Scientia et PRAXIS

Prospective of the socioeconomic sector of beekeeping production in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Context. Beekeeping is an alternative income for families in rural areas of the world, significantly improving their daily lives. The application of good practices for the development of this activity contributes positively to the conservation of the environment, due to the very dynamics of pollination, guaranteeing greater production, if the natural cycle of this process through bees is protected. Local governments must manage laws and policies that promote beekeeping to contribute to social well-being. This study focused on the Yucatan Peninsula as the subject of the study, but the analysis methodologies and results can be replicable for all beekeepers in the country.

Problem. The low income that beekeepers receive in rural areas of the Yucatan Peninsula is the main economic source for their homes. There is an absence of innovative technology and cutting-edge knowledge, poor beekeeping practices, and unfair prices.

Purpose. The objective of this research work was to prospect scenarios to identify socioeconomic problems in the beekeeping sector in the Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico and to make visible the present realities, negative factors, vision and their alternative ecosystems to establish a baseline of possible solutions.

Methodology. Income and population distribution indicators were constructed in the beekeeping sector based on information issued by government entities with open access, to measure poverty. Likewise, a prospecting study was built with the support of producers and key actors based on an analysis of a cross-impact matrix Applied Multiplication for Classification (MICMAC).

Theoretical and Practical Findings. It was identified that the factors that have affected production (flowerings) and negative externalities in the sector are the effects of climate change, the abuse of agrochemicals, the abandonment of units, the lack of involvement of young people, the lack of government support to increase productivity and facilitate mobility and marketing with fairer prices, among others, coinciding with what is stated in specialized and open access literature where different problems involving agricultural issues are addressed. Regarding practical findings, the key variables identified were the type of production, income, health, technology and innovation, and environmental impact. For their part, the determining variables were alliances and cooperation, as well as public policies.

Originality from a transdisciplinary and sustainable innovation point of view. This study was developed with the active participation of beekeepers from the Yucatan Peninsula, it was processed through a prospective methodology to graph the best future scenario by prioritizing their vision, addressing their problems, strengthening their knowledge and experiences, identifying the primary actors. , key processes for the development of strategies that contribute to strengthening this activity, materialized in fairer income to have a dignified life.

Conclusions and limitations. In this regard, it is concluded that the baseline of possible solutions must be focused on the key variables identified, from a multifactorial and multidisciplinary perspective. These studies are limited if we do not work hand in hand with the public sector when promoting public beekeeping policies, credits, and the intervention of academia and science institutes is required, and above all, the involvement of consumers.

“Need and opportunity” as motivations for female entrepreneurship in Latin America

Natalia Aguilar-Rosado, Alejandro Campos-Sánchez — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Context. Entrepreneurship is an intrinsic action for men and women; however, the path women must take differs significantly for various reasons.

Problem. Despite the upward trend in the presence of women in the business field, significant social, cultural, and financial limitations persist, influencing the pursuit of social equality.

Purpose. To identify motivations leading Latin American women, particularly Mexicans, to start their businesses, conducting an analysis of social and economic conditions of women, addressing aspects such as wage disparity, and discrimination in related aspects.

Methodology. A mixed methodology, that includes a literature review accompanied with descriptive and inferential statistical analyses is employed. Through a literature review and a selection of statistical data, the topic of female entrepreneurship in Latin America is analyzed. Sources such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Statista, and the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (for its acronym in Spanish INEGI) reports were consulted, along with academic contributions by different authors.

Findings. Revealing data are presented regarding the existing gaps between women and men in terms of aspects such as high-level managerial position occupancy and employment rate. This data demonstrates through a t-student analysis that in a 5-year time-lapse, from 2018 to 2023, the salary gap hasn’t significantly decreased, and this turns into one of the main entrepreneurial motivations for women.

Originality from a transdisciplinary and sustainable innovation point of view. There is a scarcity of research within the field of female entrepreneurship in Latin America focusing on examining individual motivations. This approach can contribute to the design public or institutional policies aimed at promoting female entrepreneurship.

Conclusions and limitations. The literature review supports the notion that female entrepreneurship arises more out of necessity than opportunity. This study relies on analyzing information from various sources, which poses a limitation when attempting to analyze a specific variable. Therefore, to comprehend a phenomenon like explaining the differences in motives for entrepreneurship between genders, it would be necessary to obtain specific data, requiring an in-depth study.

Circular economy in business, management, and accounting: A bibliometric study of the construct

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Context. Studying and applying the Circular Economy (CE) is becoming a trend and its presence is increasing as a business model that can balance achieving business objectives and preserving the well-being of future generations through the company's positive impact on the environment.

Problem. This study is crucial for understanding the global landscape of CE research, pinpointing influential factors in highly cited works, and guiding future research initiatives. The findings will contribute to shaping the direction of academic endeavors in Circular Economy and supporting informed decision-making for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners invested in sustainable practices. The research aims to investigate the evolution of CE research in key geographic regions, understand the pivotal drivers and performance measures influencing the most cited research articles in this domain, and identify crucial future research directions. "The research problem aims to investigate a central question and its specific dimensions. The primary inquiry is: 'How has the field of Circular Economy (CE) evolved and become more significant, particularly about business models and increasing environmental awareness?' This general question is then broken down into three specific research questions: How has the volume of CE research evolved based on key geographic regions? What types of key CE drivers and performance measures relate to the most cited research articles? What are the most important future research directions in the field of CE research?

Purpose. The main purpose of this research was to further examine the study methods of the Circular Economy, specifically within the fields of business, management, and accounting. The goal was to highlight the current trends and directions of research related to the CE. This information is intended to guide current and future research on key issues in corporate sustainability.

Methodology. The process used as a method is through a bibliometric review of scientific articles on CE published in the Scopus database, analyzing the period from 2008 to 2023. Co-occurrence maps of circular economy keywords, titles and summaries were created. Representation networks were carried out with the bibliometric analysis software VOSviewer, version 1.6.8 (Van & Waltman, 2018).

Theoretical and Practical Findings. The main theoretical contribution revealed a significant and steadily accelerating volume of academic interest in the field of CE and its relevance on business contexts. And, as a practical contribution, it was found that future research should focus not only on quantitative bibliometric analysis but also on the qualitative aspects to fully comprehend the development and direction of this crucial field.

Transdisciplinary and sustainable innovation originality. The proposed research is valuable and innovative because it acknowledges that the discourse on CE is not a static field but an evolving conversation. This evolution is shaped by the ongoing interaction of research, business practices, policy-making, and societal needs. Recognizing the dynamic nature of the CE conversation, the proposed research aims to make a significant contribution by monitoring and analyzing emerging trends.

The ability to adapt and respond to the ongoing interactions between research, business practices, policies, and societal needs ensures that the findings of this research are relevant and applicable in a constantly changing context. Furthermore, the research goes beyond merely analyzing the evolution of the CE conversation; it also seeks to identify the key factors driving it. By highlighting these fundamental drivers, the research can shed light on critical areas that require attention and guide the future development of the CE.

Conclusions and limitations. Therefore, the increasing pace of publications and citations signals not only the growth of the field but also the increasing urgency and significance of transitioning towards a CE in a world grappling with the dual challenge of economic development and environmental sustainability.