Sustainable Resilience Strategy, Business Competitiveness, and Digital Skills: A Structural Equation Model in Latin American SMEs

Abstract

This study examines the interrelationships between Sustainable Resilience Strategy (ERS), Business Competitiveness (CE), and Digital Skills (HD) in Latin American small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using structural equation modeling (SEM). Data from 387 SME managers in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru were analyzed using maximum likelihood estimation. The results reveal that SRS significantly predicts CE (β=0.72, p<0.001) and that DS positively influence both SRS (β=0.58, p<0.001) and CE (β=0.45, p<0.001). The multigroup analysis showed significant sectoral differences: SMEs in the service sector showed stronger trajectories from HD to ERS (β=0.65 vs β=0.51, Δχ2=6.42, p<0.05). ERS mediates 52.3% of the effect of HD on CE (VAF=0.523). The model fit indices were excellent (χ2/df=1.89, CFI=0.97, TLI=0.96, RMSEA=0.042, SRMR=0.035). These findings contribute to understanding how digital capabilities enable sustainable resilience and competitive positioning in SMEs in emerging markets.