scholarly journals Efectos del Covid-19 en el sector emprendedor costarricense / Effects of Covid-19 in the Costa Rican entrepreneurial sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 75-96
Author(s):  
Laura Arce-Chaves ◽  
Ramsés Alfaro-Mora
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Social Security ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

This study seeks to investigate the impact, responses and demands for support, in the face of the crisis caused by Covid 19, by entrepreneurs and organizations in the economic sectors, as well as the strategies considered to have the greatest impact on their business and that could consider necessary. The study took information from a survey that obtained a total of 138 responses, mainly located in the province of San José (50%), more than half (84.7%) include micro and small businesses and a (9, 3%) medium and large companies mostly located in a development stage in which the company achieves a degree of positioning in the market that guarantees its sustainability over time, the rest are located in the beginning and maturity stages mostly, they cover a wide range of sectors of activity. The largest number of participating entrepreneurs was found in the age range of 30 to 40 years (38%). Thus, it is found that the direct and indirect effects of covid 19 in the entrepreneurial sector of various sectors of the Costa Rican economy caused (55.7%) cuts in working hours as a practice in their businesses to face the crisis and a decrease in (67%) in the price of their products or services, experiencing a transformation in the management of business models that until before this date were usual. It is evident that the effects of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 had a strong impact on the Costa Rican productive sector, and the need for support from the businesspersons who have been affected is evident. Furthermore, for a country of 5.5 million inhabitants, the pandemic leaves more than 400 thousand people unemployed (16.4% + 11.1% underemployed), that is, 92 thousand more than before COVID 19. The worst hit groups are those of women and youth, leading them and the other unemployed to migrate to informality. 1,455 micro (1-5 employees), small (6-30 employees) and medium (31-100) closed. These companies have little chance of reopening, having to increase the figures of informality and in many cases, 2% of GDP in smuggling and illicit trade. The Costa Rican government must work to support new ventures that allow the insertion of new businesses in the formal sector, leading innovation, and competitive proposals to face new challenges. Access to soft loans, improvements in social security rates and differentiated fees for taxation should be part of the solutions. In addition, ensure that the minimum contributory rate of social security is modified for the payment for part-time work, so that the same companies hire personnel based on the hours worked and not for a single rate. It should be considered that Costa Rica is already part of the OCDE and that is going through a historic electoral process (26 presidential candidates), to put this problem in the sights of the candidates. The joint work between private sector, government, financial and educational institutions is a must. Costa Rica is walking at the edge of falling into an economic default and helping these initiatives could be a magic recipe for the economy.

Policies to control the COVID-19 pandemic in Costa Rica

2020 ◽  
Vol 128 (S2) ◽  
pp. S218-S226
Author(s):  
Ronald Evans ◽  
Roger Bonilla ◽  
Roberto Salvatierra
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Social Security ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Social Security Fund ◽  
Effective Suppression ◽  
Security Fund ◽  
The Government ◽  
Second Wave ◽  
Made In

The objective of this paper is to present a series of policies for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Costa Rican authorities. An exhaustive review of the pandemic control policies was made in the official government media, mainly the Ministry of Health and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund and some collective media. The first wave of the pandemic in Costa Rica was quite mild, allowing the government to address it with a series of quite effective suppression and mitigation measures, which had the unrestricted support of the population. The second wave grew aggressively, causing social discontent due to the economic impact. Due to the ineffectiveness of the “hammer and dance” strategy, the Costa Rican government has rethought that strategy, lifting certain restrictions while recognizing the risk involved in terms of the increase in cases of COVID-19 in cases and deaths.

