Santiago Roca and Rodrigo Priale
The serious economic difficulties that Peru is confronting, its rapid inflation, the failure of the IMF stabilisation programme, and the recent adoption of a new economic…
Abstract
The serious economic difficulties that Peru is confronting, its rapid inflation, the failure of the IMF stabilisation programme, and the recent adoption of a new economic programme are all topics that are worth analysing.
Susana Alejandra Osorio Solano and Juan Enrique Serrano-Moreno
This study analyzes how the notion of the people emerged in two (neo)liberal societies during the crisis in 2019: Hong Kong and Chile.
Abstract
Purpose
This study analyzes how the notion of the people emerged in two (neo)liberal societies during the crisis in 2019: Hong Kong and Chile.
Design/methodology/approach
From a qualitative and comparative perspective, 131 middle-class individuals were interviewed during heightened contentious activity in Hong Kong and Chile. The interviews were analyzed based on Ruiz's model for sociological discourse analysis.
Findings
The study shows that in contexts strongly influenced by liberalism, the notion of “people” is not advertised antagonistically against the individual but as complementary, and to this end, it emphasizes the heterogeneity of repertoires or demands. The comparison of these two movements highlighted the importance of democratic institutions in shaping the outcomes and effectiveness of protests.
Research limitations/implications
Enacting the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the mandatory blockade imposed by both governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic required an adaptation in the design and execution of the interviews, adopting a hybrid format. The volatility that characterizes periods of political crisis requires longitudinal follow-up. This article does not capture but can be explored in associated research publications.
Originality/value
The research offers two significant contributions: it addresses the immediate context by conducting on-site research during the most significant contemporary crises in Hong Kong and Chile. Secondly, it problematizes the understanding of the people in liberal societies and proposes it as a complementary (and not antagonistic) concept to that of the individual.
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Vanessa Pertuz and Luis Francisco Miranda
The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that impede innovation in Colombian manufacturing firms, as measured by the level of technological intensity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that impede innovation in Colombian manufacturing firms, as measured by the level of technological intensity.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used data from 1,850 firms to determine the barriers associated with information and internal capabilities, risks and environment.
Findings
The main results of this study confirm that potentially innovative firms of low technological intensity are more likely to ascribe high importance to obstacles associated with information and internal capabilities, when compared with innovative firms. The abandonment of innovative projects, family-operated enterprises and investment in R&D are all related to an increased perception of obstacles to innovation, while investments in information and communication technologies have an opposite effect. Variables as partnerships and export behaviour, have different effects depending on the level of technological intensity.
Originality/value
This study investigates the obstacles to innovation of a firm as determined by its characteristics and as measured against its level of technological intensity. Previous studies have investigated barriers to innovation in technologically advanced sectors (Lachman and López, 2019) and technology-based SMEs (De Moraes Silva et al. 2020) or how the technological intensity of the firm determines access to university knowledge for overcoming barriers (Kanama and Nishikawa, 2017). The only study to analyse barriers to innovation by measuring a firm’s technological intensity was conducted into Mexican manufacturing and services sector companies by Santiago et al. (2017).
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Leila Jasmine Dizon, Liezel Moises Abrea, Angelia Eunice Cruzada, Simon Ledz Erguiza, Alvin Ralphe Grape and Geo Dela Roca
This study aims to explore the relationship between utang na loob (debt of gratitude) and perceived academic pressure from parents, as well as the mental health status of college…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the relationship between utang na loob (debt of gratitude) and perceived academic pressure from parents, as well as the mental health status of college students.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a descriptive correlational design to investigate the relationship between three primary variables: utang na loob (debt of gratitude), perceived parental academic pressure and the mental health status (e.g. state and trait anxiety) of Filipino college students. The goal of the analysis is to explore how these factors are related, without implying direct causality.
