Artisanal economic capacity and challenges for Ecuadorian public procurement

Abstract

In Latin America, public procurement is a key element of state development and effective governance. Recent studies in Ecuador indicate that, despite the existence of initiatives and regulatory frameworks promoting the inclusion of local suppliers and social economy entities, barriers persist that hinder the competitiveness of small business owners. Consequently, it is necessary to encourage strategies that enable the artisan sector to compete on equal terms. This research aims to analyze the economic capacity of certified artisans in the Bolívar Canton (Manabí) and the challenges they face in meeting the requirements of Ecuadorian public procurement processes. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative procedures. The results revealed that 70% of the artisans have limited access to financing, which constitutes a major obstacle to their participation in public procurement. The study was descriptive-explanatory in scope, aiming to describe the artisans’ economic and administrative conditions and explain the factors limiting their participation. Additionally, a non-experimental, cross-sectional design was used, involving no manipulation of variables. The instruments made it possible to analyze economic capacity and propose strategies to strengthen artisan participation in public procurement.