Optimization of Taxation and Accounting As a Condition of Small Innovative Business Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
M. Protasov ◽  
A. Aynazarov ◽  
R. Ahmadeev ◽  
T. Morozova
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Deterrent Effect ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Complex Effect ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tax Benefits ◽  
Holding Back ◽  
The Impact

The article assesses the impact of the tax burden and optimization of the accounting system on the deterrent effect of choosing an innovative direction of activity by small businesses. Based on the results of the study, it was determined that the range of tax benefits and simplifications for accounting provided is quite a wide range and cannot be a deterrent to choosing an innovative type of activity. At the same time, a rather low innovative activity of small business was noted. Despite the fact that small innovative business has the ability to optimize taxation and accounting, many other factors have a complex effect on the choice of companies' activities, which leads to the effect of holding back the development of small enterprises in the innovative sector of the economy.

scholarly journals The Impact of Firm Size and E-commerce Usage on Business Performance on Hospitality Industry: A case of Libya

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 4265-4275
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ahmed A. Said ◽  
Prof. Madya. Dr. Noor Azlinna Binti Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Firm Size ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
The Impact

The hospitality industry is major service sector in most of developed and developing countries in the world economy, and nowadays many hotels implemented e-commerce for their business models and gained great advantages and increase profitability. This study aims to examine the impact of firm size and e-commerce usage on business performance of hospitality industry in general and hotels in Libya in particular. A quantitative approach was applied on hotel industry in Libya, mainly those hotels that have previous practices and experience with e-commerce. The results shows that small and medium size firms in hospitality industry in Libya are facing similar challenges and obstacles to other small businesses when establishing e-commerce website, and also shows a strong relationship between e-commerce usage and business performance, and high increase in profitability when hotels implement e-commerce and start to conduct online booking

scholarly journals Estimating the impact of COVID-19 control measures using a Bayesian model of physical distancing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean C. Anderson ◽  
Andrew M. Edwards ◽  
Madi Yerlanov ◽  
Nicola Mulberry ◽  
Jessica E. Stockdale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Contact Rate ◽  
Population Changes ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Testing Criteria

AbstractExtensive physical distancing measures are currently the primary intervention against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide. It is therefore urgent to estimate the impact such measures are having. We introduce a Bayesian epidemiological model in which a proportion of individuals are willing and able to participate in distancing measures, with the timing of these measures informed by survey data on attitudes to distancing and COVID-19. We fit our model to reported COVID-19 cases in British Columbia, Canada, using an observation model that accounts for both underestimation and the delay between symptom onset and reporting. We estimate the impact that physical distancing (also known as social distancing) has had on the contact rate and examine the projected impact of relaxing distancing measures. We find that distancing has had a strong impact, consistent with declines in reported cases and in hospitalization and intensive care unit numbers. We estimate that approximately 0.78 (0.66–0.89 90% CI) of contacts have been removed for individuals in British Columbia practising physical distancing and that this fraction is above the threshold of 0.45 at which prevalence is expected to grow. However, relaxing distancing measures beyond this threshold re-starts rapid exponential growth. Because the extent of underestimation is unknown, the data are consistent with a wide range in the prevalence of COVID-19 in the population; changes to testing criteria over time introduce additional uncertainty. Our projections indicate that intermittent distancing measures—if sufficiently strong and robustly followed— could control COVID-19 transmission, but that if distancing measures are relaxed too much, the epidemic curve would grow to high prevalence.

scholarly journals Tourist Accommodation Establishments during the Pandemic – Consequences and Aid Report on a Survey among Polish Micro-enterprises Offering Accommodation Services

