Awais Ur-Rehman;Arsalan Haneef Malik;Faiza Ramzan;Shoaib Abdul Basit;Arsalan Hussain
{"title":"How the Pre- and Post-COVID Landscape Shapes Environmental Sustainability via Industrialization: Insights From Asia for Latin America","authors":"Awais Ur-Rehman;Arsalan Haneef Malik;Faiza Ramzan;Shoaib Abdul Basit;Arsalan Hussain","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3559564","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3559564","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines the interplay among the financial sector, industrialization, and environmental sustainability across Asian economies, employing the generalized method of moments regression and dynamic threshold models. Findings reveal that financial sector components such as banking, insurance, stock markets, and financial institutions drive industrial growth but exacerbate environmental degradation, contradicting the Kuznets Curve hypothesis. While early industrialization stages show reduced CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, advanced financial and economic development intensifies ecological harm, underscoring the sector's limited prioritization of environmental sustainability. The multidimensional nature of the ecological sustainability index further highlights diverging trends compared to CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, emphasizing the complexity of these relationships. The implications extend beyond Asia. The study offers critical insights for Latin American policymakers: financial instruments such as insurance, stock markets, and bond markets must align with environmental objectives. Financial strategies can balance industrial progress with ecological stewardship by adopting responsible lending practices, integrating environmental, social, and governance criteria, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, particularly in renewable energy. These lessons gain urgency amid global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where financial resilience and sustainability intersect. The analysis urges regions such as Latin America to proactively channel financial innovation toward low-carbon transitions, ensuring that industrial expansion does not come at the planet's expense.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"66-89"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148560028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Javier González Núñez;Manuel Bolognesi;Jane Godbehear
{"title":"Creators at the Core: How Second Life and Roblox Empowered Creators in the Post-COVID Era","authors":"Javier González Núñez;Manuel Bolognesi;Jane Godbehear","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3555501","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3555501","url":null,"abstract":"This research adopts a comparative case study methodology to examine the transformative capacity of virtual communities, focusing on Second Life as a foundational example of immersive virtual worlds and drawing comparisons with the rapidly growing ecosystem of Roblox. By highlighting Second Life's economic milestones, $1.1 billion paid to creators and $1.3 billion invested in its development, this study underscores its enduring impact on virtual economies. The analysis explores how these platforms have evolved in their approaches to digital interaction, user-generated content, and financial models, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. By delving into Enrapture's journey as a tech company originating in Second Life, the study emphasizes the role of virtual-world-native teams in driving innovation and creating meaningful connections. Lessons from Second Life and Roblox provide insights into the future of the metaverse, its economic implications, and the challenges of safety, trust, and the psychological impact of digital dualities.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"90-98"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148560030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Victoria Cabrera-García;Ximena Campos-García;Lina María Acuña-Arango;María del Carmen Docal-Millán;Fernando Riveros-Munévar
{"title":"Flexible Workplaces and Postpandemic Business Challenges: An Analysis of Latin American Workers by Gender, Age, and Socioeconomic Level","authors":"Victoria Cabrera-García;Ximena Campos-García;Lina María Acuña-Arango;María del Carmen Docal-Millán;Fernando Riveros-Munévar","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3567202","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3567202","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated labor flexibility and the rise of innovative business models, driven by digital transformation and the need for adaptability. This shift necessitated the development of new models, policies, and guidelines to address global expansion and work–life balance, presenting organizations with novel challenges. This study investigated the work–life balance, resilience, and coping strategies of 3302 workers across five Latin American countries (Argentina, Perú, Colombia, Honduras, and México) in the context of these emerging flexible work arrangements. The findings indicate that 38.5% of workers experienced improved work–life balance with remote or hybrid work, and 49.5% reported increased productivity. However, challenges emerged, with 34.1% citing difficulties in time management, 39.7% reporting blurred work–life boundaries, and 36.9% finding it harder to take breaks. Gender differences were observed in resilience and coping mechanisms: men exhibited higher resilience, and favored cognitive restructuring and spiritual support, while women relied more on family support and acceptance of help. Notably, no significant gender differences were found in work–life balance or social support. The study suggests that flexible work modalities positively influence employee well-being. However, this flexibility necessitates a reevaluation of business and operational models, including a thorough analysis of work–life balance conditions, considering employees’ resilience and coping strategies within the specific productive and organizational context.