Technological Appropriation and Competitiveness in Latin American SMEs

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the level of technological appropriation and competitive performance in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the South Cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay). The central problem is that mere technological adoption (purchase of software or hardware) does not guarantee a profit; The critical factor is the strategic appropriation of this technology. The theoretical framework is based on the Theory Based on Resources and Dynamic Capabilities, connecting classical literature with the state of the art (2020 in advance) on Digital Transformation. The methodology employed is of mixed design (Cualitative-Cuantitative Triangulation), using a non-probabilistic sample of 50 SMEs for the quantitative phase and interviews with directors (14-15 cases) for the qualitative one. Quantitative data was analyzed using
Pearson Correlation and Multiple Lineal Regression. The discussion triangulates these discussions with the narratives of the directors, confirming that the key to success lies in the dynamic capacity of SMEs to reconfigure their internal processes and develop human capital to support technology. The study concludes that growth policies must focus on strategic integration to boost regional productivity