(ISSN 2663-1466) The journal Empresa y Sociedad (Business and Society) of the Catholic University of El Salvador focuses on the business landscape of the country and the Latin American region. It publishes original research and review articles related to the business environment, both regionally and globally.
Towards Crypto Accounting: Latin American Lessons for the Costa Rican Context
This article analyzes the experiences of El Salvador and Venezuela in cryptocurrency regulation and proposes an accounting framework applicable to Costa Rica, using a qualitative methodology with an exploratory approach. The sample included professionals from the Costa Rican Association of Public Accountants, the Costa Rican Association of Private Accountants, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank of Costa Rica. Data were collected through interviews with accounting experts and document analysis. The analysis reveals that El Salvador and Venezuela have developed specific regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency accounting. El Salvador's "Bitcoin Law" and the regulations of the Central Reserve Bank establish the automatic convertibility of Bitcoin to dollars and clear guidelines for its accounting. Venezuela, for its part, has implemented a "Comprehensive Cryptoasset System" and specific accounting guidelines issued by the Federation of Associations of Public Accountants. This study proposes classifying cryptocurrencies as inventory or intangible assets; it also suggests implementing clear tax policies and promoting continuing education for accounting professionals.
Classroom adaptable to the needs of students with low vision and its business application
This article aims to identify the specific educational needs and psycho-pedagogical guidelines necessary to serve the population with low vision and blindness, in accordance with current Costa Rican legislation, particularly Law 7600, the Law of Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The National Hellen Keller Education Center of Costa Rica, an institution under the Ministry of Public Education that serves people with visual impairments and deafblindness, is used as a reference. As a result, an adaptable classroom is proposed for implementation in companies to develop job profiles for people with disabilities, recognizing that this population develops fundamental skills in the business environment. The proposed design incorporates features that consider the specific needs of these individuals, proposing a functional, feasible, proportionate, obstacle-free, safe, and easily navigable space; with elements that facilitate the spatial and temporal orientation of users, as well as appropriate lighting, contrast, sounds, and textures.
Analysis of the trade balance deficit and its possible implications for the Salvadoran economy
The trade deficit represents an urgent problem for the economies of numerous countries, as a high level can lead to serious capital flight. Most nations face recurring challenges in this area of ​​the external sector, where imports exceed exports with their trading partners. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct descriptive research that identifies and highlights the relevance of this issue within the external sector. El Salvador is no exception in this context, as, along with Honduras and Nicaragua, it is among the countries with the largest negative trade balances in the region. However, the situation is not entirely negative, as there are opportunities that should be seized to gradually address this issue. These include increasing domestic production, making better use of trade agreements, and promoting the export of services, such as tourism, among others.
Center for Research and Development of Financial Wellbeing (CIDEBIF)
Financial well-being has been established as an essential component for sustainable development, social equity, and the economic stability of nations. In the case of Costa Rica, despite its advances in education, democracy and environmental sustainability, structural challenges persist related to excessive household debt, low financial literacy, difficulties in accessing inclusive financial services and economic gaps that perpetuate poverty and inequality. Faced with this problem, the creation of the Financial Wellbeing Research and Development Center (CIDEBIF) is proposed, a comprehensive and innovative model aimed at applied research, education and financial inclusion. The center seeks to become a national and international reference, structuring its action into four strategic axes: financial literacy, development of skills and financial technology, economic inclusion and defense of financial consumer rights. The proposal is supported by a solid regulatory, institutional and technical framework, which includes the guidelines of the Organic Statute of the National Technical University, the National Financial Education Strategy, the Law against Usury (No. 9859), international standards such as ISO 22222:2010 and principles promoted by the International Financial Education Network.
Territorial productivity from Ultra High Density Grazing
Ultra-high-density grazing (UHDG) has emerged as an innovative livestock strategy that promotes environmental sustainability and productivity. This review article examines the existing literature on UHDG, evaluating its principles, ecological and economic benefits, and the challenges associated with its implementation. Through a synthesis of case studies and an analysis of practical experiences, the potential and limitations of this practice in diverse geographic and environmental contexts are highlighted.
