively higher (P < 0.001) protein content (58.22 ± 0.6% and 57.78 ± 0.7% respectively), fat (25.2 ± 1.2 and 22.08 ± 0.4% respectively), energy (24086.7 ± 151.7 J/g and 22204.9 ± 84.7 J/g respectively) than either R. ferox or O. lidole. Although the R. ferox species had lower protein, fat and energy than E. sardella or C. inornatus, this species had higher available lysine content. Calcium and magnesium contents of E. sardella and C. inornatus were however, slightly lower (P < 0.001) than those of the other two species. There were variations between and within the species for all parameters analysed. The results obtained in this work suggest that people living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi can best build their muscle and get more energy and minerals from the E. sardella and C. inornatus fish species. It would therefore be recommended that appropriate technologies for improving the availability and productivity of such fish should be developed and tested for people living with HIV/AIDS or affected households. However, it is suggested that a larger group of the commonly available fish species should be analysed so as to offer a wider choice to consumers.     

Some insights on conceptualizing and measuring service quality

We discuss past work in the conceptualization and measurement of perceived service quality and describe the most important models proposed in the last 25 years. We infer the general equations that can be derived from each conceptualization. Finally, we summarize the shortcomings and contradictions of each model as well as conclusions reached so far by a certain consensus of researchers using different models. In order to provide a framework for understanding service quality models, we discuss the service quality paradigm from the realist and constructivist perspective along with the multidimensional nature of service quality implicit in the reflective versus formative debate. We conclude by recommending the development of more creative models of service quality, proposing three different options for quantitative analysis that minimize the various limitations that characterize the most widely used models.     

A four-step approach to 1992

Here's a four-step process to help you analyze both the opportunities and potential hazards of 1992. Even if you've already made your plans, it's a way to make sure you've considered all the implications of a Single Europe.     

Portfolio selection in quantile decision models

Annals of Finance - This paper develops a model for optimal portfolio allocation for an investor with quantile preferences, i.e., who maximizes the $$tau $$ -quantile of the portfolio return, for...     

Exchange rate and inflation dynamics in dollarized economies

We use a panel of a hundred-plus countries with differing degrees of dollarization to perform an empirical analysis of the effects on inflation of exchange rate depreciations. The results qualify the common view that countries with higher dollarization exhibit higher inflation pass-through. We show that large depreciations tend to generate a negative impact on the pass-through coefficient, this impact being more intense the higher the level of dollarization of the economy. We interpret this as evidence that, in highly dollarized economies, the classic inflationary effects of a real depreciation—higher internal demand and imported inflation—can be offset or diminished by both the larger financial costs and the balance-sheet effect, especially if the depreciation is “large”. Additionally, the exchange rate regime is shown to matter: countries with fixed exchange rates suffer more noticeably the balance-sheet effects of large depreciations.     

Spillover across Eurozone credit market sectors and determinants

We examine spillover and its determinants among Eurozone sector level credit markets using time and frequency domain spillover approaches. Based on network theory and connectedness analysis, we identify the sectors that are major transmitters and receivers of spillover during normal and crisis periods. The rolling window analysis shows that short-run spillover among credit market sectors intensifies during global and Eurozone crisis periods. Further, using Bayesian model averaging, we find that overall financial conditions and stock market volatility are the main drivers of total and sector-level spillover. Our findings have important implications for policymakers and investors interested in Euro-area credit risk at the sector level.     

Market orientation for the hotel segment： The Portuguese case

In view of the importance of the hotel segment for the tourism and for the economy of countries such as Portugal, the objective of this study was to measure the level of orientation for the market of the largest hotel groups of Portugal. This investigation initially emphasized the importance of the marketing for the organizations, mainly the orientation for the market. After a brief explanation on the hotel segment in Portugal, an empirical study was presented, of quantitative, exploratory and traversal character, performed with the largest groups of 20 hotels of Portugal, using as an instrument of collection data, the traditional Markor scale （market orientation） adapted to the hotel sector. After analyzing the data, it was found in the investigated organizations that a good capacity to generate market information and response to the market, which formed two of the three constructs of Markor scale. However the results obtained with the construct of the dissemination of market information were below the expectations. It was possible to conclude that marketing professionals of the large hotel groups in Portugal are well oriented to the market, something not shared by other investigated departments of the hotels. So the current challenge for the main networks of hotels in Portugal is to improve the internal dissemination of information that marketing professionals gathered at the market.