Technological appropriation as a strategic policy in SMEs: Building anticipatory capabilities for digital transformation

Authors

• Hernán Cornejo, National University of Rosario (Argentina)Follow

Abstract

Abstract: Technological appropriation has become a critical strategic issue for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) undergoing digital transformation. While many SMEs adopt digital tools to address immediate operational needs, fewer succeed in embedding them into organizational routines, strategic decision-making, and long-term adaptation. This study examines technological appropriation as a key mechanism through which SMEs convert digital adoption into strategic organizational capability. Drawing on the literature on technological appropriation, dynamic capabilities, and strategic foresight, the paper proposes and empirically tests an integrated model. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a survey of 198 SMEs from Argentina, Chile, and Colombia with 15 semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using PLS-SEM, while qualitative evidence was used for triangulation. The findings show that technological appropriation strengthens dynamic capabilities, which in turn enhance strategic foresight and competitiveness. The study contributes to understanding how SMEs generate strategic value from digital transformation.

Keywords

technological appropriation, SMEs, digital transformation, dynamic capabilities, strategic foresight

ORCID Identifiers

Hernán Cornejo: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3397-9468

DOI

10.5038/2640-6489.11.2.1368

Recommended Citation

Cornejo, H. (2026). Technological appropriation as a strategic policy in SMEs: Building anticipatory capabilities for digital transformation. Journal of Global Business Insights, 11(2). https://www.doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.11.2.1368

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License