The European Green Deal: Impact and Opportunities for Costa Rica's Agro-industry
The aim of this article is to raise awareness about the implications of implementing the new regulations proposed by the European Union, the new trends in international trade, and the environmental policy outlined in the European Green Deal, created in response to environmental concerns and commitments made to minimize these impacts. In 2023, co-creation seminars and workshops were held, during which challenges and concerns related to adapting and implementing the European Green Deal regulations and their implications for the agri-food sector were discussed. These included the loss of competitiveness of agricultural products in the European market, the excessive and dependent use of pesticides in crops, the lack of government controls, and the shortage of financial resources for implementation. The study delves into each of these issues and proposes potential solutions in the form of projects or institutional policies that can be implemented by national entities to support the business sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Employee turnover and work environment: A proposal based on neural networks
This study presents a proposal that measures the work environment in companies and inversely relates it to employee turnover, based on the premise that as working conditions improve, turnover decreases. To collect the data, a questionnaire in the form of a Cartesian plane was used, dividing the work environment into two sections: internal and external, each subdivided into two subsections, for a total of twenty-four items that assess the work environment. The questionnaires were administered in twelve companies of varying sizes, ranging from 20 to 100 employees, operating in different sectors of the economy and distributed across various geographic areas of the state of Puebla, Mexico. The results indicate, among other things, that a competitive salary policy, along with induction and training programs focused on employee integration, contribute to mitigating employee turnover in the surveyed companies.
Perception of corruption and econometric regressions in the countries of the Central American Integration System
Corruption in the nations of the Central American Integration System is a multifaceted problem that negatively affects society, the economy, and governance. Combatting it requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes improving tools, strengthening institutional trust, and implementing clear and equitable economic policies. International collaboration and the exchange of best practices are essential to advancing greater transparency and reducing the propensity for corruption in the region.
Global mindset and its role in the international expansion of companies in Costa Rica
Currently, there is little research that delves into the impact of a global mindset on the internationalization dynamics of companies in emerging economies, particularly in the case of Costa Rica. Hence the need to explore how the adoption of a global perspective by business leaders and managers can positively influence the international expansion of companies, facilitating their integration into global markets. This study develops an analytical framework that allows for the rigorous quantification and detailed examination of the interrelationship between the adoption of a global perspective by managers and success in business internationalization within the Costa Rican context. To this end, a quantitative approach was adopted, with a sample of 266 managers of micro, small, medium and large companies, and the multivariate method Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. As a main finding, the empirical evidence that a global mindset is a determining factor in the internationalization of companies in Costa Rica was confirmed.
Big Data as a value enhancer in business decisions: A bibliometric study
The current corporate world is becoming increasingly demanding in the effective management of its administrative processes; digital transformation has become indispensable for today's businesses, implying the integration of technology into all aspects of the business to improve efficiency, productivity, and data-driven decision-making. Therefore, the objective of this research is to show companies the commercial value they can obtain from the use of Big Data, starting with data collection, analysis, the use of appropriate technological tools, and decision-making. The research methodology was descriptive and used bibliometric and visual analysis approaches to systematically identify research articles from leading business journals in the Scopus database, owned by Elsevier; obtaining data from articles related to Big Data analysis. This study demonstrates that Big Data could transform the way organizations operate and compete in the market; it would allow them to be more agile, efficient, and customer-centric, leading to better performance and positive results.
