Territory and Family Entrepreneurship in Chía, Colombia: Challenges of Informality, Viability, and Gender Equity in Rural Areas

Abstract

This paper investigates how viable family-owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are in Chía, Colombia, and how they cluster into actionable segments, using a diagnostic approach grounded in empirical data. The inquiry is driven by persistently high closure rates among local firms, frequently tied to informality, unequal gender power relations, and limited uptake of digital tools. Evidence was gathered through a structured survey administered to 180 entrepreneurs and 7 institutional actors, spanning economic, social, and digital facets of business practice. A mixed-methods design—combining exploratory statistics, cluster analytics, and participatory validation workshops—was applied to surface core viability patterns and operational bottlenecks. As a result, a strategic segmentation into three operational profiles (A, B, and C) is developed, defined according to the level of business maturity and the distribution of enterprises within the sample: Profile A (≈ 20%) corresponds to early-stage initiatives that require intensive support; Profile B (≈ 65%) includes businesses with basic operations that need strengthening in administrative management, commercialization, and planning; and Profile C (≈ 15%) comprises enterprises with partially consolidated processes that require market positioning and access to expanded markets. Each group exhibits distinct patterns in market access, use of digital tools, household dynamics, and regulatory compliance. The findings highlight the need for differentiated public policies that address structural vulnerabilities, promote digital inclusion, and strengthen institutional coordination. Furthermore, the relevance of gendersensitive and territorially adapted strategies in local business support programs is emphasized.