Espirales Revista Multidisciplinaria de investigación

Educational Management as a Strategic Factor in Strengthening the Teaching Workplace Environment

Jenny Monserrath Naranjo Huilca — 2026-09-29

Educational management is a strategic factor in promoting a favorable work environment and strengthening institutional development. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of educational management on the teaching work environment at an educational institution in the province of Cañar, Ecuador. The research employed a quantitative approach, with a descriptive-correlational scope and a non-experimental cross-sectional design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a Likert-type scale, administered to 50 teachers. The instrument was validated through expert review and demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87). The results revealed weaknesses in participatory leadership, institutional communication, collaborative work, and a sense of belonging—aspects that affect the organizational climate and the well-being of the teaching staff. Furthermore, it was found that limited teacher participation in decision-making and deficiencies in communication processes hinder the consolidation of an institutional culture oriented toward continuous improvement and the strengthening of labor relations. It is concluded that educational management grounded in participatory leadership, effective communication, and human talent development significantly enhances the teaching work environment. As a contribution of this research, an intervention proposal was designed to strengthen institutional management through strategies focused on leadership, communication, collaborative work, and professional recognition, with the aim of improving the organizational climate and contributing to higher-quality education.

Global Overview of Cybersecurity Research (2015–2024): Bibliometric Evidence from Developing Countries in the Americas, with a Focus on Ecuador

Juan Carlos Enrique Ortega Acosta — 2026-09-29

Cybersecurity has established itself as a strategic field within global scientific research, driven by the growing impact of digital risks on economies, societies, and institutional systems. Despite sustained growth in academic output, significant inequalities persist across regions, particularly among developing countries in the Americas. This study analyzes 79 publications indexed in Scopus to describe how this field is taking shape: who is conducting research, with whom they collaborate, and on what specific problems. The analysis is organized into three levels. At the international level, it examines publication trends, co-authorship patterns, and the thematic clusters that account for the majority of citations. Building on this, the study reviews the contribution of developing countries in the Americas, comparing their relative weight within the broader scientific system. Finally, it delves into the case of Ecuador, examining its major publications, the collaborative networks in which its authors participate, and the research areas that appear to be emerging or still underdeveloped. The results reveal patterns of thematic convergence and divergence among regions, as well as critical research gaps in the Latin American context. This bibliometric analysis provides useful evidence to shape regional scientific agendas, strengthen international collaboration, and guide future research toward strategically relevant but still under-explored areas in the field of cybersecurity.

Brand Management and Female Entrepreneurship, 2019–2025

Susana Paola Carrillo Vera — 2026-10-07

This article analyzes the adoption of brand management strategies implemented through the registration of a trade name by women entrepreneurs enrolled in the Simplified Regime for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses (RIMPE) in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, during the period 2022–2025. Objective: To determine whether there is a statistically significant association between the taxpayer’s gender and the adoption of a trade name, and to identify the economic sectors and cantons with the highest concentration of female-owned brands. Methodology: A descriptive-comparative quantitative approach was used on a census sample of 24,958 records from the SRI-Guayas, disaggregated by gender (F, M, O). Frequency analyses, contingency tables, and Pearson’s chi-square test were applied. Results: 47.1% of taxpayers are women (n = 11,747). Of these, 39.5% have a business name, compared to 32.6% of men, a statistically significant difference (χ² = 78.4; p < 0.001). The five dominant sectors for women are: personal services (S960907, 13.9%), grocery retail (G471101, 12.4%), restaurants and food services (I561001, 10.0%), clothing (G477111, 5.8%), and hair salons (S960200, 3.9%). Conclusions: Women entrepreneurs in Guayas adopt branding strategies with relatively greater frequency than men, especially in the service and retail sectors. However, more than 60% still operate without a formal brand identity, suggesting a significant gap in the implementation of strategic marketing within the RIMPE ecosystem.

The impact of ethical generative AI use on academic integrity and writing performance among EFL university students

Piedad Rosario Guijarro Paguay — 2026-10-07

The purpose of this article is to analyze the ethical use of artificial intelligence and its impact on the academic integrity of writing among students of English as a foreign language at the Escuela Politécnica Superior de Chimborazo. This is a non-experimental, correlational study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire using a Likert scale and through the analysis of essays using an evaluation rubric. For data collection, we used an online questionnaire with a Likert scale and analyzed essays using an evaluation rubric. A census sample was taken of 26 ESPOCH students duly enrolled in the sixth semester of the School of Business Administration during the period from March to July 2026. The results of the research show that artificial intelligence has provided a cognitive framework for grammatical review and source verification. After confirming the normality of the data using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient demonstrated positive, direct, and statistically significant relationships between the ethical use of AI and academic integrity, as well as with writing performance, thereby supporting the research hypothesis. It is concluded that the transparent and self-regulated integration of AI-assisted writing acts as a supportive tutor that enhances linguistic quality without compromising academic honesty.