Revista Colón Ciencias, Tecnología y Negocios

Editorial

Carlos Manuel Gómez Rudy — 2026-01-15

Brief Analysis of the Work Permit Procedure for Migrants in Panama Today

Mayra Garrido — 2026-01-14

This essay analyzes the current work permit procedure for migrants in Panama, addressing its regulatory framework, classification, challenges, recent progress, and proposals for improvement. It highlights the system's evolution toward greater inclusion through legal reforms, digitization of procedures, and institutional cooperation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the current state of the work permit procedure in Panama, emphasizing its recent evolution, the types of work permits, the requirements for obtaining them, as well as the institutional challenges and the direction of current improvement initiatives. The methodology of this study consisted of reviewing documents relevant to the topic of work permits for migrants from the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development (MITRADEL), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Ombudsman's Office, the National Immigration Authority (ANI), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and other academic and civil society entities. This study highlights a system that, while dynamic, complex, and constantly evolving, has made significant progress in digitalization, international cooperation, and the design of inclusive programs and policies. However, it also identifies a wide range of challenges that still hinder the system's effectiveness, equity, and accessibility. The study concludes that, while important progress has been made, it is necessary to strengthen regulatory simplification, transparency, gender equality, and social participation to guarantee decent access to formal employment for migrants.

Marketing and sales management strategies in travel and tourism agencies in Moyobamba and Rioja, Peru

Wilson Javier De La Cruz-ChugnasS — 2026-01-14

Tourism in the Alto Mayo region is a key driver of economic and cultural development, but its sustainability depends on travel agencies' ability to integrate marketing strategies with sound sales management practices. These organizations face a landscape where digitalization, increasing competition, and the need to build customer loyalty demand more coordinated strategic decisions. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between marketing strategies and sales management in travel agencies in Moyobamba and Rioja, in order to identify their impact on business performance and the competitiveness of the destination. The research employed non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design. A structured questionnaire was administered to all active agencies in the area, considering the expanded marketing mix as the primary variable and sales management as the secondary variable. The data were processed using statistical tools (Pearson correlation) that allowed for the examination of associations and the measurement of the strength of the relationships. The results confirmed the normality of the data, with significance values ??exceeding the critical level of 0.05 for both variables (marketing and sales). Significant correlations were also found, particularly between the dimensions of promotion, processes, and after-sales management, demonstrating that these practices strengthen customer acquisition and retention. However, weaknesses were identified in technological integration and service innovation, which limits the consolidation of sustainable competitive advantages. It is concluded that the competitiveness of travel agencies depends less on isolated actions than on strategic coherence between marketing and sales, an essential condition for sustainable, market-oriented tourism in the Amazon.

Teaching-learning model based on accounting intervention projects in university education

Marino José Palacios Copete — 2026-01-14

Accounting education in higher education faces the challenge of articulating theoretical content with real-world problems to develop technical, ethical, and social competencies. The objective of this research was to analyze and systematize the experience of implementing a teaching-learning model based on accounting intervention projects, identifying the competencies developed and the institutional results achieved in university and organizational contexts. The methodology of this study is considered qualitative, descriptive, and explanatory, grounded in critical hermeneutics: an interpretive approach that reconstructs the meanings of educational practice and examines assumptions, tensions, and institutional conditions to improve it. Twenty-two project reports (2021–2024) from the School of Accounting at the San Miguelito Regional University Center (CRUSAM) were analyzed, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five faculty advisors. Document analysis forms and interview guides were used. The content analysis organized the findings into four dimensions: instructional design, methodological strategies, developed competencies, and institutional results. The results are reflected in the coherence between objectives, methodology, and results; this component reached 86.4%, and explicit instructional planning reached 81.8%. The use of validated instruments was recorded at 72.7%, and continuous formative assessment at 68.2%. Critical reflection was evident in 63.6% of the projects, representing the main area for improvement. Projects with greater planning, validation, and formative follow-up produced organizational diagnoses, manuals, improvement proposals, and internal control recommendations; they also showed progress in organizational diagnosis, critical analysis, technical writing, collaborative work, and ethical responsibility. This allows us to conclude that the systematization supports a cyclical and flexible model that integrates planning, execution, evaluation, and reflection, which helps to deepen critical reflection and reinforces methodological rigor in future curriculum cohorts.

