Tesis Doctorals - Facultat - Economia i Empresa

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Essays on the Dynamics of Macroeconomics, Structural Change and Economic Growth
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-01-30) Ticona Huanca, Wilma; Raurich, Xavier; Sala Lorda, Hèctor; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] This doctoral dissertation investigates how structural features—fiscal regimes, infrastructure, demographics and aggregate productivity—shape macroeconomic transmission mechanisms and long-run structural transformation. By combining empirical evidence and quantitative modeling, it examines three interrelated dimensions of policy and development across distinct economic contexts: a commodity-dependent emerging economy, the Latin American region during industrialization, and advanced European economies undergoing demographic transition. The first chapter estimates the size of fiscal multipliers in Bolivia using a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) framework that incorporates unconventional monetary policy, the pre- and post-nationalization regimes, and oil revenue dynamics. The results show that government spending has a positive and significant short-run effect on output, with larger multipliers during crises than during booms. These findings highlight the countercyclical role of fiscal policy and the importance of stable revenue bases in commodity-exporting economies. The second chapter quantifies the long-term effects of transport infrastructure improvements—railways and roads—on trade and structural change in fifteen Latin American countries from 1900 to 2005. Using a newly constructed Transport Index and a multi-sector general equilibrium model, it shows that increases in transport productivity foster exports, deepen trade integration, and accelerate labor reallocation from primary to manufacturing and service sectors. Counterfactual analyses confirm that stagnation in transport development would have substantially hindered trade and economic diversification, underscoring infrastructure’s pivotal role in development. The third chapter uses an overlapping generations (OLG) model to study how demographic transitions and a slowdown in productivity affected sectoral employment in the euro area between 1970 and 2020. The model replicates the observed decline in agricultural employment and interest rates. It also demonstrates that demographic changes and slower total factor productivity growth together account for more than one-third of the decline in the employment share of agriculture. Furthermore, the analysis reveals how policy parameters affect savings, labor supply, and the pace of structural change. Overall, this thesis highlights the central role that structural conditions play in determining how policies are transmitted through the economy. By integrating fiscal, infrastructure, demographic changes and productivity, it contributes to understanding how macroeconomic mechanisms differ across contexts and offers insights for designing policies that promote growth.
Essays on Education Economics
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-01-30) Izquierdo Nofuentes, Àlex; Montolio, Daniel; Arenas Jal, Andreu; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] This dissertation explores how peer interactions in schools and labor-market institutions jointly shape educational outcomes and the returns to schooling. The first two chapters employ a large-scale lab-in-the-field experiment in schools in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area to examine how students and teachers decide to form groups in class, and how partner characteristics influence both academic performance and subjective well-being. The findings document a systematic trade-off between comfort and efficiency: students choose working with friends and same-gender peers, and working with them increases their reported level of well-being. However, such groupings may lower test performance relative to more heterogeneous teams, and teacher-formed groups are more inclusive, improving the integration of marginalized students. The third chapter turns to labor markets, exploiting staggered judicial reforms in U.S. states that increased dismissal costs for employers. The results show that stronger employment protection raises the wage premium to formal schooling, especially among younger cohorts, but does not generate detectable increases in attained education. Together, the chapters link micro-level peer dynamics in classrooms to macro-level institutional forces in labor markets, highlighting how social preferences and institutional rules reallocate both opportunities and rewards across the life cycle.
Compositional data for analysis in economics and finance
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-01-16) Vega Baquero, Juan David; Santolino, Miguel; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] For many multivariate problems in finance and economics relative values of the variables are more relevant than their absolute values, which is the basis of compositional data analysis. This thesis aims at contributing to the integration of the compositional framework into a relevant domain of financial analysis, namely, financial stability. The thesis is organized into three distinct parts, each focusing on a specific financial analysis. The first one relates to the Feldstein-Horioka (F-H) puzzle, which states that liberalization of capital markets does not necessarily lead to a movement of capital looking for a better allocation of resources, as classical theory suggests. In recent years, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru joined the Latin American Integrated Market through an agreement that allows investors in any of the participating mar-kets to invest in the others. Both cross sectional and time series compositional methods were used to assess whether the creation of the joint market led to a flow of capital between markets. As a result, it was found that it is not possible to reject the F-H hypothesis, supporting the idea that the liberalization of capital markets is not enough to generate capital flows between markets. Secondly, a concentration index for financial/banking systems via compositional methods is constructed to establish the potential existence of “too big to fail” financial entities and provide regulators with an early warning tool for this type of institution. The index was applied to the Colombian banking system and monitored over time to assess whether the financial system was becoming more concentrated. Results found that the concentration index was decreasing, and this trend would continue. From the methodological point of view, compositional models showed to be more stable and to lead to better prediction compared to classical methodologies. Finally, the relationships between assets in a portfolio are evaluated from a compositional perspective. For many years, the issue of spurious correlations among variables expressed in relative terms, such as composition data, has received a lot of interest. As an alternative to the correlation, this thesis proposes a proportionality index for parts of a composition based on the log-ratio variance, a measure widely used when analyzing proportionality. The index was applied to a hypothetical port-folio composed of stocks from the Spanish stock market to assess the connections between the allocations generated by the Mean-Variance portfolio method. The index shed light on how the allocation process assigns the optimal allocations.
Mental Health Over the Life Course: Evidence from Shocks and Interventions
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-12-12) Perdana, Andika Ridha Ayu; Vall Castelló, Judit; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[cat] Aquesta tesi doctoral analitza els efectes psicològics a llarg termini d’esdeveniments ambientals adversos i d’intervencions en salut pública, utilitzant Indonèsia com a cas d’estudi. Parteix de la idea que la salut mental és un component essencial del capital humà i un determinant fonamental del benestar, la productivitat i el desenvolupament econòmic. Malgrat això, continua estant poc integrada en les polítiques públiques, especialment als països en desenvolupament. Amb dades longitudinals de l’Indonesian Family Life Survey, la tesi empra mètodes quasi-experimentals per identificar efectes causals sobre la salut mental al llarg del cicle vital. Les dades es combinen amb fonts administratives i geoespacials per captar l’exposició a xocs i polítiques de manera precisa. El primer capítol analitza l’impacte del terratrèmol de Yogyakarta de 2006. A partir d’una estratègia de diferències en diferències, es constata que les persones exposades a una intensitat sísmica més elevada pateixen un deteriorament significatiu i persistent de la salut mental, especialment entre col·lectius vulnerables com la gent gran o les llars amb pocs recursos. El segon capítol examina el Programa de de llevadores de poble, una política pública de salut impulsada a principis dels anys noranta per millorar la salut materna i infantil en zones rurals. L’estudi demostra que néixer en comunitats amb accés a una comare formada redueix el risc de malestar psicològic a l’edat adulta, a través de millores en la salut en les primeres etapes de vida. Finalment, el tercer capítol se centra en els incendis forestals de 1997, un dels desastres ambientals més greus de la regió, i evidencia que l’exposició al fum tòxic durant la infància incrementa significativament el risc de patir trastorns de salut mental en l’edat adulta. En conjunt, la tesi aporta nova evidència sobre l’impacte a llarg termini dels xocs ambientals i de les polítiques públiques sobre la salut mental. Els resultats subratllen la importància d’incloure la dimensió psicològica en les estratègies de desenvolupament i en les polítiques de salut, especialment en contextos amb recursos limitats.
