José Alvarez

This empirical study explores the characteristics and degree of implementation of so-called ethics hotlines in transnational companies (TNCs), which allow employees to present allegations of wrongdoing and ethical dilemmas, as well as to report concerns. Ethics hotlines have not received much attention in literature; therefore, this paper aims to fill that gap. Through the analysis of conduct/ethics codes and the compliance programs of the top 150 transnational companies ranked by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ( 2007 ), we carry out a descriptive and taxonomic study of these companies’ ethics hotlines. We analyze: (1) the basic characteristics of the mechanism, (2) the degree of exigency and the provision of safeguards, (3) the matters reported and the systems for reporting, and (4) the relationships between hotlines and economic characteristics of the firm. Our study compares financial and nonfinancial TNCs as well as North American and European TNCs. Our results show that many firms (especially from North America) have established these procedures. We also find some disparities between European and North American ethics hotlines that suggest differences in the orientation of the procedures.

Manuscript type Empirical. Research question/issue This paper aims to contribute to an improved theoretical and empirical understanding of the role that corporation has to play in anticorruption efforts. Research findings/insights Using cross-country data from three databases (Bribe Payers Index, Corruption Perceptions Index, and Doing Business) we found that pro-bribery Investment Climate conditions in host countries are not related to the payments of bribes by multinational companies when these corporations operate abroad. Theoretical/academic implications After describing the conceptual and policy framework that surrounds the discussion on the role played by firms in anticorruption, we present the current debate regarding the effectiveness of international bribery control instruments, with the World Bank-GAC (2006-2008) report as a basis. Both literature and policy seem to be divided into two main, although not mutually exclusive, positions: one demands improvements in Investment Climate conditions from a joint public-private consensus led by international agencies; the other one supports the effectiveness of self-regulation by firms, independent of Investment Climate improvements. The study provides empirical support to the idea that a better Investment Climate is not enough for reducing corrup tion. Practitioner/policy implications This study offers insights to policy makers interested in promoting the involvement of corporations in the fight against corruption

The rise in Study Abroad participation among college students has increased interest among educationalists wondering about the impact of SA on students, particularly when students return home without evidence of deep engagement and understanding of other cultures and people. The purpose of this case study was to locate one potential source of the meanings ascribed to the SA experience, through analysis of multimodal representations on the institutional website of a popular SA program provider. In this study, Kress’ model of multimodal social semiotic communication was employed in the analysis of the ensemble of modes of communication on the website, and their role in the production and dissemination of discourses of SA. Findings indicate that discourses of tourism prevail over discourses of education, and the representations enacted on the institutional website are mirrored in the discursive practices of students.

The aim of this study was to assess the predictive capacity of some of the most relevant cognitive skills pertaining to the academic field as measured by the Spanish Primary School Aptitude Test Battery. This psychometric tool was applied to all students who were enrolled in the final year of Early Childhood Education in the public schools of the province of Alicante and a follow-up of their academic progress was carried out when they completed Primary Education. The results obtained show that medium-high and high scores in Verbal Aptitude and Numerical Aptitude tests in Early Childhood Education, can predict academic success at the end of Primary Education in instrumental subjects such as: Language and Mathematics. We have determined the importance of developing pedagogical programs that stimulate the development of these skills during Early Childhood Education, while implementing support strategies during Primary Education, for those students who present underdeveloped aptitudes in these areas. In this way, school difficulties would be prevented in the instrumental subjects that provide access to other academic areas.

The island of Ibiza is a western Mediterranean destination known internationally for its nightlife. The aim of this paper is to make a proposal to classify the different types of premises in the Ibiza nightlife offer. This involves making a first definition that allows to delimit which businesses are parts of the sector. The methodology used is based on the case study and specifically, on the review of the promotional actions and activities carried out, completed with the visit to the premises. The classification has been made based on the offer marketed and not only on the legal forms used, as innovation goes ahead of the existing legal classifications. Although it is a particular application, due to the international importance of Ibiza, it is a good starting point to classify the nightlife offer of many other tourist destinations. The resulting typology divides the sector into two large groups: nightclubs and other premises. While nightclubs have musical parties as their main activity declared, the other premises have accommodation or catering as their main activity, with music being an element of differentiation. Nightclubs are divided into several subgroups, depending on their size and relevance. The other premises are subdivided into Beach Clubs, Hotel Clubs, Party Boats, Lounge Clubs, Disco Pubs, among others.

