Las Metamorfosis del Capitalismo Liberal

La emergencia de la revolución digital y la inteligencia artificial (IA) ha atraído varias investigaciones sobre cuál será la reacción del sistema capitalista frente a los nuevos desafíos tecnológicos, económicos y sociales. El concepto de Capitalismo Digital (CD) que surge a fines del siglo XX así como la publicación de Schiller (2000) que consideraba el CD como “una nueva época que absorbe toda la economía política” (Rivera 2020), el tema del capitalismo y las nuevas técnicas digitales plantean nuevos modos de producción y nuevas fuentes de creación del valor económico así que diferentes relaciones entre los agentes económicos. Otros autores de inspiración marxista piensan, sin embargo, que el CD no es más que una dimensión del mismo capitalismo con el mismo modo de producción y donde lo único que cambia es el producto (digital) creado por el CD. Para estos intelectuales marxistas es poco probable que el capitalismo sea reemplazado en un futuro próximo. Otro aspecto de la problemática concierne la relación entre los cambios en el sistema económico y los paradigmas sucesivos que tratan de explicar estos cambios. En este articulo trataremos de mostrar que las mutaciones sucesivas del capitalismo en siglos pasados han tenido poca relación (y a veces ninguna) con las teorías económicas. En cambio, la metamorfosis en el CD se repercute no solo en el ámbito social, las instituciones y el marco legislativo que las sostiene sino inclusive en las teorías económicas enseñadas durante décadas en las universidades. Los postulados de base de esas teorías escapan a la lógica del CD: la Inteligencia Artificial, como nuevo agente económico y la interconectividad de los productos transforman no solo las relaciones en la estructura de la cadena del valor y las leyes del mercado (oferta y demanda) sino también plantean la relación hombre-maquina como un enigma que incluye el futuro de la humanidad. Este articulo pretende mostrar también el largo proceso de transformación del capitalismo como una evolución ineluctable (dialéctica?) que el mismo Karl Marx diagnosticó en siglos pasados pero que nunca pudo imaginar hasta donde llegaría la metamorfosis del sistema capitalista. Trataremos de mostrar que esa “hoja de ruta” trazada por Marx lleva actualmente al sistema capitalista, no al paraíso comunista profetizado por Marx, sino a un punto culminante donde el hombre pudiera desaparecer frente a su propria creación, la Inteligencia Artificial. Para examinar las principales características de las tres grandes mutaciones del capitalismo y su relación con los principales paradigmas sincrónicos, consideraremos la evolución intrínseca del “capital” como postulado de base que permitirá de identificar los cambios del modo de producción y las características de las metamorfosis social y económica. Se analizará así en primer lugar la revolución industrial (con la emergencia del capital-máquina) luego la revolución financiera (con la emergencia del capital-finanzas) y finalmente la metamorfosis digital (con la emergencia del capital-dato) como nueva fuente de beneficio para el capitalismo. Se estudia además, como esta vez la economía conectada induce modificaciones substanciales en los paradigmas y las teorías económicas enseñadas durante décadas por los economistas.   The emergence of the digital revolution and artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted several investigations into how the capitalist system will react to new technological, economic and social challenges. The concept of Digital Capitalism (DC) that emerged at the end of the 20th century as well as the publication of Schiller (2000) who considered DC as “a new era that absorbs the entire political economy” (cited by Rivera 2020) , the theme of capitalism and new digital techniques pose new modes of production and new sources of creation of economic value as well as different relationships between economic agents. Other authors of Marxist inspiration think, however, that DC is nothing more than a dimension of the same capitalism with the same mode of production and where the only thing that changes is the (digital) product created by DC. For these Marxist intellectuals, it is unlikely that capitalism will be replaced in the near future. Another aspect of the problem concerns the relationship between changes in the economic system and the successive paradigms that try to explain these changes. In this article we will try to show that the successive mutations of capitalism in past centuries have had little (and sometimes no) relation to economic theories. On the other hand, the metamorphosis in CD has repercussions not only in the social sphere, the institutions and the legislative framework that supports them but even in the economic theories taught for decades in universities. The basic postulates of these theories escape the logic of CD: Artificial Intelligence, as a new economic agent, and the interconnectivity of products transform not only the relationships in the structure of the value chain and the laws of the market (supply and demand) but also pose the man-machine relationship as an enigma that includes the future of humanity. This article also aims to show the long process of transformation of capitalism as an ineluctable evolution (dialectic?) that Karl Marx himself diagnosed in past centuries but could never imagine how far the metamorphosis of the capitalist system would go. We will try to show that this “road map” drawn up by Marx currently leads the capitalist system not to the communist paradise prophesied by Marx, but to a culminating point where man could disappear in the face of his own creation, Artificial Intelligence. To examine the main characteristics of the three great mutations of capitalism and their relationship with the main synchronic paradigms, we will consider the intrinsic evolution of “capital” as a basic postulate that will allow us to identify the changes in the mode of production and the characteristics of social and economic metamorphoses. We will thus first analyze the industrial revolution (with the emergence of machine- capital), then the financial revolution (with the emergence of finance- capital) and the digital metamorphosis (with the emergence of data-capital) as a new source of profit for capitalism. We will also study how this time the connected economy induces substantial modifications in the paradigms and economic theories taught for decades by economists

