TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– This paper aims to consider the challenges facing small rural businesses in Mexico in their efforts to be enterprising and sustainable when confronted with severe exogenous pressures. Extant literature on farm diversification has a developed economy focus (Pyysiäinen et al., 2006; McElwee, 2008; McElwee and Smith, 2013), but relatively little has been published in developing economies. Design/methodology/approach– This paper considers diversification activities of Mexican farmers. It uses case studies, workshops and interviews to determine the barriers facing farmers and farm advisors. Findings– Farm businesses, particularly those located in drought-prone regions, have benefited from government-sponsored support, but this support needs to now be targeted to develop the entrepreneurial potential of individuals and collectives. Research limitations/implications– Carried out in one region of Mexico only, and thus, the findings may not be transferable to other regions. Practical implications– Recruitment of well-qualified, honest farm advisors with entrepreneurial skills is necessary. Farmers need to be given additional training and support to develop both technological and entrepreneurial skills. Social implications– Encouraging and supporting rural enterprises in Mexico helps to provide opportunities for regions to be economically and socially sustainable. Originality/value– A first attempt to look at farmers'diversification strategies using an entrepreneurial framework.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
SN  - 1750-6204
DO  - 10.1108/JEC-05-2014-0006
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-05-2014-0006
AU  - Bosworth Gary
AU  - McElwee Gerard
AU  - Smith Rob
PY  - 2015
Y1  - 2015/01/01
TI  - Rural enterprise in Mexico: a case of necessity diversification
T2  - Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 327
EP  - 343
Y2  - 2024/04/23
ER  -