Complete Journal Scientia et PRAXIS.Vol. 4 No. 07.2024.

Abstract

For the  Academia Mexicana de Investigación y Docencia en Innovación  (AMIDI) through the editorial board of the journal Scientia et PRAXIS, Volume 04, Number 07, corresponding to the period from January to June 2024, as a regular edition, presents original and unpublished scientific works in the field of how multidisciplinary activity drives innovation to achieve sustainable development with social impact, highlighting contributions both to the field of knowledge (Scientia) and its application (Praxis). Thus, we present the following articles:

The first article highlights beekeeping as a vital source of income and quality of life improvement for rural families and its role in environmental conservation through pollination. Emphasis is placed on adopting good practices and the need for supportive governmental policies. Focused on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, the study offers nationally applicable results, identifying issues such as low incomes and lack of technology. The work aimed to explore scenarios to identify socio-economic problems in the beekeeping sector of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Income and population distribution indicators based on open government data were used to measure poverty. A prospective study was conducted with producers and key stakeholders using the MICMAC method to classify cross impacts. Several factors affecting production were identified, such as climate change, excessive use of agrochemicals, unit abandonment, lack of youth participation, and insufficient government support to improve productivity and marketing. Key variables included production type, income, health, technology, and environmental impact while determining variables were alliances, cooperation, and public policies. The originality of this multidisciplinary study for sustainable development lies in its development with the active participation of beekeepers from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, processed through a prospective methodology to outline the best future scenario by prioritizing their vision, addressing their issues, strengthening their knowledge and experiences, identifying key actors, and critical processes for developing strategies that contribute to enhancing this activity, resulting in fairer incomes for a dignified life. The baseline of possible solutions should focus on identified key variables from a multifactorial and multidisciplinary perspective. These studies are limited if not accompanied by working hand in hand with the public sector to promote beekeeping public policies and credits, and require the intervention of academia and science institutes, and above all, the involvement of consumers.

The second article prompts us to reflect on how starting a business is an intrinsic action for any human being regardless of gender; however, women's experiences differ considerably for various reasons. Despite the growing trend of women's participation in entrepreneurship, statistics from various reports still identify factors inhibiting female entrepreneurship in Mexico and Latin America or at least influencing motivations for entrepreneurial activities. The article aims to identify the motivations driving Latin American women, particularly Mexicans, to start businesses and analyze women's current social and economic context, addressing issues such as unemployment, wage disparities, and discrimination. The study employs a mixed methodology: a literature review accompanied by descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The topic of female entrepreneurship in Latin America is analyzed through a review of the literature and a selection of statistical data. Reports from various organizations and initiatives such as GEM, institutions like INEGI or CEPAL, and specific reports from sources like Statista and articles by various authoritative authors were consulted. The study presents revealing statistical data on gaps between women and men in areas such as holding executive positions, where over five years from 2018 to 2023, a significant reduction in the wage gap has yet to be achieved, which remains a primary motivation for female entrepreneurs. The study is original in its multidisciplinary and sustainable innovation perspective, addressing the scarcity of research on female entrepreneurship in Latin America that examines individual motivations. This approach contributes to creating or establishing public or institutional policies promoting female entrepreneurship. It concludes that the literature review supports the idea that female entrepreneurship often arises more from necessity than recognized opportunities. The study analyzes information from diverse sources, acknowledges limitations in analyzing specific values, and recommends future in-depth quantitative studies.