Effects of organic fertilizers and tillage on yield and its components of three varieties of Corchorus olitorius L. produced in South Benin

This study aims to evaluate the influence of organic fertilizer and tillage on the agro-morphological characteristics of three varieties of jute. A split plot design with three factors was installed in 02 repetitions. The main factor consists of the type of soil with 02 levels one of which is frequently plowed and the second of which has not been exploited during the last 5 years. The secondary factor is the dose of organic fertilizer with 08 levels including 0.5 kg/m2, 0.75 kg/m2, and 1 kg/m2 of poultry dung; 2 kg/m2, 2.5 kg/m2, 3 kg/m2 of cow dung; and one control without fertilizer, and the third factor is variety with 3 variants. The data collected during the trial were entered and processed in the Excel 2016 spreadsheet and subjected to various analyses including descriptive statistics, and analysis of variance with the Statitica software. The principal component analysis was performed with R 4.2.1 software and identified characters that are controlled by the treatments applied. The performance of the different varieties was assessed in the different study environments. The results show that soil amendment with varying doses of poultry dung associated with tillage improves the agro-morphological parameters of the plant. This association shows better improvement in seedling height, leaves, and biomass compared to the use of cow dung. Thus, organic fertilizer efficiently contributes to soil fertility improvement. The difference inthe  contribution of these organic fertilizers to the improvement of soil status and crop yields could be due to the difference in organic matter and nutrients contained

Supply Chain Resilience: The Role of Total Quality Management on the Performance of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority

Managers are empowered to improve the quality of services and products by incorporating key total quality management principles. However, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has faced scrutiny due to inefficiencies, which are hindering access to essential healthcare services. This aims to assess the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority's performance in the application of the four Total Quality Management principles. These are fact-based decisions, process-centric approaches, relationship management, and employee engagement. The study is grounded in four theoretical foundations: resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, stakeholder theories, and Deming’s theory of quality management. A descriptive research design was used. The target population was 330 employees; however, a sample of 181 respondents was selected using proportionate stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, which was analyzed quantitatively using both descriptive and regression analysis, and SPSS version 25 was used to aid the data analysis. The findings indicate that the independent variables explain 58.5% of variables in the dependent variable, that is, the performance of KEMSA. Fact-based decisions had the highest impact and positive correlation with performance (B = 0.372, t = 5.239), followed by employee engagement (B = 0.348, t = 4.640), process-centric approach (B = 0.319, t = 4.691), and relationship management (B = 0.257, t = 3.134 all at p<0.01. The findings point to the importance of continuous staff training, participatory leadership, and integrated data systems to enhance performance. Additionally, the study recommends mentorship for junior staff, regular assessment of all resources, and a supportive organizational culture that sustains quality improvements