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Maciej Dębski ◽  
Małgorzata Borkowska-Niszczota ◽  
Robert Andrzejczyk
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Government Aid ◽  
Tourist Accommodation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: The key objective of the article was to seek the answer to the question how the limitations of the first COVID-19-related lockdown affected small businesses offering accommodation services and how the businesses fared during the unlocking period. The side objective of the paper was to identify the actions undertaken in said businesses aimed at providing safety for the guests as well as to show the expectations such businesses had when it came to government aid. Methodology: In order to meet the objectives and to verify the working hypothesis, empirical research using the diagnostic survey method was conducted at the end of 2020. The article provides the results of the pilot survey carried out on a selected group of microbusinesses providing accommodation services. The link to the questionnaire was sent to 1000 entities, of which 47 completed it correctly. Findings: The tourist industry is among those affected most by the COVID-10 pandemic. The research revealed that during the first lockdown, the closure of accommodation businesses had a relatively strong impact on the subjects of the research. The situation remained similar during the first months of lifting of the restrictions. The summer brought a slight recovery albeit not as big as was expected. Nevertheless, strong premises were found which supported the hypothesis saying that such subjects – due to their size-dependent nature – fared relatively well in all three sub-periods. For the most part, such entities re-started their operations in spring. In many of them, the level of employment remained unchanged despite the significant drop in their incomes – mainly resulting from a lower number of foreign visitors and - to a lesser extent – from lower prices. The struggle for customers forced the subjects to introduce various solutions aimed at providing safety, which proved a considerable financial and organisational burden. Value added: The research is one of the first attempts in Poland to measure the impact of lockdown on the functioning of accommodation businesses and one of the few focusing on microbusinesses. The findings show to what extent the lockdown affected the operations of the entities in question, how the lifting of restrictions changed the situation in the summer, and what actions were taken to minimize the risk of infection. Recommendations: The findings show that the analysed entities are able to function in sanitary regime and that they support solutions which will allow them to offer their services in as safe a way as possible. On the other hand, they expect strong support from the state including subsidies or exemptions. It is to be expected that the need for this form of aid will grow even stronger after further lockdowns.

Megatrends in Electronic Business

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Ovaskainen ◽  
Markku Tinnilä
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Electronic Business ◽  
Entrepreneurial Opportunities ◽  
Core Competences ◽  
Digital Environments ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
The Impact

This paper analyses the impact of megatrends of electronic business on small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). The limited resources of SMEs create particular challenges in surviving the fast pace of changes in electronic business. This paper discusses megatrends and presents a qualitative study of e-business trends. The authors reveal entrepreneurial opportunities for agile small businesses and emphasize the need to keep up with technology. They examine core competences and finding a role in networks, the creation of business models and processes, and the challenges of multi-channel digital environments. The main trends are analysed for their particular impact on SMEs, and directions for development needs in SMEs are discussed.

“Physically defective children” and their care in the first third of the 20th century: the regional aspect

2019 ◽  
pp. 140-148
Author(s):  
Pavel Shcherbinin
Keyword(s):  
Social Security ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Special Children ◽  
The Impact

We systematically study the practice of social protection of children with hearing and vision disabilities, as well as other categories of “physically defective” children and adolescents in the Tambov Governorate in the first third of the 20th century. On the basis of a wide range of primary materials, first of all, periodicals, archival sources, memories, statistical data, various little-known aspects of the claimed scientific problem were studied. We summarize the domestic and foreign experience of studying the social security system of “special” children in provincial Russia. The variants of social care for children with disabilities, including in the context of charitable activities, have been clarified. The legal aspects of the regulation of physical and social defectiveness during the Soviet period are specially considered. The main stages of the charitable and public initiative to support children with disabilities are identified. Attention is drawn to the impact of the First World War of 1914–1918, revolutionary upheavals, Civil War, regional specificity and the specific historical manifestations of the care of these “special” children at the level of a particular region – Tambov Governorate. The influence of regional trends on education and training, as well as the subsequent socialization of children with hearing and vision disabilities is clarified. It is proved that the new economic policy has had a powerful negative impact on the entire system of social security of orphans, children’s homes, in fact eliminating all the positive developments and experience that has developed in the Tambov Governorate.

