Short answer

When designing for or analyzing rural ventures, differentiate between those that are place-bound and resource-leveraging ('rural entrepreneurship') versus those that are more mobile and profit-focused ('entrepreneurship in the rural').

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research (2015)
Method: Conceptual analysis and literature review using ideal types from human geography.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Distinguishing between entrepreneurial activities that are mobile and profit-driven ('entrepreneurship in the rural') versus those that leverage local resources and are deeply embedded in their location ('rural entrepreneurship') offers a more nuanced understanding of their impact on local development. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research. Using Conceptual analysis and literature review using ideal types from human geography., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for or analyzing rural ventures, differentiate between those that are place-bound and resource-leveraging ('rural entrepreneurship') versus those that are more mobile and profit-focused ('entrepreneurship in the rural').

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Contextualizing Entrepreneurship: 'Entrepreneurship in the Rural' vs. 'Rural Entrepreneurship'

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research · 2015

Key Findings

01Two ideal types of rural entrepreneurship are identified: 'entrepreneurship in the rural' and 'rural entrepreneurship'.
02'Rural entrepreneurship' has the potential for optimized resource use and is less likely to relocate, contributing more deeply to local development than 'entrepreneurship in the rural'.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When evaluating or supporting rural businesses, ask: 'Does this venture primarily draw on and contribute to local resources and community identity, or is it a mobile operation seeking broader market opportunities?'

Project actions

01When researching a business, consider its connection to its location.
02Use the 'place' vs. 'space' idea to categorize and analyze your findings.

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how rural entrepreneurship engages with place and space by developing ideal types of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas.

MethodConceptual analysis and literature review using ideal types from human geography.

ProcedureThe paper develops two ideal types: 'entrepreneurship in the rural' (profit-oriented, mobile logic of space) and 'rural entrepreneurship' (leveraging local resources, re-connecting place to space). These types are used to review existing literature and suggest new research avenues.

ContextRural entrepreneurship and local economic development.

Variables

IVType of rural entrepreneurship (entrepreneurship in the rural vs. rural entrepreneurship).

DVImpact on local development, resource utilization, and business embeddedness.

CVRural location, entrepreneurial activity.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a clear conceptual framework for analyzing rural entrepreneurship.
+Highlights the importance of context in entrepreneurial studies.

Limitations

It can be difficult to definitively categorize a business into one ideal type, as many may exhibit characteristics of both.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the ideal types relies on their ability to clearly differentiate and explain observed phenomena in rural entrepreneurial contexts. Reliability would depend on consistent application of these types across different researchers and studies.

Think critically

To what extent can a business truly be 'entrepreneurship in the rural' without any connection to its place, and what are the long-term consequences of this detachment for the local community?

Design Principles

"Contextualize entrepreneurial strategies by understanding the enterprise's relationship to its physical and social environment."

This distinction is crucial for designers and researchers aiming to foster sustainable local economies. Understanding whether an enterprise is primarily driven by external market forces or by a commitment to local resources can inform strategies for support, investment, and community integration.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about businesses in the countryside. Some are just there to make money and could move anywhere ('entrepreneurship in the rural'). Others are really part of the local community, using local stuff and helping the area stay strong ('rural entrepreneurship').

How to use in your project

1.You can use this distinction to frame your research question about a specific rural business or industry.
2.Analyze your findings by categorizing businesses based on their embeddedness in the local context.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research explores the concept of rural entrepreneurship by distinguishing between 'entrepreneurship in the rural,' characterized by a mobile, profit-oriented logic, and 'rural entrepreneurship,' which leverages local resources and is deeply embedded in its place. This distinction is vital for understanding how different ventures impact local economic development and resource utilization.

Source

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research

Rural entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship in the rural – between place and space

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about contextualizing entrepreneurship: 'entrepreneurship in the rural' vs. 'rural entrepreneurship'?: When designing for or analyzing rural ventures, differentiate between those that are place-bound and resource-leveraging ('rural entrepreneurship') versus those that are more mobile and profit-focused ('entrepreneurship in the rural'). Evidence: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research (2015).
Why does "Contextualizing Entrepreneurship: 'Entrepreneurship in the Rural' vs. 'Rural Entrepreneurship'" matter for design?: This distinction is crucial for designers and researchers aiming to foster sustainable local economies. Understanding whether an enterprise is primarily driven by external market forces or by a commitment to local resources can inform strategies for support, investment, and community integration.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing for or analyzing rural ventures, differentiate between those that are place-bound and resource-leveraging ('rural entrepreneurship') versus those that are more mobile and profit-focused ('entrepreneurship in the rural').
What were the main findings?: Two ideal types of rural entrepreneurship are identified: 'entrepreneurship in the rural' and 'rural entrepreneurship'.. 'Rural entrepreneurship' has the potential for optimized resource use and is less likely to relocate, contributing more deeply to local development than 'entrepreneurship in the rural'.
What research method was used?: Conceptual analysis and literature review using ideal types from human geography..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When evaluating or supporting rural businesses, ask: 'Does this venture primarily draw on and contribute to local resources and community identity, or is it a mobile operation seeking broader market opportunities?'
What are the limitations?: The ideal types are conceptual tools and may not perfectly capture the complexity of all real-world rural entrepreneurial activities.