Analyse des Impacts des Activites Anthropiques en Milieu Forestier : cas de la forêt de Dzia landzé et Ouallah aux Comores

Le monde végétal intertropical subit d’importantes transformations et destructions de ses écosystèmes, un phénomène qui se poursuit encore aujourd’hui. L’essor démographique a accentué ces changements, notamment par l’intensification des activités humaines telles que les feux et l’agriculture sur brûlis. À l’échelle mondiale, l’expansion agricole est l’un des principaux facteurs de la déforestation. Aux Comores, ce phénomène est particulièrement lié à l’agriculture sur brûlis, aux cultures sous forêt et à l’exploitation du bois d’œuvre. Cet article vise à analyser les impacts des activités humaines sur la couverture végétale. Les quatre îles de l’archipel (Anjouan, Grande-Comore, Mohéli et Mayotte) possèdent chacune une biodiversité unique, mais forment un ensemble écologique interdépendant. L’expansion démographique a intensifié les pressions anthropiques sur le paysage, entraînant une dégradation accrue des milieux naturels. En Afrique de l’Ouest, la gestion des aires protégées est souvent compromise par la faible implication des populations locales, ce qui conduit à des violations des réglementations et à l’occupation illégale de ces espaces. Face à la nécessité de préserver ses ressources naturelles, le gouvernement comorien a mis en place des aires protégées, comme la forêt de Dzialandzé et celle de Ouallah, situées respectivement dans les parcs nationaux de Mont Ntringui (Anjouan) et de Mzékukulé (Mohéli). Les changements d’occupation des sols varient selon les milieux et résultent de multiples facteurs. Ces transformations ont de lourdes conséquences sur la biodiversité et les processus écologiques, notamment le cycle des nutriments et celui de l’eau. Il est donc essentiel d’analyser l’évolution du couvert végétal face à l’intensification des activités humaines dans ces environnements.   The intertropical plant world is undergoing significant transformations and ecosystem destruction, a phenomenon that continues to this day. Demographic growth has exacerbated these changes, particularly through the intensification of human activities such as fires and slash-and-burn agriculture. Globally, agricultural expansion is one of the main drivers of deforestation. In the Comoros, this phenomenon is particularly linked to slash-and-burn agriculture, forest-based farming, and the exploitation of timber resources. This article aims to analyze the impact of human activities on vegetation cover. The four islands of the archipelago (Anjouan, Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Mayotte) each have a unique biodiversity but form an interdependent ecological unit. Demographic expansion has increased anthropogenic pressures on the landscape, leading to greater degradation of natural environments. In West Africa, the management of protected areas is often compromised by the weak involvement of local populations, which frequently results in non-compliance with regulations and the illegal occupation of these spaces. In response to the need to preserve its natural resources, the Comorian government has established protected areas, such as the Dzialandzé forest and the Ouallah forest, located respectively within the Mont Ntringui National Park (Anjouan) and the Mzékukulé National Park (Mohéli). Land-use changes vary depending on the environment and are driven by multiple factors. These transformations have severe consequences on biodiversity and ecological processes, particularly the nutrient cycle and the water cycle. It is therefore essential to analyze how vegetation cover evolves in response to the proliferation of human activities in these environments

Facteurs explicatifs de la Déscolarisation des enfants en Côte d’Ivoire : cas de Koffi-Amonkro

