Conceptualising Rural Migrant Entrepreneurship

Lessons from Kosovo

Bibliographic Data

ID22010100
AuthorsJudith Möllers (0000-0002-0311-595X, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies, corresponding author), Janine Isabelle Pinkow-Läpple (0000-0001-5458-6316, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies), Janine Pinkow-Läpple (Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), Halle (Saale), Saxony-Anhalt, Germany), Thomas Dufhues (0000-0003-0910-9398, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies)
Year2025
Volume14
Issue2
Pages193-214
Publication date2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMigration and Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2163-2324 • E-ISSN: 2163-2332
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/21632324251345622
OpenAlexW4411467602
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited39

Migrants contribute to their origin countries not only through monetary remittances but also by transferring ideas and practices, which can drive development, social change and entrepreneurial activity. These tangible and intangible resources hold immense potential to transform rural communities, where entrepreneurship is a critical pathway to economic growth. Research indicates that migrants, including returnees, are more likely to become entrepreneurs than other population groups. Additionally, remittances are not only a source of investment but also inspire local entrepreneurial initiatives. However, despite growing scholarly interest in rural entrepreneurship, few studies examine how migrant-driven entrepreneurship unfolds in rural contexts. This study fills this gap by adopting an exploratory and conceptual approach to examine the interplay between remittances, migration and rural entrepreneurship. Drawing on qualitative insights from Kosovo, it investigates the motivations, constraints and characteristics of rural migrant entrepreneurs. The findings highlight the role of both financial and knowledge-based remittances in fostering entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the study introduces a tentative typology of rural migrant entrepreneurs, distinguishing between classical entrepreneurs, social change–driven innovators and home-focused business owners. By advancing the conceptualisation of rural migrant entrepreneurship, this research lays the groundwork for future studies and policy interventions to leverage migration for rural economic transformation

Business · Economic geography · Economic growth · Economics · Entrepreneurship · Political science · Qualitative research · Rural area · Sociology · Typology · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access