vol. 24 núm. 108 (2016)

Purpose: It starts by establishing the implications of the transition of traditional crops (coffee) as a strategy for inhabitants to stay in their territories defending what we have called agro-memory, which implies real work in terms of land use and ecosystem. Methodology: The descriptive methodology used seeks to specify the characteristics of local stakeholders relying on the interview as an interrelation instrument to know the interpretation and variation of land use in what local people recognize as the before, during and after armed conflict. Results: Based on the foregoing, it is inferred that, although local people establish various strategies in order not to be displaced from their territories, obvious territorial transformations, mainly changes in land use, have serious implications for ecosystems and, therefore, for the economic means to decide to stay in the long term. Conclusions: Territorial transformations caused by armed conflict and environmental factors directly impact both socio-cultural referents and traditional production systems of local actors.

Purpose: To explain the competitiveness of small producers or peasants in a locality in north-central Mexico, thanks to which they have moved from subsistence producers to competitive producers in the domestic market. Description: First, theoretical and methodological aspects of competitive advantages are discussed, which is confirmed by the reality of small producers through the hypothetical-deductive method. Secondly, the initiatives of small producers in Latin America are accounted for, making it clear that is not an initiative of Mexico alone, but it is shared with other places. Third, a situational description of small producers of Ejido Zaragoza and the relevance of engaging in the cultivation of pumpkin seeds with respect to the basic grains is provided. Fourthly, forms of organization are described. Point of view: The dependence of small producers on the Government partly explains their inability to become a competitive economic agent. Conclusions: The imposition of an empirical issue that becomes an academic subject, but whose central focus is to solve a real problem felt by the peasants of northern Mexico, is highlighted.

Purpose: This article proposes a new conceptual framework in three dimensions, using the ontologically interdisciplinary component of Information and Communication Sciences. Description: It proposes a communicational approach to social innovation of social and solidarity economy actors, addressing the praxeological dynamics of common sense and the construction of shared knowledge in a public space. Point of view: In particular, the dichotomy between a utilitarian and transforming identity in sse organizations and the communication practices involved are questioned. Conclusions: The progress described herein has a tendency, in our opinion, to challenge the dichotomies established in connection with the sse (isomorphic social economy vs. transforming solidarity economy) and social innovation (a “weak” version vs. a “strong” version). In fact, the processes triggered in these two fields are much more complex and much more ambivalent.

Introduction: In Latin American countries, user innovation studies are emerging. In Colombia, for instead, we have not found evidence of formal research on user innovation. To fill this gap, this exploratory study aims to measure the percentage of user innovation in the analyzed sample and determine the characteristics of these innovative users. Methodology: This is an exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive research. The methodology adopted by previous studies conducted in Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States was applied. A measuring instrument was applied to identify innovative users on a sample of 433 individuals in Bogotá, Colombia. Results: It was found that there are user innovation activities at the consumer level; the percentage of user innovation in the analyzed sample is 4.8% and the tendency to innovate was more pronounced among young adults under 30 who completed their high school and are attending college. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory study are an important starting point for a better understanding of user innovation activities in emerging or developing countries in Latin America.

Purpose: To explain how the economic crisis in Spain has especially made known the financial weakness of the non-profit sector, traditionally dependent on public support. Depletion of public funds, recess in private donations and increased reticence of financial resources by traditional banking put the sector in the dilemma of progressive deterioration as economic and social force. Description: In this context, the Spanish non-profit sector has been driven to explore new forms of financing, giving a fresh look to its origin itself, to its social base: citizenship. Point of view: It is noteworthy that citizenship, in this century, is immersed in a new technological paradigm: the digital paradigm, which became the major instrument of a new form of social solidarity. Conclusions: One of the leading exponents of the new social solidarity is crowdfunding, whose analysis and potentials are dealt with in this work.

Introduction: This article shows a work performed in four cities in Colombia with one of the longest running awards in the Colombian social sphere: Fundación Corona’s Civic Award. Methodology: A mixed study with a descriptive approach was conducted resulting in six independent variables that explain the behavior of innovation: experience, number of members in the organization, community participation in the initiative, if the initiatives have been nominees for the award at other times, amount of funding used, and whether the initiative has legal status. Results: In relation to the qualitative phase, six significant elements were found in the mission of organizations related to social innovation projects: improved quality of life of participants and the community, peace-building, promotion of culture, opportunities for participation, use of leisure time, and strengthening of social fabric. Conclusions: This study case allows to identify, in the light of social innovation, the main features of grassroots organizations in the field of social action, in Bogotá, Buenaventura, Cali and Cartagena.

