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Digital Competencies, Human Resource Management, and Culture as Strategic Drivers of Sustainable Digital Transformation in SMEs of Lima

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines how digital competencies, digital human resource management, and organizational culture influence the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lima, Peru. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional approach was applied to a sample of 307 entrepreneurs and managers through a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. Findings indicate that digital competencies significantly affect both digital human resource management and digital transformation, explaining a substantial share of their variance. In addition, digital human resource management exerts a direct effect on organizational culture and digital transformation, highlighting its strategic role as a bridge between digital skills and organizational adaptation. In contrast, digital transformation and digital competencies show no direct effects on organizational culture, suggesting that cultural change occurs mainly through HR digitalization. The study concludes that aligning digital competencies with human-centered strategies is essential to foster sustainability and competitiveness in SMEs within emerging economies.

Source: Administrative Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/admsci16010003

Authors: Lorena Espina-Romero, Raúl Marcelo Ferrer-Dávalos, Doile Rios Parra, Jorge Izaguirre Olmedo, Renee Sarmiento

Institutions: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Popular University of Cesar

Language: English

Topic: Corporate Management and Leadership

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689