From Territorial Value to Innovation: Anchoring Environments for the Milagro

Authors

  • Gabriela Tolozano-Lapierre Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador
  • César Pozo-Estupiñan Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador
  • María-José Gutiérrez-Quiroz
  • Lisette Garnica-Jarrin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65598/rps.6254

Keywords:

Territorial Innovation, Regional innovation systems, Technology transfer Regional, governance SEM

Abstract

Regional value can be transformed into innovation, technology transfer, and development through anchoring environments in the Milagro canton. This article examines how the productive structure, infrastructure, governance, and regional resources articulate these processes using a structural equation model (SEM) estimated with WLSMV. Seven latent constructs were modeled: natural and environmental resources; economic and productive resources; demographics and the labor market; economic and social infrastructure; sociocultural resources; organizational and institutional aspects; and the dependent latent construct of innovation, technology transfer, and development. The model confirms that territorial innovation depends primarily on productive networks and interactions, physical and digital infrastructure, institutional governance, and human capital. Natural endowments make a complementary contribution, while sociocultural resources exert an indirect influence by strengthening social capital, trust, and institutional coordination. Public policy implications for strengthening clusters, reducing logistical gaps, and consolidating local governance are discussed.

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Published

2026-10-20

How to Cite

Tolozano-Lapierre, G., Pozo-Estupiñan, C., Gutiérrez-Quiroz, M.-J., & Garnica-Jarrin, L. (2026). From Territorial Value to Innovation: Anchoring Environments for the Milagro. Prisma Social Journal, (55), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.65598/rps.6254

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