Álvarez Sánchez, Ana
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Álvarez Sánchez, Ana
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Quito
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anaalvare@uti.edu.ec
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58984098500

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Social Innovation and Legal Strategies to Boost Entrepreneurship Among Women in Vulnerable Situations

2026 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Estrada Murillo, Erlin Ricardo , Sigcha Onofre , Adriana Carolina

The main objective of this study was to analyze how legal knowledge and social innovation influence the growth and sustainability of these women-led ventures, considering individual and structural factors that affect their performance. A mixed method approach with a descriptive and exploratory design was employed, based on surveys conducted with 120 female entrepreneurs and 15 semi-structured interviews with experts in law and social innovation. The primary evaluation criterion was the level of entrepreneurial growth, measured through income and community outreach, in relation to legal knowledge and social innovation. Statistical analysis (SPSS) and qualitative thematic analysis (NVivo) were used. A positive correlation was found between legal knowledge and growth (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), and an even stronger one with social innovation (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Entrepreneurs who applied legal strategies and innovative practices reported higher levels of business sustainability. The interviews reinforced these findings, highlighting the need for legal advice and collaborative networks as key enablers. Furthermore, the study revealed that limited access to financial resources, lack of adequate training, and structural gender inequalities further deepen the challenges faced by these women. The study demonstrates that the synergy between legal strategies and social innovation significantly drives the development of vulnerable women’s enterprises. It is recommended to strengthen public policies aimed at providing free legal support, simplifying administrative procedures, and promoting collaborative practices. Future research should consider a longitudinal approach to evaluate sustainable long-term impacts, as well as explore the role of digitalization and access to technology in the expansion of these ventures. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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Integration of Information Technologies for Smart and Sustainable Management of Personal Protective Equipment Warehouses

2026 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis , Torres Rodriguez, Ariel Antonio

The management of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) warehouses in sectors such as mining is crucial to ensuring safety and operational efficiency, although challenges persist in developing countries such as Ecuador due to a lack of automation and manual processes. This study aimed to analyze the impact of digitization through technologies such as barcode readers and inventory software on PPE logistics management in an Ecuadorian mining company. A mixed approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, with a descriptive cross-sectional design, collecting data through interviews, observation, and documentary records, and evaluating inventory accuracy, traceability, and automation before and after the intervention. The results showed an increase in inventory accuracy from 82% to 98.7% and traceability improved to nearly 95%, in addition to a 40% reduction in delivery and replenishment times and 15% operational savings (This percentage corresponds mainly to the reduction in costs associated with labor and logistics resources, not including the initial costs of implementing the software). Acceptance of the new system was high, with ratings above 4.5 for ease of use and error reduction. The main conclusion is that digitization in PPE warehouse management significantly optimizes logistics efficiency, improves traceability, and reduces occupational risks, demonstrating its viability and benefits in the Ecuadorian context. These findings support technological modernization in similar sectors and lay the groundwork for future research that delves deeper into indicators such as service quality, staff satisfaction, and budget efficiency, thereby contributing to strengthening occupational safety and operational sustainability in critical industries. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AUTHORS OF MUSICAL WORKS AND THEIR COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN ECUADOR AND SPAIN

2022 , Tocoronte, E.M. , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana

This article deals with the essential elements that intervene with the ability to understand, from the different text typologies in the teaching-learning process of the Castilian language, based on theory, as well as Colombian normative documents, which as a whole and based on the Political Constitution of 1991, must guarantee an inclusive education, where the social and cultural environment of the individuals must be taken into account in order to develop a meaningful and contextualized pedago-gical practice. Throughout the writing, the teaching-learning process is related with the formation of the ability to understand, from different text typologies, as a dynamic element of this process in the third grade students of Basic Primary Education. © 2022, University of Cienfuegos, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

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Technology and E-Learning as Catalysts for Inclusive Community Development in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship

2026 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis

This study explores the impact of emerging technologies and e-learning platforms on inclusive community development, despite significant technological advances, marginalized communities often remain disconnected from the benefits of digitization. The main objective is to assess how e-learning tools can facilitate inclusive development and promote social and economic integration. A mixed methodology combining quantitative and qualitative analysis was employed to assess the impact of e-learning technologies on marginalized communities. The primary endpoint was improved accessibility and quality of education, as measured by student participation and satisfaction. The analysis revealed that 76% of participants experienced a significant improvement in access to educational resources, while 69% reported an increase in satisfaction with the learning opportunities available. However, challenges included the need for more technological infrastructure and training in digital skills. This empowering effect is crucial for community development, as it empowers individuals within their own environments. Together, it was noted that the effective use of ICTs for development is highly dependent on local adaptation of tools and programs, underscoring the importance of personalized and community-based approaches to educational technology implementation. It is concluded that e-learning platforms are effective tools for promoting inclusive community development, especially in marginalized areas. It is essential to address infrastructural and capacity building barriers to maximize their effectiveness. Further research should focus on customized strategies that address the specific needs of different communities to facilitate more effective technological integration, ensuring that the benefits of technological development reach all segments of society. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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Strategies to Produce Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Supplies for Tourism in the Galapagos Archipelago

