Works presented

Summary
The aim of this Master's thesis is to analyse business failure in Spanish tourism companies in the hotel sector with a descriptive approach. The work is organised into three blocks. The first block presents a review of the academic literature on business failure, with the aim of defining it and identifying the main variables and methodologies that have been used to study it. The second block of work presents a descriptive study of business failure in Spanish hotels using the Z-Altman (1968) and the Z-score during the period 2018-2022. For this purpose, a sample of this type of Spanish companies obtained from the SABI database is analysed. At the same time, a separate study of failure in the three main Spanish hotel companies, namely Hoteles Turísticos Unidos, S.A., Minor Hotels Europe and América, S.A. and Meliá Hotels International, S.A. is carried out. The third and last block of the paper presents an analysis of accounting information of both financial and non-financial nature, with the aim of completing the analysis of business failure addressed in the previous two blocks. By way of summary, this paper concludes that, in the period analysed, business failure is a present and important phenomenon that should be analysed, especially when considering the great importance of this sector in the Spanish economy. Moreover, the results obtained after the analysis of failure indicate that a significant percentage of the Spanish companies in the hotel sector analysed are in a situation of high risk of bankruptcy or possible financial problems. However, this result is in line with the strong period of crisis that these companies experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and which is considered within the time horizon evaluated in this paper (2018-2022).

Direction
VIVEL BUA, MARIA MILAGROS (Tutorships)

Court
CANTORNA AGRA, SARA (Chairman)
GARRIDO RUSO, MARIA (Secretary)
RODRIGUEZ GULIAS, MARIA JESUS (Member)

Summary
The circular economy is a theoretical model that seeks to minimize resource consumption, waste, and emissions, promoting reuse and recycling. This research examines the evolution of circular economy theory and its relationship with economic thought, evaluating the convergences and divergences with traditional economic models. Two main trends emerge: environmental economics, based on neoclassical economics (Ayres and Kneese), and ecological economics, with alternative contributions from Georgescu-Roegen and Boulding. The study also analyzes how circular economy ideas have developed from the 18th to the 20th century, revealing the influence of classical, neoclassical, and natural science economic theories on its evolution. The results suggest a continuity between traditional environmental and scientific thought, indicating that new circular ideas represent a gradual and evolutionary transition rather than a paradigmatic break with traditional science.

Direction
FERNANDEZ GRELA, MANUEL (Tutorships)

Court
DEL RIO IGLESIAS, FERNANDO (Chairman)
IGLESIAS CASAL, ANA (Secretary)
DIAZ VAZQUEZ, MARIA DEL ROSARIO (Member)

Summary
The article analyses the growing number of Chinese pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, exploring their motivations and the cultural and economic impact on the region. It highlights the transformation of religious traditions towards a more eclectic spirit and carries out a qualitative analysis to understand this phenomenon.

Direction
Sánchez Vila, Eduardo Manuel (Tutorships)

Court
BENITO TORRES, JOSE LEANDRO (Chairman)
SALGADO BARANDELA, JESYCA MARIA (Secretary)
GARCIA GARAZO, MARIA TERESA (Member)

Summary
The study deals with collective bargaining in the tourist accommodation sector in Galicia, analysing the structure and application of collective agreements within the current regulatory framework. The work dynamics, the impact of legislative reforms and the challenges in union representation are examined. Inequalities in working conditions are also identified and the impact of regulation on workers' stability and protection is assessed. Based on the comparative analysis, proposals are made to strengthen collective bargaining, promote equity in the sector and ensure a more efficient and harmonized regulatory framework.

