CUD & Sagrado to partner on project profiling SMEs in PR

The primary objective of the collaborative study is to develop a comprehensive profile of small and midsize enterprises in Puerto Rico, identifying trends, challenges and opportunities in areas such as access to financing, business climate, technology adoption and training needs.

By THE STAR STAFF

The United Retailers Center (CUD by its acronym in Spanish) and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (USC) announced earlier this week a collaborative agreement to carry out a research project titled “Profile of SMEs in Puerto Rico,” an innovative effort aimed at collecting, analyzing and systematizing data on small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), a cornerstone of the local economy.

The primary objective of the study is to develop a comprehensive profile of SMEs in Puerto Rico, identifying trends, challenges and opportunities in areas such as access to financing, business climate, technology adoption and training needs. The results will help formulate concrete recommendations and strategies to strengthen the sector.

The research will be led by Dr. Doris M. Morales Rodríguez, an entrepreneurship professor at USC’s School of General Education, who has extensive experience in international business, entrepreneurship and business management, administration and economics. The study will apply a quantitative approach based on structured surveys and statistical analysis with a representative sample of CUD membership.

“For Sagrado, collaborating with the United Retailers Center represents a valuable opportunity to contribute to the generation of knowledge that directly supports the economic and social development of the country,” USC President Gilberto J. Marxuach Torrós said.

Dr. Anuchka Ramos Ruiz, the provost and vice president of academic affairs at USC, emphasized academia’s responsibility to support such initiatives.

“Researching and publishing on small and midsize businesses is not only an academic endeavor but also an act of social responsibility,” she said. “This study aims to generate useful and accessible knowledge that can serve as a foundation for fairer, more relevant public policies aligned with the business reality of the country.”

CUD President Dr. Ramón Barquín called the “strategic alliance” between the two institutions “a pioneering effort that will mark a turning point in the way we understand and support SMEs in Puerto Rico.”

“As the largest and longest-standing business organization in the region, we have the duty to generate reliable and up-to-date information that allows us to design concrete policies and strategies to strengthen this vital sector of our economy,” he said. “With this research, we aim not only to identify challenges and opportunities but also to lay the foundation for a more competitive and innovative future for our small and midsize entrepreneurs.”