Impact of digitization on the financial management of microenterprises in the Guano canton, Ecuador

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61347/psa.v4i1.134

Keywords:

Digitization, financial inclusion, financial management, Guano, microenterprise

Abstract

Digitalization has become a key element in strengthening the efficiency and sustainability of microenterprises; however, its application in financial management remains limited in local contexts. Within this framework, the present study aims to analyze the impact of digitalization on the financial management of microenterprises in the canton of Guano, Ecuador. The research was conducted under a quantitative approach, with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and descriptive design. Data was collected through a survey administered to owners or managers of twenty-one (21) microenterprises, using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert-type scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results reveal a moderate level of digitalization, mainly characterized by the use of basic digital tools for communication with customers and suppliers, the recording of income and expenses, and the execution of electronic collections and payments. Regarding financial management, microenterprises exhibit a medium level of performance, with strengths in liquidity, financial planning, and compliance with obligations, and weaknesses in sustained profitability and financial evaluation through indicators. Statistical analysis confirms the existence of a significant relationship between the level of digitalization and financial management. It is concluded that digitalization has a positive but partial effect, as it mainly influences operational financial control, while its impact on strategic financial analysis processes is limited, highlighting the need to strengthen digital and financial competencies to improve the sustainability of microenterprises.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abakpa, A., & Dvouletý, O. (2025). How does digitalization shape business financial performance: A systematic review. Future Business Journal, 11(1), 235. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00659-8

Alvarado, A. (2025). Uso de herramientas digitales en la administración de pequeñas empresas ecuatorianas. Revista Científica Multidisciplinaria en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades Eucken, 1(1), 59–75. https://n9.cl/xhyf1

Andriansyah, I. (2025). Digital financial literacy and financial well-being among MSMEs: A multi-group analysis and implications for higher education finance. Educational Process: International Journal, 18, e2025459. https://www.edupij.com/index/makale_indir/831

Bianchini, M., & Lasheras, M. (2025). SME digitalisation for competitiveness: The 2025 OECD D4SME survey. OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Papers, 68. https://doi.org/10.1787/197e3077-en

Breuer, W., & Knetsch, A. (2023). Recent trends in the digitalization of finance and accounting. Journal of Business Economics, 93(9), 1451–1461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-023-01181-5

Castellanos, E., & Rodríguez, D. (2025). Inclusión financiera digital y su efecto en el crecimiento de microempresas en Ecuador: Un análisis empírico postpandemia. Revista Publicando, 12. https://doi.org/10.51528/rp.vol12.id2486

Cuaical-Martínez, M., Herrera-Moreno, L., & Novillo-Orozco, V. (2025). Transformación digital en microempresas ecuatorianas: Un estudio de caso en la ciudad de Quito. MQRInvestigar, 9(2), e699. https://doi.org/10.56048/MQR20225.9.2.2025.e699

Durán, R. (2025). Transformación digital en las pymes ecuatorianas: Desafíos y oportunidades. Revista Científica Multidisciplinaria en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades Eucken, 1(1), 40–58. https://n9.cl/9ap9wx

Granda, J., Mosquera, C., & Sotomayor, J. (2025). Inclusión financiera y digitalización en el Ecuador: Un estudio sobre transacciones digitales y acceso económico. Revista Veritas de Difusão Científica, 6(3), 2831–2854. https://doi.org/10.61616/rvdc.v6i3.1063

Gualpa, É. L. (2022). Estrategias comerciales para mejorar la situación financiera de los microempresarios productores de alfombras del cantón Guano, provincia de Chimborazo, periodo 2017–2019 [Tesis de maestría, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo]. DSpace ESPOCH. https://dspace.espoch.edu.ec/handle/123456789/17137

Jiang, J. (2024). A study on the digital transformation trends in financial management for small and micro enterprises. International Journal of Global Economics and Management, 3(1), 355–363. https://doi.org/10.62051/IJGEM.v3n1.42