2024 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis

The implementation of disinfectants in the Galapagos Islands requires a meticulous and thoughtful approach, given the ecological sensitivity of this protected area. Disinfectants must be biodegradable and non-toxic to preserve the unique terrestrial and marine biodiversity of the islands. Their effectiveness against a variety of pathogens is critical to protect public health, but this must not compromise the integrity of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Adherence to strict environmental regulations and the provision of clear information on their use are imperative to ensure that their application is both safe and responsible. Maintaining this delicate balance between the protection of human health and the conservation of the unique ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands is crucial, and the disinfectants used play a key role in this effort. The microenterprise under study is dedicated to the manufacture of cleaning products such as disinfectants, liquid soap, and fabric softener for the hotel sector on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Archipelago; 8 years ago, due to external factors on the island, the company presented an increase in sales, resulting in inefficiency in the manufacturing process due to lack of capacity, the physical space where it processes was not designed for this business as it is located within the property of the owner of the company, for this reason the 30 m2 that are currently used do not have inventory areas of raw materials, material in process and finished products, which can meet the current demand for production. By using manual processes for the manufacture of the products, the transformation time varies between 1 and 2 days for each reference, which delays delivery times, creating failures that contribute to the non-fulfillment of orders. By diagnosing the mixing and packaging operations that directly influence the failure to deliver products to the final customer, an improvement proposal is made to take advantage of the capacity of the areas [1], reduce waste and minimize the ergonomic risks of the current production line to increase its productivity and satisfy the demand of its customers

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Integrating Virtual Educational Environments and Social Networks in Learning Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation: A Personal Experience

2026 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis

In a global context where social challenges are intensifying, technological innovation in social entrepreneurship is an essential tool to catalyze positive change. This study set out to assess how the integration of advanced technologies can enhance the impact and sustainability of social projects. In this research meticulously designed to ensure replicability, we adopted a qualitative approach, delving into personal experiences and their interaction with consolidated theories of social entrepreneurship and innovation. We used content analysis and case studies, along with workshops and semi-structured interviews to explore the applicability of these theories in practice. The sample included 150 social entrepreneurs and 50 academics, selected to reflect recent and relevant experiences. The main methods of assessment covered the effectiveness of the theories in solving concrete problems and their ability to foster collaboration and sustainability of the projects. The main assessment criterion was the applicability of these theories in real contexts, mainly evaluating how they influence the effectiveness, collaboration and sustainability of the projects. The results indicate that the integration of technologies improves the perception of social impact by 40% and the sustainability of projects by 50%, with a 30% increase in community collaboration and a 45% increase in the efficiency of interventions. The research confirms that technological innovation not only strengthens the social and economic impact of ventures, but also promotes deeper and more effective collaboration among stakeholders. This underscores the need to integrate modern technological solutions to effectively address social challenges, suggesting a more integrated and community-supported approach to future social entrepreneurship research and practice. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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Natural Language Processing Applied to Emotion Analysis for Continuous Improvement in Industrial Environments

2026 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis , Sánchez Redrobán, José

The objective of this study was to analyze emotions expressed in natural language within Ecuadorian industrial environments using natural language processing (NLP) techniques. A sample of 150 anonymized texts was used, extracted from workplace climate surveys, satisfaction forms, operational reports, and digital suggestion boxes from companies in the manufacturing, food, logistics, health, education, and technology sectors. The texts were processed with an NLP pipeline using the spaCy library for cleaning, tokenization, and lemmatization, and semantically represented pre-trained models such as multilingual BERT and Emotion BERT. Supervised classification identified six emotions: joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and neutrality. Statistical analysis revealed that the most frequent emotion was neutrality (34% of the total), followed by joy (21%), sadness (18%), anger (12%), fear (10%), and surprise (5%). At the sectoral level, logistics was the sector with the highest proportion of joy (28%), followed by food (24%) and manufacturing (12%). Manufacturing, on the other hand, had the highest proportions of sadness (20%) and anger (18%). The temporal analysis of positive sentiment between January and June 2025 showed a sustained increase in the technology sector, which rose from 62% to 77%. The healthcare sector showed an oscillating curve, falling from 58% to 56% in March and recovering to 63% in June. Education showed a cyclical pattern between 49% and 54%, related to its institutional calendar. In contrast, manufacturing remained stable but low, fluctuating between 40% and 42%. These results show that PLN allows us to capture structural emotional differences between sectors, and that these emotions can be correlated with internal dynamics of recognition, workload, or participation. It is concluded that automated emotional analysis is a useful tool for monitoring the organizational climate, anticipating psychosocial risks, and designing tailored intervention strategies. Its systematic application is recommended in organizations with digitized internal communication structures, especially in sectors with high turnover or emotional vulnerability. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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Exploring Challenges and Strategies for Measuring the Social Impact of Entrepreneurship in Ecuador

