Design and Validation of a Diagnostic Instrument of Management Competencies for Rural MSMEs: The Case of the Agave Route of Jalisco

This study aimed to design and validate a contextualized diagnostic instrument to evaluate the management competencies of micro and small enterprises (MiPymes) located in the Ruta Agavera of Jalisco, Mexico. Grounded in a critical and context-sensitive theoretical framework, the instrument integrates six dimensions: strategic, organizational, communicational, ethical-emotional, adaptive, and digital competencies. The validation process employed a dual methodology, combining expert judgment through the Delphi technique with a pilot application in three rural municipalities. Results confirmed strong content validity (CVR ≥ 0.78) and factorial adequacy (KMO = 0.67; Bartlett’s test p < 0.001), supporting its structural feasibility. Additionally, a qualitative validation with 10 entrepreneurs revealed that the instrument is precise, contextually relevant, and practically useful as a self-assessment and reflection tool. Participants suggested enhancements in terminology and called for the inclusion of community engagement and resilience elements. Overall, the instrument demonstrates solid conceptual and practical alignment with the realities of rural entrepreneurship. It is a valuable tool for organizational diagnosis, training program design, and the formulation of inclusive, evidence-based development policies in rural territories.