Agribusiness in food production and sustainable livestock production through silvopastoral systems
This study evaluates the implementation and benefits of silvopastoral systems in sustainable livestock production in the Huasteca Potosina, Veracruzana, and Tamaulipeca regions of Mexico. Interviews and surveys were conducted with thirty livestock producers to analyze the adoption of these systems, their environmental and economic benefits, and the barriers to their expansion. The results show significant improvements in soil quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration in the areas that adopted these systems, overcoming the negative effects of traditional livestock practices. Furthermore, silvopastoral systems increased livestock productivity and diversified income by allowing the sale of non-livestock products, such as timber and fruit. This study concludes that, although obstacles exist, the environmental and economic benefits of silvopastoral systems are clear, highlighting their potential to improve the sustainability of livestock farming in northeastern Mexico.
Sustainable tourism in companies in El Salvador
In El Salvador, tourism is one of the pillars of the government's economic strategy. This strategy aims to leverage natural resources, investment, scientific and technological progress, and institutional efforts to meet the needs of society, both present and future, thus achieving sustainable tourism development. Given that tourism businesses are the main actors in this strategy, this research focuses on describing their current situation regarding sustainable tourism. This is accomplished by documenting their efforts and identifying the barriers that hinder their activities, as well as the main needs that must be addressed for the country's development. To this end, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire administered to representatives of Salvadoran tourism businesses registered with the National Tourism Registry, located in the western, central, and eastern regions of the country. The results indicate that while tourism and environmental legislation and regulations are known to those involved in the sector, compliance is minimal. Furthermore, there is a disconnect between the work of the government, businesses, and the communities where tourism activities take place. In this regard, the importance of strengthening the promotion of Sustainable Tourism Policy is highlighted. This includes training expert personnel to develop projects in this area, monitoring natural resources, providing investment and tax incentives, fostering collaborative work, and penalizing companies that violate environmental regulations.
Analysis of the elasticities of tax revenue in El Salvador
The general objective of this document is to quantify the elasticity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in relation to the tax structure of the Salvadoran economy. To achieve this general objective, two econometric exercises were conducted: first, the elasticity of Gross Domestic Product was calculated in relation to Value Added Tax (VAT) and Income Tax (ISR), which are the most important taxes within the tax structure; second, the elasticity of tax revenues was determined in relation to the economic sectors (agriculture, industry, and services).
Composite index to determine the risk of food insecurity at the municipal level in El Salvador: Flores-Romero Index
Lack of access to safe and nutritious food can lead to serious health problems, and food insecurity can affect productivity, education, and the population's investment capacity, which can negatively impact long-term economic growth. Therefore, it is crucial to have a tool to assess the food security situation in a country and take appropriate measures to address the identified gaps, both at the national and subnational levels. This article discusses the construction and development of the Flores-Romero Composite Food Insecurity Index in El Salvador; an essential tool for informed decision-making and the promotion of food security at the subnational (municipal) level. The Flores-Romero Index uses an econometric-health model for production forecasting; specifically, a multivariate Vector Autoregressive model to estimate which municipalities will have a production deficit or surplus of maize and/or beans in a given year. It then calculates the Index using variables that comprise a Municipal Prioritization Matrix. The results allow for the ranking of municipalities at higher risk of food insecurity, based on a higher Flores-Romero Index, thus informing decision-makers. The index can also be used as a benchmark to measure progress in the implementation of policies and programs aimed at improving food security over time.
Economic thought of Professor Giovanni Riva and his proposal for Company Economics
This is an exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, representing the first draft of a doctoral dissertation. It will analyze the writings of Professor Giovanni Riva, philosopher, literary writer, poet, and founder of numerous charitable organizations serving the most vulnerable, primarily in Latin American countries, including universities and schools. Through his initiatives, Riva proposed a different way of understanding material resources and one's own capabilities, not only in service to the individual but also for the benefit of others. He called this "Economy of Companionship." A review of the social and economic issues addressed in the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church is considered essential for a deeper understanding of Riva's ideas. Furthermore, established economic theories with perspectives similar to those of the author under study, such as Hinkelammert and Mora's "Economy for Life," have been consulted. Within the framework of the controversies between conventional and heterodox economics, it is considered that this type of theoretical economic contributions can always contribute more to the meaning of economics as a social science.