Essays on Agglomeration and Innovation in the Developing World
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-01-16) Clavería, Racquel; Moreno Serrano, Rosina; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] Leveraging high-resolution and geocoded data, this dissertation examines how agglomeration forces and innovative activities unfold across density space in developing economies. Treating density as a continuum enables a nuanced understanding of urban dynamics beyond ad-ministrative boundaries. As such, this body of work identifies nonlinearities in agglomeration economies and diseconomies, indirect links between agglomeration and innovation through research and development (R&D), and the role of inclusive leadership in driving firm productivity. Chapter 2 analyzes geocoded data on living standards, environmental quality, and geography across developing Asia. Results reveal that while urban benefits diminish at higher densities, congestion costs such as pollution and overcrowding intensify, underscoring the non-linearity of urban outcomes. Meanwhile, Chapter 3 employs firm-level data from 58 countries to show that agglomeration remains important for innovation, but its effects vary with development: external linkages (physical and cognitive) spur innovation in developing economies, whereas internal firm capabilities dominate in the developed world. Finally, Chapter 4 applies the Crépon–Duguet–Mairesse (CDM) framework to Philippine firms, revealing limited R&D engagement and productivity gains driven by adaptive innovation and inclusive management, especially female leadership. Collectively, the chapters bridge empirical gaps between developed and developing contexts and demonstrate the value of spatially explicit data in understanding agglomeration and innovation dynamics across density space.
Essays on education and intergenerational mobility
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-10-24) Segovia, Joselin; Ramos Lobo, Raúl; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] Intergenerational mobility measures the association between children and parental outcomes. Consisting of five chapters, this thesis investigates the drivers of intergenerational educational mobility by examining how regional, gender disparities, and skill-related factors influence opportunities for educational advancement, combining observational and experimental approaches. The introductory chapter briefly motivates and presents each study. The thesis then moves to Chapter 2, which explores regional dis-parities in intergenerational mobility across Ecuadorian cantons, tests the spatial correlation across them and investigates its drivers. The findings reveal contrasting landscapes for mobility in the country, as the levels largely vary across territories and across the measures applied. The spatial analysis shows that indeed intergenerational mobility is spatially correlated; however, this more frequently reinforces persistent disadvantage than privilege. Regional rates of migration, educational attainment, and family-based economic activities tend to foster more upward mobility. Chapter 3 shifts the focus to individual-level mechanisms and examines the role of cognitive and noncognitive skills in explaining gender differences in intergenerational mobility across 23 OECD countries. The findings point to the educational mobility advantage of women relative to men, highlight significant variability in the magnitude of the gender gap across countries, and identify skills—particularly numeracy, Conscientiousness, and Open-mindedness—as key explanatory factors. How each of these skills contribute to intergenerational mobility varies by country, but in general cognitive skills are associated with reduced gaps in mobility, while noncognitive skills are associated with increased gaps in mobility. Chapter 4 builds on the relevance of skills. Particularly, focusing on skills key to university access, measurable in the short term and theoretically connected to longer-term mobility prospects. The chapter presents the design and implementation of a randomized controlled trial in Cuenca, Ecuador’s third largest city that provided training in numerical and logical reasoning to students in low performing schools. The evaluation of the program demonstrates that targeted training can enhance exam performance and that it could reduce socioeconomic disparities in college admissions. Notably, gains stemmed more from improved exam strategies than from cognitive improvements alone, emphasizing the power of noncognitive skills and the importance of relatively simple and scalable interventions to level the playing field. Chapter 5 concludes by summarizing that together, the studies reveal that intergenerational mobility is not only a product of individual factors but is embedded in context specific structures. Human capital development emerges as a recurring theme, not only in improving individual outcomes but in shaping broader systems of opportunity. The thesis calls for policies that recognize this complexity, integrating place-based, skill-focused and gender-sensitive approaches to foster greater educational mobility across generations.
Essays on Urban Economics
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-09-15) Magagnoli, Marianna; Viladecans Marsal, Elisabet; García López, Miquel-Àngel; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] Urbanization has rapidly increased over the past two centuries, with cities now hosting over half the global population. While urban density promotes productivity, innovation, and resource efficiency, it also brings significant environmental costs—including noise and air pollution, limited green space, and heightened vulnerability to climate change through the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This thesis explores how cities can harness the benefits of density while mitigating its negative externalities, with a focus on housing markets and environmental sustainability. The thesis examines three urban phenomena: i) noise pollution and its effects on housing prices; ii) Cycling infrastructure and its effects on housing prices; iii) building height and urban temperatures. The second chapter quantifies the impact of street noise on housing prices using a hedonic pricing model and spatial fixed effects. It finds that a 10-decibel increase in noise reduces sale prices by 3.4% and rents by 2%, with stronger effects for lower floors and externally-facing units. These results highlight the substantial but often overlooked costs of noise pollution, suggesting that its mitigation could improve urban livability, albeit with potential gentrification risks. The third chapter evaluates the effect of expanded cycling infrastructure on housing prices. Bike-sharing stations increase sale prices more significantly, while cycle lanes have a stronger impact on rents. The effects vary by proximity and infrastructure type, indicating trade-offs in urban space allocation and differing preferences across demographic groups. Overall, cycling infrastructure is positively valued without strong evidence of triggering gentrification. The fourth chapter investigates whether taller buildings can help mitigate the UHI effect. Using high-resolution spatial data from Spain, the study finds a concave relationship: temperatures rise with building height and decline after a relatively high threshold. The cooling effect is influenced more by surrounding land cover than by the building footprint itself, suggesting that vertical development should be paired with nature-based solutions like tree planting to enhance resilience to climate change. Together, these studies show that population density, when paired with thoughtful urban design, can be a powerful tool for climate adaptation. However, the findings also underscore the need to balance environmental improvements with housing affordability concerns. Policies should aim for city-wide solutions that reduce externalities without exacerbating social and spatial inequalities.