The third document takes us into the study and application of Circular Economy (CE), which is emerging as a growing trend, establishing itself as a business model capable of achieving business objectives while preserving the well-being of future generations through positive environmental impact. This study is crucial for understanding the global landscape of CE research, identifying influential factors in highly cited works, and guiding future research initiatives. The findings are expected to shape the direction of academic efforts in CE to support informed decision-making for researchers, policymakers, and professionals committed to sustainable practices. The study aimed to investigate the evolution of CE research in key geographic regions, understand critical drivers and performance metrics influencing the most cited research articles in this field, and identify crucial directions for future research based on the research question: How has the field of CE evolved and gained relevance over time, especially concerning business models and increasing environmental awareness? The study delves into research methods in CE, particularly in business, management, and accounting fields. It is based on a bibliometric review of scientific articles on CE published in the Scopus database from 2008 to 2023. Co-occurrence maps of keywords, titles, and abstracts related to the circular economy were created, and network representations were conducted using VOSviewer version 1.6.8 bibliometric analysis software. The primary theoretical contribution highlighted a significant and growing academic interest in CE and its relevance in business contexts. In terms of practical contribution, it was concluded that future research should focus not only on quantitative bibliometric analysis but also on qualitative aspects to understand the development and direction of this crucial field fully. Its originality lies in its multidisciplinary perspective and sustainable innovation. It recognizes that discussions on CE are not static but an evolving conversation shaped by continuous interaction between research, business practice, policy formulation, and societal needs. Therefore, it is concluded that the increasing pace of publications and citations indicates field growth and the growing urgency and significance of advancing towards CE in a world facing the dual challenge of economic development and environmental sustainability.

The fourth article discusses how implementing blockchain technology has generated significant interest in addressing environmental and social challenges and improving efficiency in sectors linked to sustainability and finance. Given the urgency of innovative and sustainable solutions to current societal challenges, the adoption of blockchain technology requires a comprehensive understanding of its implementation and the generation of new knowledge to drive sustainable innovation based on this technology. Thus, a thorough bibliometric analysis was conducted, focusing on applying blockchain technology to promote sustainability and finance across various sectors. The study reveals a growing interest and development, evidenced by a significant increase in scientific production, peaking in 2023. India leads in scientific production on this topic. The research has diversity in themes and approaches, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach. There is also ongoing concern about data privacy and developing robust solutions. The transformative potential of blockchain in resource management, transactions, and operations is emphasized, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Its supply chain and environmental sustainability advancements are noted, underscoring the need for robust solutions. The research is original in contributing to sustainable development innovation by integrating blockchain technology with challenges in sustainability and finance. The conclusions underscore the importance of digital transformation and international collaboration, with practical applications in improving traceability and efficiency. The need for future research integrating more areas and studies in other languages is suggested.

Finally, the fifth article focuses on how higher education students (SHE) accept and use smartphones in their academic activities, applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This model examines various factors: perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude towards technology, intention to use, and actual system use. In the post-COVID-19 context, student motivation and perceptions of quality are crucial elements that strengthen technology acceptance. The methodology developed is noteworthy. First, a qualitative study is conducted using the Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with experts in information technology and education to design a specific questionnaire capturing key TAM elements related to smartphone use. A comprehensive literature review was carried out to identify and justify elements included in the questionnaire, which will be administered to over 500 university students in Mexico. Subsequently, quantitative analysis is employed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the reliability and validity of the model, ensuring it is robust and applicable across diverse contexts. Findings suggest that the empirical TAM-SHE model enhances understanding of smartphone use in higher education and contributes to sustainable development by reducing educational disparities and fostering more inclusive and equitable learning. This approach aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4, which aims to promote quality education for all. The study is original from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating technology, education, and sustainability. Incorporating the Technology Acceptance Model for smartphones (TAM-SHE) addresses how this tool can reduce educational disparities and improve access, promoting a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. This encourages sustainable practices and innovatively contributes to social and economic development. It concludes with the importance of continuing research into new student motivations and perceptions of quality to optimize mobile technology integration in education and adapt to changing educational needs, ensuring smartphones become practical and accessible tools for learning in the 21st century.

The authors, the management of AMIDI, and the editorial board of the scientific journal Scientia et Praxis, who contributed to this work, wish readers to find accessible and helpful information for their purposes. They also encourage readers to become authors for future editions like this one, addressing our country's issues and potential solutions.