Minerva

A Systematic Review of Barriers and Solutions in Teacher Training in Artificial Intelligence

Edwin Julio Colonia Villarreal — Fri, 08 May 2026 20:55:29 +0000

This systematic review analyzed the main barriers and solutions related to teacher training in artificial intelligence in higher education. Following the \textit{PRISMA} protocol, 428 records were identified in \textit{Scopus}, \textit{Web of Science}, \textit{ERIC}, and \textit{ScienceDirect}, from which 18 studies of high methodological quality were finally selected. The findings revealed technological, pedagogical, organizational, and ethical barriers, with particular emphasis on insufficient digital infrastructure, the lack of specific didactic strategies, and limited institutional governance. The most effective solutions included communities of practice, continuing professional development, teacher mentoring, and sustainable institutional policies. The review concludes that the integration of AI in higher education requires a systemic transformation of universities, rather than isolated technical training alone.

Customs Digitalization as a Competitiveness Strategy in Foreign Trade

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:46:03 +0000

Customs digitalization has become a strategic factor for enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening competitiveness in foreign trade. This study analyzes its implementation in the Peruvian context through a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical approach, based on a systematic review of specialized scientific literature. The documentary selection followed the PRISMA method and enabled the examination of contributions related to single window systems, risk management, interoperability, document automation, and emerging technologies applied to customs operations. The findings show that these tools contribute to accelerating customs clearance, improving traceability, reducing administrative burdens, and increasing institutional transparency. Likewise, barriers associated with technological infrastructure, interinstitutional coordination, staff training, digital security, and regulatory updating were identified. The study proposes a strategic model aimed at modernizing Peruvian customs management and strengthening its competitiveness in relation to international standards.

Efficient Production Cost Management for Improving Economic Profitability in Industrial SMEs in Latin America

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzed efficient production cost management and its impact on the economic profitability of industrial SMEs in Latin America through an analytical review of scientific literature. Twenty specialized studies were selected, and a thematic classification was applied based on productivity, financial management, digitalization, and business competitiveness. The results showed that the main factors affecting profitability are associated with operational deficiencies, technological limitations, and financial planning problems. Likewise, strategies such as continuous improvement, partial automation, efficient inventory management, and digitalization were identified as significantly contributing to cost reduction and competitive strengthening. It is concluded that business sustainability depends on integrated models oriented toward productivity, innovation, and operational efficiency.

Bibliometric Evolution of Research on Legal Certainty and Effective Judicial Protection in Ecuador

Vicente Paul Borbor Mite, Milton Hugo Oyola Cortez — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:15:04 +0000

Legal certainty and effective judicial protection constitute fundamental principles for the protection of rights in Ecuador. The objective of this research was to analyze the evolution of scientific production related to these topics through a bibliometric study. A quantitative study with a descriptive-retrospective scope was conducted. Documentary retrieval was carried out in academic databases, institutional repositories, and scientific journals, applying inclusion and exclusion criteria based on PRISMA 2020. The final corpus consisted of 15 documents published between 2014 and 2026. The results showed limited scientific production, mainly concentrated on effective judicial protection, protection actions, precautionary measures, and constitutional guarantees. Likewise, limited thematic diversification and a reduced presence of studies related to digital justice and emerging technologies were identified. It is concluded that this line of research is in the process of consolidation and presents opportunities to expand its thematic and methodological approaches.

Digital Equity and Hybrid Learning in Latin American Public Education: Policies, Pedagogical Design, and Teacher Support

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 02:33:17 +0000

Digital equity in hybrid learning represents a strategic challenge for Latin American public education, since the incorporation of technologies does not by itself guarantee inclusion or better learning opportunities. The objective of this study was to critically analyze the academic and documentary production on this topic, with emphasis on educational policies, pedagogical design, and teacher support. To this end, a critical narrative review with a systematized search of open-access literature and institutional documents was conducted. The findings show that digital equity does not depend solely on connectivity or devices, but on the articulation between educational governance, pedagogical mediation, and teacher professional development. Likewise, tensions were identified between approaches centered on infrastructure and approaches centered on pedagogical mediation. It is concluded that the digital transformation of public education can only be sustained in a fair and relevant manner from an integral, critical, and contextualized perspective.

