ENTREPRENEURIAL ASSOCIATION FORMATION OF VANILLA (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) PRODUCERS’ ORGANIZATIONS IN TOTONACAPAN

Abstract

The index of association formation for vanilla rural economic organizations (REOs) was designed and calculated, to estimate their impact and profitability. The method of case study was used, and information was obtained through applying surveys and holding participant workshops with associates, for the development of association formation indicators. The results indicate that the REOs show a low association formation index of 39.9 %±57.1%, with the indicators of trust, cooperative principles and innovation adoption standing out, while the indicators of management-administrative structure, accountability, and support negotiation capacity showed indexes below 50 %. Through the Pearson correlation of P>0.700 and the multiple regression with determination coefficient R² of 0.99, it was estimated that trust and participation of the associates are the explicative variables in the benefit-cost relationship shown by the organizations. Association formation must be considered as a strategy for competitive development of rural economic organizations