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The Entrepreneurial Environment in Greek Rural Areas: The Entrepreneur’s Viewpoint

Author

Listed:
  • Charisia Vlachou

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Olga Iakovidou

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Panagiota Sergaki

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Georgios Menexes

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

The business environment that prevails in a region has a significant influence on the businesses operating in that geographical area. A strong business environment can enhance not only the growth and success of businesses, but also their retention and sustainable development in the area. The literature review shows that a small number of empirical studies have examined the business environment in rural areas. This research attempts to highlight the factors (road access, technology infrastructure, etc.) that make up the business environent in rural areas, as well as to clarify the degree of satisfaction that the entrepreneurs themselves derive from them. For the purposes of the survey, a questionnaire was filled in by 240 entrepreneurs from rural areas in the Regional Unit (RU) of Serres, in the northern part of Greece, who assessed their satisfaction with the business environment using a five-point Likert-type scale, through personal interviews. The principal component analysis identified six factors, which showed higher satisfaction among the categories of “infrastructure” and “social capital”.

Suggested Citation

  • Charisia Vlachou & Olga Iakovidou & Panagiota Sergaki & Georgios Menexes, 2021. "The Entrepreneurial Environment in Greek Rural Areas: The Entrepreneur’s Viewpoint," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1719-:d:494138
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    References listed on IDEAS

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