PurposePaternalism in labour relationships is characteristic of Chilean and Latin American firms. Despite its empirical and practical relevance it lacks adequate conceptual elaboration so that it remains an opaque real drive that cannot be managed. This paper seeks to propose some conceptual distinctions to help clarify its meaning.Design/methodology/approachUsing the social systems theory of Niklas Luhmann, paternalism is analysed as semantics which makes three main aspects visible: interests, autonomous decisions and responsibility that are seen as different sources of risk and danger for the workers. Paternalism is allegedly a protective device.FindingsPaternalism is reinforced and reproduced by distrust in the workers' capacities to make decisions on their own and it becomes a justification to keep wages low, hinder delegation and becomes an ideology that justifies gaps between productivity and compensation.Research limitations/implicationsPaternalism is difficult to operationalize in order to make empirical observations, but through qualitative analysis we were able to characterize it with two examples. This will help empirical research to continue on a more appropriate conceptual basis.Practical implicationsHRM practices should consider that paternalism is present as an expectation and that management should know that it can also pervade administration despite its modernized appearance.Originality/valueSince paternalism pervades expectations in opaque ways, it sets limits to management's capacities to administer human resources in a modern way. Awareness of this fact allows its comprehension and the ability to properly deal with it.

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Purpose -This paper is devoted to the investigation of position estimation for a brushless DC machine using only their stator currents. The first application is for a hybrid electric vehicle, where the generator will be used as a motor to start the internal combustion engine (ICE). Design/methodology/approach -This paper describes how to estimate the rotor position of a brushless DC (BLDC). Two different strategies, both based on stator currents, will be used: one for low speeds to start the ICE, and one for normal speeds for future applications in a pure electric vehicle (EV). The first one uses an estimation method based on core saturation and the second one is based on the determination of the current slopes on two of the three phases. The algorithms proposed neither needs to measure any machine parameters, nor the back emf. The methods use the information contained in the current magnitudes and slopes, and the machine mechanical speed. The system was implemented using a Digital Signal Processor (TMS320F241), which controls the phase currents and makes all the calculations required for position estimation. Additionally, the PWM signals are transmitted through a fiber optic link to minimize noise production and error on commutations. Findings -The papers shows how an internal combustion engine can start using this approach in a brushless motor and keep it synchronized. Research limitations/implications -This work is being applied to a hybrid electric vehicle. Originality/value -The paper proposes a new way to start the internal combustion engine for hybrid vehicle applications through the estimation of the magnet's position. It also shows a way to estimate the position at other speeds for battery charging of the vehicle.