Scientia et PRAXIS

Economic Performance of Eco-innovation Practices in Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises

2024-07-01T09:47:43+00:00

Context. The urgent and pressing issue of depleting natural resources exerts significant pressure on all systems (economic, social, environmental) to meet the needs of the world's population. Therefore, the promotion of more sustainable production in manufacturing companies is not just a choice, but a necessity for the care and protection of our environment.

Purpose. To shed light on the significant role that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing industry can play in promoting sustainable production through the implementation of eco-innovation practices. Additionally, to analyze the influence of the Green Business Strategy on these eco-innovation practices.

Problem. Manufacturing companies must provide economic performance to stakeholders while protecting the environment by including strategic environmental goals.

Methodology. The MSMEs in the manufacturing industry (automotive, aerospace, electronics, food and beverage, textile, chemical, steel and metals, machinery and equipment, and medical devices sectors) in Aguascalientes, Mexico, were selected for their high economic participation. A confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of ±5% were chosen. Three hundred managers were surveyed using a Likert scale from January to July 2021. The technique involved the use of structural equations and partial least squares, a statistical method for modeling complex relationships, using the PLS-SEM 3.2.9 program.

Theoretical and Practical Findings. The Green Business Strategy (GBS) impacts eco-innovation practices, and in turn, these positively influences economic benefits. By implementing eco-innovation practices at a strategic level, it becomes easier to achieve gains that contribute to the sector’ sustainable development.

Originality based on a multidisciplinary approach that promotes innovation for sustainable development. The research contributes to environmental strategic management and sustainable production in the national manufacturing industry.

Conclusions and limitations. The MSMEs provide economic benefits and protect the environment by implementing a GBS and eco-innovation practices. Subsectors should replicate the study to confirm whether the results still are similar.

The Mediation of Drivers and Practices to Overcome Barriers to the Circular Economy

2024-08-25T13:03:57+00:00

Context. This study focuses on the manufacturing industry in Coahuila, particularly micro and small businesses known for their labor intensity and minimal input use. These businesses have significant potential to integrate into the circular economy by reducing natural resource and energy consumption through open innovation.

Problem. The main challenge in adopting a circular economy is overcoming barriers to shifting from a linear model. This research aims to identify the drivers and practices that facilitate this transition. Specifically, it investigates how these drivers and practices enable SMEs to develop circular economy capabilities and overcome existing barriers.

Purpose. The study's objective is to explore and implement the drivers and practices that address circular economy barriers and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals within an open innovation framework and using a multidisciplinary approach.

Methodology. Initially, qualitative research involving entrepreneurs, academics, and researchers identified barriers and drivers. This was followed by quantitative research, including a survey conducted in April and May 2023 with 124 responses. Nine out of ten hypotheses were supported, and SMART PLS was used for hypothesis testing, managing multiple statistical criteria.

Theoretical and Practical Findings. The study's primary finding was the role of innovative actions in mediation theory. Practically, it validated the relationships between barriers and the capabilities of the circular economy concept.

Originality from a multidisciplinary and sustainable innovation point of view. This research innovatively and multidisciplinary addressed circular economy challenges within the framework of sustainable development goals.

Conclusions and limitations. The hypotheses and predictive values validated the innovative impact of mediating drivers and practices on circular economy capabilities. Limitations included potential biases in sample selection.

Application of ARIMA Model to Forecast Corn Prices in Mexico

2024-09-16T14:21:11+00:00

Corn is an essential grain in the Mexican culinary, cultural and social heritage. However, the volatility in corn prices brings uncertainty to agricultural farmers and has caused an increase in imports of the grain from other countries. The purpose of this study is to use time-series models regularly applied in finance to an agricultural commodity and forecast corn prices in Mexico. The study employs autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models to forecast prices in 2024 and 2025 using data on average rural prices of grain corn from the period 1980 to 2023 The results contribute to a theoretical discussion on employing statistical tools to reduce market uncertainty on agricultural commodities and provide empirical practical results on corn prices for decision making. The results are innovative in using the ARIMA statistical tool to analyze a specific commodity (corn) in a specific market (Mexico). The conclusions of the study suggest an upward trend in corn prices for 2024 and 2025, however, price stagnation and uncertainty is observed. Although government policies have introduced price guarantees for corn in Mexico, they only cover less than 3% of total production. Future studies should analyze price divergence by regions or states in Mexico.