Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Northern Regions of Iran: Key Pillars and Drivers

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Hadi Moumenihelali 1
Mozhgan Danesh 2
Enayat Abbasi 3
Jamileh Aliloo 4
Mostafa Karbasioun 5
1 1. Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 2. Rice Research Institute of Iran, Mazandaran Branch, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Amol, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2 Department of Technological Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
3 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
4 Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
5 Department of Agricultural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Islamic Republic of Iran.
10.48311/jast.2026.16870
Abstract
The concept of rural entrepreneurship ecosystems has attracted significant attention among practitioners, policymakers, and researchers during the past decade. However, the research concerning rural entrepreneurship ecosystem has been largely focused on empirics from developed regions. In this study, in order to explain the drivers of rural entrepreneurship ecosystem in a developing region, the data was collected from 103 rural entrepreneurship practitioners through a survey in northern area of Iran. The data was then analyzed using the exploratory factor analysis method. The research team considered the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem supporters in three pillars: policy-making, institution, and society. According to the results of exploratory factor analysis, each triple supporter pillar of the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem was divided into two components. The components extracted from the policy pillar included "rules and regulations" and "infrastructure." The components extracted from the institutional pillar included "networking and informing" as well as "services and support." In addition, "tendencies and characteristics of the people" and "financial participation" were assumed as the society components. These results were discussed and provided agenda for future practical and professional works.
Keywords
Developing regions
Exploratory factor analysis
Policy making
Subjects
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 28, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 551-569