Technological Capability Specialization in Social Service Enterprises Under Resource Constraints

Vargas-Bejarano M.; Poma-Chavez J.; Cornejo-Meza G. · Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science (2025) · DOI: 10.33168/jliss.2025.1102

Resumen

This study addresses the lack of empirical evidence about how social enterprises develop technological capabilities in resource-constrained emerging markets. While conventional management theory advocates balanced technological capabilities, we investigate whether social enterprises in Peru exhibit distinct patterns due to dual-mission constraints and resource limitations. We collected survey data from 215 social entrepreneurs across Peru in late 2024. Using exploratory factor analysis, we identified underlying dimensions of technological capabilities from eight survey items measuring technology management competencies. We employed regression with interaction terms to examine relationships among capability dimensions, organizational characteristics, and perceived importance of technology management. Factor analysis revealed two distinct technological capability dimensions: strategic-analytical (37.6% variance) and implementation-focused (24.7% variance). Ordered logistic regression showed a significant negative interaction between these capabilities (β =-0.86, p < 0.001), indicating specialization rather than simultaneous development. Organizational age negatively predicted the importance of technology management (β =-0.05, p < 0.05), with younger enterprises prioritizing technology more than established ones. A cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and convenience sampling may limit generalizability beyond Peru. Social enterprise leaders should conduct capability assessments to identify natural strengths and focus technological investments accordingly, rather than pursuing comprehensive development across all domains. Support organizations should design differentiated interventions based on organizational age and existing capability profiles. This research provides the first large-sample quantitative evidence of technological capability specialization in social enterprises from an emerging market, challenging fundamental assumptions about balanced capability development and offering evidence-based guidelines for strategic technology management in resource-constrained hybrid organizations.

Instituciones: Universidad Autónoma del Perú; Universidad Andina del Cusco