INNOVA Reseach Journal

Assessment of business maturity in women entrepreneurs in vulnerable situations: case study of Foundation AKUANUNA users, Quito-Ecuador

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Entrepreneurship represents a fundamental strategy for the economic autonomy of women in vulnerable situations, especially those affected by gender-based violence (GBV). In Ecuador, barriers to female entrepreneurial development include the feminization of poverty, limited access to financing, and lack of management training. This study addresses the lack of specific tools to measure the business maturity of such enterprises, proposing an analysis adapted to the Ecuadorian social context. Its objective is to evaluate the business maturity of enterprises led by users of the AKUANUNA Foundation, through a quantitative approach that analyzes key dimensions such as strategic planning, finance, production, branding, and personal development, incorporating variables of economic empowerment. A culturally adapted questionnaire was applied to entrepreneurs who have sustained their businesses despite economic and social adversities. The results indicate that the entrepreneurs show strengths in product quality, commitment to social responsibility, and resilience. However, they face challenges in innovation management, business administration, adoption of technological tools, legal formalization, and market access. The low participation in commercialization spaces and the limited strategic planning highlight the need for training in these areas. As a contribution, the study proposes training strategies in innovation, sustainability, financial management, and legal formalization, with a gender-based approach that considers GBV as a structural factor in women's economic autonomy.

The sustainability of external public debt in Ecuador 2000 -2023

Erick Bolívar Galarza-Molina, Patricio Miguel Baculima-Cuesta , Luis Santiago — Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In recent decades, the sustainability of public debt has become a central concern for economies, particularly in Latin America, given the potential impact it may have on economic growth and social well-being. The article analyzes the country's fiscal policy through a cointegration model over the period from 2000 to 2023, evaluating its sustainability and revealing weak fiscal policy sustainability with significant long-term structural imbalance risks. Dividing the analysis into two subperiods (2000-2011 and 2012-2023), a significant structural change is evident. In the first subperiod, the sustainability of fiscal policy was not entirely robust, but it did not stray too far from the sustainability objective. In the second sub period, the absence of a significant relationship between public sector revenues and expenditure indicates the unsustainability of public sector debt. The crisis of 2015-2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this sustainability issue, highlighting the need for public funds to be directed toward compliance with government budget constraints to ensure the long-term sustainability of government resource flows. It is recommended to deeply analyze the financial accounts and evaluate the difference between the government's regular revenue and the national debt using different methods instead of sustainability models.

Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development: Case of a beauty company in Peru

Carlos Centeno-Puchuri, Daniel Amadeo Robles-Fabián, Walter Hugo Arana-Mayorca — Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This study aimed to determine to what extent corporate social responsibility (CSR) is associated with sustainable development (SD) in the company BCorp, Segale SACs, located in La Molina, Lima, Peru. The hypothetical-deductive method was used, a quantitative approach, non-experimental, transactional, and correlational level design. The sample consisted of 100 clients, using the survey as a data collection technique and two structured questionnaires with dimensions of both variables, designed on a Likert scale, as instruments. These instruments were validated by expert judgment and their reliability is calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The inferential results, obtained through the Spearman test, showed a Sig. <0.05, confirming a strong compensation (Rho = 0.810) between CSR and SD in the company studied. In conclusion, it is established that a greater commitment to CSR by the company directly strengthens its sustainability and the success of its projects. These findings highlight the importance of integrating CSR practices into corporate strategies, not only to promote sustainable development, but also to improve business competitiveness and customer perception. Furthermore, the validation of the instrument and the robustness of the data reinforce the applicability of the study as a reference for future research in companies with similar characteristics.

Relationship between logistics investment and trade in Ecuador: an econometric analysis of cointegration

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The transportation and communications have established itself as a strategic factor for improving logistics in Ecuador, especially in the face of geographic and structural constraints that affect its international competitiveness. This study aims to analyze the impact of direct investment in these sectors on Ecuadorian trade. To this end, an econometric approach based on the Johansen cointegration test, and the Error Correction Model (ECM) were applied, using annual time series between 2000 and 2022. The results show a positive and significant long-term relationship between logistics investments and the country's trade performance. Communications have a greater relative impact than transportation. It is concluded that strengthening logistics infrastructure, especially in information technology, is key to enhancing trade competitiveness and guiding efficient public policies.

Use of artificial intelligence in higher education: Case study Technical University of Machala

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool in various fields, including higher education, offering mechanisms to optimize learning and adapt it to the individual needs of students. In Ecuador, its implementation in educational institutions has been increasing, so the study's main objective is to determine the possibilities of using AI at the Technical University of Machala, with specific objectives of determining the level of knowledge of leaders and administrative staff about AI, determining the programs and departments that can benefit from its application, and identifying the ethical and legal mechanisms necessary for its implementation. To this end, a qualitative, descriptive approach was used through 15 in-depth, open-ended interviews with key university officials, analyzed using ATLAS.TI. The results revealed a basic knowledge centered on ChatGPT, the need for training programs, and the urgent need for an ethical and legal regulatory framework. This institutional diagnosis provides a basis for designing academic policies and standards on the use of AI in similar university contexts.

