Factors of Cloud Computing and Digitization of SMEs in Peru using PLS-SEM Structural Analysis

Abstract

The objective of this research is to determine the main factors of cloud computing that explain the variability of the digitalization of SMEs in Peru. The type of research is basic, with a quantitative approach, at the explanatory level, with a non-experimental design, and a sample of 211 SMEs in Peru. The research concludes that there is a significant influence of cloud computing and certain factors in the digitalization of SMEs in Peru. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out, obtaining values above 0.90 for the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin tests, as well as the Barlett's sphericity test p=0.000 and the analysis of variance explained by 66.26% for cloud computing and 68.28% for the digitalization of SMEs, determining that the interrelation of the items is satisfactory. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied, obtaining values for CFI=0.901, and TLI=0.890, being close to 1, thus determining that the models are appropriate and give validity to the construct. Additionally, construct validity is performed by PLS-SEM analysis of the model. The research determines that there is a moderate to strong correlation of part of the factors of cloud computing in the digitalization of SMEs, through Spearman's correlation coefficient obtaining values higher than 0.685, as well as through the ordinal regression that through the Pseudo R-squared in the Nagelkerke indicator obtained 80% and in the model adjustment obtaining Sig = 0.00. These results were contrasted with the bootstrapping method through the PLS-SEM analysis obtained for the T-statistic values greater than 2, as well as for the P-values lower than 0.05, these results determine that there is a causal relationship between the factors of cloud computing and digitalization of SMEs.