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    Ecuadorian Companies in the Digital Age: Innovate or Disappear
    (Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026) ;
    Llamuca-Pérez, Silvia Lorena
    ;
    Calvache-Vargas, César Maximiliano
    This research addresses the relevance of digital transformation to the competitiveness of Ecuadorian companies. The implementation of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), enables process optimization, increased productivity, and an expansion of market reach. However, various obstacles hinder digitalization, such as resistance to change, lack of training, and limited financial resources, preventing many Ecuadorian companies from fully taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital age. This study aims to analyze the impact of digital transformation on Ecuadorian companies, identifying the challenges they face and the opportunities available to strengthen their competitiveness. The methodological approach adopted in this research is of a mixed type, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, an analysis based on. In the analysis of data from secondary sources, such as sector reports and previous studies, key indicators of technological adoption, implementation barriers, and sectors with the greatest digital progress were examined. The results obtained indicate that e-commerce leads digital adoption with 70%, followed by financial services with 65%. However, sectors such as agribusiness and manufacturing still lag behind. Among the main barriers identified, a lack of financial resources (45%) and a lack of training (30%) emerge as the main obstacles. However, companies that have managed to digitize have experienced significant improvements, increasing their operational efficiency from 60%–85% and their market reach from 50%–90%. It is concluded that, to achieve a sustainable digital transformation, it is crucial for companies to invest in technology, train their human talent, and foster a culture of innovation. Without these factors, digitalization will continue to be a challenge, and many organizations could face the risk of falling behind in an increasingly competitive market. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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    Low-Cost Interfaces and Technological Accessibility: A Human–Computer Interaction Approach for the Inclusion of Individuals with Motor Disabilities
    Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder of prenatal or perinatal origin that affects motor control, posture, and frequently speech, thereby limiting autonomy and social participation among individuals who experience it. During the transition to adulthood, these limitations tend to intensify, highlighting the need for assistive technologies (AT) that effectively address real-world contexts of use. However, the high cost and limited adaptability of many existing solutions restrict their adoption, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study is situated within the field of Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) and aims to evaluate low-cost input devices based on principles of accessibility, ergonomics, and usability, to improve the work performance of individuals with motor disabilities. A qualitative methodology was employed, based on the think-aloud technique, applied to a case study involving an adult with cerebral palsy who interacted with three devices: a conventional trackpad, a MAKEY MAKEY-based interface, and a wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad. The results indicate that, although the trackpad allows for a degree of progressive adaptation, it presents limitations in tasks requiring bimanual coordination. The MAKEY MAKEY interface provides greater discrete control but demands high levels of coordination and generates fatigue due to its physical configuration. In contrast, the wireless keyboard with an integrated touchpad emerges as the most efficient and ergonomic alternative, as it distributes functions between both hands and reduces physical effort. It is concluded that the adaptation of mass-market consumer technologies, under a user-centered design approach, can offer accessible, functional, and sustainable solutions for the digital inclusion of individuals with motor disabilities. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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    Effects of Public Finance Behavior: The Ecuadorian Scenario
    The behavior of Ecuador’s public finances is critical to ensuring economic stability and sustainable development. In a context marked by economic crises and fiscal challenges, understanding the effects of fiscal policies is essential for designing strategies that promote growth and social well-being. This research analyzes the recent behavior of Ecuador’s public finances, identifying challenges and opportunities in fiscal management while evaluating the impact of fiscal policies on the economy and society. Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, the study includes a review of prior research, analysis of economic data from government and international organizations, and interviews with public finance officials. The findings reveal significant progress, such as increased tax collection and investments in infrastructure, education, and health. However, persistent issues such as economic informality, inefficiencies in spending, and corruption limit the effectiveness of these efforts. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable fiscal policies, greater transparency, and accountability to foster inclusive growth and reduce reliance on oil exports. In conclusion, Ecuador’s public finance dynamics have a profound impact on the economy and society. Overcoming challenges requires sustained reforms, improved efficiency, and diversified growth strategies to ensure long-term economic resilience and equity. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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    Electronic Word of Mouth and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Approach
