BootstrapPLS-Fuzzy-Genetic Hybridization to Predict the Effect of the Solidarity Economy and Sustainability on Competitiveness: The Case of a Farmer’s Market in Mexico

This study explores a new hybrid approach that combines a structural nonparametric technique and a fuzzy mathematical technique to predict the effect of social and solidarity economy and sustainable development on business competitiveness under uncertainty using the representative case of a rural farmers’ market in Mexico. We used data from a survey of 100 rural entrepreneurs from a Node for Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy (NODESS). The methodology was empirical-structural and mathematical-analytical, which is helpful for logically assessing the internal consistency of complex relationships. The measurements were normalized and validated in the first phase using a non-parametric structural technique of an algorithm based on Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM). For the predictive calculation, a Bootstrapping with \(n=10,000\) and the Inference of a Fuzzy Genetic System (FGS) were used in the second stage. The results show the functionality of our hybrid model for predicting social variables under uncertainty. The specific results show that both the attributes of the solidarity family business and those of sustainable development benefit the competitiveness of the NODESS studied, manifesting themselves in terms of advantage, growth, and competitiveness through the identification of intangible aspects. Finally, policy and social implications are provided.