A Narrative Review of Rurality and Entrepreneurial from the Intersectional Approach

Entrepreneurial activities and rural areas have received growing research attention. In addition to the spatial context, social dimensions that are addressed by intersectionality theory influence various aspects of the entrepreneuring process and entrepreneurial identities. The main objective of this chapter is to explore the interplay between various social structures when studying entrepreneurship in rural contexts. To address the objective, this chapter presents a narrative literature review on entrepreneurship in rural regions from an intersectional lens is conducted. An analysis of a collection of 77 peer-reviewed articles reveals four thematic narratives on the experiences of rural entrepreneurs, diverse profiles of people who adopt entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, and various social and political liabilities rural entrepreneurs face. The themes reflect two theoretical vantage points: rural entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship in the rural. The results propose that besides an emancipatory perspective of entrepreneurship in rural areas, there is also a dark side, where institutional and social norms provide privileges for some groups while hindering entrepreneurial opportunities of marginalized groups. The chapter contributes to research on intersectionality theory in entrepreneurship and rural entrepreneurship research, providing future research agenda and societal implications and suggestions for more equal development of entrepreneurial activities in rurality.