Analysis of Vehicular Traffic in the City of Las Tablas, Province of Los Santos, Republic of Panama

Itzel Frías — 2026-01-14

Urban vehicular congestion, linked to 10.82% demographic growth in the District of Las Tablas between 2010–2023 and stagnant road infrastructure, generates critical consequences such as increased travel times, environmental deterioration, and productivity loss. Given the absence of local studies with a logistical focus and the ineffectiveness of the traffic control system in the District of Las Tablas, this study aimed to determine how Strategic Information Logistics (SIL), through data analysis and time measurements, can be applied to Optimize Urban Vehicular Traffic (OUT). The focus was on the critical Dr. Belisario Porras Avenue.

The development of this research included a sample of 379 inhabitants to measure perception (Likert scale) and 379 direct on-site measurements of speed and travel time over a 150-meter segment. The objective data confirmed vehicular congestion, where the average speed was only 6.19 Km/h (below the 20 Km/h limit) and 96.57% of vehicles were moving below this limit, resulting in an average time of 2.58 for a 150-meter stretch, establishing critical mobility criteria. Citizen perception validated this urgency with an 83.64% perceived need for improvement. A high readiness for change was evident, with 94.72% of the sample supporting the implementation of traffic improvement measures.

The lack of robust SIL (insufficient technology and updated data) is the main factor preventing Urban Traffic Optimization. The installation of an intelligent traffic light in the evaluated segment, improved institutional coordination, and the promotion of citizen participation are recommended. These measures, backed by scientific data, can mitigate the negative impact of congestion, help decongest the city, and promote a more efficient and sustainable urban environment.

Gender equity among students of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Exact Sciences, and Technology of the Regional University Center of Colon, University of Panama

Vera De La Cruz Cabrera — 2026-01-14

Gender equity constitutes a fundamental pillar of higher education, particularly in scientific careers, where inequalities in student participation and professional development persist. This descriptive, cross-sectional study with a mixed methods approach analyzed perceptions of gender equity among students from the Faculty of Natural, Exact and Technological Sciences (FACINET) at the Colón Regional University Center of the University of Panama. Using non-probabilistic convenience sampling, a structured questionnaire was administered to 156 students (from a total population of 761). The instrument assessed students’ interest in gender equity related issues, perceived impact on professional development. The results indicate that 78.9% of the students consider the incorporation of a gender perspective into their academic training to be important, reflecting a growing awareness of the influence of gender issues on knowledge construction, teaching and learning processes, research development and professional practice. This study provides empirical evidence on gender dynamics within the university context and highlights the need to implement strategies the promote equity in access, retention and professional development for all students, regardless of gender.

Performance evaluation of a microservices-based gacha-mechanics web application prototype for promoting Panamanian culture

José Liao — 2026-01-14

The digitization of cultural content has become a key strategy to counteract the decline in interest in historical heritage, especially among younger generations. In this context, interactive web platforms represent an innovative alternative for promoting and preserving cultural knowledge through the use of digital technologies. The objective of this research is to evaluate the performance of a prototype web application with gacha mechanics. Within this framework, a web platform model was developed that implements gacha mechanics to communicate and preserve Panamanian cultural heritage through a digital collection of representative elements. The methodology for evaluating the prototype's performance was based on measuring response time and system performance under different levels of simultaneous load, using Apache JMeter for load testing. Furthermore, the solution was developed using the Scrum agile method and a microservices-based architecture implemented using Docker containers. The results showed that the concurrent thread group processed 31,114 requests with an average response time of 1048 ms and a throughput of 25.89 requests per second, reaching a maximum of 28.68 requests per second with 30 concurrent threads and demonstrating a performance stabilization trend starting at 24 concurrent threads. Meanwhile, the staggered thread group processed 25,026 requests with an average response time of 1258 ms, a throughput of 20.75 requests per second, and a P99 percentile of 2496 ms. Both scenarios maintained a 0% error rate, confirming the technical feasibility of the prototype as an interactive digital tool for cultural promotion and establishing a solid foundation for future research focused on performance optimization and user experience analysis.