The war in Ukraine and its impact on Latin America: geopolitics, extractivism and inflation
The war in Ukraine has had several impacts on Latin America's economic competitiveness and production. On the one hand, the sanctions imposed on Russia during the Crimean War in 2014 resulted in increased shipping costs, reducing the competitiveness of Latin American production by 2.4% during that period. Furthermore, increased Chinese trade with the region has posed a significant challenge to Russia's aspirations in Latin America. The impact of the war in Ukraine on Latin America is particularly evident in terms of geopolitics, extractivism, and inflation, highlighting how the conflict has affected the region's economic relations. The main idea of ​​this academic article is to provide an overview, analyzing various documents and their applications in industry to understand the positions of nations that condemn the invasion, while others defend Russia and still others seek to benefit from the situation. This war has had economic consequences, such as inflationary pressures, increased pressure on governments to reduce taxes on raw materials, reduced international investment, and disruptions to trade routes, etc., which have affected Latin America's ability to compete globally and maintain stable economic growth.
Supply Chain and Open Innovation: the undeniable relationship Conceptions from a literature review
The consolidation of Open Innovation (OI) as necessary approach to understand the ability of firms to innovate has demanded more sustained efforts to unfold the continuous connection with other relevant actors across its systems of production (Arabshahi et al., 2014; Chesbrough, 2006; Jimenez- Jimenez et al., 2019). Central to this is the emphasis on a pursuit of knowledge and collaboration from components of the supply chain (SC) (Miyamoto, 2020). Despite the undeniable relationship between these two terms, authors have pointed out that not enough research has occurred (Ardito et al., 2020; Jimenez-Jimenez et al., 2019; R. A. E. Shamah & Elssawabi, 2015; Smith & Blundel, 2012). Therefore, this paper is intended to contribute to the research gap by examining on how the concepts of SC and OI are related in the current state-of-the-art. To accomplish it, a systematic literature review (SLR) is conducted.
Salvadoran unconventional renewable energy cluster
Unconventional Renewable Energy (URE) in El Salvador is a form of energy whose sources are not exhaustible such as sun, wind, sea, earth, heat, and biomass. Developing an energy cluster will increase not only the sector, but also the related industries and implicitly the competitiveness of the country, thereby improving in long term the quality of life of its inhabitants and the environment.
Describing the El Salvador Stock Exchange cluster
The El Salvador Stock Exchange (BVES) is the only entity in the country that facilitates access to the market for domestic private debt issuances, equity issuances, and repurchase agreements. It also owns the country's only securities depository, Central de Depósito de Valores, S.A. de C.V. (Cedeval), which is rated "EAA+(slv)." This rating corresponds to entities with a very high capacity to meet their obligations on the agreed terms and deadlines, a capacity that would not be affected by potential changes within the entity, the industry to which it belongs, or the economy. Protective factors are strong, and the risk is modest, according to Fitch Ratings (Garza, 2018). The BVES is also responsible for providing stock market participants with a service platform that complies with the legal requirements established by the Superintendency of the Financial System (SSF). Through its subsidiary, Cedeval, it has offered securities deposit, custody, and administration services via an electronic system since 1998. The purpose of this study was to describe the configuration of the El Salvador Stock Exchange cluster, using the competitiveness diamond, value chain, and cluster mapping tools.
Tourist consumer behavior during the purchasing process. Case study: San Salvador National Handicrafts Market
El Salvador has successfully positioned itself in the tourism market as a competitive destination both nationally and internationally, promoting domestic and inbound tourism as key drivers of foreign exchange and job creation. Handicrafts not only represent cultural expressions with deep historical roots but also serve as a source of income for thousands of families who depend on this informal sector. Indeed, artisanal traditions are one of the best examples of the connection between art and industry. The main venue for showcasing these cultural pieces in El Salvador is the National Handicrafts Market in San Salvador, which features artisanal products from every department in the country, making it a rich cultural attraction for both domestic and international tourists. This has become a significant economic driver, attracting the attention of government authorities. For this reason, analyzing tourist consumer behavior during the purchasing decision process for handicrafts, and identifying the economic, demographic, and psychographic factors that influence this behavior, is crucial. This is in order to maintain the relevance of the artisan sector, which represents an important form of production, a source of employment, support for the local economy and an opportunity to promote national identity and culture.
