Short answer

Focus on integrating digital management and processes, alongside technological infrastructure and digital marketing, to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: International Journal of Data and Network Science (2026)
Method: Quantitative, Explanatory, Non-experimental, Cross-sectional study using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
Sample: 172 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

Implementing digital management and processes significantly enhances competitive advantage in small and medium-sized enterprises. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in International Journal of Data and Network Science. Using Quantitative, explanatory, non-experimental, cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling (sem). with 172 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on integrating digital management and processes, alongside technological infrastructure and digital marketing, to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

Study

Commercial ProductionNew This WeekStrong effect

Digitalization drives competitive advantage in SMEs by 87.1%

Implementing digital management and processes significantly enhances competitive advantage in small and medium-sized enterprises.

International Journal of Data and Network Science · 2026

Key Findings

01A significant relationship exists between technological infrastructure and competitive advantage (correlation coefficient of 0.841).
02A significant relationship exists between marketing and competitive advantage (correlation coefficient of 0.794).
03A significant relationship exists between digital management and processes and competitive advantage (correlation coefficient of 0.871).

Application

Design takeaway

Focus on integrating digital management and processes, alongside technological infrastructure and digital marketing, to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

How to apply

Evaluate current digital capabilities and identify areas for improvement in technological infrastructure, marketing, and operational processes to boost competitive advantage.

Project actions

01When researching a business, consider how digital tools impact its success.
02Quantify the benefits of digital adoption where possible.

Method & Evidence

AimTo determine the relationship between digitization activities and competitive advantage in pastry companies in Huancayo.

MethodQuantitative, Explanatory, Non-experimental, Cross-sectional study using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

ProcedureData was collected from 172 pastry companies in Huancayo. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the relationships between digitization dimensions (technological infrastructure, marketing, digital management and processes) and competitive advantage.

Sample172 participants

ContextSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the pastry sector, Huancayo.

Variables

IV["Technological infrastructure","Marketing","Digital management and processes"]

DVCompetitive advantage

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Uses a robust statistical method (SEM) for analysis.
+Focuses on a specific industry sector, providing targeted insights.

Limitations

The findings might be specific to the cultural and economic context of Huancayo.

Reliability & validity

The use of SEM suggests a strong methodological approach, but the validity and reliability would depend on the quality of data collection and the appropriateness of the SEM model specification.

Think critically

How might the specific nature of the pastry sector (e.g., local demand, perishable goods) influence the impact of digitization on competitive advantage compared to other sectors?

Design Principles

"Invest in comprehensive digital transformation to enhance business efficiency, innovation, and market differentiation."

Understanding the impact of digital transformation is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in competitive markets. This research highlights specific digital dimensions that directly contribute to a stronger market position and business sustainability.

What This Means for Your Design

Making your business digital, especially how you manage things and market online, makes it much better at competing with others.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of digital solutions in your design project.
2.Reference the strong correlation found between digital management and competitive advantage to support your design choices.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates a strong positive correlation between digital transformation and competitive advantage in SMEs, with digital management and processes showing a correlation coefficient of 0.871. This highlights the critical role of digital integration in enhancing business efficiency, innovation, and market differentiation, suggesting that businesses prioritizing these aspects are likely to achieve a stronger market position.

Source

International Journal of Data and Network Science

Business digitization and its influence on competitive advantage in SMEs in the pastry sector in Huancayo

journal · 2026

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about digitalization drives competitive advantage in smes by 87.1%?: Focus on integrating digital management and processes, alongside technological infrastructure and digital marketing, to build a sustainable competitive advantage. Evidence: International Journal of Data and Network Science (2026).
Why does "Digitalization drives competitive advantage in SMEs by 87.1%" matter for design?: Understanding the impact of digital transformation is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in competitive markets. This research highlights specific digital dimensions that directly contribute to a stronger market position and business sustainability.
How can designers apply this research?: Focus on integrating digital management and processes, alongside technological infrastructure and digital marketing, to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
What were the main findings?: A significant relationship exists between technological infrastructure and competitive advantage (correlation coefficient of 0.841).. A significant relationship exists between marketing and competitive advantage (correlation coefficient of 0.794).. A significant relationship exists between digital management and processes and competitive advantage (correlation coefficient of 0.871).
What research method was used?: Quantitative, Explanatory, Non-experimental, Cross-sectional study using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). with 172 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from International Journal of Data and Network Science.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Evaluate current digital capabilities and identify areas for improvement in technological infrastructure, marketing, and operational processes to boost competitive advantage.
What are the limitations?: The study is specific to the pastry sector in Huancayo, potentially limiting generalizability to other industries or geographical locations.