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Some universities are seeking ways to generate knowledges that can transform economies and solve many of the conflicts facing society. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the research activities of public and private universities in Venezuela, regarding the number of publications and degree of participation of each of them in the national scientific production. The investigation was a descriptive and transversal design. A total of 104 Venezuelan journals available in multidisciplinary bibliographic indexes with regional and international significance were consulted. Scientific papers published in 2013 were considered as the unit of analysis, and the participation of researchers, number of published articles, coauthors' index, and university endogamy were used as indicators. The highest number of participations of researchers belonging to public universities came from medical journals, and the lowest from journals on economics sciences. Private universities had lower rates of authorship and higher endogamy index. Public universities showed a greater orientation towards research and extension while the private ones generally focused on teaching activities. It was concluded that the participation of researchers from public universities far exceeded that of the private universities sector; publications from private institutions occurs mainly in areas where the main resources are represented by computers and specialized literature, and scientific papers are published mainly in journals belonging to the same institution of the researcher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main conclusion of this paper is that the Resolution 970 from March 10, 2010 of the Colombian Institute for Agriculture obeys a model of development that threatens the biodiversity conservation, particularly the seed diversity. In reaching this conclusion, this paper describes the situation of agrobiodiversity in Colombia and analyses the norms of that Resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a research about rent-seeking policies in Uruguay, based on the analysis of a sample from more than a hundred companies. This research allowed verifying the predominance of a long term rent-seeking company's strategy. Such strategy shapes a managerial culture which persists in time, and it sets the tombstone of what could be conceived as our typical company. The paper has three sections. On the first one, we invite the reader to accompany us to visit a meat processing plant and a manufacturing company. On the second section we propose an abstract model from our typical company. On the third section we concentrate on analyzing the subject and the business' character of this type of company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitiveness has become an objective for companies, including the tourist ones. However, some studies have confused the factors that produce it with the measurement indicators. This paper of a theoretical nature is developed from a literature review of empirical studies conducted in different countries. Indicators are extracted from those studies and they are used for their measurement in the hotel industry and the information they provide for their interpretation in terms of competitiveness. All of this, in order to identifying the relevance of its use in the hotel industry. As results, there have been found that the factors that produce competitiveness are those that have to do with the processes and conditions of the service, it is recognized that these vary depending on tourist context, while in order to determine the effectiveness of its management, the Gross Operational Profit (GOT), the Revenue Per Available room (RevPAR), and the percentage of occupancy are the indicators that allow comparisons and establish positions between hotel companies in similar environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a research carried out in a company dedicated to the installation, maintenance and repair of air-conditioning systems in the State of Carabobo, Venezuela. Its objective was to assess the impact of service quality on the satisfaction of its customers by using an instrument based on the SERQUAL model that considers the quality of the service, the ACSI index that evaluates the customer satisfaction and the KANO model that determines what requires the service. We considered 194 customer-rated surveys on a Likert scale. After determination of the sample adequacy, four dimensions were identified through Factor Analysis: Response Capacity, Security, Reliability and Empathy, and General Aspects. Likewise, the relationship between quality of service and customer satisfaction was demonstrated in the studied case.y. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following paper of theoretical-descriptive nature aims to present a proposal for the construction of a cognitive bias model in the principal-agent relationship, under the agency theory perspective. Its purpose was to make easier the comprehension of the behaviors of the principal and the agent in the performance of their activities in the organizational field. The subject was addressed from a bibliographic revision of the agency theory and the cognitive theory of the organization, selecting the proposed scheme of Makridakis (1990). It is presented as an input, a set of cognitivebias relationships that can be applied work-wise. They can be susceptible of empirically proven and, therefore, they are useful in the making of the respective model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the feasibility to regulate mediation in Venezuela by an organic law, based on current international trends on the subject. The analysis was supported by both documentary study and field research with data collected from legislative, doctrinal and jurisprudential sources, as well as field surveys and in-depth interviews with mediation experts, students and higher education scholars on the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). As a main conclusion, we found a favorable trend on the relevance of enacting an Organic Law on Conciliation and Mediation in Venezuela to establish the requirements for the exercise of mediation in order to protect users of an alternative system of justice, provided in articles 253 and 256 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. This regulatory frame will prevent biased practices and set up a control systems to ensure a professional and ethical exercise of mediation from a multidisciplinary perspective, not only to be exercised by lawyers. By law, as public policy, compulsory mediation will be establish before resorting to courts, fostering favorable conditions for peaceful coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a quantitative research methodology, this paper evaluates the relationship between leadership style and decision-making process, measured by centralization as organizational design variable. From the analysis and development of the framework, a set of hypotheses was integrated into the theoretical approaches that explain the behavior of both variables, which underwent a process of operationalization in a field study by applying a structured questionnaire to a population of medium enterprises from Lara state, Venezuela. From the results obtained, it is concluded that there is a relationship between the leadership style of senior management and the process of making strategic and operational decisions, showing that the first, not necessarily the presence of transformational leader, involves a decentralized decision making, situation that do happen when it comes to operational decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to