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Document Type
Dissertation - University Access Only
Award Date
2015
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department / School
Sociology and Rural Studies
First Advisor
Meredith Redlin
Abstract
Although several studies have investigated entrepreneurship development and its relation to economic development in regions, not many have focused on rural entrepreneurship development in especially remote and rural communities. Many rural communities are struggling to maintain a sustainable economic base in today’s changing global economy. One of the ways for these communities is in exploring methods to encourage entrepreneurship development in their regions. By combining ideas of Minnitti and Bygrave (1999) and components of Markley and Macke’s (2003) Entrepreneurial components, the model of this study provides a framework for better understanding the determinants of rural entrepreneurship development. The model not only includes both demographic and economic factors as independent variables relative to rural entrepreneurship development, but also attempts to find associations of specific community factors affecting entrepreneurship in rural areas. Results support six hypotheses: population growth, skilled labor (college degree), unemployment, house hold income, entrepreneurship development, and attachment to community are associated with rural entrepreneurship development. The model developed in this research was effective at explaining the predictors of rural x entrepreneurship development and should prove useful when studying other factors economic development in rural areas. The study contributes to knowledge by empirically testing an existing framework of entrepreneurship especially by assessing how environmental and community factors affect rural entrepreneurship development. Particularly, the study finds environmental determinants to foster entrepreneurship and may suggest that small business establishment leads to improve economic conditions of rural regions. Recommendations for future theoretical and empirical studies as well as practical implications are also discussed.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Entrepreneurship--South Dakota
Rural development--South Dakota
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 85-89)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
110
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Kobia, Joy K., "An Investigation of Rural Entrepreneurship Development at County Level: Opportunities for Rural Communities in South Dakota" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1825.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1825
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