Title: Entrepreneurial competence and commitment of smallholder farmers in Madagascar

Authors: Boris Urban; McEdward Murimbika; Radomalala Ratsimanetrimanana

Addresses: Graduate School of Business, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa ' Graduate School of Business, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa ' Graduate School of Business, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: Entrepreneurial Capital (EC) is a crucial driver of performance for smallholder famers which represents a major share of economic activity for many developing. This article examines the extent to which EC, in the form of interactions between entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial commitment, affects the performance of smallholder farmers in Madagascar, while taking into consideration the effects of their gender, age and level of education. The study context is the under-researched rural areas of the central region of Analamanga, which comprises of seven rural districts with a total of 139 municipalities, where a sample of 411 smallholder farmers are surveyed. The results reveal a positive relationship between entrepreneurial competencies (perceived capacity, perceived opportunity and role models) and entrepreneurial commitment (affective commitment) which together positively influence performance, while several demographic factors also play a significant role. Study implications relate to how increased EC may help local people in a developing country context improve their enterprise performance. Government is advised to encourage entrepreneurship in Madagascar by advancing the numerous factors involved in enhancing EC.

Keywords: entrepreneurial capital; entrepreneurial competence; entrepreneurial commitment; smallholder farmers; Madagascar; perceived capacity; perceived opportunity; role models; performance.

DOI: 10.1504/WREMSD.2024.141888

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2024 Vol.20 No.6, pp.788 - 812

Received: 07 Jun 2021
Received in revised form: 12 Aug 2022
Accepted: 21 Aug 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2024 *

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