Essays on Misallocation of Resources: Evidence from Cuba
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-05-09) González Aguila, Ricardo; Basco Mascaró, Sergi; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] This thesis addresses the issue of resource misallocation in transition economies, using Cuba as a case study. Although the country undertook some market-based reforms in the mid-1990s, it was not until 2011 that a more significant process of economic opening began, marked by the gradual expansion of the private sector. However, despite the undeniable changes compared to the past, the 2011 reform was far less comprehensive than those implemented in China and Vietnam—a factor that contributed to somewhat disappointing results after a decade. My work examines several unresolved issues that have ultimately hindered a more significant reduction in misallocation, which, to some extent, helps explain the limited effectiveness of the reform efforts. The study identifies general distortions— the root causes of misallocation (Chapter 2)— as well as more specific causes related to the foreign exchange market (Chapter 3) and the labor market (Chapter 4). Each chapter provides a conceptual, theoretical, and empirical discussion of these issues within the Cuban context. Chapter 2 builds on the seminal work of Hsieh and Klenow (2009) to mea-sure the welfare costs of misallocation driven by the effects of heterogeneous distortions. The model is applied to Cuban manufacturing industry data from 2004 to 2017. The findings indicate that if all distortions were hypothetically removed, aggregate TFP would increase by 45% to 75% over the study period. This underscores the existing reserves that could be leveraged through structural policies to induce productivity gains. Furthermore, the chapter identifies potential mechanisms that could act as drivers for such improvements. Chapter 3, on the other hand, examines distortions in the foreign exchange market. For years, Cuba maintained a highly peculiar exchange rate system, characterized by multiple exchange rates, monetary segmentation, and an over-valued official currency. The latter created a system of currency transfers (subsidies and taxes), which became the root of multiple efficiency problems, with a particular impact on the competitiveness of the export sector. In this chapter, the model of Hsieh and Klenow (2009) is extended to in-corporate the exchange rate. The extended model is applied to Cuba using 2015 data, with a persistent exchange rate gap of 2,400%. The findings reveal a greater dispersion of TFPR when the exchange rate gap is accounted for, and TFP gains that are 50 percentage points higher compared to the baseline model (excluding the gap). These results suggest that exchange rate policy is a key factor for economic renewal. Finally, Chapter 4 investigates the efficiency implications of redundant employment, a persistent issue in the Cuban labor market. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) do not have control over hiring and dismissing their workers—an institutional constraint with significant implications for SOE’ profitability, competitiveness, and short-term financial health. The chapter employs a two-stage optimal choice model, applied to data from 2009 to 2013. The results show that in 2009, 93% of manufacturing SOEs in Cuba were affected by this issue, with an estimated 66% of state employment in this sector classified as redundant. However, by 2013, a significant reduction of 15 percentage points in the redundancy rate was observed. This decline is attributed to a combination of rising prices, increased availability of raw materials, productivity growth, and improved financial performance during the period. The results suggest that restoring firms’ autonomy to determine their workforce size could serve as a stimulus for productivity. However, they also indicate that reforms in other areas, such as pricing policies, could help mitigate the consequences of redundant employment.
Behavioral Influences in Financial Markets: A Quantitative Study of Dividends, Herding and Mispricing
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-05-08) Mehdi Hijazi, Mohamed; Claramunt Bielsa, M. Mercè; González-Vila Puchades, Laura; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] This thesis examines the field of behavioral finance and its impact on financial markets. It aims to provide insights into how psychological factors influence market dynamics in recent periods and across diverse economic environments. The research begins by analyzing the main determinants of dividend policy within the G-20 bloc, considering behavioral finance as a key factor affecting investor decision-making. The inclusion of G-20 countries, ranging from developed to developing economies with varied public policies, enables a heterogeneous and comprehensive analysis of this topic. Using cross-country data from 11 emerging markets, the first study investigates the determinants of dividend payout. The findings indicate that taxation, leverage, firm size, and liquidity are the most consistent drivers of dividend payments, while free cash flow and earnings show a negative relationship with payouts. In other words, larger, more leveraged, and highly taxed firms with lower free cash flow and earnings per share tend to distribute higher dividends. The thesis continues with an analysis of panel data from 31 countries to assess the presence of herding behavior during the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. It also examines the role of volatility and trading volume over a longer time horizon than previous studies. The results show that herding intensified during crisis periods, particularly during Covid-19, with China exhibiting the highest levels of herding, and the United States of America showing no evidence of such behavior. Herding was more pronounced during periods of high volatility and high trading volume, especially throughout the Covid-19 crisis. Lastly, it explores the relationship between herding behavior and stock mispricing in the German (DAX40) and Spain (IBEX35) markets focusing on how these dynamics interact. The results indicate a strong and persistent relationship in the German market, where herding and mispricing exhibit bidirectional dynamics, suggesting the presence of feedback effects that amplify deviations from fundamental values. In contrast, the Spanish market displays weaker and asymmetric interactions, with limited evidence of feedback mechanisms. These findings highlight the complexity of behavioral influences in financial markets and reinforce the relevance of behavioral factors in explaining deviations from market efficiency. In summary, this doctoral thesis provides a comprehensive exploration of investor behavior and its implications for financial markets. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how investors think, feel, and act, and how these behaviors influence market performance. From the determinants of dividend payouts to behavioral patterns during crises, and finally the feedback loop between herding and mispricing, the research contributes to a deeper and more multifaceted understanding of investor behavior. The main contributions are: 1) demonstrating the influence of behavioral factors on dividend policy in emerging markets; 2) identifying herding behavior during financial crises across countries; and 3) uncovering a bidirectional relationship between herding and mispricing in the European markets.
