No abstract

No abstract

This paper examines the evolution of the Spanish gasoline market from the abolition of the state oil monopoly (January 1993) to "complete" liberalisation (October 1998). With the restructuring of the Spanish oil sector during the 1980s and early 1990s, a highly concentrated oligopoly emerged in the automotive fuels market. A system of price ceilings replaced the state administered prices in July 1990. Since then, new domestic and foreign operators have entered the market, particularly along the coast, near import terminals. Prices went up and then declined. These developments can be explained by an interplay of factors such as: the gradual decline in co-operation among the Spanish firms; the loss of market share of the largest of these, Repsol; the entry of independent operators and supermarkets; and the impact of the ceiling price system. By mid-1998 this system was abolished as the government considered it an "impediment" to further market liberalisation. However, some crucial barriers to the entry of new suppliers remain.

Purpose The 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/approach Productivity differences in Spanish family firms are, for the first time, analysed from a managerial view, and using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). Findings This 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/value This 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.

En el estudio se sometió al análisis las variables esquemas cognitivos disfuncionales tempranos y consumo de alcohol según carrera profesional, ciencias de la salud e ingeniería en una muestra de 510 estudiantes universitarios, a quienes se les administró una ficha de datos sociodemográficos, el Cuestionario de Esquemas de Young integrado por 18 esquemas y el Cuestionario de Identificación de los Trastornos debidos al Consumo de Alcohol (AUDIT). Se encontró que existe una correlación significativa y positiva entre los esquemas disfuncionales tempranos, privación emocional, grandiosidad insuficiente autocontrol y reconocimiento con el consumo de alcohol, En ciencias de la salud en el grupo de consumo de riesgo predomina el esquema autosacrificio y en ingeniería los esquemas dependencia /incompetencia y subyugación. Los estudiantes con consumo de riesgo más alto son de ingeniería (31) en comparación con los de ciencias de la salud que fue menor (7). Los estudiantes de ingeniería presentan mayor consumo de alcohol. Resultados que son graves pues el consumo de alcohol se asocia con esquemas cognitivos caracterizados por la sobreestimación al daño, baja tolerancia a la frustración y alta necesidad de aprobación social.