Masood Safari Ali-Akbari ,
Volume 14, Issue 53 (12-2025)
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of the present study is to explain the role of the rural creative economy in the development of rural entrepreneurship in Sonqor County (Iran).
Methods: This applied research employed a descriptive–analytical approach. The statistical population consisted of all experts and specialists in the field of rural entrepreneurship development in Sonqor County, numbering 43 individuals. Because the population size was small, a full census sampling method was used, and the entire population (43 individuals) was selected as the sample. The research instruments included two questionnaires on the creative economy and rural entrepreneurship, with 12 and 19 items, respectively. The validity of the questionnaires was confirmed using face and construct validity, and the reliability was approved through Cronbach’s alpha (0.79). The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis through PLS software.
Results: The results show that the proposed model explaining the role of the rural creative economy in the development of rural entrepreneurship in Sonqor County has a good level of fit. Overall, the creative economy has a positive and significant effect on rural entrepreneurship, with an impact coefficient of 0.38 and a critical value of 3.97. Furthermore, the creative economy has a positive and significant effect on: supportive policies (β = 0.39; t = 3.87), extension and training programs (β = 0.36; t = 4.07), infrastructure (β = 0.34; t = 3.48), environmental capacities (β = 0.37; t = 3.63), and collaborative/participatory economy (β = 0.45; t = 5.56).
Conclusions: If the creative economy is pursued in the rural areas of Sonqor County and the full potential of villages- particularly ideas and innovations- is utilized, the foundation will be laid for active participation and continuous effort among rural residents. Consequently, rural areas will experience improved conditions for entrepreneurship.