One size doesn't fit all: How i-deals redefine work in start-ups
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-05-11) Sánchez-Turón, Irene; Elgoibar, Patricia; Cruz Cázares, Claudio; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] Over the past two decades, profound economic, technological, and social shifts have transformed the employment landscape, reshaping how organisations attract, motivate, and retain (AMR) talent. Within this context, individualised work arrangements negotiated between employees and employers, known as idiosyncratic deals or commonly referred to as i-deals, have gained increasing relevance as flexible mechanisms for balancing organisational goals with employees’ personal and professional needs. These voluntary, non-standard agreements challenge traditional “one-size-fits-all” approaches to employment by enabling greater autonomy, development, and job satisfaction. Their strategic use has been associated with enhanced performance, commitment, and innovation at both individual and organisational levels, positioning i-deals as a vital element of contemporary human resource practices. While i-deals have been widely studied in established organisations, their application in start-ups remains underexplored. Yet, this context offers fertile ground for understanding their strategic value. Start-ups, particularly those operating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) domains, face unique challenges—limited resources, informal HR systems, and rapidly evolving roles—that make personalised employment arrangements not only desirable but necessary. By tailoring work conditions to individual strengths and aspirations, i-deals enable ventures to attract, motivate, and retain the talent critical to early-stage survival and growth. Moreover, i-deals serve as adaptive tools for aligning employees’ creativity and initiative with organisational agility, enhancing a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation (EO)—its capacity for proactiveness, innovativeness, and risk-taking. A strong EO is a key precursor to innovation outputs, such as new products and patents, especially in resource-constrained environments. In start-up settings, where uncertainty and resource scarcity prevail, i-deals channel autonomy and trust into entrepreneurial behaviour, thereby strengthening innovation outputs and competitive advantage. Beyond organisational outcomes, this thesis highlights the psychological mechanisms that connect i-deals, EO, and innovation. Specifically, entrepreneurs’ eudaimonic well-being (EWB)—defined by vitality, personal growth, and purpose—emerges as a mediating factor that sustains opportunity pursuit and creativity. Thus, understanding the interplay between personalised employment arrangements, entrepreneurs’ well-being, and innovation contributes to a more holistic view of human resource management in entrepreneurial contexts. This thesis addresses these research gaps through three complementary studies. The first uses bibliometric and content analysis to map two decades of i-deals research, revealing a field dominated by quantitative, employee-level outcomes. It also highlights clear gaps, such as the limited analysis of both C-level and employee perspectives in entrepreneurial contexts, as well as the scarce attention to how i-deals influence innovation-related outcomes. These gaps are addressed in the subsequent studies of this work. The second study employs qualitative interviews with C-level executives and STEM employees in technology-based start-ups to examine how i-deals are initiated and negotiated under conditions of scarcity, showing that resource constraints also foster reciprocal, trust-based negotiations and leverage the strategic use of non-monetary i-deals to attract and retain key talent. The third study applies a quantitative design to assess how i-deals influence start-ups’ EO and innovation outputs through the mediating role of entrepreneurs’ EWB, demonstrating that EWB significantly mediates the link between personalised work arrangements and firms’ innovative performance. Thus, the contributions of this thesis are as follows. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of i-deals research, mapping its evolution, theoretical foundations, and key themes over time. Secondly, it uncovers how i-deals function as adaptive HR mechanisms in start-ups, enabling the AMR of critical talent under resource constraints. Thirdly, it advances theory by explaining how i-deal negotiations enhance EO and innovation outputs through the mediating role of entrepreneurs’ EWB. Together, these insights position i-deals as a strategic lever for fostering entrepreneurial behaviour, innovation outputs, and sustainable performance in dynamic start-up ecosystems.
“Este es mi nuevo país, esta es mi lucha, y aquí es donde quiero estar”. Narrativas de mujeres latinoamericanas en procesos migratorios sobre la experiencia de acceso a vivienda en Barcelona y Ñuble
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-12-18) Opazo Valenzuela, Paula; Pérez-Rincón, Socorro; Martínez Labrín, Soledad; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[spa] Esta tesis doctoral aborda diversas experiencias de acceso a vivienda de mujeres latinoamericanas en procesos migratorios situadas en el Área Metropolitana de Barcelona, España, y en la Región de Ñuble, Chile. Desde una epistemología feminista interseccional y a través de la construcción de narrativas dialógicas, se analizan las precariedades habitacionales experimentadas por 29 mujeres participantes y las agencias y resistencias que despliegan frente a una crisis de vivienda ensamblada a diferentes opresiones de género, raza y clase que atraviesan su situación habitacional. Para este propósito, se utilizaron principalmente las técnicas de entrevistas y grupos narrativos, tanto en Barcelona como en Ñuble, combinadas con técnicas como la fotovoz y la indagación narrativa visual. Los resultados del análisis narrativo dialógico/performativo nos muestran que la heterogénea precariedad habitacional que viven las mujeres latinoamericanas en ambos territorios está condicionada por procesos de precarización institucional/administrativa, socioeconómica, racista y machista, y que puede abarcar tanto el acceso como la permanencia en la vivienda según las opresiones encarnadas por cada participante. Por otra parte, las agencias y resistencias que las mujeres articulan, incluidas las de índole narrativo, se caracterizan principalmente por operar en el ámbito personal y cotidiano, a menudo apartado de los vínculos comunitarios; lo colectivo está presente sólo en algunas experiencias, lo que refleja a grandes rasgos una despolitización de experiencia y un debilitamiento del tejido social propio de las sociedades neoliberales en el contexto global.
El Servicio de Atención Domiciliaria: empleo y calidad en la provisión pública. Una mirada feminista desde los Servicios Sociales Básicos en la provincia de Barcelona
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-01-29) Murcia Jurado, Ana Belén; Domínguez Amorós, Màrius; Simó i Solsona, Montse; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[spa] El Servicio de Atención Domiciliaria (SAD) constituye una prestación esencial dentro de los Servicios Sociales Básicos (SSB) en Cataluña, especialmente en el actual contexto de envejecimiento poblacional y de reconfiguración del sistema de cuidados. La presente tesis estudia la relación estructural entre la calidad del empleo de las profesionales de atención directa y la calidad del servicio, focalizando el análisis en la provisión pública local del SAD en la provincia de Barcelona. La investigación se desarrolla desde una mirada feminista que integra la perspectiva de género y la interseccionalidad. Se centra en la experiencia de las coordinadoras del SAD, trabajadoras sociales de los SSB de la provincia. Para ello se adopta una estrategia metodológica mixta, que combina la aplicación de una encuesta en línea a 79 entes locales, la realización de tres grupos focales con 24 técnicas responsables del servicio y una entrevista en profundidad. Los resultados evidencian que las condiciones laborales y el marco del convenio colectivo constituyen factores determinantes para garantizar un servicio de calidad. Asimismo, se identifican otros elementos relevantes, como la modalidad de gestión del SAD y la insuficiencia de personal en los SSB.
