Sociedad y Economía

A New Narrative in Economic and Social Thinking

Javier Muñoz Orozco — Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The present study analyzes some of the ideas that govern people’s thinking in their incessant communication within the economic area of the social system, which form the basis of the narrative that drives them to act. The purpose was to identify elements of a new narrative for the present time. The ideas and proposals analyzed in the works of five authors in the field of social sciences served as a guide for this research. The principles of Grounded Theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967/2006) and the qualitative method employed by Herzberg (1959) were observed, aiming to identify the metadiscourse—the essence of thought in the underlying content of the ideas expressed (Hyland, 1998). It was found that relationships of empathy and compassion, forming the basis of ethical interactions between individuals and groups, now direct the course of action in society.

Is Work in Colombia Precarious?

Mario Eduardo Hidalgo Villota — Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This article examines the concept of labor precariousness in Colombia. Although related to the quality of work and labor informality—recurrent symptoms and heartfelt concerns in the contemporary world of work—it presents distinctive features that merit specific measurement and analysis. This issue is rigorously examined based on anonymized microdata extracted from the Gran Encuesta Integrada de Hogares (GEIH) for the period 2007-2022. It is measured using a composite index that incorporates the main dimensions of precarious work, in coherence with the conceptual approaches of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The results indicate that the quality of work is low, with little prospect for improvement. Generally, precariousness is manifested mainly in aspects such as security and stability, social security and protection, and social dialogue and representation.

Specialized Coffee Shops and Their Role in The Creation of Added Value

Iván Darío Medina Rojas, Laura Angélica Porras Romero, Yoana Milena Moreno — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Coffee processing involves numerous actors along the coffee production chain, and it is in the final stages that baristas play a crucial role, adding the final touch of magic that consumers will enjoy. This study focuses on the transformation of the product within specialty coffee shops through its fundamental actor: the barista. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted with baristas, owners, and managers of such establishments to explore the value creation and relevance of these places in the context of emerging global trends. Through an information matrix, the significant role of these professionals in the industry is analyzed. Although the barista field is gaining strength in Colombia, driven by international trends and domestic production potential, the barista profession is still relatively unknown at the local level and requires greater recognition.

The Uses of Free Time in Black Couples Residing in Cali

César Augusto Orobio — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The objective of this article is to analyze the changes in the use of free time among Afro-descendant married couples residing in Cali. A survey of seventeen couples in the city was conducted, complemented by interviews. The study reveals how the use of free time varies among these couples, ranging from shared activities to segregated ways of enjoying leisure. It suggests that this change can be explained by the transition from romantic love ideals to care-related forms of love established within the marital relationship.

Social and Cultural Imaginaries of Cattle Ranchers in a Territory in Conflict

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Extensive cattle ranching in Caquetá is the economic activity that contributes most to the department’s GDP. However, it is also the productive system to which most environmental problems are attributed. The cattle ranchers participating in the study have been interested in moving towards the implementation of Silvopastoral Systems (SSP) but have encountered several barriers and limitations to their adoption. The objective of the manuscript is to analyze the sociocultural imaginaries concerning the adoption of SSP. The study was qualitative; in-depth interviews were conducted, and the data were processed using Greimasian semiotics and the qualitative data processing software ATLAS.ti 23. The main findings indicate that the intermittency of the intervention processes, the lack of sufficient capital, and the scourge of conflict have been determining factors in the non-adoption of SSPs.

Use of Compost in Forestry and Bioagriculture Areas: An Analysis for European Countries

David Andrés Camargo Mayorga, Juan Manuel González Guzmán, Pedro Jiménez Morales — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The circular economy aims to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact by deviating from the linear production pattern. It assumes the circular use of materials and products, among which is the use of compost as a biofertilizer in agriculture. With this understanding, the objective of this article is to determine the contribution of compost to areas designated for bioagriculture and the planting of forest species. The aggregated data for 22 European countries were analyzed using the panel data model. The results indicate that the contribution of compost is only marginal for bioagriculture, and for forest species, there is no conclusive evidence of its contribution.

Industrial Policy Considerations for Structural Change in Peripheral Areas in the 21st Century

Carolina Lauxmann, Javier Juárez — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This paper examines an ongoing discussion in the field of development studies: the significance of state intervention in promoting industrial sector development to enable viable structural transformation processes within the contemporary capitalist economy. Drawing from a bibliographical survey and content analysis techniques, we begin by tracing the historical evolution of this discourse and subsequently delve into the present-day debate. Within this context, two distinct positions emerge—though not mutually exclusive—highlighting varying degrees of emphasis on the manufacturing sector and state policies aimed at stimulating it for overall development. To deepen our understanding, we analyze recent development experiences, seeking insights into the implemented processes and policies. In conclusion, we emphasize the necessity of designing and implementing policies that encourage manufacturing activity, thereby facilitating structural transformation in the current capitalist landscape.

Early Withdrawals of Pension Funds Due to COVID-19 Effect in Peru

Pedro Pablo Chambi Condori, Miriam Chambi Vásquez, Sara Galván Rodríguez — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The aim of the study is to analyze the contexts in which early withdrawals of funds from the private pension system were executed in the period 2020 to 2022 and which have had a negative impact on the amounts received by fund holders. For this purpose, we used the database of the registry of members of the private pension system of the Peruvian Superintendency of Banking and Insurance, as well as the time series statistics of withdrawals of the four types of funds of the private pension system, the statistics of the share value of the funds and the time series of the behavior of the global capital markets. It is concluded that early withdrawals of pension funds were executed in bearish periods in the capital markets, which affected the funds' quota value and the withdrawals of diminished amounts received by the fund holders.

Review: Poblar un país: geografía y estructuración territorial de Colombia

Cristian Frasser — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Zambrano Pantoja, F. (2022). Cómo se arma un país: geografía y poblamiento de Colombia. Universidad Nacional de Colombia.