Scientia et PRAXIS

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

María Mónica Gloria Clara Castillo-Esparza — 2024-07-01

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

Víctor Manuel Molina-Morejón Molina-Morejón — 2024-08-25

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

Leo Guzma´n-Anaya — 2024-09-15

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.

Fostering Sustainable Development Through Social Innovation: The Role of Cultural Values in Entrepreneurial Intentions

Pedro Daniel Aguilar-Cruz — 2024-10-10

Context. The study analyses how cultural values on the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in public and private institutions in Jalisco, Mexico, may lead a path to social innovation, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Problem. Despite the growing emphasis on entrepreneurship education, the impact of cultural values on students' entrepreneurial intentions remains unclear. This research explores how autonomy, hierarchy, and egalitarianism shape students' aspirations.

Purpose. The research seeks to examine the multidisciplinary nature of cultural values and their relationship with entrepreneurial intentions. It specifically addresses SDGs 4, 8 and 9.

Methodology. A quantitative survey was distributed to 1,438 university students in Jalisco, Mexico, during 2023-2024. The data were examined through exploratory factor analysis and linear regression to identify the relationships between cultural values and entrepreneurial intentions. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, while validity was established through factor loadings.

Theoretical and Practical Findings. Cultural values like integration and mastery positively influence entrepreneurial intentions, while egalitarianism showed a negative impact. These results contribute to the understanding of how cultural contexts shape entrepreneurial behavior, with practical implications for fostering entrepreneurship in educational settings, aligned with the SDGs; leading students´ behavior to a social innovation path.

Originality based on a multidisciplinary approach that promotes innovation for sustainable development. This research integrates multidisciplinary perspectives to promote social innovation and sustainable development, highlighting the unique role of cultural values in shaping entrepreneurial intentions.

Conclusions and limitations. The study concludes that while cultural values significantly impact entrepreneurial intentions, though the influence varies by dimension. However, as the research focuses on a single region, future studies should explore other cultural contexts to generalize findings.

Factors influencing regional innovation in Mexico for sustainable growth: An analysis from 1993 to 2020 and future perspectives

Vicente German-Soto — 2024-11-07

Context. Innovation is key to regional development because it affects economic growth, raises income and improves welfare. The factors influencing regional innovation in Mexico during 1993-2020 are analyzed.

Problem. Economic growth cannot be understood if geographical characteristics and the causes of innovation are not considered. Thus, one of the reasons for the lack of growth is the low use of technologies and the scarce creation of innovations. Therefore, what are the main factors that influence the innovation capacity of Mexico’s states? and what explains the differences in innovation between a country's regions?

Purpose. To estimate the effect from education, income, foreign investment and high-tech sectors on innovation at the regional level in Mexico during 1993-2020.

Methodology. Poisson and binomial-negative count models were estimated to explain the patenting behavior of Mexican states and how they were impacted by education, income, foreign investment and high-tech sectors. The model considered the importance of neighborhoods and answered the questions of what factors influence innovation and how regional differences in innovation in Mexico were formed during 1993-2020.

Theoretical and Practical Findings. The theory that innovation takes place in dynamically diverse and geographically concentrated spaces is confirmed (Scientia). There is a positive relationship in innovation, but the concentration of innovation is greater in the center of the country (Praxis).

Originality based on a multidisciplinary approach that promotes innovation for sustainable development. To promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, economic activity must incorporate innovation in its productive processes, the ways to innovate and the strategies to promote it are key.

Conclusions and limitations. Patent counts are a limited measure, but it is concluded that innovation is key to promote the sustainable economic growth suggested by the United Nations. As future work, it can be extended to panel count models.

Innovation Strategies for Sustainable Development: Work Engagement and Organizational Civic Behaviors in Public Universities of Zacatecas

José Iván Padilla-Lugo — 2024-11-07

ABSTRACT

Context. Higher educational institutions in Mexico intensely involve human interaction and the willingness to provide quality educational services, therefore, it is essential to study the organizational behaviors of university workers within their work environment.

Problem. The positive and satisfactory mental state when doing work (engagement) and organizational civic behaviors are rarely measurable in higher level institutions in Mexico. What is the level of impact between work engagement and organizational civic behaviors in the staff of two public universities in Zacatecas, Mexico?

Purpose. Identify how work engagement (WE) has impacted in relation to organizational civic behaviors (OCB) in the personal of two public universities in Zacatecas, Mexico, generating knowledge in the areas of organizational behavior and administration and contributing to objectives 4 and 16 of sustainable development.

Methodology. From a total population of 390 workers from the two universities, a sample of 280 university workers was obtained, 145 corresponding to teaching staff and 135 to administrative staff. The sampling method, used non-probabilistic for convenience. The validation of the questionnaire was verified using Cronbach's Alpha. The data analysis technique was Spearman correlation (rho). From March to May 2024 the form was applied.

Theoretical and Practical Findings. In the theory, it was proven that the degree of engagement of university workers has a favorable impact on the set of spontaneous and pro-social discretionary behaviors in university workers. In administrative practice, this association shows the relevance of complying with and promoting prosocial behaviors in favor of educational institutions.

Originality. The relationship between the (WE) and the (OCB) has an important impact on the quality of university workers; here the social and administrative sciences converge. Contributing to sustainable development goals in the “culture of quality education” (SDG4) and (SDG16) “creating effective, responsible and inclusive and strengthened institutions”.

Conclusions and limitations. It is concluded that a constant positive and satisfactory mental state when doing work can be a reliable predictor of the appearance or the tendency to appreciate other prosocial behaviors in organizations. Being a limitation is to extrapolate the results to other conditions or sectors and adapt the instruments for obtaining information to a greater extent to national conditions. The conclusions allow for the promotion of organizational actions in universities that impact the prosocial behaviors of their members and the improvement of higher education.

Sustainable Innovation in Polyolefin Elastomers: Predictive Model for Hardness, Melt Flow Index and Expansion in Cross-linked Foams

Raúl Javier Orea-Monroy — 2024-11-11

Context. This study responds to the growing demand for innovations in cross-linked polyolefin foams by developing a predictive model for cross-linked polyolefin foams, which reduces formulation times by predicting key properties, optimizing material usage and reducing waste. This contributes to more sustainable industrial production and minimizes the need for extensive experimentation, aligning with sustainable development goals.

Problem. The lack of accurate predictive models to estimate key properties in compound design makes it difficult to improve efficiency and quality, generating waste of materials and energy. How to develop an innovative and reliable predictive model that minimizes formula design times and optimizes resource use, promoting sustainable development by reducing waste and improving efficiency?

Purpose. This work seeks to establish a predictive model that optimizes the performance of polymeric materials, integrating innovation and sustainability in alignment with the UN SDGs.

Methodology. Predictive equations based on the law of mixtures were validated against experimental data to predict the properties of polyolefin compounds, as well as the change in these once the material is foamed.

Theoretical and practical Findings. The developed model accurately predicts the studied properties (