2025 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Suárez del Villar, Alexis

Research conducted in Ecuador reveals that while 27% of entrepreneurs surveyed identified lack of liquidity as their main challenge, another 23% highlighted low sales as a significant obstacle, and 19% pointed to insecurity. These challenges vary markedly between regions such as Pichincha, Guayas, Manabí and Azuay, which complicates the standardization of methods for measuring the social impact of ventures. Through qualitative interviews and quantitative analysis of INEC data, it was observed that less than 40% of entrepreneurs in Pichincha are trained in impact assessment techniques, which contrasts with the need for training and tools adapted to local contexts. This lack of preparation underlines the urgency of developing customized methodologies that allow entrepreneurs and policy makers to better understand and support the sustainable growth of entrepreneurship in each province. The need for adaptation and customization of measurement tools is evident, particularly in provinces where economic and cultural characteristics vary significantly, e.g. in Azuay, where the artisanal sector is preponderant, it would be beneficial to implement measurement systems that consider cultural and community impacts in addition to economic ones, and collaboration between academia, government and non-governmental organizations can provide vital support in the creation of these methodologies, ensuring that they are robust and relevant. By fostering a stronger environment for social impact measurement, supportive policies could be improved, thus contributing to more equitable economic and social development in Ecuador. This study suggests a clear path towards creating a more effective framework for assessing and maximizing the social impact of ventures, opening up opportunities for future research that delves deeper into the interaction between public policies and entrepreneurial practices in different regional settings.

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Ancestral Gastronomic Knowledge: A Key to Boost Tourism in Ecuador

2025 , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana , Alisson Doménica Espinosa-Rueda , Suárez del Villar, Alexis

Globalization has had a significant impact on local cultures around the world, especially evident in Ecuador, where the rich tapestry of traditional gastronomy plays a crucial role in defining the nation’s identity; as the world becomes more interconnected, Ecuador’s younger generation, like their counterparts in many developing countries, is increasingly leaning toward foreign cuisines, often perceived as more modern or trendy. This shift not only neglects the diverse culinary heritage specific to various Ecuadorian regions, but also undermines the potential of traditional foods to attract tourists seeking authentic experiences. Ecuadorian gastronomy, with its unique flavors and textures, offers a window into the country’s cultural practices and history, making it an integral part of the tourism industry, but the gradual loss of this culinary heritage as local preferences evolve poses a threat not only to cultural identity, but also to the economic benefits derived from gastronomic tourism. Using the literature review method, this study collected and analyzed data from various documents highlighting the importance of local cuisine to the tourism sector. The results underline the need to strategically focus on revitalizing and promoting traditional Ecuadorian dishes to counter the influence of global food trends; also, the research delved into the reasons for young people’s inclination toward foreign cultures, suggesting a disconnection with their own cultural roots. It critically examined how this distancing could be reversed by fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of local traditions. By promoting a reconnection with their gastronomic past, Ecuadorians can leverage their rich culinary heritage as a key asset to boost tourism. This not only enhances the authenticity and attractiveness of the tourism experience, but also supports local economies. Ultimately, the study confirms that preserving and celebrating ancestral gastronomy can play a critical role in sustaining tourism and maintaining cultural identity in the face of globalization.

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Supply Chain Optimization Through Collaborative Technologies in Industrial Engineering

2026 , Suárez del Villar, Alexis , Álvarez Sánchez, Ana

Technological integration in logistics processes has become a current challenge for the manufacturing industry. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of collaborative technologies on logistics indicators, focusing on variables such as interoperability and the use of digital platforms. To achieve this purpose, a quantitative approach with a correlational design was employed, using logistics efficiency as the main evaluation criterion. Five manufacturing companies were analyzed, assessing variables such as cycle time, delivery punctuality, and inventory. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of interoperability (β = 0.62, p = 0.001) and the frequency of use of collaborative platforms (β = 0.48, p = 0.005) were the most impactful factors. Companies with high integration showed a 40% reduction in cycle time and a 13% increase in on-time deliveries. These findings show that not only is technological adoption crucial but so is its effective and collaborative integration. The importance of promoting an organizational culture oriented toward digital transformation is highlighted, as well as policies that encourage continuous training and systematic use of interoperable digital tools. Furthermore, the results suggest that technological integration can act as a catalyst for improving interdepartmental coordination and real-time supply chain visibility. These benefits contribute not only to greater operational efficiency but also to a higher adaptability in changing and demanding environments. This research provides useful empirical evidence for strategic decision-making in companies seeking to optimize their logistics performance through technological solutions. In conclusion, it is confirmed that a well-structured strategy of collaborative technological integration significantly improves logistics efficiency, which has important implications for the digital transformation of the industrial sector and its long-term competitiveness. Future studies could expand the scope to other sectors and consider additional organizational variables. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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