Title: Learning and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector: building social entrepreneurial capabilities in young farmers

Authors: José Luis Sampedro-Hernández; Alexandre O. Vera-Cruz

Addresses: Business Management Program, Department of Institutional Studies, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Campus Cuajimalpa, Av. Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe Cuajimalpa, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, 05348. Cd. de México, Mexico ' Department of Economics and the Postgraduate Program in Economics and Innovation Management, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Campus Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, 04960. Cd. de México, Mexico

Abstract: In Mexico there are public programs that promote the improvement of the technical and productive conditions of the agriculture sector through organisations such as Produce Foundation Puebla (FUPPUE). This organisation has implemented diverse mechanisms oriented to promoting farmers' technological and productive capabilities. However in some cases when the FUPPUE leaves them, farmers' capabilities and performance decrease within a short period of time. This paper explores the learning mechanisms intended to develop new knowledge and capabilities that are expressed in the adoption of entrepreneurial behaviour by young farmers. The argument is that FUPPUE triggers learning. This organisation helps farmers identify their learning needs and coordinates the process of knowledge transfer to develop lasting technological, entrepreneurial and relational capabilities. The methodology consists of an exploratory case study. The case is the project of 'ranch eggs' and the unit of analysis is the relationships and activities developed within the project.

Keywords: learning needs; social entrepreneurship; intermediary organisations; agricultural industry; agriculture; entrepreneurial capabilities; young farmers; farming; Mexico; knowledge transfer; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2017.080723

International Journal of Work Innovation, 2017 Vol.2 No.1, pp.51 - 75

Accepted: 06 May 2016
Published online: 05 Dec 2016 *

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