Impact of condition monitoring on reciprocating compressor efficiency

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Townsend ◽  
M. Affan Badar
Keyword(s):  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Temperature Monitoring ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Pressure Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Reciprocating compressors offer an efficient method of compressing almost any gas composition in a wide range of pressures and have numerous applications. Condition monitoring of critical rotating machinery is widely accepted by operators of centrifugal compressors. However, condition monitoring of reciprocating machinery has not received the same degree of acceptance. An earlier study (Townsend et al., 2016) was conducted on temperature monitoring. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of continuous pressure monitoring on electric-driven compressors. Design/methodology/approach This research analyzes the impact of continuous pressure monitoring on a fleet of 14 compressors transporting CO2 for enhanced oil recovery. The reliability and efficiency data on 14 reciprocating compressors over a three-year period were analyzed for failures detectable by the condition monitoring technology. The engineering economic analysis is presented to determine the impact this technology will have on the productivity of the compressors. Findings The study considers utilizing condition monitoring technology to analyze the pressure of the swept volume of the compressor cylinders. The results of the study indicate that continuous pressure monitoring technology has a strong impact on the productivity of the compressor fleet. The internal rate of return not only exceeds the operators hurdle rate, but the payback period is also dramatic. Pressure monitoring was found to be economically better than temperature monitoring. Originality/value The study reveals the economic benefits of implementing condition monitoring in the form of continuous pressure monitoring on reciprocating compressors.

scholarly journals Workforce Diversity: Evidence of Positive Business Outcomes and How to Achieve them. A Review of the Literature.

1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mervyl McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
The Body ◽  
Workforce Diversity ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Business Outcomes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Global Work ◽  
The Impact

The demographic diversity of local and global work forces and markers is increasing within what is still generally a context of tight labour market conditions, especially or skilled labour. This paper reviews a wide range of literature on the impact of workforce diversity on business oil/comes and how that diversity can he best managed for business success. The review considers various types of diversity, different methodological approaches from quasi-experimental to case studies, and a range of positive business outcomes including improved staff recruitment and retention; improved creativity, innovation and problem solving, improved marketing strategies and outcomes, productivity and net financial returns. Although there are some specific studies or instances that appear to prove the exception to the rule, the consensus from the body of evidence existing to date is that diverse workforces are the reality of the future and that, in general, they have the potential to result in positive/enhanced business outcomes. The exceptions are generally explained away as being due to lack of best practice implementation of diversity and equality policies, and management of diverse teams and workforces. This paper, therefore, also investigates the key workplace, management and implementation factors associated with positive versus negative outcomes. We found lack of research into the links between diversity, workplace practices and business outcomes in the New Zealand context with its large number of small businesses, a unique range of ethnic groups and its own cultural norms, signaling the potential for further research.

scholarly journals Cobertura universal ¿sueño o utopía? El caso de Costa Rica

2012 ◽  
pp. 346-363
Author(s):  
María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Social Security ◽  
Universal Coverage ◽  
Social Security System ◽  
Costa Rican ◽  
Security System ◽  
The Public ◽  
El Sistema

El sistema de seguridad social costarricense es considerado a nivel internacional como uno de los sistemas más exitosos y eficientes de Latinoamérica. Inició con el seguro social a los trabajadores del sector público y se ha ido consolidando hasta convertirse en uno de los sistemas públicos más comprehensivos en el abordaje de la salud, y de los de mayor universalización tanto en el nivel financiero como poblacional. Sin embargo, en la actualidad su principal reto es la sostenibilidad del sistema para mantener y ampliar cobertura; la ruta propuesta consiste en renovar y fortalecer los principios de equidad, solidaridad y universalidad; incorporar nuevos principios de transparencia, sostenibilidad y participación que se sumen al esfuerzo de construcción de un sueño histórico y alcanzar la cobertura universal. ABSTRACT Costa Rican Social Security System is internationally considered one of the most successful and efficient systems in Latin America. First it started covering the Public Sector worker, and it has been straighten to become one of the most widely comprehensive in its approach, and one with the highest population and financial coverage. However, social security is facing a challenge, the sustainability of system and coverage; the routemap consists of renewing and straightening the fundamental principles of equity, solidarity and universality, besides, to complement them with new principles of transparency, sustainability and participation added to efforts for building an historic dream and reach the universal coverage.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document