The Journey of Innovation: 50 Years of History in a Bibliographic Study
The purpose of this text is to present a literature review of the evolution of the concept of innovation over the last 50 years, understanding that organizations, as such, must respond to and evolve with the changes presented by their environment. Innovation is a determining factor for growth, fostering potential sources of competitive advantage, both at the macroeconomic and microeconomic levels of a given country. Over the years, the role of innovation in all industries, companies, regions, and nations has been fundamental to achieving high levels of competitiveness, thereby generating processes of growth and development.
Open Innovation: A Key Factor in Competitiveness. A Bibliometric Study
When a company offers and sustains a unique value proposition to the market, it is because it possesses a competitive structure; however, innovation management is essential to achieving this. Despite the importance of innovation, some companies encounter limitations in its implementation, primarily due to a lack of resources and internal capabilities. The purpose of this research was to study Open Innovation as an alternative for organizations facing obstacles in management and results achievement. The manuscript presents concepts, strategies, and applications of the open innovation model, as well as the results of a bibliometric analysis of scientific production on Open Innovation and management, generated from 2007 to 2019 in the Scopus database. The big data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix application, yielding the names of influential authors, the most relevant publication sources, and the dominant countries in the field. The document reflects the relevance of Open Innovation as a key factor in company competitiveness, implying a greater collaborative relationship with their environment. The findings show the viability of Open Innovation as a key factor in competitiveness, involving companies in the search for collaborative links with actors in their environment.
Defining the skills for teleworking from an international competitiveness perspective for the year 2021
The research encompasses a review and study of the indicators provided in the report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), offering a perspective on the role of new technologies in societal development. The research methodology focused on reviewing competitiveness indicators in the field of innovation, which positively contribute to the performance of teleworking skills at the professional level in Latin America. This allowed for the creation of matrices outlining proposed profiles for ideal professional teleworking positions, contributing to the digital transformation of companies through innovation.
Centralized digital storage models for micro and small businesses
The objective of this applied research was to propose a new, updated classification or taxonomy of centralized digital storage models feasible for micro and small businesses, explaining the technological solutions available on the market in a simple way and without complex technical jargon. The research answers the question: What would be the updated taxonomy for viable centralized digital storage for micro and small businesses? Given the numerous acronyms and technical concepts found in the technical documentation for implementing digital storage services, and considering the significant changes in the associated technologies over the last five years, staying up-to-date to identify the most effective technological solution for a company has become increasingly complex. Therefore, this research provides an epistemological and practical contribution, offering financial, administrative, and IT managers a guide for choosing the technological solution that effectively manages the company's digital information storage.
Labor Market Trends and the Need for Reengineering Higher Education
The dynamics of the labor market have changed considerably and are currently experiencing a major shift. The skill levels that used to be enough in the workplace have become inadequate for the current workplace requirements. At least in the case of the United States, the kind of jobs that allowed work from home during the pandemic typically required college education; this may be a silver lining for colleges. Coupled with this, the admission test optional policies opened the doors of colleges for many otherwise disadvantaged students. The life cycle duration of technical skills has become shorter than ever before. Issues in innovation, demographic shifts, socio-cultural issues, aging population and technological advances are driving educators, employers, and policy makers to re-examine higher education to address the skill gaps currently existing in the workplace. This paper brainstorms some of these topics and propose solutions for policy makers.
