No abstract

One of the main problems of the sudden digital transition to online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the increased isolation of students. On the other hand, one of the main goals of higher education is to develop students’ cooperative competence. This experimental study presents an online learning environment, consisting of a set of web-based resources such as virtual laboratories, interactive activities, educational videos and a game-based learning methodology. The study also examines the influence of the combination of such resources with active and collaborative learning on the improvement of students’ relationships and the development of cooperative competence. To this end, an analysis was conducted based on the data collected from a core subject of the Computer Engineering and Computer Science Engineering degree courses. The answers of an online survey (n = 289) were examined by using the structural equation modeling technique (SEM). The results suggest that the proposed learning environment has a significant and positive impact on the two dimensions of relational coordination; communication and relationships, and plays a key role in the acquisition and development of cooperative competence. Findings also indicate that effective, accurate, frequent and timely communication, positively influences on students’ relationships. Additionally, this study addresses other important issues with significant theoretical and practical implications for higher education.

Higher Education Institutions are interested in describing qualifications in terms of competences and abilities that prepare graduates best for their future professional and social life. This study aims to analyze students’ acquisition of competences, on one hand, inside the classroom using a flipped learning approach, on the other hand, outside the classroom through students’ self‐study using information and communication technology resources such as teaching videos, virtual labs, simulations, or game‐based learning. The study also wants to shed light on the relationship between the achieved competences and the learning outcomes. The analysis was based on the data collected from a core subject in the first year of the Computer Engineering and Information Systems degree courses. The answers to an online survey (n = 285) were examined by using a structural equation model with 13 observed and seven latent variables. The results obtained show that the learning environment created inside and outside the classroom plays a key role in the acquisition and development of the three competences analyzed: systematic, personal, and cooperative. Our findings also suggest that competence or skills acquisition, despite being considered one of the main issues in the higher education qualifications framework, does not exactly match the academic results measured during the assessment process.

Purpose A model is proposed to develop happiness in the banking sector based on an improvement in the spirituality of employees. Design/methodology/approach Following the Schwartz’s model for behavioural transformation, a new path has been proposed based on the development of the transcendent vision of work. The data obtained were analysed using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (SEM) method. Findings Contrary to the widespread idea that happiness is orientated towards the enjoyment of goods, bank employees prefer to develop spiritual values and resources that allow them to respond adequately to massive layoffs and pressures at work. Research limitations/implications The bank employees’ schedules made it difficult to organise group sessions. Multiple sessions prevented us all from interacting. Practical implications It is established a training strategy for the pursuit of happiness, to propose an engine for actions orientated towards happiness and to introduce transcendence and spirituality as requirements for finding happiness during daily work. Social implications There is a need to return to traditional values and principles in daily work. This will have a positive effect on communities and society. Originality/value A new concept has been coined: spiritual resources. This new variable can help to combat adversity by exploring the meaning of transcendence at work.

The pandemic crisis has caused a change in tourism trends that affect the way hotels are managed. In accordance with the United Nations (2020), hotels must guarantee safe experiences for customers by incorporating sustainability measures. Collaboration between health and tourism authorities and the tourism industry is key. To test this proposal among hotels in Spain, 3 online focus groups and 25 personal interviews with 36 urban and 28 rural hotels were held in order to define the indicators. The questionnaire was applied to a sample of 475 urban hotels out of 443 rural hotels. The conclusions were: 1.) While in urban areas the testing protocols, especially for workers, are followed by most hotels, in rural areas hotel managers do not consider it as a priority in daily activity due to the reduced contact they have. 2.) A change in trends in the sustainable management of both rural and urban hotels is justified. 3.) Urban and rural hotels are more likely to incorporate collaborative strategies with tourism and health authorities to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19. According to the estimates of the hotels, the implementation of these measures would help to start the recovery process of the hotel industry.