Article
Associativity as a productivity and competitiveness strategy in the agricultural sector
Autor
Buenhombre Vasquez, Maira Alejandra
Mariño Becerra, Gladys Yaneth
Institución
Resumen
The objective of the research is to characterize the forms of associativity and their impact on the productivity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The subject is approached from a theoretical, casuistic and participatory point of view for the case of guava production in the province of Vélez, Santander-Colombia. It is studied from the conception and experience of the managers of four associative organizations, grouping about 80 associates, around three variables: characterization of associativity and solidarity organizations, impact of associativity on the productivity and competitiveness of the sector, and benefits of the associative dynamics. The results show that small producers see associativity as the main alternative for solving their productivity and competitiveness problems. Associativity has had an impact on the sector with the recovery of the hegemony of the crop, advances in productivity, technification and quality of the crop; however, it can only be considered incipient given the shortcomings in business vision, strategy, planning, operation, finance and marketing that lead to favoring a short-term dynamic and dependence on government support, which makes it difficult to advance in terms of competitiveness. It is concluded that there are no notable differences in the characteristics and structures of the associations studied; likewise, it is established that productivity has improved, but in terms of product competitiveness, it is still necessary to generate more and better strategies. The results invite to deepen in the identification of business models that promote associativity as a strategy for competitiveness and development.