Services’ Economic and Social Effects in a Globalized World
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-05-19) Lioussis, Michel Philippe; Serrano, Mònica (Serrano Gutiérrez); Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] In the last decades, services sector has emerged as the most important driving force of the economy supporting a growing share to gross domestic product (GDP) trade and employment. The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the role of this dominating sector and better understand its economic and social effects in different regions of the world taking into account the globally interconnected structure of the economy. To do so, it employs input-output models and tables that allow analyse the interrelation of industries and economies and thus to study the globalized economy. After the introduction of Chapter 1, Chapter 2 focuses exclusively on the economic impact of services. It investigates the contribution of services trade to the variation of global income generation for the period of 2000 to 2014, applying a structural decomposition analysis (SDA) in a global multi-regional input-output framework. Empirical findings suggest that overall, intermediate trade of services contributed to 5.38% of global income generation while final trade of services to 4.56% for the 15 years-period analysed. This significant contribution seems to be explained mainly through the increase of demand of services as the negative effect of the structure of trade suggests that per unit of services traded, the value–added generated decreased over this period. At sectoral level, wholesale trade, the financial sector, administrative and support services, legal and accounting services along with land transport appear to be the most important contributors of the services sectors through trade. When looking at the share of contribution of services trade of different groups relative to only their own total contribution, the eastern European countries is the group that makes it to the top, despite having northern European countries along with the BRIIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and the northern American ones as the most important contributors through services trade. Chapter 3 of the thesis targets both the economic and social effects of services by analysing the global distribution of the generated income between capital and labour in the services sectors to better understand the growing decline of the labour share in favour of the capital, increasing income inequality. This is done first by analysing the evolution of the distribution of generated income through the years and by decomposing the global value-added to study the different effects that lead the progress of the income inequality. The study found that while labour compensation in the services sector saw the highest increase, the share of labour relative to capital decreased by 2 percentage points, favouring capital accumulation; however, services retained the highest labour share compared to other sectors, even in 2014. The SDA reveals that while wages have increased due to higher production, productivity gains —allowing firms to produce more with fewer workers— have significantly reduced labour costs, especially in manufacturing and services. This trend is driven by technological advancements and globalization, enabling cost reductions through efficient production and cheaper labour abroad. Public sector services experienced the highest labour costs due to government budget cuts favouring private sector growth. Regionally, wage increases were prominent in developed countries, while labour cost reductions were strongest outside southern Europe, where service workers benefited more from wage growth. Capital cost reductions, tied to technological advances, further decreased labour shares, especially in advanced economies like the United States of America (USA), Canada, and Japan, where services contributed significantly to these declines. Despite services generating the most wealth and distributing a substantial share to labour, this share has declined, raising concerns about growing income inequality and the social consequences of liberal policies, globalization, and technological progress. Before the conclusions, the last chapter of the thesis —Chapter 4— centres its attention on social consequences of globalisation and services by studying the effect of economic growth components to gender payment gap (GPG) accounting for different socio-economic characteristics as age and education. The analysis focuses on 13 main economies of the European Union (EU) from 1995 to 2018, paying a particular attention to the services sectors. To do so, work has been done on the data construction to combine two releases of EU-KLEMS dataset containing wage and employment share information on gender by characteristics with OECD-STAN dataset that offers overall values of wage and employment needed. Findings indicate a 35% reduction in the GPG in the EU from 1995 to 2018, equivalent to a decrease of 21.29 percentage points (pp), driven primarily by structural changes and wage distribution variations across industries, which accounted for 54% of the total reduction. Direct discrimination contributed to 44% of the reduction, while feminization had a minimal impact, reducing the GPG by only 0.27 pp, with a negative effect until 2007. Services sectors, particularly public industries such as health and social services, saw the largest GPG reductions (28.65 pp), benefiting young and senior high-skilled workers the most through reductions in discrimination, while medium-skilled senior workers gained from structural changes. Conversely, low-skilled workers and those aged 30-49 experienced the smallest reductions, likely due to limited bargaining power and job flexibility. Countries like the Slovak Republic, Spain, and Belgium achieved the most significant reductions, while Hungary, Italy, and Poland lagged, especially among low-skilled workers. Overall, the rise of the service sector and its restructuring has benefited female workers by reducing pay disparities, particularly in public sector roles, which have been more proactive in promoting equal pay compared to private sector firms. Overall, this thesis underscores the pivotal role of services in the globalized economy, driving economic development through rising demand and international trade, though globalization and technological progress have reduced labour costs and worker compensation, particularly in advanced economies and public industries. While services have achieved significant reductions in gender pay disparities, public sectors stand out for their positive contributions to gender equality despite an observed reduced distribution of income towards workers. This thesis has contributed to understanding the economic and social roles of services in a globalized economy, though further research is needed to explore income inequality, socio-economic group impacts, and other forms of gender discrimination under globalization.
Transformation in organizational structures: Uncertain in the context
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-02-20) Pacheco Cubillos, Darley Biviana; Bòria Reverter, Sefa; Gil Lafuente, Jaime; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] This thesis addresses the transformation of organizational structures and its impact on employee motivation through three complementary articles. The central objective is to analyze the forgotten effects of these change processes, often underestimated in the literature, and to understand which key factors influence and how they interfere for motivation within organizations in transformation. The first article presents an innovative methodology, registered as intellectual property of algorithm/developed software, to calculate the forgotten effects using a fuzzy mathematical framework based on embedded Experton structures. This approach overcomes the limitations of traditional methods, which tend to depend on a single source of information and generate biased results. The use of this method allows for the integration of several sources or experts without losing the reliability of the original data, making visible relationships that normally remain hidden. The second article adopts a qualitative approach to study the transition from hierarchical structures to more agile frameworks in large corporations in the financial sector. Based on contingency theory and five case studies, it proposes a guiding model for implementing agility, detecting the key factors and highlighting the importance of cultural aspects. Finally, the third article integrates the previous results by applying the algorithm implemented in the software FEXE to measure the forgotten effects on employee motivation, based on the key factors detected in article 2 and using survey data from employees who have experienced structural change and cultural transformation. This final contribution delivers strategic orientation for organizational structure transformation and the management of its implications for people.