    (Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026) ; ; ;
    Guadalupe-Lanas, Jorge
    Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) is a type of human-computer interaction that comprises simple, two-way communication, disseminating information about companies, brands, and products through digital spaces. Given the significant interest in eWOM, various extant studies have sought to structure this field of study through a bibliometric approach. As the literature on eWOM has continued to grow, bibliometric studies on eWOM have begun to be specialized. Following this line of work, the present bibliometric study seeks to unravel eWOM’s structure as it applies to sustainability, a topic of great current importance. Using the Scopus database, 1,968 documents were identified. Descriptive and productivity analyses characterize the field of eWOM and sustainability as a rapidly growing and multidisciplinary field, in which China and the United States stand out in the literature. Science mapping analyses have identified four clusters of terms associated with research lines: 1) human behavior in eWOM, 2) social aspects of eWOM and sustainability, 3) eWOM’s impact on sustainability and tourism, and 4) eWOM’s technological aspects and measurement. The overlay visualization of term analysis reveals an evolution in research interest, progressing from technological aspects, through economic and behavioral aspects, to the current emphasis on sustainability and tourism. Finally, this study discusses these results’ implications for theory and practice. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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    Consumer Behavior in Health Wearables Technologies: A Bibliometric Approach
    (Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026) ;
    Espinoza, Carmen
    ;
    ;
    Health Wearable Technologies (HWT), including smartwatches, fitness trackers, and telehealth platforms, have become a new generation of tools for preventive healthcare and chronic disease management. This study uses bibliometric analysis to explore the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of HWT research, and it analyzes 315 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus in the fields of business, social sciences, and medicine. The results show that there are two distinct growth phases: slow growth at the end of the twentieth century and fast growth after 2000 due to the development of human-computer interaction. HWT research is inherently multidisciplinary, with 55.36% of publications coming from social sciences, business, and medical disciplines. The United States leads the world in scholarly output, with 35.87% of documents, while developing regions are underrepresented. Science mapping via VOSviewer reveals two thematic clusters: (1) clinical and ethical dynamics (e.g., physician-patient relationships, data validity), and (2) consumer-market interactions (e.g., usability, direct-to-consumer models). These clusters capture the struggles between medical authority and patient autonomy as well as the increasing impact of user experience (UX) in non-clinical contexts. The study emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to address HWT’s complexity and highlights the need for more research in developing economies to ensure global applicability. Two actionable recommendations are proposed: (1) combining clinical utility with commercial viability through UX-driven design, and (2) addressing ethical biases in doctor-patient interactions when HWT interacts. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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    Decision-Intelligent Educational Management and Sustainable Brand Performance: Insights from Ecuador
    This study analyzes how the joint use of information systems and economic analytics strengthens sustainable brand performance in Ecuadorian higher education institutions. The objective is to characterize levels of digital maturity and economic analytics and to relate them to perceived outcomes of sustainable marketing and ICT investment. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was implemented, combining a stratified survey of students, faculty, and staff with semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Results show heterogeneous digital maturity: 22% of institutions operate at a basic level (limited to email and office tools), 48% at an intermediate level (LMS, videoconferencing, CRM), and 30% at an advanced level (big data, predictive analytics, ERP). Economically, 42% rely on traditional financial indicators, 33% assess academic program profitability, and 25% apply predictive analytics, indicating a partial integration of information technology with managerial decision-making. Perceived outcomes of sustainable marketing include improved reputation (72%), community relations (67%), resource efficiency (59%), and student attraction (64%). ICT budgets rose from 12% to 18% between 2020 and 2024, prioritizing basic platforms over advanced technologies. Based on these findings, a practical, data-driven framework is proposed that connects academic, financial, and ESG indicators to guide managerial choices. The study concludes that the effectiveness of sustainable brand strategies depends on the alignment between digital maturity, evaluation culture, and institutional scale. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2027.