validate a questionnaire to determine loyalty, perceived quality and brand image as determinants of brand equity from a consumer's perspective. The sample was made of the customers from the business area of the Toluca- Lerma-Metepec hotels in the State of Mexico. The academic contribution of the work is based on the understanding of the construct: brand equity and its components. The practical contribution is that the results obtained will help to fill up that gap in empirical work on the measurement of the construct in business hotels. The results show that the questionnaire should be useful for achieving the objectives of this investigation because it was validated in construct and content and as well as its reliability was high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to promote the discussion in the process of the university reform at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, on the benefits and features of the paradigm of complexity and its relationship to the Maya culture as two bases to contextualizing the university education. For that, the scientific-technical revolutions and the contemporary revolution of knowledge are presented as an international context, where complexity is a substantial part. This context is also characterized by the continuing economic, political, social and global environmental crisis, which contrasts with academic problems and factors impeding institutional development at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. The positivist paradigm of science is strong, so that, a change of paradigm is suggested: the paradigm of complexity and its relationship to culture, into the process of university reform. The methodology applied for the preparation of this essay was based on the literature review in three ways: the first, it is related to the paradigm of complexity; the second, Guatemalan researchers work addressing the academic crisis of University of San Carlos and, the third, the proposals of the Maya movement for university reform. This is compared with the experience the author has as graduate professor and researcher in the Department of Economic and Social Research at the Western University Center. To close, as a final conclusion of this article, the current institutional crisis at the University of San Carlos is shown, as well as the need to take into account the multicultural context of the Guatemalan nation in the process of university reform and the possibility of success if the people interested in the university reform could articulate its transformation into a regional and national movement, all of that to meet the challenges of contemporary knowledge revolution as expressed in the arising of the paradigm of complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to develop a comparative study of social investment in twenty Latin American Countries. This indicator of social investment is analyzed based on four aspects: (i) education; (ii) health services; (iii) housing; and (iv) social assistance; all of them are identified as percentage of gross domestic products (GDP) of each country. By doing this, it is possible to find out efforts to improve social conditions based on available national resources. Methodological components of this research include comparative analysis with poverty conditions, general statistical indicators, correlation matrix, econometric models, and also the analysis procedures by groups. Countries which shown high levels of social investments are Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil; conversely, those with low standards of social support include: Guatemala, Honduras and Paraguay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Software Development Companies (SDC) perform processes that must be integrated to make efficient the use of the resources and the satisfactory creation of software according to customer requirements. The project planning management pursues this purpose and the Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) provides a guide to that purpose. This paper presents a proposal to improve the planning process of software development projects and it is framed in the CMMI as a response to the problems presented by a Venezuelan SME SDC. This work is a feasible project supported by a descriptive research through direct observation and the implementation of surveys to the staff of the organization, made of managers, employees and the development team. The findings show deficiencies regarding the scope of the project, attributes of the work products, effort and expense, and failure in obtaining the commitment of stakeholders. The proposed improvement is based on the practices set by the CMMI, using templates and formats which indicate the tasks, the employed techniques, participants and products to be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an overview on the situation of centralized political power in Venezuela and on the necessary political action from civil society in order to recover an ideologically defined democratic society. A documentary research method was used in this study. Because of limitations of space and time, the analysis is based on a review of the relevant literature, including those considered appropriate to base the analysis. The findings are related with permanent efforts of civil society addressed to maintain the democracy, the elaboration and permanent change in the exercise of sovereignty, the existence of a marked tendency to centralize and the need for critical loyalty with the democratic system. Finally, it was specified the use of an antagonistic and exclusionary discourse from the current regime, a fact which is characteristic of their behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key aim of this paper is related to discuss -from a theoretical perspective- core aspects regarding humanitarian aid and its link to development processes and conditions. Concept of development, here, will include human dimensions, as well as economic and social aspects. The central claim to uphold in this research focus on the consideration that humanitarian aid -without the feature of credits or eventual financial return- constitute an unquestionable variable to promote social inclusion of sectors that are living under extreme marginal conditions. Fundamental context for this presentation are less developed countries especially those of the Latin American region. Basic conceptual frame of development is based on that which has been formulated by United Nations Organization, since its first worldwide, Human Development Report in 1992. