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This study developed a theoretical model to test the relationship between digital capability and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and its effect on innovation performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The proposed theoretical model was evaluated using partial least-squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The data were obtained from a sample of 536 SMEs in Chile.

The proposed model presented two dimensions of digital capability: management and information and communication technologies (ICTs). Management models composed of enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management systems are essential for optimizing organizational management. Meanwhile, ICTs facilitate the smooth flow of information within an organization, leading to improved efficiency in production processes. I4.0 is encouraged by exposing SMEs to base technologies such as data analytics. These results confirm that I4.0 influences innovation performance.

SME managers should encourage the development of digital capabilities to transition toward I4.0, as this can make SMEs more competitive and innovative in changing and dynamic scenarios.

I4.0 adoption and the development of digital capabilities can directly affect employment and national economic growth.

Most studies focus on the organizational factors affecting SMEs’ I4.0 adoption. They do not, however, address the role played by current digital capability in I4.0 technology adoption and its effect on firms’ innovation performance.

Este estudio desarrolló un modelo teórico para probar la relación entre la capacidad digital y la Industria 4.0 (I4.0) y su efecto en el desempeño de la innovación en pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYME).

El modelo teórico propuesto se evaluó mediante el uso de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales y análisis comparativo cualitativo de conjuntos difusos. Los datos se obtuvieron de una muestra de 536 pymes de Chile.

El modelo propuesto presenta dos dimensiones de la capacidad digital: la gestión y las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC). Los modelos de gestión compuestos por sistemas de planificación de recursos empresariales y de gestión de relaciones con los clientes son esenciales para optimizar la gestión organizacional. Por su parte, las TIC facilitan el flujo fluido de información dentro de una organización, lo que conduce a una mejora de la eficiencia en los procesos de producción. La I4.0 se fomenta exponiendo a las PYME a tecnologías de base como el análisis de datos. Estos resultados confirman que la I4.0 influye en el rendimiento de la innovación.

La mayoría de los estudios se centran en los factores organizativos que afectan a la adopción de la I4.0 por parte de las pymes, pero no abordan el papel que desempeña la capacidad digital actual en la adopción de la tecnología I4.0 y su efecto en el desempeño innovador de las empresas.

Los gestores de las PYMES deben incentivar el desarrollo de capacidades digitales para realizar la transición hacia la I4.0, ya que esto puede hacer que las PYMES sean más competitivas e innovadoras en escenarios cambiantes y dinámicos.

La adopción de la I4.0 y el desarrollo de capacidades digitales pueden afectar directamente al empleo y al crecimiento económico nacional.

The prolonged drought in Chile’s Coquimbo region has created a permanent state of emergency, forcing the state to spend millions each year distributing drinking water to rural communities. The purpose of this article is to detail a study focused on optimizing the supply of drinking water through trucks in the 15 communes of the region and how the problem was faced in a context of a slowonset disaster.

A geo-referenced census and optimization analysis of the 5.541 households that receive drinking water was conducted to determine the feasibility of removing trucks from the system. To generate a greater reduction in distribution costs, it was suggested to incorporate water distribution infrastructure projects, changing the concept of ‘expenses’ to ‘investment’.

The study was born out of the concern for the increased demand for drinking water from rural areas. The proposed and implemented framework allowed an additional 20% reduction in the initial transportation costs; this confirmed the assumption that the proposed optimization model alone would not offer a robust solution and was complemented and integrated with this type of alternative, forming an “integrated model”.

The paper has implications for the resilience of territories affected by climate change.

The methodology can be replicated in other areas where similar interactions occur.

Families impacted by drought can improve their quality of life and reduce distress in the face of the constant emergency.

This research aims to contribute knowledge from the perspective of a slow-onset disaster where water resources are scarce. It presents a framework where two disciplines converge, resulting in an “integrated model” that, through its implementation, reduces the costs of resource delivery while simultaneously improving the sanitary conditions of the beneficiary families.