Abstract

MONTENEGRO, Arturo; ZAMORA SANCHEZ, Ruth  and  ARIAS-VILLAVICENCIO, Valeria. Feasibility analysis in the production of orthopedic footwear for children in the Province of Tungurahua. Retos [online]. 2017, vol.7, n.14, pp.131-145. ISSN 1390-8618.  https://doi.org/10.17163/ret.n14.2017.07.

The present study analyzes the feasibility of the production of orthopedic footwear in the province of Tungurahua for children between 0 and 4 years of age, in which pathologies of the feet can be evidenced, which, with proper treatment and footwear suitable, can be solved thanks to the use of the technology with which it proposes to cover a currently neglected market such as orthopedic footwear for early age. The research is of a descriptive, quantitative, non-experimental type with probabilistic sampling, based on the analysis of data obtained during a time horizon of 1 year, having as techniques of information collection direct observation chips and interviews with experts; And a survey using the products that were the subject of research and interpretation was through participatory discussions. In terms of results, the market for shoe production there is very little competition and dedication on the part of producers to develop orthopedic footwear since as indicated it is necessary to make additional investments in order to obtain a quality product. As the main findings of the investigation, it was verified that a great part of the respondents do not know the existence of pathologies, such as: flat foot, pronated foot and supinated foot. Likewise, there is a need to have a specialist in the treatment of foot problems in the manufacturing process of orthopedic footwear, which will verify the use of suitable materials to correct each problem.

Keywords : Pathology; children’s footwear; orthopedic footwear; marketing; footwear; Tungurahua.

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