Findings
Data were gathered among 557 college students using the Utang na Loob Scale, the Perceived Parental Academic Pressure Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and analyzed with Spearman’s rho. The results indicated a significant correlation between utang na loob and perceived parental academic pressure (p = 0.006) and also a significant correlation between utang na loob and state and trait anxiety (p < 0.001). The findings of this study shed light on how contextual family systems relate to the overall well-being of students.
Research limitations/implications
A key research implication of this study is that it highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how cultural values, such as utang na loob (debt of gratitude), interact with psychological and familial dynamics in shaping students’ mental health and academic experiences. The significant correlations found between utang na loob, perceived parental academic pressure and anxiety suggest that family-related factors, particularly the sense of indebtedness students feel toward their parents, may be related to their emotional well-being and academic performance. Future research could explore how these relationships unfold over time and whether interventions aimed at reducing perceived parental pressure could also alleviate anxiety and improve students’ overall mental health. In addition, this study suggests the importance of considering cultural values in psychological and educational interventions, as Filipino cultural frameworks, like utang na loob, may play a distinct role in shaping students’ experiences in ways that differ from Western-centric models of family dynamics and mental health. Further studies could also investigate how utang na loob might manifest differently across various family structures or regions within the Philippines and whether the sense of indebtedness is linked to different types of parental involvement, such as emotional support versus academic pressure. This could help tailor more culturally relevant approaches to supporting students’ well-being. One limitation of the study is that it relies on self-reported data from college students, which may introduce response biases such as social desirability or the tendency to underreport or overreport certain behaviors or emotions. Because the study uses scales like the Utang na Loob Scale, Perceived Parental Academic Pressure Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the accuracy of the results may be influenced by how participants interpret and respond to these questionnaires, potentially affecting the validity of the findings. In addition, the cross-sectional nature of the study limits the ability to establish causal relationships between the variables, meaning that while significant correlations were found, it is not clear whether utang na loob leads to heightened parental pressure or anxiety or whether these feelings contribute to the development of a sense of indebtedness. Future studies could benefit from longitudinal designs or experimental methods to better understand the directionality and causality of these relationships.
Practical implications
A practical implication of this study is that it can inform the development of student support programs in educational settings, particularly in Filipino or culturally similar communities. Given the significant relationship between utang na loob, perceived parental academic pressure and anxiety, educators and counselors can use this information to create more holistic support systems for students. For instance, schools and universities could implement workshops or counseling services that focus on managing familial expectations and reducing the negative effects of academic pressure. These programs could also help students navigate cultural values like utang na loob in healthy ways, encouraging them to express gratitude and indebtedness without allowing it to contribute to undue stress or anxiety. Moreover, teachers and academic advisors can be trained to recognize signs of heightened pressure or anxiety linked to family dynamics, enabling them to offer more empathetic and culturally sensitive support to students. By fostering open communication between students, their families and educators, institutions can work toward creating a more supportive environment that addresses both academic success and mental health. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of considering cultural and familial contexts when developing strategies for improving student well-being, offering a more personalized approach to mental health that acknowledges the complex role of family in Filipino students’ lives.
Social implications
A social implication of this study is that it underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the cultural and familial pressures that may explain the mental health and well-being of students, particularly within Filipino and similar communities. The findings suggest that the cultural value of utang na loob – a deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness – may have both positive and negative social implications. On the one hand, it fosters strong family bonds and a sense of mutual responsibility; on the other hand, it may be related to heightened anxiety and high perceived parental academic pressure among college students. This relationship calls for broader societal conversations about balancing respect for cultural values with the mental and emotional health of individuals. Socially, there may be a need to challenge and redefine expectations surrounding utang na loob, particularly in the context of modern education and career pressures. Advocating for healthier family dynamics, where gratitude is expressed without the burden of excessive indebtedness, could lead to more emotionally resilient students and families. In addition, this study highlights the potential for broader social interventions, such as public awareness campaigns or community programs, that promote mental health while respecting cultural traditions. Such initiatives could encourage open dialogues about the pressures that Filipino students face, particularly in balancing academic achievement with family expectations. In this way, the study encourages a shift toward a more inclusive and supportive society where cultural values are respected but not at the expense of individual well-being.
