Purpose: This study aims to critically examine the interaction between organizational resilience and agility in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from emerging economies. Through a systematic literature review, it identifies conceptual overlaps, tensions and strategic trade-offs between these dynamic capabilities. The research fills a gap in the literature by proposing an integrative framework that contextualizes these capabilities within environments of structural fragility, limited resources and digital transformation, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of how SMEs navigate disruption and pursue sustainable competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 protocol, analyzing 121 peer-reviewed sources published between 1995 and 2025. The review applies thematic coding (open, axial and selective) to identify five strategic axes – adaptive leadership, continuous innovation, organizational learning, collaborative networks and digital transformation. The methodology emphasizes interpretative rigor, contextual reflexivity and conceptual synthesis, aiming to reconcile fragmented theoretical approaches and generate an integrated framework applicable to SMEs in emerging economies. Findings: The review identifies that resilience and agility in SMEs can be both complementary and contradictory, depending on contextual variables like digital maturity, leadership models and resource constraints. While both capabilities are essential for survival and innovation, their coexistence may generate structural tensions. Five thematic axes emerge as critical enablers: leadership, innovation, learning, collaboration and digital technologies. The study also reveals gaps in conceptual clarity and calls for a paradox-informed approach, suggesting that hyper-agility or rigid resilience may create vulnerabilities in fragile environments. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited to English-language and peer-reviewed sources, which may exclude regional or informal knowledge from emerging markets. It also omits gray literature and may reflect a Western-centric bias due to its reliance on indexed journals. Subjectivity in thematic coding could influence interpretation. These limitations constrain the generalizability of the findings and highlight the need for more culturally grounded, participatory and multilingual research methodologies that reflect the lived experiences and alternative resilience strategies of SMEs in diverse global contexts. Practical implications: Entrepreneurs and policymakers in emerging economies can leverage the findings to design context-sensitive strategies that balance agility and resilience. The proposed framework offers tools to identify when to prioritize adaptability or continuity, depending on firm size, sector and digital capabilities. SMEs should invest in adaptive leadership, digital transformation and collaborative networks to enhance survival and competitiveness. Policymakers are encouraged to foster innovation ecosystems, reduce institutional fragility and support inclusive digitalization to build resilient business environments. Social implications: The study underscores the human and ethical dimensions of resilience and agility, including the potential for burnout, inequity and technological dependency in SMEs. It advocates for inclusive leadership, emotional resilience and purpose-driven cultures as foundations for long-term sustainability. Digital transformation should be approached critically, ensuring it empowers rather than imposes on organizations. By highlighting the socio-economic realities of SMEs in emerging markets, the study contributes to discussions on digital sovereignty, well-being and equitable development. Originality/value: This paper challenges the prevailing assumption that resilience and agility are inherently synergistic. By adopting a paradox-informed and context-sensitive perspective, it offers an original framework that maps the tensions and complementarities between these capabilities in SMEs from emerging economies. The research integrates dynamic capabilities theory with empirical insights, contributing to a more critical and nuanced understanding of organizational adaptation. Its value lies in advancing theory, informing policy and offering practical guidance for SME development in fragile and volatile environments.

Introduction: Child malnutrition remains a persistent public health challenge in Ecuador, characterized by significant territorial inequalities that disproportionately affect children under 5 years of age. These disparities are closely linked to social, environmental, and structural determinants, requiring analytical approaches that go beyond national averages to capture spatial heterogeneity. Methods: This study employed a quantitative, ecological, and cross-sectional design using secondary data from the National Survey on Child Undernutrition (ENDI 2022–2023). A provincial-level Z-score standardized matrix was constructed to ensure comparability across heterogeneous indicators. Multivariate techniques were applied, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), HJ-Biplot representation, hierarchical clustering (Ward.D2), and k-means classification, to identify territorial patterns of nutritional vulnerability. Results: The first two principal components explained 58.47% of total variance, representing structural vulnerability and socio-environmental inequality. Cluster analysis identified three distinct territorial groups (high, medium, and low risk), confirming non-random spatial patterns. Provinces with higher malnutrition prevalence were consistently associated with limited access to drinking water, inadequate sanitation, precarious housing conditions, and lower caregiver education levels. Multivariate analyses revealed strong correlations among environmental and social determinants, highlighting the multidimensional nature of child malnutrition. Discussion: Findings suggest that child malnutrition in Ecuador is a multi-causal and territorially conditioned phenomenon shaped by persistent structural inequalities. The integration of Z-score standardization with multivariate techniques provides a robust and replicable framework for identifying priority areas and supporting targeted, evidence-based public health interventions.