Globally an increased awareness for the preservation of the planet is perceived. Different strategies are being held by countries in order to minimize problems such as pollution, access to vital resources, a responsible disposal of waste, and others. Part of this problem are the industries that generate pollution through the resources they exploit or directly through their waste. This study presents six different companies, conveniently selected in El Salvador, that include green initiatives into their business core in order to minimize the negative impact of their processes over the environment. They are well-known companies and stand out for the quality of their work. The research is qualitative, the methodology used to perform it was descriptive. The information collected from different sources guided the analysis of the theme in order to provide the guideline to the creation of the industrial recycling cluster in El Salvador. In order to propose the cluster, the researchers used Porter´s Diamond Model and the Five Forces Analysis. The results show that there are several advantages for the establishment of a cluster, such as, technology, training, internal resources within the companies, and others. On the other hand, the cluster will need more support from the government, communities and the citizens since most of the problems are due to the lack of regulations and the recycling culture in the population.
Organizational human capital strategies: a bibliometric analysis
Human capital strategies are crucial for establishing short- and long-term action plans that, in turn, ensure organizational success. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze human capital strategies in organizations through a bibliometric study. The Scopus database and R software were used for this analysis. The 194 articles analyzed cover the period from 1982 to 2020. Additionally, these articles detail the key factors in terms of human capital in organizations, as well as clusters, understood as groups of organizations in each region that share strategies, procedures, and functions that integrate the workforce, enabling them to be more competitive in developing their processes. The results show the importance of strategic planning, its economic and social effects, also on human talent, for the successful development of human capital strategies for organizations, as well as their contribution to strengthening organizational objectives, reaffirming that personnel constitute the greatest source of value and wealth in the development of activities, as well as organizational processes.
Ana Elizabeth Michelle Espinoza Martínez
The business strategy partner: a culture of innovation
The purpose of this text is to present a literature review of the evolution of the concept of innovation culture over the last 37 years, understanding that organizations, as such, must respond to and evolve with the changes presented by their environment. In the era of globalization and economic competition among nations, the importance of innovation for creating sustainable economic development and a competitive advantage has intensified, driven by technological progress that leads the product life cycle. One of the factors that influences innovation is culture; it is recognized as a key factor in management and organizational development due to its relevance and contribution to achieving short-, medium-, and long-term objectives.
The impact of innovation systems: The case of Costa Rican business culture
Costa Rica is known, among other reasons, for being one of the happiest countries in the world. Some of these reasons are related to its strong environmental culture, its population with specialized technical skills, and, primarily, its lack of involvement in any armed conflicts with other nations in its recent history. Precisely for this reason, many companies (especially from the United States) choose to invest in this Central American country. However, no country or culture is perfect, and that is the subject of this article. Since Intel's arrival in Costa Rica, the entire culture has adapted and evolved to the new processes, methodologies, and frameworks required. Understanding the culture of this country is fundamental to achieving success in implementing new processes, especially those related to managing innovation. Opinions gathered from interviews with leaders in the fields of computer science, psychology, and human resources indicate the potential influence of Costa Rican culture on the implementation of all these changes; but in a positive and reactive way. The abolition of the army and the investment of its respective budget in education distinguish the country among its neighbors in the region.
Describing the Higher Education Cluster of El Salvador
Education is of paramount importance for a country's competitive development, particularly at the higher education level, as it determines the integration of professionals into economic and social life. Furthermore, this formative stage is an ideal field for knowledge generation through scientific research and technology transfer. A nation's competitiveness implies coordinating efforts among the various actors in society, such as the business sector, academia, and the government. The cluster model is a means for materializing this coordination, understood as a conglomeration of institutions within a territory that interact to generate productivity for the participants and for society as a whole. The purpose of this study was to describe the configuration of El Salvador's higher education cluster, using the competitiveness diamond framework, the value chain model, and the cluster map, as well as analyzing indicators from the Global Competitiveness Index. The results show the cluster's constitution, development, and impact on El Salvador.