Pagos digitales y competitividad empresarial en el sector comercial del cantón Cañar

Abstract

ABSTRACT Digital payments are important tools for modernizing business processes because they facilitate transactions, enhance financial traceability, and can improve business competitiveness. In the commercial sector of the Cañar canton, adopting digital payments to meet the needs of consumers who are increasingly familiar with electronic payment methods. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between digital payments and perceived business competitiveness in commercial establishments in the Cañar canton. The study was conducted using a quantitative approach, a non-experimental design, a cross-sectional study, and a correlational scope. Data were collected through a structured survey administered to owners, managers, administrators, and cashiers or sales clerks at commercial businesses. From the 406 questionnaires collected, a final analytical sample of 380 valid records was used. The results showed that 93.68% of businesses accept at least one digital payment method, with bank transfers being the most commonly used method at 51.84%. The overall digital payments index averaged 4.257, while business competitiveness averaged 4.263. The relationship between the two variables was positive, strong, and statistically significant (r = 0.940; p < 0.001). The main limitation of the study was its cross-sectional design and the use of perceptual measures; therefore, while the results allow for the identification of associations, they do not enable the determination of causal relationships or the direct generalization of the findings to other regions. Keywords: digital payments, technology adoption, business competitiveness, commercial sector, digital transformation.