Chatgpt-Mediated Didactic Strategies in University Mathematics Teaching

Mariela Gonzalez Murillo — 2026-01-14

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education, particularly in highly abstract disciplines such as mathematics. In this context, ChatGPT emerges as an innovative didactic resource capable of generating materials, guiding problem solving, and adjusting task complexity to students’ cognitive levels. This study conducted a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR protocol and the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) framework, consulting twelve databases and institutional repositories for the 2012–2025 period. A total of 336 records were found. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria (like language, relevance to the topic, and academic quality) and reviewing the studies using CASP, NOS, GRADE, and AMSTAR-2, twenty empirical and conceptual studies were selected. A narrative and categorical synthesis organized the findings into seven strategic axes: automated tutoring, content generation, AI-assisted instructional design, learning personalization, self-regulation, critical thinking, and teacher mediation. Reported benefits included enhanced autonomy and creativity, while the main challenges were conceptual inaccuracies, technological dependence, and ethical concerns. The PRISMA-ScR flow diagram summarized the selection process. Methodological limitations involved study heterogeneity and the restriction to English and Spanish publications. The review finds that using ChatGPT in university math teaching is important only if it is part of a critical teaching approach supported by school policies that promote fair access to technology, ethical behavior, and long-lasting improvements in education.

Social and Technological Robotics

Ricardo M. Candanedo Yau — 2026-01-14

Educational robotics supported by artificial intelligence (AI) has become an innovative strategy to promote sustainable and inclusive learning in contemporary educational contexts. This study aimed to analyze the impact of social and technological robotics integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) on the development of digital, cognitive, and socio-emotional competencies, as well as on the promotion of inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility values.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted. First, a systematized literature review of 32 scientific publications was conducted after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, allowing the identification of trends, dominant approaches, and empirical contributions related to educational robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Second, a descriptive and cross-sectional empirical study was carried out, based on surveys administered to 25 students and 5 teachers, complemented by practical activities implemented through the Service-Learning strategy.

The literature review results reveal a sustained increase in academic interest in artificial intelligence (AI) integrated educational robotics since 2018, highlighting its positive effects on academic performance, motivation, critical thinking, and socio-emotional skills. Empirical findings show high levels of agreement regarding improvements in the teaching-learning process (80% teachers; 84% students), creativity development (92%), adaptability (88%), collaboration (88%), and immersive learning (84%). Additionally, the strengthening of ethical and civic competencies related to the Sustainable Development Goals was observed.

It is concluded that the integration of social and technological robotics supported by artificial intelligence (AI) represents a transformative pedagogical resource that promotes comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable learning, although challenges remain related to teacher training, technological infrastructure, and equitable access.

Growth of the Panamanian nation from the perspective of strengthening the Public Administration

Ana Rosa Villarreal Caicedo — 2026-01-14

The growth and strengthening of the Panamanian state are due not only to its economic and institutional advances, but also to the way these are integrated within a governance framework that guarantees citizen participation, transparency, and effectiveness in public administration. e objective of this research was to examine the relationship between the growth, strengthening and governance of the Panamanian Nation, highlighting the processes of the State, the management of its resources with transparency, participation and sustainability. This descriptive study, with a documentary approach, focused on reviewing 59 bibliographic references from the academic databases Scopus, Web of Science, Redalyc, Dialnet, and Google Scholar. These references, published in Spanish, were identified by 24 of the references, which were considered relevant to the topic. The authors' arguments and approaches were then synthesized in a table. The analysis identified the factors that shaped the evolutionary growth process, with the Gross Domestic Product showing positive increases of 7.2%, 8.7%, and 9.5% for the period from 2005 to 2007, respectively. This analytical indicator fostered confidence and attracted greater investment. In subsequent years, however, the results have not been as encouraging, with percentages fluctuating and remaining below the level achieved in 2007. It is important to highlight that the nation's growth is closely linked to the administrative capacity to adapt, innovate, and lead change processes that address current challenges. In conclusion, Panama's growth is intrinsically tied to governance and governability, with the public administrative capacity to adapt, innovate, and lead change processes that respond to current challenges.