Appreciating, Unlocking and Building Effective Entrepreneurial Capacity

This study focuses on the transformation of a rural-based organization, the Lower Guruve Development Association, formed in 1982 in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, an area plagued by economic, social, and political conflict, famine, and an HIV/AIDs pandemic. The Association, a non-governmental organization, serves rural farmers by establishing and managing commercial ventures involving fishing, land tillage and harvesting, and produce distribution; and developing education, nutrition, and health programs. During the last 25 years, the Association has grown from 5 employees to over 90, most of whom are neither highly literature nor formally educated. This study examines the job competencies necessary for Association members to fulfill its mission of promoting agriculture and small- to medium-sized sustainable projects with low initial capital and appropriate technology. Results indicate that competencies are influenced by many things, including perception, work situation, and organizational culture..