This research compiles from the scientific literature, the benefits of telework and the difficulties evidenced for its adoption. The objective is to investigate, in a regional context, among companies' managers from Manizales-Colombia, which are the barriers for its implementation and the possible associations with administrative regulations. For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied to 252 managers, and for the processing of data, Multiple Correspondence Analysis was used. Results show that neither investment costs nor technological constraints emerge as major barriers; they are those related to unfamiliarity with the subject, and management problems. Highly differentiated profiles among managers from companies adopting telework and those that do not do it. Also, patterns of association between their willingness to adopt teleworking and certain administrative positions are observed. Among these are distrust of nontraditional organizational schemes, reluctance to change the way of working and to use of new digital tools.

ResumenSe ha desarrollado una plataforma virtual de simulación de sistemas de producción industrial con el objetivo de analizar las operaciones de un sistema logístico de distribución de pequeña escala, dirigida especialmente a estudiantes y profesionales involucrados en la planeación, diseño y operación de los sistemas logísticos. La plataforma está basada en la metodología del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas, la cual presenta un conjunto de problemas construidos por grupos de profesores o profesionales. Estos problemas requieren ser investigados por el usuario para discutir, producir explicaciones y proponer soluciones fundamentadas. Los resultados de los escenarios simulados demuestran como el cambio de una variable afecta el desempeño del sistema y que otros factores se deben considerar para realizar una evaluación más amplia y concreta. Basado en los resultados del estudio, la herramienta permite a los estudiantes y profesionales experimentar creando escenarios y analizar diferentes situaciones. Palabras clave: sistemas logísticos de distribución; simulación; ABP; entrenamiento industrialAbstract A virtual simulation platform for industrial production systems has been developed with the objective of analyzing the operations of a small-scale distribution logistics system, aimed especially at students and professionals involved in the planning, design and operation of logistics systems. The platform is based on the methodology of problem-based learning, which presents a set of problems proposed by groups of teachers or professionals. These problems require to be investigated by the user to discuss, produce explanations and propose founded solutions. The results of the simulated scenarios show how the change of a variable affects the performance of the system and that other factors must be considered in order to carry out a broader and more concrete evaluation. Based on the results of the study, the tool allows students and professionals to experience creating scenarios and analyzing different situations.

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ResumenSe presenta un modelo de simulación como plataforma de experimentación de la logística de operación de una cadena de fabricación/distribución de pequeña escala, dirigida especialmente a estudiantes y profesionales involucrados en su planeación, diseño y operación. En la construcción del modelo, se usó en conjunto de métodos: simulación basada en agentes y por eventos discretos, además del uso de un Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG). El uso iterativo del modelo permite evaluar el desempeño de diversos escenarios que se presentan en el mundo real. Permite, además, analizar diferentes situaciones para el desarrollo de habilidades y competencias para la toma de decisiones bajo incertidumbre, relacionadas con tamaño de la flota de transporte, capacidad del sistema de producción, cobertura geográfica de servicio a la demanda y ubicación apropiada de la planta de fabricación/distribución utilizando un ejemplo típico de la Abstract A simulation model is presented as a platform for experimentation in the logistics of the operation of a smallscale manufacturing / distribution chain, aimed especially at students and professionals involved in its planning, design and operation. In the construction of the model, several methods were involved: simulation based on agents and discrete events, in addition to the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS). The iterative use of the model allows evaluating the performance of different scenarios that are presented in the real world. It also allows analyzing different situations to develop skills and competencies for decision making under uncertainty related to size of the transport fleet, system capacity of production, geographical coverage of service to the demand and appropriate location of the manufacturing/distribution plant using a typical example of the industry.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to perform a comparative analysis between the productivity metrics recommended in the literature and those that companies in the knowledge-intensive services sector use in practice.Design/methodology/approachTo collect information, a systematic review of the literature was used, to apply virtual surveys and interviews among managers of different companies representing the sector. For data analysis, categorical optimal scales, homogeneity tests, tetrachoric correlation matrices, word clouds and association coefficients for dichotomous variables were used.FindingsThere are association patterns between the metrics used and the nature of the work performed. Despite the heterogeneity observed in the productivity metrics, categorization guidelines related to the traditional, human resources and customer-oriented approaches emerge.Practical implicationsPossible neglects using metrics aimed at valuing the intellectual capital immersed in human resources are evident, particularly in the follow-up to autonomy, knowledge management, human capital, teamwork, training and capacity building metrics, among others. Conversely, face-to-face monitoring metrics, such as absenteeism, are overvaluation.Originality/valueThe approaches and metrics discussed and the results obtained, provide information so that knowledge-intensive companies have a reference framework to identify and select useful metrics to assess the work carried out by their workforce.