DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE PERFORMANCE OF SPANISH MANUFACTURING FIRMS: THE ROLE OF INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGICAL INTENSITY AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

This study analyzes digital transformation (DT) in the Spanish manufacturing sector, highlighting its crucial role in business competitiveness within a dynamic and complex environment. Using an econometric model based on panel data (9,215 observations between 2011 and 2017), it examines the impact of three key factors—business model innovation, digital technology integration, and the development of new competencies—on business performance, considering the sector’s technological intensity as a moderating variable. The results reveal that organizations in medium- and low-technology sectors can significantly benefit from investments aimed at innovating their business models, integrating digital technologies, and fostering the development of new competencies, achieving better outcomes compared to firms in high-technology sectors. These findings suggest that, despite their limited R&D investment, medium- and low-technology firms possess resources and capabilities that compensate for their reduced innovation activities. Keywords: Digital transformation; performance of Spanish manufacturing firms; business model innovation; integration of digital technologies; digital talent management; sectoral technological intensity; knowledge management.