journal of sustainable rural development

journal of sustainable rural development

Integrated Model of Sustainable Rural Entrepreneurship Development

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Azadshahr Faculty of Humanities, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.
Abstract
Purpose: Rural entrepreneurship is the engine of economic growth, dynamism, and social development in rural areas. Despite its crucial importance, it has received little attention from development planners and researchers in this field. Given the innovative and dynamic nature of entrepreneurship in rural areas and the imperative to preserve ecosystem integrity within villages, policymakers and planners are tasked with identifying key value-creating factors and indicators. These factors are essential for enhancing entrepreneurial activities and achieving job creation, economic growth, and poverty reduction goals. Therefore, this research aims to develop an integrated model of entrepreneurship development in rural areas with a sustainable development approach.
Methods: This research employs qualitative content analysis to examine existing studies on entrepreneurship development in rural areas. Subsequently, a composite model is proposed based on the findings. The population and statistical sample represent relevant studies related to the research topic. To achieve this objective, relevant sources were meticulously collected and examined. The components and variables of interest in each study were scrutinized and extracted. Subsequently, central themes were identified based on conceptual similarities and proximity, followed by thematic classification.
Results: The findings of this research have identified six main factors within the dimensions of development factors of rural entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial environment factors. The development factors of rural entrepreneurship encompass fourteen value-creating variables distributed across three components: Fostering and strengthening entrepreneurial attitudes, cultivating entrepreneurial behaviors, and enhancing entrepreneurial consequences. The dimension of entrepreneurial environment factors encompasses nineteen variables categorized into three levels of economic development: Resource-driven, efficiency-driven, and innovation-driven. Finally, the validity and reliability of the model were assessed using the Kappa index, resulting in a calculated value of 0.857, indicating perfect agreement.
Conclusion: Promoting sustainable entrepreneurship and developing rural businesses can contribute to economic development, poverty reduction, employment growth, economic diversification, acceleration of regional development, and social progress. Additionally, prioritizing entrepreneurship is a paramount governmental mission. To realize income and job creation objectives, policymakers devise supportive policies to bolster entrepreneurial endeavors and foster an entrepreneurial spirit among the populace. The research findings align with this, and recommendations for further advancement are provided in the discussion part of the article.
Keywords

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