Regional Entrepreneurship–Developing a Holistic Framework for Stimulating Regional Enterprise

2000

Entrepreneurship accepts various meanings and has been assigned a wide range of definitions in the international scientific literature. Contemporary rural development policies treat entrepreneurship as a core element of the sustainable growth of lagging, mountainous, less-favoured areas. However, it seems that regional policy has adopted a rather fragmented and spontaneous approach to fostering entrepreneurship. In this paper, we review the various definitions of entrepreneurship and examine whether current regional and rural development policy instruments stimulate entrepreneurship. Evritania, a mountainous region in Greece has been selected in the framework of the European Union Research Project (EMASE) as a case study area. Past and current development efforts are reviewed to reveal the context for supporting entrepreneurship. More specifically, the regional development frameworks up to 1997 and the rural development schemes are included.

SN Applied Sciences

This paper is based on qualitative analysis and addresses the important topic of small business entrepreneurialism in rural areas and its special conditions and needs. Our aim is to present examples of and suggestions for how to encourage firm start-ups and the continuation possibly also the development and growth of existing firms. The paper is based on three cases that illustrate (1) challenges in the support system in rural areas, (2) various forms of support that could be used in rural areas, and (3) expectations that are eligible to put upon support activities designed for rural areas. The main findings are that (1) that successful support of rural businesses requires a critical mass of regional entrepreneurs, firms, and support actors, (2) diversity is critical, and the various actors must be coordinated to carry out the desired measures effectively, (3) expectations for growth and orientation of the firms must be realistic because broad support is more important than targeted...

Growth and Change, 2009

Sustainability, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

2015

While the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development has a long lineage, the idea of developing rural entrepreneurial communities to mobilize local resources in order to support a competitive advantage has only received vary scant attention in the literature. This paper explores the opportunity for rural communities to become more innovative by uncovering the constituent variables that enable them to develop their entrepreneurial capacity and capability. This should facilitate the basis for the development of a model for rural entrepreneurial communities and thus make a significant contribution to both theory and practice.

Type of Paper: Research Purpose: The aim of this research is to understand the barriers of entry experienced by rural entrepreneurs and their enterprises in England and Wales within the current policy framework. Approach: Using data from the GEM UK (2003 - 2006) 18 – 64 year olds survey, n=9,809, to examine the entrepreneurial activity and attitudes of those rural respondents in England and Wales who have started an enterprise (Nascent) 0 – 3 months and those have established (Baby businesses) between 4 to 42 months as well as those active and mature (more than 42 months) in enterprise. Findings: Preliminary results have indicated a number of interesting characteristics of these rural entrepreneurs. A number of barriers have been identified in relation to starting an enterprise, namely: sources of finance, ownership structure and funding, fear of loss of income from current job, lack of skills and the level of bureaucracy. A number of unique differences between these two groups of r...

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 2017

In Malaysia, particularly in Sabah, the government has been promoting entrepreneurship among rural people to encourage them to earn their living by making good use of the diverse natural resources and local cultures of Sabah. Nevertheless, despite the government’s aim to encourage more local community in rural area to involve in entrepreneurship, the involvement of community in entrepreneurial activity is still low. It is crucial to identify the factors stimulate (or prevent) the involvement of rural community in Sabah in entrepreneurial activity. Therefore, this study tries to investigate the personal and contextual factors that may have impact on decision to start a business among the local community in Mantanani Island. In addition, this study also aims to identify the perceived benefits they receive from entrepreneurial activity. A structured face-to-face interview was conducted with 61 local communities in Mantanani Island. Data analysis revealed that passion, personal skills a...

European Journal of Business and Management Research

Entrepreneurship has positioned itself as one of the main goals of both public and private agencies. This topic has been linked to urban areas population, marginalizing different groups and sectors, including the inhabitants of the rural areas have been included, which, usually considered by their lower income and social welfare, due to their inability to access sources of employment and services. Then, this research parts from a theoretical review of rural entrepreneurship and subsequently, explores the results from the application of a research instrument, focused on the perception of a group of rural tourism entrepreneurs was measured about the scope of their projects, pointing out the faced barriers and the gains that have been produced in their communities.