Welfare Economics and Social Inequality in Contexts of Persistent Inflation in Latin America

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:55:49 +0000

Persistent inflation represents a challenge for social welfare and the reduction of inequalities in Latin America. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between welfare, inequality, and persistent inflation during the period 2000--2024 through the construction of an Inflation-Vulnerable Welfare Model (IVWM). A quantitative study with a longitudinal design was developed, based on panel data from sixteen Latin American countries. The IVWM was constructed using Principal Component Analysis, and subsequently an Arellano-Bond dynamic GMM model was applied, complemented with Monte Carlo simulations. The results showed that inflation persistence exerts a negative and significant effect on regional welfare, while social spending, public investment, and employment contribute positively to its strengthening. It is concluded that price stability constitutes a fundamental factor for the sustainability of welfare and the reduction of inequalities in the region.

An Analysis of Digital Loneliness Among University Students

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:37:27 +0000

The digitalization of social interactions has fostered new forms of communication, but it has also generated phenomena associated with perceived isolation in virtual environments. The objective of this study was to analyze digital loneliness among university students and identify the factors associated with its manifestation. A quantitative, correlational-explanatory, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 412 students. Data were collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and a questionnaire on digital technology use, social support, and the quality of interpersonal relationships. The results showed that 77.2% of the participants exhibited moderate or high levels of digital loneliness. A positive association was also identified between intensive social media use and digital loneliness. Perceived social support and the quality of interpersonal relationships emerged as the main protective factors. It is concluded that the quality of social bonds plays a more relevant role than the intensity of technological connectivity.

Sustainability Horizons: A Critical Review of Solid Waste Management

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 02:47:49 +0000

This article aims to evaluate the trajectory and cognitive maturity of municipal solid waste management. The PRISMA 2020 protocol was applied, resulting in a final sample of 18 studies specializing in the fields of governance and business. This qualitative analysis was integrated with predictive scientometric modeling based on logistic growth. The results show that the discipline reached its peak of theoretical productivity in 2022 and is currently moving toward an undeniable state of cognitive saturation, confirming that the frameworks concerning the circular economy, operational optimization, and emissions mitigation are firmly established. In conclusion, the future of municipal solid waste management requires enabling the practical implementation of adaptable policies and technologies capable of addressing critical infrastructure gaps, with urgent attention to the logistical realities of developing economies.

Sustainable Development Strategies for Equality and Poverty Reduction in Rural Areas of Peru

Fri, 15 May 2026 04:11:17 +0000

This study analyzed the impact of sustainable development strategies on poverty reduction and territorial equality in rural areas of Peru, using a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational-explanatory design. The sample consisted of 368 rural households distributed across Arequipa, Moquegua, and Puno, in Perú. The results revealed a positive and significant relationship between sustainable strategies and poverty reduction, highlighting community participation, sustainable production, and infrastructure as the most influential dimensions. Additionally, relevant territorial differences were identified, along with a limited impact of financial inclusion and productive innovation when not integrated into comprehensive policies. The study concludes that sustainable development represents an effective mechanism for improving living conditions in rural contexts, provided it is implemented through multidimensional approaches tailored to territorial characteristics.

Citizen participation strategies for the right to suffrage

Felicita Sugheyes Llontop Guzman — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The research analyzes the state of the art regarding citizen participation strategies aimed at strengthening the right to suffrage in rural areas. A systematic theoretical review was conducted using 24 articles selected from the Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases (2020--2025). The results made it possible to identify geographical, digital, and institutional barriers, as well as effective strategies based on electoral decentralization, intercultural civic education, and community articulation. It is concluded that strengthening rural suffrage requires an integral territorial approach that combines information, accessibility, and institutional trust.

Digital transformation and customer satisfaction: a correlational analysis in a financial institution

Maria Villarreyes-Juarez — Fri, 22 May 2026 04:16:12 +0000

The study established the relationship between digital transformation and customer satisfaction in a financial institution. It adopted a quantitative approach, a non-experimental cross-sectional design, and a correlational scope. The sample consisted of 299 customers, selected through probability sampling, with the survey used as the data collection technique. The results showed a positive and significant relationship, although of low intensity (Rho = 0.265; p < 0.01). It is concluded that digitalization is positively associated with customer satisfaction, but its effect is conditioned by organizational, strategic, and operational factors