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"51-65"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148559906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rising Strong: Peruvian Women Entrepreneurs’ Journey Through the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Beatrice Avolio;Vincent Charles;Lynne Lee","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2024.3504362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2024.3504362","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the challenges faced by Peruvian women entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 pandemic, their emotional responses, and coping mechanisms. Structured interviews with 51 women entrepreneurs were analyzed using thematic analysis, framed by social cognitive theory. Seven main challenges emerged: disruptions to operations, financial instability, health and safety concerns, business model adaptation, workforce management, external factors, and emotional impacts. Resilience and adaptability were demonstrated through community support, digital tools, and innovative resource management. Findings suggest the need for tailored financial support, enhanced digital literacy, robust support networks, mental health resources, and adaptive leadership strategies. Policy recommendations include the development of gender-sensitive policies and simplified regulatory procedures. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of women's entrepreneurial journeys during a global crisis, offering insights into unique challenges and adaptive strategies to inform future support systems and policies for women entrepreneurs in developing countries.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"165-185"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148559915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Guest Editorial: Introduction to the Special Issue on Navigating Storms and Shaping Horizons: Latin American Businesses Resilience, Innovation, and Transformation in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Asghar Afshar Jahanshahi;Beatrice Avolio","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2026.3695339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2026.3695339","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic served as both a crisis and a catalyst for transformation across Latin American business landscapes. This editorial article synthesizes key insights from eight empirical studies featured in this special issue. These studies span diverse yet interlinked themes, including workplace transformation, entrepreneurial resilience, environmental sustainability, digitalization, emotional well-being, and inclusive leadership. Collectively, they reveal that Latin American firms—especially small- and medium-sized enterprises and women-led ventures—faced not only operational disruptions but also deep social and psychological challenges. Yet, many responded with remarkable adaptability, leveraging informal networks, digital tools, and people-centered management approaches. The papers highlight how flexible work models, emotional salary, and virtual platforms reshaped organizational resilience and worker engagement, while also cautioning against the unintended consequences of digital acceleration, such as mental health deterioration and social exclusion. Moreover, the findings emphasize the need for context-sensitive, inclusive strategies—whether through green finance reforms, gender-responsive entrepreneurship support, or institutional mechanisms for well-being. By drawing connections across sectors and methodological approaches, this article distills critical lessons for businesses, educators, and policymakers seeking to build more equitable, innovative, and resilient economies in the post-pandemic era. This article also outlines future research opportunities aimed at deepening our understanding of leadership, sustainability, and digital transformation in Latin America’s evolving and often turbulent socioeconomic environment.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"41-50"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11618881","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148559996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial: Showcasing Leading Research: The 2024 IEEE EMR Best Paper Awards","authors":"Abiodun Egbetokun;Santosh Nandi;Tariq Samad","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2026.3700009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2026.3700009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"9-11"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11618894","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148559910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kelly Rojas-Valdez;Percy Samoel Marquina-Feldman;Sandro Alberto Sánchez-Paredes
{"title":"Strategic Positive Impact Plan: Latin American Business School on COVID Time","authors":"Kelly Rojas-Valdez;Percy Samoel Marquina-Feldman;Sandro Alberto Sánchez-Paredes","doi":"10.1109/EMR.2025.3541532","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/EMR.2025.3541532","url":null,"abstract":"The formulation of a strategic positive impact plan is a complex und ertaking that requires the implementation of innovative strategies with regard to faculty and administrative autonomy, inclusion, and acceptance. The importance of this plan lies in its implications for all stakeholders. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to ascertain the defining characteristics of a strategic positive impact plan for an international business school in Latin America during the context of the global pandemic, with a particular emphasis on the environmental, social, and governance dimensions. This research employs a mixed methodology, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The results demonstrate that the strategic positive impact plan in response to the Coronavirus pandemic has been substantiated by the literature and has become a recognized study plan. It encompasses notable pedagogical, technological, and governance alterations, in addition to enhancements in operations, pedagogy, research, teaching, learning, experiences, and social impact. The discussion and conclusions illustrate, in a practical manner, the manner in which all the relevant elements can be integrated to form a business school strategic positive impact plan. The findings have significant practical implications for the future of business education and sustainability practices. This research provides insights for higher education leaders in developing a strategic positive impact plan. It provides a practical example of how to combine all the relevant elements together and apply them to a business school.","PeriodicalId":35585,"journal":{"name":"IEEE Engineering Management Review","volume":"54 3","pages":"130-145"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148559919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}