Managerial formalization and access to the financing in rice productive units: systematic revision of literature

Abstract

Introduction: Business formalization and access to financing are two strategic dimensions for strengthening agricultural production units. In the rice subsector, this relationship is particularly significant due to producers' needs for working capital, technological upgrading, bargaining power, and financial sustainability. Materials and Methods: This research employed a documentary approach with a descriptive-analytical scope, following the PRISMA 2020 methodology. The objective was to identify and analyze existing scientific evidence regarding the relationship between business formalization and access to financing for rice production units and small-scale farms, with an emphasis on implications for the Ecuadorian context. The search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online Library, supplemented by a manual review of references. Publications in Spanish and English from 2022 to 2026 were considered. A total of 47 records were identified, 9 of which met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Results: The findings indicate that formalization facilitates access to credit when accompanied by accounting and financial records, access to banking services, financial literacy, and the ability to demonstrate income. Discussion: Furthermore, variables such as education, cultivated area, membership in cooperatives, social networks, and the institutional design of financial products influence the outcomes. Conclusions: It is concluded that formalization, on its own, does not guarantee access to financing; rather, it serves as a key component within a broader framework of management, verifiable information, and financial inclusion. The implications for rice production units in Salitre, Guayas, are discussed, and guidelines for future empirical research are proposed.