Purpose - Socio-economic decline in rural areas is a pervasive and debilitating phenomenon in terms of regional development particularly when former models of economic growth which once stimulated business generation and regeneration can no longer be counted on to do so. In these austere times, models of social and community enterprise are becoming more important. This corresponds to the emergence of theories of community based entrepreneurship and social enterprise as explanatory variables. Such theories are used to label enterprising behaviour enacted within our communities even when the theoretical arguments underpinning these re-conceptualisations require to be stretched to permit this. Often the resultant explanations are not entirely convincing. Design/methodology/approach - Consequentially, using a case study methodology this article reports on the activities of the Buchan Development Partnership (BDP) - a community based project situated in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland – demonstrating how individual and community enterprise can be utilized to develop enterprising individuals and communities by growing enterprises organically. The case articulates this process as it occurred in a rural development partnership using a narrative based case study methodology to examine activities and growth strategies. Findings - The case bridges issues of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial process, community and regional development and tells a story of community regeneration through the process of ‘Community Animateurship’. Research limitations/implications - Research, practical and social implications are discussed but in particular the need to adopt a more holistic approach. Originality/value - This case challenges existing conceptualisations of community based entrepreneurship and social enterprise.

Third Concept , 2022

Today rural entrepreneurship has emerged as a dynamic Concept. In general parlance rural entrepreneurship is defined as ‘entrepreneurship emerging at village level which can take place in a variety of fields of Endeavour such as industry, business, agriculture and act as a potent factor for overall economic development’. Compared to former times, entrepreneurship has been associated with rural area development. Entrepreneurship is difficult to define. For some, entrepreneurship largely entails innovation, while for others, it involves taking risks. For some, it is creating, running, and owning a small business. For others, it is a force that stabilizes the market. By examining the issues and difficulties encountered and attempting to propose some solutions, the paper analyzes the responsibilities of rural entrepreneurs in economic development

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2008

Even for a small country like Wales, there are substantial and unique differences between urban and rural environments in relation to not only establishing and enhancing nonagricultural entrepreneurship levels and attitudes, but also maintaining an interest in entrepreneurship in areas historically displaying high levels of enterprise. This paper investigates and highlights these distinctions. The outcome, in turn, will affect the manner of small business support and implementation of small business and enterprise policies by the Welsh Assembly Government, i.e., one size does not fit all in the Welsh context.

Journal of Rural Studies, 2020

2000

2013

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY From a Managed to an Entrepreneurial Economy The shift from a ‘managed’ economy to an ‘entrepreneurial’ economy is among the most important challenges developed economies have faced over the last few decades. This challenge is closely coupled with the increasing importance of non-physical capital, such as human and intellectual capital for wealth creation. The most notable signs of this shift are the following: 1. knowledge is increasingly replacing physical capital and labor as the key driving force of economic growth; 2. individuals rather than large firms are the leading factor in new knowledge creation; 3. alongside with large conglomerates, new and small firms play a dominant role in translating newly created knowledge into marketable goods and services; 4. traditional industrial policy, with antitrust laws and small business protection, has been replaced by a much broader entrepreneurship policy aiming to promote entrepreneurial innovation and facilitate high...

International Handbook of Research on Indigenous Entrepreneurship, 2007

This study examines the perceptions of different communities toward a set of triggers and barriers to the creation of a new business venture. Drawing on a sample of 253 respondents the perceptions of six different sub-populations where examined including: those who had already launched a business venture (ownermanagers) and those who had not (nascent entrepreneurs); persons located in urban and rural areas; and indigenous and non-indigenous communities. Findings suggest significant differences exist between these communities in how they perceive the importance of various triggers and barriers. These findings are discussed in the context of regional economic development with recommendations for future policy by government and non-government agencies seeking to generate more new venture start-ups Entrepreneurship in Regional Communities Uneven distribution of wealth and opportunity is a problem facing governments throughout the world, with economic and social divisions emerging within countries as human and financial capital flow unevenly from one region to the next. Sustainable economic development within regional economies requires growth in both employment and per capita incomes. [1] However, for many regional economies the decline of traditional industries leads to steady erosion in the employment base and a commensurate fall in per capita incomes. Where the establishment of a few large employing firms or government owned enterprises couldn't secure such employment and income growth, the only alternative is self-employment or entrepreneurship in the form of new venture creation. [2] Research into new venture creation within economically declining regions suggests that adverse conditions promote greater numbers of "necessity entrepreneurs" (those who establish businesses out of necessity due to unemployment or redundancy), who establish poorly resourced micro-enterprises that experience high failure rates and produce only modest levels of employment substitution. [3] Enhancing employment and economic growth within declining or depressed regions is more likely to succeed where new