Cette étude vise à comprendre les facteurs explicatifs de la déscolarisation des enfants dans la localité rurale de Koffi-Amonkro, en Côte d’Ivoire, dans un contexte où le phénomène demeure préoccupant à l’échelle nationale. En effet, malgré les efforts gouvernementaux, le pays enregistre encore des taux élevés d’abandon scolaire, notamment en zones rurales. L’enquête s’est appuyée sur les témoignages de 22 enfants déscolarisés, dans une perspective phénoménologique. Les données ont été recueillies à l’aide d’un questionnaire à questions ouvertes et fermées, puis analysées à travers une méthode mixte (qualitative et quantitative). Les résultats obtenus révèlent que la pauvreté des parents, la négligence familiale, les grossesses précoces, le faible niveau d’expression en français, l’insuffisance de rendement scolaire, et le bas niveau d’éducation des parents sont les principaux facteurs identifiés. Ces résultats offrent des perspectives concrètes pour des politiques éducatives ciblées, en particulier en matière de sensibilisation parentale, d’inclusion linguistique, et de maintien des filles à l’école en milieu rural. This study aims to understand the explanatory factors behind school dropout among children in the rural locality of Koffi-Amonkro, Côte d’Ivoire, in a national context where dropout remains a persistent challenge. Despite government efforts, school abandonment rates remain high, especially in rural areas. The research is based on the testimonies of 22 school dropouts, using a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire combining open and closed-ended questions and analyzed using a mixed-method approach (qualitative and quantitative). The results highlight several key factors: parental poverty, family neglect, early pregnancies, low proficiency in the French language, poor academic performance, and low parental education levels. These findings offer practical insights for shaping targeted educational policies, particularly regarding parental awareness, linguistic inclusion, and the retention of girls in school in rural settings

Aspects épidémiologiques et causes des décès maternels dans le département de la Donga de 2020 à 2024

Introduction : La mortalité maternelle reste un problème majeur de santé publique, en particulier dans les pays à ressources limitées, comme le Bénin. Malgré les efforts déployés ces dernières années, les décès maternels demeurent préoccupants, notamment en raison des complications obstétricales directes et des causes indirectes, telles que les pathologies médicales associées à la grossesse. Cette étude vise à décrire les aspects épidémiologiques des décès maternels dans le département de la Donga, au Bénin, de 2020 à 2024. Méthodologie : Il s'agit d'une étude descriptive rétrospective réalisée à partir des données issues des audits des décès maternels dans les deux zones sanitaires du département de la Donga : Djougou-Copargo-Ouaké et Bassila. Les données ont été collectées via un formulaire standardisé d’audit, puis analysées en distinguant les causes obstétricales directes et indirectes, conformément à la classification de l'Organisation Mondiale de la Santé. Les variables analysées incluent l’année de survenue, les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des femmes décédées, le délai de prise en charge et les circonstances du décès. Résultats : Pour l’ensemble du département de la Donga, le taux de mortalité maternelle cumulé entre 2020 et 2024 est estimé à environ 95,01 décès pour 100 000 naissances vivantes. La majorité des femmes décédées était âgée de 20 à 35 ans (72,00 %) et résidait en milieu rural (74,80 les principales étant les hémorragies post-partum (36,21 %), les troubles hypertensifs de la grossesse, notamment la prééclampsie et l’éclampsie (17,24 %), et la rupture utérine (11,21 %). Les causes indirectes étaient dominées par l’anémie sévère (62,96 %). La majorité des décès (72,70 %) était survenue dans les 24 premières heures suivant l’admission, principalement pendant la période du post-partum (67,80%). Conclusion : La mortalité maternelle dans la Donga demeure préoccupante, avec des causes évitables telles que les hémorragies post-partum et les complications hypertensives. Les résultats de cette étude soulignent la nécessité de renforcer l'accès et la qualité des soins obstétricaux d'urgence, particulièrement en post-partum, et d'améliorer la prévention et la prise en charge des pathologies médicales associées à la grossesse. Introduction: Maternal mortality remains a major public health problem, particularly in resource-limited countries such as Benin. Despite efforts made in recent years, maternal deaths remain a cause for concern, notably due to direct obstetrical complications and indirect causes, such as medical pathologies associated with pregnancy. This study aims to describe the epidemiological aspects of maternal deaths in the Donga department, Benin, from 2020 to 2024. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study based on data from audits of maternal deaths in the two health zones of Donga department: Djougou-Copargo-Ouaké and Bassila. Data were collected using a standardized audit form, then analyzed by distinguishing between direct and indirect obstetrical causes, in accordance with the World Health Organization classification. Variables analyzed included year of occurrence, sociodemographic characteristics of the deceased women, time to care and circumstances of death. Results: For the Donga department as a whole, the cumulative maternal mortality rate between 2020 and 2024 is estimated at around 95.01 deaths per 100,000 live births. The majority of women who died were aged between 20 and 35 years (72.00%) and lived in rural areas (74.80%), the main causes being post-partum haemorrhage (36.21%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, notably pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (17.24%), and uterine rupture (11.21%). Indirect causes were dominated by severe anemia (62.96%). The majority of deaths (72.70%) occurred within the first 24 hours of admission, mainly in the post-partum period (67.80%). Conclusion: Maternal mortality in Donga remains a cause for concern, with preventable causes such as post-partum haemorrhage and hypertensive complications. The results of this study underline the need to reinforce access to and quality of emergency obstetric care, particularly in the post-partum period, and to improve prevention and management of medical pathologies associated with pregnancy

