Overview

Bringing together case studies from Germany, Greece, Poland, Portugal and the UK, this book examines the contribution of entrepreneurial ventures and new technology in stimulating economic development in rural locations.

It looks at instances of good practice in terms of both public and private initiatives, and develops a coherent combination of policy objectives facilitating the long-term economic development of the countryside.

Analysis of Economic Restructuring

Firstly analyzing the key causes and effects of economic restructuring currently affecting Europe’s rural areas, the book then explores the consequences that European integration and globalization have had and will have in future.

Sources of Entrepreneurship

It identifies sources of entrepreneurship and examines their distribution between different gender, age and other social groupings.

Institutional and Social Environment

The book continues to evaluate the extent to which the existing institutional, social and technological environment and infrastructure encourages and facilitates entrepreneurship.