La incidencia del sector financiero popular y solidario en la generación de empleo en el cantón Cuenca período 2015-2023

Abstract

This article analyzed the influence of financial microcredit and productive credits on employment generation in Cuenca, Ecuador, within the popular and solidarity economy framework. The qualitative analysis established the context and presented the key variables considered in the research. Quantitative investigation employed time series techniques to assess short and long-term effects, focusing on elasticities. The Engle and Granger cointegration technique established long-term relationships and ordinary least squares regressions for different variables. The results reveal that the financial series related to the second credit segment shows neither statistical nor economic significance concerning employment generation at any time horizon. On the other hand, the financial series belonging to the first segment demonstrates a common trend linked to employment and has positive coefficients in the long run. Furthermore, it is observed that the coefficient associated with the error correction mechanism is large and statistically significant in both estimations, suggesting a robust adjustment towards long-run equilibrium in each quarter. The findings suggest that financial placements in the first segment of the popular and solidarity economy are essential in promoting employment in Cuenca. Therefore, it is recommended that local public policies focus on fostering the development of these production mechanisms to further encourage job creation in the city.