Conference Agenda

This quantitative study examined how government support, innovation, and marketing capabilities impact the economic performance of 443 rural micro and small enterprises in Costa Rica. Data was collected between March and July 2025 using structured questionnaires.

The findings revealed that innovation is the most significant predictor of business performance, showing a strong and positive effect. Perceived government support also demonstrated a positive and significant impact on performance. Marketing capabilities, despite having a complex factorial structure, had a marginally significant effect on business performance.

In summary, the combination of internal factors (innovation and marketing capabilities) and external factors (government support) is crucial for boosting the performance of Costa Rican rural SMEs. It is recommended that government institutions focus support programs on fostering innovation, considering both financial backing and the development of internal innovative capabilities. This cross-sectional study, with its convenience sampling, suggests future longitudinal research and the inclusion of additional variables for a deeper understanding.

His study analyzes the impact of a training intervention on improving the financial knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of entrepreneurs in Guayaquil. Using a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, descriptive design, the ADDIE instructional model was applied to a sample of 146 entrepreneurs from various economic sectors. The intervention was conducted in a hybrid modality and addressed key topics in financial education. The impact was assessed through a 16-item Likert-type questionnaire grouped into three dimensions. The results showed that the knowledge dimension received the highest perception scores, followed by attitudes, while financial behaviors showed the lowest levels. A greater impact was observed in ventures related to accounting services, whereas sectors such as catalog sales and equipment repair demonstrated lower practical application of knowledge. It is concluded that although the intervention strengthens financial literacy, a gap between knowing and doing remains, largely attributed to the short duration of the training. It is recommended to implement longer-term programs with sustained practical support and long-term evaluation, including objective financial performance indicators to consolidate behavioral changes in entrepreneurs.

In a world characterized by mounting competitive pressures and a proliferation of emotional content, the ability to comprehend the perception and valuation of territories has emerged as a matter of strategic significance. The objective of this study is to examine the role of emotional and neurocognitive mechanisms in the development of more effective territorial marketing strategies. A systematic literature review (SLR) of 48 scientific articles was conducted to identify key variables such as territorial heritage, identity, emotional experience, and neurocognitive processing. Furthermore, the role of neuroscientific tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, and galvanic skin response (GSR) in capturing unconscious reactions to territorial stimuli is highlighted. The findings indicate that symbolic and emotional experiences enhance the perception, memory, and valuation of territories. A theoretical model is proposed to guide future empirical research and the strategic design of territorial marketing initiatives, based on the evidence analyzed.

Este estudio se centró en el desarrollo de un hormigón ligero con la incorporación de caucho reciclado (CR), buscando optimizar sus propiedades físicas y mecánicas para su aplicación en viviendas multifamiliares. La investigación abordó la necesidad de un material que combinara ligereza, trabajabilidad y resistencia adecuada para estructuras habitacionales, contribuyendo significativamente a la sostenibilidad y la protección ambiental mediante la reutilización de residuos de caucho. Los resultados obtenidos reflejan que la adición de CR mejoró la trabajabilidad de la mezcla, incrementando el asentamiento en un 75% al incorporar 20% de CR. Concomitantemente, se redujo el peso unitario hasta un 35.99%. No obstante, esta adición conllevó una reducción del 12.93% en la resistencia a la compresión y del 26.67% en la resistencia a la tracción. La dosificación óptima de CR se estableció en 5%, logrando un equilibrio entre una mejor trabajabilidad y una menor reducción (5.6%) en la resistencia a la compresión respecto a la muestra patrón. Este trabajo subraya la relevancia de la innovación en ingeniería civil para la sostenibilidad y la protección del medio ambiente, al proponer una solución constructiva que revaloriza residuos industriales.

This study analysed the relationship between relationship marketing and customer loyalty in a real estate company in Chiclayo, Lambayeque region, Peru. Using a quantitative approach, with a non-experimental design and correlational scope, a probabilistic sample of 168 customers was surveyed using a validated and reliable questionnaire (α > 0.8). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to assess normality, and Spearman's Rho coefficient was used to analyse the correlations between the dimensions of relationship marketing (trust, commitment, communication and conflict management) and loyalty (attitudinal loyalty, behavioural loyalty and change of constraints). The results revealed a strong and significant positive correlation between relational marketing and customer loyalty (r = 0.904; p < 0.05). Specifically, conflict management obtained the highest correlation (r = 0.913), followed by communication (r = 0.853), commitment (r = 0.834) and trust (r = 0.771). These findings highlight that strategies focused on effective conflict resolution, empathetic interaction and commitment fulfilment contribute to building lasting relationships with customers.

The Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating global collaboration on science, technology, and innovation (STI) issues. To support this mission and the strategic decisionmaking of its members, the LACCEI Scientific Observatory (OC-LACCEI) was implemented. Higher Education Observatories (HEOs) are recognized as expert entities dedicated to grouping specialized information on a specific area. A more pragmatic definition conceives them as strategic organizations for designing, integrating, and producing information, indicators, and studies on research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) activity under international standards and methodologies. The OC-LACCEI acts as a dynamizing entity that transforms large volumes of heterogeneous data into actionable intelligence. Its robust methodology integrates advanced tools such as: Collaboration Network Analysis (CNA) to map synergies and detect knowledge hubs. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Assessment (covering TRL 1 up to TRL 9) to evaluate the real potential for innovation and knowledge transfer. Patent Mining to detect and analyze technological frontier trends and emerging intellectual property. The results are presented and exploited through key modules, such as Profile by Universities and Advanced Scientific Search. The OC-LACCEI is thus established as a crucial support for strengthening engineering research in the Americas.