The Rural Enterprise Economy (Routledge Studies in the Economics of Business and Industry)

Enterprises located in rural regions face various challenges in the globalised and digitised world. This book offers comprehensive answers to the question of what makes up the rural enterprise economy in the contemporary business world. It addresses the competitiveness and viability, strategic management and strategic change, and marketing issues for both incumbent and start-up companies in rural regions. The book presents new concepts that shed light on the rural enterprise economy with its entrepreneurs.

With a broad range of cases from European regions, the book provides theoretical insights for scholars, practical case-based evidence for lecturers and teachers, and practical knowledge for business practitioners and planning specialists. Academic experts from European universities and research institutes provide compelling answers to this under-researched topic in business studies and economics.

Birgit Leick is Professor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway. Her current research interests are entrepreneurship in the creative industries, digital entrepreneurs and the sharing economy, and regional economic development.

Susanne Gretzinger is Associate Professor at the University of Southern Denmark. Her research interests lie in studies of regional business development, business-to-business marketing, relationship development in business networks and digitalization.

Teemu Makkonen is Professor at the Karelian Institute, University of Eastern Finland (UEF). He holds a PhD and a Title of Docent in economic geography (University of Helsinki) as well as a Title of Docent in cross-border economic development (UEF). His research interests include regional and rural development, regional innovativeness and cross-border regions.