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Social Corporate Responsibility (SCR) is a concept which has emerged in recent years, in the context of several changes produced not just in the fields of economic, financial and productive activity, but also in the relationships among the private corporative organization with external actors related with its functions. In the Venezuelan case, the government and official administration defends a political vision of the social dimension, which means public policies to promote some models of productive organization, to accomplish social goals as part of its mission and philosophy. This paper intends to describe, from a theoretical perspective, how the social dimension, despite the political and ideological polarization and differences existing between Hugo Chavez's government and the private sector, is an important element to consider as part of the strategic objectives and purposes of both the private corporate enterprises, and the entrepreneurial forms promoted and created by the Venezuelan government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews main theories that explain the speed at which occurs the firm's internationalization process. Sequential theories have traditionally explained internationalization by a series of stages that are approached by the firms gradually. This process, from a progressive viewpoint, serves the Internationalization Model proposed by the Uppsala School and firm's innovation theories. However, these approaches are not able to explain the behavior of firms called International New Ventures which have international activities since their start-up or, the case of firms that exhibit accelerated internationalization episodes or phases of involution with profound reorientation to domestic markets after the occurrence of certain events. These phenomena show that internationalization is not a lineal, incremental and unidirectional process as first theories refer, but it is a process that can occur at an accelerated rate even from the moment of conception of the firm, or it can also occur that firms cease to be international and be oriented to local markets after a critic episode has occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the results obtained in a comparative study conducted in Venezuela in fast food chains in order to determine the influence of perception as an incidental element in the evaluation of speed of service. For it, the investigation is based theoretically in the topic of the perception including the main components as the integrated and interrelated process to provide explanations of the role and responses generated by the consumers. Methodologically, the case study was used in eleven business units belonging to four fast food chains located in five shopping centers which allows to connect "quickness" to "evaluation of the service" and establishing relationships in the matter. The most relevant results determined that the characteristics and expectations of the perceiver, some present stimuli and the nature of the environment in the "fastfood fairs", have a major impact to model the perceived situation, appreciating more the assessment when the customer is actually attended and gets the product, than what is shown in the average wait in lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental intention of this paper is to establish specific models concerning behavioral evidences of financial agents, and general conditions they need to face as well. Here the analysis is focused in two different and main scenarios: (i) direct; and (ii) indirect financial spheres. This study takes into consideration three different financial agents: workers with income surpluses, professional investors, and financial intermediaries, including bank agencies. Regarding conduct of financial agents with direct and indirect financial resources, Chakraborty and Ray's model is applied. A model based on Dornbusch contributions is addressed in reference to the influence of macroeconomic policies, specifically exchange rate decisions, which in turn affect trade balance, current account and employment levels within domestic markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tackles with a critical review of the concept of power developed by Michel Foucault in order to verify its possible effect on the current sociopolitical context. To achieve this purpose, various concepts of power were reviewed in order to compare them with the ones used by the author. It is also identified the potential sources of social power and a possible explanation of the current power is sought in the context of the theoretical elements provided by Foucault. The methodology used was interpreted using hermeneutic resources, based on the author's major works, without affecting in any way other authors involved, either because of their critical role or due to new conceptual courses around the theme. In conclusion, it is estimated that the definitions and contributions of the French philosopher are applicable within new theoretical frameworks currently in vogue and make easy the understanding of relations of domination associated with the practice and concept of power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies how the socialpolitical and judicial factors have affected private investment in Venezuela and Latin America for the period 1995- 2003 by means of panel data analysis. In the case of Venezuela, there is evidence that the fall in the investment rate in Venezuela has been caused by these factors. In this way, it is necessary that not only the Venezuelan government but also the other Latin American governments begin working on the creation and strengthening of institutions so that risks are reduced and stability is enhanced. In this way, it is possible to endorse a sustained economic growth and better standards of living for Latin American citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to promote the discussion in the process of the university reform at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, on the benefits and features of the paradigm of complexity and its relationship to the Maya culture as two bases to contextualizing the university education. For that, the scientific-technical revolutions and the contemporary revolution of knowledge are presented as an international context, where complexity is a substantial part. This context is also characterized by the continuing economic, political, social and global environmental crisis, which contrasts with academic problems and factors impeding institutional development at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. The positivist paradigm of science is strong, so that, a change of paradigm is suggested: the paradigm of complexity and its relationship to culture, into the process of university reform. The methodology applied for the preparation of this essay was based on the literature review in three ways: the first, it is related to the paradigm of complexity; the second, Guatemalan researchers work addressing the academic crisis of University of San Carlos and, the third, the proposals of the Maya movement for university reform. This is compared with the experience the author has as graduate professor and researcher in the Department of Economic and Social Research at the Western University Center. To close, as a final conclusion of this article, the current institutional crisis at the University of San Carlos is shown, as well as the need to take into account the multicultural context of the Guatemalan nation in the process of university reform and the possibility of success if the people interested in the university reform could articulate its transformation into a regional and national movement, all of that to meet the challenges of contemporary knowledge revolution as expressed in the arising of the paradigm of complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to develop a comparative study of social investment in twenty Latin American Countries. This indicator of social investment is analyzed based on four aspects: (i) education; (ii) health services; (iii) housing; and (iv) social assistance; all of them are identified as percentage of gross domestic products (GDP) of each country. By doing this, it is possible to find out efforts to improve social conditions based on available national resources. Methodological components of this research include comparative analysis with poverty conditions, general statistical indicators, correlation matrix, econometric models, and also the analysis procedures by groups. Countries which shown high levels of social investments are Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil; conversely, those with low standards of social support include: Guatemala, Honduras and Paraguay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]