Una de las dificultades para la atención de los pacientes oncológicos es la posibilidad de que no colaboren con su tratamiento. A partir del análisis conceptual y del estudio de dos casos, se propone mejorar la calidad del procedimiento en el consultorio de oncología de atención ambulatoria en la Clínica 180 del IMSS.1 La literatura clínica revela diversas limitaciones de los pacientes al momento de consentir tratamientos; una muy frecuente es la mención del estrés. En los casos analizados aparecen, además, informaciones previas equivocadas sobre el tratamiento y la gravedad de la enfermedad. A partir de los datos encontrados, se diseñó un algoritmo decisional para señalar los momentos que pueden facilitar y permitir el consentimiento informado. Se concluye que el consentimiento debe darse a lo largo de todo el proceso, y que el algoritmo decisional es una propuesta de mejora en este sentido.

En el artículo se analiza el papel de la espiritualidad en el afrontamiento de la vejez. La propuesta es sugerir que una práctica institucional comprometida permite tener un mejor afrontamiento a la vejez, siempre y cuando se produzcan las redes sociales de apoyo pertinentes y se viva una auténtica espiritualidad en la práctica comunitaria. La auténtica espiritualidad se produce en esa fusión de la práctica religiosa privada y pública. El artículo sugiere después de un análisis de los conceptos de espiritualidad y religión las distintas estrategias de afrontamiento que se ven reforzadas con la misma práctica religiosa. A partir de ahí se realizan las sugerencias de intervención en el ámbito religioso de la práctica comunitaria para beneficio de las personas adultas mayores.

Fernando González Ochoa es un referente de la filosofía colombiana y latinoamericana y como tal ha sido tomado en cuenta seriamente por grandes escritores y pensadores a nivel mundial. Entre ellos se encuentra el filósofo francés Jean-Paul Sartre, considerado como uno de los grandes precursores del existencialismo y que presuntamente elogió abiertamente el pensamiento de González. Ante ello, en este artículo se indagará sobre algunas consideraciones que configurarían la construcción de un sujeto existencial en ambos pensadores, colocando entre otras temáticas la mala fe, la remembranza del tiempo y la construcción de una reflexión basada en la existencia que tiene como punto central la aceptación, convicción y certeza de la realidad humana.

Después de hacer una recopilación aleatoria de algunos programas de maestría ofertados en lengua castellana en España y Latinoamérica, este trabajo tiene como objetivo mostrar la pluralidad de presentaciones de la bioética y, a partir de esos hallazgos, replantear el concepto de interdisciplinario para efectos de la docencia. La pregunta de la que se partió fue la siguiente: ¿qué sentido darle a la palabra interdisciplina cuando se utiliza en la docencia de la bioética? Como marco teórico se utiliza la noción de razón ampliada, entendida como una superación de la razón instrumental, de manera que sirva de puente entre lo experimental y lo axiológico. Se realizó una exploración del concepto por medio de una muestra por conveniencia de los términos interdisciplina, pluridisciplina, disciplina, ciencia, tal como aparecen en diversos programas de maestría en bioética. El artículo se divide en tres partes: una sección en la que se comparan distintos programas españoles y latinoamericanos, para resaltar la concepción epistemológica que presentan sobre la bioética. La segunda sección estudia el concepto de interdisciplina a partir de lo visto en tales programas, compaginando las categorías de prudencia, concilio y sabiduría. La tercera parte cierra conlas propuestas de mejora docente en la enseñanza de la bioética. A partir de ellas se concluye la importancia del diálogo entre las disciplinas, en donde predomine la búsqueda del sentido ético en todos los cuestionamientos que se planteen en el aula.