Vol. 7 No. 2 (2013)

The first article, written by professors Juan José Durán Herrera (Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain), Cristina López Duarte and Marta María Vidal Suárez (Oviedo University, Spain), aims to perform an exploratory analysis of the role of the Spanish language as a functional or linking language for multinational companies. To that end, the communication system at a multinational company is being analysed—selection of functional language(s), analysis of their amplitude and intensity—as well as the cost increase that the coexistence of several functional languages entails. The study is supplemented with an exploratory analysis conducted with the information provided to that end by a series of Spanish multinationals.

Brazilian professors Helio Roberto Hékis (Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte), Marison Luiz Soares (Federal University of Espírito Santo); Ricardo Alexsandro de Medeiros Valentim (Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte); Omar Raimundo de Paula Teixeira (University of Tocantis); and Dyogo Felype Neis (Federal University of Santa Catarina) are attempting to analyse the strategic behaviour adopted by hotel managers in Florianópolis-Santa Catarina-Brazil according to the Miles and Snow typology. The results show that 45% of hotel managers in Florianopolis adopt prospective behaviours, 31%, analytical behaviours, 19% reactive behaviours and 5% defensive behaviours. The authors concluded that the managers for the most part adopt behaviours that are characterised by the search for new markets and introducing new products and services to guests.

In the next article, Mexican professors Eugenio Guzmán Soria (Celaya Institute of Technology); María Teresa de la Garza Carranza (Celaya Institute of Technology); José Alberto García Salazar (Postgraduate College. Campus Montecillo); Juvencio Hernández Martínez (Mexico State Autonomous University); Samuel Rebollar Rebollar (Mexico State Autonomous University); Felipe de Jesús González Razo (Mexico State Autonomous University), attempt to determine the effect of changes on the price of supplies and the major factors that explain the supply of barley grain in Mexico via a simultaneous equation model, and with annual statistical information from 1980 to 2010. The findings indicate that the supply of barley grain in Mexico responds elastically and inelastically to changes in the average rural price of irrigated and rain–fed barley with its own price elasticities of 0.992 and 1.222. This implies that the price to the producer is an instrument that can be used to increase production and reduce imports.

Maria Gabriela Montanari; Janaina de Moura Engracia Giraldi, and Carlos Alberto Gabrielli Barreto Campello of São Paulo University (Brazil) attempt to analyse the relationship between competitiveness in the tourist industry (using the Global Tourism Competitiveness Index) and economic development (measured by the GDP) by the linear regression method. According to the authors, the findings indicate that competitiveness in tourism explain only 11.3% of variation in countries’ development, and that that particular effect is positive. The study provides information that can assist the tourism industry and governments to carry out strategic actions and theoretical reflections for research in this field.

In the next article, Diego Bonaldo Coelho and Caio Pacchiella Rocha of Pontifícia Catholic University of São Paulo (Brazil) examine the role of agencies that promote exports and investments to support internationalisation. The research was qualitative, through a case study, in which the UKTI was researched, specifically its operations in Brazil. For the authors, the findings reveal issues concerning UKTI strategies and management models observed. When these dimensions interact with determining internationalisation factors, these agencies may be considered to be important tools for promoting international integration, specifically in reducing information asymmetries and market failures, critical selection points and form and pace of entry.

The allocation of the radio-electric spectrum to radio-communications services by the market produces inefficient results in view of current technology, as there are problems assigning user rights, economies of scales, externalities of commercial services that use the spectrum, services with public property characteristics and conditioning factors linked to the current use of the spectrum. José Marino García García (Columbia University and Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, Spain) and Aurelia Valiño Castro (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain) analyse the market’s role in managing the spectrum. They identify the limits that it will encounter in allocating frequencies, and they offer a methodology for estimating the net social benefit of the re-allocation of the spectrum that aim to increase the efficiency in its utilisation.

In the last article, Harrison Bachion Ceribeli, Silvia Inês Dallavalle de Pádua and Edgard Monforte Merlo of São Paulo University (Brazil) attempt to identify the critical success factors in implementing process management at organisations. To achieve this goal, they made a bibliographic review of the main BPM practices and subsequently a case study at an organisation that has undergone two process management experiences: one success and one failure. Analysing both experiences, within the theoretical context that has been constructed, it was possible to identify a series of critical factors that should be considered by organisations that wish to adopt a business process-based orientation.

Again, we want to thank everyone who made this magazine run smoothly: members of the advisory board, editorial board, editors and associated area editors, evaluators, authors, and especially the readers.
Editor in Chief