Essays on Firms' ESG Performance in Various Settings
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2026-02-06) Xiao, Yuqing; Somoza López, Antonio; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] This thesis contains three empirical essays that examine how institutional arrangements, ownership structures, and strategic contexts shape firms’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance across advanced and emerging economies. Collectively, the studies investigate how regulatory pressures, leadership succession, and internationalisation trigger distinct legitimacy-building mechanisms, leading to heterogeneous ESG outcomes. The first essay evaluates the heterogeneous effects of the European Union’s Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) on firms’ ESG performance. It shows that mandatory disclosure improves social and governance outcomes, while its effect on environmental performance is limited or even negative. Moreover, firms in stronger institutional environments exhibit smaller gains, underscoring the moderating role of institutional quality and the selective nature of compliance under soft-law regimes. The second essay examines the role of intergenerational succession in shaping ESG behaviour within Chinese family firms. The findings reveal that later-generation leaders outperform founders in promoting ESG practices, primarily through legitimacy-building strategies. However, external media scrutiny does not significantly reinforce this pathway, suggesting that intrinsic family values and long-term orientation drive successors’ ESG engagement. The third essay investigates how internationalisation influences ESG performance among Chinese listed companies. The results indicate that global expansion strengthens ESG outcomes, particularly in state-owned enterprises, which face dual commercial and political legitimacy pressures. Furthermore, boards with international experience amplify this relationship by acting as legitimacy intermediaries that translate diverse institutional demands into actionable ESG strategies. Together, the three essays demonstrate that ESG performance is context-dependent rather than uniform. By integrating institutional, legitimacy, and ownership-based perspectives, the dissertation offers a comprehensive understanding of the differentiated mechanisms through which regulation, leadership succession, and internationalisation shape corporate sustainability. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, investors, and firms seeking to design effective ESG governance across diverse institutional contexts.
Participación estudiantil en Comunidades de Aprendizaje y sus contribuciones en la formación de sujetos políticos: el caso de Chile
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-10-09) Palma Salinas, Ignacia; Ramis Salas, Maria del Mar; Oliver, Esther; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[spa] Como espacios fundamentales de socialización, para niños, niñas y jóvenes, las instituciones educativas tienen el potencial de contribuir en la superación de desigualdades. Para ello se requiere que las escuelas lleven a cabo acciones basadas en evidencias que hayan demostrado ser efectivas para la mejora educativa y social. En esta línea, el proyecto Comunidades de Aprendizaje se sustenta en una sólida base científica documentada a través del Proyecto INCLUD-ED: Estrategias para la inclusión y la cohesión social en Europa desde la educación (2006-2011), financiado por el 6º Programa Marco de Investigación de la Unión Europea. Allí se definen las Actuaciones Educativas de Éxito en las que se basa el proyecto, destacando el rol de las interacciones sociales y la participación de la comunidad para alcanzar el éxito educativo. Con el propósito de generar conocimiento que contribuya al avance de una educación de calidad, en la que las y los estudiantes asuman un rol protagónico en sus procesos educativos, esta tesis doctoral explora las experiencias de participación estudiantil en Comunidades de Aprendizaje y su contribución en la formación de sujetos políticos. Este objetivo ha sido abordado a través de tres artículos científicos que emplean la metodología comunicativa, para analizar la participación estudiantil en dos escuelas de primaria de la Región de Coquimbo, Chile. Ambos establecimientos iniciaron la implementación de Comunidades de Aprendizaje en el contexto de transferibilidad del proyecto a Latinoamérica. En el primer artículo, se analizan los efectos positivos del aprendizaje dialógico en la participación de las y los estudiantes, profundizando en las representaciones de este estamento en torno a su participación, las formas en que llegan a acuerdos, y cómo se toman decisiones en sus escuelas. En el segundo artículo, se explora cómo las Tertulias Literarias Dialógicas, una de las Actuaciones Educativas de Éxito, generan capacidades que contribuyen en la formación de las y los estudiantes como sujetos políticos. Finalmente, en la tercera contribución, se analizan las relaciones entre docentes y estudiantes, dando cuenta de las formas en que Comunidades de Aprendizaje ha contribuido en la generación de un diálogo igualitario entre ambos estamentos. A partir de los hallazgos de la investigación, se concluyen las formas en que, en las escuelas participantes de este estudio, el proyecto de Comunidades de Aprendizaje contribuye a la formación de las y los estudiantes como sujetos políticos. Así, se evidencia que la participación estudiantil se establece como una práctica cotidiana que pone en valor la riqueza de la diversidad, al mismo tiempo que las y los estudiantes desarrollan su autonomía y agencia. Junto con lo anterior, el diálogo igualitario permite la construcción de relaciones horizontales, instalando la idea de que todas las personas tienen saberes y capacidades para transformar sus vidas. Finalmente, se concluye que el proyecto de Comunidades de Aprendizaje facilita que los aprendizajes y capacidades desarrolladas por las y los estudiantes en el contexto escolar, sean llevadas a otros entornos en los que se desenvuelven. Esta tesis doctoral amplía la evidencia existente en torno al proyecto de Comunidades de Aprendizaje y su impacto en la mejora educativa, abordando de forma novedosa sus potencialidades para la formación de estudiantes de primaria como sujetos políticos. A su vez, los artículos presentados, se constituyen entre las primeras investigaciones publicadas que abordan contexto chileno, contribuyendo de esta forma a la evidencia de la implementación de Comunidades de Aprendizaje en el contexto latinoamericano.
