Mexico City, November 18, 2025.—In a global context of rapid technological change, it is crucial to understand this process from a Latin American perspective. With this in mind, Dr. Antonia Terán Bustamante, a researcher at the School of Economic Sciences, and Dr. Marisol Velázquez-Salazar, Research Secretary at the same school at the Universidad Panamericana, coordinated the recent publication of the book*Digital Transformation and Innovation in Organizations: A Latin American Perspective*.
This collective work was created with the aim of providing specialized literature to address the new challenges posed by the digital transformation in Latin America, focusing efforts on “human-centered processes”, the scholars explain.
Why a Latin American perspective?
According to the doctors, the main motivation was the need to generate knowledge that addresses the specific realities of the region. The COVID-19 pandemic not only highlighted the importance of digital transformation but also accelerated its implementation, paving the way for innovations such as the Internet of Things and new interfaces. However, this progress must be analyzed on its own terms.
“This book aims to provide resources to address the new challenges posed by digital transformation in Latin America and to guide efforts toward human-centered processes,”, says Dr. Terán Bustamante.
The obstacles: beyond infrastructure
Upon further analysis of their research findings, the researchers identified that the most significant obstacles to closing the digital divide in Latin America are structural in nature. These include unequal technological infrastructure, limited connectivity in rural and outlying areas, high costs of internet access and devices, and a critical shortage of digital skills.
However, the scholars emphasized that the most critical challenge is cultural and structural in nature. “The most significant change is cultural and structural: it involves viewing digitalization as a right and a tool for human development, in which the individual must always be at the center,”, emphasizes Dr. Velázquez-Salazar.
Digital equity as a priority
The report also warns of a latent risk: that digital transformation could exacerbate existing inequalities. This could happen if it is managed without a focus on social impact, thereby widening the gaps in access and skills among different social groups, such as women, older adults, and indigenous peoples.
To counteract this effect, the experts highlight thekey role of governments and public institutions. “The state and public institutions have a key and decisive role to play in promoting an equitable, inclusive, and sustainable digital transformation,”, they state.
Areas such as the development of national strategies, the creation of appropriate regulatory frameworks, and the promotion of digital inclusion and literacy are urgent priorities.
Human-centered processes: technology at the service of people
A central concept in the book is that of “human-centered processes”. The authors define this as an approach in which “technology is designed, implemented, and evaluated by placing people’s needs, values, capabilities, and well-being at the center.”
The goal is to ground digital progress in the principles of empathy, inclusion, participation, and ethics, so that it contributes to a better quality of life and the collective well-being.
Looking to the Future: Between Optimism and Concern
When looking ahead, researchers at the Universidad Panamericana both optimism and concern. Among the encouraging trends they mention are increased connectivity, the rise of the digital economy and tech entrepreneurship, advances in digital government, and the shift in education toward hybrid models.
On the other hand, they express concern about the persistent digital divide, automation and its potential impact on employment, fragmented public policies, the digital skills gap, and growing cybersecurity and privacy risks.
The book *Digital Transformation and Innovation in Organizations: A Latin American Perspective* represents a key contribution by the Universidad Panamericana guiding organizations, leaders, and decision-makers in building an inclusive digital future for Latin America, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to research that has a real and transformative social impact.
