PurposeIn this paper, the authors adopt the theory of the circular economy to study the transitions that take place in three case studies in Mexico and Ecuador. The work is aimed to systematize a circular economy assessment tool that fosters opportunities for improvement in business practices.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on a descriptive quantitative analysis, where a checklist is made with 91 items and nine study variables. This is from the study of the bibliography and business practice. Furthermore, the neural network method is used in a case study to predict the level of circular economy and the importance of each variable according to the sensitivity by the Lek’s profile method.FindingsIt is based on a descriptive quantitative analysis, where a checklist with 91 items and nine study variables is made, defined from a bibliographic study and business practice. Furthermore, the neural network method is used in a case study to predict the level of circular economy and the importance of each variable based on sensitivity.Research limitations/implicationsThe application of the tool requires prior knowledge of the circular economy approach, which is why specialized personnel are needed for its application. This makes research more expensive in time and human resources.Practical implicationsThe practical and methodological contribution of this work lies in the feasibility of the tool that favors the definition of improvement actions for the implementation contribution to the circular economy in business practices.Social implicationsThe social contribution is framed in the gradual transition to circular economy approaches in underdeveloped countries.Originality/valueThe use of the neural network method to predict the level of circular economy in a case study allows making decisions in a predictive way. This encourages the development of the circular economy according to the context needs.

Análisis de integración de la cadena de suministros en la industria textil en Ecuador. Un caso de estudioAnalysis of the integration of the supply chain in the textile industry in Ecuador. A case study

The value networks management in the pharmaceutical sector is fundamental to guide the work of health entities to the demands of patients. The Cuban health system is characterized by the full and free access of its citizens to these services. The medicines supply chain is of vital importance to complete health services, and in Cuba a specialized logistics operator manages it. This focuses on achieving the medicines availability according to the patients’ demands. This study presents the medicine supply chain and the evolution of its management level since 2015. The qualitative evaluation of its performance is carried out using the Value Network Reference Model as a methodological tool. The result shows that in 2018 the medicines chain reach a medium performance level and that, based on this diagnosis, the development projects are elaborated according to the needs identified. The Cuban medicines supply chain is a reference of the logistic support that sustains this health system and for other chains in Cuba, when it shows management levels above the national average of three points.

RIAA 1 (2) 2010: 29-49 Resumen.-A partir del estudio de casos y la modelación de sistemas logísticos se formula el contenido y estructura de un Modelo de Referencia para la organización y gestión de Redes de Valor como etapa superior de desarrollo de la gestión integrada de las cadenas de suministro. La definición de un modelo matemático para el balance de la Red de Valor permite revelar las características y los principios de organización y gestión de las Redes de Valor. El instrumento obtenido permite a las cadenas de suministro evaluar su nivel de desarrollo e identificar las características que deben desarrollar para alcanzar el concepto de Red de Valor, el cual se basa en el desarrollo del conocimiento y la integración medio ambiental como sostenes de la misma y su posicionamiento competitivo en el mercado globalizado.La debida integración en el modelo de los factores medio ambientales asegura que las Redes de Valor se inserten en los objetivos de promover un desarrollo sostenible. El concepto actual de flujo logístico se amplía al incorporar al mismo el intercambio de energía, recursos e impactos con el medio ambiente.Los métodos de investigación utilizados se basaron en una combinación de estudio y experimentación de casos y la modelación conceptual y matemática de sistemas. Proper integration into the model of environmental factors ensures that Value Networks are inserted into the objectives of promoting sustainable development. The current concept of logistics flow is extended to incorporate within it the exchange of energy, resources and impacts to the environment.The research methods used were based on a combination of study and experimentation of cases and the conceptual and mathematical modeling of systems.

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