Business Administration and Marketing

Τhe main goal of this paper is to investigate: a. The contribution of lifelong programs and actions to the participants' employment and b. Whether lifelong programs and actions satisfy the needs and requirements of the participants. Significant extensions were also investigated such as job position improvement and contribution to entrepreneurship and self-employment to a local level. In order to achieve the above mentioned goals a quantitative research is held using questionnaires to graduates of D.I.E.K Igoumenitsas from 2006-2012. The survey results show a positive contribution of training and education programmes on employment, participants' satisfaction from the program, positive signs concerning contribution to self-employment and entrepreneurship while there is insufficient evidence on the contribution of lifelong learning to job position improvement. Περίληψη: Ο σκοπός της συγκεκριμένης έρευνας είναι η διερεύνηση: α. της συμβολής των προγραμμάτων και των ενεργειών της " διά βίου μάθησης " , στην αύξηση της απασχόλησης

PurposeThis is a general review study aiming to specify the key customer-based factors and technologies that influence the value co-creation (VCC) process through artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in the hospitality and tourism industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a theory-based general literature review approach to explore key customer-based factors and technologies influencing VCC in the tourism industry. By reviewing the relevant literature, the authors conclude a theoretical framework postulating the determinants of VCC in the AI-driven tourism industry.FindingsThis paper identifies customers' perceptions, attitudes, trust, social influence, hedonic motivations, anthropomorphism and prior experience as customer-based factors to VCC through the use of AI. Service robots, AI-enabled self-service kiosks, chatbots, metaversal tourism and new reality, machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) are technologies that influence VCC.Research l...

Purpose-The purpose of the research is to analyze the factors that determine the intention of small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt the Metaverse. For this purpose, the analysis of the effort expectancy and performance expectancy of the constructs in relation to business satisfaction is proposed. Design/methodology/approach-The analysis was performed on a sample of 182 Spanish SMEs in the technology sector, using a PLS-SEM approach for development. For the confirmation of the model and its results, an analysis with PLSpredict was performed, obtaining a high predictive capacity of the model. Findings-After the analysis of the model proposed in this research, it is recorded that the valuation of the effort to be made and the possible performance expected by the companies does not directly determine the intention to use immersive technology in their strategic behavior. Instead, the results obtained indicate that business satisfaction will involve obtaining information, reducing uncertainty and analyzing the competition necessary for approaching this new virtual environment. Originality/value-The study represents one of the first approaches to the intention of business behavior in the development of performance strategies within Metaverse systems. So far, the literature has approached immersive systems from perspectives close to consumer behavior, but the study of strategic business behavior has been left aside due to the high degree of experimentalism of this field of study and its scientific approach. The present study aims to contribute to the knowledge of the factors involved in the intention to use the Metaverse by SMEs interested in this field.

The objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the processes involved in the construction of the perception of a cross-border sustainable tourism destination image in peripheral regions. The research presented was conducted using an empirical approach that merges qualitative and quantitative techniques. The main results of this study include the identification of the key components that contribute to the formation of the image of a sustainable cross-border tourist destination in the region encompassing Alcoutim (Portugal) and Sanlúcar de Guadiana (Spain).

To analyze the intention to consume insect derivatives after the 2023 regulatory changes in Europe that allow their commercialization for human consumption. It is necessary to know if society is willing to consume these new foods taking into consideration their ecological value, animal empathy, social stigma and neophobia. Design and methodology: The research was carried out by means of a survey of 1,278 consumers in Spain. The analysis of the results obtained was carried out through a mixed PLS-SEM and fs/QCA methodology. Findings: Ecological value and social stigma are the most significant variables in terms of the intention to consume insect derivatives by humans. In contrast, empathy for animals does not influence this behavior, suggesting changes from parallels shown in animal research. Practical and social implications: The findings of this study are significant as they provide valuable information on how ecological value and social stigma are key to the intention to consume insect derivatives, while animal empathy is a construct that does not exert an influence. These results are relevant for society, as the consumption of insect derivatives is becoming an increasingly popular alternative in terms of sustainability and food security in compliance with the goals of the 2030 Agenda. In addition, this study contributes to filling a gap in the scientific literature on edible insect derivatives in the context of their recent commercialization and the variables that influence or not their acceptance. Value and originality: This paper provides useful information after the regulation of January 3, 2023 which proceeds to the amendment of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 on the consumption of insect derivatives, so it can be a tool that helps to raise business strategies. The results obtained are original, being a new growing field, and relevant, due to the importance that this new form of food is sustainably acquiring worldwide.

The last decade has seen major transformations in the tourism sector, influenced by changes in consumer behaviour and the integration of technology. The Metaverse has emerged as a transformative force but with certain limitations. In this sense, the literature highlights the need to address research gaps in terms of the levels of acceptance of this new technology and with regard to the challenges faced by small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to assess the adoption intention of high technology in tourism by small and medium-sized enterprises, focusing on the key role of the Metaverse as a new paradigm. For data collection, a total of 172 small and medium-sized enterprises have been surveyed using a double methodology, PLS-SEM and QCA, for the analysis. The results show that small and medium-sized tourism enterprises intend to adopt technologies associated with the Metaverse for the concept of Business Satisfaction rather than for the possible performance it may represent. These results represent an important advance in the understanding of the integration of Metaverse technologies in the tourism sector in this type of companies, where it can help to adopt diverse strategies in the business environment without having an excessive Resistance to Change, helping to be able to face it in conjunction with other capabilities.