Direction
GIL OTERO, LIDIA (Tutorships)

Court
BENITO TORRES, JOSE LEANDRO (Chairman)
SALGADO BARANDELA, JESYCA MARIA (Secretary)
GARCIA GARAZO, MARIA TERESA (Member)

Summary
Currently, the knowledge-based economy and the need to transition towards sustainable futures have driven the role of innovation based on scientific research as a means to achieve this goal. In this context, universities have assumed a key role in generating technologies and promoting their transfer to the productive sector through various mechanisms, including patent licensing. However, only a small percentage of university patents manage to be licensed and applied by a company to solve a real problem. This study focuses on analyzing the process of development, valorization, and transfer of environmental technologies developed by the Research Center for Environmental Technologies CRETUS and patented by the University of Santiago de Compostela USC. The objective is to identify characteristics and factors that influence licensing and transfer to the productive sector. To achieve this, a qualitative methodology is employed, based on a multiple case study approach that combines the systematization of information on CRETUS-patented technologies with in-depth interviews with the researchers involved to construct the cases. A total of six cases are analyzed three in which the patent was licensed and three in which it was not contrasting them with theoretical and empirical background elements in the field. The conclusions highlight that CRETUS exhibits strong indicators regarding technology transfer through patents. The cases analyzed reveal the complex, interactive, cumulative, and systemic nature of the innovation process. Additionally, the main influencing factors identified include engagement during technology development, the contribution of private funding, previous experiences, the presence of researchers in companies, and the absorptive capacity of the productive sector. The role of regulations and administration is also emphasized. The study raises new questions, mainly related to examining the impact of university patenting on the diffusion of innovations.

Direction
VILLAMARIN TABOADA, JOSE ANDRES (Tutorships)

Court
PEREIRA SANCHEZ, MARIA ANGELES (Chairman)
CAMPOS ROMERO, HUGO (Secretary)
TURNES ABELENDA, JUAN ALBERTO (Member)

Summary
The purpose of this master's thesis is to conduct an economic and financial analysis of Televés S.A. with the aim of assessing its performance and competitive position against some of its competitors. Its current situation is examined, identifying its main strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities, in order to propose measures that optimize its management and competitive, economic, and financial results. The study is structured into different phases. First, the company, its trajectory, and its organizational structure are presented. Then, an external and internal analysis is carried out, considering the factors that influence its competitiveness. Next, an economic and financial analysis is performed, based on the calculation of vertical and horizontal percentages, ratios, and indicators related to the financial statements of Televés and the selected comparison group. Finally, the factors identified in the main phases of the analysis are summarized to highlight the company's current financial situation, and some strategies are suggested to strengthen its market positioning. The study consists of 14,319 words.

Direction
DURAN SANTOMIL, PABLO (Tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, SARA (Chairman)
BASTIDA DOMINGUEZ, MARIA (Secretary)
CASTRO CASAL, MARIA DEL CARMEN (Member)

Summary
This report aims to analyze the evolution of the implementation of circular economy practices and the generation of green jobs in Spanish SMEs between 2017 and 2024, comparing their performance with the average of the European Union member countries. To this end, the results of surveys conducted in the preparation of three editions of the Flash Eurobarometer (456, 498, and 549) published by the European Commission have been examined. Through this analysis, the study identifies the evolution of the adoption of resource efficiency practices and the percentage of investment allocated to their implementation, the existence of climate neutrality or negative emissions strategies, the challenges faced by businesses in improving efficiency, and the types of support available to help them become increasingly sustainable. Additionally, the growth of green markets and green jobs has been analyzed. The findings conclude that, while Spanish SMEs have made positive progress in adopting circular economy practices particularly in improving resource efficiency and expanding the supply of green products and services, regulatory, administrative, financial, and training-related challenges still hinder their full development. The results indicate that Spanish SMEs perform above the EU average in several aspects, yet there remains significant room for improvement in environmental management to facilitate the transition toward more sustainable production models.

Direction
PIÑEIRO GARCIA, MARIA DEL PILAR (Tutorships)

Court
FERNANDEZ LOPEZ, SARA (Chairman)
BASTIDA DOMINGUEZ, MARIA (Secretary)
CASTRO CASAL, MARIA DEL CARMEN (Member)