International and Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences

Gender Inequalities in Contexts of Disasters of Natural Origin: A Systematic Review

Virginia Cocina-Díaz — 2025-07-30

Since the 1990s, numerous studies have highlighted the fact that women are more vulnerable in disaster of natural origin situations. From that moment to the present, research from a gender perspective has become increasingly complex, examining issues beyond vulnerability. This has led to the emergence of a body of evidence about women in disaster contexts that requires systematic analysis. The objective of this work is to conduct just such a systematic review of the specialised literature on gender inequalities in the context of disasters to allow us to ascertain which aspects have been studied, which geographic areas have received most attention and what knowledge gaps remain. Following the PRISMA methodology, we carried out a search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases, which resulted in 57 articles being incorporated into our analysis. The principal research aspects identified in the studies examined are the differential impact of such disaster events on the health and socioeconomic circumstances of men and women, as well as the reasons behind the unequal gendered impact of disasters. Based on these results, we suggest future lines of research aimed at covering research gaps that exist in the literature.

Effect of Intellectual Capital on the Quality of Educational Service

David González-Díaz — 2025-07-30

Recent studies have reflected on the issue of Intellectual Capital (IC) and the relevance it has in organizations to be competitive and in the excellence of universities, through its effect on Service Quality (SQ). The purpose of this research is to develop a model to analyze the effects of the dimensions of intellectual capital on the quality of service perceived by teachers in a Higher Education Unit (DES). This allows identifying elements that generate a competitive advantage and translating them into an improvement in the quality of service. Different contributions from authors are presented that offer perspectives on IC and SQ models in organizational context, including their analysis, measurement, and implementation the analysis, measurement, and implementation. The research was quantitative with a transectional, descriptive, correlational, and explanatory design. For the purposes of this study, a population of 102 teachers was considered, applying a questionnaire to analyze IC and the perception of the SQ. The results showed statistically significant differences between the IC variables in the SQ, and it was possible to understand the effects by analyzing the relationship between the constructs.

Circular Economy and Environmental Performance: Strategies and Challenges for SMEs in Basque Machinery and Equipment Industry

Rebeca Martín-Díez — 2025-07-30

This research explores the integration of circular economy practices in SMEs within the machinery and equipment sector in the Basque Country (Spain), aiming to identify opportunities for transitioning towards circular models. Using the Circular Business Scan methodology, 11 industrial SMEs are analyzed, identifying eco-design, eco-innovation, and resource valorization as key elements in their business models. The results demonstrate how circular economy practices enhance competitiveness by creating new business lines, reducing costs, and optimizing processes. Furthermore, the importance of practices such as repair, refurbishment, and recovery of products is highlighted. The study also emphasizes the need to develop both technical and cultural internal capabilities to support the transition to circularity. Additionally, the impact of public policies is highlighted, as they can transform the perception of the circular economy within companies, viewing it as a strategic opportunity to improve competitiveness. This work contributes to the theoretical development of circular economy in industrial SMEs, emphasizing the role of organizational and cultural factors, beyond structural variables. It also provides empirical evidence that can contribute to the formulation of public policies and support programs more tailored to the context.

Youth in Chile: Gender Differences in Attaining Adult Social Roles

Felipe Tello-Navarro — 2025-07-30

This article analyzes differences in life trajectories in Chilean young people (men and women) entering adulthood (ages 18-29). Using data from the Tenth National Survey on Youth and latent class analysis, we identify seven types of transition to adult life based on socio-demographic variables that the literature establishes as markers of adulthood, such as financial independence and having children and being head of household among others. Our results show that a reduced proportion of young people have all the social markers of adulthood, suggesting that most youngsters do not fully assume adult roles until they reach the fourth decade of their lives. In a similar vein, data show that most youngsters aged 18 to 29 live with their parents and/or are still enrolled in education. We also identify differences by sex, showing that the roles of women as caregivers of children are important in the diversification of young people's life trajectories. Such a transformation in Chile’s socio-demographic structure has a direct impact on key public policy issues, including young people’s access to housing, falling fertility rates and the adequate age of retirement.