Strengthening the capacities of SMEs through the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0), of particular relevance during the post-COVID-19 recovery stage in the western region of El Salvador

Abstract

Entrepreneurs and SMEs in the productive sector are highly important for the development of the country’s economy. Therefore, it is essential to understand the elements of their environment and identify which business and government sectors support them in achieving sustainable and resilient development. The aim of this research is to provide improvement proposals to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for SME competitiveness by incorporating technological tools and strategies, with a focus on the western region of El Salvador, considering that entrepreneurial characteristics and business models may vary depending on the region of the country.

Currently, technological innovation has become a key and necessary tool for the economic and social development of a country, particularly within companies that must incorporate technological tools into their business models—in production, marketing, and value proposition.

This study aims to analyze the various existing technologies within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0), with an emphasis on those that can be adapted through a sustainable strategy. It focuses on SMEs and their uses and applications of such technologies, including a comparison with business characteristics, in order to establish recommendations and strategic actions regarding the most widely used and beneficial technological tools for enhancing the competitiveness of companies located in the western region of El Salvador.