Technological advances—and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic—have accelerated the growth of online purchasing, prompting a surge in empirical research on online consumer behavior. A substantial share of these studies rely on structural equation modeling (SEM) for data analysis. However, inadequate or improper application of SEM can produce unreliable results and misleading conclusions, undermining scientific progress and managerial decision-making. To address this critical concern, the present study provides, to the best of our knowledge, the first comprehensive assessment of SEM applications—encompassing both covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)— in online purchase intention (OPI) research. Our review covers 120 empirical articles published between 2000 and 2023 and reveals that methodological requirements of SEM are often overlooked, which risks invalidating both theoretical contributions and managerial implications. In response, we offer practical recommendations and a results-based guide to assist researchers and reviewers in enhancing the rigor, reliability, and decision-oriented value of SEM studies in this field.
In November 1975, the tripartite agreement in which Spain divided the Western Sahara between Morocco and Mauritania forced more than 200,000 Saharawi inhabitants, persecuted by the Moroccan and Mauritanian armies, to abandon their homes and flee to the Algerian desert. The displaced Saharawis arrived in the Tindouf desert and formed the refugee camps. Under these conditions, rejection or abandonment of education begins to be observed at an early age; leaving more free time for children and adolescents, which favors the appearance of criminal behavior, which develops to form organized groups that can operate across the borders of countries where the law is not respected. To prevent the aggravation of this problem, it is urgent to act preventively, this motivates the present investigation carried out in the Tindouf refugee camps, of which an approach to the current state of the problem is presented in this article. Theoretical methods as a fundamental empirical method, the in-depth interview, applied to the professionals involved in the treatment of juvenile delinquency, allowed us to reach conclusions, obtaining that the condition of refuge has led to an increase in juvenile delinquency that It must be treated urgently through alternatives that combine prevention, education and employment.
The durability of concrete in marine environments is critical for long-term structural performance, particularly in tropical climates where chloride-induced corrosion is a primary concern. This study evaluates the long-term performance of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) concrete compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete under natural exposure conditions in Cuba’s marine environment. Reinforced concrete elements were installed in a tidal zone and monitored over four years using durability indicators (DIs) such as carbonation depth, chloride profiles, air permeability, electrical resistivity, and chloride migration. Results demonstrated that LC3 concrete exhibited superior resistance to chloride penetration, lower air permeability, and higher electrical resistivity than OPC concrete, attributed to its refined pore structure and enhanced chloride-binding capacity. Despite LC3’s slightly higher carbonation rate, projected carbonation depths after 50 years remained negligible for both concretes. Additionally, LC3 showed better resistance to surface wear, further mitigating chloride ingress over time. These findings highlight LC3 as a promising sustainable alternative for marine applications, offering improved durability and reduced environmental impact.
A complex community can work towards achieving popular education through reading. The design of an educational strategy integrates actions for the preparation of leaders and for reading as a coherent proposal of activities that are developed in different areas of the complex community, from the perspective of teaching reading. The objective of this paper is to design an educational strategy for the development of reading through popular education in complex communities. The study employed the systematization of experiences as its methodological approach. It enables a reflective and critical examination of accumulated experience—through the application of the basic components of reading—to refine practice and arrive at new knowledge. The practical contribution of the study lies in the development of the educational strategy’s actions and the systematic organization of its components to promote popular education through reading.
Excessive smartphone use has become established as a behavioral addiction that affects concentration and productivity. This research, from a Marxist-inspired Science, Technology, and Society (STS) perspective, aimed to determine the existence of nomophobia among undergraduate students in Primary Education at the Ranchuelo Municipal University Center (CUM) in Cuba. A descriptive, exploratory, and cross-sectional study was conducted using an adapted survey administered to 54 students (4 men and 50 women). The results indicate that all participants were unfamiliar with the term "nomophobia" and that approximately half used their phones for two or more hours daily. Furthermore, physical manifestations associated with intensive use were reported, such as eye strain, neck pain, and headaches. Nomophobia was identified in 16 students, with a higher incidence among women (15) than men (1). From an STS perspective, it is argued that mobile technology is not neutral: its design and mass adoption respond to market forces that can produce pathological effects if educational and social interventions are not implemented. It is concluded that nomophobia is present in the studied context and that a lack of knowledge about this addiction increases the risk of its spread, requiring participatory and evidence-based responses.