This research analyzes the relationship between the experience of feelings of loneliness and perceived social risk in the educational environment, along with the psychological and motivational
factors affecting the intention to use the metaverse by higher education students which have not been investigated in the scientific literature so far

Purpose-Tourism is a dynamic phenomenon that has evolved constantly, generating both positive impacts, such as economic growth and employment opportunities and negative effects, such as environmental degradation and price increases. This study examines the role of metaverse satisfaction as a mediating variable between the perceived positive and negative impacts of tourism development. Design/methodology/approach-The study analyzes data from two culturally similar tourist destinations, Spain and Italy, involving 864 participants. A structural equation modeling approach was employed using SmartPLS software to evaluate the mediating role of metaverse satisfaction in the relationship between tourism impacts and perceptions of development. Findings-The findings confirm that metaverse satisfaction significantly mediates the relationship between positive and negative impacts on tourism development perceptions. This indicates that emerging technologies like the metaverse can mitigate the adverse effects of tourism while enhancing its positive aspects. Originality/value-This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by exploring the intersection of emerging technologies and tourism development, focusing on the metaverse-a novel and under-researched area in the tourism domain. It highlights the potential of the metaverse to act as a mediator, balancing the dual impacts of tourism. Given the increasing challenges posed by overtourism and its effects on local communities, this research provides essential insights into how technological innovations can support more sustainable and equitable tourism practices. The findings offer a unique perspective, emphasizing the urgent need to integrate advanced digital tools into tourism management strategies.

Purpose-The aim of this study is to analyse whether the experience of creative tourism-in terms of satisfaction, authenticity and memorability-in peripheral regions with shared intangible heritage plays a significant role in the decision to revisit border tourism destinations. Specifically, the study explores tourist experience in the Smuggling Festival held in the cross-border region of Sanl� ucar de Guadiana (Spain) and Alcoutim (Portugal) in March. Design/methodology/approach-A partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) is used for data analysis because it is an appropriate technique for exploring the relationships between authenticity, satisfaction and intention to revisit peripheral, cross-border destinations. Findings-The results indicate that satisfaction with the Smuggling Festival and its authenticity are significant variables in the decision to revisit a cross-border and peripheral destination based on a memorable creative tourism experience. The present study indicates that creative experience, through perceived satisfaction, has a significant impact on the intention to revisit the border destination. Practical implications-This study contributes to provide useful information to tourism agents and local administrations for better tourism and economic management of festivals in border areas. The findings help service providers to design specific and truly unforgettable experiences for tourists, encouraging repeat visits through satisfaction with the experience in the chosen destination. Originality/value-This research contributes to creative tourism strategies for peripheral areas, supporting trend detection in border festival management and forming a basis for regional growth strategies in rural, depopulated regions. Its novelty lies in the fact that it focuses on a specific festival (the Smuggling Festival) in a poorly explored cross-border context.

Apellidos: Nombre: DNI o Pasaporte: Fecha de nacimiento: / / Instrucciones: • Lee atentamente las preguntas antes de contestar. • La puntuación máxima de cada pregunta está indicada en cada enunciado. • Revisa cuidadosamente la prueba antes de entregarla. A. COMPRENSIÓN DE UN TEXTO ESCRITO. (3 puntos) Expertos alertan de la creciente obesidad de los españoles Médicos especialistas en obesidad han alertado hoy de que esta enfermedad sigue creciendo en España, que es el segundo país europeo después de Reino Unido con más obesos y personas con sobrepeso, y han avisado de que los españoles no tienen conciencia ni preocupación sobre la obesidad. Según el presidente de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía de la Obesidad Mórbida y de las Enfermedades Metabólicas (SECO), Juan Carlos Ruiz de Adana, la obesidad es una enfermedad de "prevalencia alta" en España y que tradicionalmente se ha tratado con una medicina preventiva insuficiente para los pacientes que la sufren. Ruiz de Adana ha asistido hoy a la presentación del XVIII Congreso del SECO, que reúne a más de 400 profesionales de la medicina en Barcelona desde ayer y hasta mañana, 23 de junio. Uno de los motivos por los que se celebra este congreso es para comentar el último informe de The Economist sobre obesidad en España, y que señala que el 17 % de la población española sufre obesidad, mientras que un 53,7 % tiene sobrepeso. Es especialmente preocupante la obesidad infantil ya que, según el estudio, uno de cada diez niños españoles tiene sobrepeso, un índice por encima de los valores de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE). En opinión del catedrático de Economía de la Universidad de Barcelona, Antonio Costas, desde 1970 se han "triplicado" los índices de obesidad. Costas considera que actualmente la obesidad no solo depende de una herencia genética, sino que es "una cuestión de clases sociales" por las que "los ricos son delgados y los pobres, gordos". El catedrático de Economía ha pedido por ello cambios políticos y sociales que ayuden a disminuir el crecimiento de las desigualdades sociales porque "estamos ante una epidemia nueva" que afecta especialmente a los niños. EFE, Barcelona, en www.elmundo.es, 22/06/2016 (Texto adaptado) 1. Señala si las siguientes afirmaciones son verdaderas (V) o falsas (F) según el texto: (0,5 puntos; 0,1 por apartado) [ ] La obesidad infantil española está por encima de los índices recomendados por la OCDE. V [ ] España es el segundo país europeo con más personas obesas y con sobrepeso. V [ ] Uno de cada diez niños españoles tiene obesidad mórbida. F [ ] Los expertos alertan de que a los españoles no les preocupa demasiado la obesidad. V [ ] El Congreso del SECO reúne a casi 400 profesionales de la medicina en Madrid. F 2. Marca con una cruz el subgénero periodístico al que pertenece el texto. Justifica tu respuesta. (1 punto)  Artículo de opinión  Editorial  Noticia  Carta al director