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    Impact of Agricultural Practices on Economic Sustainability: A Gender-Based Approach in Ambato
    (MDPI AG, 2026-04-23) ;
    Ruiz-Guajala, Mery
    ;
    Mayorga-Abril, Cesar
    ;
    Amancha-Criollo, Evelyn
    This study provides an in-depth examination of the association between sustainable agricultural practices and economic sustainability among small-scale farmers in the canton of Ambato, Ecuador, with attention to gender differences in the adoption of specific practices. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative design and structural equation modeling (SEM) based on data from 150 farmers. The results demonstrate that intention to adopt sustainable practices was positively associated with economic sustainability (β = 0.96), and perceived benefits also showed a positive relationship with economic sustainability (β = 0.29). Conversely, agricultural practices showed a negative direct structural coefficient with economic sustainability (β = −0.29), thereby suggesting that the short-term costs of implementation may reduce immediate economic returns in resource-constrained contexts. Descriptive results indicated differences in the adoption of specific practices by sex, especially in crop rotation, biological pest control, and efficient irrigation, although the evidence for gender differences in economic sustainability was mainly descriptive rather than inferential. The model showed acceptable fit (CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.917, RMSEA = 0.065). Overall, these findings contribute empirical evidence from an Andean agricultural context and suggest that training, technical support, and transition-cost reduction policies are necessary to strengthen the economic viability of sustainable agriculture. © 2026 by the authors.
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    Structure-Based Innovation Index (SBII) and Firm Performance in Ecuadorian Manufacturing SMEs: Evidence from Capital Efficiency and Sales per Employee
    (MDPI AG, 2026-04-23)
    Godoy Hurtado, Edgar Paul
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    ;
    Manufacturing SMEs in Ecuador operate under macroeconomic volatility and limited financing; improvements in processes and management are key mechanisms for sustaining productivity and competitiveness. In contexts where conventional innovation indicators are unavailable, financial ratios constitute replicable signals that close a measurement gap in emerging economies. This study constructs the Structure-Based Innovation Index (SBII) as the mean of within-sample percentile ranks of capital efficiency (EBIT/Assets) and sales per employee, using financial statements from the SCVS, sectoral indicators from ENESEM, and size classification from REEM. The sample includes 58 formal manufacturing SMEs in Ecuador in 2023, stratified by province and size. Performance is measured through labor productivity and operating profitability (EBIT/Sales). Tercile comparisons reveal clear performance differentiation: the high-SBII group exhibits substantially higher median sales per employee (USD 129,552 vs. USD 40,176 in the low group) and higher operating profitability. Signals are more strongly reflected in productivity than in margins, indicating that operational gains materialize earlier. A robustness check using SBIIalt confirms that gradients are not index artifacts. High-performing SMEs are distinguished by institutionalized operational discipline: asset utilization, throughput stability, and cost control. The SBII is a replicable proxy for structure-based innovation in data-constrained environments. The findings align with SDGs 8, 9, and 12. © 2026 by the authors.
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    Impact of AI on Internal Control and Risk Management Systems in Ecuador
    The implementation of artificial intelligence in internal control systems has emerged as a key trend in the improvement of organizational management, enabling comprehensive data analysis and effective risk identification, transforming the way organizations monitor and control their operations. The objective is to analyze the perception and use of AI in internal control systems in Ecuador, focusing on its ability to perform advanced data analysis and accurate identification of risk areas. The research methodology employed a mixed approach. A survey was administered to 30 accounting professionals and business people to evaluate the effectiveness of tools for the purpose of improving internal control systems. The results show that AI can identify patterns and anomalies in large volumes of data with higher accuracy than traditional methods. In conclusion, the study provides a comprehensive view of the potential of AI to transform internal control processes, ensuring greater transparency and reliability in organizational management. The predictive capability of AI allows organizations to anticipate and mitigate risks before they materialize. The integration of artificial intelligence in Ecuadorian internal control systems offers significant improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of risk management with more effective decision making. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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    Development of Websites as an Academic Integrative Project to Strengthen Businesses in the Popular and Solidarity Economy
    This article explores the development of websites as an academic integrative project aimed at strengthening businesses within the popular and solidarity economy (EPS) in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. Fifth-semester students from the Digital Marketing program at Universidad Indoamérica, as part of their integrative project, worked on creating customized websites for 12 local businesses that already had marketable products, including labels, packaging, and other presentation tools. Using the WordPress platform, the students developed websites tailored to the specific needs of each business, with the goal of improving their digital presence, facilitating access to broader markets, and increasing the competitiveness of their products and services. In addition to the technical development, graphic design elements such as professional product photography and promotional videos were integrated, along with digital marketing strategies that included search engine optimization and social media integration. The results indicate that the creation of these customized websites significantly increased the online visibility of the businesses and enhanced consumer perception of professionalism and trust. This study highlights the importance of applied academic projects as tools for community engagement and local economic development in vulnerable sectors. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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