Johri, A., Asif, M., Tarkar, P., Khan, W., Rahisha, & Wasiq, M. (2024). Digital financial inclusion in micro enterprises: Understanding the determinants and impact on ease of doing business from World Bank survey. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 361. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02856-2

Juelas Carrillo, P. D., & Espinosa Remache, J. S. (2025). Competitividad de las PYMES en la industria manufacturera del cantón Guano [Tesis de grado, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo]. Repositorio Institucional UNACH. http://dspace.unach.edu.ec/handle/51000/14667

Kahveci, E. (2025). Digital transformation in SMEs: Enablers, interconnections, and a framework for sustainable competitive advantage. Administrative Sciences, 15(3), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030107

Kallmuenzer, A., Mikhaylov, A., Chelaru, M., & Czakon, W. (2025). Adoption and performance outcome of digitalization in small and medium-sized enterprises. Review of Managerial Science, 19(7), 2011–2038. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00744-2

Kurniasari, F., Abd Hamid, N., & Lestari, E. D. (2025). Unraveling the impact of financial literacy, financial technology adoption, and access to finance on small medium enterprises business performance and sustainability: A serial mediation model. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1), 2487837. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2487837

Montalvo-Riofrio, M. S., Pinda-Guanolema, B. R., & Romero-Fernández, A. J. (2025). Régimen simplificado para emprendedores y negocios populares de los contribuyentes del cantón Guano. Noesis. Revista Electrónica de Investigación, 7(1), 544–559. https://doi.org/10.35381/noesisin.v7i1.414

Palma, E., Reyes, D., Díaz, M., & Díaz, D. (2022). Diseño de estrategias para promover la digitalización contable en las microempresas de la zona centro de El Espinal–Tolima. Revista Científica Hermes - Fipen, 31, 76–91. https://doi.org/10.21710/rch.v31i0.636

Polo, F., Díaz, R., Ramos, C., & Meza, J. (2025). Digital innovation in the financial management of SMEs: A literature review. Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government, 23(S5), 1398–1425. https://doi.org/10.52152/801392

Pozo-Benites, K., Guadalupe-Sánchez, K., Peñarreta-Barrera, E., & Meza-Salvatierra, J. (2025). Transformación digital de las PYMES en América Latina: Barreras, oportunidades y estrategias para la competitividad. Multidisciplinary Latin American Journal (MLAJ), 3(2), 236–255. https://doi.org/10.62131/MLAJ-V3-N2-015

Ratmono, D., Frendy, & Zuhrohtun, Z. (2023). Digitalization in management accounting systems for urban SMEs in a developing country: A mediation model analysis. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(2), 2269773. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2269773

Restrepo-Morales, J. A., Ararat-Herrera, J. A., López-Cadavid, D. A., & Camacho-Vargas, A. (2024). Breaking the digitalization barrier for SMEs: A fuzzy logic approach to overcoming challenges in business transformation. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-024-00429-w

Sadri, L. (2025). The impact of digital transformation on financial performance: A quantitative study of accounting practices in UAE-based SMEs. Journal of Informatics Education and Research, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.52783/jier.v5i4.3538

Sampedro, J., Herrera, R., & Duque, D. (2023). Calidad del servicio turístico y satisfacción del cliente en el cantón Guano, provincia de Chimborazo. Explorador Digital, 7(3), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.33262/exploradordigital.v7i3.2693

Santos-Jaén, J. M., Gimeno-Arias, F., León-Gómez, A., & Palacios-Manzano, M. (2023). The business digitalization process in SMEs from the implementation of e-commerce: An empirical analysis. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 18(4), 1700–1720. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18040086

Xiang, D., Tian, T., & Yu, J. (2025). Can digitalization of inclusive finance promote innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises? A quasi-natural experiment approach. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 221, 124331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124331

Published

2026-02-11

How to Cite

Zuñiga Robalino, A. M., & Arias-González, I. P. (2026). Impact of digitization on the financial management of microenterprises in the Guano canton, Ecuador. Perspectivas Sociales Y Administrativas, 4(1), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.61347/psa.v4i1.134