Showing 3 results for Rural Entrepreneurship.
Mohamad Zaheri, Hossein Karimzadeh, Nabiollah Hosseini Shahpariyan,
Volume 13, Issue 50 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in job creation, wealth generation, and economic growth, serving as a key driver of community development. However, the emergence of rural entrepreneurship requires the establishment of a supportive ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurial activities. This study aims to identify the factors affecting rural entrepreneurship development through a meta-analysis approach, utilizing CMA3 software.
Method: This study analyzed all relevant research articles published in Iranian academic journals over the past 12 years. Using keyword-based searches in credible scientific databases, 13 research articles and 2 university dissertations met the inclusion criteria. The final meta-analysis incorporated 11 key factors and 343 variables.
Findings: The results indicate that out of all identified variables:
- 175 variables were repeated at least 50 times in different studies.
- 8 variables (16%) had a low effect size (<0.3).
- 37 variables (74%) had a moderate effect size (0.3–0.5).
- 5 variables (10%) had a high effect size (>0.5).
Among the 11 main influencing factors, 7 factors were the most frequently cited:
- Individual Factors (Competitiveness, enthusiasm, and ambiguity tolerance);
- Economic Factors (Production & marketing, access to financial support);
- Social Factors (Place attachment, NGOs, economic security);
- Environmental Factors (Access to land & water, suitable natural conditions);
- Infrastructure Factors (Physical infrastructure, business environment, market access);
- Educational Factors (Entrepreneurial training);
- Institutional Factors (Institution-building, media coverage, entrepreneurship laws).
Conclusions: The meta-analysis approach highlights that rural entrepreneurship is shaped by multiple interrelated factors. This study integrates findings from diverse research to prioritize key influencing factors based on effect size, leading to the development of a comprehensive rural entrepreneurship model.
Firooz Nazeri, Seyed Ramin Ghafari, Amir Gandomkar, Hamid Saberi,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Ecotourism supports sustainable rural development by preserving the environment and biodiversity, creating jobs, enhancing entrepreneurship, and improving local livelihoods. This study examines how ecotourism impacts entrepreneurship indicators in rural settlements of Dalkhani District, Ramsar County.
Methods: The research is descriptive–analytical and applied, using documentary and field methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations). The statistical population comprises 3,475 households in 98 rural settlements, from which 370 were selected via Cochran’s formula using systematic random sampling. Questionnaire validity was confirmed by ecotourism and entrepreneurship experts; reliability was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.949). Data were analyzed with SPSS, Smart PLS, and GIS tools, applying Spearman correlation, one-sample t-tests, and path analysis to explore causal relationships.
Results: Among ecotourism dimensions, the economic (score = 31.53) and socio-cultural (score = 27.91) indicators had the strongest correlation (0.74). The weakest link was between physical–spatial and economic indicators (0.32). All dimensions significantly affected rural entrepreneurship, with ecotourism markedly fostering entrepreneurial activities.
Conclusion: In Dalkhani, ecotourism has created jobs, increased household income through accommodation, hospitality, agricultural product sales, and handicrafts, and moderately improved local infrastructure. However, insufficient attention to sustainability risks ecological and cultural imbalances. Future rural planning should integrate sustainability to ensure long-term benefits.
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.