Bibliometric analysis of academic research on e-waste (2004-2024)

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Recycling e-waste is emerging. This paper aims to analyze academic research regarding e-waste recycling in the period 2004-2024. From the methodological point of view, it is a bibliometric study of productivity; the principles of the PRISMA method were followed. The SCOPUS base was used, the selection of documents favored those of free access, for the integral verification of the content, the period chosen is due to the expansion of technology and digitization. The search equation included the terms "e-waste AND recycling". After the filter, 577 documents were detected. The results show a growth in publications from 2019 onwards. The most productive countries are China and the United States, followed by other industrialized countries; meanwhile, regions such as Latin America are on the margins of this reflection. Regarding the findings, the documents highlight the harmful effects of e-waste on the environment and health, some point out the consequences in the generation of cancer and catastrophic diseases. But they also point out benefits of recycling such as the recovery of precious metals, the proper treatment of plastics and actions that stop the pollution of the environment. The institution that most supports the publication of open access studies is the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Science of the same country. The main recommendation focuses on strengthening and expanding recycling systems worldwide.

Digital marketing as a success strategy for raising awareness about the organ and tissue donation program in Bogotá

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This study analyzes the impact of digital marketing as a strategy to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation in Bogotá. A mixed-methods approach with an exploratory focus was employed, combining a quantitative survey administered to 259 users of the Olaya and Libertadores Priority Health Care Centers, along with a qualitative analysis of perceptions. The results reveal that, although 78% of respondents recognize key concepts such as brain death and presumed consent, there remains a regulatory and emotional knowledge gap that limits effective willingness to donate. It was identified that 58% of participants primarily obtain information through the internet, highlighting the need for digital marketing campaigns focused on transparency, emotional education, and strengthening institutional trust. A strategy based on social media and digital platforms, particularly targeting younger generations, is proposed to promote informed decision-making. Limitations related to physical access to healthcare centers suggest the need for virtual data collection instruments in future research. This study contributes to the development of innovative public health policies and the strengthening of the organ donation program in Colombia.

Gender and entrepreneurship, social environment, protective factors and limitations in the development of female enterprises

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In Chile, female entrepreneurship has been adapting to new contexts and strengthening based on cultural transformations and public policies addressing current needs. This research aims to "understand the distinctions and meanings socially attributed to the development of female enterprises by participants in the Household Heads Program in the city of Quillon." It explores this from the perspective of women entrepreneurs and their significant figures in business development. The study follows a descriptive qualitative paradigm with a phenomenological character, grounded in the analysis of Victor Vroom's Expectancy/Valuation Theory. Among the main findings is the acknowledgment of a public policy addressing productive issues yet recognizing the need for it to embrace the integration of new technologies in the workforce specialization. It is suggested that Social Work participation could complexify public policy to facilitate women entrepreneurs' access to new and better market opportunities.

Internal organizational communication and its influence on perceived social support in private clinics in Santa Elena

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This research examines the incidence of internal organizational communication on perceived organizational support (AOP) in private clinics in the province of Santa Elena. Its objective was to evaluate how effective internal communication impacts the social support perceived by workers in the health field, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, a period in which changes in organizational environments were evident. Through a quantitative approach with descriptive and explanatory scope, the study used questionnaires structured on a Likert scale and previously validated to measure employees' perception of the clarity, accessibility and reliability of internal communication. The results reveal that structured and accessible organizational communication significantly increases the perception of support among collaborators, thus strengthening a more cohesive and productive work environment. This work contributes to the design of strategies aimed at optimizing labor relations and improving the organizational climate in health institutions, identifying critical areas in which internal communication and organizational support. It was concluded that effective internal communication not only facilitates the transmission of corporate objectives and values, but also directly influences employee satisfaction and loyalty towards the organization, which is essential to achieve optimal levels of performance and stability in personnel, essential aspects in human resource management in the health sector.

Teaching ethics as a determining factor in the development of students' academic self-esteem in the educational environment

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This study analyzes the relationship between teacher ethics and self-esteem of high school students in an educational unit, using a quantitative correlational explanatory approach. Five dimensions of teacher ethics and self-esteem were evaluated in 70 students and 3 teachers using questionnaires and direct observation. Spearman correlation analyses revealed significant and positive relationships at all educational levels (ρ=0.999; ρ=0.994; ρ=0.993), confirming the influence of teaching ethics practices on student emotional development, however, contrasting patterns were identified: second year of high school presented the highest perceived ethics (3.93) but lower self-esteem (3.48); while third year showed the highest self-esteem (3.94) with intermediate ethics (3.15). The findings suggest that, although there is a strong correlation, additional contextual factors such as psychosocial maturity, academic pressures and post-baccalaureate expectations moderate this relationship. The research highlights the need to strengthen teacher ethics training and adapt pedagogical strategies according to the educational level, establishing the basis for future research on the influence of mediating factors in different educational environments.