Leadership Transformationnel des Conseillers d’Orientation face aux Violences de Genre en Milieu Scolaire au Nord Cameroun

Dans la région du Nord au Cameroun, les Violences de Genre en Milieu Scolaire (VGMS) sont exacerbées par des facteurs structurels tels que le patriarcat, la pauvreté, les crises sécuritaires et des normes traditionnelles rigides. Ces violences, psychologiques, sexuelles et physiques, affectent les élèves quel que soit leur genre et contribuent à l’abandon scolaire. Elles ont des effets différenciés comme tels que l’isolement chez les filles et l’agressivité chez les garçons. Une étude, menée entre juin et juillet 2020 dans le contexte de la COVID – 19, a exploré l’impact du leadership transformationnel des Conseillers d’Orientation pour la prévention de ces violences. Elle a adopté une méthodologie mixte par choix raisonné, reposé sur 929 participants par questionnaire administré dans 7 lycées et 11 par entretien dans 1 établissement supplémentaire. Elle démontre que les dimensions du leadership transformationnel que sont le charisme transformationnel, la stimulation intellectuelle et la considération individualisé, favorisent un climat scolaire plus sain. Ce style de leadership encourage l’écoute et renforce l’estime de soi des élèves. Il promeut des valeurs de respect et de solidarité. Bien que chaque dimension ait un effet modéré, leur synergie contribue à améliorer les comportements et l’épanouissement des élèves dans les établissements scolaires. Malgré les facteurs structurels, le leadership transformationnel apparaît comme une stratégie pertinente pour réduire les VGMS et soutenir les élèves dans leur développement personnel et éducatif.   In the northern region of Cameroon, gender – based violence in schools (SGBV) is exacerbated by structural factors such as patriarchy, poverty, security crises and rigid traditional norms. This psychological, sexual and physical violence affects pupils of all genders and contributes to school drop – out. The effects of such violence vary, from isolation among girls to aggression among boys. A study, carried out between June and July 2020 in the context of COVID – 19, explored the impact of the transformational leadership of guidance counsellors in preventing this violence. It adopted a mixed methodology by reasoned choice, based on 929 participants by questionnaire administered in 7 secondary schools and 11 by interview in 1 additional school. She demonstrates that the dimensions of transformational leadership – transformational charisma, intellectual stimulation and individual consideration – foster a healthier school climate. This style of leadership encourages listening and boosts students’ self – esteem. It promotes values of respect and solidarity. Although each dimension has a moderate effect, the synergy between them helps to improve behaviour and student development in schools. Despite the structural factors, transformational leadership appears to be a relevant strategy for reducing SGBV and supporting pupils in their personal and educational development

The Mediating Role of Change Management Between Technology Readiness and Job Performance