Purpose: This article aims to provide an overview of the possibilities of social innovation in the context of a culture of solidarity that should characterize cooperatives or similar organizations. Description: Based on research by different authors, the concepts of social innovation and culture of solidarity are defined and interrelated from anthropological, sociological, economic and cooperative perspectives. Point of view: Possibilities for change are explored in the cooperatives’culture of solidarity through specific management in the field of social innovation. Conclusion: Using a new social pedagogy, it is possible to transform the current culture of solidarity into a dynamic experience of social innovation.

Purpose: To show the results of a study that intended to analyze to what extent not only the creation of businesses in general, but also the creation of employee- owned companies in particular, is promoted in primary and secondary education. Topics: It aims to delve into the analysis of the existing correlation among initiatives developed under cooperative forms in cooperative education centers with two more ambitious goals. First, to see whether they promote, to a greater extent, the creation of cooperatives and employee-owned companies compared to other schools that are not cooperatives. Second, to know at the university level the influence cooperative education centers may have in the possible creation of companies under the legal forms of cooperatives and employee-owned companies. Development: The need for a clear coordination of subjects and skills at all educational levels in terms of entrepreneurship has been confirmed. Conclusions: It is important to encourage the creation and implementation of cooperative business projects at lower levels of education, and that the university (entrepreneurship technical support offices and faculty) completes the process of supporting and monitoring these projects by providing advice and training.

Introduction: Innovation is now a key factor for competitiveness and, although the degree of interest aroused by the third sector is still emerging, it is increasingly common to find success stories of non-profit organizations (npo) that have developed innovative experiences in the social sphere. Methodology: A study was conducted in social action institutions in the province of Córdoba, Spain, consisting of a first phase of quantitative nature, aimed at establishing a diagnosis and a general assessment of the sector through the data obtained from a self-diagnosis questionnaire of social innovation answered by entities that bring together more than 80% of the social action sector in the province. Results: The results of the study lead to the conclusion that there is still a great lack of knowledge about the concept of social innovation. Conclusions: npos need to come a long way in terms of innovation in their processes, use of new information and communication technology, collaborative work and experience exchange.

Introduction: Jóvenes en Acción (pjea, after its Spanish initials) is a program of the national government of Colombia that aims to support higher education processes through conditional cash transfers to young people who are pursuing undergraduate studies. At the Universidad de la Amazonia, this program became operational from the first half of 2014 and currently benefits 2223 students at this alma mater. Methodology: The tools used were file checking, review of program databases, identification of key stakeholders, interviews, and data processing in the Altas Ti software. Results: A regular increase throughout each half regarding beneficiaries and a decrease in inactive and conditioned students were evidenced. The students’ collective imaginary about the program is that it is successful but in the short term and has immediate impact, far from what the program itself is looking for. Conclusions: It is necessary to progress on two lines of interest that causes the program’s concern, namely, coverage and level of demand, which should be present to support it.

Purpose: This article focuses on the role of business angels as social innovation agents that provide support to entrepreneurs who have been unable to finance their business through traditional sources of funding, specially emphasizing tax issues and the last regulatory updates around this institution. Description: Credit crunch by banks as a result of the economic crisis has determined the need to resort to alternative financing instruments; therefore, social innovation tools become necessary to resolve those issues to which the government has failed to respond. Point of view: Business angels are presented today as one of the most relevant models for obtaining the necessary funding when it comes to implementing projects that would otherwise not have been able to get the necessary credit. Conclusions: In a context of economic crisis, as experienced in recent years, it is essential to resort to new alternative forms of financing; therefore, the government should establish the necessary mechanisms for promoting these investments, financial law being the ideal vehicle for doing so.

Las proyecciones sobre las economías latinoamericanas para los próximos años presentan un escenario desalentador. Según el Fondo Monetario Internacional1 continuará la desaceleración de la actividad económica en la región, así como el aumento de precios y el desempleo. Esta futura situación será aún más apremiante en tanto las economías latinoamericanas no sepan reconocer y solucionar sus fallas de mercado y de gobierno. Una alternativa que se presenta (aunque no es la única) es la innovación social, entendida como el conjunto de procesos y prácticas que buscan corregir los problemas que atentan contra el bienestar social y que pueden ser llevados a cabo en forma sistemática tanto por actores públicos como privados.