Originality/value
The originality and value of this study lie in its integration of Filipino cultural concepts, such as utang na loob, with psychological and educational frameworks to better understand the well-being of students. While many studies focus on Western-centric models of familial pressure and academic stress, this research provides a unique lens by exploring how deeply rooted cultural values influence students’ emotional experiences, particularly in the context of Filipino families. The study’s value is twofold: cultural relevance: by incorporating utang na loob, a culturally specific concept, the research acknowledges the nuanced ways in which gratitude and indebtedness shape students’ psychological states and academic experiences. This helps expand the scope of mental health and educational research to include cultural factors that are often overlooked in mainstream psychological theories, which tend to prioritize individualistic or general models of behavior.
Practical and Social Contributions
The study offers actionable insights into how educators, counselors and policymakers can design interventions that respect cultural values while addressing the negative effects of academic pressure and anxiety. Its value extends beyond academic research by directly contributing to the improvement of student support systems in culturally specific contexts. By emphasizing the importance of family dynamics and cultural understanding in student well-being, it calls for more holistic, context-sensitive approaches to mental health and academic success. Overall, the study’s originality lies in its bridging of cultural psychology with educational and mental health practices, making it a valuable contribution to both the academic field and practical applications in educational and counseling settings.
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Constanza Bianchi, Sven Tuzovic and Volker G. Kuppelwieser
This empirical study examines the drivers of consumer intention to adopt wearable technology for healthcare in a South American country. Specifically, it proposes and tests a…
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical study examines the drivers of consumer intention to adopt wearable technology for healthcare in a South American country. Specifically, it proposes and tests a model of nonuser consumer intention to adopt fitness trackers for healthcare purpose in Chile.
Design/methodology/approach
This study draws on the technology acceptance framework UTAUT2 to develop and test a conceptual model of wearable technology adoption. Data were collected through an online survey applied to 470 nonusers of wearable technology in Santiago, Chile.
Findings
Findings indicate that hedonic motivation, social influence and perceived usefulness have the strongest influence on intention to adopt fitness trackers in Chile for healthcare. In addition, health motivation is an indirect predictor of consumer's intention to adopt wearable technology through its effect on perceived usefulness.
Practical implications
The study contributes to a better understanding of consumer intention to adopt wearable technology for healthcare objectives in a less developed country in South America. Findings are useful for wearable technology managers, retail business and public policymakers.
Originality/value
Despite the vast growth and importance of wearable technology for healthcare purposes, academic research considering less developed countries is scarce, especially the South American region. The proposed model and findings can extend this research gap. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed as well as implications for public policy.
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Cristina Faba-Pérez and Lara María Infante-Fernández
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the type of content disseminated by school libraries through social media and what topics are the most commonly used, to discover if, in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the type of content disseminated by school libraries through social media and what topics are the most commonly used, to discover if, in addition to topics concerning libraries, information with a wide social scope is also disseminated.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews the use of social media as well as the implementation of a content analysis on the most used 2.0 platforms, to locate which content is the most relevant in the school libraries of public secondary schools in Extremadura.
Findings
In the Extremadura region of Spain, the results of the 752 publications posted during the period 2014-2017 by the libraries of the 86 public secondary schools on six selected social media platforms generated a total of 4 categories and 14 subcategories, and point to a predominance of topics related to encouraging and promoting reading and writing, and to the library’s support function for both the classroom and the school. However, shortcomings are detected in content related to social aspects of special interest, such as bullying or education in equality.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies in the fact that although there are some works on the analysis of the content of the social web of libraries in general, especially university libraries, the same does not apply to the evaluation of social media in school libraries, and much less about the analysis of social media content in these types of libraries.