La inversión extranjera directa en América Latina y las multinacionales emergentes latinoamericanas

A la luz del informe anual sobre Inversión Extranjera Directa de la Comisión Económica para América Latina (CEPAL), se constata el peso cada vez mayor que las multinacionales de origen latinoamericano están adquiriendo. La crisis financiera internacional puso fin a una tendencia creciente en la atracción de inversión directa extranjera en América Latina. Sin embargo, la recuperación parece evidente y se puede vislumbrar quiénes saldrán reforzados de la crisis. Dos sectores estratégicos, el automotriz y la siderurgia, nos dan algunas claves de las potencialidades y los retos a los que las multinacionales latinoamericanas se están enfrentando. El papel creciente que estas empresas, sobre todo las brasileñas, están teniendo en la economía del continente y fuera de ella no ha hecho más que empezar

Chinese companies conquering the world: A descriptive analysis of the rapid rise of Chinese acquisitions

In this article, we study the global acquisition trends of Chinese companies. We look at the countries and sectors they are investing in and the factors driving those investments. We consider the inflexion points and the changes before and after the Global Financial Crisis. The focus of the paper is the evolution of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), but we also consider greenfield investments and overall outward foreign direct investments. To that end, we use longitudinal data from three sources: the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Standard & Poor’s Capital IQ, and Financial Times fDi Markets. We note that M&A activity was key for the rapid growth and the fast internationalization pace of Chinese companies. While M&A is the entry mode of choice for Chinese firms to approach the developed world (Europe and the U.S.), greenfields are more common for expansion in Asia and Africa. The paper also provides comparisons with data from other emerging markets and the U.S

INNOVATION IN LATIN AMERICA: THE CASE OF MEXICO

Governments and business leaders are increasingly aware of the role that innovation plays in economic growth, development and competitiveness. There are imperative challenges for Latin American countries, among them, poverty, social inclusion, sustainable development, climate change, natural disasters, productivity, improve the quality of education and health. Innovations are essential to drive economic growth and prosperity in the region. According to the Global Innovation Index (2014), Mexico is ranked 66th. Most of the research on innovation performance is mostly focused on technological innovation. Therefore, the main variables used, such as patents and number of scientific publications, do not always reflect the other types of innovations (i.e. business model, organizational, etc.) that are developing in emerging markets. The aim of this paper is to analyze the Mexican innovation system using a broad concept with a focus on other types of innovation including cultural aspects to identify the main characteristics that distinguish and determine how innovation in Mexico is formed

El cuento como estrategia didáctica de educación en desarrollo sostenible para promover el cuidado del agua

Promover el uso responsable del agua en la escuela Mariscal Sucre, mediante el cuento como estrategia didáctica.El problema es el desperdicio constante del agua por parte de los estudiantes de 4° año de educación básica de la Escuela Mariscal Sucre de la comunidad Santo Domingo N°1 de la parroquia Ayora del cantón Cayambe, que hace necesario estudiar a profundidad la importancia del agua para la vida, los porcentajes de agua y usos, para concienciarlos de la necesidad urgente del uso moderado del agua, su preservación y cuidado. Con el objetivo de promover el uso responsable del agua, se procedió al diseño y aplicación de la tesis: “El cuento como estrategia didáctica en desarrollo sostenible para promover el cuidado del agua”, los objetivos específicos son: Diagnosticar las prácticas estudiantiles relacionadas con el uso del agua, diseñar una estrategia didáctica para la creación de cuentos con el tema del cuidado del agua e incorporarlo entre las metodologías interactivas de EDS, e implementar la estrategia didáctica de creación de cuentos como herramienta pedagógica para promover el cuidado del agua. Se aplicó el método de la observación directa e indirecta que inició tomando evidencias de sus hábitos de uso del líquido vital, se estudió la importancia del agua para los seres vivos y la sobrevivencia del planeta, se procedió a la creación y análisis de cuentos ecológicos que se contrastó con las evidencias de su mal uso, para guiarlos a establecer acuerdos y compromisos para el cuidado del agua y llevarlos a crear sus propios cuentos ecológicos que los compartieron con sus compañeros y padres de familia. Con la aplicación de esta estrategia se logró el uso moderado y cuidado del agua, la difusión de sus conocimientos a sus familiares y compañeros, la participación en la creación de cuentos ecológicos individuales y colectivos, más su compromiso de cuidar el agua de manera permanente