Exclusion and Inclusion of ex-imprisoned women in urban communities: A mixed-method approach in Catalonia
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-10-02) Barzideh, Kasra; Cano-Hila, Ana Belén; Almeda, Elisabet; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[eng] The participation of women in criminal activities in Catalonia, as in many other regions worldwide, is on the rise. These demographic shifts and their repercussions have deeply affected the quality of life, particularly for women in urban environments. The challenges extend beyond the period of incarceration, encompassing broader issues that arise post-release. The growing number of women emerging from prison, burdened with various challenges following their incarceration, highlights the gravity of this matter. In many cases, their living conditions deteriorate even further after release, exacerbating the decline of their social, economic, and cultural capital. At the same time, statistics only reveal part of the truth. Behind the figures lie complex stories that reveal the path from crime to prison, which, after release, becomes a arduous journey to social inclusion and relative stability. The dysfunctional cycles in the path of social integration of these women reflect administrative, social and cultural shortcomings and negligence, often based on stereotypes and superficial statistics, rather than on real needs and gender sensitivities. In this way, using a mixed approach, field and secondary data are integrated to provide a deeper understanding of the reality of the lives of former female prisoners in urban communities in Catalonia. Furthermore, the integration of data, with a focus on qualitative and field data, supported by secondary data, highlights the unique challenges of ex-prisoners as a group that often faces multiple and intersecting discrimination. Bibliographical documents and sources, and the history of women in prison, approaches and turning points in feminist criminology are reviewed, with a particular emphasis on Spanish contexts and the region of Catalonia as a case study. Field data analysis, descriptive statistical data and an examination of key concepts of urban sociology, including exclusion, inclusion, urban poverty and neighborhood dynamics, as well as the underlying relationships and needs of these women, are considered in this research to better understand the integration of ex-prisoners. The results of the research identify key empowerment mechanisms and categorize them into three areas: formal rehabilitation, informal social support and self-reliance. By highlighting the unique needs of this group, this study contributes to a better understanding of the integration process of former female prisoners and the obstacles they face. The findings of the study show that this group faces instability in their daily lives and continues to face the constant risk of social exclusion on the path to their reintegration. Concepts such as "unsustainable development in the condition of ex-imprisoned women," "search for empowerment-defense mechanisms," "efforts to abandon the identity of a criminal woman," and "debilitation of social capital" are highlighted. These concepts are identified as key components of a phenomenon called “threatened integration”.
Plataformas Digitales de Trabajo: Regulaciones Laborales y Perspectivas Sindicales en España y Chile
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-10-03) Jara Villarroel, Natalia; Wagner, Peter; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[spa] [spa] Desde hace ya más de dos décadas, las plataformas digitales de trabajo han reconfigurado el mercado laboral, generando tanto oportunidades como desafíos estructurales. Aunque estas plataformas promueven un discurso de autonomía y flexibilidad, diversos estudios han evidenciado que las relaciones laborales que establecen presentan rasgos propios del empleo dependiente. La fijación de tarifas, la asignación de servicios mediante algoritmos y la evaluación del desempeño restringen la capacidad de negociación de las y los trabajadores, sometiéndoles a dinámicas de subordinación que contradicen su estatus formal de independientes. Este fenómeno ha llevado a organismos internacionales a alertar sobre la necesidad de regular estas formas de trabajo para evitar la precarización y garantizar derechos laborales básicos, en un contexto donde la lógica del capitalismo de plataformas prioriza la extracción de valor y la externalización de costos. España y Chile han sido pioneros en la implementación de marcos regulatorios específicos para el trabajo en plataformas digitales. En España, la Ley Rider presume la laboralidad de las y los repartidores, obligando a las plataformas a contratarlos como empleados y garantizarles derechos como seguridad social y sindicalización. En Chile, la Ley 21.431 establece una distinción entre trabajadores dependientes e independientes, otorgando derechos diferenciados según su clasificación. Sin embargo, la aplicación de estas normativas ha generado tensiones entre las plataformas, las y los trabajadores, y los reguladores, evidenciando estrategias de resistencia empresarial y debates sobre la efectividad de las regulaciones en un contexto de alta flexibilización laboral. Para comprender el surgimiento y el funcionamiento del capitalismo de plataformas, por un lado, y las condiciones laborales en la llamada economía gig, sus respuestas regulativas y las visiones de las y los dirigentes sindicales sobre éstas, por otro, es que esta investigación se estructura en diferentes capítulos que avanzan desde una visión más general sobre las plataformas digitales, hasta una perspectiva más focalizada en las organizaciones sindicales de aplicaciones móviles de España y Chile. Así, en un comienzo se aborda el origen histórico e ideológico del capitalismo de plataformas, examinando sus fundamentos y su impacto en la reconfiguración del mercado. Se analizan los distintos tipos de plataformas digitales, la importancia de los sistemas algorítmicos y sus estrategias rentistas basadas en la extracción de datos y la monopolización de mercados. Además, se discute el concepto de economía colaborativa, su surgimiento como alternativa y su posterior cooptación por grandes corporaciones, junto con propuestas emergentes como el cooperativismo de plataformas, que buscan democratizar el trabajo en este sector. Posteriormente, el estudio se centra en un análisis documental y de campo sobre las condiciones laborales en plataformas digitales, con énfasis en las tensiones en torno a la clasificación laboral, la flexibilidad y la precarización del empleo. Se examinan las dinámicas organizativas de las y los trabajadores en las plataformas laborales, así como las respuestas regulatorias implementadas, especialmente en Chile y España. Conjuntamente, a través de entrevistas en profundidad a dirigentes y dirigentas sindicales, se exploran sus trayectorias organizativas, demandas y estrategias de acción colectiva, junto con sus percepciones sobre la legislación vigente. Este enfoque cualitativo permite comprender cómo las acciones colectivas han influido en la configuración de las relaciones laborales en un entorno altamente digitalizado, donde las plataformas imponen dinámicas de control algorítmico y modelos contractuales que generan incertidumbre sobre el reconocimiento de derechos laborales y la seguridad social. En síntesis, esta investigación analiza tanto a las plataformas digitales en general, como las dinámicas laborales y organizativas del trabajo en aplicaciones móviles en España y Chile, en particular, con el objetivo de comprender cómo las tensiones en torno a la clasificación laboral, las acciones colectivas y las respuestas regulatorias transforman las relaciones laborales en la economía gig. A través de un enfoque comparativo, se exploran las condiciones laborales, las regulaciones aplicadas, las estrategias de organización sindical y las percepciones de las y los dirigentes sindicales en ambos países, identificando los desafíos y oportunidades que surgen en este nuevo contexto laboral. El estudio finaliza subrayando la necesidad de respuestas colectivas y una mayor regulación para garantizar que los beneficios de la digitalización se distribuyan de manera equitativa, avanzando hacia un modelo que reconozca el trabajo como una actividad esencialmente social y no individual.
