Espirales Revista Multidisciplinaria de investigación

University governance and meaning production: planning and management in a religious context

2026-01-02T10:44:25-05:00

This article is a preview of a doctoral thesis on governance at a privately-run religious university in Argentina between 2020 and 2025. The objective was to identify anticipated meanings in the semantic field of "planning and management strategy." The sample was based on an in-depth interview with a member of the Board of Directors, framed within an intrinsic case study. The methodology used was discourse analysis, following the operations of Magariños de Morentín's logical-operational model. The results revealed three nodes of meaning that reflected a managerial-participatory conception of governance, framed within a Catholic institutional identity.

Relationship between perception of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and social entrepreneurial intentions in associations in Manabí

2026-01-02T11:11:59-05:00

This research analyzes the relationship between the perception of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and social entrepreneurial intent in associations in the province of Manabí, in order to understand how the structural and cultural conditions of the environment affect the willingness of associative actors to undertake social entrepreneurship. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational approach was applied. The population consisted of 111 members belonging to the ASOTEX, AMUCOMT, and ASOPROCOMSAL associations. A validated questionnaire with 14 Likert-type items was used, with a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient greater than 0.80. The data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. A low and significant positive correlation (r = 0.273; p = 0.009) was found between the perception of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the intention to engage in social entrepreneurship. The members reported a favorable environment with access to training, advice, and support programs, as well as a high willingness to develop initiatives aimed at collective well-being.

Application of deep neural networks for sales forecasting: an integrated approach

2026-01-02T11:20:05-05:00

This study investigates the application of deep learning ensembles, combining LSTM, CNN, and MLP architectures, to improve the accuracy of sales forecasting in a technology company. Using a comprehensive dataset covering 2021 to 2024, with more than 10,000 monthly records, a robust temporal validation protocol was implemented. The results indicate that the ensemble model consistently outperforms classical and individual models, showing a sMAPE of 12.3%, MdAPE of 10.5%, WAPE of 15.2%, and an RMSE of 0.28 for the horizon H=1, figures that reflect a better ability to capture complex patterns and temporal dependencies in sales data. These values show a significant improvement over base models such as the naive seasonal model, which exhibits an sMAPE of 25.0% and RMSE of 0.50 for the same horizon. This integrated method offers an effective tool for strategic decision-making and efficient inventory management, although it requires more computational resources and greater difficulty in calibrating and training the models. However, the advantages in accuracy and robustness make the investment worthwhile, positioning deep learning models as a whole as an advanced solution in commercial forecasting according to the related literature in the area.

Social Media and Emotional Marketing: The Role of Influencers in Building Emotional Bonds with Brands

2026-01-02T11:35:59-05:00

The work will seek to analyze the role of influencers on social media as facilitators of the construction of links between consumers and brands through emotional marketing strategies. Emotional marketing is defined as a strategy that seeks to create an effective, interactive, and lasting connection between the consumer and the brand by appealing to their emotional feelings rather than focusing solely on the rational characteristics of the product or service. A mixed methodology combining qualitative and quantitative methods is proposed for the ongoing research in order to gain an understanding of the phenomenon under study, using a quantitative approach. The expected results of this research could indicate that influencers act as an emotional bridge between brands and consumers, humanizing the research and generating a sense of closeness.

Analysis of the impact of occupational risks in the mining sector in Ecuador

2026-01-05T10:56:58-05:00

Mining in Ecuador has become a topic of widespread debate and analysis by various public and private sectors. It is in this context that the present research arises, whose objective is to analyze the impact of occupational hazards in the country's mining sector. The method used corresponds to a documentary-descriptive design, based on various scientific sources. The central criterion for analysis is Occupational Safety and Health, considering the current legal and regulatory framework in Ecuador. To establish a comparative analysis, statistics on occupational accidents and diseases in the mining sector of Andean countries such as Peru and Colombia are presented, given that their extractive processes are similar to those in Ecuador. The results of the Survey on Working Conditions and Health, conducted by the Ministry of Public Health during the period 2021–2022, are also included. The discussion integrates criteria of perception from the economic, social, environmental, political, and occupational safety and health dimensions, which enriched the analysis of the information collected. As a result, a proposal is put forward based on the provisions of the International Labor Organization, specifically Convention 176 on Safety and Health in Mines, adopted on June 22, 1995. It should be noted that, in the Andean region, Peru ratified this convention on June 19, 2008, thereby strengthening its risk prevention policies in the mining sector. In the case of Ecuador, there is still a negative perception of mining, which generates mistrust among the public. Consequently, it is essential that both the State and concessionary companies prioritize the safety and health of workers, while minimizing the impact of mining activity on them. This will help to ensure safer and more sustainable working conditions in the country.