INNOVATION IN LATIN AMERICA: THE CASE OF MEXICO

Governments and business leaders are increasingly aware of the role that innovation plays in economic growth, development and competitiveness. There are imperative challenges for Latin American countries, among them, poverty, social inclusion, sustainable development, climate change, natural disasters, productivity, improve the quality of education and health. Innovations are essential to drive economic growth and prosperity in the region. According to the Global Innovation Index (2014), Mexico is ranked 66th. Most of the research on innovation performance is mostly focused on technological innovation. Therefore, the main variables used, such as patents and number of scientific publications, do not always reflect the other types of innovations (i.e. business model, organizational, etc.) that are developing in emerging markets. The aim of this paper is to analyze the Mexican innovation system using a broad concept with a focus on other types of innovation including cultural aspects to identify the main characteristics that distinguish and determine how innovation in Mexico is formed

The rise of digital entrepreneurship in Latin America

Objective: This article discusses why digital start-ups are flourishing in Latin America. Method: Our research setting is Latin American digital companies. Our analysis is based on digital companies from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. We examined lists of Latin unicorn companies (valuation + US$ 1B) and other prominent digital companies compiled from available sources from CB Insights, and TechCrunch. We systematically gathered data on the companies’ growth trajectory from data sources, including online material from the companies’ official websites and public reports, press releases, and press interviews made by the heads of the companies, and internal reports. Main Results: The article discusses the drivers behind the scaling and expansion of digital start-ups and the increasing maturity of the entrepreneurial ecosystems that support them. Relevance / Originality: While Latin digital companies have gained media and investors’ attention, there is scant analysis of how these companies have surpassed the startup stage and scaled up their operations. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: Our contribution focuses on understanding Latin America's particular conditions and the impact of digital ventures on the region's business landscape. We bring practical insights on how Latin American digital companies are growing, as digital entrepreneurship is experiencing an extraordinary growth route in the region and is linked to economic growth and innovation

Prevalence of Functional Dentition in a Group of Mexican Adult Males

Objective: To determine the prevalence of functional dentition and associated periodontal variables in a sample of Mexican adult males. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 161 policemen in Campeche, Mexico, was carried out. A clinical examination using an electronic probe was used to collect variables (dental plaque, periodontal pockets, gingival recession, suppuration, and bleeding on probing) on 6 periodontal sites (a maximum of 168 sites, excluding third molars). Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables were collected through a self-administered survey. Functional dentition was defined as having 21 or more natural teeth. Data were analyzed with STATA 11.0, using logistic regression models. Results: Mean age was 38.3 (±10.9) years. The prevalence of having a functional dentition was 83.8% in the sample. The odds of having a functional dentition declined with age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93), having diabetes (OR = 0.27) and with having a high percentage of sites with plaque (OR = 0.77), with bleeding on probing (OR = 0.97), and with gingival recession (OR = 0.82). Conclusion: While a large proportion of subjects had a functional dentition in this community-dwelling sample of adult Mexican males, the likelihood of their having a functional dentition decreased with age, with their having been diagnosed with diabetes, and with assorted negative indicators of periodontal/gingival status

NARRATIVAS SOBRE A EDUCAÇÃO INCLUSIVA: DESAFIOS E TENSÕES NA PRÁTICA PEDAGÓGICA

A formação do professor é um desafio na proposta de escola inclusiva, sendo uma atividade de suma importância, posto que a educação é para todos, mas a maioria dos professores não estão preparados para atender estudantes público alvo da educação especial. Um dos desafios fundamentais que emergem da proposta de escola inclusiva é a formação do professor, que para Fávero (2009) é, justamente, o de repensar e ressignificar a própria concepção de educador. Isto porque, o processo educativo consiste na criação e no desenvolvimento de “contextos” educativos que possibilitem a interação crítica e criativa entre sujeitos singulares, e não simplesmente na transmissão e na assimilação disciplinar de conceitos e comportamentos estereotipados. O Núcleo de Tecnologia Educacional de Aquidauana, órgão ligado a Secretaria de Estado de Educação de Mato Grosso do Sul, propõe a formação continuada “o uso das tecnologias assistivas na prática pedagógica”, enfatizando a ação e a prática como processos de seleção e construção de conhecimentos por meio da produção simultânea, sequência didática interdisciplinar que priorizaram reflexões e debates sobre a inclusão/exclusão. É importante ressaltar que o professor busque conhecimento para que assim, possa distinguir os problemas para apresentar melhor alternativa de assimilação. Neste viés a formação continuada para inserção das tecnologias assistivas no meio acadêmico é imprescindível para a dinamização do processo de ensino e aprendizagem

An Overview of CSR Practices RESPONSE Benchmarking Report

This report summarizes selected findings of a three‐year research effort undertaken by INSEAD, Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Bocconi University, and the Leon Kosminski Academy. It is part of a larger European Commission‐funded study, entitled "RESPONSE”. This project has aimed at understanding how multinational firms see their responsibility towards society and how this is aligned (or not) with the expectations of their stakeholders. Preliminary findings were developed in a final report which was presented at a conference in autumn 2007 at INSEAD, Fontainebleau (please find link in the appendix)