Purpose Rural entrepreneurship plays critical roles in fostering inclusive economic development, reducing regional disparities, and promoting sustainability. This study examines the intellectual discourse, thematic progression, and evolving trends in the field, aiming to bridge the gaps in understanding the progression and significance of rural entrepreneurship by identifying key research domains, critical contributions, and future pathways. Design/methodology/approach This study employed bibliometric techniques (i.e., co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-occurrence analysis) to analyze 1,231 articles retrieved exclusively from the Web of Science (WoS) database, mapping thematic clusters within rural entrepreneurship studies. Findings Studies on rural entrepreneurship have continuously evolved across various thematic domains. Past research has focused on the roles of embeddedness, the creative class, and policy in shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems. The current trend in research emphasizes innovation systems, business diversification, and capital utilization to achieve resilient rural economies. Future research will focus on establishing sustainable growth of creative villages through sustainable entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. Research limitations/implications This study extends the creative class theory to rural contexts, providing practical strategies for cultivating sustainable rural economies by fostering innovation, developing policy frameworks, and promoting business diversification. Originality/value This study offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in shaping future research agendas and policy initiatives aimed at fostering the development of rural economies.
Gusman Nawanir (Fri,) studied this question.
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