Author: Carlos Alberto Díaz Wright
Programme: Doctoral Programme on the Information and Knowledge Society
Language: Spanish
Supervisor: Dr Néstor Duch Brown
Faculty / Institute: Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3)
Subjects: Economic Situation, Economic Policy, Economy Management, Control and Planning, Production, Services, Tourism, Prices
Key words: Manufacturing companies, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, ICT appropriation, Productivity
Area of knowledge: Applied Economics
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Summary
The main research objective is to determine the impact that the incorporation of technology has had on the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing companies in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) in recent years. The investigation begins with an extensive bibliographic research that reflects the trend, and analyses the current state of the art of technology incorporation from a global point of view, passing through Latin America and finishing in Cartagena de Indias. Having determined that "state of the art" and aspiring to meet the objective, a survey is structured and applied in a representative sample of the city's manufacturing industry. The results of the survey included both quantitative and qualitative data. The next step consisted of the conceptualization and the subsequent implementation of analytical methods for both cases. Methodological triangulation became the cornerstone for managing the process of comprehensive analysis. The qualitative part of the analysis was complemented by the incorporation of specific mathematical techniques such as multiple linear regression analysis and data envelopment analysis. The combination of these techniques led to similar conclusions that supported the adequacy of the proposed method. Additionally, it helped to establish the variables that in one or another way produce more impact on this increase in efficiency / productivity.
To complete the investigation, and on the basis of the results of the qualitative and quantitative analysis, the conclusions set out a series of recommendations and mechanisms of technological appropriation contextualized for Cartagena de Indias. These show that for the immediate future technological appropriation will be more successful in terms of increased productivity and industrial efficiency.