The institutional context of the Aguascalientes chile producer: entrepreneurial intention and business networks

Abstract

The objective of the present research was to analyze the effect of the institutional burdens on the entrepreneurial intention and how the latter manifests itself in the business networks of the Aguascalientes chili producers. For this, two hypotheses were raised: 1) there are direct and significant effects of the institutional burdens on the entrepreneurial intention of the chili producers of the state of Aguascalientes, and 2) there are direct and significant effects of the entrepreneurial intention on the entrepreneurial networks. The study was carried out with the participation of 97 producers located mainly in the municipalities of Cosío and Rincón de Romos, which collaborate with the State Product System Chili. The data was collected between October and December 2018. Descriptive analysis indicates an impact on the 819 hectares under cultivation, as follows: 1) fresh jalapeño pepper is produced in 30% of that territory; 2) dried chili only represent 21%, and 3) chili producers give priority to products such as corn, broccoli and lettuce, which constitute 78% of the cultivated land. About the profile of the producers, we can affirm the following: 1) they are all men; 2) the age of 58% of them oscillates between 45 and 64 years (only 2% have less than 24 years), and 3) 50% of farmers have basic education, while 21% have no schooling and only 3% have with postgraduate studies. On the other hand, regarding the hypotheses, it can be affirmed that these were fulfilled; this invites us to analyze in greater depth the reason for the deficiencies detected despite the constant support that the field receives, which is not reflected in better conditions for the producers.