Economic Efficiency, Environmental Effectiveness and Political Feasibility of Energy Efficiency Rebates: The Case of the Spanish Energy Efficiency 'Renove' Plan

29 p.

The use of “Bonus-Malus” schemes for promoting energy-efficient household appliances: a case study for Spain

32 p.

La elección de la marca del distribuidor en productos duraderos: factores de influencia

[ES] La apuesta de la distribución por la extensión de su marca a las categorías de productos duraderos, como electrodomésticos y productos electrónicos para el hogar, ha demostrado ser acertada, a pesar de las críticas en contra de esta estrategia. Posiblemente, la mayor familiaridad del consumidor con las marcas del distribuidor, el cambio de actitud favorable hacia éstas, la disponibilidad de la tecnología, y por qué no, la crisis económica internacional que afecta a las economías domésticas, pueden ser factores explicativos de este éxito.

Celiac disease in the Mediterranean area

Background: The World Gastroenterology Organization recommends developing national guidelines for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease (CD): hence a profile of the diagnosis of CD in each country is required. We aim to describe a cross-sectional picture of the clinical features and diagnostic facilities in 16 countries of the Mediterranean basin. Since a new ESPGHAN diagnostic protocol was recently published, our secondary aim is to estimate how many cases in the same area could be identified without a small intestinal biopsy. Methods: By a stratified cross-sectional retrospective study design, we examined clinical, histological and laboratory data from 749 consecutive unselected CD children diagnosed by national referral centers. Results: The vast majority of cases were diagnosed before the age of 10 (median: 5 years), affected by diarrhea, weight loss and food refusal, as expected. Only 59 cases (7.8%) did not suffer of major complaints. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) assay was available, but one-third of centers reported financial constraints in the regular purchase of the assay kits. 252 cases (33.6%) showed tTG values over 10 times the local normal limit. Endomysial antibodies and HLA typing were routinely available in only half of the centers. CD was mainly diagnosed from small intestinal biopsy, available in all centers. Based on these data, only 154/749 cases (20.5%) would have qualified for a diagnosis of CD without a small intestinal biopsy, according to the new ESPGHAN protocol. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study of CD in the Mediterranean referral centers offers a puzzling picture of the capacities to deal with the emerging epidemic of CD in the area, giving a substantive support to the World Gastroenterology Organization guidelines.

Diseño del procedimiento para la validación de los equipos de un sistema de control de acceso de RFID pasivo

[ES]En este documento se realiza el diseño de un procedimiento para la validación de los equipos necesarios a la hora de implantar un sistema de control de acceso mediante RFID pasivo. Para ello, se analizarán los distintos tipos de sistemas RFID y se elige uno para la posterior adquisición de los dispositivos necesarios. Se comprobará la normativa vigente ETSI, que regula las emisiones de potencia de los equipos de identificación por radiofrecuencia, y se verificará que se cumplen los requisitos necesarios para implantar el sistema de control de acceso realizando un análisis funcional en situaciones reales.

Celiac disease in the Mediterranean area

Background: The World Gastroenterology Organization recommends developing national guidelines for the diagnosis of Celiac Disease (CD): hence a profile of the diagnosis of CD in each country is required. We aim to describe a cross-sectional picture of the clinical features and diagnostic facilities in 16 countries of the Mediterranean basin. Since a new ESPGHAN diagnostic protocol was recently published, our secondary aim is to estimate how many cases in the same area could be identified without a small intestinal biopsy. Methods: By a stratified cross-sectional retrospective study design, we examined clinical, histological and laboratory data from 749 consecutive unselected CD children diagnosed by national referral centers. Results: The vast majority of cases were diagnosed before the age of 10 (median: 5 years), affected by diarrhea, weight loss and food refusal, as expected. Only 59 cases (7.8%) did not suffer of major complaints. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) assay was available, but one-third of centers reported financial constraints in the regular purchase of the assay kits. 252 cases (33.6%) showed tTG values over 10 times the local normal limit. Endomysial antibodies and HLA typing were routinely available in only half of the centers. CD was mainly diagnosed from small intestinal biopsy, available in all centers. Based on these data, only 154/749 cases (20.5%) would have qualified for a diagnosis of CD without a small intestinal biopsy, according to the new ESPGHAN protocol. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study of CD in the Mediterranean referral centers offers a puzzling picture of the capacities to deal with the emerging epidemic of CD in the area, giving a substantive support to the World Gastroenterology Organization guidelines.

Innovación, capacidad productiva, formación en el puesto de trabajo y productividad

[ES] Este estudio analiza la relación entre productividad laboral, innovación radical, innovación incremental, tecnología incorporada en maquinaria y equipos, utilización de la capacidad productiva y formación. Los datos utilizados son de empresas españolas, manufactureras y de servicios, procedentes de la Business Environment and enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS). La técnica empleada para estimar los coeficientes del modelo es la regresión mínimo cuadrática ordinaria, ya que la variable dependiente (productividad laboral) es continua. Los resultados indican que la innovación radical y la formación influyen positiva y significativamente sobre la productividad laboral. La influencia de la tecnología incorporada también es significativa, pero de signo negativo. Finalmente, señalar que las empresas que más exportan y las de mayor tamaño alcanzan mayores niveles de productividad. Los hallazgos encontrados en este estudio tienen implicaciones para los responsables de la política económica. Los decisores políticos españoles deben promover y subsidiar la adquisición de maquinaria y equipos más eficientes para las empresas que alcanzan menores niveles de productividad, así como subsidiar la formación de trabajadores cualificados en el manejo de estos nuevos equipos. Además, también deben promover y subsidiar el desarrollo de actividades de elevado contenido en I+D para las empresas que consiguen elevados niveles de productividad, a fin de que incrementen su desempeño en innovación radical. La promoción y subsidiación de programas de formación relacionados con la I+D también resulta esencial en este tipo de empresas, máxime en un escenario caracterizado por un cambio tecnológico intenso y que se produce con gran rapidez.

Measuring the influence of customer-based store brand equity in the purchase intention

[EN] Store brands account for and important market share in the Spain and a further increase in expected in the next years due to the downturn. However, there is lack of research on store brand customer-based Brand Equity. This study attempts to propose an integrated model of Brand Equity in store or retailer brands, based on Aaker s well-known conceptual model. We propose a consumer-based model, including the main sources or dimensions of Brand Equity and considering the intention to purchase as a consequence. Based on a sample of 362 consumers and 5 store brands, structural equation modeling is used to test research hypotheses. The results obtained reveal that store brand awareness, loyalty along with store brand perceived quality have a significant influence on consumers intention to purchase store brands. Our study suggests that marketers and marketing managers from retailing companies should carefully consider the Brand Equity components when designing their brand strategies, and develop marketing activities in order to enhance their brands awareness.

Budget-Neutral Financing to Unlock Energy Savings Potential: An Analysis of the ESCO Model in Barcelona

24 p.