Digitalización de Pymes en el Mercosur: el caso de Argentina y Uruguay*

The digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the framework of Covid-19 directly impacted their survival. The study focused on a sample of 192 companies in Argentina and Uruguay and an exploratory study of 20 startups. Among the results, the following stand out: the need for greater incorporation of IT systems in the company’s processes; to achieve digital maturity, the commitment of hierarchical levels, more significant investment in infrastructure and training, as well as the adoption of digital technology, data analytics, and improved internal and external communication are necessary. It is essential to close the gaps in connectivity and ICT use, noting the importance of government support. Few studies determine which variables most influence the development of SMEs; the contribution of this study is that it seeks to have an impact on the competitiveness of companies for their digital transformation, concluding that increasing commitment to digital maturity and training in digital skills is the determining competitive factor for achieving this. Limitations of the study are based on the analysis of only two Mercosur countries, so it is recommended that all members be analysed in future research.