Academic research has significant potential to catalyze social change, especially in regions facing economic and social challenges. This theme was recently explored by leading academics and practitioners in a dialogue on how methodologies and theories developed in academia can be adapted to address real problems in vulnerable communities.
Luis Cuenca, professor in the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainability at INCAE Business School; José Valverde, executive director of VIVA Idea; and Fernando Francia, marketing and communications coordinator at VIVA Idea, shared perspectives with Geoffrey M. Kistruck, Professor and RBC Chair in Social Innovation and Impact at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Canada. Geoffrey Kistruck emphasized that “research comes alive and becomes a real change agent when it is applied directly on the ground, in the specific conditions and contexts where it is most needed”.
During the dialogue, the critical need for funding and access to robust data to conduct research that can translate into direct impact was underscored. Luis Cuenca argued that “technology should be a bridge that brings us closer to those who need improvements in their quality of life, not just a means to collect data.”
José Valverde highlighted the difference between academic practices in the north, dominated by competition, in contrast to the more widespread collaboration in the south, which “opens more doors and possibilities for tangible impact on communities.”
The proposal to create ‘living labs’ was highlighted as a means to engage researchers who wish to observe and understand applied research findings with action research methodologies. Geoffrey Kistruck stated that “these living labs are critical for academics to see and experience the reality on the ground.”
Living Labs have become essential and effective elements for research globally, attracting a variety of participants in an open, user-centered innovation environment that fosters collaboration in a real-world context and promotes co-creation.
One of the major challenges identified was the need for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Central America to systematize their information to facilitate access to credit and other types of financing. This step is crucial to build a bridge between available capital and local development needs.
The commitment to use research as a tool for empowerment and social change was reaffirmed with the launch of the InDeep Latam PhD Academy Camp for doctoral students. This project not only seeks to foster academic success, but also to ensure that the knowledge generated has a real and measurable impact in the field and that it can generate publishable knowledge in important journals in the area of management and organizational studies.
Geoffrey Kistruck stressed that linking researchers with the real impact needed on the ground is a key task in business schools, a view shared by his colleagues from INCAE and VIVA Idea. Both Schulich School of Business and INCAE Business School and VIVA Idea agreed on the need for the continuity of these conversations to continue reflecting on research and impact in the region.
Geoffrey Kistruck is a distinguished scholar at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Canada, where he holds the RBC Chair in Social Innovation and Impact. With extensive research experience in over 35 countries, including several in Central America, Kistruck has developed a deep understanding of both the socio-economic realities of the global south and the demanding world of high-level scientific publishing. His work covers a variety of critical issues such as the informal economy, social entrepreneurship, poverty, and knowledge transfer, and is notable for its focus on theories applied to the bottom of the pyramid and methodologies that promote tangible social transformation.
Geoffrey Kistruck’s primary research interests focus on social entrepreneurship and innovation in both for-profit and non-profit organizations, especially in the context of efforts to alleviate poverty in less developed markets. Their projects are characterized as action-oriented, as they are driven by directly observed phenomena and often combine quasi-experimental field experimentation with qualitative methodologies. This approach allows their research to not only contribute to academic knowledge, but also to have a real, practical impact on the communities studied, reflecting the Schulich School of Business’ commitment to applied research that addresses critical global problems.
The Schulich School of Business is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach to business education and its commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The school leads in integrating these essential themes into its curriculum and research activities, preparing future business leaders to meet the challenges of the modern world with an ethical and global perspective. Kistruck’s collaboration with institutions such as VIVA Idea and INCAE reflects Schulich’s mission to not only educate about business but also about how business can be a force for global good.
Luis Cuenca, Assistant Professor in the area of Accounting and Control, is an outstanding INCAE faculty member. Cuenca earned his PhD in Management Sciences with emphasis in Controlling from HEC Paris, as well as a Master’s degree in Comparative Development Studies from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales de Paris (EHESS). He has taught courses at HEC Paris and has been a visiting professor at the Sorbonne University. At INCAE, he teaches management accounting, management control and fraud and corruption prevention, integrating his deep theoretical knowledge and vast international experience to enrich the training of his students in key competencies and professional ethics. He is part of the VIVA Idea Schmidheiny Chair in Sustainability at INCAE Business School.
INCAE Business School, with campuses in Costa Rica and Panama, is widely recognized as one of the leading business schools in Latin America, standing out for its focus on training leaders capable of facing challenges of sustainable development and social transformation in the region. INCAE Business School has established itself focused on the development of business leadership and the promotion of sustainable and ethical practices in the business world. The incorporation of sustainability as a transversal axis in all its activities was pioneered more than 30 years ago. It has an explicit focus on solving the region’s social and economic problems and has played a crucial role in training leaders and entrepreneurs who are equipped to face and overcome complex challenges in their home countries and beyond.
INCAE’s efforts in applied research and its collaborative approach with international and local organizations reinforce its mission to positively impact society.
VIVA Idea stands out for its innovative approach to integrating sustainability into business strategies, helping companies not only increase their competitiveness but also secure their social license to operate and reinforce the viability of their business models. Through its specialized consulting, VIVA Idea drives innovation and optimizes stakeholder relationship management, providing practical and actionable insights that foster sustainable and scalable growth. This methodology enables companies not only to adapt to today’s challenges but also to thrive in a global marketplace that is increasingly aware of environmental and social impact.
VIVA Idea achieves its business and impact objectives with three lines of work. The first is Strategy and Sustainability Consulting, where companies are transformed to become engines of progress and sustainable development. The second line is Community Empowerment, which seeks to empower sectors and communities to promote social progress through the alignment of actors and social license, achieving an active and strategic participation of stakeholders. Finally, the third line is Actionable Knowledge, which involves offering high-level courses and trainings that equip leaders and entrepreneurs with practical tools to implement sustainable futures.
These collective efforts reflect VIVA Idea’s commitment to creating sustainable value that benefits both companies and the communities in which they operate.