Residents' Perceptions of Tourism Impacts on Island Destinations: A Comparative Analysis

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the resident's perception of tourisms impacts on two very successful major mature island destinations (Tenerife and Mallorca). To do so, we conducted a study based on the social exchange theory by using a scale that measures residents' perceptions of tourism's positive and negative impacts on the economy, culture, society and the environment. The results based on more than 1100 interviews show that similar opinions arise on both islands; however, significant differences in terms of the level of perception of the impacts in the two destinations have also been unveiled. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A class of simple distribution-free rank-based unit root tests

We propose a class of distribution-free rank-based tests for the null hypothesis of a unit root. This class is indexed by the choice of a reference densityg, which need not coincide with the unknown actual innovation density f. The validity of these tests, in terms of exact finite-sample size, is guaranteed, irrespective of the actual underlying density, by distribution-freeness. Those tests are locally and asymptotically optimal under a particular asymptotic scheme, for which we provide a complete analysis of asymptotic relative efficiencies. Rather than stressing asymptotic optimality, however, we emphasize finite-sample performances, which also depend, quite heavily, on initial values. It appears that our rank-based tests significantly outperform the traditional Dickey-Fuller tests, as well as the more recent procedures proposed by Elliott et al. (1996), Ng and Perron (2001), and Elliott and Müller (2006), for a broad range of initial values and for heavy-tailed innovation densities. Thus, they provide a useful complement to existing techniques.     

Estimating the time involved in managing the 'unoccupied bed:' a time and motion study

Occupied bed days are often used as a demand indicator when calculating the number of nurses required to provide safe care. However, such calculations fail to take into account the amount of nursing time consumed by the "unoccupied bed." This study used direct observation time-and-motion methods to estimate the time and costs associated with a bed that is unoccupied. The average time taken to complete all of the activities associated with a bed that was unoccupied due to an internal transfer was 8.65 minutes, for a patient discharge 26.27 minutes, and for a patient admission 37.7 minutes. An average daily cost for activities surrounding these patient movements was approximately $386/day (AUD) in registered/enrolled nursing salaries alone. The unoccupied bed is not resource neutral and time associated with its maintenance should be considered when calculating nursing requirements to provide safe care.     

Marketing tactics discouraging price search: Deception and competition

Retailers attempt to assure consumers that their deals are bargains using a variety of marketing tactics. Because consumers continue information and price searches until satisfied with the amount of the information to make a purchase, such bargain assurances (BAs) can change consumers' shopping behavior. This article identifies twelve common BAs and reviews extant marketing literature to derive evidence of how BAs affect consumers' purchasing behavior. It then examines how these practices are regulated to prevent consumer deception or a reduction in competition. This article concludes by offering three policy recommendations: BAs influence consumers and require regulation; the regulation of BAs demands a comprehensive rather than a piecemeal approach; and consumer policy should facilitate and encourage accurate price comparisons.     

The mortuary as a source of injury data: progress towards a mortuary data guideline for fatal injury surveillance

To help bridge the obstacle of inadequate injury fatality data in low and medium income countries (LMICs) a simple cost effective system for mortuary surveillance of fatal injuries is being developed in consultation with the WHO. This will inform, direct and monitor injury prevention (IP) interventions and policies in LMICs. This article uses CDC's 'attributes of a successful surveillance system' to describe the process, the barriers and solutions in development of this mortuary data guideline. The consultative process utilised generated feedback from key stakeholders including forensic pathologists, Ministry of Health officials and injury prevention experts. An International Advisory Group was also convened to guide the guideline development. These assisted the adjustment of the proposed guideline to maximise flexibility, acceptability and stability; whilst minimising resource implications. Representativeness and the securing of government support perhaps remain the most significant challenges. Consultation with the advisory group and the wider stakeholders has been effective in developing a widely acceptable, user-friendly, low resource data form to gather useful data. Further strategies to overcome barriers need to be developed over the course of the pilot study and this should be done in consultation with the advisory group and stakeholders.     

Evolving communication patterns in response to an acquisition event

This study uses network data of worker behavior to analyze changes in worker communication patterns during the first three years post‐acquisition. The findings suggest that new communication routines develop slowly and are not entirely enduring even when a transformative event, such as an acquisition, occurs. Communication across firms initially increases as workers change their routines. However, over time this communication peaks and then falls as workers develop common ground. Communication across firms was greater when workers' tasks were interdependent. Overall, this study demonstrates that communication routines persist even after an organizationally transforming event. It illustrates the importance of both the formal and informal organization as well as the promise of using social network methods and communication log data to study social phenomena of strategic interest. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy and Non-Energy Input Substitution Possibilities and Output Scale Effects in Canadian Agriculture

A generalized Leontief cost function was used to investigate energy and non-energy input substitution possibilities and output scale effects on factor demand in Canadian agriculture. Results suggest that (1) substitution possibilities exist between energy and non-energy inputs, and energy and energy-based inputs appear to be complements; (2) labor is the best substitute for energy inputs, followed by land and other intermediate inputs; and (3) the output scale has significant effect in reducing production costs and decreasing the responsiveness of input to price changes. These findings indicate that an effective energy conservation measure would be the encouragement of production practices oriented to use more labor and land intensive techniques rather than using more agricultural chemicals for reducing cultivation practices. On a utilisé une fonction de coút Léontief généralisée pour examiner d'une part les possibilitiés de substituer entrées énergétiques el non énergétiques et d'autre part les effets d'échelle de sortie sur la demande factorielle dans l'agriculture canadienne. Les résultats suggérent que: (1) il est possible de substituer entrées énergétiques et non énergétiques; les entrées énergétiques et celles basées sur l'énergie semblent complémentaires, (2) la main-d'oeuvre est le meilleur substitut aux entrées énergétiques; viennent ensuite la terre et autres entrees intermédiares, et (3) l'échelle de sortie joue un rǒle déterminant dans la réduction des coúts de production et dans une sensibilité plus petite des entrées aux changements de prix. Ces découvertes indiquent qu'une mesure efficace pour conserver l'énergie serait, plutǒl que d'utiliser davantage de produits chimiques agricoles, d'encourager les pratiques de production basée sur la main-d'oeuvre et l'utilisation intensive de la terre.     

Ethical Culture and Employee Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Person-Organization Fit

We build on limited research concerning the mediation processes associated with the relationship between ethical culture and employee outcomes. A multidimensional measure of ethical culture was examined for its relationship to overall Person-Organization (P–O) fit and employee response, using a sample of 436 employees from social economy and commercial banks in Spain. In line with previous research involving unidimensional measures, ethical culture was found to relate positively to employee job satisfaction, affective commitment, and intention to stay. New to the literature, ethical culture was also found to be associated positively with employee willingness to recommend the organization to others. These effects were observed even when perceptions of P–O fit were controlled. Importantly, ethical culture was also positively related to overall P–O fit, which in turn, partially mediated the relationship between ethical culture and employee outcomes. Our findings add to studies that focus on the importance of the degree of ethical congruence between the individual employee and the organization. They suggest that ethical culture, with its expected impact on virtuousness and emotional well-being, will positively influence outcomes independently of the degree to which there is a match between employee and organizational values.