This research investigates the interaction between technology readiness, change management, and job performance. The effects of technology readiness on change management and job performance, while on the other hand, the mediation impact of change management on job performance has been explored. A self-report questionnaire was distributed to obtain a representative sample, yielding 409 complete responses. All questions were mandatory to prevent missing data. The survey began with demographic items (age, gender, education, years spent in the organization tenure, and work experience), followed by validated scales: Technology readiness (optimism and innovativeness), Change management (leadership support and participation/communication), Job performance (perceived organizational support and work-life conflict). A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was selected for its unique advantages in testing complex theoretical relationships. Despite excellent model fit (CFI=0.98, RMSEA=0.03), the results revealed theoretically significant null findings: technology readiness showed no significant direct effect on change management (β=0.12, p=.08) or job performance (β=0.09, p=.15), and change management did not mediate job performance (β=0.14, p=.11). These results suggest that the widely accepted link between technology readiness and change management desire may be more context-dependent than previous research indicates. While models like the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) posit direct relationships between these constructs, the findings imply that in organizational settings where change is mandated rather than voluntary, individual readiness may become less influential. These insights suggest organizations should focus more on structural implementation factors than individual preparation when mandating technological changes, offering a new perspective for both research and practice in organizational change management

Processus de minéralisation et impact de l’irrigation sur les ressources en eau souterraine au Sahel : Cas du périmètre irrigué de Birni N’Konni (Sud-Niger)

Au Sahel, en raison de la forte variabilité interannuelle des eaux de surface, les ressources en eau souterraine représentent la ressource la plus fiable pour l’irrigation. Toutefois, une évaluation préalable de leurs disponibilité, qualité et dynamique pluriannuelle s’avère nécessaire afin de garantir l’efficacité et la durabilité des systèmes de productions. Une étude associant les données piézométriques et géochimiques a été réalisée à postériori dans le périmètre irrigué de Birni N’Konni (Sud Niger) afin d’évaluer l’impact de l’irrigation sur les ressources en eau souterraine. Les résultats montrent que les eaux sont principalement sulfatées calciques et magnésiennes (75%) et bicarbonatées calciques et magnésiennes (25%). Le diagramme de Gibbs, l’analyse en composante principale (ACP) et les relations ioniques montrent que la minéralisation des eaux est principalement contrôlée par le processus d’interaction eau-roche et dans une moindre mesure par l’évaporation de la nappe. L’utilisation de différents indicateurs conventionnels de la qualité de l’eau (EC, SAR, %Na, RSC, MAR et le IP) pour l’irrigation suggère que l’eau souterraine dans la zone est classée dans une large gamme entre excellente et impropre et présente, à court et à long terme, de forts risques de salinisation qui suggéreraient un recours aux cultures de plantes plus tolérantes au sel. Les données piézométriques montrent que le développement de l’irrigation et le faible taux de renouvellement ont entraîné une baisse généralisée du niveau de la nappe de plus de 4 m depuis les années 1960. Cette étude montre que le risque de salinisation à court ou à long terme demeure permanent mais reste moins préoccupant que la baisse du niveau de la nappe.   In the Sahel, due to the high inter-annual variability of surface water, groundwater is the most reliable resource for irrigation. However, a prior assessment of their availability, quality, and multi-year dynamics is necessary to guarantee the efficiency and sustainability of production systems. A study combining piezometric and geochemical data was carried out posteriori in the Birni N'Konni irrigated perimeter (southern Niger) to assess the impact of irrigation on groundwater resources. The results show that the water is mainly calcium-magnesium sulfate (75%) and calcium-magnesium bicarbonate (25%). The Gibbs diagram, principal component analysis (PCA), and ionic relationships show that water mineralization is mainly controlled by the water-rock interaction process, and to a lesser extent by groundwater evaporation. The use of various conventional water quality indicators (EC, SAR, %Na, RSC, MAR and the PI) for irrigation suggests that groundwater in the area is classified in a wide range between excellent and unsuitable and presents, in the short and long term, high risks of salinization, which would suggest the use of more salt-tolerant crops. Piezometric data show that the development of irrigation and the low renewal rate have led to a generalized drop in the water table of over 4 m since the 1960s. This study shows that the risk of salinization in the short or long term remains permanent, but is less of a concern than the drop in the water table