Trabajo Social Sanitario y Cuidados Paliativos Pediátricos: estudio de los factores que inciden en la atención y acompañamiento a familias de niños/as con necesidades paliativas en el Hospital Materno-Infantil Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-07-15) Hernández Moscoso, Balma Soraya; Torralba Roselló, Josep Maria; Condom Bosch, Josep Lluís; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[spa] El desarrollo continuado de nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al ámbito de la salud condiciona el descenso en la mortalidad de la ciudadanía. La población pediátrica no es ajena al fenómeno de la disminución de la mortalidad. Los avances científicos ofrecen nuevas oportunidades terapéuticas aumentando la supervivencia. Se mejora también la calidad de vida en patologías que hace apenas diez años eran invalidantes o extremadamente graves. Se instala en pediatría, en muchos casos, una cronicidad cuya clínica es tratable. Aún y así, pese al momento actual en innovación génica y las alternativas en ensayos clínicos, siguen existiendo en la edad pediátrica enfermedades complejas que podrían no resolverse médicamente. La falta de opciones terapéuticas ante el desarrollo de la enfermedad significará irremediablemente la muerte. Ante las patologías amenazantes en niños y adolescentes, los cuidados paliativos pediátricos ofrecen la atención que pretende mejorar la calidad de vida de pacientes y familias. Esto se lleva a cabo gracias a un equipo de perfil multidisciplinar y un trabajo colaborativo a través del tratamiento de distintos problemas ya sean físicos, espirituales o psicosociales. En Catalunya, a partir de 2020, con la publicación del Modelo organizativo de atención integral a la población infantil y juvenil con necesidades paliativas y en situación de final de vida se ponen las bases para la construcción de una red profesional sólida y orgánica. Al entenderse una asistencia integral y multidisciplinar en un momento de complejidad clínica, los profesionales sanitarios implicados tienen la responsabilidad de asegurar el buen trato al paciente reconociendo las situaciones de desprotección y maltrato infantil. Estos profesionales, además, tienen dos retos: el de trabajar en un entorno de cambios sociales y flujos culturales donde la diversidad ha hecho acto de presencia; y el de hacer valer la cultura paliativa en un entorno hospitalario altamente tecnificado donde curar es el máximo objetivo. Siendo el Trabajo Social una disciplina imprescindible para el acompañamiento en final de vida, su rol toma especial importancia no solo en la intervención directa con las familias, sino también en la sensibilización, orientación y educación de otros profesionales del equipo en temas éticos, culturales y de protección infantil. El objetivo de esta investigación es conocer la atención y acompañamiento que se realiza a las familias de niños, niñas y adolescentes con una enfermedad amenazante para la vida en el Hospital Materno Infantil Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona, identificando los factores sociales, culturales y organizacionales que inciden en su cuidado para proponer la elaboración de un protocolo de actuación liderado por la trabajadora social sanitaria que garantice el buen trato hacia el niño. Se diseña un estudio unicéntrico de carácter cualitativo. Este se inicia con un estudio bibliográfico para crear el marco conceptual, la construcción de las categorías de análisis, y la elaboración de los instrumentos de recogida de datos. La obtención de datos se realiza a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas individuales y un grupo de discusión. Posteriormente, se analizan y discuten los datos obtenidos del trabajo de campo. Finalmente, se presentan las conclusiones de la tesis y las referencias utilizadas. Los profesionales y familias entrevistados comparten experiencias y percepciones sobre el acompañamiento, los obstáculos comunicativos, la falta de recursos específicos, los aspectos positivos de la atención especializada y el rol de la trabajadora social sanitaria.
La Forma Urbana en sus Dimensiones Sociales. Una exploración para reorientar las lógicas de los proyectos de ordenación de la ciudad a través de su integración en el análisis de las estructuras relacionales de la vida social
(Universitat de Barcelona, 2025-05-30) Artázcoz García, Xabier; Mundó Blanch, Jordi; Universitat de Barcelona. Facultat d'Economia i Empresa
[spa] Esta investigación doctoral tiene como propósito fundacional realizar una amplia reflexión sobre cómo los procesos sociales contribuyen en la constitución del espacio urbano, al tiempo que estos mismos se ven condicionados por la manera en la que se piensa, se diseña y se va transformando en el tiempo la fisonomía de la ciudad. Se trata pues de un intento por presentar el hábitat preferencial de las sociedades contemporáneas como resultado de una constante adaptación recíproca entre elementos formales, restricciones materiales y un entramado de acciones, normas e instituciones sociales. En este sentido, no existe la pretensión por determinar si los primeros son los que condicionan el funcionamiento de las segundas o viceversa, sino de buscar un razonamiento que sin ser taxativo de partida, favorezca que cualquiera de los planos analíticos encuentre en el otro un punto de apoyo para producir conjuntamente conocimiento. Ahora bien, conviene remarcar desde un inicio que ésta es una tesis fundamentalmente sociológica. Es cierto que nace de un interés particular consistente en explorar la posibilidad de trasladar e incorporar ideas, conceptos y métodos de observación desarrolladas desde las ciencias sociales al espacio de trabajo que ocupa la arquitectura en el ámbito de la planificación urbana. Pero, más allá de esta puntualización, su vocación es explicar cómo se va materializando la ciudad a medida que se va organizando la vida en sociedad a partir de sus relaciones sociales significativas. Para dar contenido preciso a esta pretensión, se plantea un estudio compuesto por tres capítulos, cada uno de ellos dividido internamente en distintas partes y apartados. Lo tratado en primer capítulo sirve para conformar el arco teórico sobre la que se enhebra el hilo conductor de la investigación. Su trasfondo es deudor de una exhaustiva labor de documentación basada en trabajos contrastados en el campo de la antropología, la psicología, la sociología, la economía y la cultura. Todos estos dominios y las evidencias allí obtenidas dan pie a concordar una teoría integrada de la sociabilidad humana, tras revelar que la gran mayoría de sus propósitos, intenciones, aspiraciones, preocupaciones, etc., cobran sentido en términos de interacción con las demás. En cuanto al segundo capítulo, permite aterrizar esta construcción conceptual en el contorno urbano, una vez concluido que para analizar cabalmente las dinámicas que vertebran el sistema organizativo de cualquier grupo social, resulta imprescindible saber dónde se sitúan y ocurren estos hechos. Finalmente, el tercer capítulo, habiendo contextualizado algunos de los dominios y manifestaciones en torno a la estructuración de la vida social en el medio urbano, se vuelve más específico al abordar estas mismas cuestiones buscando caracterizarlas a través de la cartografía. Poder identificar el mapa como un documento sintético a la par que eficaz para mostrar situaciones socialmente representativas, constituye un paso decisivo para valorar en qué medida se puede conseguir incorporar la 'capa social' al estrategias seguidas durante la ideación de un proyecto.

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